Minutes of a Committee Meeting held at the Chester RUFC Clubhouse on Thursday 21st August 1986, at 6.30 p.m.

PRESENT A.I. Hart (in the chair), G.S. ~drews, R.A. Pullin, F.R. Povall, G. Hodgson, A.M. Lees, H.V. Middleton, A.F. Koenen, J.W. Ba~ett, D.P. Wright, A.H. Rushton, J.N. Lent on , J. Eddleston, D. Palin, J. Lander, R. Dyson, A.J. Paris, D.B. Pye, R. Brindley and W. Gott (20)

APOLOGIES Apologies were received from M.J. Curphey, W.J. Williams, D. Adams, J.M. YollP,g., G.C. Cox, D.O. Diamond, J. Davies, M. Hami~, C.J. Coventry, S. Huetson, R. Holland, N.A. Steel, M. Cohen;:and D.B. Lewis (V!)

MINUTES The minutes of the meetings held on the 22nd May and 10th July tf:l 1986, having been circulated, were takèn as read and were confirmed and si~ed.

ANY OTHER North West Leagues G.S. Andrews reported that a meeting of BUSINESS the Committeewill be held shortly. W. Anderson (Cumbria) was ele.c;;{;edc4~irman at the last meeting and a further local division has been formed to accommodate the Wirral Clubs who had applied to join, this will help in the formation of the RFU Clubs Competition in season 1987/88.

RFU Clubs Competition Two meetings were held at Sale and Wirral and D.O. Diamond, a member of the RFU Competition Sub­ Committee, outlined the structure of the League Competition and its effect on the Cheshire Clubs. 9 Clubs were represented at Sale and 12 at Wirral. Isle of Man Clubs are pressing the RFU for re·c·ognition of either Club or Island side in the competition, the Committee expressed its support. Sandbach and Macclesfie~ld have written to D.O. Diamond proposing that the fixed Saturdays be more evenly spread throughout the season to help the Clubs in the l,ower divisions. G.S. Andrews highlighted the,'~ossible problems in providing suffic;ient referees for the Compétition matches.

H.V. Middleton questioned whether Clubs should be expected to finance official touring sides as in the case of the Australian Schools at New Brighton.· This was referred to the next meeting of the Emergency Committee, but it was noted that the Colts international versus Italy at New Brighton was being financed by the RFU Colts Association •

. G.S. Andrews drew attention to the movement ofplayers between Clubs during the close season. The Chairman commented that it was up to the players but asked Clubs to follow the procedure laid down by the RFU.

SECRETARY'S A further year of sponsorship has been agreed with Boddingtons REPORT Brewery and J.N. Lenton was thanked for his wvrk with the Public Relat~ons Compay and also in obtaining adverts for the programme which will again enable every County home match at aIl levels to have an official programme.

The Sale Club has confirmed that its ground is available for future County matches and this was referred to the Match and Ground Committee. The Connnittee ~isu~;upporting the Sports Council campaign "Whats Your Sport".

Whitehouse Park is taking the initiative in forming a Merit Table of 5 Clubs of a similar playing standard to themselves and will be submitting a formaI application short.JY'f

Thorn Cross has asked the Referees' Societies for heiLp with Referees for home games at H.M.Y.C.C. Warringtonf because of its particular situation, the Societies were asked to support the Club as much 8S possible. A.M. Lees said that there were problems wi thl;,the recruitment of referees.

The Wirral Clubs held a charity Sevens Competition for -' SPORTAID and have sent a copy of the accounts to the Treasurer. It was noted that Malcolm Scott, the Durham Representative had resigned from the RFU on health grounds and a letter has been sent from Cheshire wishing him a speedy recovery. A letter has also been sent to the RFU commenting on the pressure placed on the amateur administration throughout the game. This was supported and it was noted that D.O. Diamond was attending three RFU meetings this week. /' A:,;,nomination for membership of the RFU has been received from Holmes Chapel, proposed by Winsford RUFC and seconded by Macclesfield RUFC, the application was supported"and sent on to Twickenham.

:TEASURER' S REPORT The Treasurer had sent his apologies,~ but had no report for this meeting.

