WIRRAL RFC 1st XV V MACCLESFIELD RUFC 1st XV Regional 1 North West & WIRRAL RFC 2nd XV V MACCLESFIELD RUFC 2nd XV NOWIRUL Cotton Traders Premier League Saturday 9 TH September 2023 Kick Off – 15.00 Follow us WirralRUFC www.wirralrugbyclub.com Club Sponsor THANK YOU TO ALL OUR 2023/24 SPONSORS
1 st & 2nd Team Player Sponsors Player 2023/24 Sponsor Dan Caroll James Reeve George McCann Jack Smith Finn Bell Rhys James Craig Harvey Mark Williams Joe Adnams Fred Tushingham Chris Crowley Stu Gratton Ken Freeman Jack Walsh Phil Hacking Hayden Long Angie Stokes Matty Ringer Phil Stokes Ben Brooks Richard McNeil Nick Hearn Graeme Roberts Tim Hodson Chris Gerrard Daniel Harvey Dave Woods Josh Connolly Springthorn M Ltd Tom Spriggs Kevin Rees Adam Don Steve Wood Ben Cornford Dave Brewster Lewis Hayes Alan Hayes Harry CJ Sam Vickers Tom Akehurst George Burrows Connor Moore Rob Milligan Jimmy Annetts Jim Sheilds AVAILABLE PLAYERS Jonny Carroll Ashley Cathcart Evan Robinson Liam Keane Josh Stead Sam Morris Sam Broadbent Ben McCall Ollie Smith Alfie Jones Chris Burrows Will Spriggs Mark Gidman Chris Dermody Richard Flook Jimmy Yarrington Matt McClaren Harry Warmsley To sponsor available players please contact Ben Cornford [email protected] layerSponsorsTeam Stats 2023/24 PLAYER Tries Cons Pens D.G Total Games Played Conversion Rates Total Points Total Played Tom AKEHURST 2 10 1 105 53 James ANNETTS 3 6 1 3/3=100% 1396 222 Chris CROWLEY 1 5 1 215 97 Rhys JAMES 1 5 1 5 2 Daniel HARVEY 1 0/1=100% 1227 310 Adam DON 1 5 31 Ben BROOKS 1 113 72 Chris BURROWS 1 35 106 Connor MOORE 1 5 9 Hayden LONG 1 85 94 Jack WALSH 1 0 4 Joe ADNAMS 1 25 76 Lewis HAYES 1 5 25 Mark EDWARDS 1 0 1 Matt RINGER 1 25 70 Nick HEARN 1 70 51 Sam BROADBENT 1 415 264 Stuart GRATTON 1 85 154
Firstly, the players and officials take this opportunity to wish you all Best Wishes for the New Year; secondly we today also welcome the players and officials from Sandbach. As you are aware all matches in the league were cancelled last week except for Lymm who had a large win over Kendal on their special G ground. Sandbach are above Wirral in the league and we recall our two defeats at their ground this season (one in the league and one in the Cheshire Cup) although it should be mentioned that the Wirral team has since improved as was proved in our win a fortnight ago against Rossendale. Our defeat of Rossendale pushed Sandbach one place further up the league; obviously a win for Wirral will hopefully enhance our position in the league. The seconds also play Sandbach today following their late win away at Rossendale 2nds 31-29 two weeks ago as the second team themselves improve with more players available for selection, they are now 10th in the league. The third team lost their last game heavily against Lymm Eagles and this week are away to Liverpool Medical School- they lie 10th in their league. We will only run 3 teams in the future as like many other teams we are having difficulty in raising 4 teams every week. We may therefore pull them out of their respective leagues but continue to play games as and when we can. Ultimately we have put forward the idea of re-creating a Wirral league or something similar so that players don’t have to far to travel. Obviously we need to bear in mind how many players we have lost in the last 24 months through retirement, injury and players moving on to clubs in higher leagues. However it is pleasing to note the number of young players from the Junior and Colts sides, who have come through the training regime to make their mark in the first and second teams. The Senior Colts have not had a game recently but still lead their league. The Junior Colts recently defeated Bolton Colts 62-14 and more recently defeated an Anselmians side 64-0 in the quarter finals of the Cheshire Cup. They lie 4th in their league and play Oldham J. Colts this Sunday .The Ladies Warriors team had a game last week and they lost to a Liverpool Collegiate team 5-31 and this week play Ormskirk Ladies. This new league this season for men’s rugby now known as Regional 1 North West (Level 5) reduced in size (by 2) but more regional, the furthest fixture for Wirral being Kendal. We know that 2 clubs will be relegated and one will be promoted. Towards the end of the season there will be a cup competition but details of this has not yet been released to clubs. More interest will no doubt come as the change in the tackling rules continue given the comments already made this week. Craig Harvey and Paul Lewis (both ex –players) have taken over the coaching duties, although occasionally playing from time to time. Alongside Craig and Paul they will be able to lean on the advice of Phil Crowley, who has taken on an advisory role. The second team are being managed by Ben Cornford; in fact Ben and Mark Gidman are also responsible for collecting subs etc and monies, including subs can be paid over to them. Tim Hodson, Mike Ludbrook and Graeme Phelan are continuing to look after the 3rd team. The highly successful M& J Section is now up and running on Sundays this season and new players from 6 to 17 years of age are all welcome. There are also a couple of junior girls’ teams for those who wish to join the Ladies