WELCOME I am delighted to welcome the Yorkshire President, Brian Umpleby, and his wife to our game today, along those Vice Presidents and members who attended our special luncheon. There's nothing better than a chin wag and a pint with friends and colleagues before retiring onto the touch line for a feast of rugby. And talking of friends, it gives me great pleasure to welcome old friends and neighbours from Stockton back to Acklam Park. Although we meet annually in the Alan Todd Memorial Game (which we won 26-25 in a splendidly close match last year at Stockton) it is 12 years since we last met in a league game. That was in 2003/04, in North 2 East, when we kicked off the season at home to our visitors and won 34-8, with both Andy Micklewright and Brad scoring tries...and they're both still going strong! Andy actually scored twice, and crossed again in the return fixture, which we won 21-10, Simon Moore adding seven points with the boot...and he has turned out for the 1st team this year too. Incidentally there are a few words about Alan on the previous page as we play today for the Trophy and league points.

Stockton began this season by losing 21-27 to Sunderland in the Durham Intermediate Cup but bounced back with a good 33-27 win at home to Gateshead before losing 23-28 agonisingly late in the game at Acklam. They more than made up for this slip by scoring 13 tries in trouncing Darlington 92-7, by far the highest points total in our league so far this year but then reverted to their emerging sequence of 'home win, away loss' by losing 3-40 at Consett. However as I understand it Stockton were without 12 of the squad which thrashed Darlington and then injuries and a handful of yellow cards resulted in them finishing the game with only 12 men. Could they continue this sequence last week at home to Horden?

LEAGUE RUGBY Our last home game against table-topping Novos was eagerly anticipated by both teams and sets of supporters, with two of the three unbeaten teams in opposition. Our very own Aedan Moloney is now in Newcastle and playing for Novos, whilst we included the Brothers Tremlett, and youngster Jay Ellis, and welcomed back after long absences the self same Andy Micklewright and Frenchie.

Talk about a game of two halves – in a tense and exciting exchange Novos were on top in the opening and final quarters, whilst we totally controlled the middle quarters. From the word go they flew from the blocks fully charged and we were eight points down in as many minutes. Warning signs were flashing until Rhys settled our nerves by cruising across the line; unfortunately Jack's kick rebounded off the crossbar. We scored a second try when Bellers scythed through and then added the conversion with Jack enjoying a 10 minute rest, courtesy of the referee, taking the half time score to 12-8. We continued to dominate after the break and with tries from Rhys (his second) – Jack again hitting the woodwork – and Isa following a forwards rumble, we looked comfortable at 22-8 at the ¾ stage. But not so. Having achieved the bonus point we lost a bit of concentration and Novos stormed back into the game. A penalty and converted try put them in striking distance of a win, but we survived their pressure to win 22-18, with Novos having to settle for a losing bonus point.

Last Saturday our game at Ryton was also a game of two halves. We came back from 18-3 down at half time to win 37-24 to draw level with Durham City at the top of the table. On the restart Frenchie atoned for his first half sin-binning by scoring the first try. A neat off load from Euan Tremlett allowed Andrew Micklewright to score under the posts with Jack converting. Following a penalty try for a deliberate knock-on, converted by Jack, we added two more tries from Bellers and Michael Thornburn to clinch the bonus point and win the game.

OTHER MATCHES While we were beating Novos the Wasps nearly played five fixtures. In the matter of 24 hours our original opponents, Durham City, cried off and Eddie secured a game at Medicals. They then cried off and South Shields Westoe stepped into the breach, only to subsequently cry-off. No need to worry we picked up a game at Consett – but then this too fell by the wayside. These were all 2nd team games but all clubs cited difficulties in raising a side, despite our offer to travel to all of them. We even tried switching the 'A' XV from Darlington Mowden Park to Seaton Carew (who had lost their fixture), sending the Wasps to DMP in their place, but Seaton's original opponents resurfaced. So we were left with no game; nevertheless hats off to Eddie for his sterling efforts, all conducted from London. Last week the Wasps did manage a game, at home to Gateshead, who beat us three times last season, and won 36-15. The 'A' team also won, beating Acklam 2nds 10-7 in a close game at Acklam Park.

One player missing from our teams today is Simon Moore, who is playing for England Police against Australia Police in London.

JUNIORS Step forward Iain Bradford's U11s. To raise funds Iain arranged a Race Night, and with the efforts of some of the parents he managed to raise just short of £800. This was more than doubled by Steve Riley's employer sponsoring the squad by £750 and Dave Cook's work community funds adding another £150. What a tremendous effort; congratulations and our thanks to Iain and his group of parents. All the money will go to kitting out the kids with the right equipment and gear to play rugby. In the words of Brad: “If nothing else we will be the best dressed team around!”

Tom Seymour has also been on the sponsorship trail, raising £1,100 for kit for the U15s – more details in a later edition. Meanwhile our U12s joined the sponsorship bandwagon, or at least coach Richie Horton did! Challenged to enter the Wasdale half triathlon by the U12s as punishment for all of the years of fitness training he has put them through he had to swim 1.2 miles across Waswater, cycle 56miles from Wasdale to Nether Wasdale and finally run 13.5miles to Burnmoor Tarn. His task was to raise funds for new kit and equipment for the team. His diary entry reads: "Job done – 11 hours of hell! The swim was amazing 8am Waswater, followed by a brutal ride over the 2 steepest and highest passes in the Lakes – twice!! Then the hard work started; a run up Scarfell and Scarfell Pike which was more of a walky jog. I've never done anything as hard in my life." Many congratulations Richie – you'll be fit and ready for a game of rugby now!

CLUB NEWS As the season meanders into its third month (gosh how time flies!) there are a number of events you should take note of now. First, on the 5 November there is our Fantastic Fireworks Display, and then on 5 December we have the Members Christmas Lunch (it is a wee bit early but it is our last home league game before the festivities), followed by the 7th Annual Pie-baking Competition on 15 December and then the visit of Father Christmas to lead our Entertaining Carol Sing-a-long on 17 December. The Members Grand Christmas Draw will take place on 20 December and we round off the month with the Annual Ball at the Thistle Hotel on 27 December and then we see in the New Year on 31 December (see Simon Moore for tickets, but make it quick!).

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome Hanson Haigh back to Acklam Park, not that he has refereed us before but he has played here for his club O Crossleyans, where he was a multi-talented player, starting as a three-quarter before moving into the forwards. Hanson has been a referee for 12 years; he is an Operations Manager for a steel stockist. I hope he enjoys his time with us this afternoon.