WELCOME...I offer a warm welcome to one and all for this our first evening league match, our first league game with Guisborough and our very first local derby in Yorkshire 1. I am especially pleased to welcome the players, supporters and officials from Guisborough. Hopefully they are now recovered from the shock of being relegated from N1E and then being shunted sideways into Y1.

It's difficult to sum up their experiences so far this season. Having prepared pre-season with games against Stockton and Acklam they kicked-off their league campaign against Pontefract and O Crossleyans, both newly promoted from Y2 and therefore competing two levels below Guisborough last season and unknown quantities this season. Our visitors lost these games; in fact they've lost their opening five matches to date, but, strange as it may seem, I reckon they'll be reasonably happy. Their first four defeats still earned them seven points, four bonuses for narrow defeats and three for their try-scoring exploits – an incredible record and two more bonus points than any other club in the league. Although they drew a blank when losing to Beverley in their last outing, their record is such that they must feel that the tide will turn in their favour – just not tonight, I hope!

Until last Saturday there was the potential for another clash between us this season. The draw for the Yorkshire Shield threw up the possibility that we could host Guisborough in round 2, IF, in first round matches due to be played last Saturday, they beat Bradford Salem away and we overcame Selby here at Acklam Park. In the event neither game took place; Selby were involved in a rearranged league match and Guisborough withdrew from their tie because they lacked a front row.

LEAGUE RUGBY Two weeks ago here at Acklam Park we rejoined our competition with Keighley. Playing up the slope and into the stiff wind and bright sun we were under early pressure – but not for long. After 10 minutes we were 8-0 up courtesy of a Baggy penalty and the first of Pete's hat-trick of tries. Five minutes later Pete added his second, converted by Baggy, closely followed by a try/conversion from Baggy and then young Harry used his strength and speed to cross the line; 27-0 at the break.

With all the elements in our favour in the second period I expected more of the same. In fact Keighley were much more involved as an attacking force and the match became a much more competitive contest. We did add 21 points to our score with goals from Pete/Baggy, Baggy/Baggy, and right at no-side, Rhys/Baggy. In between Keighley did breach our defence for a well-deserved goal of their own. The final score was 48-7. On the day we were the highest scorers and conceded the fewest points. We are now second top scorers with the second meanest defence and the second best points difference.

Looking around the other leagues, it's a case of extremes. Consett, promoted from DN1, sit at the bottom of N1E, Redcar, relegated from DN1 are holding up DN2 whilst Whitby, promoted into DN1 are also in last place; unfortunately all three teams are without a win. On the brighter side, newly promoted York and Scarborough are going great guns in N1E, and are top and fourth respectively, whilst Northallerton are unbeaten at the top of Y2 – the prospect of Y1 next season? Closer to home Acklam and Stockton are usefully placed in mid-table in DN1.

OTHER GAMES The Wasps lost 25-54 to Blaydon last week. Although it was a non-league week and our Yorkshire Shield match being rearranged left our first team without a game, we turned out a true Wasps team. Blaydon were a little more inventive in their interpretation of second XV rugby – for example their full back score 24 tries in the 1st team last season! However it was a compelling and competitive match; we did take a 7-5 lead early in the game, and finished the match stronger than our opponents.

Meanwhile the 'A' team march on. Last week, in only their second home league match of the season, the boys welcomed Wensleydale. Although arriving with the bare 15 players the Dale put up a stern defence. In fact they took a five point lead early in the game, but in the end they ran out of steam. The final score of 55-5 was the team's seven straight win in seven matches. Paul Sills is side-lined for the moment and is acting as 'A' team touch judge-in-chief, compiling mental match reports to keep him focused on the task in hand. You can read his match report on our website.

Disappointed that Moortown cried off two weeks ago, our intrepid Colts were off to Huddersfield. Although in the end they were well beaten they emerged with early credit. They were seven points ahead at the end of the first quarter, having taken the first five Huddersfield scrums against the head whilst winning all of their own. Credit to Stumpy, Clarky and Josh for all their help. In the end they were undone by the opposition's powerful and straight-running set of backs. Incidentally Tom, along with the rest of the Club, wishes to place on record his gratitude to IIC Technologies Ltd and Acklam Car Centre for their generous sponsorship of kit for the Colts.

CLUB NEWS First let me offer our condolences and sympathy to Linda, one half of the fantastic Collingwood's who look after us and our interests so admirably. Sadly her mother has died, and although she has been ill for some time, it is always devastating to lose a parent. It is also sad to report that Peter Nightingale has died too. He was instrumental in a lot of players coming here from William Turner's School, where he was Headteacher, and latterly a regular supporter, often accompanied by Tony Allison; he will be sorely missed. Even more sad news – John O'Boyle's daughter, Cerys (I apologise if I've got her name wrong) has suffered a brain haemorrhage and is in Sheffield Hospital (she attends Sheffield University). John, an all-round nice guy, was our Junior Organiser for several years. Our very best wishes go to the O'Boyle family.

On a brighter note I am pleased to offer congratulations to Harry Bryce and Will Seymour on their appearance for Yorkshire U19s last week. The match was drawn, with Will bearing the badge of conflict of two black eyes...The great and the good gathered at Acklam Park on Wednesday afternoon – well Bernie, Riles, Fordy, DB and Fezza – and decided to make a big effort to launch 'walking rugby for O50s' with a taster session at the club on Friday, 26 October at 4pm. It will be open to ladies too and you are invited to help to spread the word as widely as possible (several of us are waiting for the O70s session!). It will be under the auspices of Age Better Middlesbrough ...More congratulations, this time to the U11s who hosted a fantastic festival of rugby here two weeks ago. Never has the place seen so many youngsters (nor Green Lane choked with parked cars!) but it was a super sight to witness. Long may their interest in rugby continue.

SPONSORS We are again delighted to welcome the Richards' Readman and Storry, tonight’s sponsors. Readman Steel's primary products are large diameter tubular piles, both new and used. They also stock a range of sheet piles and structural sections, and with access to rolling mills throughout Europe, can supply direct from stock or produce new pipes to exact specifications. Lithgow Sons & Partners, Stokesley, specialise in auctions of industrial and commercial goods and properties, as well as providing asset valuation and disposal, commercial property valuations, residential property and storage services. The Likely Lads are both great supporters of the Club and we are pleased to welcome them and their guests.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am pleased to welcome Kevin Weston to Acklam Park this afternoon. He is a solicitor who played in the 2nd row at Huddersfield and Selby, since when he has been a referee for five years and organiser of North Yorkshire referees. He should have refereed our match with Northern in December two years ago but four weeks previously at Scarborough he was carried off the field half way through the match and didn't recover in time to join us. I hope he enjoys his visit to us this time around.

Finally, a special 'thank you' to Tim Wear for his investigative work among the archives.