RFU D.O. Diamond was at a RFU meeting, hêé~\felt that the two REPRESENTATIVE' S me'etings wi th the Clubs had been worthwhile and they showed REPORT interest in the RFU Clubs Competition. He had sent a letter to the Chairman of each Club to maintain a personal contact and again he would be inviting Club representatives to the RFU dinners.

COUNTY FOOTBALL J.N. Lenton confirmed that he would be booking the coach for REPORT ,Burton shortly and mai:ing arrangements for the one overnight stay at Newcastle. R.A. Pullin outlined the pre-season preparations. A list of 56 players had been drawn up and to date 32 had replied positively. There was a traditional shortage in three key positions. The first training session will be held on 31st August 1986 but it is hoped to reduce the total number of training sessions. A. Phillips had accepted an invitation to coach the senior side.

R.A. Pullin gave a report on the Doncaster Coaching Conference, it had been weIl organised and there were some w(thwhile/;talks...... It had been interesting to note that the National selectors had picked an elite squad who wili form the party"for the - W~.rld Cup and this year will concentrate on physical fi tness which will be closely monitored at regular ·meetings. Overall it had bee~ a good weekend.

BXV REPORT The BXV activities start later in the season and there was nothing to report. YOUTH REPORT A.H~Rushton reported that the forthcoming youth coaches course at Chester College was aIl organised with 75 applications for 68 residential places, a 30% ;ncrease on last year.A discussion hadf,been held on ClubS,t'co-operation and it was proposed that tWo members of the Youth Committee visit each Club in the County to talk to its Committee about Colts, Schools, U21 and Mini football. This proposaI was accepted and the Chairman asked Clubs to give their full support.

SCHOOLS REPORT A report from J. Young confirmed the trials and v.enuesfor the season. D. Adams was currently attendingan RFU Youth Conference at Heythorp Hall.

U21 REPORT A report from J. Young asked Committee Members to note the U21' Club Competition at Wirral RUFC on 2lst September. Further details and entry forms were available from M. Briers. The RFU appears to be phasing out U23 representatiye football to b'e replaced with U21. The London Division has 'mooted the idea ofi County Championship and there is talk of regional matches. It is essential that Cheshire be at the fore in the administrat­ ion and have its representatives ready. The Secretary confirmed that the Northern Division was looking at a Divisional County Championship, but as far as Cheshire was conuer.ned, some financial support would be necessary.

COACHING REPORT It was noted that no replacement was forthcoming for the secretary of the County Coaching Cormnittee. Mter discussion it was agreed that Cheshire sho'iild concentrate i ts efforts, .,f',i>r the time being,on the successful youth coaching policy with the course at Chester College and the subsequent sessions. It is possible to take places on coaching courses with neighbouring counties and the DTA (North) will also'help. Applications for places on the RFU Intermediate and the Coaching Award courses can be processed through the County Secretary although a Coaching Secretary or Administrator is desireable.

INDIVIDUAL D. Wright confirmed that the papers for the forthcoming MEMBERS REPORT season will be sent out as soon as the fixtureJJlCard is available. .

CUP & PLATE There was no~ng to report. REPORT d3CIPLINARY No meetings have been held. REPORT

NEX:T MEETING The next meeting will be held on Thurs.day 2nd October 1986 at the Chester RUFC Clubhous~ at 6.30p.m.

There being no further s the Chairman closed the meeting with thanks to ter Club.

