ALNWICK RFCSATURDAY 18TH NOVEMBER VS PONTEFRACT RFC With thanks to our match sponsor
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 2023/24 season of the North Premier League at Greensfield. Having enjoyed a very good season last year, we are hoping to keep any momentum going, and to retain or better last years’ league position. I would like to wish our club captain, Richard Elliott and coaches Tom Borthwick and Ally Hogg good luck for the forthcoming season, and I thank them for their outstanding contribution last season. We must endeavour to retain our status as a three team plus Colts Club. Many clubs continue to struggle at lower levels and it is so important that our club can produce regular 2nd and 3rd teams. Once we cast aside this aspiration, we join the slippery slope to becoming a one team club. Our Colts have elected to play once more in the Border League and it is genuinely pleasing to see former Colts rising through the teams. The Junior section within the club continues to thrive under the past guidance of John Davidson and future guidance of Tony Manners. We are indebted to them for hopefully cultivating future club players. Finally, our Ladies section is very active and strengthening in numbers, if you would like to participate please contact any club member. Similarly, women and men touch rugby adds a social blend to the participants of our great game. Thanks are due also to David Ross who runs the physio section of the club and to David Stewart who never misses a game to make superb videos. WELCOME! Andrew Bell Snr President
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS OUR MAIN CLUB SPONSOR FOR THE 2023-2024 SEASON
MATCH BALL SPONSORS Fraser Burn Rod Bell Alan Gardiner Martin Straker John Davidson Fiona Burn Catering Iain Stewart Charlie Davies Danny Hodgson Andrew Hodgson ON THIS WEEKEND 2ND TEAM Alnwick V Medicals COLTS Selkirk V Alnwick Stuart May, Peter McCaig & John Spark Dallas Allen Ken Fairbairn Richard Welbury AML - Matthew & Ali Currie Burgham Golf Rory Mallaburn Craig Greer Turnbulls Butchers
CLUB OFFICIALS Fraser Burn Vice Chairman & Vice President Dallas Allen Chair of Facilities Andrew Bell Snr President Hugh Burn Chairman & Senior Vice President Iain Bell Treasurer Alan Gardiner Chair of Colts Judith Burn Hon Secretary Andrew Bell Jnr Chair of Senior Rugby Tony Manners Chair of Mini & Junior Rugby Ruth Gregory Chair of Social Events Martin Straker Chair of Sponsorship & Advertising Gillian Apthorpe Club Safeguarding Officer John Davidson County Representative Rod Bell Chair of Health and Safety Michelle Hall Bar Manager
Ritchie Elliott Club & 1st XV Captain Ben Gothorp 1st XV Vice Captain Gordon Smith 3rd XV Captain Charlie Davies 2nd XV Captain Becky Dyson Ladies Captain James Bird 1st XV Vice Captain Mark Carolan Colts Captain OUR CAPTAINS
N Alnwick RFC is an amateur rugby union club based in the town of Alnwick, Northumberland in the north-east of England. We are the most northerly rugby union club in English league rugby (although Berwick’s headquarters are in Scremerston, they play in the Scottish league system). The traditional colours of Alnwick are royal blue shirts and socks with gold trims and white shorts. Alnwick RFC was originally formed on 9th December 1880 under the name of ‘The Hotspur’ a reference to the famous knight, Harry Hotspur. Mrs Rennison of The Star Hotel offered a field on the outskirts of the town to play on known as Wagonway and a W. Newman was elected to captain the initial team. Their first game ended in a thrilling 0-0 draw against Jesmond. The Hotspur won their first home game, which was also the first game under rugby union laws, against Rockliffe by 1 goal and 3 touchdowns. In May 1884 a meeting between The Hotspur, Guild and other football clubs resulted in a decision to merge all parties to form the Alnwick Association Football Club. It took 50 years for the game of rugby to be reintroduced to the town. In 1933, under the presidency of Stan Anderson, whom represented England, rugby in Alnwick flourished; playing at Denwick Mill and using The Plough Hotel as the clubhouse. However, this was short lived