Fixtures and Results 2017 - 18 Club President Wolves Vikings Hawks CHRIS GEORGE N1W Cotton Traders Halbro 4 East Championship Welcomes September 2 CARLISLE W WIRRAL W Broughton Park D 9 Altrincham Kersal W Vale of Lune HWO TRAFFORD MV AWO 16 WATERLOO W ROCHDALE W Glossop HWO 23 DOUGLAS (IOM) W Preston GH 3 W Manchester W 30 St. Benedicts L ROSSENDALE W DUKINFIELD W

October 7 STOCKPORT L 3 W Stockport W 14 Macclesfield 2 W We welcome Warrington to The Memorial Ground for this evening’s rearranged league match. 21 Vale of Lune L HEATON MOOR W 28 ROCHDALE W L Ashton on Mersey Last week I observed that rearranged games on a Saturday didn’t seem to suit us as so many of our players scour the November 4 Warrington L Stockport W NORTH MANCHESTER W fixture list for blank dates and then make alternative arrangements. Wednesday night though is mid week and in the past, 11 W VALE OF LUNE L L Altrincham Kersal W we had regular Wednesday night games. I always remember a special atmosphere when we used to play under 18 Rochdale L floodlights. Hopefully most of our players will be available to play this evening before packing up tomorrow or Friday to go 25 Burnage W PRESTON GH 3 W BURNAGE HWO away for an Easter weekend. If my theory is correct then maybe we should aim in future to play this kind of fixture December 2 BLACKBURN W Rossendale L Hope Valley W midweek. 9 Manchester P Macclesfield 3 P LITTLEBOROUGH P 16 ALTRINCHAM KERSAL P Trafford MV W We narrowly lost to a resurgent Burnage on Saturday 29-33 showing great character in the final 20 minutes of the game to 23 nearly come back to win a game we should have won. Burnage looked the stronger side in the first half running everything 30 at us and scoring some good tries. They also scored two quick tries at the start of the second half to create a virtually January 6 Waterloo L Lymm L GLOSSOP L unassailable lead. However, the Wolves came back with some tenacious rugby scoring some great tries of their own to be 13 Douglas (IOM) L STOCKPORT W MANCHESTER W pipped at the post. 20 ST. BENEDICTS W Wirral L Dukinfield W 27 Stockport W VALE OF LUNE L STOCKPORT W Warrington have had some good results of late beating Waterloo 20-19, Rochdale 29-19 and St Benedicts 96-3 before February 3 VALE OF LUNE P Rochdale P Heaton Moor losing to Stockport last Saturday 38-28. Both teams will want a return to winning ways so I hope we enjoy a good game of 10 Manchester L rugby tonight. They are one of seven clubs within five points of second place in this year’s league. 17 Rochdale W Preston GH 3 L ASHTON ON MERSEY 24 ALTRINCHAM KERSAL L It’s extraordinary that there should be so many of us with so little between us. I suspect that whoever ends up in second place will have a hard time of it in Level 5 if they should win the play off, unless they recruit heavily during the summer. I March 3 WARRINGTON P Rossendale L North Manchester 10 Northwich W MACCLESFIELD L ALTRINCHAM KERSAL note that Birkenhead Park, who went up last season for the second time in three years are on the way down again and 17 that last season’s run away league winners Kirkby Lonsdale are no more than a second half of the table outfit. Last 24 BURNAGE L Burnage HWO season’s N1E winner Pocklington about which I know little have also had a miserable time of it. What does all this tell us 28 WARRINGTON about the standard one league higher. Assuming that Vale of Lune go up, let’s see how they get on.

April 7 Blackburn Lymm HOPE VALLEY 14 MANCHESTER STOCKPORT Littleborough Back on the local front, it was sad that Burnage couldn’t raise a team to play against our Hawks (3rd XV) but it was good 21 Carlisle Wirral BROUGHTON PARK to see the Hawks supporting the 1st XV and battering the bar as if they had played a tough game! 28 Last Saturday there was a large crowd for the game bolstered by a number of our sponsors attending for lunch. Whilst our Chairman, Jon Hitch thanked the sponsors for their support, I would also like to add my personal thanks and say that there is always a warm welcome for them down at the club. Several of the sponsors assisted with the 200 Club draw and the Raging Bull Senior U18 Colts : League C Following the conclusion of winners were:

