WELCOME There's certainly a whiff of nostalgia in the air as we welcome Gosforth to Acklam Park today. For many years Middlesbrough v Gosforth was one of the first entries on our fixture list; generally played around Christmas there was always a festive feel to the game, never more so than in 1984 when Bert Robinson led us to a 30-12 victory which was instrumental in us being awarded the Victoria Wine National Team of the Month for December. Their last visit was 21 years ago, by which time they'd played under the Newcastle-Gosforth banner for five years.

But back to this season. After losing their opening fixtures to Durham City and Gateshead our visitors won nine of their next 12 games (including a 21-18 success against us!) before going down to Consett and Horden. Although only the bottom two clubs plus Ryton and Rovers have scored fewer points than Gosforth, only the top three clubs and Gateshead have conceded less points. As a result of their nine wins from 16 games they lie sixth in the table.

LEAGUE RUGBY We made use of our second pitch for the third time when we entertained Ryton without Rhys, who pulled out with a knee injury after a week of debauchery at Centre Parks (not a sequence of words normally found together!). We got off to the ideal start with a try after only two minutes, when Ben Wood scored after a quick tap by Conner. With Ryton defending heroically Sam intercepted a Ryton pass to run through unopposed. Just before half time Ben raced clear for his second and our third try, to give us a 19-0 lead.

Ryton pressed hard in the opening part of the first half and kicked two penalties, but we weathered the storm and we scored after an impressive chase by Charlie Bircham (on for Toddy) led to an attacking line-out. After powerful carries by Brad and Myles, Liam burrowed over to score. Bellers scored the final try when he charged down a Ryton kick 70m from the line, put his head down and went for it. He was eventually caught but managed to cross the line for a great individual effort. So it was a bonus point win by 29-6.

And so to Stockton. It was a freezing cold day with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch – not ideal conditions. Isa was a late cry-off and Scott Taylor came in for his first game for several years. We played into the wind and it was no surprise when Stockton took an early lead with a penalty. We hit back with a try when Brad's silky handling skills were finished off by Ben Wood. This sequence was then repeated; a penalty for Stockton to take the lead and a try by Ben to take it back. But the sequence was broken wwhen Conner nipped in to make the half time score 15-9. Stockton had contributed mightily to the game and the second half wasn't much better for them. They continuing to enjoy a lot of possession and marginally more territory but we scored the only try of the half through Conner. Hats off to Sam for surviving some very close attention during the match.
OTHER MATCHES What a splendidly convivial occasion it was last Saturday when we gathered in the Club to watch the opening salvoes in the Six Nations. It's fair to say that whilst we werte not served the most adventurous of free-flowing rugby the closeness of the scores kept it pretty exciting; and of course the Triple Crown can now be won by only one country!
For some time we have lauded the success of our U17s, the Junior Colts. I am delighted to say that their 100 per cent record this season is still intact. At West, despite the referee deciding that three of our players should be yellow-carded almost at the same time, we won 17-19. Understandably Jason is absolutely chuffed. As is Tom Seymour, whose U15s beat Harrogate 36-0 on Sunday, having lost 36-21 at Harrogate in December. Tomorrow the Colts are away at Beverley in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup. I hear Tony Linklater's a little frustrated. In their last game the U14s beat Bishop Auckland 48-8 and are so powerful that he is finding local fixtures hard to come by. His travelling expenses are on the increase!

CLUB NEWS Let me start with some good news and some bad news. First the bad news – continuing his rotten run of serious illnesses Tom 'DF' Jones has suffered two more brain tumours. The good news is that they have been removed and the ever-cheerful Tom is doing well. His wife Pat has told Peter Riley that the nurses couldn’t believe how quickly he was eating so soon after the op and that everything had gone well. Tom told Pat he could murder a pint and he and Peter considered sneaking him out of the ward to catch the Calcutta Cup game and get him back before they knew he was missing! Tom is some guy. He holds the Club record of 437 1st XV appearances and recently presented his Yorkshire Cap to the Club. Tom is still renowned for his rendition of Ian Dury's 'Billericay Dickie' featuring that notorious 'yellow Cortina,' which I remember him performing with great aplomb at Saracens just a wee while ago! We send him our very best wishes, along with the promise of an unending supply of pints when he next comes down to the Club.

Although one of the main proposers of the event alas poor Tom wasn't able to join us last Saturday to watch the Calcutta Cup match whilst enjoying another of Admiral Collingwood's fantastic buffets, but what a great atmosphere in the Club, with many former players and members present. We hope you will return in even greater numbers for our Members' Reunion on 16 April, for what could be a crucially important game against Durham City.

To add gloss to the occasion Simon Moore presented his England Police jersey to the Club between the televised internationals. Having played for British Police almost 20 years ago Simon is currently in the midst of a series of England games. Many congratulations to him on this fully-deserved achievement, and a big 'thank you' for the gift of the shirt.

Continuing the good news, let me congratulate Jonno and Beckie, who tie the matrimonial knot today. We wish them a long and happy life together. Incidentally there are rumours flying around that Jonno has joined Redcar. I can categorically confirm that this is true...but only the squash section!

SPONSORS Let me express our thanks and gratitude to our two sponsors today, Mark Jones of Armstrong Richardson & Co Ltd, Mount Pleasant Way, Stokesley Business Park, Stokesley and Jonathan Cooper of Coopers Chemists, at Redcar, Marske and Great Ayton.

Armstrong Richardson traditionally was an agricultural merchant and has been trading since 1925. Although still an agricultural merchant, it has evolved over the years and now has four country stores across the north of England under the banner of Millbry Hill – at Stokesley, Whitby, Richmond and Whitehaven – a fuel business selling to domestic and agricultural customers and a wholesaling business selling horse and pet products across the whole country. Part of the group is AR Entertainments, who have a huge range of equipment that caters for children's parties, student balls, weddings, corporate events and glitzy society balls.

Coopers are a family owned pharmacy business that have been serving Middlesbrough and the surrounding area for over 50 years. They offer a personal friendly pharmaceutical service and are keen to promote local sport and healthy lifestyle advice. Jonathan enjoyed a brief spell playing for the Club in the 80’s alongside the likes of Richard Readman (and accidentally played again 20 years later when he was a guest at a sponsored game!) and he is very pleased to be associated with the club once again by sponsoring today’s game.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am pleased to welcome Adam Robson for his first visit to Acklam Park. He hails from Hessle, five miles west of Hull, where he is a Youth and Community Officer. Adam has been a referee for six years; before that he displayed his skills as a utility player for his home Club – one week a hooker, the next week a full back. I hope he enjoys his inaugural visit with us this afternoon.