WELCOME It gives me pleasure to welcome our visitors from Beverley back to Acklam Park. Before last season, when we lost our away game 12-28 but won the return 36-22, we previously met six years ago, when we were both in N1E. Beverley beat us home and away that season, but we were not they only victims – they finished in first place with a very impressive 119 points and an equally impressive points difference of 893. Unfortunately after finishing a respectable fifth in National 3 North they returned to N1E the following year and then fell back into Y1.

They began pre-season with good wins against our neighbours Billingham and West Hartlepool, lost their opening league encounter at O Brods but then won their next four matches, including defeating Moortown, one of only two reverses suffered by the club now second in the table. Since then in the league our visitors have lost four and won two. Of their six victories two have been away, at Pontefract and Guisborough, whilst at home Heath have been the only side to beat them. In the Yorkshire Shield Beverley were draw to play Acklam, who conceded the tie; they then met Moortown and lost 32-34, a game they should have won. By their own admission Beverley gave the game away through their own profligacy. But they come to us today bolstered by a seven try demolition of Keighley last week.

BORO RUGBY First please note that our next home game against Bradford Salem on 15 December will be a league and Yorkshire Shield double-header.

We got a rude awakening at Halifax on Saturday when O Rishworthians took a 7-0 lead inside two minutes. But in a scratchy first half the lead changed three times. Baggy pulled three points back before adding the extra points when Rhys crossed the line; at 7-10 the situation looked a little healthier, but Rish added another seven-pointer to re-take the lead. However a try by Andy ensured we took a lead into the break, the narrowest of leads, it's true, but a lead nevertheless. It was to a lead we never relinquished. We established some dominance in the scrum, which resulted in a push-over try, grounded by Liam and then the bonus point try from Richie, both converted by Baggy for a 14-29 victory. The bad news is that Richie, with five minutes to go, was then red-carded; the good news (other than the welcome win) is that colt Elliot Ward made his 1st team début in the back row, following in the footsteps of father Charlton (hooker extraordinaire) and uncle Simon (centre). Congratulations to Elliot for what I'm sure is the first of many appearances.

We met Pontefract two weeks ago, and boy did they come with a big team – even their backs were big! But we weren't discouraged and played a full part in a real ding-dong of a match. It was a tense affair which swung one way then t'other. Our visitors shaded the first half and we were on top for much of the second period; it was a draw at half time and a draw at the final whistle. In many ways it was a fair result, although I think we just a little unlucky not to win. Pontefract scored two tries, the first of which was from a forward pass so blatant that their own supporters couldn't believe it was allowed. It wasn't even marginal, and this isn't biased bile – Tony Allinson, a true gentleman, a pillar of fair play and the very epitome of the Corinthian spirit, said it was forward by a margin of 45°! We also scored two tries, but should have had at least two more – we over the line a third time but adjudged to be held up.

We took the lead inside five minutes when Brendan took a pass from Pete to finish off a flowing move; we then absorbed a period of pressure, which we did so successfully that our visitors finally took the option of kicking a penalty. As the half progressed they did eventually cross our line (!see above!) to take a 5-8 lead, before Baggy's well-judged penalty made it all-square at the break.

We had the better of the second half. Despite their size we regularly drove them backwards in the scrums, although credit to them they still managed to win the ball. We kept hammering away at their line but there was no more scoring until the final minutes, when first we drove over their line for Conner to get a hand on the ball, with Baggy's conversion lazily arcing its way into the air, hanging for what seemed for ages, before creeping over the bar for a seven point lead, and then, with our tails up and pressing for another score, Pontefract breached our defences to score under the posts. With just enough time for someone to snatch the winner, and despite our earlier pressure, it was our opponents who looked the more likely to do so, with a last-gasp drop goal attempt sailing wide.

Meanwhile the Wasps enjoyed a splendid victory at home over Mowden Park on Saturday, a team who'd lost only once this season; our guys expected a tough encounter, and that's what they got. Shorn of several regulars we were delighted that Toby Tremlett was able to play for us; previously a 1st team regular he is now a sports therapist with Newcastle Falcons. It was great to see another one-time 1st team regular on the pitch – unfortunately Rory Duff was playing for Mowden! A tense first half was scoreless but three tries in a second half which saw Mowden exert a lot of pressure but no points earned us a deserved victory. Jonno's match report is in this issue. The week previous the Wasps lost 48-14 at Alnwick. It sounds like a heavy defeat but in fact it was a good performance against the very good table-toppers, who admitted we gave them their toughest game to date.

Our Colts also triumphed at the weekend, making it a clean sweep of three wins from three games. They beat Ripon 22-20 in the Yorkshire Bowl, and yes it was a close game all the way through. With a couple of minutes left on the clock and the match tied at 15-15 they had a penalty, we thought to win the game, but it just tucked under the bar. Ripon then scored an unconverted try. With one minute left they got a penalty which was kicked to the corner. Unfortunately they lost the line out but a very dominant scrum regained the ball and after some strong running and recycling and some intelligent team play and inter passing in the 22 Tom Worrel crashed over the line next to the post. The conversion from Ollie Andrews sneaked inside the post to win the game with all of 20 seconds to go. As well as showing much greater organisation in defence and grit the team used the ball more effectively in attack with some big strong carries, especially from the younger ones.

Our 'A' team were without a fixture last week, but there is a match report in the programme on their victory over Guisborough the week previous. They won 34-0 to maintain their 100 per cent record to date. In winning all eleven games they have scored 533 points whilst conceding only 149. Today they are looking to continue this admirable run at Hartlepool BBOB.

CLUB NEWS Our U15s are having a Christmas get-together in the Club after their game on 16 December. If you have a rugby-related item which could double as a prize in a daft game please see Chris Buckley or Wes Crowther. The whole idea is for players. parents and families to have a bit of fun – I'm sure it'll be a big success.

I am delighted to report that Mike Harradence, one of our front row forwards in the Junior sides in the 1970/80s, and then one of our regular match sponsors, is on the mend after a month’s hospitalisation following a fall at home, and a kidney infection to boot. We send Mike our very wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

Just to change the shape, the size and the consistency of the ball for a moment, I'm told that Mal Bruton, chairman of the Cricket Club, is seeking back copies of programmes for three day games and John Player League games played here at Acklam Park between 1956 and 1996 by Yorkshire. If you have any copies, or know of anyone who might have such material, please see Mal.

REFEREE'S CORNER This afternoon I am delighted to welcome Patrick Wheeler, a new-comer to Acklam Park. He is 22 years old and has been a referee for five years. Before taking up the whistle he was a flanker at school and Leodiensians. Patrick is from Huddersfield and is an accountant. I hope he enjoys his first visit and his time with us this afternoon.

We will serve Christmas Lunch before our next home game against Bradford Salem on 15 December. See Keith Bircham to book your place.