WELCOME It gives me great pleasure to welcome West Leeds to Acklam Park for one of only three league matches to be played this afternoon. Thirteen years ago when we were flying (relatively!) high in North 1 (to become National 3 North the following year 2009) our visitors were mid table in Yorkshire 3. West then spent seven years in Yorkshire 2 before moving into Y1 as unbeaten table-toppers in 2015/16. They finished second and were promoted into N1E, where they finished an admirable third. Unfortunately the following season they were relegated and then finished fifth back in Y1 in that unfinished season.
This season, to date our opponents are again in fifth place. They lost only three of their opening 10 league games (and came to Teesside to beat Acklam 19-31 in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy). They then lost their next four but they've since won five and lost only two, having beaten Dinnington away last week. Unusually, our visitors have won more and lost fewer matches on their travels than at home. Home record W5 D1 L5; away W6 L4. If that record doesn't give us food for thought then our match at Leeds certainly does. We won but the score was a nail-biting 26-31, with scores coming from all angles. The first try, scored by Jack and converted by Baggy made it 3-10. It was soon 10-10, but eleven points from West and a penalty from Baggy made it 21-13 at the break. We pulled the score back to 21-20 before another two penalties from Andrew took us into a 21-26 lead. But back came our hosts with a try levelling the score. And then Aedan crossed for the winner but not before a few very nervous moments.

LEAGUE RUGBY After our 4 week break it was a relief to be back in action against Selby a fortnight ago. Although our enforced inactivity had given some of our injured warriors time to recuperate it also meant there were some cobwebs to blow away! And blow them away we did with an early 7 point lead but what followed was a game reminiscent of our match at Selby, where we scored 36 unanswered first half points but shared the spoils in a much closer second half. At home we were 29-0 up at the break but 'lost' the second period 7-24. We scored four first half tries (Matty Todd 2, Aedan and Charlie) to earn a bonus point, but when play resumed a lively Selby scored two quick tries and added two more just before no-side. Our 5th try was scored by the returning Josh.
Last week our game at Roundhegians followed a similar pattern – apparently comfortably ahead late in the game at 17-39 our hosts scored two more tries to earn a bonus point. In an entertaining match we were seven points down in the first minute but two tries from Brendan (the second from our 22) and one from Rhys, along with Baggy's boot, gave us a 10-20 half time lead. There was another from Rhys plus tries from Jack and Pete after the break. The victory, coupled with the draw between Pontefract and Crocs, means we are one point behind Pontefract and three behind Crocs, both having played two games more than us.
NEXT WEEK WE HAVE ANOTHER HOME GAME – GOOLE ARE OUR VISITORS
See p9 for an early indication of what next season's leagues could look like.

CLUB RUGBY At the end of February, having been without a fixture for two weekends the Wasps picked up a game away against Ryton Crusaders. Missing several regulars due to half term and the re-arranged first team game the squad included several 'A' team players, including John Neal, Elliott Gough, Mark Rafferty, Abe Crosby and Ash Moore. Ryton opened the scoring when their impressive Fijian openside scored a breakaway try. We quickly replied when scrum half Sam Gill finished off a planned set piece move, being put away by the impressive No 8, Ellis Jones. Changes were made at half time, including Jack Mac in the centre and first team regular Josh Lynas playing his first game in several months following injury. (Note that Lynas couldn't force his way into the front row as we all decided he wasn't good enough!)

That outstanding openside scored a second try for Ryton when we were without Luke Mcdougall, banished to the sin bin for a high tackle, but when Ryton lost the openside to injury the game turned Boro's way. Further tries were scored by Nolly, a brace from Jack, Mark Rafferty and Tom Readman amongst the scorers. The final score was 14-46 and a huge thanks must go to Ryton for their spirited display.

JUNIORS WHAT A WEEK!Acklam Park has been alive with the happy sound of energetic and noisy youngsters enjoying themselves in a series of knock-out tournaments for local schools. On Monday we entertained Y8/Y9 boys from Macmillan, Outwood Riverside, Acklam Grange, Trinity Catholic College and Kings Academy, with club coaches on hand to guide those boys new to rugby and to referee the games (plus the ever-present and always genial Brian Sayer offering a warm welcome and a much-appreciated cuppa whenever needed).
This was followed on Tuesday with high-spirited Y7 girls proving that anything the boys can do girls can do better. On Wednesday even more girls, this time from Y5/Y6 primary schools, came along for boisterous sessions of TAG rugby, the Y5/Y6 boys having had their day in the sun the previous Wednesday.
An astonishing 350 youngster have already enjoyed this experience (well, it is better than sitting in a classroom!). And we're not finished yet! Next Tuesday Y7 boys have their turn to try rugby and then on Wednesday we'll have the even younger boys and girls from Y3/Y4 playing TAG rugby. For many of the youngsters it was their first taste of rugby. We hope it becomes a regular pastime for them and that we see some of them back here on a Sunday morning. That is has been such a huge success is thanks to organiser Bernie Coyne, the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, all the local schools for embracing the opportunity to broaden the horizons of their pupils, and of course all the club members who came along and gave their time – including Denis, Cass and son Gabriel (volunteering as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award), Stumpy, Sillsy, Brendan Fitz, Khalil, Billy and Mikey the bartender.

CLUB NEWS The funeral of 'Big' Phil Hodgson will take place at 3pm on Friday at the Crematorium and then back to the Club. A regular around Acklam Park and on past trips and excursions, Phil devoted a lot of time in recent years to looking after Mike Harradance.

Next Saturday Jimmy Lawson has organised a Stiffs Dinner before we play Goole. If you played for the Extra Bs in those far off heady days book a place on 07970 371000

An Easter Eggstravaganza for children is being organised between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday 10 April. For £6 per child there are games, prizes, a disco, snax box, and an Easter egg. Tickets are available from Jenna and Andy Micklewright. Further details are on the Notice Board.

SPONSORS We are again delighted to welcome as our sponsors the Richards' Readman and Storry. 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. Readman Steel's primary products are large diameter tubular piles. 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. Both companies are great supporters of the Club and we are pleased to welcome them and their guests for what I hope will be an enjoyable afternoon.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome Liam Rogers back to Acklam Park. He was in charge of our match with Bridlington back in September and also took control of our cup tie at Wensleydale and Roundhegians in November. Liam has been a referee for a number of years, before which he played his rugby as a utility back at Redcar and Guisborough. He is a project engineer.

NEXT SEASON WE CELEBRATE OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY.
We would like you all to help us commemorate this momentous and historic milestone. See p11 and also be on the lookout for more information about the host of special activities planned for the season.