WELCOME I'm afraid that for the second consecutive programme I have to begin with sad news – Derek Carr died on Tuesday afternoon, having been rushed to hospital on Sunday 10 January. 'Big Derek', or 'The Hulk' as he was affectionately known (much to his amusement) was seen in the bar most nights and weekends and was a supporter of all things rugby. He regularly attended our Annual Dinners, our Annual Balls and joined the annual members pilgrimage to Twickenham during the Six Nations – he'd already paid his deposit for the Ireland match next month. There are few things more shocking than a sudden death and we send our commiserations and sympathy to his family.

But back to more pleasing matters as we welcome Ryton to Acklam Park. When we met them at Barmoor in early October it was certainly a game of two halves. Ryton were ahead 18-3 down at half time before we got back into the mix in the second half to win 37-24. Tries from Frenchie, Andrew Micklewright, Bellers and Mike Thornburn, plus a penalty try for a deliberate knock-on, clinched the bonus point and won us the game.

Our visitors currently lie 10th in the league, with five wins from their 13 matches – three of their last four fixtures have been postponed. Following defeat to Rovers in the Durham Intermediate Cup Ryton opened their league campaign with two victories; against Acklam (H) and at Darlington. Coincidentally they have also won their last two games, at home to Gosforth and their return fixture at Darlington, by 70-7. In between times their other win was at Ponteland (21-18). In other words Ryton have won two away games, and those were against the bottom two clubs – I hope they don't upset that sequence today!

LEAGUE RUGBY The atrocious wet weather we experienced two weeks ago caused three matches in our league to be postponed so those of you who didn't come along to the Ponteland game can be excused. The fact that our second pitch was playable was down to groundsman Steve Davies, who was out at 9am forking the pitch, and a hardy band of volunteers who turned out to help him – Riles, Bernie, Gordon and Keith; we thank them for their unstinting efforts. Their endeavours were rewarded with an interesting game of rugby.

As I predicted in the programme Ponteland were a totally different proposition to the side shipping points at the start of the season. We scored in the first minute and the last minute, but in between we suffered a few first half nerves. Conner finished off the opening exchanges but a combination of dogged and aggressive defence by Ponteland, a ball like a bar of freezing cold slimly soap which kept slipping from our grasp, and a mounting penalty count against us meant that our only other score before half time was a typically bull-dozing try from Mike, converted by Toddy (who'd hit the post with his first effort). Although our visitors didn't threaten our line they did pop over two penalties, making it a nervous 12-6 at the break.

However in the second half we camped on Ponteland's line, and several times got across it only for the referee to adjudge we were held up. Nevertheless tries from Myles and Toddy pushed the score to 26-9 before a frantic final five minutes. Ali Lang dived through for our fifth try; unfortunately from the restart one of the Ponteland players went down and stayed down and for a while it looked as thought the referee might have to end the game. However the game continued after the lad was stretched off the field – and the good news is that after the match and receiving attention from the paramedics he was up and on his feet, apparently OK. And those final minutes ended with a flourish, as Mike added his second try and on the stroke of full time Rhys rounded everything off with his 17th try of the season.
We could easily have had previous matches at Consett and Durham postponed because of weather conditions but we were finally caught last weekend when our game at Novos was postponed. The new date suggested for the fixture is 12 March (which supersedes the rearranged Yorkshire Shield game against Keighley, see Club News below) but as we speak there appears to be a blank date on 6 February (but see Club News below!). Nothing is yet certain so all I can say at this stage is 'watch this space.' Stockton are now the only team in our league who have been able to fulfil 100 per cent of their fixtures, whilst Gateshead are now four behind.

OTHER MATCHES As you can imagine the weather has played havoc with recent fixtures although our 'A' team did manage a Tees Valley game last week against Hartlepool Rovers second string. It's fair to say that everything about the game was pretty poor, including the result (from our point of view, anyway!). A reminder that next week the Colts are hosts to Billingham in the National Colts Cup, and then a fortnight later they have an away Yorkshire Cup semi final at Beverley.

In our last programme we shone the spotlight on our U17s – the Junior Colts – and their 100 per cent record this season. Since then, courtesy of an artificial pitch, they have faced the daunting task of playing at Durham City. I am delighted to report that they are still unbeaten, winning a fantastic match 7-0. With another artificial pitch coming to the rescue our U14s travelled to York, a team they've not previously beaten, and also returned victorious. A report from Tony Linklater is on p9.

CLUB NEWS If you have not been lucky enough to scramble tickets for, or are unwilling to face the marauding Brave Hearts on home soil on Saturday 6 February, then please come along to Acklam Park to watch the game on TV in good time for the 4.50 kick off. At this stage there aren’t any Club fixtures scheduled for that day. A buffet of haute cuisine delights will be prepared by Ian C’s fair hand for your delight and edification and tickets will cost £10 with any profits going to club funds. Please pass the word around and let Peter Riley. Keith Bircham or Ian himself know how many tickets you require. We hope to see you there...let the battle commence.

Congratulations to Jonno and Beckie, who tie the matrimonial knot in three weeks, on 13 February, and our very best wishes for their future happiness. As a man of Hinckley and a fervent Leicester fan Jonno tuned up for the occasion with a stag weekend centred around the Leicester v Northampton match a couple of weeks ago – now there's a surprise! Much to his chagrin he spent the entire afternoon in fancy dress as Bernie the dog, Northampton's mascot.

How about this for a recurring theme – our postponed Yorkshire Shield match against Keighley has again been postponed. Originally scheduled for 28 November, it is now earmarked for 26 March. I can see it being one of those years when all sorts of competitions are left high and dry without coming to a conclusion.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am pleased to welcome Jonathan Hill back to Acklam Park for his first visit of the season. He has been here on first team duty many times, lastly when we played Northern and then again when we played Sheffield both in season 2012/13 (although he did take our Wasps match against Northern Wanderers the following season). Jonathan has been a referee for 20 years; before that he played in the front row at Old Otliensians and then at Malton & Norton. An agricultural consultant, he knows some of our country members, including our farming fraternity. I hope he enjoys his return visit with us this afternoon.