ALNWICK RFCSATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER VS SCUNTHORPE 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
WELCOME! Andrew Bell Snr President Strictly no dogs are allowed at the club on a Sunday when the club is being used for the Mini’s & Juniors. Dogs are allowed on a Saturday when senior matches are on but must be on a lead and kept on the hard standing. The Safeguarding Officer has to implement the rules on behalf of the club and we ask that they respected for doing so. THANK YOU
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS OUR MAIN CLUB SPONSOR FOR THE 2023-2024 SEASON
COLTS 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 Percy Park V Alnwick 3RD TEAM Tynedale 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 Alnwick V Gateshead 2s LADIES Peterlee & Horden Hartlepool Ladies V Alnwick SUNDAY 5TH NOVEMBER
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 Mark Carolan Colts Captain James Bird 1st XV Vice 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 Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to all the Scunthorpe players, coaches and supporters to Greensfield for todays game. Todays opponents arrive after loosing a close encounter away to Sandal. In the closing stages there was only 1 point seperating the teams, with the home side scoring a converted try to win the game. We know that from our two games last season against our visitors we had to work extremely hard against a very combative side to establish the winning positions. Their current league position doesn’t reflect their potential, which was shown in a 36-31 victory against the much fancied Heath earlier in the season. Last week our 1st XV had a week off their league commitments, however the 2nd XV were drawn away to Ashington 1st XV in the Northumberland Senior County Plate. After some enterprising play in the first half, it wasn’t until midway through the second half that we finally pulled away to establish a very pleasing 12 - 29 victory. Elsewhere in the club the Colts registered an excellent 27 - 19 win against Carlisle. Apparently some excellent scores and the cohesion in the team is progressing on a weekly basis . Well done and keep working hard on the training field to fulfill the potential you have as a young squad. Have a great afternoon everyone and enjoy the rugby on show. Tom Borthwick
6. ALI BLACKETT 8. CHARLIE FARMER 1. FERGUS BURN ALNWICK RFC FORWARDS 5. BEN GOTHORP Stephen Dickinson 2. DUNCAN SMITH 3. DREW THOMPSON 4. JONNY YOUNG 7. WILL PETTIFER
10. EVAN MOIR 13. ALEX ROBSON 12. CALLUM BURN 15. ROB CUTHBERT 11. JAKE WOODS 14. SAM EGGLESTON Guy Renner-Thompson BACKS 9. JAMES BLACKETT ALNWICK RFC
18. ANDREW SPARK 17. JAMIE COMBER HEAD COACH TOM BORTHWICK Victoria Bell PHYSIO DAVE ROSS The Muppets COACHING TEAM FORWARDS COACH ALLY HOGG Tom Bell 16. COLIN PHILLIPS ALNWICK RFC SUBSTITUTES
Loosehead Prop J Beresford Hooker M Mason Tighthead Prop K Linklater Second Row R Williams Second Row G Elliott Blindside Flanker W Harrison Openside Flanker J Dyson Number 8 B Hyde Scrum Half J Bird Fly Half T Foster Left Wing L Talbot Inside Centre A Oldridge Outside Centre W Robinson Right Wing L Brunt Full Back J Lugsden Reserve C Christie Reserve R Rendall-T Reserve J Mowbray
NOKTOBER LASH NOKTOBER LASH Saturday 18th November Alnwick Rugby Club£10 per ticket Over 18’s only Limited Tickets Available For tickets messageRuth 07554 815199
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.
