WELCOME I am delighted to welcome back to Acklam Park our visitors from Driffield. This is our first meeting for six years, when we met three times – twice in N2E and also in the Yorkshire Cup. The cup tie was a strange affair; we had a strong wind in the first half, scored two tries but led by only 12-10 at the break. Against the wind it was always going to be tough, but we actually scored another three tries; unfortunately for us the Woldsmen scored five second half tries, despite having two men yellow-carded, to win 39-30. In the first league game we lost 35-18 at Driffield. However we managed to stop the rot in the return fixture, which we won 48-17. We took an early lead thanks to a Simon M penalty, and added two tries as a result of great driving mauls, although Paul Lee and Simon were the scorers! With Simon adding the conversions and another penalty (he didn’t miss a kick all afternoon) the score was 20-0 at the break. We added to our lead almost from the re-start, when David Richardson ran in a try from 30m, followed by tries for Andy Micklewright, Martin Howe and replacement Jack Aldus, the day before he helped the Colts beat Harrogate in the Yorkshire Cup. We then conceded two late tries. Following that match the match report on Driffield’s website, and posted on our Notice Board; finished thus: Middlesbrough showed very clearly why they will undoubtedly progress to North One next season. Their squad of players are a team on a mission, who are most unlikely to slip up now. Everyone at Driffield wishes Middlesbrough well. We will miss both their style and spirit of rugby, as well as their friendly hospitality and open-minded supporters.' Bravo to Driffield - that's what good old-fashioned rugby is all about!

This season Driffield's record has a lop-sided look to it. In their opening competitive game they hammered Malton & Norton 64-17 in the Yorkshire Cup but then proceeded to win only one of their first nine league encounters, and that was against bottom club Sheffield. However their back on an even keel, having beaten Northern 28-22 at McCracken Park and then at home running in seven tries last week in beating Morpeth 48-10. I hope their improved form continues – but not until next week!

LEAGUE RUGBY In the last programme I did confess that our victory over Sheffield had been a pretty dire affair but we did win to give the team an added bounce and an element of self-belief that we had been missing. This was amply shown the following week against Malton & Norton, although the day didn't start well when Connor injured his finger at work on Saturday morning. As a result Peter moved to his favourite position, Toddy went to fly-half, Jack to full back and Josh Evans came onto the wing – and before we'd settled down Josh was over for the first of our five tries. Rhys added the second latching onto a super little kick through from Matty, and Tom Fox, who had another fine game, pounced for our third. In between times M&N pressurised our line on several occasions but our great defence held firm. Three tries before the break – could we get a bonus point in the second half? Of course we could! Ash was the point gatherer, forcing his way over for his third try of the season, with Captain Rob, held up just short several times, finally getting his just rewards with the fifth whilst we were down to 14 men. Pete also slid across the line but the referee decided the ball had squirted from his grasp before the line. Jack kicked a penalty and a conversion with Matty converting Bellers's try. With minutes to go a lucky bounce ended with our visitors making the final score 32-7.

Last week, despite suffering an agonising 16-14 defeat at Rochdale, we continued to improve and showed great courage, determination and tenacity throughout the match. We were leading 14-10 until we were forced to play the last 12 minutes with 14 men after Brad received his second yellow card, both for technical offences. Rochdale kicked two more crucial penalties to win the match, the decider coming four minutes from time. We attacked at the start but dropped the ball, resulting in Rochdale pressure. In keeping them out Brad and Matty J were sinbinned within a minute of each other. But we held out and a Matty T penalty gave us a 13th-minute lead, which we held for 15 minutes before Rochdale scored a converted try and then added a penalty. Matty T landed penalties either side of half-time and we took the lead when Brad picked up from a scrum and sent Connor over. Crucially, the conversion failed and we weren't quite able to hold out.
OTHER MATCHES Last week, at home, we were protecting two 100 per cent records when the Wasps entertained Gateshead and the 'A' team took on Northallerton. Unfortunately in the gathering gloom of tea time only one of those records was intact. The Wasps emerged victorious in a game which saw a flurry of second-half scoring and six cards brandished by the referee, Coralie Greban. In a half which which saw a lot of stuttering rugby we posted early points with a converted try before each team exchanged penalties to give us 10-3 half time lead. The second period was no less disrupted but we did add four tries to take our score to 32 points before Gateshead added a converted try late in the game. The 'card' score was 3-3, both sides getting two yellows and a red. Our unfortunate soul was Jack Bircham, playing only because work commitments prevented him travelling to Rochdale, who tool exception to a hand-off made with a fist to the face.

