WELCOME We enjoyed an unexpected free Saturday last week, after Selby conceded our Yorkshire Shield match, but here we are in league action today and we're pleased to welcome back to Acklam Park our visitors from Pontefract. We last met four years ago, during our first excursion into Y1. That season, at Pontefract, they took a very early lead before a penalty and try gave us a lead we never lost. We were ahead 11-23 at half time, which we stretched to 11-28, but back came Pontefract to make it 23-28. We scored another try but back they came to make it 30-33 and a very interesting final 10 minutes.

We won the return by 35-0. At half time it was 6-0; we were camped in our opponents' half yet we couldn't breech their line. In a much more even second period we managed to push the score along to 16-0 with the final whistle looming. But then in the final few frantic minutes we added a further 19 points in the blink of an eye!

That season our visitors were relegated, but have steadily worked their way back up the ladder. They finished fourth in Y2 the season after relegation, third the following year and then they topped the table last season to earn a pretty quick return. And they started their campaign with a bang, winning four of the opening five games, losing only to Beverley. Since then they've also lost to Salem and Crocs but have beaten Dinnington and Keighley, a record which places them two places above us, courtesy of three bonus points more than us.

LEAGUE RUGBY We weren't at our best in our last two matches, in both of which we came a distant second. The first half was our undoing against O Brods. The late withdrawal by an injured Conner led to a reshuffled back division. At half time we re-reshuffled (!) the backs and it certainly paid dividends; unfortunately we were already 0-26 in arrears. Our defence is normally good but on the day we had no answer to Brods' strong running which earned them four tries and a bonus point before the break. It had all the makings of a very uncomfortable second 40 minutes but we regrouped and were much more involved as an attacking force; that we were held to a solitary try by Liam was down to some outstanding defence by our opponents, which was as admirable as their attacking play had been in the first period. After the match Brods did say it had been their best performance of the season; sadly it wasn't ours.

This was followed by another reversal at Moortown, who have gathered together a group of players who are a real force to be reckoned with. Let me say that without a shadow of a doubt they were better than us and fully deserved to win, but what disappointed me more than our performance was Moortown's approach. That Baggy was able to walk from the pitch at the final whistle is a testament to his toughness.

OTHER GAMES The Colts travelled to Harrogate a fortnight ago. Although they lost 43-27 the match was tight till the last 10 minutes when our guys ran out of steam. We had three tries held up over the line AND Harrogate scored with a lucky bounce with the last play of the game to flatter them with the score line. The game had gone to uncontested scrums – our pack were on top...Last week the boys were away to Beverley – again – in the Cup – again – although this time it is the Yorkshire, not the National, Cup. They lost 24-5, conceding two early tries but competing well thereafter. Ross Linklanter hurt his neck and was taken to Hull hospital, but fortunately the problem was proved to be muscular and he is home.

Following their 42-36 win against Wensleydale the U15s held a triangular match with Sunderland and Thirsk, with some players being switched around the teams to ensure everyone got equal playtime. Sunderland provided the first opposition for Middlesbrough; they were a very strong side with size and pace in their favour. It was therefore to Boro's credit that Sunderland were restricted to two tries either side of half time with a final score of 0-24. Boro's flankers, Dylan Condren and Ewan Stokes did all the basics right and there was some good tackling throughout the team. MoM was Ewan. In the Boro v Thirsk game Sunderland had loan players on both sides. Boro scored twice in the first half, the first try from a Sunderland loanee, and the second from centre Reece McDonald, which was converted by Ryan. Half time score was 12–0. In a close second half Boro edged it with a second try from Reece, which was also converted by Ryan, to make the final score 19-0.

CLUB NEWS After the Brods match we all gathered to witness a charming ceremony when Andy Micklewright was presented with a decanter and glasses to commemorate 300 appearances in the 1st team – an extremely credible achievement in these days of 30-match seasons – followed by the presentation of 1st team ties to Scott Taylor, Joe Secret and Tom Rhattigan. Many congratulations to all four.

And well done young Kieren Thompson, Baggie's nephew; belying his tender years he picked up the phone and invited Newcastle Falcon's coach Mick Ward down to training. Mick did come down the A19 with players Will Witty and Tom Penny, did a session with our Juniors and then stayed on to get involved with senior training.

In thanking Mick, and whilst on the subject of Newcastle Falcons, let me offer them our hearty congratulations on being undefeated in the Premiership Rugby Cup these past three weeks, results achieved with the help of three of our Old Boys. Zach Kibirige, Ben Stevenson and Adam Radwan made up three-quarters of the Falcons starting three-quarters against high-flying Exeter three weeks ago. A hat trick by Zach on his birthday wasn't quite enough to win the match, which finished 22-22, both teams getting two points. They went one better at the Stoop, beating Harlequins 21-23. Adam played the whole game whilst Ben came on at half time and scored a try. The pitch was graced by yet another Middlesbrough Old Boy, who also scored a try – Quins prop Lewis Boyce burrowed over, having had one try denied by the TMO (don't get me going!) for a knock-on in the build-up. Last weekend, in a match played at home in atrocious weather, Ben again came on after half time to help the Falcons beat Sale 22-7.

Other Old Boys who have reached higher echelons of rugby include Carl Kirwan at Worcester, Aedan Moloney (Moseley), Josh Walters (Leeds Rhinos rugby league), Josh Bainbridge (Yorkshire Carnegie), Olly Hodgson and Rory Duff at Darlington Mowden Park, Josh Burridge and Sam Gaudie at Wharfedale, and of course Andy Baggett (Wharfedale and Blaydon) and Pete Homan (Plymouth Pirates) both of whom have returned to us.

A note for all you young-at-heart supporters – our weekly walking rugby sessions have been deferred until February. And finally I can report that our Fireworks display was yet another huge success, but only because so many people chipped to help; thank you to everyone who gave up their time for our benefit

REFEREE'S CORNER This afternoon I am delighted to welcome Laurence Pearson back to Acklam Park; he was last here a year ago when we played Hullensians and when Mike Smith, President of Yorkshire was our guest. The previous season Laurence was in charge of our Yorkshire Shield semi-final against Wath. He has been a referee for nine years, before which he was a scrum half both at junior and senior level at Keighley before joining O Brodleians and Halifax Vandals; as something of an all-rounder he also appeared at hooker and blind side. He is MD of a training company. I hope he enjoys his time with us this afternoon.