as difficulties in getting playing numbers saw the game abandoned in 1937. After the second world war, another attempt to revive rugby in the town was made but to no avail. It wasn’t until the Duke’s School started playing rugby union, which provided a strong pool of enthusiastic players, that rugby caught on. A meeting was held on 12th April 1960, presided over by Bobby Robinson of Northern FC and the club was reformed and matches played in the following 60/61 season. His Grace, The Duke of Northumberland, agreed to be Patron of the club whilst S.O. Williams accepted the presidency. Alan Churchill was elected captain and The Plough Hotel was once again used as the clubhouse. The club obtained use of a field at Greensfield Moor which became their permanent headquarters when the Duke of Northumberland offered a long lease of land. THE HISTORY OF ALNWICK RFC
VOLUNTEER NEEDED 07922277350 WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT US WITH WRITING OUR MATCH REPORTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE MESSAGE BEN TO FIND OUT MORE. MATCH REPORT WRITER Message Ben
MATCH PREVIEW We wish a very warm welcome to Alnwick RUFC today to the players, officials and supporters of Pontefract RUFC. Since their promotion last season they have justified their position in the Regional 1 North East with a steady start to their campaign. They have strength across the field and we look forward to the challenge that they will present. Unfortunately, last week we came back from our visit to Driffield pointless. It is always a challenging away trip, with two very close games last season in the league and cup. However, a very lack lustre first half performance, where we never really got a foothold in the game contributed to a disappointing result. Despite a much improved second half performance, where we were perhaps unfortunate not to gain two bonus points in the last play of the game when we were held up over the line. There is no doubt the performance was not up to the standard we set ourselves. After some individual and collective soul searching the prep this week has been very positive, enthusiastic and constructive. One of the real positives of the day was the return of Matty Gray to the squad after a long lay off with injury and travels. Finally, good luck to all our teams over the weekend and hope everyone has an enjoyable day. Tom Borthwick
6. ALI BLACKETT 8. BEN GOTHORP 1. RICHIE ELLIOT 4. JONNY YOUNG ALNWICK RFC FORWARDS 2. DUNCAN SMITH 3. DREW THOMPSON 7. WILL PETTIFER 5. MATTY GRAY Stephen Dickinson
13. ALEX ROBSON 15. ROB CUTHBERT BACKS 10. EVAN MOIR 14. SAM EGGLESTON Guy Renner-Thompson 9. JAMES BLACKETT 11. JAKE WOODS 12. CALLUM BURN ALNWICK RFC
18. JAMIE COMBER 17. MATTY JOLLY HEAD COACH TOM BORTHWICK Victoria Bell PHYSIO DAVE ROSS The Muppets COACHING TEAM FORWARDS COACH ALLY HOGG Tom Bell 16. FERGUS BURN ALNWICK RFC SUBSTITUTES
Loosehead Prop Ethan Potts Hooker Tim Pickersgill Tighthead Prop Josh Hough Second Row Brodie Matthews Second Row Callum Rogers Blindside Flanker Tad Nyanjowa Openside Flanker Leo Harrison Number 8 Sam Millard Scrum Half Harry Wollaston Fly Half Liam Kay (C) Left Wing Lucas Ketteridge Inside Centre Tim Spears Outside Centre Richard Dedicoat Right Wing Josh Milthorpe Full Back Keiran Tucker Reserve Josh Stuart Reserve Any Lund Reserve Stuart Dedicoat
Pre-Match Lunches September 2nd - First Game of the Season BBQ September 9th - Open Lunch September 23rd - Ladies Day Lunch October 14th - Open Lunch November 4th - Open Lunch November 18th - End of Harvest Lunch December 16th - Christmas Lunch January 13th - Wooden Spoon Lunch February 3rd - Farmers Lunch March 2nd - Prostate Cancer Lunch March 23rd - Ovarian Cancer Action Lunch Pre-Match lunches will be held on before all first team home games. All table bookings should be given to Michelle in advance, along with any dietary requirements. Confirmation of final number is needed by Thursday. Advanced payment is appreciated. For lunches in September, October, March & April, meet at 12:30pm for a 1pm start. For lunches in November, December, January & February, meet at 12noon for a 12:30pm start.
