WELCOME On this, the last day before we lose BST, I offer a warm welcome to O Brodleians, our visitors from Halifax. Last year they finished eighth in the table, winning 12 of their 26 matches. We first met in 1980 when Brods witnessed the birth of a rugby giant – our team included the 17 year-old Rory Underwood. We didn't become regular opponents until comparatively recently. Seven years ago in N1E we beat them 39-13 here at Acklam Park and hung on for a 20-19 victory at Halifax, when Brods missed several kickable penalties in the final ten minutes. And then began our contests in Y1. Four years ago in our inaugural season in Y1 we won 41-12 at home but lost the away leg 0-15. Last season we won both our encounters, 27-12 at Halifax and 29-19 at home.

Our visitors finished eighth in the table, winning 12 of their 26 matches. This year to date they have beaten Beverley, Dinnington and Keighley at home, and Hullensians for their sole away victory, losing to Heath at home and Bradford Salem and O Crossleyans away (although they did rather better than us against Crocs, earning a losing bonus point). Intriguingly Brods results are beginning to develop a pattern – WWLLWLW...will the sequence continue today?!

Like us, our visitors' Yorkshire Shield has been disrupted; they were due to play the winners of the Dinnington/Hullensians tie, postponed because of Hullensians rearranged league fixture.

LEAGUE RUGBY Two major events followed last week's victory at Selby; first, we moved to the top of the table, changing places with Crocs who lost at Moortown – many congratulations to Baggy, Pete and the team who've worked their socks off to achieve this milestone, AND, second, the match report won the Darlington & Stockton Times award for the week's best use of a metaphor, describing how Stumpy "rose like a salmon" to catch the ball – well done to the Jabba/Tilly reporting partnership.

Although we're top of the table, of course we're taking nothing for granted. Such is the strength in depth in Y1 it's likely that bonus points will again prove crucial in deciding the final outcome; remember last season when we finished behind promoted Scarborough despite winning one game more. (My wife has joined those of you who disagree with bonus points, not because of last season but because she thinks it's wrong that Keighley, having won one match, are below Guisboro, who are yet to record a victory. In fact Guisboro are now only one point behind O Rishworthians and Dinnington, both of whom have won two games!)

Last weekend saw another cracking game of rugby at Selby. Sustained early pressure saw the hosts camped in our 22, which eventually led to a try to put them 5-0 ahead. However almost immediately a superb break from Conner set up a try for Brendan, which was duly converted by Baggy, who gave a faultless performance, converting every pop at goal. This was followed by entertaining end-to-end play with both sides' defences being put to the test. After a great scrummage from our boys Rhys crossed for his first try of the afternoon; Soon afterwards, Selby crossed again to make it 10-14 before Baggy kicked a penalty to make the half time score 10-17.

The second half started with a blazing run from Rhys to cross for the second of his brace. Following more pressure we earned a bonus point when a good team try was finished by Jack McP, The final score of the game came from young flanker Rohan Brown who scored his first try for the 1st XV, and which was yet again converted by Andrew Baggett. Final score 10-38 to leap-frog above Crocs into top spot.

The week previous the experiment of playing our league match against Guisborough on Friday night was a resounding success. A crowd more than treble our usual support (and a lot more than watched England in Croatia!) gathered in the bar and then stood on the touchline despite atrocious weather conditions; after the match the bar bounced with a lively carnival atmosphere difficult to generate at tea time on Saturdays; and the sponsors entered into the party spirit of the occasion. All-in-all a very successful and enjoyable evening.

In front of the bumper crowd we kicked-off into the teeth of a gale howling straight down the pitch and into our faces (such was the strength of the wind that a Guisborough punt from deep in their own 22 ran beyond our dead ball line for a scrum back!) and into driving rain, and yet we were 5-0 up within five minutes when Euan picked up at the back of a driving scrum and forced his way over the line; Baggy's kick hit the post. The conditions didn't lend themselves to champagne rugby but we kept plugging away in the face of determined and robust defence from Guisborough. Well into the half they kicked a penalty; 5-3 was the score at the break.

The elements were in our favour in the second period and a dominant scrum gave us a platform for attacking rugby. No sooner had Rob Bellerby joined the fray from the bench than he jogged over to score. Euan added his second, again from the back of an attacking scrum, and then, immediately after Baggy's conversion, and in fear of scoring his hat-trick with the obligatory jug of beer, he shot from the pitch claiming an urgent 'call of nature'! Yet another strong scrum led to the award of a penalty try to us, our fourth, and with it that bonus point, to earn us a 24-3 win. It was the first league game Guisborough finished try-less, but they played a determined game never giving up or wilting under pressure – indeed they exerted some sustained pressure of their own after our final score. It's easy to see why, despite not winning a game, they'd gathered seven bonus points.

OTHER GAMES There's not much space this week for news of our other teams. The Wasps collected a late fixture at Northern last week, took a lead which they held for some time, but were reduced to 14 men and eventually lost 23-10. Meanwhile the 'A' team march on. Last week in what was expected to be their toughest test to date they entertained Billingham, the current league champions, but continued their perfect start to the season with a 53-5 victory. A match report on our website. The Colts were engaged on National Cup duty at Beverley on Sunday, but unfortunately lost 43-17.

Included in this edition is an article about youth rugby. I urge you to read it against the backcloth of our U15s big defeat by Harrogate. With the scoreboard showing 92-0 the final score of the match was a drop goal to make it 95-0; I can think of only one word to describe the situation – but I'd better not print it!

CLUB NEWS In walking rugby running is forbidden, as is passing the ball higher than shoulder height. There are also no high tackles – or indeed any tackles – and, crucially, no scrums, rucks or mauls. Instead players are allowed to hold onto the ball for no more than three seconds before passing, keeping the pace moving and giving the other team an opportunity to intercept. It is intended to be suitable for ex-players, injured players and non-players of all ages, abilities and gender. I mention this because the great and the good gathered here yesterday afternoon for a session to launch the sport at Acklam Park...before retiring to the bar to calm their fevered brows and clear their throats.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am particularly delighted to welcome our referee today, Liam Taylor, who, coincidentally refereed our last home match last season – against O Brods! Liam has been a referee for 12 years, before which, in his playing days, he played in the centre with his home club Thornensians, when they were “a more dizzy club” he says! He is a highways engineer, and is the father of Owen Taylor, who has also taken charge of several of our matches in recent years – the only father and son double act I can recall. I hope Liam enjoys his time with us today.

CERYS O'BOYLE Finally, an update on the recent horrendous news about Cerys. Tragically she died two weeks ago in Sheffield. She was 21 years old. Our heart-felt condolences go to Angela and John O'Boyle, along with Nathan and the rest of their family. A service will be held in St Bede's Chapel, Teesside Crematorium this coming Monday, 29 October at 4pm. The family have requested that those attending should wear bright colours in celebration of Cerys's personality. An event to celebrate her life is being organised for Saturday 17 November. Angela and John wish to thank the very many people who have been in touch to express their sympathy at this dreadful time.