WELCOME For only our second match at home since the turn of the year I am pleased to offer the players, officers and supporters of O Rishworthians a warm welcome on their first visit to Acklam Park. But first I must offer our heart-felt condolences to the family of Lewis Hilton, a mainstay of Rish's second team, who died on Sunday, aged only 19 years. He joined the club when he was 6 years old, taken along by his father. Morley, to the newly-formed junior/mini section. He felt ill on Friday and taken to hospital with suspected meningitis, and died two days later. It's impossible to comprehend the shock and horror of such a shattering sequence of events; it does make the result of a rugby match just a little less important.

Nevertheless the match must go on. Rish were promoted last season when they finished second to Moortown, but they finished with 114 points, whereas Y1 champions Bridlington's total was 113. This season our visitors won only three of their opening ten games (plus a drawn game with Moortown), but more recently have won four of their last six matches; but beware, their two defeats were 31-25 at second placed Beverley and then, on Saturday, 15-16 at home to high-flying York. In fact in a game with only one try Rish were 12-3 up at half time against York and were never behind until the last score of the match, and even then had penalty opportunities to win the game. Rish are obviously a force to be reckoned with, and remember, our game at Halifax in October was a tight affair. We were 3-8 up at half time and then 9-8 behind before running out 12-25 winners.

LEAGUE RUGBY In our last home game against Wheatley Hills we outscored our visitors six tries to two and four conversions to one, with a penalty apiece, to win 41-15. Wheatley did outscore us with yellow cards, three to our one in the first half; we did collect a second after the beak. Wheatley are a robust side. Despite being camped in their 22 for the opening 20 minutes we struggled to get our hands on the ball. But then AB slotted a penalty, closely followed by a 10 minute burst of activity with first Rhys sprinting over and then Pete crossing twice, demonstrating some magical sleight of hand in the process. AB converted our second try, despite it being on the touch line and despite stomping on his mum's toes in his preparation. Wheatley's late try made it 20-8 at half time. They scored again after the restart – 20-15, But never fear! Three more converted tries, first from the irrepressible Bellers, then Pete completing his hat trick after a great attack, interchanging passes with Sean as they swept up the pitch. Sean himself finished with a typically powerful surge through despairing tackles.

However we then travelled to unbeaten York, 15 points clear at the top of the table. The closest York had come to losing their proud record was here, back in October, winning by the narrowest of margins, 19-20, when a last minute conversion attempt by AB missed by a gnat's whisker. We'd given them one fright; could we give them another? Of course we could – we won by 14-17! An early calamity meant we lost captain Pete Homan with a dislocated his shoulder after only five minutes. But fortune favours the brave and up stepped Callum Campbell, returning to us after a four-year break pursuing extreme sports, and he slotted in seamlessly to play a great game. This was no fluke. To quote York's own match report: “The unbeaten run came to a juddering halt in the face of a very determined and motivated Middlesbrough side, which saw York second best in many facets of the game,,.on the day the better side won.”

We took a 0-14 lead, courtesy of a pinpoint cross-field kick by AB into the arms of Rhys the Rocket to cross the line before Conner did what Conner does, bamboozle the defence to score, with AB adding the conversions. York pulled seven points back before half time and then, after the restart, they got more into the match and on the 70 minute mark were awarded a penalty try to level the scores. The final 10 minutes were extremely tense; AB converted a penalty with five minutes remaining and York kept hammering away but whilst our attack had bossed the first half, after the break our defence was outstanding.

