Phoenix RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
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I SSUE 61 REDDITCH Celebrating their 50th anniversary BLAENAVON A fantastic community establishment THE SIX NATIONS England claim Grand Slam glory Contemporary Indian Cuisine To book a Table call today Fully Licensed & Air Conditioned 01296 630 110 Parking available 01296 631 900 We aim to provide the best possible food and service. Once you have entered Mela, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will offer you the care and attention that benefits a quality modern restaurant. Quality food begins with careful selection of raw materials. We buy all our vegetables, rice, flour, herbs, spices, meat (G.M. free) and fish from suppliers who we trust to provide us with top quality fresh ingredients. Herbs and spices are essential in creating distinctive flavours of the Indian sub- continent. We grind and expertly blend our spices to ensure absolute freshness. 10% off for all food and drink for Aylesbury Rugby Football Club members AWARDED 5 STARS FOR FOOD HYGIENE BY AYLESBURY VALE COUNCIL SINCE 2009 Opening Times: 6pm – 11pm A LA Carte Menu Open every day inc. Bank Holidays www.melarestaurants.co.uk 103 London Road, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5LD ISSUE 61 CLUBS IN PROFILE 74 STAINES 04 SIX NATIONS 76 WORTHING 07 BLAENAVON 80 PENYBANC 10 SCUNTHORPE 82 STANFORD 14 EFFINGHAM AND LEATHERHEAD 86 BUDE 18 SOUTHAM 88 NORTH HYKEHAM 20 CARNOUSTIE 91 WISBECH 23 PHOENIX 94 WEYBRIDGE VANDALS 27 AYLESBURY 31 HORNETS K 34 ORPINGTON IC W HERTFORD 36 N 38 REDDITCH L A 43 GUERNSEY RAIDERS 8 5 50 WHITSTABLE . p 53 ANNAN 58 ALNWICK 60 OLD GRAVESENDIANS 64 MOFFAT 66 REEDS WEYBRIDGE 70 SHOOTERS HILL PUBLISHED BY PROCESS PUBLISHING LTD SUITE 1, SAVILLE EXCHANGE, HOWARD STREET, NORTH SHIELDS, NORTH TYNESIDE NE30 1SE WWW.SPORTIP.BIZ BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER WILLIAM TURNER T: : 07867 492143 E: [email protected] ADMIN: T: 0191 447 6161 E: [email protected] MEDIA DIRECTORS DAVE LOCKER T: (01388) 309035 E: [email protected] JOANNE BROWN T: 0191 447 2512 E: [email protected] | HARRY VIZE T: 0191 447 2376 E: [email protected] EDITOR IN CHIEF JAMIE SEYMOUR T: 0191 447 0804 E: [email protected] HEAD OF DESIGN MATTHEW MURPHY T: 0191 447 5755 E:[email protected] No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any mean, or stored in a retrieval system without prior written permission, except as permitted under the copyright designs and patents act 1998. Applications for permission for use of copyright material shall be made to the publishers. © PROCESS PUBLISHING LTD ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FOLLOW US ONLINE www.sportip.biz 3 TWITTER.COM/@ RUGBYCLUBMAG Six Nations FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG 4 Issue 61 Six Nations ngland clinched the Grand Slam in Paris to end a thirteen year wait for the triumph and lay to rest some of the ghosts from their World Cup campaign. All the Eteams came into came into the tournament looking to improve in key areas for various reasons and Rugby Club Magazine takes a look at how things went for each side. England England’s results could not have been better with five wins out of five and as they look to build for the future establishing a base to build upon was perhaps the main priority. There were plenty of positives in this regard as well with Dylan Hartley, George Kruis, Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell all looking like they may be key players for many years to come. Hartley also looked to be a fine choice as captain whilst the emergence of Maro Itoje should mean that England’s second row has the talent and depth to be one of the best around. Add to this the improvements made at the set-piece and breakdown and England couldn’t have had a much better tournament. There is still plenty of room for improvement however and tougher tests lie ahead for Eddie Jones’ England side. France The appointment of Guy Novés led to the belief that France would be returning to the free flowing, unpredictable style of attacking rugby that they were once famed for. That did not quite materialise as they struggled to create the space needed to set their flair players free. The relationship between club and international rugby made it hard for a French side with a number of changes to gel and they can take heart from the fact that their best performance came in their final game. Add to that the return of Louis Picamoles and the French probably have more potential to improve between now and 2017 than any other side. Ireland All of the sides came into this years’ tournament with the idea that they were in