WELCOME To those of you who couldn't attend the pre-season friendlies at Rovers or at home to Billingham and Pocklington, welcome back to the touchline after your summer break; I hope you come with renewed enthusiasm and a determination to support our young lads as we charter new territories in our quest for success. To those of you who have already watched our opening sorties, welcome to our opening home league game of the new season.

And a big welcome to our visitors from Doncaster. Phoenix is a relatively new club playing from the home of Doncaster Knights, opposition we last played 16 years ago (the season I'm sure you will remember unbeaten Oswestry were deducted a record 90 points for irregularities concerning banned players and false names) and who two years earlier kept us from appearing at Twickenham in the Intermediate Cup Final despite not beating us in the semi-final! Phoenix have two wins from their outings this season, beating North Ribblesdale 26-17 in the Yorkshire Shield and then Malton & Norton 15-11 in what turned out to be a bit of a tense affair on Saturday, both at home. As far as I can tell Malton seem to be a rather different side to that relegated last season...I hope Phoenix's first visit to us is memorable, but they don't enjoy themselves too much!

OUR NEW LEAGUE Just for the record can I make it clear that when we were relegated last season we were dropped into Durham/Northumberland 1. Because that league was then top-heavy one team had to be placed into Y1 and it was determined that we were fractionally closer to all clubs in Y1 that either Guisborough or Darlington and so we were invited to share the season with our fellow Yorkshiremen. We duly accepted this invitation. However we are assured it is for only one season, and putting aside issues of relegation and promotion we will be placed in D/N1 next season. 'Level Transfers' as such movements are officially known are always for only one season, unless a club (Rochdale for example) express a preference to play in that 'wrong' league. As a bit of background information last year's Y1 league table is included in the programme.

THE NEW SEASON We started the season with three friendlies/trials to give everyone a chance to show their form. We began at Hartlepool Rovers, where we scored six tries, including one Barbarians-style from our own goal line and another two from our own 22. We followed this with home games against Billingham and Pocklington, the latter requesting what was for them an away friendly because they enjoyed their league visits to us so much. Their friendliness didn't flow over onto the pitch and although we held them for 30 minutes and it was only 0-12 at half time the gaps stared to appear when we rang the changes; they won 0-43. Billingham also eventually ran away with the match to finish 42-12 ahead.

The good news is we opened our league campaign with a bonus point win at Bridlington, despite giving debuts to four young men and losing Richie L to two yellow cards. A summary of the game by Terry F is included on p16 with a fuller version on our website.

The Wasps opened their CANDY League season at home to Consett and bolstered by the likes of Jabba, Warby, Robbie Small and the two Wrathmalls, Paul and Simon, plus a Colt or two, put on a pretty good show. Simon W was sent for an early bath (10 minutes into the game I think) when he retaliated to some rather naughty play but once Frenchy and Lorcan took control of the scrum, and despite falling 0-10 behind, we ran out 34-20 winners. At the same time a mix of our 'A' and Lions teams met Guisborough IIs and conceded a late try to end with a 17-all scoreline.

BEER FESTIVAL - What an outstanding success, what a great occasion, what a wonderful weekend! We opened for business at noon on Saturday 19 July and it took all of a couple of hours to realise that the Middlesbrough Rugby Club Beer Festival will certainly become one of our most popular events and a fixture in our social calendar. The reasons are manyfold – first and foremost there was a wide range of excellent beers (a must for any beer festival!), it was held outdoors (not always the case in other clubs), good music, great food and a legion of members rolled up their sleeves to ensure everything went well (over 50 people are listed by Tilly in his report on our website)...and great organisation. In addition it was good old-fashioned value for money, with a pint costing £2.50 and entry of £5 including an engraved glass and a pint token.

A key factor was the layout. Beyond the Function Room tentage was arranged in a U-shape, the open end offering views of the cricket pitch and one leg containing 21 casks of ale resplendently racked behind a bar built and provided free by RTS Joinery.