...... of 4... Chairman 2nd, October 1986. \ . ., Low~key Lanes, rely on O'Brien's aceuracy By George Mackay Lancashire...... ;••.•. ;...... 17pts . Cheshire ...... 12 LANCASHIRE, Northern champions last'year; opened ihis s~ason's Thorn EMI County Cha,mpionship with à low key victory over neighbours' Cheshire at .Orrell last ilight, winning by two tries and three penalty goals ,to a goal and two penalty goals. - -'-- -'-- _ . - -, , .' Sh~~tere:~nt~~jr;y :::~ra~:sca~ ~o'- w'" f' d.·s·",k'--e'-'e"'p , momentum/ which, although CU',mb,f.·,a'S 11 r' -a' insipid co'mpared to pa st awe, sorne standard, proved effective enough to tip the balance of a tight contest in their favour. Ch e' sir'h· e ID· Ch .ec k Kevin O'Brien, their Irish captain, set them on their way CHESHIRE: G. Jenion; C. Dickenson (Salo). C. rowe (Lymm). T. Qulton. H, with his penalty kicking, but it Benjamin. P. Jee. H., Fitton capt. D. was not until early in the Butcher, (Sale), J, McFarland (Sheffield), p, By George Mackay' second ha\f that they took the Sheridon, 1. Bullough (Sale). C, Brierlev Ch h' 6 'C b' " , 6 lead for the first tl'me when (Orrell), N. Thomson (Birkenhead Park). N, es .,e ...... pts . um ria ...... ;.... . Gaffney, P. Billin'gton (Salo).'2>. ". -,,,,,$ " , ,.' ,,' , Kenrick touched down a push· Cumbria: B. Vickers (Netherhall); P. CHESHIRE S aspIratiOns of bUlldmg on the,scare they had over try, and although Cheshire Cusa'.'k (Cockermouth), M. lo~her (Fyldo), given Lancashire a fortnight earlier failed to materialise at . .. . l'd !, M. Borkett (HarloqUlns), C. ReId (Furness),. . , , ' k f sta g e d a minI revlva ml way N. McDoweli (Cockermouth), G. Doggart Wllmslow last mght. They foundered on the rugged roc. 0 through the second half which (Aspatria), R. Moffitt (Fylde),M. the Cumbrian'pack."· ' brought a penalty goal by Proundlock (Wlgton), G. Robertson , positive' form of points in the Jenion, and briefly the lead . (Penrith), T. Clementson (Aspatria), l. Dent A drawn match, ·two penalty . face of a resolute dèfence, but. again, Lancashire carried suffi. \ (Vale of Luno), S. Holmes (Cockermouth), S. goals each, fairly reflècted a tressed' by the' experience Mc. cien't' power to make the game ,Hodgson (Vale of Lu~e), A. MacFarlane contest in which neither side (Fylde, capt). . . d bl' h d . . ' Dowell had amassed over many safe. ' Ref: D. Thomas (North Midlands). coul . esta IS omlfiat\O~. seasons campaignïng with . '. - -.,------.----.--..---- '--7Cheshlre had the better of It Two penalty goals' by O'Brien Iterritorially but could not drive Gosforth, proved the instruments' of vic· home their advantage against a '. Their frustration was rashly tory, the consequences. of the resolute defence. expressed in an unguarded pressure Lancashire imposed on remark which translated a. a Cheshire side, who lost their A couple of penalty goals Cheshire penalty into Cumbria's direction on the departure early in the second ha\f calmed favour and allowed Vickers to through injury of Fitton, their . an unsett1ed Chheshire side and kick his side into an unexpected captain and scrum half. encouraged t em to attempt lead. 've'r . more relaxed, open football. But Plunged O 1 Cumbria had no intention of Heartened, Cumbria threat· Cheshire' s Sale·cemented ma king it easy, their forwards ened to take control with their cohesion brought instant results battling with traditional Lake· . back row a potent force and it when in the first minute fly·half land fire. took a piece of'inspired running Egan dropped for goal: The bail Resolute defence . out of defence by Jenion to struck a post and Oulton, carry Cheshire back. into the following up strongly, collected Dour it may have been but it game. the rebound and plunged over was essentially honest, even if Progress was painfully slow, betweèn the. posts, allowing endeavour generally mastered hampered by a tendency to err Jennion a straightforward skill. It also generated penalties, at crucial stages and Cheshire's conversion..' but Jenion's marksmanship' cause was not helped by the. Ainscough, switched from lacked the accuracy· to exact a loss of centre Rowe late in the ./ centre to' fly·half, revived a fui Il,toIl·,f;·Vicckers,'· .se~ond, .Pden, first ·halt ·The appearance of rather surprised Lanca!,ihire's a tygoa I or um bna Impose a Morris as substitute meant confidence with a searing break stalemate which neither side three of Sale's backs were , through the Cheshire 'midfield had the wit or pace to break essentially serum' halves- 'down,' h • defence to set up a try for Cheshire's Sale.induced cohe. \ FiWm t e captain, Jee and & O'Brien, but the Irish inteTIia· M01;ris. . ~ tional full·back could not add sion was initially examined ,by;è.':'- __,-',-"'==-' ~ the. conversion. . the raw ;spirit of a Cumbrian ~~ ". .. '_,' ."