In the Spotlight Decland Caulfield

Home , National League 1, National League 2 South

BSRFC OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME

IN THE SPOTLIGHT DECLAND CAULFIELD

THE MOVE UP TO YOUTH MINI RUGBY TO YOUTH RUGBY

A CHEEKY CHRISTMAS PRESENT BSRFC GIRLS AND LADIES UPDATE

NATIONAL LEAGUE 1 BISHOP’S STORTFORD RFC V ESHER RFC £15 13th October 2018

Members £5 This beautiful programme has been produced using the very latest printing gizmos!

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- 2 - PRESIDENT’S WELCOME MICK COLEMAN

I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone The Blues, fielding a visiting Silver Leys today, especially to officials, very young inexperienced side, narrowly lost their players and supporters from Esher, who provide match with Chinnor, but they put in one hell of a today’s opposition to both the 1st XV and the Blues. performance, and Chinnor certainly knew they’d Neither Esher or ourselves have got off to a great been in a match. start this season, although both clubs enjoyed excellent wins last week, proving that virtually any Off the field, Chinnor proved themselves to be side in this league can beat any other. Indeed, just 3 excellent hosts, not only welcoming our Smiles 4 points currently separate 9 teams. Miles cyclists, but also generously donating to the Aurora Rea treatment fund, which currently stands We are definitely in the smug zone after last week’s at an astonishing £20,313. All those involved with victory away at the then league leaders Chinnor. the ride, from cyclists, support teams, sponsors Oh, how we enjoy our victories down there, and this and organisers should feel massively proud of one was certainly no exception! In the week leading themselves, not just for the money raised but for up to the match, the Stortford physio’s were the actually completing the 70 odd mile route in some busiest people in the club, but even their skills and horrible conditions. Well done everyone concerned! hard work were unable to work miracles, and we Today’s Man of the Match sponsor is Sam Prior of had over 20 first team squad players unavailable Bit Solution, and corporate sponsors are Mantle, through injury. Luckily, along with some of our own NFU and Radleys. Your ongoing support is greatly youngsters, we were also able to field 4 Saracen appreciated. academy players to plug some gaping holes, all good lads who quickly bought into the ‘Stortford And finally, it’s good to see so many VP’s and way’. A massive commitment to the defensive cause former players here today, which should ensure laid the foundations, and we eventually ran out excellent beer sales if nothing else. worthy 13-6 winners.

- 3 - BARONS STANSTED. YOUR LOCAL BMW RETAILER. PROUDLY SUPPORTING BISHOPS STORTFORD RFC.

As your local BMW Retailer, and sponsor of Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Football Club, we have a range of fantastic offers for BSRFC members and fans. Barons Stansted offers the highest levels of service and expertise in the local area, and is the only Centre for all of your BMW needs.

Whether it’s a New or Approved Used BMW, or even a Service, our commitment is to maintain the highest of standards.

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*Images used for illustration purposes only. Test drive subject to status and availability. - 4 -

BMW_2017_Q2_PressAd_BSRFCProgramme_Stansted.indd 1 20/04/2017 11:33 DIRECTOR OF RUGBY ANDY LONG

I have been so proud to be associated with the club, and all those who support, for the compassion and sentiment shown through this emotional time.

We have seen the club unite both in grief for the passing of Lee Scott and in massive hope and opportunity in raising money for little Aurora through the Smiles 4 Miles bike ride to Chinnor. Congratulations to all of you who braved the horrendous conditions last Marcus Cattell Tom Coleman week for such a great cause. For me this is what being part of a ‘club’ is about, it’s about standing strong together and supporting each other on and off the field.

I’m extremely proud of the way the squad has reacted to the defeat in Sale, putting in two strong performances. We know if we can Kathy Hills Adam Vine keep this consistency and with the league being so up and down we could quickly climb the table. Only 6 points separates us in 13th and 1st placed Chinnor after 6 rounds, but we know it’s all down to performance.

Today we welcome Esher to Silver Leys who will be no doubt buoyant after a fantastic result last week against Cinderford. We had Ben Sheath Danny Johnston two tough encounters last season and I’m sure we can expect the same today.

