WELCOME It gives me great pleasure to welcome Goole back to Acklam Park this afternoon.
Many of you won't remember their earlier visit – it was 20 years ago, in October 2002, in N2E. We won 27-5 with tries from Peter Wright, Jason Littleton, Andy Micklewright (all of whom are still heavily involved with the Club) and Richie Horton, who carried on coaching our Juniors when he hung up his boots. We lost the return match in January, 21-14, with a try by Tom Bivens and a penalty try, plus conversions from Andy Mick. That victory for Goole was one of only three that season, when they finished bottom of the league, to our seventh.

For a long time this season the Y1 table had a similar look for our opponents. At Christmas they'd won only two of 13 matches and were in last spot with 13 points. But what a change in their fortunes from January. In 2022 they've lost only once in nine outings, and have won all four of their away games to boot. As a result of this impressive form they have risen to eight place with 48 points. Like last week's visitors Goole's away record is better than their form at home; they have won more and lost fewer games on their travels than at home.

However, as we know to our cost, one of those precious home wins was against us! Not only did they beat us but they are one of only two teams who have prevented us from getting any league points in a match this season. We did score first and then take a 5-14 lead but were 19-14 down at the break and then 29-14 behind before getting back to 29-21. A huge drop goal by Rhys Moore settled matters. Goole's recent form certainly suggests a cracker of a match today.

LEAGUE RUGBY Let me first offer our sincere congratulate to warrior Andrew Baggett, our player/coach who made his 100th appearance for us last week. His first appearance was in April 2000 at full back against Blaydon, scoring his first points for us the following week against Castleford in the Yorkshire Cup. Always destined for greater things Andrew left us first for Wharfedale and then Blaydon, accumulating record-breaking appearances (432) and points (1707) along the way. Since his return in 2017 he has scored 778 points for us.

I was a little nervous before last week's game v West Leeds. We only narrowly won our earlier game and they were experiencing a resurgence in form. In the event we won comfortably but not before some challenging moments. After 10 minutes the score was 10-7as Bren powered over and Andrew added two kicks. As it turned out despite their best efforts our visitors could not add to their score, with tries from Bren, Richie and Jack making it 29-7 at the break. A brace from Ali sandwiched one by Rhys as the victory took us back to top spot. (Indulge me for a moment, but watching Ali galloping for the line for his second try, knees punching the sky and legs pumping like pistons, took me back 50 years, reminding me so much of England No 8 and true Corinthian Andy Ripley in full stride...a joy to behold!)
NEXT WEEK OUR 1ST & 2ND XVS ARE TRAVELLING TO O RISHWORTHIAN

CLUB RUGBY The Wasps lost their CANDY match at Rovers last week by 39-5. Never was the presence of a player better illustrated than by the red card dished out to Stumpy,,,the score was 10-0 at the time. It is true that Rovers, without a first team game, introduced five first-teamers, coming back from injury; and they bought Stumpy a pint afterwards. It was one of those cases where he retaliated to a punch thrown at him in the mouth when getting up, unseen by the referee. That doesn't make it right of course, and unfortunately it has finished his season.

JUNIORS GOOD NEWS I am pleased to report that our U15s beat Richmondshire 5-26 last weekend; they have also qualified for the Yorkshire Africa Cup Final (don't ask!) against Beverley next Sunday 3 April. BAD NEWS Sod's Law - the team's scrum half, Jack Ness, suffered a supracondylar fracture of the humerus at Richmond and needed an operation to reposition it with three metal rods. Jack has often been down on match days helping with the 1st team and we all send him our very best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. Hope to see you soon Jack!

WHAT ANOTHER WEEK! Not wanting to simply repeat the report in the programme last week I must say there were even more high-spirited, boisterous and very lively youngsters here at Acklam Park, for the third week running, enjoying themselves in a series of knock-out tournaments for local schools. In all we must have welcomed more than 500 boys and girls of all ages over the three weeks for what have been amazingly successful sessions – for many of them it was their first taste of rugby. The attendance of those youngsters from Catholic schools was organised by the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust. I quote from one of several letters Bernie Coyne received in the middle week.”It was fantastic to see 180 girls all developing their knowledge and skills...and the sheer enjoyment that this experience brought. We really are appreciative of all your volunteers and the wonderful hospitality too.” The Trust's appreciation of the Club's efforts was summed up after the event by the letter from Craig Hill on p 9. I'm sure Bernie has worked harder than ever since the award of his British Empire Medal. Many congratulations to him, and everyone who joined him in making these sessions so successful. They did the Club proud.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS EASTER COACHING CAMP AT ACKLAM PARK
Wednesday 20 April, 10am-3pm, for boys and girls aged 6 to 14 years old
Cost is £25, with free T shirt and £5 credit
register at www.rugby.camps.co.uk/Falcons or contact Gavin.Beasley@Newcastle-Falcons.co.uk

SPONSORS Today we are delighted to welcome Gary Dawson of A V Dawson, another of Middlesbrough's burgeoning family businesses. Gary is the third generation of the family to drive the business forward, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Vernon, who founded Dawson's with a horse and cart over 80 years ago, and then his father Maurice who had tremendous foresight, and courage, in acquiring the redundant Lin Din facility on the riverside.

Their new £3m head office is built in the exact location of the original port of Middlesbrough and reflects the 190-year heritage of the site, with reclaimed railway sleepers and sandstone foundations from the 1830 quays incorporated into the landscaping. The building is part of a £10m three year master plan announced 18 months ago when A V Dawson amalgamated several aspects of it's port and logistics operations to form one integrated facility under the banner “Port of Middlesbrough – an A V Dawson facility.” Other developments will see the creation of a plastics waste recycling plant and the enhancement of the existing quayside to accommodate larger vessels. Additionally, and excellent news, the Port of Middlesbrough is included as a secondary customs zone within the Teesside Freeport. It is a pleasure to welcome Gary and his guests this afternoon.

REFEREE'S CORNER It gives me great pleasure to welcome Tony Smith back to Acklam Park. He first visited us three years ago when we played Heath in the first match of our second season in Y1. He was a winger who played both codes of rugby, union for Otley, Newcastle Gosforth and Ilkley, winning England caps at U16-18 and U21, and professionally for Leeds, Keighley and Bradford, winning England caps for the U23s. He has been a referee these past ten years. I hope he enjoys his afternoon with us.

NEXT SEASON WE CELEBRATE OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY.
We would like you all to help us commemorate this momentous and historic milestone by joining in the many activities planned. For instance there will be a Grand Reunion on Commemoration Day, 12 November, and a Celebration Dinner on 5 May 2023. Look out for details of the many other events!