_ .. .. Lancashire, aithough side determined to atone for the \..' ,.'~ ~ 11 obviously uncomfortable, and dciSaPbP?ainntmecffnotrt°sf Durham. But . :"''Î~ . .~. 1 playing- far below their um TI .' were. spas· e d d d 1 modic as the home side slowly potential, a apte a equate y to imposed their authority on the the defensive. role they were' l, forced to adopt. Jennion, whose shape of the game. t early goal·kicking had been off They' found itdifficult to J target, finally gave Cheshire the express that advantage in the .r reward they needed with a long· ~ range penalty goal. t LANCASHIRE: K. O'Brien (Broughton Park); N. Heslop (W•. terloo), S. langford (Orrell), B. Wellens (LIverpool St Helens), 1. JIf Wilkinson; G. Ainscough, G. Williams (Orre\l); M. C.llerev (Sale), N. Hitchen, K, t Fletcher (Orrell), J. Hescott (liverpOOl St .e Helens), R·. Klmmins; D. Cleerv (Orrell), M. 'd Perke, •. (preston Grasshoppars), M. Kenrick Id (Sale).- CHESHIRE: G. Jenion; C. Dickenson e (Sale), C. Rowe (Lymm), .T. Qulton, H. 1e Benjamin; A. Egan, H, Fltton, capt; D. ~r Butcher (Sale), J. McFarland (Sheffield), P. 1a Sheridan, M. Thomas (Sale), C.. Brierlev (Orrell), N. Th~1'!'pson (Birkenhead Park), N, Gaffney, P. BoIhngton (Sale). . D. Morr~s (R) . ~ ~ WJ.nningt On Park .i -~~- -...... ,...----_._---~~- , " . ",II.urhaIn. p,resenTimpr~ssive c~se • 1.- '. •• Cheshire .. 3pts Durham ..40 By John Whalley and Harmes moving forward did not deter Durham. THE EASE with which Dur­ Stabler, whose inspirational Cooke added a try which ham accounted for the weak kicking and expert han<;lling Stabler converted and Kirkup challenge of Cheshire, cou­ were at the heart of Durham's made the most of disarray in pied with the pride and effi­ better moves. It was rio co­ the Cheshire ranks to claim ,a ciency of their general play incidence that when he engi­ neered more space in the further four points. Another ~uggest that th~y could be second half, his side started to Stabler penalty put Durham out the side ,to represent of sight before the day's best flow: and worst moments. Hackney the north in the se mi-finals Such. was his improvisation of the Thorn EMI County eluded the cIutches of two that when Dinsdale had scored Cheshire defenders in a 50 Championship. Durham's second try to estab­ ,yard run for a magnificent try Yorkshire, 'for one, will lish a 13-3 lead, the wind which Stabler converted before have other ideas, but Durham blew the baIl over as Stabler Cheshire's Paul Billington was warmed up for their clash with attempted the conversion. But, sent off two minutes from time 'the White Rose county on Sat­ the ft y half took matters in his after tangling with Stabler. urday week without moving out stride, picked the baIl and was . CHESHIRE: G. Jenion; M. Thomas. T. of a canter. unlucky that his drop kick hit Oulton (Sale). replnt G. Billington (New an upright. Brighton 70). P. Jee. M. Benjamin. G. It was difficult not to feel Rafferty. H. Fitton capt. D. Butcher (Sale). sympathy for a Cheshire side ' The other highlights of a J. McFarland (Sheffield). P. Sheriden. M. always battling against the scrappy first half were a penalty Thomas (Sale). C. Brierley (Orrell). N. odds. They gained parity of by Stabler, matched by Jenion, Thompson (Birkenli~ Pjlk). N. Gaffnay. P. possession with .the visitors in and a try and conversion by Billington (Sale). G ,."'1 "'i7/t11 DURHAM: S. Harmas (Durham City);S. > the first half, panicularly by Stabler. ' Hackney. F. Short (W. Hartlepool). 1. Dee employing the shortened line­ Durham did not take long to (Hartlepool 'Rovers).' replnt S. Harvey (W, out, but Durham displayed a Hartlepool). D. Cooke (Middlesbrough). J. settle the issue in the second Stabler (W, Hartlepool). S. Kirkup (Durham sound defence, robust forwards half. Short and Hackney corn­ City). P. Lancaster (W. Hartlepool). M. Fen­ . and no short age of talent among bined to send Cooke over and wick (Durham City). A. Mullins (Durham ,the backs. ' Univ). J. Dixon. D. Mitchell (W. Hartlepool)) a Fenwick try soon followed. R. Andarson. M. Howard (Durham City) They also had the game's Even the disruption of Dee capt. G. Dinsdale (Hartlepool Rovers). outstanding performer in John departing, Harvey substituting, Referee: L. Prideaux (Cornwall),