Enjoy the game

Longy

Rob Faiers Ash Boyle

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- 6 - The Move up to Youth

Every season, the new U13 age group experiences use the changing rooms • We have to wear smart the change from Mini Rugby to Youth Rugby so clothes at the weekend, but we get better food we thought we would ask them the question of after a match what this change has meant to them and how they have found the first month in youth. Then the parents: • The shirts!!! Less washing! • Ties! • Interesting “What changes have you noticed?” as the first time they are playing actual positions It would be easy to write an article about the requiring different skill sets. changes to the rules at but Under 13, but rather • It is more organised, far better to watch. Great than do that, they thought it would be more to see the boys put into positions. Where did my interesting pose the above question to the age baby go? • It is better to watch and time wise as group as a whole and get the answer from those the boys get to play at least a half • Split Squads who are actually experiencing it; the boys, the • It’s more formal • The boys seem to have parents and the coaches. Here is what they had to matured already, they are taking the game more say………. seriously and really starting to compete for places

The first people to answer this are the boys: And finally, the Coaches: •It’s a lot more formal •It’s more challenging but It’s great to see the kids really having to take more fun • It’s a way bigger pitch - much harder! responsibility for all their actions on the field and • I like the real competition in matches and for off it, I can see them taking different approaches places in teams, it makes you want to get better. to challenges but the outcome will be the same, •Having to be smart is good as you start to feel well-mannered boys that will understand their you are a real part of BSRFC. own value to the community. • It’s harder, because you have to be fitter, run faster and hit harder • It has become a lot more It would seem that this years U13s have embraced strategic • I am enjoying playing full games the changes and we wish them every success in and not short games or festivals. • It is more their first season in Youth Rugby. challenging but I’m enjoying it more! • Ties • The club gives us our shirts • We get to Matt and Susie Woodford.

- 7 - THE PLAYERS BSRFC 1’S XV 2017/18

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A5 Programme BSRFC.indd 1 25/06/2018 16:28:06 NEWS FROM THE BLUES

I’ve been heavily involved with the Blues for struggled to gather any real momentum a number of years now. Even dating back to in the match and at half time the score the days of Dunny being our player/manager. board could have swung in either direction. He was a quality scrum half. It’s mad to think Unfortunately, with the wind head on we that at the age of 26 I’m now one of the couldn’t quite get the go forward ball for our oldest players in the team. We’ve had a large pack we needed to get over the line in the selection of young men come into the team last 10. this season which has been a real boost for us. With a huge amount of talent, confidence This week’s match is back on our home and fight it’s a perfect combination for an patch against Esher who will be looking for ever-developing squad. I’m getting more their first win of the season. The Blues will and more concerned about my safety on the be looking for our 4th win in 5 games and team sheet as the weeks go on. would put us in good stead for our away trip down to Richmond the following week. A lengthy injury list has impacted the squad We’ve had a fantastic start to the season and over the last few weeks. Jack Scantlebury the support has been amazing. Another big and Mark McCraith were called up to the 1st Saturday up at Silver Leys will hopefully not team. Meaning a slight reshuffle in the pack disappoint. If you get a chance try and have and in the midfield. On the plus side, Sam a quick watch of our game on pitch 2. We Coleman has been declared fit to play after a play some great rugby! while on the side-lines and it is great to have him back in the squad. Have a great day and COYB’s!!!

Last week’s poor weather conditions away Jamie Campbell at Chinnor sadly dictated the game which finished 13-7 to the home side. Both teams

- 14 - PROUD SPONSORS OF Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club

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BSRFC A5 Whole college OM.indd 1 01/08/2018 16:21 TODAY’S OPPOSITION ESHER RFC

The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts met in a pub and decided to form a rugby club. One of them, a Welshman insisted that the new club should adopt his native Welsh club’s colours. Which is why Esher play in the same Black and Amber as Newport to this day.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Esher had moved to its present site in Molesey Rd and were fielding eight sides, but war disrupted activities and the pitches were ploughed up for food production. Post war amazingly they ran as many as fifteen sides each Saturday!

Esher were first promoted to National League 2 South in 1998. In 2007 they were promoted to National One and again just three years later to the Championship in a season that famously saw them set a new world record in beating Manchester 148 – 0. They played in the Championship for two seasons before being relegated back into National League 1 for the 2012–13 season.

In 2013 they finished Runners up; & in the years since have always finished comfortably mid-table. Last season they finished just one spot lower than us in 9th. They have had a ‘challenging’ start to this accumulated just the 11 points from their six games to date. Their two wins came at home against Cambridge (17-10) & last weekend vs Cinderford (10-7).