Meanwhile the 'A' team conceded an early try to go five points behind but then took a 7-5 lead, which they held until the break. As we all expected them then to pull away from Northallerton we did see a couple of tries, but at the wrong end of the field. Both were converted and suddenly we were 7-19 behind. Still it wasn't exactly dire straits, especially after we crossed for a try. It was 12-17 and the game was in the balance – or it was until we conceded another converted try. 12-26, game over, 100 per cent record gone. The Lions lost their game at Redcar by 22-10 last week but were quick to point out that Redcar did not have a first team game!

Two weeks ago the Senior Colts made their way to Morpeth where they put up one tremendous fight before losing 25-12. You'll be delighted to know that another of Budgie's inimitable match reports appears on the website. They were without a game last week but today entertain Northern. The Junior Colts were without a match a fortnight ago but made the short trip to Horden last week, winning 72-12. Tomorrow they are due to entertain West Hartlepool.

JUNIORS Congratulations to our U16s, who returned from their Yorkshire Cup match at Otley on Sunday with a 28-12 victory. Meanwhile the U13s, 14s and 15s all played Ripon. The U13s and 14s were at home, losing 17-41 and winning 64-0 respectively; the U15s were away and also won, 24-5.

And a special mention of our little 'uns. Our really young youngsters enjoyed a fantastic weekend of rugby earlier this month. The U7s were at a festival at Billingham and the two teams worked really hard coming home with several wins under their tag belts. The U8s were at Darlington Mowden Park where the pitch was soaking and soon ended up as a mud bath; nothing daunted they were unbeaten, winning all four game scoring 20 tries and conceding only seven. A massive effort from all the U7&8 lads. Well done. And a big thank you from Sarah and Brad – and the rest of the Club for that matter – to all the U9 parents who helped with the Tollesby clean up earlier in the month; it is much appreciated.

By the way, in amongst all the talk about New Zealand when they extended their winning streak to 12 months was the fact that at Junior level they recognise that children grow at different speeds, and consequently build teams graded according to weight rather than age. This protects the kids who develop more slowly from the bigger lads, but it also enables the physically strong not to get away with imposing themselves on the game simply through their strength: they have to develop skill. The need for some kind of sorting is readily apparent: the example is quoted of one English club, exemplary in training, encouragement and medical care, where the U16 team includes one player who is 5ft 3in and seven stone and another of 6ft 2in and 15 stone.
CLUB NEWS Commiserations to Richie 'Rio' Barker. Our former captain stopped playing for us when his job took him to Aberdeen but I'm sure he had an inkling to return in our colours. Unfortunately it is not to be. He has endured an operation on that bothersome knee and has now been instructed by the medics to hang up his boots. Richie gave us great service and such news is always devastating. Although it's a pity I'm sure we'll see him lending his support on the touchline.
And now get out your diaries and make a note of the following dates. In December there will be a Heaviest Hair weigh-in, to be judged in the function room on Friday 5th when all shaven facial hair will be dumped on the scales, in aid of the U16s tour; our Christmas Lunch will take place before the Wheatley Hills match on 14th, with the humongous Grand Draw the following evening; the 5th Annual Acklam Park Pie Baking Competition will be held on Tuesday the 17th, with our sometimes haunting, sometimes raucous Carol Sing-a-long two nights later. And before we finish off the year with a real bang on New Year's Eve there is our Annual Ball on Saturday 28 December.

SPONSORS Today we are delighted to welcome back as sponsors James Barker of Barker and Stonehouse, purveyors of a quite exceptional range of quality furniture and furnishings, and Charles Clinkard of the Charles Clinkard Group, suppliers of fine footwear for all the family. We are grateful that two of the region’s most respected family-run businesses have joined us today and we thank the companies for their continued support, which is very much appreciated. We hope that Charles and James, and their guests, enjoy their afternoon with us.

REFEREE'S CORNER This afternoon I am delighted to welcome Tim Allatt for his very first visit to Acklam Park; he is not only a newcomer to our Rugby Club but I suspect a newcomer to Middlesbrough as he is an exchange referee from the Notts, Lincs and Derby Society. Tim played at No 8 for Bingham RUFC, which lies due east of Nottingham, and is now into his third season with the whistle. He works as a Close Protection Operative, and according to our ever diligent Match Secretary Andy Murray has a most efficient, pleasant and helpful PA – his wife. I hope Tim has an interesting, rewarding and above all enjoyable time with us today. Referees are in short supply so we are fortunate indeed to have a Society referee to control our Lions game with Horden; I am pleased to welcome Simon Rochester who joins us for what I hope will be a pleasant afternoon.