TOM JONES How good it was to see the Jones family a fortnight ago at the annual Tom Jones commemorative lunch. Let me thank all of you who turned out in force to make it such a memorable event, and to show Pat and her family just how much affection everyone feels for Tom and the very high esteem in which he is held. All money taken on the day at the gate and the post-match raffle, a total of £800, has been forwarded to Pat as our contribution to the James Cook University Hospital Chemotherapy Day Care Centre. A huge 'thank you' to everyone who came along on the day and for digging deep for such a worthwhile cause, and a special 'thank you' to Mike Wright for ensuring such a good turnout. (Tom holds the record of 437 1st team appearances for Middlesbrough. He was only 64 when he died in June.)

WELCOME It gives me great pleasure to welcome our close friends and neighbours from Stockton. There's nothing like a local derby to spice up a fixture; and they often tear up the form book. Stockton have yet to win a league match this season and will be coming at us all guns blazing to stop the rot. However, don't let the fact that they haven't won any competitive games fool you. Admittedly they lost 27-0 at Barnard Castle in the Durham Cup, but in the league all but one of their five defeats have been by single figures (the exception being 9-25 at home to Hartlepool). They opened their campaign with an 18-27 loss at home to current table-toppers Gateshead, but then they lost 25-24 at Gosforth, 19-15 at Consett and on Saturday the score was 6-13 at home to Consett. Stockton have more bonus points than us and have conceded fewer points, so be warned . Last season we were victorious 36-13 in the home (Alan Todd Memorial) encounter and 22-9 at Stockton. Either score today would do me very nicely!

LEAGUE RUGBY Two weeks ago we secured a hard-fought 34-30 home win over previously unbeaten Novos, although the scoreline didn’t tell the full story as we should have won by a greater margin. This despite losing more than 20 players across the Club, five from the 1st team and several of their replacements. Novos scored an early 5 points but tries from Euan and Ash, plus a penalty and two conversions from Matty, gave us what seemed like a comfortable 17-8 half time lead. We continued to press after the break and a try from Liam and kicks from Matty took us to 27-11 and a 16-point lead heading into the final third. But we then found ourselves on the wrong side of the referee, who gave us three yellow cards – two almost simultaneously. However, down to 13 men, Euan ended a mesmerising run with his second try and we were 34-16 ahead. But a penalty try and a stream of penalties to Novos made it 34-30 to set up a dramatic finale.

Last week at Ryton we again fell behind to an early try and conversion; but in a scrappy half we hit back to go in at the break 14-7, with two late tries from Ben Wood, both converted by Matty. Ryton applied pressure to level the match at 14-all but Matty converted a penalty to give us a slender victory, but a victory nonetheless. The game saw the début of Andy Geekie, a Scot doing a year's practical work at Boots as part of his pharmaceutical degree. He earned his promotion after a couple of storming performances in the back row for the Wasps.

OTHER MATCHES The Wasps have experienced a see-saw season so far. When Northern couldn't raise a 2nd team we played Richmondshire with a mixed side but won pretty easily. Although the scoreline was a little one-sided, it was nothing compared to our outing at Novos. The knock-on effect of the 20-plus players unavailable meant we raided the 'A' team and also pulled in our Chairman and our Wasps manager to play. We were determined to play the match, and although we lost by 80-12 we did earn three CANDY league points, as well as seeing some sterling performances from players not seen in our colours for some time. A short report by Jonno is elsewhere in this issue. Last week we entertained Morpeth, but with Brad going off to hospital with a hurty lip after only 10 minutes we were on the back foot, and lost 19-22.

The really good news is that our 'A' team is now back in the Tees Valley League. Last week we made the short trip to Stockton but unfortunately lost 14-10. Stockton's Terry Wilson made these comments about the game: “Our 3rds really enjoyed the match against your "A" team last Saturday. It was competitive, but played in a great spirit with no hint of nastiness - which can occasionally creep in when the game is a local derby. Either side could have won, but we managed to squeeze a victory. Please give them our best regards and we look forward to the return at your place on 21 Jan.” Their record now stands at W2, L2 – although we do have a positive points difference of 65. Hail to our Colts! Having suffered a postponement of their first league game (because the Huddersfield YMCA lads were still playing rugby league) they were at home to O Brodleians. Our opponents kicked-off, deep into our half; Ciaran Malcolm caught the ball and six phases later Sam Seymour crossed for a try. The final score was 24-12 to us. Last Sunday we travelled to Malton & Norton anticipating a tough game after our contests last season. However we played out of our socks and won 57-19. Reports by Jason Malcolm are in the programme. Tomorrow we travel to Hull Ionians in the National Colts Cup.

Last Sunday also saw an intrepid band of our pensioners hobbling down to Northallerton to take part in an RFU Vets Tens Competition. They were much more sprightly on the return journey, having beaten everyone and conceded only one try all afternoon. Congratulations to Brad for organising our effort. Jonno's report appears alongside the Wasps feature.

JUNIORS Our U16s are continuing their good form of 2015-16. Of their five matches only two have been at home, the first of which they lost 12-36 against Stockton, but this was sandwiched between two away games at Wetherby, where they won 29-36 and then at Acklam, where they scored 55 unanswered points. They then lost a tight game 25-24 at Ripon before meeting Mowden Park at home last Sunday. Tom Seymour was concerned about the outcome, as several of his squad were missing for various reasons. He need not have worried; we won 51-21. Well done to the young men; keep up the good work at home to Billingham tomorrow.

CLUB NEWS It is Guy Fawkes night four weeks today, the Saturday we have a league match away at Gosforth. As many hands make light work please offer your services as gatekeepers, ticket sellers, marshals or stewards NOW! Oh, and hope for fine weather.

Our Annual Dinner and Ball always sells out very quickly, so I remind you that the date has been re-arranged and is now on Friday, 30 December. In between times there are lots of other activities for your delight and participation. In December we will hold our 8th Annual Pie-baking Competition (it is always a wonderful night, with lots of delicious pies to sample whilst raising money for charity/the Juniors), the visit of Father Christmas to lead our Entertaining Carol Sing-a-long, the Members Grand Christmas Draw when you can win lots of prizes (as many of you do) and for the first time we will have a Magical Mystery Show and a wonderful Choral Evening. Watch this space for more information.

And for the final entry in our Social Column, a tale of woe featuring the Pooles. Cath and Chris have been stalwarts of the Club for many years – indeed they are both Vice Presidents in recognition of past services to our cause. Last month they reached the marvellous milestone of their 40th Wedding Anniversary and to celebrate this Ruby Anniversary Chris, the old romantic that he is. booked a holiday in Tenerife. For her part, Cath forgot to buy Chris a card!

SPONSORS We are again delighted to welcome the two 'Riotous Richards' Readman and Storry, today’s sponsors. Readman Steel are steel stockholders, wharfingers, suppliers and fabricators of tubular items, and the sole UK agents for the Evren Chain of Turkey; 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 It gives me great pleasure to welcome Glen Cockroft back to Acklam Park. Glen is from Halifax and played at No 9 for O Rishworthians; he works in the oil industry. I hope he enjoys his afternoon with us.