Matlock Rugby Vice Presidents Newsletter- 19th December 2016

Please see below the latest news from the Matlock Rugby Club:

As we are entering the festive season it gives me great pleasure to publish our last Newsletter of the year with the news that all Matlock Rugby squads were winners on Saturday! Congratulations go to all including our coaches and back room staff. 

WEST BRIDGEFORD 1ST XV 15 MATLOCK 1ST XV   19

The Blue Boys made it four in a row with a narrow win in Nottingham as can be seen from 'Scoop' Tony Hooton's report here.

'Paparazzi' Baker has uploaded his usual standard of photographic genius too:

SCOOP LOEBER REPORT

West Bridgford 2^nd   14    Matlock  2^nd   22

"Unfortunately, there was only one game for our 2^nd and 3^rd teamers as Derby, not for the first time this season, called off the 3^rd team game on Friday evening – too late for as alternative fixture to be found. So it was either Christmas shopping or a trip to West Bridgford with the seconds. Fortunately, Bruce had already his presents bought and wrapped, so a very full Love Bus went to Nottingham.

Bridgford play in the League above us (where we want to be next season) and to come away with a hard earned, but well deserved win, was very pleasing.

Unfortunately, Harry Morton suffered a serious knee injury and our very best wishes go to him.

HALF SEASON REPORT

One of the senior club’s aims at the beginning of the season was to put out 3 sides each week, and I’m delighted to say that we’ve achieved this. Great credit goes to Chris Perry with the seconds and Bruce Johnson and Lee Brant (Milky) in the thirds. They move heaven and earth each week in the form of lots and lots of phone calls, texts, messages and Facebook posts to ensure that we get 3 teams on the pitch.

Of course, if the playing experience isn’t positive and enjoyable, guys will perhaps play one week but not the next. The 3rds have a fine group of senior players who are determined to introduce our youngsters to everything that’s right about senior rugby.

The seconds have great promise and potential. Essentially a young side, they are held together by a group of senior players who are keen to pass on their skills and experience and who demand that the side plays an open attacking style. Jonny Bunting, Elliot Boam, Adam Twyford and Chris Buckley (aided on occasions by Paul Lane) are the glue that makes this team successful.

Finally, it would only be right to report that the seconds (or at least one of their number) were again involved in a punch up on Saturday. Prop Daz Smith took part in a charity boxing night in Nottingham, where he lost on points but did make a mess of his opponent’s face and helped to raise £10,000 for cancer research. Well done mate.

Merry Christmas,

Chris

MATCH DAY – 7TH JANUARY 2017

Both the 1st and 2nd XV are at Newark RUFC on Saturday 7th January. The 3rd XV will be away to Worksop. All games will kick off at 2.15pm

Location details can be downloaded as below:

Newark   

Worksop 

Please continue supporting the Blue Boys!!!

DON’T FORGET – SATURDAY 1ST JULY 2017 

Matlock Rugby will be celebrating their 90th anniversary with a fabulous black tie dinner/dance with top notch entertainment and a wonderful speaker. No not our own Les Davis, he is organising the extravaganza!!! The event will be held in the Members Room at the Derbyshire County Hall in Matlock. As some of you know Les is off to Oz at the beginning of January for 10 weeks and has asked the Vice President's Office to help promote and sell tickets in his absence. Price for this not to be missed event will be £50 per ticket

This is a club function so can I ask if you have any influence in generating financial support from the business community to sponsor parts of the function such as the champagne reception, canapés, table decorations, tombola prizes, etc will be gratefully received. Please let me know sooner rather than later.

Please note that there will be 12 tables x 10.

Finally, may we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year coupled with Blue Boy success for the rest of the season!!!               David Hood & Ian McCuskey

Matlock Blue Boys go further up the league

Matlock Rugby Vice Presidents- Release 14/12/2016 

BLUE BOYS 58 MARKET BOSWORTH 14

A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY

 

A comprehensive 10 try victory pushed the Blue Boys further up the league to 4th place last Saturday with many Vice Presidents in attendance to watch them as well as our glorious 3rd XV who seem to score at will and emulating the 1st XV in the process!!