-~~-,r------' - .", l ···-Ch~~hife efforts r 0' without feward f gl By a Special Correspondent r Northumberland 14p, Ches~ire 9 y CHESHIRE showed plenty of spirit and suggested th~y had . r: more ability than to be give~ the. wood~n spoon l~ the 1 Northern group' of the champlOnshlp, ~hlCh was thelr lot . .p' after this defeat, by a goal and two trIes, to a goal lInd a ' lh penalty at the County Ground, Gosforth. ',' le Before the kick-off, Northum- ' r,' berland were bottom without 'a added the extra points to make ,0 single point, Cheshire having it level, only for Dunn to' nose , ?, earned one after a draw with Northumberland in front for the ~ny Cumbria, ,and while Cheshire, first time when Whisker and, ' f after a lacklustre first half on McMaw creàted the chance. li Saturday, took the lead with a Jenion made the difference a jen fine try, they 'were eventually single point with a pénalty, but ,op forced to play second fiddle. again 'McMaw was involved, r~o It was an unusual match in this time with Scott before < ; e that there were only three Marwick ran in try No 3, and ~nt penalty chances, and aIl in the try as they might, . Cheshire . k~ second half to Cheshire, whose could not break a steady', 'Ind full-back, Jenion,converted defence as Northumberland llg- only one; yet in the series his deservedly held on. ,. d contribution was 25 of the 47 Not a, classic by any means, . n points scored. but, forgetting that dismal first There were errorsof half, a typical championship j~ judgement, of kicking, and of match in the Northern Group. n handlingin the first half, but NORTHUMBERLAND: J. Whisker 't Il (Goslorth); P. Scott (Newcastla Univ). A. the secon d h a If ma de 1 a Tindle (Northern). S. Storay (Ashington). G. 1,~s worthwhile, produced aIl the Ward (Novos); A. G. B. Old (Morpeth). T. elr points and an exciting finish. McCaw (Northern); C. White (Goslorth) ~st ca pt. A. Tucker. P. Watson. M. Wright, Its Fitton Jenion and Thomas (Northern). S. Dunn (Tynedale). 1. Richerd- .. , paved the way for Cheshire's son (Northern): G. Smallwood (Goslorth). A. ~~ try which Jenion converted, and Marwick (Novos), en he missed a penalty. CHESHIRE: G. Jenion; A. Thomas (Sale). th 'c. Rowe (Lymn). P. Jee. A. Benjamin; G. \ Northumberland, whosespirit .Rafferty. H. Fitton (Sale) capt; S. Williams, ie and enthusiasm could not be (Vele 01 Lune). J. McFerland (Sheffield). S. !r faulted, came back:,with, efforts Gill (Vale 01 Lun~). 1.)'l)cKi,e, (Sjlle). P. a ' . " .p., ", .. McRave"(Birkenh.ead Park). D. 'Pitrtington \ " byRichards'ôri and Smallwood, (Wilmslow) rep 23 mins R. Meachin (~ymn). le before McMaw ran round a set N. Gaffnay (Sale). N. Thomson (Birkenhead 'IY piece' on the open side and Old Park), ' L-______~ ______~'"

