CONGRATULATIONS Let me start by offering the warmest of congratulations to Keiran Clark and Luke Shaw, props for our Colts side, who have both been involved with Durham County's undefeated U18s campaign this season. Following a 40-41 win in Lancashire, coming from 33-10 behind, they then beat Cumbria 5-47 at Lymm before beating Northumberland 22-10 at West Hartlepool last Sunday. Keiran was 18 just last week but played for Durham U18s last season too, selected as a 16 year-old. And he's done it again – he has now been included in Durham's U20s squad, who start their season's fixtures in February. Well done young men.

WELCOME And now it gives me great pleasure to welcome Hartlepool, a Club formed in 1893 as Hartlepool Old Boys but which dropped the 'OB' tag almost 40 years ago. We have met on the field of battle before, but I doubt that many of you will remember the matches, as we played regularly until the 1950s, when we often played two games a season, although we did meet again for a one-off game in May 1987.

This season our visitors kicked off with a 32-17 defeat at Ryton in the County Cup but in the league they have the distinction of being one of only two clubs to have beaten second-placed Barnard Castle at home, and the club to bring Gateshead's hitherto unbeaten four game run to an end, and at Gateshead, and despite being 27-0 behind with 20 minutes to go. They've also beaten Stockton and Gosforth but started with defeats at Novos and at home to Ryton before beginning their four game winning sequence, since when they've lost at Westoe and Consett, and last Saturday they lost 5-25 at home to the improving and well-organised Medicals side.

LEAGUE RUGBY We weren't sure what to expect in our last home game against Gateshead. They were the only Club to win their first four games, including a rare defeat for Barnard Castle, but they then lost their next three. Whey they arrived they looked a big set of forwards and for the opening eight minutes or so we couldn't get our hands on the ball, but then were the first to score when Sean used all his strength and determination to touch down; Matty's kick rebounded off the post. Our visitors quickly responded to take a 5-7 lead but our pack gained the upper hand in the scrums and we were then treated to a display of fast, scintillating attacking rugby, which saw us score our fourth, bonus point, try before the 30 minute mark, courtesy of a really audacious tap-and-go by Conner and a brace from Myles and then a fifth try from Toby; three conversions by Matty gave us a healthy 31-7 half time lead (whisper it but we could have had at least another three tries with just a bit better concentration). The second half was a little less exciting; Gatehead scored two tries, sandwiching a second from Conner to make the final score 36-19. At the end I heard comments that we'd lost the second half; all I can say is that the performance was a distinct improvement on the previous week at Barnard Castle.

Guy Fawkes interfered with our game at Gosforth last week. They play on a Council-owned pitch and asked us to switch the fixture as the pitch was used for a bonfire. We had the same scenario of course and the outcome was that the match was played on the all-weather pitch at Kingston Park, home of Newcastle Falcons. They have greater experience of the playing surface, which showed in the first half when they were clearly the better team, but we restricted them to two tries and a 14-0 lead at the break. However we then got to grips with the game and but for some uncharacteristic errors on our part could have so easily taken the spoils. As it was tries from Toby and Jay Ellis, with a conversion from Matty, made the score 14-12 as the game built up to an exciting finale. Unfortunately for us Gosforth broke out to add a penalty, the last score of the game.

Incidentally it is only mid-November and unbelievably 20 points have already been deducted from clubs in our league for fielding unregistered players. Medicals account for half of these, having been docked 10 points for two transgressions in the same match, with Novos and then Ryton following suit with five each. There are rumours on the Durham & Northumberland forum website that Northern were also due to be similarly penalised, but who knows.

OTHER MATCHES Let me start by thanking Redcar for their actions two weeks ago, firstly for agreeing late on Friday night to come here to play our 'A' team, and secondly for travelling over with 12 players when many clubs would have cried off. We provided additional players and Jason Malcolm to referee; although we won the match the really important result was that because of Redcar's actions two teams enjoyed a good afternoon run out...well done all round. At the same time our Wasps travelled to Gateshead and made it a Club double by winning 43-24, making it a pleasing sequence of results and a very satisfactory day.

Last week the Wasps had a day off because of the work involved in mounting our Guy Fawkes celebrations, and for the same reason our our 'A' team arranged to play away at Seaton Carew, where they won comfortably. The successes of our Colts have scared opponents; fixtures home and away against Moortown were called off by the Leeds side. However, such has been the difficulty in clubs meeting fixtures that the three divisions of Colts in Yorkshire have been rearranged into two. We were in Division 2 but have been placed in the top Division, and as a result we will meet stronger opponents. This was evident last Sunday when we entertained Sheffield and lost our unbeaten record, going down 19-40. In the National Colts Cup, having won their first challenge at Hull Ionians, we have been drawn at home to Darlington (who have seven lads in the Durham County U18s!), scheduled for tomorrow.

Last weekend our U16s were also on Cup duty when they were hosts to Aireborough in the Yorkshire Cup. It proved to be a game they could have won as they piled on the pressure but in the end they lost 19-24. Meanwhile the U13s enjoyed their step up from Midi rugby by beating Mowden Park 20-15, with tries from Josh McPartland, Reece McDonald and two from Ryan McNally – good for them.

CLUB NEWS In our Gateshead programme I mentioned that Peter Riley and Andy Murray combined to bring opera to Guisborough, with Opera Nova performing 'Angels and Demons' in St Nicholas Church two weeks ago tonight. I'm delighted to report that the evening was a huge success and the grand total of £600 was raised for two local charities. Well done to Peter, Andy and everyone who supported the event.

A huge 'Thank You' to everyone who helped to make our renowned Kolourful Kaleidoscope of Fireworks and Bonfire Night another success. Although the weather tried it's best to put a dampener on our activities we still welcomed crowds of young and old to witness our Grand Display. Tickets for the Members Grand Christmas Draw are now on sale from behind the bar, and with literally hundreds of prizes up for grabs I recommend you start collecting yours now. One event always eagerly anticipated is our 8th Annual Pie-baking Competition. Note that there was riotous rebellion and considerable controversy at this year's National British Pie Awards...because the declared winner was a pasty! No such thing will happen here; a pie must have a pastry base and sides with a separate lid, so start preparing. We also have the visit of Father Christmas to lead our Entertaining Carol Sing-a-long, a Magical Mystery Show for the children and a wonderful Choral Evening. Our Christmas Lunch will precede the Northern match and be followed by the Lizard Run, the Golf Tournament and the Santa Sashay – all in Santa costumes, of course. Our Annual Dinner and Ball always sells out very quickly, so I remind you that the date has been re-arranged and is now on Friday, 30 December. Let me also mention the first Acklam Park Grand Christmas Tournaments for pool, darts and dominoes – entry lists are on the Notice Board. We'll also try to fit in another karaoke night if at all possible...phew!

REFEREE'S CORNER For our game this afternoon I welcomed a referee who had never set foot in Acklam Park before this season but today is making his second visit. It gives me great pleasure to welcome Sean White who was in charge of our first home match against Horden & Peterlee. Sean has been a referee for only two years, having previously played at full back for Doncaster. He is a director of a company which handles the payment of wages for various organisations. I understand he enjoyed his earlier visit to us and hope this afternoon is just as memorable.