Section. Towards the middle of February until March, I will not be available as I will be in the States visiting family and if anybody wishes to take over the role of writing the programme notes etc then please contact me (07590261050) or the club chair, Graeme Roberts Richard McNeil Get to know the team…. this week it’s Number 15 Rhys James About you Name - Rhys James Age - 19 Rugby career highlight? Playing for Sale sharks, in academy league final at the Stone X stadium Where did you grow up? Spital If you were an animal what animal would you be? Lion, king of the jungle Apart from rugby what’s ur favourite sport? Football If you could trade places with anyone for a week who would it be? Dwayne Johnson What’s your favourite movie? Back to the future If you had a warning label what would yours say? Warning, beast on the loose What was your first job? Wirral rugby club bartender About the Team Most likely to be in the news for a scandal? Harry CJ Most likely to say something inappropriate? Connor Moore Mostly likely to have been suspended from school? Brooksey for fighting Most likely to need the physio? Juggy Who’s most likely to spend their money on something stupid? Lewis Hayes Who’s the Best dancer? George Burrows This Season’s predictions Top try scorer - Akey Most yellow cards - Brooksey
Get to know the team…. For the 2nd XV this week it’s …. Vice Captain Chris Tyson Player questions About you Name - Chris Tyson Age – 40 Rugby career highlight - I would say winning the Chesire Vase Cup back in 2018 Where did you grow up - On a farm in Brimstage If you were an animal what animal would you be - I would say an Old Ox. Solid, steady and slow! Apart from rugby what’s ur favourite sport - Football and Cricket If you could trade places with anyone for a week who would it be - My wife Amy she is the luckiest girl in the world. What’s your favourite movie - The Godfather 1 and 2 If you had a warning label what would yours say - Do Not Wake! I am not good when woken up abruptly What was your first job - Labouring on my dad's farm when I was about 6 years old (there was no minimum wage back then!) About the Team Most likely to be in the news for a scandal - Yarker (that’s why he had to move away) Most likely to say something inappropriate - Can only be Connor Mostly likely to have been suspended from school – Seeing as I actually have been I had better say myself Most likely to need the physio - Chris Burrows great player and even better injuries Who’s most likely to spend their money on something stupid – Going off the clobber they wear and the music they listen to in the changing rooms I would say any player under 23 years old Who’s the Best dancer? An old school reference but has to be Martin Bennett, those that went to Walkabout back in the day know. Season predictions Top try scorer - Alfie Most yellow cards - Dermo
Regional 1 North West League Table Position Team Played Points 1 Blackburn 1 5 2 Rossendale 1 5 3 Kendal 1 5 4 Macclesfield 1 5 5 Leek 1 4 6 Anselmians 1 3 7 Manchester 1 2 8 Sandbach 1 1 9 Penrith 1 1 10 Stockport 1 1 11 Wirral 1 1 12 Northwich 1 0 Last Weeks Results Anselmians 22 – 22 Manchester Blackburn 62 – 15 Northwich Kendal 33 – 24 Stockport Leek 18 – 13 Sandbach Penrith 24 – 33 Macclesfield Rossendale 61 – 33 Wirral All players and supporters are invited to join WRUFC’s Bonus Ball competition. For £2 per week per number you will be entered into one of the weekly lottery draws* Each winner from each draw will win £50! To enter please send the below details to Ben Cornford at [email protected] or leave in the folder behind the bar. He will then allocate a number and send you the bank account details to enable you to set up a standing order. Name Address Tel number Email address Preferred bonus ball number (if available, if not we will allocate the closest number) *Draw 1 – Wednesday *Draw 2/3 - Saturday NB Please note that your application cannot be processed until you have set up a standing order THIS WEEK’S REFS Welcome to Jonny Cartwright(1st XV) Bill Coulter(2nd XV)
TEAM SHEET 2XV WIRRAL V MACCLESFIELD Matt Lightfoot* 15 Moule* Evan Robinson* 14 Elliott* Richard Flook* 13 Coates* Ollie Smith* 12 Burke* Alfie Jones* 11 King* Josh Connolly* (C) 10 T Blackwell* Josh McKinney* 9 Tomlinson Jack Yarker* 1 Pyle Scott Williams 2 Droy* Joe Fury* 3 Cross* Chris Tyson* 4 Hadfield* Tom Spriggs* 5 De Groot Sam Morris* 6 Keogh* Callum Bedson* 7 Fiennes Jake Gaskell 8 Wain Luca Longman* 16 Broadley* Jacob Simmons* 17 Brooks Jack Truelove* Matt Maclaren* 18 19 20 Brocklehurst* Capon Richardson* *M&J Player Pathway NOWIRUL Cotton Traders Premier League Position Team Played Points 1 Sedgley park 2nd XV 1 6 2 Preston Grasshoppers 2nd XV 1 6 3 Chester 2nd XV 1 6 4 Caldy 2nd XV 1 6 5 Rossendale 2nd XV 1 6 6 Macclesfield 2nd XV 1 6 7 Wirral 2nd XV 1 1 8 Blackburn 2nd XV 1 1 9 Sandbach 2nd XV 1 1 10 Lymm 2nd XV 1 1 11 Anselmians 2 nd XV 1 1 12 Flyde Hawks 2nd XV 1 0 Last Week’s Results Caldy 2nd XV 48 – 21 Blackburn 2nd XV Macclesfield 2nd XV Home Walkover Flyde Hawks 2nd XV Preston Grasshoppers 2 nd XV 61 – 14 Lymm 2nd XV Rossendale 2nd XV 46 – 22 Wirral 2nd XV Sandbach 2nd XV 5 – 45 Chester 2nd XV Sedley Park 2nd XV 59 – 3 Anselmians 2nd XV