September 3 Macclesfield W February 4 the Preliminary 10 D 11 & First Prize £400 - Martin Hill (from our sponsors TWP) 17 Blackburn W 18 FYLDE League season Second Prize £200 - Mrs C Stock 24 Kirkby Lonsdale HWO 25 Makos W during which Third Prize £100 - G Alwyn-Jones each team plays Runners up with £40 each Matt Egan, Don Campbell and M I Jones. October 1 March 4 each other once, 8 Fylde HWO 11 WIDNES HWO Congratulations to all. 15 BOLTON W 18 the organising 22 25 WINNINGTON PARK seeding 29 Congratulations must also go to our Under 16’s who played Macclesfield away on Sunday and thrashed them 12-55 with committee will Louis Schofield scoring 4 tries, William Birchall getting 2 tries and Joe Dunn and Ethan Grantham getting one try each. November 5 Widnes April 8 FYLDE select the Calum Lovatt kicking 2 conversions. Well done to the whole squad for a fantastic performance especially against our local 12 15 conference rivals. 19 BLACKBURN W 22 Crewe & Nantwich 26 Winnington Park 29 leagues. Good luck next Saturday to the Vikings (2nd XV) who are at home to Preston Grasshoppers which will be a tough game so December 3 CREWE & NANTWICH W May 6 Cup Final The Colts also all support will be welcome. Despite losing the last 5 games we are still in 5th position in the league above Macclesfield, 10 Fylde W Winnington Park have a League Stockport, Rochdale and Preston so this will be a good one to win. 17 MAKOS W 24 Cup competition 31 and the Cheshire

January 7 Colts Cup to 14 Blackburn W compete in. 21 WINNINGTON PARK W 28 Widnes W The Artisan League N1W Forecasts

Everybody’s forecasts in by due date this week. Red Gauntlet by Sir Walter Scott out of Abbortsford, just outside Melrose in the Borders still has his snout in front but not by much. There’s still a month to go and anything could happen.

The Melrose Sevens, the oldest and original tournament of the abbreviated game will this year be on 14th. April.

Stockport v Vale of Luneof Vale v Stockport

Vale of Lune v Rochdale v Lune of Vale

Wilmslow v Warrington v

Stockport v Warrington v Stockport 24th Rochdale v StBenedicts

Waterloo v Blackburn v Waterloo Northwich v Waterloo

Manchester v Douglas v Manchester

Wilmslow v Burnage v Wilmslow

Carlisle v Blackburn v Carlisle

THIS WEEK TOTAL THISWEEK 31stMarch 2018 March Douglas v Carlisle

St Benedicts v v StBenedicts

Alty Kersal v Kersal Alty

Manchester

2018 Northwich

TOTAL

Bar Steward A A H A A H H 13 461 A A A A A A

Basher H H H A H H H 22 420 A H A H A H

Beer Keeper A A A A A A A 10 405 H A H A H A

Braveheart H H A A A H H 16 479 A H H H A H

Chicken Sarney H H H H H H H 22 431 H H H H A H

Dick Dastardly & Mutley H H H A A H H 19 470 A A H A A A

Draichgoch H A A A A H H 13 477 A H H A A H

Fiery Basher A A H A A H H 13 467 A H H A A H

Flying Scot H A H A A H H 16 457 H H H A A H

H H A A A A H H 13 488 A H H A A H

Jonty H A A A H H H 16 462 A A H H A H

Kiwi H H H A H H H 22 445 A A H A A H

Millie 29 A H H A H H H 19 472 H H H H H H

Nob H H A A A H H 16 481 A H H A A H

Pilgrims H A A A H H H 16 445 A H H A A H

Red Gauntlet H H H A H H H 22 499 A H H A A H

Romusus & Remus H A H A H H H 19 474 A H A H A H

Shakey H H A A H H H 19 463 A A H A A H

Super Ted H H A A A H H 16 460 A A H H A H

Uncle Fester A A A A H H H 13 435 A H H A A H

Results H H H P H H A Points

Cherry Tree F a r m Lees Lane Mottram St. A n d r e w

Tue - Fri 8.00am - 5.30pm Sat 8.00am - 5.00pm Sun

Matured Cheshire Ribs of Beef on the Bone, Fillets, Sirloins, Rumps : Hand Made Pork & Cracked Pepper Sausages : Herb Cured Pancetta : Cheshire Pork Loin Chops : Legs and Shoulders of Lamb, Free Range Poultry and lots more………….