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the physio sports injury clinic The Physio & Sports Injury Clinic based at Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club, supporting BSRFC from Minis to Seniors. We treat all age groups and abilities, providing Quality Treatment for all types of muscle and joint problems in a Friendly and Supportive atmosphere by Experienced Chartered Physiotherapists. Proud Sponsor of Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club

For appointments and information contact 07944 394096 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.physio-and-sports-injury-clinic.co.uk Clinics Monday-Saturday with evening appointments available

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18484 IPA Support Bishops Stortford RFC.indd 1 27/07/2015 15:46 HR GO RECRUITMENT SUPPORTING BISHOP’S STORTFORD LADIES RFC

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Seneca Reid Ltd T 01279 874480 Thremhall House, Thremhall Park E [email protected] Start Hill, Bishop’s Stortford W www.senecareid.co.uk Hertfordshire, CM22 7WE - 31 - RESULTS GRID, TABLE & FIXTURES NATIONAL LEAGUE 1 Sale 8.12 3.11 9.03 24.11 22.12 36-36 40-31 12.01 13.04 30.03 32-27 5.01 9.02 2.02 9.03 8.12 3.11 5-38 Roth 16.02 13.04 24.11 28-22 27.10 30.03 19.01 20.10 3.11 2.02 9.03 24.11 23-15 20.10 16.02 RossPk 5.01 2.03 12.01 27.04 26.01 1.12 6.04 23.03 17.11 34-33 42-19 13.10 27.04 21-24 15.12 Plym A OE's 3.11 9.03 12.01 30.03 8.12 13.10 29-36 2.02 13.04 9.02 22.12 24.11 32-2620.10 8.12 30.03 26.01 13.04 16.02 33-34 27.10 29-12 ROUNDS 16-30 ROUNDS 8.12 24.11 10-21 30.03 L'boro 2.03 9.02 5.01 1.12 17.11 42-38 6.04 Esher 23.03 2.03 19.01 17.11 27.10 37-24 27.04 15.12 15-0 DMP 23-26 13.10 57-25 31-22 27.10 13.10 13.04 26.01 12.01 22.12 9.02 26.01 2.02 9.03 22.12 13.04 9.03 10-7 3.11 3.11 8.12 31-2943-19 16.02 30.03 12.01 22.12 19.01 16.02 20.10 24.11 35-20 43-34 Chin Cind 8.12 11-26 13.04 20-22 22.12 1.12 27.10 15.12 6.04 2.03 27.04 19.01 2.03 26.01 23.03 9.02 12.01 5.01 6-13 19.01 23.03 9.02 6.04 17.11 13.10 1.12 15.12 17.11 23-24 36-41 27.10 21-26 17-10 14-20 1.12 8-39 20.10 27.04 23.03 5.01 2.02 2.03 Caldy Camb 17.11 9.03 3.11 20.10 6-13 24-27 5.01 27.04 2.02 19.01 22-8 26-24 24.11 20.10 24-14 30.03 16.02 2.02 19.01 5.01 16.02 2.02 BSRFC ROUNDS 1 to 15 3.11 Bir M 13.04 38-27 15.12 1.12 22.12 30.03 13.10 25-1712.01 15.12 6.04 23.03 20.10 7-36 24.11 6.04 9.03 2.03 16.02 Bkhth 13.10 22.12 33-22 8.12 17.11 26.01 15.12 6.04 9.02 9.02 5.01 17-5 20-21 1.12 2.03 Ampt 19.01 27.10 1.1213.10 27.10 52-8 26.01 30-27 38-33 23.03 12.01 26.0127.04 27.04 23.03 6.04 17.11 15.12 FIXTURE SCHEDULE & RESULTS GRID 2018-19 Ampt Bckhth Bir M BSRFC Caldy Camb Chin Cind DMP Esher L'boro OE's Plym A RossPk Roth Sale - 32 - Season 2018/2019 NATIONAL 1 Results From 6th October Home Team Away Team Ampthill 6-13 Cambridge Plymouth Albion 24-14 Caldy Esher 10-7 Cinderford Chinnor 6-13 Bishop’s Stortford Loughborough Students 5-38 Rotherham Sale FC 42-38 Old Elthamians Birmingham Moseley 36-41 Darlington Mowden Park Blackheath 23-15 Rosslyn Park Season 2018/2019 NATIONAL 1 Fixtures for 13th October Home Team Away Team Cambridge Vs Blackheath Caldy Vs Ampthill Cinderford Vs Plymouth Albion Bishop’s Stortford Vs Esher Rotherham Vs Chinnor Old Elthamians Vs Loughborough Students Darlington Mowden Park Vs Sale FC Rosslyn Park Vs Rosslyn Park

