WELCOME It gives me great pleasure to welcome the players, officials and supporters of York back to Acklam Park. We last met three years ago, during our first journey into Y1, when we won our first game 8-5 here at Middlesbrough, but lost the return fixture 18-3. Our visitors are flying high at the top of the table, not surprising when you look at last season. York finished third, one point behind the promotion play-off place occupied by West Leeds. York actually scored more points, had a better points difference and won more bonus points than West Leeds. They certainly seem determined to go one better this campaign.

York are already building up a head of steam, starting with a very close win, but a win nevertheless, at home to a strong and determined Beverley. The lead changed hands several times before York grabbed the points with a try and penalty in the dying minutes. The 35-34 scoreline could have gone either way and York had to rely on a tremendous forward effort to secure the win. Their next match was a comfortable nine tries 13-57 victory played in bright sunshine and then heavy rain at North Ribblesdale. They followed their nine tries against Ribb with twelve tries against newly relegated Wheatley Hills of Doncaster, winning 76-14. And then, last Saturday, one of the big games, first against second, York v Scarborough. The game started in wet and miserable conditions, making ball control difficult, but York adapted better and turned around 13-0 up. As condition improved, so did York's control of the game and they stretched their lead to 44-0 before Scarborough got on the scoreboard near the end. It finished 56-7 for another comprehensive victory.

LEAGUE RUGBY It was a pleasure to meet North Ribblesdale, our last visitors, who were a great bunch of folk. They are a real family club – their tight-head was John Thwaite, the 53 year-old father of three other Ribb players! The game was a scrappy encounter with both teams struggling to establish a platform for sustained attacks. The first quarter was coming to an end when young speedster Alex Cotterill flew down the wing and crossed for the first score of the afternoon. Our opponents then converted a penalty to make the half-time score a tight 5-3. Almost immediately after the restart Ben Wood doubled our tally, but for the next half hour the game was delicately poised as both teams striving for the upper hand. There were times that I would happily have settled for the final whistle, but our defence held firm, and then in the closing stages the game burst into life. First Ben added his second try to take us two scores clear and allowed me to breath again, and then, right at the death, the smiling assassin that is Joe Secret clattered over the line for our bonus point. 20-3, job done, never in doubt!!
Our next port of call was Wheatley Hills. We knew it would be a tough fixture; having just shipped 74 points against York they were determined to get back on track. However we took an early lead, a lead we never lost. The closest Wheatley got to us was with the final play of the game with a converted try, the only time they crossed our line, to end the game 23-24. Despite being second best in the set pieces we scored four tries, with Kieran Clark and Sean Moloney crossing inside five minutes. Wheatley were awarded a penalty try and added a penalty to make the half time score 10-12, but a second scintillating try by Sean, again converted by Andy, took us nine points clear. Our hosts kicked two penalties to claw their way back to 16-19, before Matty Todd crossed to make it 16-24. Let me mention two players who haven't featured previously this season – Matty John played at No8 and even from retreating scrums he managed to present Conner with a supply of ball, and then there is our one-time captain and talisman (at centre) Rob Bellerby. He came off the bench to play a blinder at open side. Unfortunately Conner received a red card. He took exception to Andy being taken out very late; but the guy he confronted took exception to his intervention and punched him; Conner retaliated and they were both dismissed.
I am delighted to report that we have just added another rising star to join the ranks of our other home-grown young men and I welcome the very promising young prop Luke Shaw. He and Kieran Clark, our two props at Wheatley Hills, total the ripe old age of 36!
OTHER TEAMS Meanwhile the Wasps went to Novos seeking to overturn a 60 points defeat last season. They didn't quite manage it, losing by 20-17, but Jonno's report elsewhere illustrates the many difficulties the boys faced before and during the match...it almost amounted to a success! We were then at home to Gateshead on Saturday. Always a tough team to beat, Gateshead 1st XV are top of D/N 1. However we were able to turn out a very strong team as we welcomed several players back from long and short term absences. Our line-up included the wrecking ball that is Richie Lonsdale, plus Rhys Kilbride, Liam Wilson, Jack McPhillips, Sam Gaudie, all joined by Sam Seymour, Alex Cotterill and the Big Brad Man. But Gateshead were a good side and took an early three point lead before a try from Liam Wilson gave us a 5-3 lead at the break. Despite a very spirited game from our visitors four second half tries from Rhys (2), 'Alex the Russian' who is Phil Wall's friend but has a name I can't even pronounce never mind spell, plus one from grafter Andy the Sloan Ranger sealed a pleasing win. It was a very good performance with everyone playing with freedom and looking as though they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
The 'A' team should have travelled to Wensleydale last Saturday chasing their fifth consecutive victory, having added Stockton to the list of their victims with a comprehensive 65-0 win. Unfortunately, however, we cried off, never a happy state of affairs, but sometimes it's just unavoidable. I also apologise to Yarm, who were one of the team's earlier opponents; in our last programme I said it is the first time they have fielded a 2nd team; the phrase “for several years” went walkabout.
Two weeks ago the Colts were at Malton & Norton in the County Plate and chalked up a good 7-26 win. With six teams then remaining in the Plate the powers-that-be decided to arrange two groups of three sides, each group playing mini round robin tournaments with the winners progressing into the final. We were drawn at Morley with Keighley where all three teams won one and lost one, with Keighley progressing on points difference. We lost 15-3 to Keighley, but had plenty of chances to win with at least three tries going begging and one disallowed. They then got a try when the referee was standing in the way of one of our tacklers and we were chasing the game. Against Morley we again put down two almost certain tries before letting them score off a scrum. We then put down another chance before finally putting the ball through a full set of hands for the winger to score in the corner. Won 10-12, 2 tries to 1.
Our U14s entertained Sandal in the Yorkshire Cup but in the first half Sandal had the edge and took a three try advantage into the half-time break, one of which they converted leaving the score 0-17. In the second half Sandal scored three more tries. However, Boro's endeavours were rewarded when Kieran Thompson intercepted the ball on the half way line and ran to within 5m of the Sandal line. From the following play Sam Falkous forced his way over under the posts; Kieran converted to make the final score 7-36.

CLUB NEWS Today for your entertainment we offer you something different – we give you a half time gymnastic display by Stainsby School of Gymnastics, courtesy of Sarah Baggett. They have been awarded a grant by TFM's Cash for Kids scheme as a result of which the more money they raise the higher the grant they will receive, so when someone shakes a bucket under your nose, please put a few bob into it – it's for the kids.

Our Social Calendar for the year will be available shortly but let me draw your attention to two events in October – a Volunteers' Evening on Friday 13 for all Mini, Junior and Senior coaches and managers (there will be a second one on Friday 10 November for all the unsung heroes who help us with our many social and fund-raising activities) and then on Saturday 28 we will hold a Vice Presidents lunch before the Hullensians game, which will also be attended by Mike Smith, the President of Yorkshire.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome back to Acklam Park Graeme Hall. He has been to us several times, most recently last season for our matches against Northern and Westoe. Before becoming a referee ten years ago Graeme was a scrum half, playing for Ilkley, Bingley, Macclesfield and Bury. He is Head of Customer Services for Anchor Housing, Bradford. I hope he enjoys his return visit with us this afternoon.