WELCOME..to all our members, old and new, and thank you for coming along today for our Reunion, and for making the effort to help us celebrate the countdown to the end of the season. It's always great to mingle with so many familiar faces and to share a pint or three whilst reliving some of those unforgettable memories. I hope you are all in good spirits, that we enjoy a good game of rugby and that some of you will be more regular visitors in future.

And talking about a good game of rugby I am pleased to welcome Westoe back to Acklam Park, or more correctly South Shields Westoe for their first visit! It's now eight years since we were in North 1 together, but there are some similarities comparing then and now. In 2008/9 we finished mid-table whilst Westoe finished top; this season we are mid-table and Westoe are nearly top – well second equal on points with Barnard Castle and pushing for that promotion play-off place (OK, third if you want to be pedantic!). Eight years ago we lost 47-0 in our first meeting but with tries from Craig Chapman and Gordon Bland we won the return 12-8; this season we lost 38-0 in December, and in the return game...well we will shortly know if we have been able to repeat the sequence. Having already beaten league leaders Northern here at Acklam Park we know we are capable of winning this afternoon, so fingers crossed...

So Westoe finished top that year and were promoted into National League 2 North, where they finished fourth the following season. They remained in that league for another three seasons but were then relegated into National 3 North, where they stayed for two seasons before going down into North 1 East and then straight down into our league.
They didn't have the best of starts this season, losing to Barnard Castle, Rovers and Gateshead before hitting their stride and winning 11 of their next 12 league matches – Stockton was the blot on their copy book. Since the turn of the year our visitors have won six of their nine games, losing at Consett and at home to Horden and Northern. They come here with three consecutive victories, including gaining revenge over Stockton last week. I mentioned above that Westoe are equal on 91 points with Barnard Castle; there is only one more game after today, and Westoe travel to play Barnard Castle!
LEAGUE RUGBY Two weeks ago we won our last home match comfortably enough, but following our below par performance against Wath in the Yorkshire Shield the week before, and taking into account that visitors Consett were on a seven match winning sequence stretching back to the beginning of January, which included victories over Barnard Castle and Westoe, it's fair to say that I feared the worst. However my fears proved groundless as we brought to an end their winning run with a 30-10 victory – and yet again we did so with a team which included 17 of our former Juniors. Consett led through an early penalty but were not helped by arguing with the referee throughout the match. With skipper Matthew Todd injured, Andy Micklewright slotted in well at fly half. Our first try came when scrum half Sam Seymour was buried in a ruck and Peter Homan took the ball from the base and charged over. Sean Moloney made it 12-3 at half-time and further tries followed from Conner, Ben and replacement Michael Thornburn. Consett drove over for a late converted try.

Last week we travelled to Medicals, a team which, when we met them in November, demonstrated not just a willingness but a determination to keep the ball alive with a high energy approach to the game. They hadn't changed, although it was a strange game, reminiscent of the Wasps 'game of two halves' at Stockton. (Jonno reports that although it was tied at 10-10 at half time, the Wasps went on to win the second half 0-64.) The Medicals match wasn't so much a game of two halves as a game of four quarters – or, more accurately, three thirds! Consider this - we raced into a 19 points lead, Medicals then scored 21 unanswered points to take the lead, seven of them before and 14 of them after half time, and then we scored another 19 points to win the game 21-38; it was quite extraordinary. We scored three tries in each half, and we landed two conversions in each half – oh, and our six tries earned Conner and Ben a hat trick each, with Matty adding the extra points.

OTHER MATCHES Two weeks ago the Wasps headed north...to Stockton. As mentioned above they ran out 10-74 winners. Jonno's match report is in the programme, along with his report on the earlier CANDY Cup semi final match at Morpeth, as promised.

In the Consett programme I said that Seaton Carew had enjoyed themselves here so much they invited the 'A' team back to their place for a game two weeks ago. We won that game 7-34 but it is gratifying to see the lads back playing 'proper' rugby, instead of getting thumped by sides bolstered by 2nd and even 1st team players. Last week the 'A's welcomed Northallerton, who put up some solid resistance until the heavy rain started. This seemed to distract them and we won the game 30-0. The Colts found another game last week and hosted Thirsk; the final score was 36-19. Without a game for five weeks our U15s were at home to Guisborough last Sunday; their lay-off did them no harm and they won 55-0. The U16s were involved in a real fire-cracker of a match at home to York, just losing out in an 84-point thriller.

On Easter Saturday our Colts of two years ago will each pay £5 to meet up again and play Guisborough in a charity match. KO is 3pm. Come along to watch. The following Saturday we are at home to Rovers for our last league game of the season – we'll give the season a jolly send-off with an evening of KARAOKE!!
CLUB NEWS The news about Ian Collingwood continues to get better. Although he is still receiving daily medical treatment he is hoping to be back in harness in about three weeks. This seems optimistic to me but I know he's champing at the bit to get back and his determination could yet carry the day. In sending him our very best wishes I also want to record our appreciation of Linda and the wonderful job she is doing. George has lent a hand, and Alyson has popped across as well. We are grateful for the way the Collingwoods have rolled up their sleeves and mucked in.

At the open evening to discuss plans for our future development a presentation was followed by a bright and lively discussion concerning proposals for creating a stronger and more active base of people willing and able to become involved in driving the Club forward. I sincerely hope that the meeting stimulated you to volunteer your services.

Many congratulations to Peter Silk, brother of Tony and fellow 'A' team regular, who won his white collar boxing match against an Acklam first-teamer at Eston Sports Centre two weeks ago. White Collar Boxing provides an opportunity for people with no boxing experience to do some supervised training for eight weeks and then climb into the ring and give it a go, in a safe and enjoyable environment, whilst raising money for Cancer Research UK. Ultra White Collar Boxing is Cancer Research UK's biggest fund-raiser in the UK, having donated £15m since 2015. Well done Peter. He enjoyed himself so much he has signed up for another bout in June.

Our Annual Dinner and Players Awards Evening is also steaming up on the horizon. It will take place at the Sporting Lodge on Friday 5 May. Tickets are available from team coaches, captains and managers, or from Don Brydon or Richard Ward. Our 4th Annual Beer Festival have been announced. It will run from 6-10 pm Friday and 2-10 pm Saturday, 21 and 22 July, the opening weekend of the local schools summer holidays. There will be more than 30 cask ales and ciders on sale, plus a gin bar. The entrance fee of £5 covers both days and includes an engraved glass and your first pint. Your presence is requested! Why don't you, or a group of you join together to sponsor a barrel? Have a chat with Simon Moore, Colin McNeill or Tilly.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome back to Acklam Park Graeme Hall. His last visit to us was for the Northern match in December; although not originally appointed for that game he stood in for Kevin Weston, who didn't recover from an earlier injury. Graeme's first visit to us was four years ago when we played Malton & Norton, quickly followed later that season by the game against O Crossleyans. He was a scrum half before he took up the whistle ten years ago, playing for Ilkley, Macclesfield and Bury. He is Head of Customer Services for Anchor Housing, Bradford. I hope he enjoys his return visit with us this afternoon.