Gentleman's Lunch Guest Speaker: tbc 12TH NOVEMBER 2023 12pm arrival 1pm sit down £20 per ticket
STATS: VS SCUNTHORPE Season League Game No Date League Name Level H/A Result For Against 2022/23 693 29/10/22 Regional 1 North East 5 A W 23 3 2022/23 702 28/01/23 Regional 1 North East 5 H W 43 22
Age: 21 If you had to take one team mate on a date, who would it be, where would it be and why? Sebastian, lovely sit down meal at Rio steakhouse until I’m full of steak, just so I could say I’ve been on a date with a good looking Argentinian. What is your meal deal choice? Drink, main and snack. Co op, some kind of salad, bit of fruit and a bottle of water… If you were prime minister, what law would you bring in/change tomorrow? I’d change the speed limit to 100mph, so I don’t have to look out for police cars anymore If you had to cook a meal to impress someone, what would it be? (Something you can actually cook!) steak sandwich, hits the spot everytime, don’t want to fill them up too much… This weeks meet the players features Gordy Smith and Drew Thompson. Gordy secured club legend status when he scored the bonus point try against Medicals RFC in the final game of the 2012/13 season to seal the Durham & Northumberland 1 title and promotion to north one east. He is now teaching the next generation how to chop tackle as he leads the 3s to battle each Saturday. Drew is a great up and coming prop who spent a lot of time in the falcons academy as a junior. Unfortunately for Drew, no matter how great a player he becomes, his Alnwick career will always be tarnished after opting for a season playing for Blaydon. MEET THE PLAYER: DREW THOMPSON
What is your pre-match hype song? love story by Taylor swift What's your favourite place to go for a drink, and why? The Bell, only other place the whole rugby team will go to. If your Mam had to describe you in 3 words, what would they be? My youngest child Who do you dread being sat next to on the away bus? Matty jolly, his shoulders take up nearly two full seats 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? Winger, I’d enjoy standing alone doing nothing, maybe drop the ball every now and then to spice up the game Highlight moment at Alnwick RFC (on or off the pitch)? Lying at the bottom of a ruck next to the Billingham 10 while duncan kindly caressed said players head with his (non studded) boot If you could be any teammate for a day, who would you be, why and what would you do? Birdie, I’d do the helicopter infront of a mirror all day, work out the why yourself. MEET THE PLAYER: DREW THOMPSON
MEET THE PLAYER: GORDON SMITH Age: 41 Postion: Back Row When & where you started playing rugby: RGS in 1990 Who have you played rugby for previously? Alnwick & Northern First memory of Alnwick RFC? Playing for Northern against Alnwick. What do you do outside of rugby? Farmer/peasant. I am also a climbing frame for kids (my kids). If you had to take one team mate on a date, who would it be, where would it be and why? Hawksmoor steakhouse. I’m not fussy about who the date is, along as they eat steak and are happy to be home by 9:30pm. If you were prime minister, what law would you bring in/change tomorrow? Send all vegans to a desert island with nothing but coconuts to eat. If you had to cook a meal to impress someone, what would it be? (Something you can actually cook!) Spag bol If your Mam had to describe you in 3 words, what would they be? Waste of Education
Who do you dread being sat next to on the away bus? Anyone who likes loud music/singing. If you could improve one part of your game, what would it be? To be able to run faster than a steady jog. If you could play a different position, what would it be? Fullback Highlight moment at Alnwick RFC (on or off the pitch)? Beating Donny Phoenix at there place. They had just won the league and were having a do on to celebrate after our game. If you could be any teammate for a day, who would you be, why and what would you do? James hamilton. Big hits and speed. Best/favourite try for Alnwick? My bonus point try v Medicals for promotion out D&N1. Best club player you’ve played with? Birdie Funniest moment at Alnwick RFC? The bus trip back from Guisborough. Watched James Hamilton rip a seat out of the bus, throw Snaithy into a hedge and then disappear into the night after a misunderstanding with his glasses. MEET THE PLAYER: GORDON SMITH
QUIZ Who was head coach in England’s 2011 rugby World Cup campaign? Who is older. Ben Youngs or Courtney Lawes? Who got sent off in the 2022 women’s World Cup final? What stadium did Japan beat South Africa in at the 2015 World Cup? Os du Randy and which other compatriot are the only two South Africans to win 2 rugby world cups? Answers can be found at the end of the programme
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
SENIOR RUGBY: The 3s have got off to a good start for the season under new Captain Gordon Smith. A win against Rockliffe Vikings at home got things rolling with some flying tries from Mold and Glanville and run outs for some of the young lads. An away trip to Morpeth Eds saw a great performance from forwards and backs and a 7-57 win and a great afternoon of running rugby with stiff tackling and dogged running from Hall, Hill, Smith, Mold and Plunkett And slick hands from the backs Sutherland, Smith, Liddle, Cummings, Glanville, Ball, Warwick, and Nickal Smith running in 6 tries. A trip to Novos in the cup pool last Sat, starting into a strong wind the lads stayed in reach first half Novos had 2 try lead 25-15. A valiant effort saw the home side on the ropes for the last ¼ as we kept to 45-31 pegged on their line but a break away finished game 45-31. A good show by some of the young lads again inc Ball, Sutherland and Balmbro and Snaith Next week we travel to sunny Westoe. Hopefully they will get a side out!! John Spark 3s
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