Could we carry on our winning streak at Scarboro? Hopes were high, having lost only once in 11 games (since we won at Rish) and that was 28-26 at Moortown, but for once our defence wasn't as tight as usual and we lost 32-23. It was a strange game in many ways; Scarboro were always in the lead but several times we edged close to overtaking them. Just look at the sequence – 10-0, 10-3, 17-3, 17-13 (HT), 22-13, 22-20, 27-20, 27-23 and finally 32-23. Both teams got two yellow cards; but in our case we were down to 13 men! We scored three tries all from our tight five, with Myles, Kieran and Luke going over, the only time this season more than two forwards have scored, and the only time no backs crossed the line. But, as the Scarborough News said: “ Scarborough had to dig deep for a 32-23 win in a thrilling clash at home to Middlesbrough.” However our boys' disappointment was eased by a refreshment stop at Richie's parents house for a wonderful selection of food and drink, and a sing-song of course.

OTHER GAMES Our win against Wheatley was made all the better with home wins for the Wasps, 7-0 up at half time against Barnard Castle but finishing with a gallop to win 33-0, whilst the 'A' team beat Stockton 26-0. The Wasps cup-tie against Billingham the following week fell victim to the weather but they were back in action last Saturday against Novos, when, despite taking an early lead, they trailed 10-11 at half time. However they played downhill in the second half and scored four tries to run out 32-18 winners. Jonno's match reports on Barnie's and the previous N Ribb game are featured in this edition.

The 'A' team also lost their match two weeks ago to the weather, when Wensleydale were their scheduled opponents, but on Saturday they enjoyed a trip to Whitby, returning victorious to the tune of 30 points to 20, their 12th win from 14 matches. Unfortunately the Colts lost 22-12 at Stockton in the National Colts Cup three weeks ago. After an enforced absence when Ripon called off their league match the lads were hosts to Moortown last week; they lost 22-41. However they do get an opportunity to return to winning ways this week, when the Ripon game has been rearranged.

CLUB NEWS Congratulations to two of our young Colts. Firstly, Joe Sawdon played for Durham U17s last Sunday against Northumberland at Percy Park and helped them to win 24-12 in the first game of their competitive season; they next play Cumbria at Ryton on 25 February and then Yorkshire on 18 March at Keighley. Secondly, Rohan Brown was selected from Yarm School to represent the North in the Independent Schools RFC Lambs National Festival (see p9 for more information). And many congrats to Lewis Boyce, included in the 35 man England squad ahead of the 6 Nations opening game tomorrow. Lewis was a key member of John Burridge's all-conquering junior team who blazed their way through the age groups; he was signed first by Leeds (now Yorkshire) Carnegie and then Harlequins, and was a member of England's 2016 U20 World Cup winning side. Lewis was always destined for success at the highest level.

Our very first Burns Supper last Friday was a fantastic evening. It was a magical mix of traditional Scottish ceremony, gentle humour and pleasant singing, accompanied, of course, by wonderful Scottish fayre served up by Linda and Ian. It was such an overwhelming success that next year's event is already in the diary, but I warn you in advance, numbers will be limited.

Our Mini and Junior sections will be performing in a series of “stationary bike rides” to support England in this year's Six Nations. They will start TODAY and hope to complete 269 miles, the distance from Acklam Park to Twickenham. You can support the teams by sponsoring individual players or simply donating at the bar or in collection buckets on the days of the events.

SPONSORS We are again delighted to welcome the two 'Rumbustious Richards' Readman and Storry, today’s sponsors – I'm sure they'll be just as Riotous and Rambunctious as ever! Readman Steel's primary products are large diameter tubular piles, both new and used. They also stock a range of sheet piles and structural sections, and with access to rolling mills throughout Europe, can supply direct from stock or produce new pipes to exact specifications. Lithgow Sons & Partners, Stokesley, specialise in auctions of industrial and commercial goods and properties, as well as providing asset valuation and disposal, commercial property valuations, residential property and storage services. The Likely Lads are both great supporters of the Club and we are pleased to welcome them and their guests.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome Paul Monaghan back for his second visit to Acklam Park this season – he was a late replacement for our opening match of the season against Heath. Paul has been a referee since 2012 and has played as a winger and hooker in the army; he is still in the military, as they say in the USA. Although the weather will be less kind today than his first visit I hope he still enjoys his time with us.