1 __ .r"'-"_'~4~_c..

?is :a bd 19 :y "t 1· ,j e n 'ri ,. ~

1 i 1 'i el

Peter Buckton breaks awoy from a tight situation to set up another Yorkshire attack ot New Brighton. \ -~~ '" ~ - ~ , 1 - \ 1 l,

\ but inconsistent " ,

1 'u By A Special Correspondent . t Cheshire ...... 17pts Yorkshire ...... ;..... 30 >ts i CHESHIRE brought sorne cornrnitrnent and pride back into their play at Reeds Lane but could not prevent Yorksl;tire rst l's continuing their rnarch towards. the Northern Group title in hd. the Thorn EMI countycharnpionship. '\ A draw for the White Rose ' lly county against Durham on Sat­ ~e urday will now suffice. But they Team:s m will need to be more consistent. CHESHIRE.-G. Jenion; H. Thoma. There were times when JSale);C. Rowe'(lymm), P. Jee, H. Benja­ 1 Cheshire made them look a min; G. Rafferty. H. Fitton (capt) (Sale); S. ~n Williams (Vale of lune), J. McFarland (Shef- ~s somewhat ordinary side. field). S. Gill (Vale of lune), M .. Thomas fy 1 d d th h t · (Sale), P. McCrave (Birkenhead Park), O. \d n ee, e orne coun y .Partington (Wilmslow), N: Thomson (Bir- . scored three tries and the·result kenhead Park). N. Gaffney (Sale). Replace­ would havebeèn much doser' ment: R. Meachin (lymm) for'Thomson, 80 Id had they enjoyed better place- mins. .. kicking fortunes. YORKSHIRE.-P. Gray (Roundhay); M. Harrison (Wakefield, capt). R. Booth (Harro­ \: On two occasions Jenion hit gate). J. Bentley (Olley). M. Joyce' the woodwork with penalties (Headingley); s. Townend (Wakefield), O. Holmes.(Sheffield). M. Whitcombe (Bed- . W h en t h,e sco~e was 3: 7 an d 7- ford), P. Sellar, A. Rice (Hull & ER), G.' t 10. Yorkshtre__ ._$tIll~_ w.on .. Thompson (Roundhay). o. Baldwin (Wake- , '~, . deservétliy;-.whii" tlieir -fôî'ward's'~ field).- P: WintoirbOttom (Headingl.ey), P. -. .l, better drilled in the loose and. Buckton (Orrell). M. Rawnsley (Wa~ef,eld) . g their backs always a handful foi .... -, ~ -----~--- -~ --~­ the home defence. Townend proved a more than rg adequate late choice at fly-half. ff Whitcombe was prominent at e prop, while the back rOw of 1 Winterbot~om, Buckton and.: Rawnsley- ènjoyed sorne bright . moments, . t Solo effort \ Rafferty came' in for sorne C\ rough treatment at stand-off for Cheshire but emerged with credit. Jenion, for aIl his kick- . ing problems, was adventuroùs and stylish at full back' but 1 Thomas, on the wing, 'could have been used to much better . :r" advantage. Yorkshire, despite scoring seven points in the first four minutes through a Gray penalty and a Harrison try, were only 10-7 'to the good at half-time .. Booth added a second penalty, with Cheshire scoring a try by Thomas and a Jènion penalty. Joyce (55) and Harrison, with' , a delightful solo effort in the 74th minute, added further' Yorkshire touchdowlls, with Booth converting one. Thomson scored a try for Cheshire after, forwa~d pres­ sure. In a surge during injury time, there was a penalty try for Yorkshire, converted by Booth, and il Rawnsley try plus the final say for Cheshire when Rowe scored and converted after sorne neatplay with Thomas in one Of the best lIloments. \ \ The Aims of such a Course are:- (1) To assist the Colts Manager in providing an effective contribution to the development ()f colts rugby in Clubs; . (2) To develop in people involved the necessary expertise to give young people an enjoyable, active and purposeful introduction to rugby football which will help toinstil in them a desire to play the game in a truly sporting spirit. NB. : It is important that any Colt capable of going beyond County Standard CHESHIRE RUGBY should, if possible, attend the Trent College Course in the August preceding' the Season. • FOOTBALL UNION Chairman - B.T. Ewing, "Philton", Wolfrick Drive, Spital, Wirral L63 9NB. PRESIDENT: A.I. HART, ESQ. Under 21 The chance to extol the virtues of Under 21 Rugby could not have come at a .. better time. It gives me the opportunity to say 'Hail and Farewell' to colleagues .. in this sphere of Our game. Hail to a new Secretary, David Ryder of the Wirral Club, full of enthusiasm and ideas for the future; Hail also to Len Davies of the Lymm Club and Geoff Lander formerly of Oxfordshire who we hope will bring their coaching expertise to bear on our teams for quite a few seasons to come. Farewell to Mick Briers (Ex·Secretary) and Joe Green (Ex·Coach) who due to the pressures of School commitments have been forced to sever their connections with us. We thank them most sincerely for their service and involvement which helped the '21 Group' to get off the ground and become so well established. 