This is the first season Alnwick and Pontefract have been in the same league, however the two clubs have met before. The 2003/04 was Alnwick’s first at level 7. A second-place finish behind Hartlepool Rovers meant Alnwick faced a promotion playoff fixture against the runners up from Yorkshire 1, Pontefract. Alnwick’s had the superior league record, so the playoff fixture took place at Greensfield. Pontefract Dominated the first half of the games and built up a 10-15 lead at half time, thanks to tries from Spears and Watson with a penalty and a conversion added by Dean. Alnwick responded with a Scott try and a Moses penalty. Pontefract pulled further ahead in the second half with a Dean penalty to take to score to 10-18. Alnwick got back in the game on the 60- minute mark when Manners squeezed over in the corner and Moses slotted a touchline conversion to make the score 17-18. With 10 minutes remaining, Moses kicked a 40-meter drop goal to give Alnwick the lead for the first time in the game 20-18. In the dying minutes of the game an unconverted Snaith try, made the final the score 25-18. Alnwick Team: A.Moses, J.Snaith, T.Kirkup, A.Gray, I.Gray, C.Scott, S.Manners, A.Armstrong, S.Allen, E.Crips, M.Currie, P.Wilson, D.Smith, A.Malherbe, S.Archer. Subs: J.Turner, M.Hall, D.Gray. STATS: VS PONTEFRACT
If you had to take one team mate on a date, who would it be, where would it be and why? Fergus Burn, to Berwick rugby pitch, for a good time and not a long time. He has history. What is your meal deal choice? Drink, main and snack. Probably a chicken triple with salt and vinegar crisps and a diet coke. If you were prime minister. What law would you bring in/change tomorrow? I would give Evan Moir some sponsorship/funding for all the TikTok dancing videos he makes in his room/at work. If you had to cook a meal to impress someone, what would it be? (Something you can actually cook!) A Full English with extra hash browns. What's your favourite place to go for a drink, and why? Anywhere outdoors so the lads can play a game of danger can What is your pre-match hype song? Buzzcocks smash ya pastie. This weeks meet the player features aspiring Doctor, Will Pettifer. Will earns his 50th league cap for the 1stXV this weekend and began celebrating early by missing training to go for drinks with his lady friend on Tuesday night. If you ever have a Monday morning appointment with Dr. Pettifer in the future then cancel it, as there’s a good chance he’s spent his weekend necking cans and smashing them off his head. MEET THE PLAYER: WILL PETTIFER
If your Mam had to describe you in 3 words, what would they be? Easier than Ben. What's the best piece of gossip you've overheard in the changing rooms? Alnwick RFC were going to use Duncan’s Smiths forehead as an over flow car park. If you could improve one part of your game, what would it be? Try scoring… If you could play a different position, what would it be? My lack of speed, size and skill limit the options. I’d like to have a go at full back to find out what they actually do for half the match. Highlight moment at Alnwick RFC (on or off the pitch)? There has been loads. I have particularly enjoyed multiple bus trips with Hamish Burn. Who do you dread being sat next to on the away bus? Alistair Blackett after 2 sips of beer was certainly an experience. Anywhere near a bin if Sam Eggleston is on the bus. If you could be any teammate for a day, who would you be, why and what would you do? I would be Duncan Smith. I would go and get a full head and neck CT scan. Then I would probably dye my hair to a different colour. That head is a medical marvel. What is the harshest critique you’ve ever received from Len Smith? Luckily I’ve managed to go relatively under the radar so far. I think after loosing once he left his commiserations to the team by saying “[we were] all fucking shite at rugby and embarrassing”. MEET THE PLAYER: WILL PETTIFER