2017- 2018 SEASON Hon. President Wolves Captain Flooring and Carpeting : Furniture Wilmslow RUFC Chris George Bob MacCallum Kings Road Immediate Past President Vice Captain Student Accommodation : Refurbishment Wilmslow Nigel Day Robert Taylor SK9 5PZ Hon. Club Chairman Wolves Team Manager Jon Hitch Mike Blackett Tel : 01625 522274 Hon. Secretary Vikings Captain Rob Milner Adam Taher pitchero.com/clubs/wilmslow Hon. Treasurer Vikings Team Manager Alan Hill Hawks Captain

Hawks Team Manager

Head Coach Magazine Editor and Club Press Officer : David Pike Rick Jones Andy Vassell wishes the Wolves and all Wilmslow Tel : 01625 525616 : 07886 588524 : Coaches [email protected] Richard Hughes RUFC teams a successful 2017/18 season.

NORTH 1 WEST : HALBFO NORTH WEST LEAGUES Wilmslow RUFC is an http://www.rfu.com http://www.rfu.com http://www.rfunorth.com http://www.nowirul.org.uk Proud to open community sponsor based club, offering a game to anyone SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS 2017-18 Ben Day coming through the for the Wolves gates from the age of Alan Lang : Alderley Edge Golf Club six upwards - with no Artisan Meat Co : Barrington Sports : Barry Fisher : Beauchamp Charles : Bengal Tiger Lily : Byrom upper age limit. Calder Peel FGP : Concept Group Country Home Furnishing : Curtaincraft Nevertheless, CVSL : David Barker : Jonty Fallows : Gascoigne Halman subscriptions and bar gas-elec : Gusto Alderley Edge Hallams Property Consultants : Bryn Lewis receipts are just not Iain Milne : Ian Stewart : Jon Hitch : Kinsella Tax sufficient to maintain Loves Young Dream : M2 Recruitment : the wonderful sports Maxwells of Wilmslow : Mike Clifford field we have here. Modac Global : Norman Herring : Old Mutual Wealth : On Point Developments : Peter Turner Concept FF & E Ltd., Unit 2, Adelaide St P J Design : Printerland Macclesfield, SK10 2QS We, therefore, RHS Property Services : Running Bear : S C & P Jones: Tel : 01625 432608, M : 07710 574449 acknowledge and Stig : Terra Nova School : The Vets’ Place : thank all those The Wilmslow Half Marathon: Tim Holloway Wilmslow Preparatory School : TSG Properties individuals and TWP Wealth : Vision Express Wilmslow organisations, who Waters Corporation : Wheatsheaf Press have supported the Wilmslow IT : Wilmslow Electrical : Wilmslow Glass club, the teams and the players this season either by sponsorship, advertising or donation. Without them we just would not be here. Nick Jones Photography Saturday 24th. March 2018 North 1 West It’s fifty years ago, almost to the day, since we erected our first floodlights., Wilmslow 29 – 33 Burnage which were switched on by Reg Locker, then president of the RFU. Wilmslow played a guest team, captained by Eric Evans, which was selected from In the end, this was another game that could have gone either way. Wilmslow had their chances right up to the last play of the game but when that broke down, they were left to pay the price for a sloppy performance, which included too many players at Waterloo, sale, Northhampton (Phil Judd, a fellow front row with tackles missed in mid field, too many promising positions lost in the lineout, too many handling and passing errors and Eric), Leicester, Coventry and Manchester. Eight of them were Internationals. too many penalties against them for offences at the breakdown, side entry, sealing off the ball, holding on and so on. The guests won 6-3, a try from Chris Jennins of Waterloo and a penalty to a Throughout, Burnage were always the more clinical and accurate of the two sides and although it finished five tries try by Bernard Gray. apiece, the sides separated only by George Oakey’s superior goal kicking for Burnage, you couldn’t argue that they didn’t deserve to come away with the spoils. They received four yellow cards for a variety of offences, amounting to forty minutes with only fourteen players on the field, during which most of Wilmslow’s points were scored, and yet they still The Wilmslow team was: Rick Green, Bernard Gray, Gareth Jones, Mike prevailed. Four of their tries were scored by their backs and the other by prop Hassan Ben Ahmed, who at one stage McNeil, Jim Barker, Graham Baker, Dick Lance, Hugh Galt, John Webster, Phil played at Wilmslow. In contrast, four of Wilmslow’s tries came from their forwards and the last one was a penalty try. If Davies, John Adcock, Tony Hitchcock, Andy Fitzgerald, David Barker and Tim you concluded that it was the rapier versus the bludgeon with the rapier finishing on top you wouldn’t be far off the mark. Holloway.