Recent weeks have seen some of the highs and lows of rugby for our colts. However, whatever the result on the day there is a great attitude and team spirit within the team. Borders League Fixtures Away Kelso Quins 57 v Alnwick Colts 7 A difficult day, where our defensive skills weren’t up to scratch. We kept plugging away but struggled to take our opportunities and get over the Kelso line. Home Alnwick Colts 27 v Carlisle Colts 19 A good win against a competitive Carlisle team in which we showed much better focus on defence, and connected as a team in attack. This weekend we travel to take on our old friends at Tynedale in what always proves to be a close fought and competitive game. With wet ground as it is, I’m not sure if this will be a game for the backs, but we will see. A win would move us into the upper half of the league table which would be a decent position at this stage of the season. Good luck boys. COLTS Alan Gardiner Colts Commitee Chair
Cameron Changes Code To Represent Scotland The Club is delighted to announce that Alnwick RFC Colt, Cameron Cullen, has been honoured at international level by Scotland in their recent Rugby League Under Eighteen match against Ireland. Despite their best efforts, Scotland narrowly lost and Cameron had a try disallowed in a very tight match. Cameron has donated his Scotland strip to the Club where it will be put on display. An international honour for the Club is a huge achievement whichever code it is earned in. Well done Cameron, from everyone in the Club, and may it be the first of many! COLTS
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. Our upcoming games are posted on our social media pages so keep an eye out. We held a Halloween Bake Sale, raising around £100 for the team. Throughout the season we are going to be fundraising to help with travel, socials, kit and everything else to keep the team going, so watch this space for our next event. 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
Well, just as the nights have turned our new training tops have arrived. Much thanks and appreciation to Andrew Hodgson at Sportsworld and BE Uniforms for their speedy work. This week sees the start of a short winter league between ourselves Rockliffe, Percy park and the Newcastle Ravens . A great opportunity to get some game time for our newer players in a competitive environment, and utilise the drills we’ve spent those cold wet days/weeks (commonly referred to as summer) practicing. 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? SB: Propping for 3rds aged sixteen, with John and Neil Burn, Dick Little and other stalwarts…. SS: Being collared by Dave Bell off school bus to play for colts in the afternoon after a school game. Didn’t mind 2nd game…it was having to put on wet kit again that was awful!!! We won schoolboys cup in 79 and 81. 2. 1stXV Debut? SB: Ryton away….bloody badly!! SS: Can’t remember – but remember the big step up playing for 2s and first time not playing alongside Shaun Common and Steve Howes 3. Early Mentors? SB: Bob Scott from Morpeth got me playing rugby at Ashington Tech. SS: Gavin Lambert was my biggest early influence. 4. Best Game? SB: Probably the 1984 Cup final win vs Gosforth. SS: 1984 cup final. Also my only hat trick at Morpeth and Dawson Lillie got man of the match! I did steal 2 from Pete Robson at no 8. (JS – I heard you lamped England lock Steve Bainbridge in cup final too!! lol) 5. Best Try? SB: Too many to choose from….. lol. SS: Playing for Westoe v Blyth broke from scrum chipped winger and then the fullback tackled in corner by other winger but got the dot down!! 6. Best Away trip? SB: Loved going up to the Borders sides….. and the salty tours on the way home!! SS: Flyde away in John Player Cup early 80s. Fairly close at HT but they were strong club and broke away 2nd half. Also Gordonians in Aberdeen, stopped in Edinburgh on way back for a cracking night. Sparky chats with more ‘Old Skoolers’ from yesteryear with their memories at ARFC. This week its Scott Beresford and Stephen Shell… both part of the legendary ‘84 cup squad. Scott as a cornerstone tight head and Shelly a speedy tough scrum half. Both have many great memories of their days in the Blue and Gold. Continued on next page…
BLAST FROM THE PAST Continued on next page… 7. Toughest opponent? SB: Eric Paxton at Kelso – bloody maniac… but he was tough and fair. Still don’t know how he only won 1 cap for Scotland. SS: Terry Roberts for Gosforth and Wakefield (and possibly Westoe) 8. Funniest moment? SB: Lots to recall …but TOS on bus navigation duties was always comical. SS: Pete Robson’s tactical chuck up out the toilet window on train back from Gordonians….went all down the carriage windows…. He thought he’d got away with it. Haha. Some stick he got! 9. Biggest Regret? SB: None at all. SS: Unlike Sinatra… too many to mention… lol 10. Old School Differences? SB: High tackling… lineout gymnastics…. And when did they change the put in law at the scrum???? SS: Players seem much bigger in modern game 11. Who’s impressed you latterly? SB: James Hamilton seemed to change the teams defence and tackling mindset and was a hell of a good player too. SS: Rob Cuthbert – don’t think I’ve seen a more difficult player to tackle. 12. Best Club player you played with? SB: Played with lots of good players at ARFC but Peter Walton was exceptional even as a young lad. SS: Too many to mention but whenever we played I felt we had a better chance with Steve Howes and Dawson Lillie playing. 13. Best ARFC Memory? SB: Making many friendships over the years and still hoping to make few more in the future. SS: Celebrations after 84 cup final. Was a big thing at time Alnwick was always a diverse club with people from many background , farmers, builders, pitmen etc but when you came through Club door you were just an Alnwick player. I was lucky enough to play in 4 County Cup winning teams, 2 schoolboys, plus the 1s and 2s.
BLAST FROM THE PAST The County Cup Final: we didn’t win! The Duke’s School 7s Team 1982 Alnwick Schoolboy County Cup Winners 1979