WELCOME It is now seven weeks since our last home game so it is with great pleasure I welcome everyone back to Acklam Park, and of course I extend the warm hand of welcome to our visitors from Northumberland – at the second time of asking. We have been in opposition since Morpeth were 'Old Edwardians' and if you have a quick peek at p20 you will see there was a time we shared the same colours – we were regaled in red and white hoops in the 1920s. Last season we triumphed in both our contests, scoring an incredible 10 tries before the assembled masses attending our members' reunion. But that was last year...this year we've already lost at Morpeth and today I'd be happy with a win of any kind!

We have one thing in common with our visitors this season – too many defeats, with the result we are both in a perilous position in the league. In fact Morpeth got off to a good start, beating Wheatley Hills 25-24 in the opening game. They then lost three matches but won their next four (including our game), putting them comfortably in the top half of the table. However following their victory over us eight of the next nine fixtures ended in defeats, the exception being a 9-3 win at home to Pocklington. They did win a league and Cup semi final double header at home to Northern, by 10 points to 6, before losing a rearranged match 15-10 at Sheffield, beating Malton & Norton 28-13 at home and then losing 23-10 at Rochdale last week. A final point – only one of their eight wins has been away from home.

LEAGUE RUGBY On Saturday we bucked the trend of several of our games, when we have given our opponents a healthy lead and then stormed back to almost snatch a win. This time we took a healthy lead and then almost snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory. It was quite a match. With tries from Connor and Richard Metcalfe and a conversion from Matty we were 12-0 up before Malton added seven just before the break. However Richie Lonsdale stormed over and Matty added the conversion and a penalty to stretch our lead to a comfortable 22-7. But no. Frenchie got a yellow card and before we knew what hit us we were 24-22 down with the final play looming. Fortunately the forwards gritted their teeth, drove forward and Bellers scored in the corner to gain our second away win of the season.

Our previous away win was the week before we were originally due to meet Morpeth, when we halted our six-game losing run with a 20-18 win at Northern. The game featured several 'firsts' – it was certainly the first time that Captain Bellerby decided to fly rather than travel on the team coach! Typically his flight was delayed and then diverted to Manchester, from whence his father picked him up and got him to Northern just as the match kicked off. Crucially it was our first away win of the season; and Bellers, once he got onto the field, scored a brace of tries, incredibly the first time this season that anyone has scored more than a single try in a match. Northern led 13-0 after 20 minutes, but a break by Michael ended with Bellers completing a fine move to make it 13-5 at half-time. Two minutes after the resumption a chip ahead by Peter was fumbled by Northern and Jack followed up to score. He added a penalty to level the scores but on their only visit to our half Northern scored in the corner. We piled on the pressure and a fine run by Josh L was held up just short of the line. From the ensuing rucks we stole Northern ball for Bellers to score his second by the posts with Jack adding the winning conversion with two minutes remaining. Phew!

Although we didn't play well at Sheffield, I thought we were unlucky to lose our last home match against O Crossleyans. After they took an early 0-3 lead Ross McNeill was desperately unlucky not to score a try, beaten by the ball bobbling about behind the line. As it turned out we were 0-11 down at half time. Simon Moore made it 3-11 after the resumption but we then conceded seven points from a pass which was clearly forward. These points came back to haunt us, as Simon added another penalty and a try (having moved into the pack!) to leave us trailing by...seven points.

OTHER RUGBY Our Lions have now won 10 of their last 11 games, including a 20-10 victory over Selby in the Quarter Finals of North Yorkshire Trophy. This followed their 'victory' over Harrogate Pythons in the previous round, a tie which never did get played and in the end the outcome was decided by the toss of a coin. In the Semi Finals they will meet Northallerton, away, probably on 12 April. The Wasps travelled to Sheffield with the 1st team and lost to a very good side; the week earlier Blaydon Development XV cried off for the second time this season and then last week the Wasps were just edged out by 14-17 in a CANDY league game against Westoe. Meanwhile four of the 'A' team's last six fixtures have been cancelled or postponed, a sad state of affairs. The Senior Colts followed their 31-0 win against Ponteland with a 33-0 victory against Durham, whilst the Junior Colts beat Redcar 36-19, having lost 29-34 to Blaydon the week previous.

JUNIORS On Sunday our U16s beat an impressive Doncaster side by 42-12 away from home; next weekend they are at home to West Park Leeds in the Semi Finals of the Yorkshire Cup. Our U15s were also victorious last week, winning a very exciting match 7-5.

CLUB NEWS Our very first 'Ladies Day' will take place from 12 noon next Saturday, when we are hosts to Rochdale. Tickets have sold like wildfire and it is guaranteed to be a big success (you would expect nothing less of anything organised by Glenis Wright). In addition to a huge pile of raffle prizes, after the match Glenis has arranged for our local auctioneer Richard Storry to sell by auction a voucher for a bespoke jacket up to the value of £500, a magnum of vodka, signed rugby shirts and signed photographs. Proceeds of the event will go to the Spinal Injuries Association, as will the gate money from the match. Bill Blakey of Kaefer C&D Ltd is not only sponsoring the event but has provided raffle prizes, auction lots and sold a boat-load of tickets – but is barred from the ladies lunch! It certainly will be the biggest Club event since the Annual Ball, and our thanks go to Glenis and to Bill.

Please note that the Club is hosting the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile which will take place the following day in Albert Park and then two weeks later we will be holding another big social event, our annual members reunion before the Cleckheaton match. Tickets are a mere £10 so let Stu Micklewright or Colin McNeill know today that you will be present!

Our very own Zach Kibirige is in the news again. Not only was he one of ten players on the short-list for the LV= Cup Breakthrough Player of 2013/14, previously won by England new boys Jonny May and Jack Nowell, he scored one of ten tries in England U20s emphatic 67-7 defeat of Wales at Kingston Park a week ago. To determine the LV short-list, Opta analysed the performances of every U23 player in each round of the Cup. Two players from each round (a forward and a back) were selected for the short list. Zach was one of only two players to gain over 100m in round three. He beat six defenders (only two men managed more over round three) and made three initial clean breaks in his six carries, helping him to a gain of 110m. His diminutive running also created Newcastle’s try. Although I voted for Zack the winner, announced on Tuesday, is Ollie Devoto of Bath.

SPONSORS Today's sponsors are the two Richards, Readman and Storry. Readman Steel are steel stockholders, wharfingers, suppliers and fabricators of tubular items, with a marine division which is the sole UK agents for the Evren Chain Company of Turkey; Lithgow Sons & Partners, Stokesley, specialise in auctions of all forms of industrial and commercial goods and properties, as well as providing asset valuation and disposal, commercial property valuations, residential property and storage services – they are also specialists in charity auctions at MRUFC! We are grateful for their continued support. Can I add that Mike Fenwick's support (MJF Medical Services) is also very much appreciated.