Burnage’s opening score came after just seven minutes play and thereafter they were never behind on the scoreboard. Having erected the lights it seemed daft not to use them so from 1969 to 1988 we played midweek games, up to 46 Wilmslow carelessly coughed up possession in midfield and when the visitors grabbed the loose ball, they found they games a season. The advent of leagues put paid to all of that and now the 1st. Team play on ly 26 games a season. had men over and plenty of space to exploit on the clubhouse side of the pitch. An interchange of passing produced an easy run in for centre Stuart Oldham. Five minutes later, their fly half, the former Eccles man, George Oakey ghosted through a non existent defence and even though Wilmslow’s James Coulthurst got back and across to make a powerful The photographs show the teams, the very large crowd present and the original stand. tackle, Burnage still had men over as their other centre Joe Wrigley touched down unopposed.

Referee Handa from Northumberland then found cause to penalise Burnage half a dozen times in quick succession for breakdown offences. Even then with several lineouts in catch and drive positions, the Wolves couldn’t make anything of them until at the third attempt second row Tom Bull tidied up a loose ball and powered himself over after twenty minutes for the Wolves opening score. It was now apparent that the Wolves forwards, not their backs, were the greater threat to Burnage, who continued to be punished at the breakdown. Another attacking position saw the Wolves drive to the Burnage line where Robert Taylor got the touchdown to claw it back to twelve points apiece.

Before half time though, the Wolves became the target of Mr. Handa’s whistle at the breakdown, enabling Oakey to set up a catch and drive from which Ben Ahmed was accredited with the score. Immediately after half time, the Wolves back line got into a defensive muddle, which enabled Burnage full back Chris Kornecki to waltz over for 12-26.

Wilmslow were soon back in the ‘Fitism’ corner to foul up another lineout opportunity but they managed to retain the ball and after several thrusts across the field, belligerent flanker Adam Hewitt barged in for the try.

This was followed by Burnage No. 8 Ralph Lawson seeing clear water, as it were, to draw the defence and put his left winger Robbie Wilson in for Burnage’s fifth.

The Wolves still had most of the final quarter to make a contest of it and again it was that man Bull who powered over to finish off a good forward drive but they were still two scores behind. Their pack though now had its dander up only to be denied three times when Burnage were penalised at the set piece on their line. A lineout followed and this time the drive was good but it was illegally pulled down and a penalty try was awarded. Time was now running out, the last play was underway, the Wolves were making progress towards the Burnage line, when they got penalised at the breakdown for what the referee said afterwards was side entry. Oakey kicked it out of play and that was that.

Overall play had been stopped for thirty penalties, more or less equally divided, which is a lot and didn’t really help either side much. Rick Jones was clearly frustrated by some of the Wolves play but also commended a handful of players, Tom Bull, Alex Taylor, Sean Street and Will Maslen for their contributions. There was also a promising cameo from young George Witham when he came on in the back line during the final quarter. ‘If only we had played as we did in the last quarter throughout the game, said Jones, …………… .

