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WELCOME After the excitement of last week’s cup tie at Wharfedale would you believe we are gathered here for our last home game of the season as we offer a warm welcome to Wheatley Hills, our opponents from Doncaster. Although our visitors have lost their last two games, at O Crossleyans and at home to Percy Park, they enjoyed a good start to their season, winning ten of their first 12 matches, including victories at home to Billingham and away at Percy Park; this run came to a halt when we beat them 28-5 (a score similar to our previous encounter at Doncaster six years earlier, when we won 23-5 in a Yorkshire Cup tie). Of their last 12 games they have won five, lost five and drawn two, still good enough to keep them in the hunt for the promotion play-off until these past few weeks; although that situation is still mathematically possible Percy Park will have to implode not to finish second, again. A five-point win for Park against Durham City today would mean they can afford to lose at Billingham next week and still clinch second. So, in all probability, we are in the mix with Wheatley – and Malton & Norton – for the honour of finishing third; our visitors entertain Team Northumbria next week, whilst Malton, who play Sheffield today, visit Cleckheaton. It will all become clear very soon!

MEMBERS’ REUNION I say again - what a fantastic turnout for our reunion! (And can I add a big ‘thank you’ to the Ladies Committee, who raised over £350 with the Easter egg tombola.) It was great to see so many familiar faces, including Mark Taylor who came over from America especially for the occasion! Mark has sent the following message “I wanted to write and thank you all for making my trip to the Reunion such a fantastic time. It was well worth making the long trip home just to see everyone and how we have weathered the intervening years. I haven't drunk as much beer for many years - believe me I suffered the next day! If you have any photographs of the occasion please share them with me so I have your smiling faces on my computer. And if you are ever in the States with some time to spare stop by and we'll have a cool one by the pool. You now have my e-mail address (marktaylor20@comcast.net) so keep in touch. PS I didn't get e-mail addresses for a few people (Jimmy Robo, John Westwood, Dave Storey, Blotto, Tom Peacock, and Martin Wain so please pass on my regards (and e-mail address) to them also.”

LEAGUE – AND CUP What a pity we couldn’t serve up a win for our assembled guests. In an error-strewn performance we generally matched Sheffield but handed them three soft second half tries, all converted, to lose 16-30. We came back from 6-0 down to lead 8-6 at the break through a Jack B penalty and a try by Matty Todd, but Sheffield scored from turnover ball five minutes after the interval and after Jack kicked another penalty the game was lost when the visitors scored twice in five minutes. They added a penalty before Richie H went over at the death.

We did win the following week at Cleckheaton. With the score at 6-3 to our hosts Jack B added to his tally by scorching 80m for a fine interception try which he also converted, to make the half time score Cleckheaton 6, Jack 10. With two more penalties for the hosts against two tries for Richie H, one converted by Jack, the match finished 12-22.

And so to Easter when we took a good contingent of supporters to Wharfedale for the QF of the Cup. The Dale did us the honour of playing their first team and despite the scoreline of 53-3 were a little surprised at being knocked about a bit. In fact we took the lead and in the end were disappointed to concede a late score which took them past the half century mark.

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR U16s – AGAIN We are extremely proud of our U16s’ endeavours in trying to win the Yorkshire Cup for the fourth consecutive season. Alas it was not to be. Facing York in the final yet again we lost a closely fought encounter by 21-31, although there was only one score in the game until the dying minutes. Congratulations to the lads on reaching four finals in four years – it is truly an amazing achievement. A report by Martin Marvin is in this issue.

And what about Lewis Boyce?! Not yet 16 years old he has made his England debut for the U17s against Scotland U17s! Lewis came on at half time, played well and was more than comfortable in the scrums, so much so that England 18s seem like a real prospect next year. Not being aware that he had to sing the anthem resulted in a few mumbled words and random shouts of QUEEN from Boycey. England comfortably dispatched those north of the Wall by 15-33. He was then in the starting line up for England U16s in their 31-20 victory over Italy U17s in Parma last Saturday. On Wednesday Lewis started again and England were running away with it against Wales until a spirited fight back saw Wales run out losers 39-34. Boycey had a great game, clearing out and tackling with skill and vigour. Tom Burridge was included in some of the England walkabouts and got a nice mention in the programme. Meanwhile Jack McPhillips, after a solid game for England North against Worcester U17s Academy, which sadly they lost 22-14 in a game dominated by the Worcester back row, scored a try for England U16 North when they beat the Netherlands U17s on Sunday. Well done to Lewis and Jack, we are all very proud of you.

OUR OTHER TEAMS On Easter Sunday the Lions travelled to Harrogate in the North Yorkshire Trophy, but unfortunately came off second best, losing 26-11, while Tilly’s team in the Whitby 10s finished third. In the QF of the Yorkshire Plate our Colts were scheduled to play at Huddersfield YMCA, a team they’ve beaten home and away in the league. However YM couldn’t raise a team and we were awarded the tie as a w/o. In the SF tomorrow, we’ve been drawn at home (AT LAST!) against West Park Leeds, KO at 1pm. Come along and support the young uns.

CLUB NEWS On Easter Saturday 17 of our U15 players who are going on tour at the end of April did a 2 hour bag pack at a local supermarket, They raised a staggering £808 but then made an even more staggering decision – to put £404 of their hard earned cash into the tour fund and send the other £404 to the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death (FSID), a charity which helps fight Cot Death. What a fantastic gesture, what a fantastic group of lads! They took time out over Easter, gave 100% and were complimented by customers and staff alike on their attitude and politeness. The Club is proud of them all.

The Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards will take place on Friday 18 May at the Sporting Lodge. If you haven’t already made a note of the date please do so NOW!

It is reported that the Minis have more plates than BHS! No fewer than four teams came back with silverware from the Durham City festival. Congratulations to the U8s and U11s for winning their Plate competitions, a feat matched by the U10s and U12s both building on 3rd place finishes at the County Cup competitions the week before. Well done to our big little men!

SPONSORS I am delighted to welcome one of our regular sponsors, Hertel UK Ltd, and their guests from ConocoPhillips. Hertel is a worldwide organisation with its UK HQ in Middlesbrough. Established 115 years ago, it employs over 13,000 people worldwide; one of the first to join them was Ian Horton. Ian arranged Hertel’s sponsorship of our first game against Durham City; trying to fit in another match on the rare occasions he is not away on holiday has been difficult for him but we caught him on one of his rare visits to Teesside. It’s been more difficult as he’s had a few problems with kidney stones since his return and I’m sure you’ll join with me in wishing him well.

I am also delighted to welcome Michael and Kevin Shakesheff of Casper Shipping Ltd, the number one shipping agency for specialised bulk services, documentation and customs clearance in the North of England and Scotland. As an independent agency with 140 years experience, they deliver professional local knowledge and advice on all shipping related matters. Their head office is in Middlesbrough but they have offices in Saltend, Immingham and Grangemouth. We wish our sponsors and their guests a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

REFEREE’S CORNER I am pleased to welcome Jonathan Hill back for his second league visit to Acklam Park this season; he was in charge here against Morpeth in September. Jonathan has been a referee for 15 years; before taking up the whistle he played in the front row at Old Otliensians and then at Malton & Norton. He is an agricultural consultant who knows some of members – Andrew Gloag, for instance. I hope he enjoys his return visit with us this afternoon.