National League 1 - 2018/19 Team P W D L PF PA PD TBP LBP Points Chinnor 6 4 0 2 142 125 17 3 2 21 Old Elthamians 6 4 0 2 186 171 15 4 1 21 Caldy 6 4 0 2 169 149 20 3 1 20 Darlington Mowden Park 6 4 0 2 165 157 8 4 0 20 Cambridge 6 3 1 2 131 121 10 2 2 18 Sale FC 6 3 1 2 184 178 6 3 1 18 Cinderford 6 3 0 3 160 134 26 3 3 18 Ampthill & District 6 3 0 3 155 144 11 4 2 18 Blackheath 6 4 0 2 127 96 31 1 0 17 Rotherham 6 3 0 3 173 148 25 3 2 17 Plymouth Albion 6 3 0 3 122 119 3 3 2 17 Rosslyn Park 6 3 0 3 158 156 2 3 1 16 Bishop’s Stortford 6 3 0 3 170 112 58 2 1 15 Esher 6 2 0 4 104 143 -39 1 2 11 Birmingham Moseley 6 1 0 5 149 207 -58 2 3 9 Loughborough Students 6 0 0 6 105 240 -135 1 1 2

- 33 - Referee Richard Haughton Assistant Referee 1 Simon Bourne THE TEAMS Assistant Referee 2 Matthew Todd Assessor David Morgan

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR BAR LICENCE SPECIFICALLY FORBIDS THE TAKING OF GLASSES AND GLASS BOTTLES ONTO THE FIELD. REUSABLE, RIGID PLASTIC GLASSES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BAR, SO PLEASE ASK FOR ONE, IF YOU INTEND TO TAKE YOUR DRINK OUTSIDE BISHOP’S STORTFORD 1ST XV BLUE AND WHITE

1 Seb Brownhill Henry Paul 1 2 Sam Crean Devlin Hope 2 3 Tom McCrone Matthew Lowes 3 4 Jon George Devin Montgomery 4 5 Matt Tomlinson Graham Logan 5 6 James Apperley Cameron Gentles 6 7 Dan Elsom Charlie Gossington © 7 8 Andy Christie Izzy Moore-Aino 8 9 Tom Banks Jack Walsh 9 10 Manu Vunipola Paul Roberts 10 11 Jimmy Rea Karim Irving 11 12 Reuben Bird-Tulloch Basil Strang 12 13 Sam Winter © Daniel Rowland 13 14 Rob Duff Tom James 14 15 Tom Walker Lloyd Davies 15 REPLACEMENTS Man of the Match Corporate Sponsors REPLACEMENTS 16 Declan Caulfield Cameron Zeiss 25 17 Louis Castiglione Rhodri Tanner 17 18 Mark McCraith Harrison Collins 18 19 Jack Scantlebury Owen Waters 19 20 Ben Creasey James Brooks 20

Director of Rugby Andy Long | Team Manager Darren Orbart | Lead Physio Kathy Hills | Assistant Physio Adam Mufti | Assistant Physio Tom Phillips Defence Coach Marcus Cattell | Attack and Backs Coach Tom Coleman | Blues Head Coach Danny Johnston Backs Transition Coach Ash Boyle | Forwards Transition Coach Rob Faiers Head of Strength and Conditioning Ben Sheath |- Assistant34 - strength and conditioning coach - Adam Vine Referee Richard Haughton Assistant Referee 1 Simon Bourne THE TEAMS Assistant Referee 2 Matthew Todd Assessor David Morgan

Director of Rugby Ricky Nebbett | Head Coach Tom Williams | Defence Coach Tom Cheeseman | Manager Jim Kelly | Physio Chris Bestwick - 35 - 20 Rectory Lane, Farnham, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 1HU, Email: [email protected]

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£14.45 - 38 - MATCH REPORT

With a strong wind blowing the steady rain almost straight down the pitch.