Wolves Appearances and Point

Scorers : 2017 - 18

Tries

Penalties

Points

Drop GoalsDrop

Appearance Conversions

Jordan Ayrey 17 2 10 Nick Barker 3 ALAN LANG Sam Beckett 2 Elliot Brierley 9 2 10 4 LINDOW Tom Bull 14 7 35 PARADE Kevin Burge-Jones 1 CHAPEL LANE James Burgess 1 James Coulthurst 18 7 35 100% British Produce from Sam Cutts 4 3 15 Cheshire, Ben Day 10 3 15 Cumbria and Alex Donaldson 14 1 5 the Welsh Borders Jonny Evans 3 Charlie Gardiner 15 Ethan Harding 16 3 15 Adam Hewitt 21 3 15 Richard Hughes 15 2 10 Charlie Levings 7 Rhodri Lewis 5 Caleb Loomans 5 Connor Loomans 4 Danny Kennedy 2 2 10 Gold Rolex Sold for £9000 for Jonny Kennedy 1 2 10 Wilmslow Estate Two Gold Phillipe Patek Watches Bob MacCallum 19 14 46 134 Sold for £8000 for Wilmslow Est. Will Maslen 8 2 15 Jack Masters 11 1 5 This season’s Garner or Ghana Cup, Conor McMurdock 3 1 5 15 whichever you prefer, has been arranged James Nicholson 2 Matt Pearson 1 by David Barker at Prestbury Golf Club Seb Pemberton 13 1 5 Elliott Rowe 11 3 1 17 It’ll be in the same format as the last one Toby Rowe 10 with very much the same cost. The menu Matt Shufflebottom 6 will also be the same - gammon, egg, Ed Stobart 2 1 5 peas and chips Sean Street 18 11 55 Adam Taher 4 2 10 And finally, the date for this very popular Alex Taylor 22 16 80 event will be 3rd. May 2018. Fergus Taylor 1 Robert Taylor 22 2 10 Please let David know if you wish to Josh Whiteley 10 2 10 Jack Walmsley 7 1 5 participate. 2017/18 Tommy Wilkinson 3 George Witham 4 1 5 [email protected] Ollie Wilkinson 11 Max Wortley 17 1 5

It may be a tad premature to congratulate Vale of Lune as this season’s winners of N1W as mathematically they could still be overhauled by Northwich in the unlikely event of a complete melt down at Powderhouse Lane. They took another convincing step towards the title though last Saturday with a fourteen try fest against Rochdale. Damon Hall, who else, led the way with four of them, Fergus Owens had three, Jack Ayrton two and the other five were shared out amongst some of the others. A euphoric Stuart Vernon quotes Alfred Lord Tennyson "In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." It ended as a 92-7 stroll against Rochdale. We’ll be sorry to see them go, as surely they will. Matches against Vale have always been amongst the most attractive to watch and amongst the best supported. We’ll wish them well in Level 5, alongside their neighbours from Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale and possibly even Penrith, currently third in N1E.

It could all be settled this Saturday if Vale see off Stockport and Waterloo do for Northwich. What sort of sides though will Vale put out later in April when the job will be done?

This result also confirms that Rochdale will be plying their trade in one of the Level 7 leagues next season - SLC1, NL & Cumbria or even Yorkshire 1. Take your pick!

The struggle for second place, I’m not sure if anyone is really going for it, still continues with any of seven sides, including Wilmslow and Warrington still mathematically in with a chance. Northwich still have to play St. Benedicts twice so I guess that makes them favourites. Whether these fixtures will ever actually get played is an open question.

Waterloo have Northwich at home and then three matches against Altrincham Kersal, Manchester and Carlisle all of whom can be guaranteed to fight and scrap like alley cats to preserve their league status. Plenty of scope for an upset amongst that little lot. Incredible though that with a win/loss record only marginally better than 50% that they’re still in the race.

St. Benedicts are due to host Rochdale this week. It’ll be interesting to see what sort of sides, if any, turn up for that one. After the magnitude of their recent defeats and with matches against Vale and Blackburn also on their list to come, I wouldn’t be surprised if St. Benedicts decide ‘Enough of that, we’re calling it a day for this season and the devil take the hind most’. It’s not difficult either to declare your pitch unplayable if you don’t fancy the game and I can’t imagine anyone going to Whitehaven to check it out.

Altrincham Kersal 25 - 17 Manchester AK can reflect on a hugely successful weekend with all three senior sides victorious on Saturday 24th March, 1XV in a feisty home affair with local rivals and fellow North 1 West strugglers Manchester.

The first half's bitter exchanges from both teams, culminated in a highly contentious red card for AK's in form kicker Dave Coleman, Manchester went in at half time 14-3 up.