'Paparazzi' Baker was in his element taking photographs during normal daylight conditions but his expertise was put to the test when the floodlights came on! A great set Colin.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/matlock/photos/matlock-58-v-market-bosworth-14-711488.html

'Scoop' Hooton, at his editorial best and his comprehensive report can be downloaded from:

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/matlock/teams/9812/match-centre/1-2158783

On Saturday, the Blue Boys will be venturing over to West Bridgeford so please continue to support the boys before the Christmas and New Year break. The West Bridgeford officials have kindly invited 6, yes 6, of our Vice Presidents to attend the lunch prior to the game (12.45pm prompt start) so would you let me know if you would like to represent Matlock Rugby. Our 2nd XV will also be playing at West Bridgeford with both games kicking off at 2.15pm so no excuses including Christmas shopping from the Vice Presidents. Just to let you know Derby County are not at home!!!

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/westbridgford/contact

ANOTHER MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY

'Scoop' Loeber reports in as follows on the success of the 3rd XV:

Matlock 3rd    41     Ashbourne 4th   0

On the most perfect December day for rugby the core of Bruce's babies

supplemented by an assortment of 2nd teamers proved to have too much fire

power for our good friends from Ashbourne. In contrast to last week's Battle

of Ashfield, this was rugby as it should be - hard, fair and (for the most

part) good humoured!

Our forwards had to work hard to produce good ball for our backs to run with

- and run they did with all tries coming from the backs, although forwards

and backs did exchange passes for a couple.

Up front Tom Neville played like a spring chicken for 20 minutes before

retreating to the quiet of the subs bench, but special mention up front

should be made of young Ethan Donnelly who found himself in the unaccustomed

position of main lineout jumper -  and a good job he did too.

Harry Boyd shared scrum half duties with his mentor Steve Marsden, and then

found himself playing against Steve, as the Youlgrave wizard kindly

volunteered to move over to our visitors when they lost a man to injury. A

sporting gesture which was suitably recognized by the fines committee who

fined him for playing for the opposition!

In the backs Jake Richards starred on the wing, running in a brace.

This Saturday sees all 3 teams away. The challenge is to get 3 teams out -

so if any VP's are suffering from delusions of youth they should make

themselves known!

The seconds accompany the first team to West Bridgeford and the thirds make

the short trip to Derby to face Derby 4th's. All games kick off at 2.15.

RON BROOME

It is with great sadness we were informed of Vice President Ron's passing on 30th September aged 89. As some of you know, Ron was a past captain of Matlock. His daughter, Emma, contacted me on Monday to apologise for not being in touch sooner. Her father died suddenly at home and she wanted to let everyone know that he always spoke fondly of the Old Baileans and was still paying his VP subs each year. Emma has seen plenty of photos from his earlier years when he used to play for the club, which meant a lot to him. RIP

MATLOCK RUFC CELEBRATE 90 YEARS

Date for your diary - On Saturday 1st July 2017 Matlock Rugby will be celebrating their 90th anniversary with a fabulous black tie dinner/dance with top notch entertainment and a wonderful speaker. No not our own Les Davis, he is organising the extravaganza!!! The event will be held in the Members Room at the Derbyshire County Hall in Matlock. As some of you know Les is off to Oz at the beginning of January for 10 weeks and has asked the Vice President's Office to help promote and sell tickets in his absence. Price for this not to be missed event will be £50 per ticket

This is a club function so can I ask if you have any influence in generating financial support from the business community to sponsor parts of the function such as the champagne reception, canapés, table decorations, tombola prizes, etc. will be gratefully received. Please let me know sooner rather than later.

As most of you know this will conveniently double up with the British Lions second test against New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on the same day. We could be celebrating by then?

If you wish to place your name on the 'interested' list please note that there will be 12 tables x 10.

(Release from David Hood- Matlock Rugby)