Joining the hordes of members there were visitors from as far apart as Newcastle and Skelton, and as the steady stream of visitors turned into a full house for the evening entertainment the first 'sold out' signs appeared by 8pm. All 21 casks were dry three hours before closing time on Sunday. The result was much needed funds for the club, with almost as much again being taken across the bar in Acklam Park over and above its usual weekend income. And just as important...the bringing together in joyous revelry of so many members and friends.

There's no room to mention everyone who helped, but salutations to Simon Moore, who proposed the idea and then worked with Tilly and Colin Mc to iron out the details, ably supported by Admiral Collingwood and Keith...and Steve the groundsman who supervised his patented 'keep-it-cool' system. Oh, and the Brothers Horton are now fully qualified Gazebo Technicians! And I'm pleased to report that the 2nd Annual MRUFC Beer Festival is already in the planning stage!

CLUB NEWS Turning to our Society Column, there is news really worth celebrating, as well as some sad news. Splendidly the summer saw the birth of new lives, as little Ava Rose burst onto the scene to become the fifth member of Brad and Sarah's family; not to be outdone Nicola gave birth to Farah, presenting Isa with his third daughter and fifth child. Completing a trio of daughters, Ash and Anna are the proud parents of the wonderfully noisy Millie. Then, most recently, our Chairman, Colin and wife Moira are still beaming from ear-to-ear at becoming first-time grandparents, as Scott and Heather presented the first boy of the summer to be born, Fraser James. Many, many congratulations to each and every one of them, and also to Richie Horton and Kate, for whom the wedding bells rang out loud and clear; we wish them a long and happy life together.

Unfortunately and inevitably sunny days turn into dark nights, and sadly we've lost two valued members. Michael Robson. originally an Alnwick lad, played fly half for our 1st team during the 80s and early 90s before moving to Northallerton. In July he lost his battle with a particularly aggressive brain tumour. I'm pleased to say that Mick's son Tom continues the family link playing for us. And then less than two weeks later Alan Matson was found dead at home by family friend Judith. Alan was 78; he also played fly half for the 1st team and was a Vice President of the Club.

And finally to wrap up this section can I mention two of our very own. First Zach Kibirige. In the club-by-club preview of this season's Aviva Premiership one of our more serious Sunday journals identified 19 year-old England U20s winger Zach as the 'Player to Watch' at Newcastle Falcons. And then one who went all the way – James Simpson-Daniel, one of the finest talents of the English game over the past decade. Unfortunately the fracture of the ankle that has sidelined him since November has forced James to retire. But for rotten luck with injury and illness he would certainly have added more caps to the 10 he possesses.

JUNIORS Acklam Park was jumping with activity on Monday evening, when dozens of our keen and eager youngsters turned up for sessions with the Falcons, who came en masse to coach our minis and juniors. There was hardly a spare blade of grass to be seen as the pitches were put to good use. The whole activity is a tribute to the work Sarah Hutchinson is putting in creating community links between the Clubs. Well done Sarah!

SPONSORS Can I take this opportunity to say that although we traditionally kick off our home season with those most welcome of sponsors, Ian Horton and Hertel UK Ltd, for reasons to do with tenders and contracts and other such complicated matters they are not in a position at present to take up their usual position in the Function Room. It's always a pleasure to see them and hopefully we'll be honoured with their presence again soon.

However I am delighted to report that our shirt sponsor this season is RTS Joinery & Shopfitting Specialists Ltd who continue a long and friendly association with the Club, starting with fitting out our new Clubhouse, and more recently providing the bar for our beer festival at no charge to the Club. A great many thanks to Gary Rock and the guys.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome George Shield back to Acklam Park. Although this is his first outing in charge of the first team he has been here before – in fact only last week we are eternally grateful that he stepped into the breech to take the Wasps match against Consett. George, originally from Corbridge but now living in Redcar, played for Tynedale before joining the Army; he was a hooker. Injured whilst playing rugby in the Army he turned his hand to refereeing and was a member of the East Midlands Society for 20 years before joining North Yorkshire three years ago. George is now a Safety Adviser Engineer.
Make a note NOW that on 1 November, when we're at home to Scarborough, we intend to hold a Vice Presidents and members luncheon before the game – watch this space!