WELCOME I am delighted to welcome our visitors from Halifax back to Acklam Park. We’ve met Old Crossleyans ten times over the past 20 years, winning all but one, although all but two of those fixtures were here at Acklam Park. Last season we won 31-10 at Halifax and 26-3 at
home. But that was last year, when we finished fourth in the table and our visitors were 10th. This season Crocs are lying sixth with 60 points, 11 points above Northern and 10 points behind Cleckheaton, having lost only nine of their 21 matches. In their ten games away from home they have won five and lost five; and they beat us 36-10 in November. On Saturday they lost 18-12 at Sheffield in what was described as a dour game; all the points were scored with the boot. Let us hope for a more entertaining game today, with Middlesbrough scoring just a few more points than Crocks!

TEAM NEWS Although we lost 22-7 at Cleckheaton last week, we showed plenty of fight in defeat and the scoreline certainly flattered our opponents. The game hinged on three bounces, all of them unlucky for us. With seven points already on the board, courtesy of a Richie Lonsdale try, converted by Jack, a kick through by Simon bounced back over his head; if it had gone to hand it would have given us the lead. To rub salt into our wound, two lucky bounces fell just right for our opponents to run through to score. Two weeks earlier we turned in another improved performance but went down 20-11 to Sheffield, now second in the table. After a storming start when we were camped in the Sheffield 22 for 20 minutes, we led 11-8 at the break, courtesy of a try from Peter Wright, and two Simon penalties. But we collected too many injuries – to Benn and Chris Horton, Simon and Peter - and conceded too many second half penalties, with Sheffield kicking four of them.

There’s no denying we’re in a scrap with Keighley to avoid relegation but our recent form certainly gives us hope. We have one more game to play than Keighley, which is our rearranged home match against Wheatley Hills next week. That leaves us with one more home game against Morpeth plus away fixtures at Durham City, Darlington and Pocklington. Keighley are at Malton & Norton this afternoon, with home games against Beverley and Cleckheaton and away matches at Morley and Durham City. It looks as though it will go down to the wire.

The Wasps, who have not lost a game since mid-October, continue their winning sequence with two wins at Hartlepool Rovers (36-25 and 27-8) whilst the ‘A’ team, top of the Tees Valley Merit League, have beaten second-placed Stockton 2nd team (48-7) and Bishop Auckland (34-17). A report on the Stockton game is on p16; the Bishop report will appear next week.

Two weeks earlier the Lions entertained Bishop Auckland at Tollesby. Unfortunately one of the Bishop players badly dislocated his knee and after waiting for an ambulance, which then drove onto the field but had to be pushed off it, the match was abandoned at half time with the score 14-0 to the Lions; last week they recorded their fifteenth victory of the season against Consett in a game which demonstrated the old-fashioned spirit of rugby. Consett agreed to fill the gap in our fixture list and travelled down with 13 men. We loaned them two, and then another two because of injuries. Eddie made sure they got a crate of beer to thank them for the game and negotiations are now afoot to try and arrange a return fixture. I have it on good authority that Consett thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Great! A fortnight ago the Bees were given a bit of a tough game – they accepted a fixture away to Darlington 2nds! You won’t be surprised to learn that they lost. By quite a few. But undaunted the lads returned with a smile on their faces, having enjoyed the match. The following week the ‘A’ XV were scheduled to meet Darlington 2nds again at Darlington. The game did not go ahead, not because of the snow that weekend which put the kybosh on the Wheatley Hills game. No. Having whacked our fifth team one week, the next week Darlington couldn’t raise a second team to face our third team…The Wasps suffered a similar fate that weekend. They lost a home game against Corbridge Centurions – Tynedale 3rds – again not because of the snow, but again because our opponents couldn’t field a team. In fact it is likely that they will withdraw from their remaining fixtures this season.

Forgive me for repeating myself, but in these times when clubs are struggling for players the week before the snow we again fielded five senior teams and a Colts side – and the opposition was from five different clubs! Great credit must go to Bernie Coyne and his cohorts for swelling our ranks with players coming back into the game, and to Eddie Scott for his tireless efforts to secure opponents for our burgeoning battalions of bravehearts.

That Colts game was at Keighley. Having not played from mid-December through the whole of January this was their third consecutive fixture. Down to the bare 15 players before the weekend, they travelled with only 14 young men - to find Keighley also had only 14 players. It started 14-a-side, but an injury to Taylor reduced our team to 13. In the end we won the game 38-14, but more importantly a group of young men enjoyed a game of rugby. Plaudits all round! A match report is on pp 4/5. The following week they lost at York. Travelling with 13 men York loaned them one of their 22 players…Next they host Heath in the Yorkshire Plate on 24 March.

I am pleased to report that we have won our first silverware of the season! Many congratulations to our U15s, who won the Skipton Sevens.

CLUB NEWS Josh Walters and Ollie Hodgson both played for the North of England U18s against London and the SE, Josh on the wing and Ollie at No8 with the additional privilege of being made captain for the season. The SE had already beaten the South West, winning 43-20, and were favourites to win. They didn’t; the North won 21-5. Following this honour Ollie has been selected for England U18 Clubs & Schools and will play Ireland away in Dublin at Easter. Congratulations on a great achievement Ollie. The club, and Paul and Jude, are very proud of you. In addition Lewis Boyce, not yet 17, was selected in the England U18 squad to play Scotland last Sunday, but was injured and couldn’t play.

These past few seasons our Colts have taken part in the “Cock-o-the-North” U19 Challenge Finals Day. The event is organised by the NW Colts League and is usually held across the Pennines. I am delighted to report that due to the good efforts of Ian Hesslehurst and our Colts coaches the Club will host this prestigious event on Sunday 12 May 2013, when four senior colts’ finals will be held. Make a note in your diary to enjoy what will be a carnival atmosphere.

Members Reunion Saturday 6 April, lunch 12.30 for 1.00pm before we play Morpeth at 3.00pm. Tickets are £15 and include entry to the match. Please let Stu Micklewright know if you are attending (tel:01642 327382/07909 744114, email: l.micklewright@ntlworld.com)

SPONSORS Our first sponsor of the season was Hertel UK Ltd, one of our regular sponsors, and, would you believe, I’m delighted to report that they are back to sponsor our game this afternoon. Last time the main man, Ian Horton, had recently married Kath, oh, and he had just about got over a serious battle with kidney stones. This time there’s devastating news – Ian’s mother has just died. Ian is one of the most popular guys in the Club and I’m sure I speak for everyone in sending him and his family our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences. Ian has decided to go ahead with his arrangements for today and I am pleased to welcome the company and their guests from ConocoPhillips. Hertel is a worldwide organisation with its UK HQ in Middlesbrough. I hope that they and their guests enjoy themselves this afternoon.

REFEREE’S CORNER I am delighted to welcome back to Acklam Park Graeme Hall, whose first visit to us was earlier this season when we played Malton & Norton. Graeme was a scrum half before he took up the whistle five years ago, playing for Ilkley, Macclesfield and Bury. He is Head of Customer Services for Anchor Housing, Bradford. I hope he enjoys his return visit with us this afternoon.