AK keen to dissipate the red mist which was just about settling from the first half, played the 2nd half with a conviction and determination of a team more worthy of a much higher league position, notable performances from backs Matt Geiger and Sam Moncur, AK pulled back the points and moved ahead, tries from Callum Yates, Jon Coulson, Andy Frost and a penalty try, ensured AK a momentous victory 25-17, sending Manchester home with nothing, with just three games to go, this win could prove to be the most important of the season as they fight on to avoid relegation.

At Grove Ave., there was much shaking of heads as to lose a 14-3 lead against a side reduced to fourteen was seen as nothing but a second half collapse.

Waterloo 23 - 7 Blackburn Burn started and finished this game pressuring their opponents, the problem was the bits in between where Waterloo were on top and this saw the home team secure the win and four points to draw level with Burn in the table, writes david Scott.

Despite a dominant first ten minutes, Blackburn failed to get anything on to the scoreboard and Waterloo then got into the game. After several near misses, Waterloo scored an unconverted try after 18 minutes from Jake Hawkins. Jonny Roberts scored the second just 2 minutes into the second period after their scrum half broke the Burn defence and the ball had been recycled to the winger, A third try from Lawrence Jenkins and two penalties followed for 23 - 0. Burn staged a recovery for the final quarter but had to settle for a single try from James Henderson, converted by Lawrence Nelson.

Cotton Traders Championship Team P W D L For Agst Diff Pts +/-

Lymm 2 17 16 0 1 703 210 493 65 0

Vale of Lune 2 17 12 0 3 601 204 397 59 0

Wirral 2 18 13 0 5 661 322 339 57 0

Rossendale 2 17 10 0 6 295 365 -70 46 0

Wilmslow 2 19 8 0 10 459 385 74 42 0

Macclesfield 3 19 7 1 10 405 535 -130 38 -2

Preston Grasshoppers 3 20 3 1 15 232 744 -512 31 0

Rochdale 2 18 4 0 14 295 606 -311 30 0

Stockport 2 17 4 0 13 281 561 -280 29 0

Sale Sharks Leagues - Division 4 East Team P W D L For Agst Diff Pts +/-

Littleborough 3 17 13 1 2 563 271 292 60 0

Heaton Moor 2 19 11 1 6 579 375 204 56 0

Wilmslow 3 19 12 2 2 658 220 438 56 0

Glossop 3 17 10 0 4 392 222 170 54 0

Stockport 3 19 9 2 8 438 367 71 48 0

Ashton on Mersey 1 18 9 0 8 406 372 34 48 0

Dukinfield 2 17 6 1 7 347 468 -121 41 0

Burnage 3 20 7 1 10 361 397 -36 40 0

Trafford Metrovick 3 20 5 0 14 379 644 -265 38 0

Altrincham Kersal 3 18 7 1 8 376 557 -181 38 0 The Colts blitzed MAKOS,(that’s the name Hope Valley RFC 1 17 5 1 11 460 646 -186 33 0 given to the merged colts side from Manchester and Stockport) in the first half of their top of the Manchester 3 19 4 1 12 302 573 -271 30 0 table clash, played at Grove Lane.

Broughton Park 4 16 3 3 9 258 407 -149 27 0 With five unconverted tries they were out of sight at 25 - 0 by the break and had produced a Senior Colts Conference League - C Townsend-esque style of quick attacking rugby Team P W D L For Agst Diff Pts from any part of the field to which MAKOS had no answer. In the second half, they took their eye off Wilmslow 9 9 0 0 258 111 147 26 the ball somewhat, adding only one more try and letting the home side recover some pride with three Makos 12 6 1 5 215 250 -35 25 scores of their own.

Widnes 10 5 0 5 259 144 115 17 MAKOS have only two matches left so this Wilmslow side is in poll position to overhaul them and to run out Fylde 9 4 0 5 128 153 -25 17 league winners of Conference C. Winnington Park 8 4 0 4 127 144 -17 14 Blackburn 10 2 0 8 203 313 -110 14 Crewe & Nantwich 8 2 1 5 129 204 -75 13

Saturday 24th. March Hawks HWO Burnage

Sunday 25th. March Colts HWO Winnington Park Warrington RUFC

We have had some good matches in recent seasons against Warrington with most of them being closely contested and the honours going either way. The last two, however, have both gone the way of our visitors.

