With talismanic team organiser Jeremiah Shires still yet to make his first appearance following a string of of holiday related mishaps, Flying Scotsman Grant Smith busy performing his one-man show at the Edinburgh Festival and Geoff Clark making his annual pilgrimage to the Filey & Seamer Nudist Convention, the Akkies were already light on numbers. They were joined in absentia by Mark Harrison (tickly cough), Phil Martin (slow puncture) and Steve Hall (sectioned under the 1976 mental health act).

However, in their absence new heroes came to the fore (along with one or two ringers from Milford and Wetherby). The first game (which the Akkies narrowly lost to a contentious try by Farnley Falcons) hardly warrants a mention. But game two against old foes West Leeds (which coincidentally we won) was a thrilling display thrilling rugby, with the Akkies playing with gay abandon and the kind of Gallic flair rarely witnessed outside Spain.

Silky-handed half-back Paul Wood opened the scoring in the first half with a finely crafted try; he was quickly followed on the scoresheet by much-loved veteran Ian Dalby. The 47-year-old shag-pile specialist showed a clean set of heels to score under the sticks after neat work by stand-off Bob Nabozny.

Dalby then sent a clear message to arch nemesis/Akkies reserve grade coach Carl Pinder as he outpaced a host a host of septuagenerian defenders to record another spectacular long effort. Fittingly, the last try of the festival was scored by Akkies player of the day Ben Wardleworth who linked up with several team-mates en-route to a sizzling 90-metre try.

The Akkies will venture for their final outing of the season in October. Please keep your eye on the website/facebook group for details.