1 would draw your attention to a letter circulated from Twickenham as recently YOUTH RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL as last August. Under the heading of 'Representative Playing Structure'. (1 Quote) "Additionally it has also been AGREED to concentrate more on playing at Under 21 level and to encourage competition within Divisions between Constituent Bodies. Divisions and Constituent Bodies are therefore requested please to develop Rugby Football firstly at Under 21 level within their area ofresponsibility. In the THE longer term it is hoped to introduce nationwide competition at this level and to this end the RFU are seeking a suit able sponsorship." WAY FORWARD This leaves us in no doubt as to where the future development and survival of our game lies (According to HQ that is). Without doubt the ball is very much in our court!! ! Every endeavour must be made, by each Club in the County, to monitor the progress of every ex Schools' player (both Under 16 & Under 18), ex-Colts players and newly emerging talent. Though limited in its appeal the Under 21 K.O. Competition has continued to thrive. Support for our four fixtures which have been arranged for the NewYear is urgently required. Please respond to requests for nominations for Trials. There must be one or two promising players in every Club. We want to know about them. 1 hope that 1 can count on your co-operation. John M. Young - Chairman, 2 Vanderbyl Avenue, Spital, Merseyside L62 2AP. Chainnan Arthur Rushton Youth & Schools' Liaison Officer _ Hon. Secretary. Martin Curphey Following a recommendation by the that aIl Clubs - should consider appointing a Schools Liaison Officer, which Clubs didn 't seem Hon. Treasurer John Webster able to do, the County Youth Committee decided to appoint a Youth and SchooIs' Liaison Officer. & Mr. Dai Adams, who has been the Hon. Secretary for the County Schools Youth Schools' Committee for many seasons, agreed to take on this position. His enthusiasm Liaison Officer Dai Adams for this task go es without saying, and it is hoped that Clubs will support him with thisvery imp.ortant position. . If any Club wishes to receive any information about Youth Rugby, Mr. Adams '~.~ is. only too pleased to help if you contact him. _ ~ Y~uth & Schools Liaison Officer: Dai Adams, 7 Beaumans Drive, Wirral L61 7XP. Cheshire Schools Rugby Foreword by Chairman Cheshire Schools R.F.U. have 67 member schools in affiliation. Unfortunately It was in March, 1984 that a County Youth Committee was formed consisting the amount of rugby played in schools bas decreased over the pa st two or three of a Representative from each of the four existing County Sub -Committees; Le., years, and the number of inter -school flXtures has been severely reduced. However, Mini and Juniors, Schools', The Colts' and the Under 21 's. The main objects of the ..A many schools stiU play rugby football to a high standard and make a valuable Youth Committee being to co-ordinate an on -going system whereby a "Mini". contribution to the County U. 18 and U. 16 sides. The Schools' Committee is very would be able to progress through the various Youth Ranks until he was eligible grateful to the many capable and enthusiastic coaches who give up so much of their for consideration for the Senior County Squad. time in providing the opportunity to play rugby to so many boys. This to a large degree has been achieved. The County sides play matches against the other Northern Counties and also The Mini and Juniors are considering a Cheshire Mini Festival, and a Junior play Staffordshire and Shropshire. Over the past 20 years statistics show that the Colts and Under 14 County Competitions. U. 18 team have won 80% of their fixtures with the U. 16 team successful in over The Schools (Vnder 18 & Under 16) have an annual Cup Competition, a Seven­ 70%. Many boys have gone on to play for the North of and each Season a-Side Competition, County Fixtures and an Area