Stortford played the first half against the elements line. He then put in a pinpoint grubber kick to and, not surprisingly had to withstand a lot of the opposition try line, where a good team chase pressure, with the home backs using the wind forced the covering defenders over the line for to great effect to kick for territory. This led a 5-metre scrum. For the first time in the game to extended periods with Chinnor’s forwards one pack managed to force the other cleanly hammering at Stortford’s line, during which backwards and it was the Stortford 8 that were the visitors showed immense character and surging forward. With a couple of meters still determination, as well as a lot of technique in to go to the line, the home front row clearly repelling drive after drive. Stortord also showed collapsed the scrum and the referee had no remarkable skill in running through many phases hesitation in awarding a penalty try with barely 2 of handling rugby through both forwards and minutes of the half gone. backs to deprive the opposition of the ball, but time after time, Chinnor managed to turn the ball Stortford dominated most of the half territorially over and push back into the visitors’ 22 with some in the same way that Chinnor had in the first good kicking. period and were likewise rewarded with 2 penalty goals, kicked by debutant flyhalf, Manu Vunipola The defence stood strong though and ironically, after 17 and 38 minutes. Despite incurring yellow it was after another successful Stortford drive cards to Seb Brownhill for scrum offences and upfield that the first score came, when a penalty James Apperley for a late tackle after 8 and 39 was given for a breakdown offence close to minutes respectively, Stortford were able to see halfway 13 minutes into the game and flyhalf, out the game, though not without a few nerves Caolan Ryan stepped up to boot the kick over the towards the end, as Chinnor showed ever more bar with yards to spare. More Chinnor pressure led adventure in their desperation to close the deficit. to another penalty after 30 minutes, allowing Ryan to double his side’s lead. Stortford again showed A tremendous win in a hugely hard-fought match great character in running through the phases to was earned by Stortford’s superb defence, taking force their way out of defence and eventually a 4 valuable league points away from high-flying good break by Jimmy Rea in midfield took them Chinnor. close to the Chinnor 22, leading to a period of concerted pressure on the home line, which almost A second major achievement of the day brought a try, but the ball was lost forward, as a needs to be recorded in the charity bike ride Stortford forward stretched across the line, after a completed by almost 40 Stortford supporters tremendous team drive. A 6-0 deficit against such in the hostile weather conditions to raise funds a strong attacking side as Chinnor with the wind for crucial therapy treatments for Aurora Rea. at their backs was an excellent halftime result for Congratulations to all those that did the ride and the visitors and just reward for some outstanding thanks to all those who contributed sponsorship defence. and donations to this great cause, among whom a highly honourable mention must go to the The second period started with a long Stortford Committee and members of Chinnor, who showed dropout and a good take by Tom Walker of a huge support for the event - you did your club clearing Chinnor kick and an immediate pass to proud. Rea saw the winger break through the chasing

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The best thing about this being my ninth season They are hosting a table at the lunch today in the 1st XV is that the young guns in the senior so please take a moment to offer them your squad can’t remember how I used to play. So as condolences. far as they are aware I am faster than Christian Cullen, as strong as Jason Leonard and as skilful Enjoy the game, Dec as Dan Carter but I’m just carrying a couple of injuries at the moment. As for the wrinklies, they are now all so old they can’t remember where they put their beer down let alone how I used to play. It is amazing to see how much the team and the club have gone from strength to strength as the seasons have gone on, with players climbing through the ranks of the club from Minis to 1st XV

This is a very exciting season for the club. With the league having no standout front runners as yet, we believe we can be up the top with the best of them come the end of the season. Competition for places means training has been harder, faster, and more intense. Although, I think that was just a tactic to get Mark McCraith to finally retire as we can’t afford the tape which keeps him together.

I have achieved more than I could have thought with BSRFC, having won two National League titles and a couple of Presidents Cups. The last three years have been my favourite to date. Winning promotion down in Exmouth will be a memory I will hold dear for a very long time. Along with the long away trips singing ‘Oh Stort are we’ and Tomo’s insistence that we play Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the hill’ after every win.

There have been 3 consistencies throughout my rugby career. Firstly, as my age goes up so does my weight. Secondly, there is always time for one more Guinness and most importantly come rain or shine, up and down the country you will always get a bus load of the Stortford faithful.