PLAYER STATS Name Appearances League Caps Charlie Farmer 9 41 Ali Blackett 9 40 Sam Eggleston 9 44 Duncan Smith 9 179 Evan Moir 9 61 Will Pettifer 8 49 Richie Elliott 8 115 Jonny Young 8 105 Alex Robson 8 44 Fergus Burn 8 8 James Blackett 6 6 Jake Woods 6 47 Kalvin Inglis 6 8 Andrew Spark 6 14 Ben Gothorp 5 166 Colin Phillips 5 70 Andrew Ord 5 55 Callum Burn 4 117 Matty Jolly 4 11 Drew Thompson 4 24 Rob Cuthbert 4 126 Jamie Comber 4 10 Jonny Dodds 3 5 Ben Courty 3 92
PLAYER STATS Name Appearances League Caps James Bird 2 227 Rex Nareki 2 2 Matty Gray 1 157 Ben Pettifer 1 9 Peter Brown 1 128 Simon Ord 1 59 Rory Mallaburn 1 108 Oli Sutheran 1 151 Allister Hogg 1 1 Hugh Todd 125 Jimmy Cowan 62 Ollie Tulip 11 Craig Bachurzewski 25 Charlie Davies 54 Richard Ellis 188 Andy Francis 3 Ben Courty 0 Tyler Frost 2 Owen Davidson 4
SENIOR RUGBY The 2022-23 was a success on all fronts, the 1st Team finished 4th in the League (the clubs highest ever league position!) and just lost out to Driffield in the Papa John’s Cup, who went on to win it. The 2nd Team finished 2nd in their League and were extremely competitive in the County Cup, narrowly losing to Northern 1st Team and Tynedale. The 3rd Team won their league and reached the Cup Final where they lost to Medicals 2nds. As Chairman of Rugby, keeping 3 senior sides turning out every Saturday is key to the club’s success! It was evident last year more than ever. A strong 3rd Team inevitably means that the higher teams will perform well. Sadly, many clubs in the area and across the country are losing players at lower levels and are struggling to get sides out which has a massive impact on the social and financial aspects of clubs as well as on the pitch! We welcome Tom Borthwick and Ally Hogg back as coaches this season. Over the last 2 years we have seen a huge improvement in basic skills and the style of rugby we play. After 3 pre-season games against Melrose, GHA and Morpeth, it is evident that we have increased the pace and tempo we are trying to play at. This, alongside a very physical defence, will make for good viewing this season! While 4th position is the highest position the club have ever finished, there was a sense of underachievement last season. Many felt that we could have achieved a higher league position, which will be the aim this year, in what will be a more competitive league with additions of Blaydon and Harrogate! Alnwick are still one of the few clubs at our level that are completely amateur with regards paying players. While the pot of gold may make other clubs stronger and recruitment easier, Alnwick has a body of players that are there every week playing for each other because they want to and that makes us stronger! We have recruited a few players this season, at all levels, which will improve all teams. We have also had several colts training which is great to see! Continued on next page…
At the end of every season, you also wonder who will be leaving you. I would like to thank a couple of people for their contributions over the years. Firstly, Pete Moralee who both played for and coached the club. He amounted 227 league appearances, scoring 101 tries. His pace and vision will be a big miss this year, although his continued assistance on the coaching front is a big asset! The second is George Stoker, a bit of an unsung hero! George has helped manage the 2nd and 3rd teams for the best part of 20 years now. Very rarely missing a game, he has played an important role in the club ensuring that 2nd and 3rd teams turn out! My thanks go to you both! SENIOR RUGBY Andrew Bell Jnr Chairman of Senior Rugby
On behalf of the entire Alnwick Minis and Juniors, I am delighted to extend a very warm welcome to you. We are thrilled to have so many kids and volunteers enjoying what we have to offer on Sunday mornings, and we are looking forward to an exciting season ahead. Rugby is not just a sport, it is a way of life that fosters teamwork, camaraderie, and personal growth. Our mission at Alnwick is to provide a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of rugby or have been playing for years, we are committed to helping the kids develop their skills, build character, and create lasting friendships. As we embark on this rugby adventure together, we encourage the kids to embrace the core values of rugby, Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship. These