Under 15 Competition. one or two achieve the ultimate honour of playing for England. The Colts arrange Trials in the East and West of the County, followed by seven In addition to inter-school games and inter-County games, there is an annual County Games. .a Ist XV Cup Competition, U. 18 and U. 16 seven-a-side competitions and an area The Under 21 's have a Clubs' Competition in September, and four Fixtures .. U. 15 Competition. against other Counties. To help aIl Clubs with their Youth Activities, two Week-end Courses have John M. Young - Chairman. Hon. Secretary: Dai Adams, 7 Beaumans Drive, Thingwall, Wirral L61 7XP. already been held and it is hoped to continue with an annual Week-end Course over the next three Seasons. Also a Youth & Schools Liaison Officer has been appointed, and he can on request, arrange courses, lectures and films for Youth and Colts' Activities - 1986/87 Schools rugby. (Defmition of a Colt - Under 19 on First January, and in, or registered for Particulars of aIl these Sections are to be found in this Leaflet. employment). However, it is requested that Clubs make the effort to pass on County inform­ ation to various Youth Committees when requested. This, for sorne 'hidden' reason 1986 does not appear to have been forthcoming in the past. Ist October First Trial (Wilmslow) The reason for producing this Leaflet is to bring to the notice of aU Clubs the 5th October Final Trial (Old Parkonians' - Morining Session = Coaching; activities of the various Youth Committees and to point out that the future of our Afternoon Session = Game) Game will be in jeopardy if Clubs do not have Youth Rugby in operation owing to 12th October Warwickshire (Coventry R.F.C.) the vast decline of Rugby in our Schools. 19th October Staffordshire (Macclesfield) Chairman - Arthur Rushton, 25 Laburnum Grove, Irby, Wirral L61 4UT. 25/260etober Training Weekend (Alsager College) NORTHERN GROUP GAMES (with weekly evening Training Sessions and Cireu­ Mini and Junior lated Training Schedules for Squad):- Mini and Junior Rugby is a vital part of Youth Rugby. There are nineteen 1st November Yorkshire (Birkenhead Park) Clubs in the County providing facilities for Mini and Junior Rugby. 8th November : Northumberland (Seghill) 15th November : Durham (Westoe) Mini 22nd November : Cumbria (Sandbach) This is where boys aged se ven to eleven are introduced to the game. They 30th November : Lancashire (West Park) are taught the basic skills in an enthusiastic environment. These skills are exercised (Sunday) in friendlynine-a-side, inter-Club Games. 1987 Junior (a) Cheshire Colts' Shield Competition. On reaching the age of twelve, they now graduate to the Juniors (twelve to Entries will be requested in December for Competition to start in fifteen), playing the full fifteen-a-side game. The learning pro cess continues~ the New Year. Round dates to be circulated. more skills, new techniques are coached whilst still allowing natural flair to develop", National Colts' Sevens to be he Id in April. During their fmal year at Under 16's, it is hoped that the boys will endeavour to National Programme will have National Squad versus London and Combined gain Representative County Schools' Honours. Services; North; Midlands; South & West. Youth Rugby is where the future of the Game lies, where young boys are not (North - v- Squad at New Brighton - 25th January) only taught how to play the Game, but also learn a code of discipline, conduct and attitude. However, more important than this, they are introduced and become Intemationals integral parts of Club Life, enjoying their Sport and rnaking many friends. 21st March English Colts -v- ItIay (New Brighton); The steady de cline of the number of Schools playing rugby is causing concern 4th April English Colts -v- Wales (Home); and it is hoped that many more Clubs will adopt Youth Policïes and offer the 18th April English Colts -v- France (Away) opportunity to youngsters to learn and participate in our Game at 'Grass-Roots~ level'. ~, _ Due ta various circumstances, and the resignation of Ted Taylor as Colts' Secre­ Chairman - Bob Holland, 6 Silverdale Avenue, Drury, Buckley, Clwyd CH7 3EZ tary, the proposed Colts' Managers Course was eaneeIled, but it is hoped to re­ constitute this Course, next Season.