transition and this was true for Ireland. Without the retired Paul O’Connell and a number of other players through injury it was always going to be difficult for them to retain their title and so it proved. There was nothing to choose between them and Wales in the first game but disappointing results against France and England meant that Ireland’s defence fell flat. Promising victories against Italy and Scotland provided optimism for the future and they have a real star in CJ Stander. Italy Coming into the tournament they were expected to struggle and five defeats out of five tells its own story. They threw away victory in the opening match against France and collapsed badly against England after competing for much of the game. They never really recovered from these defeats and it has to be hoped that their imminent coaching change will make a difference. The major positive for them was the centre pairing of Gonzalo Garcia and Michele Campagnaro but they need to find more test quality players if they are to progress and quieten the calls for relegation to be introduced. www.sportip.biz 5 Six Nations FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG Scotland Wales Following a promising World Cup there was optimism that Wales continue to be a solid side in the Six Nations and their Scotland would demonstrate the development of their side only dropped points this time around came away to their two during this year’s Six Nations. They finish the tournament with main challengers for the title. Their performance against England plenty of reason to be optimistic for the future but yet to make an was not up to the mark for sixty minutes and it is difficult to see impact on the top sides in the Six Nations. how they will make the step from being a good side to one that Stuart Hogg was one of the standout performers across the can take on the top teams in the game. tournament and Willem Nel also has a good chance of starting for They will continue to prove a stern test for any side in the the Lions. Victory against France should not be underestimated tournament however and with a favourable fixture list next year and Scotland do continue to improve although maybe not as they will be challenging for the title. Whilst they would like to be quickly as they would like. in a better place, where they are right now is not too bad either. “England’s results could not have been better with five wins out of five and as they look to build for the future establishing a base to build upon was perhaps the main priority.” Eddie Jones speaks after the French game. “I am very proud of the boys. We weren’t at our best today, but the result than playing, and the second half we were much more we battled through and really deserved the victory. It is a great positive in the way we played. achievement by the team. “The great thing is that the best is still ahead of us. We are only “I always had confidence in the team. I thought in the first half going to get better.” we sat back a little bit, and were probably more worried about 6 Issue 61 Blaenavon Blaenavon RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Garage services in Blaenavon Extensive garage services MOT repairs | MOT testing | Vehicle servicing irst established in 1877, Blaenavon RFC has a proudBodywork history and repairs everyone | Engine at diagnostics the club is working hard to ensure that they also have a bright future. TheyExhaust are systembased attesting the Recreation and repairs Ground in Torfaen and their first team currently competes in League 1 East of the Swalec Leagues. F Call us: 07858 242 360 | 01495 791 601 Website: www.blaenavonmotandautocentre.co.uk This season, their first team has put together a solid league campaign having compiled a record of ten wins and nine defeats from their nineteen matches played to date. This sees them lying in the top half of the table with forty five points on the board as the season draws to a close. Mini bus hire and airport They will now be keen to perform well in their remaining transfers throughout fixtures in order to finish on a high. This would help give them the UK momentum heading into the summer which would provide momentum ahead of the 2016/17 season. Rugby Club Magazine was keen to find out more about the good work being carried out at the club and with this in mind we caught up with Club Representative Gavin Lawrence. He told us, “Blaenavon rfc has always been an excellent community club in the area and it was one of the main factors when I joined Bookings: 01873 881090 | 01495 791601 as a player in 1980. “Over the ensuing years I have served in most positions Website: www.murraysminibushire.co.uk including Chairman and Trustee.