WELCOME This afternoon we are delighted to welcome everyone from Dinnington for their first-ever visit to Acklam Park. Five seasons ago our paths crossed – figuratively speaking! They went up, promoted into N1E, beating Guisborough in the promotion play-off, whilst we came down, relegated from N1E, despite beating our closest rivals, Alnwick, at Alnwick, but not by enough. Hey ho!

Our visitors enjoyed their first season in N1E, finishing a very commendable 4th but each season they dropped further down the league until last season they were relegated, but only just. They finished 3rd bottom, well clear of West Hartlepool and Northern, and only one point behind Percy Park, despite winning nine matches to Park's eight.

To kick-off their Y1 season Dinnington travelled to newly-promoted O Crossleyans, where they were 24-7 behind at one stage but pulled back to 24-22 to set-up a tense finale. However they then incurred the wrath of the referee, got three yellow cards, two of the concurrent, and eventually lost 36-22. Last week, at home to Keighley, they chalked up a rain-soaked victory, scoring four tries to win 26-0, leaving Keighley at the bottom of the league.

LEAGUE RUGBY We kicked our league campaign at home to Heath with worrying memories of last season, when, after a very good pre-season led to high expectations of success, Heath brought us down to earth with a bang. These fears were soon compounded when, after we enjoyed another good pre-season, we again welcomed Heath – and they took a seven point lead at the end of the first quarter. However we quickly equalised with a typical piece of Conner magic, converted by Baggie. What followed was for me the crucial stage of the match – a period of sustained Heath pressure that we defended heroically. We not only kept them out but added 10 points (Baggie and Conner again) to go 17-7 up at the break. Second half tries from Adam, Kieran and Shaun earned us a 34-14 bonus-point win. Unusually our forwards crossed the line more often than our backs – good all-round team-work, I say.

Then last week the game at Bradford Salem just about matched the awful weather conditions. We fell 6-0 behind before Pete ripped the ball free and galloped joyfully over the line, with Baggie ensuring we took the lead with his conversion. With Salem converting another penalty to re-take the lead it was down to Baggie to snatch the win with a penalty almost on time. It was not the best spectacle but we did stop Salem from crossing our line, something they did seven times in beating Keighley 57-22 the week earlier. Without a doubt the most interesting event of the day was Richard Ward's post-match performance.

After the match Richard, as usual, popped into the changing room to shake hands
and congratulate the players. He issued those prophetic words, words that will forever be immortalised in the annals of MRUFC: “Great win lads, but please don't make it so close next time – you'll give me a heart attack!!” Half an hour later, Richard was stretched out on the floor in the clubhouse clutching his chest with Eric Leach and Lee Featherstone urging Richard to 'stay with us Wardy, stay with us.' Yes, Richard had suffered a severe heart attack (AGAIN). What followed was the fastest ever trip to Leeds Infirmary cardio department and a long operation (to insert two stents into his chest) within minutes of his arrival.

Richard wishes to publicly thank Eric and Lee for their immediate attention, along with those members and bar staff at Salem (it was the first time their defibrillator was used in anger) and the paramedics who were on the scene very quickly. And a very special thank you to Tilly for travelling with Richard in the ambulance, and to Steve Todd, who stayed at the hospital until Richard was out of theatre and until Ali Ward arrived. I am absolutely delighted to report that Richard returned home mid-week and is in very good spirits. He wishes to thank members for their many texts – he did forward examples of those received, but this is a family publication...
Both Richard and Ali are very touched at the many kind messages they received, and they wish to record many, many thanks everyone.

OTHER GAMES A fortnight ago when our 1st team kicked-off their Y1 campaign against Heath as planned, our other teams had a disruptive weekend. Our Wasps were due to play a CANDY League game at Darlington Mowden Park, our 'A' team had no fixture and the Colts were due at Ryton. So much for expectations. The Wasps actually travelled to Richmondshire, the 'A' team hosted Darlington and the Colts played at Northern! Having gone to great pains to confirm the CANDY fixture DMP then cried off on Thursday – they couldn't raise a 2nd team (sic). Jonno, having forfeited training on Thursday night to sit on the phone, managed to arrange the Richmond game, and many thanks to them for their co-operation. As the 'A' team had picked up a late fixture there was some mixing-and-matching between our two sides to even them out; in the event the Wasps won 0-63 and the 'A's 32-0 (and another special thanks, this time to Lenny Evans for refereeing the 'A's game). The Colts suffered the Wasps fate when Ryton called off but were fortunate to get a game under their belts – despite having five tries disallowed, all 'held up' said the referee, they beat Northern 19-22.

Last week our Wasps were in CANDY League action against Tynedale. It was an absorbing encounter. It wasn't the best of starts for us. On his come back from injury Sean Moloney lasted only a minute before hobbling off with a twisted knee. We then went 0-5 down – but were 7-5 up at half time. Despite falling 7-10 behind we stuck to the task and won 29-17. There is a full match report by Jonno in the programme. Meanwhile the 'A' team entertained Richmondshire. Theyn flew into a 14-0 lead but were pulled back to 14-all at half time. In a rollicking second period we scored 19 points to our visitors 12 to win a thoroughly enjoyable match 33-26. Unfortunately our Colts didn't fare so well; they were hosts to Malton & Norton in an exciting and well competed and even game, but although we were 24-26 down late in the game Malton ran in two tries to win 24-38.

CLUB NEWS It was good to see Ash Kearney down with the 'A' team on Saturday. He has suffered some horrendous news and needs all the distraction he can get; with daughters Millie only 4 and Isabella just 1, mother Anna has been diagnosed with breast and bone (spine) cancer. Anna has begun raising funds for the Willow Charity. A whip round on Saturday boosted her total to date to £3000. To make matters even worse would you believe that Ash's dad Mick, particular stalwart of the 'A' team, has only just lost his partner Sylvia to cancer, a month after returning from holiday in Jamaica. Our very best wishes go to the whole family.

And our condolences to John and Keith Daley and their families. Their father Brian, affectionately known as Buck, has died; his funeral service was yesterday. Buck was 86; he played here, was elected a Vice President and was a regular on the touchline until very recently.

REFEREE'S CORNER It gives me great pleasure to welcome Glen Cockroft back to Acklam Park. He took our derby match against Stockton two years ago but had also been here earlier; he has fond memories of coming as coach with O Rishworthians juniors, for whom his son played at scrum half. Glen is from Halifax and played, would you believe, at No 9 for...O Rishworthians. Glen has been a referee for 20 years and is an executive in the oil industry. I hope he enjoys his afternoon with us.