WELCOME Well, who would have believed it; here we are, the bottom two teams in the league scrapping to break our ducks and move up the table. But I'm sure we'll both put our problems behind us and play some enterprising and entertaining rugby this afternoon. And to provide us with a match to savour I am pleased to welcome everyone from North Ribblesdale for what I believe is only their second visit to us, an experience I hope they will all enjoy. They certainly enjoyed their previous visit to us when we were last in Y1 three seasons ago – they departed with a 13-17 victory under their belt, one of only three defeats we suffered in our last ten games that campaign. In fact in a season when we finished fourth in the league and our opponents finished in 10th place (although it would have been eighth but for points deductions) they beat us in both games, having already taken the spoils 3-17 in our earlier match. The following season they finished in ninth place with 10 victories before dropping to 12th position last season.

This year our opponents' first match was at Wheatley Hills, where, despite taking a 0-6 lead, and despite camping in the Hills 22 for the final quarter, they lost the game 13-9, but at least earned a losing bonus point. Their next game was at home against York, a side which even at this early stage of the season looks likely to in the mix for promotion (and who are our next visitors!). Ribblesdale started well enough and after 30 minutes the score couldn't have been closer at 6-7. However at half time York had stretched the score to 6-19 and at the end, having scored seven tries, ran out 13-57 winners.

LEAGUE RUGBY After an impressive pre-season we were all looking forward to kicking off the league programme at home in style, with high hopes of continuing our winning streak. Heath were our opponents, but unfortunately they did not read the script – they beat us 31-43. As you'd guess when 74 points are scored it was a pulsating game which included 12 tries.
Heath were a big team. They came out fired-up for action and were 12 points up in ten minutes; at the end of the match those 12 points were the difference between the two teams. It got worse. After 15 minutes Heath were 0-19 ahead; however from that point onwards, for three-quarters of the match, we outscored our visitors, racking up 31 points to their 24 in a ding dong sequence when the teams were taking it in turn to cross the line. On the half hour we registered our first points when Conner crossed the line in the corner and we watched with bated breath as Andy's kick rebounded from the post . However Heath responded with their bonus-point try to go into half-time 5-26 ahead. Our opponents were the first to score after the break and we were staring into the gloom at 5-31. In fact we 'won' the second half 26-17, with Pete Homan scoring twice and forwards Chris Palmer and Josh Lynas also touching down. Andy kicked three conversions. It was a good work-out in our new league with a team comprising a complete set of former Juniors and a third of whom are mere 19 year-old laddies.
This was followed last week by our first away game at Beverley, never an easy team to beat – and we lost 28-12. That score makes it sound a one-sided match but it certainly was not. It was a hard fought, scrappy affair which fell into three parts. The first 20 and the last 20 minutes were all Beverley but the middle 40 minutes were all Middlesbrough. The first quarter saw Beverley 14-0 ahead, but by half time we'd pulled it back to 14-12 with tries from Sean Moloney and Sam Seymour, the latter converted by Andy Baggett. We should then have taken a 14-17 lead when Ali Lang touched down, but was deemed by the referee to be held up. We were dominant and looking increasingly threatening at this stage but try as we might we couldn't add to our score. Beverley got themselves back into the game to double their total, but, and I quote Beverley's official match report, “Middlesbrough will consider themselves unlucky losers.”
The 'A' team experienced one extreme to the other. Their first match of the season was a friendly against Bishop Auckland, who turned up a few players short. The following week when they opened their league campaign at home to Seaton Carew they were actually outnumbered by their visitors! Without a 1st team game Seaton came along with strength in depth. But they didn't reckoned on meeting our ...erm...experienced but frisky stars, Paul Sills, playing at hooker, Mick Kearney and flying winger Eddie Scott. Our guys put in a solid shift at the coal face and emerged 27-15 winners. They then made it three from three by beating Yarm 38-23 last week. It was especially pleasing top see Yarm, as it is the first time they have fielded a 2nd team for some time.
Meanwhile the Wasps played their first league match at West Hartlepool, and although they suffered from several late withdrawals they performed admirably in a well-fought game before losing 25-12. On Saturday they entertained Billingham, table-toppers last season. Expecting – and getting – a tough encounter, they were 12-21 down at the break. However a surge and 20 unanswered second-half points took the final score to 32-21. Jonno's reports are elsewhere in the programme.
The Colts began their season with a game at Yarm School, where they lost 29-19, but were then quickly into Cup action, with Harrogate the visitors. With the advantage of a fierce southerly wind howling down the pitch Harrogate scored three tries in the first session. Turning around with the advantage of a somewhat friendlier wind, we then scored three tries. Unfortunately our opponents added points with the boot which we were not able to match and we lost the game; as a result we progressed straight into the Plate, where we play at Malton & Norton tomorrow.
Our U14s first fixture was at Yarm School, where early Boro pressure was rewarded with a try each for full back Josh McPartland and winger Thomas Hare. Yarm came back into a close game, eventually levelling the score at 4 tries each, with Boro scoring twice more, another try for Josh and one from centre Jack Robinson. Boro lifted their game running out 45-20 winners with three tries from wing Reece McDonald and two more from Josh. Next up was Guisborough, the first visitors to Acklam Park this season. Boro had Kieran Baggett and Lawa Faidulla making their home débuts and there was also a very welcome return to the squad for Leo Plouchart. Guisborough had a number of big strong-running forwards and used these to great effect breaking through the Boro defence regularly in the first half. The visitors took a three try lead before Reece McDonald pulled one back. One more try before half-time for the visitors left Boro trailing 20 - 5 at the break. After the re-start Guisborough forced errors in the Boro defence leading to another try, but Middlesbrough responded well and Reece scored two more tries, both converted by Kieran leaving the final score 19-25 to Guisborough. Tomorrow Sandal are the visitors to Acklam Park in the Yorkshire Cup.

CLUB NEWS Sadly I have to confirm that Steve Todd's mother, Maureen, having been admitted to hospital a fortnight ago, died last Saturday. Would you believe the news came through in the midst of us making arrangements for our annual match against Stockton for the Alan Todd Trophy, to commemorate Steve's father. Our sympathy and condolences go to Steve and his family.

CALLING ALL O35s! After a successful run out last year Boro are looking to establish a regular Veterans side once again. Phil Adamson has agreed to head up this initiative with the aim of getting around five fixtures over the coming season. The intention is to play a number of fixtures against local sides on Friday evenings. However to begin with we are looking to field a side at the Northallerton 10-a-side RFU-organised Vets event in early October. If you fancy playing, and are over 35, please contact either Philly, Jonno or Brad to make yourself available. All are welcome, remember you are a long time retired. Up the Boro!!

REFEREE'S CORNER It gives me great pleasure to welcome Chris Bloomfield to Acklam Park. Chris took up refereeing only two years ago but already seems destined for higher honours. As a speedy winger for Hull Ionians he has in the past joined in combat against us, although he did move on to greater glory as a professional rugby player for Edinburgh. Chris is now a primary school teacher just outside Hull. I hope he enjoys renewing his acquaintance with our Club and his time with us this afternoon.