values are the foundation of everything we do, and they will shape us into not just better rugby players but also better human beings. We have 14 sides in the Minis and Juniors this season, which is testament to all the hard work of coaches and parents from previous seasons turning up on sometimes wet and cold Sunday mornings some time nursing hangovers from the night before. Finally, we wish all the Senior sides the best of luck for the forth coming season and hopefully we can continue to support them on Saturdays as ball boys and girls. MINI & JUNIORS Tony Manners Chairman Minis & Juniors
Colts team have has a couple of tough matches in league and cup with heavy defeats against Novos and Tynedale which I have to say didn’t really reflect the quality of rugby that we were playing. But we have to take our chances and move the score board along. Great attitude in both matches, as ever. Never giving up. We are determined to get back to winning ways and take on Selkirk away this Saturday. Good luck boys! We are pleased to confirm that Edward Gardiner our Lock / No.8 has been selected for the Northumberland County U18’s squad. This was a highly competitive process leading to selection as this seems to be a strong year group across the county. Edward will play his first match v Durham County on 3rd December in front of the North of England selectors! We certainly wish him well, flying the flag for Alnwick. It’s of great credit to Edward having fought back from injury that forced him to miss most of last season including county representation. His selection certainly justifies the hard work he has put into physio and his physical development of the past 18 months. Edward starting playing for Alnwick age 5, and whilst much has changed, a lot, and certainly rugby has not changed. A few pictures over the years. COLTS Alan Gardiner Colts Commitee Chair
Our first match of the Inner Warrior league brought huge success at home, with a fantastic score of 59-7. Acklam brought a well drilled team up to Greensfield, but in the end, with the help of three players from Blaydon Red Kites, Alnwick took the victory. Thank you to all who came to support on the day and those who continue to support us! Since then, unfortunately our home game against Berwick was cancelled due to low numbers in the opposition. We have since played against Peterlee and Horden with some help from Hartlepool Ladies. A hard fought game against some rather experienced players saw us come away with a loss, but we are still sitting top of the Inner Warrior League. Recently, many of our players have been playing for experienced side, Blaydon Redkites to gain much important time on the pitch. This is the start of hopefully a great relationship with a well established ladies team in the North East. If you or anyone you know fancy giving rugby a go, we are an open team always growing, so come and join us on a Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm! LADIES Becky Dyson Ladies Captain
The touch mini league is now on week 3 of 4. With 1 win and 3 losses by the smallest of margins it’s been a fantastic effort by our ever changing team so far. If the league was scored on defence we would be head and hands above the rest with some fantastic efforts against some match ups that should have left us in the dust. Though demands on the team, like buses, seem to come in threes. With trials for age related teams for the North East Region, England and Scotland all on at the same time. With our plucky participants in women’s 35/40”s and mens 45”s and mens 50”s it’s long days to Oxford and Dundee for national teams . Luckily the first NE Region one is at Stockton rather than the usual Wetherby to save a few hours on the day. Novice or Nationals player, we’ve got room for all and by the way the less experienced players have been doing in the league I’ve struggled to tell the difference some games! Come on have a go before Xmas. There are opportunities for all, so if you fancy a try out you can pop down any Tuesday/Friday or contact Don McLean On 07860510623 or [email protected] TOUCH Don McLean