The hardest part of playing for Stortford is that the supporters and sponsors make it impossible to buy them a thank you beer after the game. Especially my sponsor, who happens to live in Italy! You don’t have to look far to see our One Club ethos from people volunteering on Saturdays and Sundays to the members of Club Stortford. I experienced this first hand when I wanted a career change. I had people offering to help left, right and centre. With NFU Mutual, Jack Scantlebury’s sponsor, pulling the short straw and having me as the new member of their team. - 43 - Nuffield Health – Specialist in you

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NOW IN ITS FIFTH SEASON, CLUB STORTFORD WAS SET UP BY A SMALL WORKING PARTY, TO SUPPORT THE 1STXV SQUAD AFTER PROMOTION TO NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY IN 2013/14. OUR AIM IS “TO ENSURE BISHOP’S STORTFORD RFC HAS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY AND CONTINUES TO NURTURE HOME GROWN TALENT.”

Working in conjunction with the 1stXV coaching team, CS provides funding for various expenditure beyond the financial resources of the main club.

Director of Rugby, Andy Long, has reiterated on a number of occasions the importance he attaches to the financial support given by Club Stortford. Quite simply, without it’s support, the team would not be able to perform at such currently high levels.

We continue to look for new members, to allow us to broaden and deepen the extent of our support.

We would urge you to consider joining Club Stortford. If you are interested and would like further information, please contact our secretary,

Russell Cattell 07778 101988

- 46 - THE OVAL CLUB

The Oval Club was established in 1998 with the mission statement “To contribute towards promoting the highest possible standard of rugby throughout Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Football Club”

The Oval Club is autonomous and entirely independent of BSRFC’s financial and administrative functions. Members of the Oval Club contribute each month by standing order to raise funds to support one off projects within the Rugby Club which should be of benefit to the whole club and to provide social events for Oval Club members.

Since its inception The Oval Club has contributed more than £150,000 towards the cost of BSRFC projects such as:

Drainage and floodlighting of the No 1 and back pitches Improvement and maintenance of all playing surfaces Protective fencing around back pitches Funding the cost of the use of additional playing surfaces Supporting Minis and Youth sections Refurbishment of changing rooms and showers

Regular social events are organised for and enjoyed by Oval Club members each year.

The Oval Club has played a considerable part in donating much needed funds to enable BSRFC to provide facilities and to enhance its reputation in the local and rugby communities.

Membership of the Oval Club is currently 76 and any member of BSRFC who is interested in joining the Oval Club should contact the Secretary, John Robinson, via [email protected]

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- 53 - - 54 - BSRFC Girls and Ladies Update By Nikky Wilkins

It’s been rather a quiet few weeks for BSRFC A Cheeky Christmas Present Girls and Ladies Team. Following the success of the Ladies Team on 15th September against You might think it’s a little early to start thinking Harpenden, our Ladies were very much looking about Christmas (but probably not, unless you’re forward to a couple of weeks’ rest before a game a last-minute-Christmas-Eve-present-buyer), two weeks later. Unfortunately, this game was but the BSRFC Ladies are incredibly pleased to postponed as Welwyn Garden City couldn’t field announce that you will very shortly be able to buy a full team. our BRAND NEW cheeky calendar.

However, this means that the Ladies will be fully On sale soon, the calendars will be available in recovered and ready for battle by the next match desk or wall calendar formats and sold online and on 21st October, an away match against Fullerians. through the club shop. At £10 each (plus postage if bought online) these calendars are in aid of The Eve Appeal, a charity which raises awareness and On the other hand, the BSRFC Girls have been funds ground-breaking awareness into the five very busy gaining valuable match experience and gynaecological cancers. developing their skills and bond as teams. With the aim of raising as much money as we On 23rd September, the U13s and U15s possibly can for this charity, our ladies stood experienced a hugely triumphant festival in strongly for body positivity and empowering as Sudbury, closely followed by a moonlit festival many women as we could. We obviously wouldn’t the following Friday. In addition to this, the Girls have been able to do this without our sponsors, – including the brand new U11s – took part in Charterhouse Voice and Data, HR Go, and an away fixture for a mixed training and match Nockolds Solicitors, and of course, the wonderful session at Letchworth RFC. Andy Todd (who was very professional, and is probably owed quite a few apologies from the The coaches are very keen to develop these Girls ladies who took part…). teams further, and despite the departures of a couple of coaches (halfway across the world) two We owe a very special thanks to Amwell Electrical new coaches have been recruited to help them who VERY kindly paid for the printing of the calendar. Their generosity means that we are able through the number of forthcoming festivals to donate 100% of all profits to The Eve Appeal throughout this season. – make sure to keep an eye out for when they go on sale! BSRFC Girls and Ladies train every Tuesday. Girls (U11-U18) from 6.15pm to 7.15pm, and Ladies (17+) from 7.15pm to 9pm.

