WELCOME Today, for the second successive home game, we face a team who have just beaten the previously dominant Malton & Norton, and undoubtedly they will be coming to us looking to build on that result and 'do the double' to finish their season with a flourish. After our own success at Wath it should make for a cracking game of rugby this afternoon and I am absolutely delighted to welcome Yarnbury to Acklam Park, for what might well be their first visit to us at senior level.

Up to 3 January our visitors had played eight home games, and won them all – including a 28-13 win against us – but they'd won only one of their away matches, at N Ribblesdale on 20 December. Unfortunately as a result of losing players to injury and unavailability they then lost six of their next seven games, the exception being a 16-12 home win against York. Until Saturday, when they had the satisfaction of defeating M&N by 30-27.

Looking back just a year or two I remember Yarnbury narrowly failing in a gallant attempt to snatch the North East Three championship from Westoe. They needed to triumph by a staggering 76 clear points to take the title but although they overwhelmed Ryton the final score was 83-16, an agonising winning margin of a mere 67 points! Winger John Bramham scored six of their 13 tries while Steve Riley tagged on nine conversions. When was this heroic attempt? Fifteen years ago, in April 2000.

MATCH NEWS Last week we scored six tries, five converted by Jack, to beat Wath 5-40, and yet Wath had the majority of possession! A late withdrawal saw Aaron move up from the bench to play openside with Ped coming onto the bench, along with a long-awaited return of Toddy. The team was also graced with the experience of Lee Richardson and Wrighty. We could not have got off to a better start with a break by Tarmac that was finished off by Rhys after only three minutes. The same Northallerton one-two added a second try, when a crunching tackle by Tarmac dislodged the ball which was picked up by Rhys on his own 22 and plonked down between the posts at the other end for one of the solo tries of the season. But apart from that, Wath enjoyed a lot of possession and did score from a rolling maul. After our second try we conceded a string of penalties culminating in centres Bellers and then Mike getting 10 minutes in the bin. But shortly after this, in a period of eight minutes, tries from Rhys (his hat-trick), Simmo and Bellers tore the heart out of Wath’s challenge. Rhys rounded off a very satisfactory afternoon for him and the team by adding his fourth try.

Our previous match was at home to Selby three weeks ago. Despite the late withdrawals of captain Bellers, Matty John and Euan, which gave an opportunity to young lads Matty Ivin, Aaron Lawson and Joe Grant, we ran out comfortable 30-10 winners. Rhys and Richie Horton gave us a 10-0 lead, but Selby didn't come to play second fiddle and levelled the score at 10-10. As the half was drawing to a close, Jack kicked a difficult penalty to give us a lead of 13-10 ahead of the advantage of the blustery wind in the second half. This belonged mostly to us with the game played almost exclusively in the Selby half. It got off to a cracking start, when, in the 47th minute, Brad, in his 300th first team game, picked up the ball from the base of a 5m scrum and carried three defenders with him to score a try. Magic! Jack added the conversion and a penalty before Tarmac added the fourth bonus-point try late in the game. In between Selby had continued to try to play attacking rugby and the scoreline had not felt completely comfortable. Credit to our visitors for their contribution to an entertaining match, as well as to Carl Walsh, a late replacement as referee, who communicated well with the players, was consistent and kept good control of the game. And, Simmo has a 100% record as captain!

Jonno's report on the exciting Wasps CANDY Cup match at Tynedale is included in this issue, a game we lost by two points in extra time. Not that we were complaining too much, as it was a relief to play a game against them; we are so used to our fixtures being called off. Following a narrow 10-12 defeat to Guisborough the Lions bounced back last week to beat Thirsk 26-5, whilst the Senior Colts made the short trip to West Hartlepool and returned with a 27-17 victory, They travel a little further today, to Westoe. This week information on the Juniors appears on p16

CLUB NEWS Sadly we have seen two deaths this month – Rod Young, a Junior coach here 20 years ago, bringing the likes of Peter Wright, Dave Hinchley and David Richardson through the age groups, and Ken Sibbald, a player from earlier times. Our sympathies go to their families. And news of two more recent former players; Carl Kirwan, captain of London Welsh when they earned promotion to the Premiership but who missed the majority of this season to injury, is joining Worcester, and now that he is 30 years old Neil Baggett has transferred his allegiance from Henley, a level 3 club, to Windsor (level 6) – not that Old Father Time has fixed his beady eye on him, but with two children and a wedding to plan this Spring Bank Holiday he was keen to reduce his travelling time. Our very best wishes to Neil and his bride-to-be, AND of course to our very own Tracy and Simon, expecting their first-born in a mere two-and-a-half months. You wouldn't know it by looking at the ever-slimline Tracy, until you catch sight of the beaming grin across Simon's face.

And amidst the congratulations and good wishes let me include the indefatigable Bernie Coyne, who has been rewarded for his non-stop devotion to our cause by winning £1,000 in our 250 Club monthly draw. Here's a thought; why not join Bernie in the draw – just think what you could do with £1,000, and it's only a fiver a month. See the advert on p5 or collar Stu Micklewright (07909 744114).

And can I remind you that the members reunion is before our next, and last, home game this season, against Bridlington on 18 April. If you've not already done so please let Stu Micklewright know you will attend; his deadline is Saturday 11 April. The following month we have the Annual Dinner and Presentation Night at the Sporting Lodge on Friday 8 May. To reserve your place please see your captain, coach, Don Brydon or Richard Ward. The Junior Dinner is the following Friday at the same venue.

SPONSORS Originally today's match was to be sponsored by Barker & Stonehouse together with Charles Clinkard, but as many of you will know today is the Grand Opening of the very impressive new Barker & Stonehouse outlet at the entrance to Teesside Retail Park by Mary 'Queen of Cakes' Berry. The twin sponsors will now be here in three weeks for our our last game of the season against Bridlington.

REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome back from Egypt (returning especially for our game?) Mike Ramsden, a referee with 35 years experience who first refereed us when our numbers included Rory Underwood and Rob Andrew as young whipper-snappers launching their careers. He also has the distinction of being one half of the only father-and-son combination to take charge of our 1st XV – son Nick was the referee when we played O Brods three seasons ago. Mike was a full back at Harrogate, making his début at the same time as Peter Squires in a team which included Roger Shackleton and Geoff Cook. He is a legal eagle, working as a trainer in the legal department of Minster Law in York. It's a little while since we've seen Mike – I hope he enjoys his visit this afternoon.