BLAST FROM THE PAST 1. First ARFC Memories? MH: Novos away KO: DCHS in morning then Colts in the afternoon and being led astray by older wiser youths… 2. 1stXV Debut? MH: Macclesfield away we lost 13-6 KO: 18yo on a Wed night v Blyth in cup. We won. 3. Early Mentors? MH: Beaver Johnson and Mick Walton KO: John Frater, Hector Brewis, John Smith 4. Best Game? MH: Beating Morpeth 61-0 in their first league game after they came up to our league. KO: propping v Nobby Clark at Morpeth – we won!! 5. Best Try? MH: a driving maul obviously… from 5m out against West Hartlepool!! LOL KO: Never scored for the 1s ☹….. 6. Best Away trip? MH: Stourbridge in Tetley Bitter Cup. Beaten but a great performance KO: Mull 7s – they were great trips.. 7. Toughest opponent? MH: probably our own Frosty (snr) live scrummaging on thurs night could be tough!! Toughest team probably Tynedale. KO: vs Currie in a friendly against Clem Boyd he went on to play for Bath. Sparky chats with more ‘Old Skoolers’ from yesteryear with their memories at ARFC. This week it’s full on ‘FrontRowUnion’ with the ginger duo Micky Hall and Keith Ogle who cornerstoned the scrums for many years for club and county. Both have great memories of their days in the Blue and Gold. Continued on next page…
8. Funniest moment? MH: Playing for 2s against Tynedale’s Dick Parker and we had bit crack first scrum…Capt M Currie wasn’t happy, stating “Bloody hell lads it’s not a F*@@$$@ Tea Party!!... KO: Colts dinner Mick Fender put his head through window playing spin the broom… not a scratch!! 9. Biggest Regret? MH: None whatsoever – loved every minute!! KO: None at all 10. Old School Differences? MH: Scrums used to run at each other in our day!! KO: Fitness and speed of game now. Scrum rules. 11. Who’s impressed you latterly? MH: Ordy - he will play anywhere!! KO: Simon Ord - great engine gets stuck in and always smiling… 12. Best Club player you played with? MH: Peter Walton but I played with loads of great ones. KO: Nigel Davies – and how looked after young players both on and off pitch… 13. Best ARFC Memory? MH: Xmas party when the Muppets served tea and Dapo entertained us all singing with his drum!! Was a pleasure to play at ARFC and I must thank those that made my time special inc Tim Burgess, Fred Scott, Andy Bell and Robin Wilson. KO: Coming back to club after living away – player’s dinner and welcome was fantastic. BLAST FROM THE PAST
Regional 1 North East TODAYS FIXTURES ALNWICKS NEXT 3 FIXTURES Alnwick V Pontefract Blaydon V Sandal Cleckheaton V Harrogate Doncaster Phoenix V Ilkley York V Scunthorpe Driffield V Heath 2nd December Heath V Alnwick 9th December Ilkley V Alnwick 16th December Alnwick V Blaydon
Regional 1 North East THIS SEASONS FIXTURES 2nd Sept Alnwick V York 9th Sept Alnwick V Ilkley 16th Sept Blaydon V Alnwick 23rd Sept Alnwick V Harrogate 30th Sept Cleckheaton V Alnwick 14th Oct Alnwick V Sandal 21st Oct Doncaster Phoenix V Alnwick 4th Nov Alnwick V Scunthorpe 11th Nov Driffield V Alnwick 18th Nov Alnwick V Pontefract 2nd Dec Heath V Alnwick 9th Dec Ilkley V Alnwick 16th Dec Alnwick V Blaydon 6th Jan Harrogate V Alnwick 13th Jan Alnwick V Cleckheaton 27th Jan Sandal V Alnwick 3rd Feb Alnwick V Doncaster Phoenix 17th Feb Scunthorpe V Alnwick 2nd March Alnwick V Driffield 16th March Pontefract V Alnwick 23rd March Alnwick V Heath 6th April York V Alnwick
The Muppets have decided to sponsor our club physiotherapist Dave Ross for the 2023-2024 season. In addition, we wondered if Dave would like a bit of extra equipment to help him in his endeavours to keep the lads fit and get them ready to play as soon as possible. Dave has done some research and requested the MYO MASTER INFLATABLE AND COMPRESSION BOOTS. These will aid recovery, improve circulation, reduce pain and increase recovery time from injury and exercise induced soreness. At a cost of £700, we are sure this equipment will be a huge benefit to the players and help the club in the upcoming season. Having already fundraised well over £350 towards this, we hope that you will support us by making a FUNDRAISING REQUEST FROM OUR MEMBERS £10 DONATION.
Regional 1 North East