Each of our Teams welcome girls and women of every shape, size and fitness level.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to join, contact us on one of our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) or email [email protected].

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Tickets bought on the night will cost more No Re-admittance. No Sparklers.

Thank you to Hanbury Wealth, Proud Sponsors | of Bishop’s Stortford RFC Fireworks Display 2018 Hard work but hopefully worth it. By Perry Oliver

We’ve advertised this year as being the 16th Chapter in our Fireworks history but in truth it’s more like the 20th. That contradiction is explained by the fact that the genesis of the event can be traced back to Saturday 7th November 1998 when, as a 5th team, ‘the Mighty Fifths’, we decided to let off a few boxes of ‘Standard’ Fireworks whilst huddled around a disposable BBQ purely for the entertainment of ourselves & our families. The following year we invited the other teams to join us and, as they say, the rest is history. This is though, the 16th time we’ve invited paying guests to join us for what is now certainly one of, if not the, largest display in East Herts. It has in effect become the de facto ‘Town’ display, regularly attracting between Three & Four Thousand people to the club.

However it hasn’t always been the extravaganza we will, fingers crossed, once again enjoy on 3rd November. In the early years of its ‘professionalism’ in typical Stortford fashion we used to buy the industrial grade fireworks in and let them off ourselves. It seemed like a good idea until one soggy year when a few of our bigger purchases repeatedly failed to light & I made the nearly fatal mistake of returning to a previously lit rocket. As I bent over to reignite the device it went off and in doing so hit the peak of my baseball cap with such force that it knocked it off my head! That was it! From then on we brought in the professionals – Essex Pyrotechnics, but I do still insist each year on wearing my lucky cap.

Obviously safely hosting an event that attracts so many paying guests takes a lot of planning. Long gone are the days of only deciding who’s buying the fireworks and who’s getting the sausages the week before. Nowadays planning for next year’s event will start within days of us concluding this one. The 14 strong organising committee meets at least four times in the weeks immediately preceding the event, trying to anticipate every eventuality.

Inevitably as the event has grown so have the costs associated with getting it off the ground. You simply cannot plan for welcoming, entertaining, feeding & watering 4,000 people without some prior investment. I try not to think too much about it but the reality is, it costs us nearly £13k to host. So we need to sell a lot of tickets & burgers before we break even. Bad weather – or more accurately rain is our nemesis. It can be cold but provided it’s dry we know the people will come. That’s why we are so grateful to our sponsors Hanbury Wealth and long- time supporters Intercounty Estate Agents for the assistance they provide in helping to mitigate our exposure.

Cometh the day a small army of club volunteers will help us set up the site, host the display & then late into the night deconstruct it all, so we can play rugby the next day. It’s a long, tiring day but one which can, provided ‘the sun shines’, be very rewarding.

I don’t know the exact figures but I reckon in 15 years we must have contributed at least £100k to the clubs coffers, money which, we as a committee, insist is spent on projects that will benefit the whole club.

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BS A5 ad Jul2018.indd 1 05/07/2018 11:52:32 - 64 - BISHOP’S STORTFORD RFC MATCH DAY EXPERIENCE

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE 1ST XV

As part of the Clubs ethos ‘to be a strong 1 Match. The day kicks off with a Q&A in and successful rugby club united from the 1st XV Changing Room, followed by Senior to Mini’s, trusted and valued by our Training, Games & Warm up Sessions with community’ the BSRFC Director of Rugby, the Coaches and Players. They then form Andy Long, Club Captain Sam Winter, & the “Players Tunnel” alongside the “Blazers” the rest of the 1st XV Squad provide an to welcome both the opposition and the 1st insight for our “Mini & Junior” Members XV onto the pitch before the game. Their into what goes on behind the scenes as experience culminates with Post Match the Players prepare for a National League Photos alongside the Players.