WELCOME Let me kick off our first programme of 2018 by wishing you all a HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR, and as another year rolls into view just remember what George Eliot wrote: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” I hope that you enjoyed the Festive Season, including the special events organised here for you, and that Santa Claus was kind to you and yours.

We start our home league programme of the New Year against Wheatley Hills and we offer their players, officers and supporters a warm welcome back to Acklam Park. Their last visit was four years ago when we both in N1E. Wheatley beat us home and away then, a season which saw us relegated, a fate which befell our visitors themselves last season. They did get their new campaign off to a good start by beating N Ribblesdale 13-9 in their opening league fixture. Unfortunately to date a 24-all draw at home to Keighley is the only other match they haven't lost – but remember, in our September fixture we were second best in the scrum and won by the closest of margins, a single point at 24-23. Like ourselves Wheatley play York and Scarborough in consecutive games. On Saturday they lost to York 15-38. They must have wished their previous match at Scarborough was called off (as was ours against Beverley); they lost 91-7.

LEAGUE RUGBY It was a real pain to have our season interrupted by the Baltic weather, leaving us to rearrange games at O Brods and against Beverley – see the new dates at the back of the programme. (As an aside about the weather I remember former England and Moseley full back Sam Doble playing at Exeter's former site when the ground was so frozen he wore hush puppies – please explain to our younger readers that no dogs were hurt by Sam – yet kicked everything.)

Our last game before the Big Freeze was against new-commers to Acklam Park Bradford Salem. For the second consecutive week we scored 49 points, for the second consecutive week we scored seven tries, for the second consecutive week Baggy nailed all conversions, and for the second consecutive week we had seemingly good tries disallowed. The difference between the two games is that we adjusted our Barbarianesque approach and restricted Salem to 3 points against the 32 scored by Selby. That we conceded only 3 points was the result of heroic defence, particularly in the second half. But back to the first half when we were clearly the better team. Bellers crossed within two minutes, with a second added by Sean M and another from Baggy just before half time; HT score 21-3. Sean got his second soon after the restart but during the next 30 minutes we were under the cosh and rarely in our visitors half. But then – crash! - bang! - wallop! - tries in the closing minutes from Rhys, Matty T and a second from Baggy produced a very satisfactory scoreline for us but which didn't reflect the effort put in by the Salem boys.

It was good to get back to league rugby last week and to welcome back Baggy – who, in the event, need not have gone so far in search of snow. It was especially pleasing that our 1st and 2nd teams travelled together to play N Ribblesdale – the opportunity for doubling up fixtures is rare in these days of leagues and merit tables, mores the pity. The day didn't get off to the best start, with Pete Homan crying-off ill on Saturday morning, and Tarmac arriving at Settle so full of cold that he could manage only half a game. Bit there was good news in that Liam Wilson made a welcome return after his absence.

The first half was frustrating; no matter how hard we tried we just could not get over the line, so in the end Andy popped over a penalty to nudge our noses in front. Unfortunately we were overtaken by two late tries to go into half time 12-3 down. Things did improve after the break. First Conner scored a fabulous individual try; taking a ball from Adam at the top of a lineout he dummied and shot off on a mesmerising run to the line. Liam then celebrated his return with a typical back row try; both were converted by Andy to maintain his 100 per cent conversion rate for the 16 tries scored in our last three league matches.

OTHER GAMES It was a huge relief that the Stockton game escaped the worst of the weather, allowing us to watch some rugby between Christmas and New Year whilst paying tribute to Alan Todd, one of the finest and best-respected rugby buffs in the area. It was a smashing afternoon and particularly poignant since Alan's wife Maureen passed away last year; the extended Todd family was in attendance and lots of pleasantries were exchanged between the supporters. We had players clamouring for selection, with 'Brothers-in-Arms' an appropriate sub-title to the match – it was a pleasure to see the Brothers Tremlett reunited in our colours, along with the Langs, Ali and Gareth (Marcus, the 3rd Lang, chose to spend the afternoon in bed with his nurse – Day/Night Nurse, that is), and then nothing was more fitting than Patrick Todd joining brother Matthew on the field as their father Steve prowled along the touch line. Although the pitch was heavy in places and a bitingly-cold wind whipped down the pitch we saw some good rugby with both teams looking to attack at every opportunity. Playing against the elements we were on the scoreboard inside five minutes with a try from Gary Rock. Tries from Pete, Euan and Matty, all converted by Matty, gave us a 28-7 half-time lead. A second try from Pete, two from Brendan, one from Jack plus a penalty try made the final score 57-12.

The Wasps have lost 20-53 to DMP and won 38-12 against West, both in the CANDY League, DMP were superbly marshalled by captain and Boro OB Rory Duff, who must have covered every blade of grass and who seemed to everywhere all the time. Such was his performance we voted him Man of the Match! Incidentally we sprang a surprise during the game – Simon 'Simo' O'Farrell made an appearance, his first since that dreadful injury 100s of years ago. It was great to see him in our colours again, although I'm pretty sure father Tom didn't agree! Read Jonno's match report on both games in this issue. On Saturday N Ribbs second pitch was unplayable so the Wasps played at Giggleswick School, where they earned a well-deserved 17-all draw. Jonno's match report will appear in our next issue in three weeks when we entertain O Rishworthians.

The only game played by the 'A' team since mid-November was the match against Richmondshire in a game doubling as a Tees Valley League match and North Yorkshire Trophy cup tie. It was a well-played thrilling match, which unfortunately20-36. Last week's Sedgefield called off our fixture; hopefully things will get back to normal toady at Stockton.

The Colts have fared much better, playing a friendly against Malton & Norton the week before Christmas and then West Park Leeds last week in a rearranged league match. They won both games, 38-0 and 31-19 respectively. The WPL team included the England U18 fullback, who was exceptionally good, and there was never more than one score in the match until late in the game. Tomorrow they play a National Colts Cup tie at Stockton. Over the years we've had some good runs and played some national clubs in this Cup; let us hope that our lads get to enjoy the experience another good Cup run.

CLUB NEWS Sadly I have to report two deaths. Roy Arundel, a regular at our pre-match lunches and a vocal touch-line supporter, passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was 79 and before living in Guisborough I understand that Roy captained Ilkley RUFC. Paul Garbutt has also died. A Whitby man he was well-known local referee who once turned up here and when asked how much we owed him in expenses, asked for a pair of shorts. Only 51 Paul was Dave Scourfield's brother-in-law. Our condolences go to both families.

Come along and join us in celebrating Burns Night, complete with piper, on 26 January

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome Steve Penfold today. He has been a regular visitor to Acklam Park, most recently taking our game against Novos two years ago. Steve is an ex-army man who went to Cranfield University, playing rugby for the University, REME and the Army U21s at hooker. Steve has been a referee for 20 years and is a solicitor in Leeds. I hope he enjoys his time with us this afternoon.