WELCOME back to the touchline after our short break. Unfortunately I must begin with the sad news that Bill Readman died on New Year's Eve. His funeral will take place at 1.30pm next Wednesday 13th January at All Saints Church Hutton Rudby. A long-time player, supporter and Vice President of the Club Bill broke new ground by sponsoring our Christmas match against the 'old' Gosforth, as W G Readman Ltd (was it really 40-ish years ago...it was certainly long before match sponsorship was the norm). He was one of the good guys and you always felt better for seeing his smile and speaking with him; his absence will be keenly felt. Our commiserations to Dorothy, Richard and their family.

I usually begin at this time of year by wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, and I'm sure Bill wouldn't mind if I do so again, although this year I suggest we all raise a glass to his memory. So allow me to add that I hope you enjoyed Christmas, that Santa was good to you and that you had a good time over the festive season and are here today with renewed vim and vigour for the remainder of our rugby season.

It is particularly pleasing to welcome Ponteland for their first visit to Acklam Park. When we met them at Callerton Lane in September they were adjusting to life in DN1, having been newly promoted, 15 points clear of second placed Acklam. They'd won their opening competitive match, 29-7 against Ashington in the Northumberland Senior Plate, but then shipped over 50 points in the first games, away to Consett and Horden. We were their first visitors, and scored 62 points. However, apart from a disastrous 77-0 defeat at Novos they've steadied the ship somewhat, They achieved their first (and only) victory against Medicals, and in four of their last five matches their losing margin has been nine points or less. Our visitors have lost two games to the weather, at home to Acklam and at Darlington, so have a little catching up to do with few gaps in their fixture list for 2016. Whatever the score today I hope it's a game Bill Readman would have enjoyed watching.

LEAGUE RUGBY We've seen some atrocious weather lately but have been fortunate not to have any games postponed, although there are those we think we should not have played in what were truly awful conditions. Consecutive away games were played in Arctic conditions. First we played at Consett on a snow bound pitch, with an ice rink for a car park. We then entertained Horden on a day when the wind was blowing a hurricane. And then Durham City finally decided our match could go ahead but the Wasps game could not, but only after both teams were half way up the A19.

The Horden match was switched to the second pitch as the first team pitch was a quagmire after torrential rain. The howling gale that was storm Desmond was blowing almost straight down the pitch and made the game a real match of two halves. We lost the toss but Horden gave us the advantage of the gale so we really needed to make the most of it. We got off to a flyer, or so we thought, but Ben Wood's try in the second minute was adjudged to be from a forward pass. Despite being camped in the opposition 22 Horden played a very astute defensive game and we didn't trouble the scoreboard until 25 minutes, when Ben did cross in the corner. Sam added an amazing conversion but 7-0 with half time approaching was never enough. But it all changed with James Wardle and then Tarmac crossing the line and Sam adding the difficult kicks. Would 21-0 be enough? In the end the answer was a big YES – in fact Ben added his second try to earn a bonus point and a 26-6 win. The down side is we lost Bellers and Tarmac to injury during the game, with Tarmac likely to be out for a long time.

The City match kicked off and finished in unbroken snowfall, with players from both sides struggling to keep their footing, but, considering the conditions, it was a reasonably entertaining match. For the opening 30 minutes City dealt with the conditions much better than us – and were 23-0 ahead. However Sam added a penalty before the break and we were the better side for much of the second half. Brad and Mike Thornburn scored our tries to make it 23-13 but thereafter neither side could get those elusive extra points both wanted. Our last match at Medicals earned us a five try bonus (Rhys, Euan and Isa take a bow), and a 34-7 victory, but we missed the opportunity of adding to our points difference with cold hands dropping passes. Still we are handily placed in second spot, five points behind City, but 70 points adrift on that points difference.

OTHER MATCHES Although our Colts came second in their last outing to West Park Leeds, previously they performed heroically to beat Doncaster in the quarter finals of the Yorkshire Cup. Many people expected Doncaster to win the Cup so it was a fine performance. Their reward is an away semi final at Beverley on 14 February; a fortnight earlier the are hosts to Billingham in the National Colts Cup.

JUNIORS Allow me to shine the spotlight on our U17s – the Junior Colts – who have a 100 per cent record this season. In our last edition I reported that they beat Mowden Park 31-5. Well, they followed this up with a trip up the A19 to Sunderland, where they won 67-14. That was at the beginning of December, since when unfortunately they have suffered postponements, along with the rest of the Juniors, due to inclement weather. Our U15s did manage a Yorkshire Cup tie at Harrogate but lost a closely fought match, and at the beginning of December our U14s travelled through 'Hell and High Water' to face Ripon in the Yorkshire Plate. After a journey that involved driving through most of the Yorkshire Dales, and an unusual kick-off time, it seemed the game was never going to get started. When it did the lads went two tries down fairly quickly and despite all their best efforts, potential tries were missed. But after such a disjointed preparation, all credit is due to them; they kept fighting to the bitter end. They're due a big 'well done' for the performance, but sadly, it was not to be their day. They lost 22-12.

CLUB NEWS For the first congratulations of the New Year please join with me in welcoming Freya Horton into the world, a daughter for very proud parents Richie and Kate, born just before Christmas so looking forward to lots of presents each December! I'm pleased to say that mother and baby are both doing fine, although I understand that Richie is just a little frazzled – time to polish up those boots again?

A special 'Thank You' to Simon Moore, John Westwood, Mark Jones and Keith Bircham for their efforts in making the Carol Night, Pie Baking contest, Members Draw, Annual Ball and Lizard Run such resounding successes, and thanks to all of you who took part in all or any of these activities. All of you efforts are much appreciated.

Next, please note that our Yorkshire Shield match against Keighley has again been postponed. Originally scheduled for 28 November, Keighley were instructed to play a rearranged league match on that day; would you believe this game was again postponed until probably 27 February, moving our match to, perhaps, 12 March, but this will be confirmed in due course.

REFEREE'S CORNER And now we have an opportunity to welcome pharmacist Philip Gordge back to Acklam Park. His first visit to us should have been to take our game against Wath upon Dearne in November 2014; unfortunately he was injured and had to withdraw, but once back to full fitness he took our game against Heath a year ago. Phil was a No8 who played at London University and Bromley. He became a referee ten years ago and is a member of East Yorkshire Society.