WELCOME It gives me great pleasure to welcome t'other Boro, Scarborough, back to Acklam Park. If my memory serves me right we played Scarborough just about every season for at least 28 years, with the sequence of fixtures ending in season 1974/75. Peter Clarkson, bless his soul, said that in 1948, when Edwin Foster was captain, we were travelling to Scarborough when everyone on the coach saw a tractor approaching in the middle of the road. Everyone, that is, except our driver. As a result the coach ended in a ditch and everyone went through an early pre-match warm-up routine getting it back on the road. Then, after a gap of 28 years, we again met against the backcloth of league rugby, in N2E. At home, exactly 12 years ago, we won 29-3. First half tries from Peter Wright and Andy Micklewright were supplemented by those from Fingers and Patto. The return was the last league game of the season, which we won courtesy of a hat trick of tries from Fingers, a brace from Jim Chapman, plus four others to finish with a flourish. The Wasps and the 'A' team were also at Scarborough so it was a bit of a 'Jolly Boys' outing and a humdinger of a Saturday night at the seaside.

Having finished eighth last season, this year our visitors currently lie eight, with three wins – at Selby, Bridlington and at home to Wath – from eight games. They've lost at Yarnbury by one point, Doncaster by two points and Hullensians by four points, and at home to York, by seven points, before losing by 12 points to Malton last week. Apart from their victory at home to Wath by 30 points, every league match has been pretty close.

MATCH NEWS Victory in our last home game against O Brods followed a similar pattern to our previous home win against Malton. Both were immediately preceded by poor away performances ending in defeat and yet both resulted in seven-tries-to-two wins. Even more strange we scored three first-half tries in each match, conceding 13 points to Malton and 12 to Brods, leading to half-time scores of 19-13 and 17-12 respectively. Neither of our opponents increased their score whilst in both instances we added four more tries. We beat Malton 43-13 and Brods by 41-12. Remarkable. There was one major difference – the fireworks in the first five minutes in the Brods' match led to Gary Rock going off to hospital with his arm broken in two places, a result of a spear tackle. (Suffice to say we have been in touch with Brods over the issue.) Euan Tremlett was the first to cross the line – actually that's not quite true; he was grounded yards from the line but somehow managed to extend his elastic arm to score, with Jack converting. This was quickly followed by a try from Rhys and then one from Ash on the half hour. “Don't let Brods back into the game before the break” was the mantra, but groans quickly followed as we conceded 12 points before half time. However tries from Peter Wright, who had a very good game in defence and attack coming out of his 'temporary' retirement when Conner withdrew (our sincere thanks to Peter for dusting off his boots), Jack (who added a second conversion) and second tries for Ash and Rhys completed the scoring.

And then we took out try total for the season to 29 with five at Pontefract on Saturday. Although Pontefract took a very early lead a penalty from Simmo and a try by Bellers gave us a lead we never lost, although a very good game ended too close for comfort. A second Simmo penalty and tries from Brad and Rhys gave us a half time lead of 11-23, with the Bellers/Simmo combo taking it to 11-28. But back came Pontefract to 23-28; surely a second try from Brad would seal it, but, you’ve guessed it, back they came to 30-33, making it an interesting final 10 minutes (see Terry’s web report and video).

And now a word of praise for the 'A' team, who scored their first win of the season in their first home match of the season when they beat Darlington Bulls 45-12. Praise is also due to Darlo who turned up with the bare 15 players, suffered a couple of injuries but insisted on continuing without any help from us. A match report is on our website but I must mention two people. First, Dennis Wright. He has been playing for some time now with a broken rib – his solution to the problem? He's playing in the backs instead of the back row! In this game he scored two tries, and then dropped the ball when over the line; this was deemed to be a deliberate 'jug avoidance' act and so he was banished to the bar to fill one. On top of that he was also fined for not being properly dressed – or should that be improperly dressed? The dress code was onesies, and what a sight they were! Mexico was to be the theme last week but West cried off. The second person is 'wee man' Paul Wrathmall, who is doing a great job as captain and organiser-in-chief – keep up the good work Paul.

Last week the Wasps narrowly lost at Durham City by 29-27, after which the Club received the following message: I just wanted to write to congratulate your team that were narrowly beaten at Durham City today. Their spirit and team work was fantastic. They turned up without a full complement of players when most teams nowadays would have cried off, leaving Durham City and an exchange International referee without a game. Most clubs, including Durham City, are struggling to turn out adult teams, but if the RFU could bottle and share your players’ spirit, Rugby Union at grass roots level for adults would be in rude health. Well done lads and thanks for turning out. Well done indeed!!

JUNIORS Yorkshire Cup news - our U16s beat Ripon 40-0 but then lost 30-5 at Sheffield whilst our U15s beat Thirsk 49-12 and are now home to Beverley next week. Our U14s are at home to York next week, but our U13s lost by two agonising points to Otley, scored in the last minute; they now meet Harrogate in the Plate.

CLUB NEWS Firstly let me say a huge 'thank you' to those of our Vice Presidents who attended lunch today. It is one of our few blank Saturdays as far as Sponsors are concerned and it is heartening to see you all coming along to join old and new friends in convivial surroundings. There is no better way to start what will be a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

Sarah Hutchinson is planning a trip to Kingston Park to see the Falcons match against Gloucester on Friday 21 November, with tickets discounted as we are in partnership with Newcastle Falcons. Depending upon numbers there may be a possibility of hiring a coach. Please contact Sarah on 07752 783955 or email her on rugbysarahhutch@hotmail.co.uk to book tickets. Deadline for booking is Nov 12th 8pm. (And thanks to Sarah for conducting the RFU Game Management System teach-in on Thursday evening.)

And now can I remind you of some forthcoming attractions. Of course we kick off with our renowned and Fantastic Kaleidoscope of Fireworks and Bonfire Night on Wednesday, complete with food and sweetie stalls. Moving into December the Members Grand Christmas Draw will be held on Sunday the 14th; with literally hundreds of prizes tickets go like hot cakes so get yours from behind the bar. This is closely followed on Thursday 18th December by our entertaining and always extremely popular Carol Sing-a-long; no matter how many song sheets we print there never seems to be enough so get here early! And back by popular demand is the 6th Annual Pie-baking Competition on Tuesday 23rd December. And then on Saturday 27th we play Stockton, away, for the Alan Todd Memorial Trophy. On the same day our very own Shaun Cassidy is selecting a North East Baa Baas side (which will include some of our finest) to play the 'Hire a Hero Gorilla Rugby Team' at Newcastle before the Falcons/Saracens match – see p16. On that very evening we are holding our Annual Ball – details are also on p16. Oh, and don’t forget the Lizard Run, the Golf Tournament and the Santa Sashay – all with Santa costumes, of course.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome Jason Garrick to Acklam Park today. Jason is something of a cosmopolitan character; he is a New Zealander who played in the back row for Western Australia University, Grasshoppers in the Netherlands and London NZ. But then he met a Yorkshire lass and his travels were cut short; he now lives in Hemsworth, Wakefield. He has been a referee for six years and was up in our part of the world only three weeks ago taking charge of the Guisborough v Stockton match. On his return to the area I hope he enjoys his afternoon with us. Jason is a team leader for Barclays Bank, and whisper it – in the inner sanctums he has heard of our very own Peter Riley!