Last November, Warrington held out in the face of a last minute assault to deny Wilmslow even a losing bonus point. On the day, they took their chances to score five scintillating tries, all of them with their origins in their own half of the field and all of them scored by their quick silver backs. Nathan Beesley, Steve Pilkington, Kieran Hughes (2) and Ben Hockenhull all scored. In response, there was a debutant try for Elliot Rowe and Alex Taylor barged himself over for one from close range. The Wilmslow forwards just about shaded the contest up front and at one stage it was only 19-17 for the home side. But behind the scrum, the Warrington back line, with Kieran Hughes in imperious form, were masters of all they surveyed and they pulled away with two well fashioned tries. Wilmslow without the craft and the pace outside had to rely on their pack if they were going to get anything out of the game.

Since then both sides have had their ups and downs but are looking set for a mid table finish. Last week Warrington came off second by 38-28 at Stockport but prior to that they nearly got a ‘ton’ against St. Benedicts, and have beaten both Rochdale at home and more impressively Firwood Waterloo away. Prior to that they had lost their last four and like us had gone down against Manchester and Altrincham Kersal. They now lie just one point below us in the table.

Their bonus point winning game against Rochdale contained another two tries for Kieran Hughes, returning to the fray after a lengthy lay off. How much his absence had affected Warrington’s intervening results is an open question.

Stockport 38 - 28 Warrington Stockport’s best performance of the season, writes Mike Atkinson, resulted in a 38-28 win at home against Warrington. In an excellent game, both teams played attacking rugby to score 9 tries between them. Stockport with their strongest side this season had five of them. .

Dan Brotherton collected the kick off, made ground towards the visitors line and ffter 4 phases of Dean Schofield touched down. Less than a minute had been played. Next up was scrum half Rory Austin who dummied for the second try and a 14-0 lead. On the twenty minute mark Warrington capitalised on an inaccurate Stockport throw to hit back for Jacuzzi® Hydromassage can form an essential part of Sports and 14-7 from prop Christian White. Both sides then had their chances until ‘port scored from a catch and drive for a 21-7 Fitness programs, helping to relax the body after exercise and half time lead. repair itself to prepare for the following day. Only Jacuzzi® Warrington soon scored through Nathan Beesley at the start of the second half. Next to score were Stockport with a Hydromassage offers your body the total all over body massage penalty but Warrington now broke from their own line for 24-21, again Nathan Beesley. Stockport’s turn now with that will treat your joints and muscles with the care that they probably their best try of the season from a line out in their own 22 followed by good running, support and continuity. need to ensure you are feeling great after exercise. Train harder, recover faster with Jacuzzi Mayer then collected a clearing kick to move the ball to McGovern, then Austin and to Brotherton for the bonus point try. Hydromassage available from Jones Bathrooms Warrington still managed to pull one back through Beesley completing his hat trick. It was still only 31-28 when Jordan Pearson finished it off from a 5m scrum.

Same old story, Warrington backs with Hughes, Pilkington, Thompson, Beesley, Arnold and Hockenhull absolute mustard with the ball but in trouble defending against a bigger and bulkier Stockport side. Bathroom Showroom Wilmslow 01625 445742

91 Chapel Lane Wilmslow SK9 5JH Double Trouble, Penalty Try and Yellow Card France beat a fortnight ago, courtesy of a penalty try, when winger Benjamin Act as a cheat Fall was adjudged to have been tackled high by Anthony Watson. Referee Jaco Peyper positive role because you with the help of his TMO ruled that the tackle had prevented Fall from scoring a try in model to all disagree with the corner. The tackler Anthony Watson got a Yellow Card for the offence, which on the players. him over where television didn’t look particularly dangerous. The only way he could have stopped Fall from scoring was by tackling him around the shoulders. There was no malice and it was the ball went a genuine tackle attempt, even though undoubtedly high. That’s the law though. Abide by the into touch, RFU’s Child whether or not Jonathon Kaplan then wrote that, although Peyper was absolutely correct in his rulings, Protection it was in touch the double punishment was excessive and he would like referees to have the option of Guidance in at all or deciding whether to issue a Yellow Card, depending on the severity of the offence. relation to who the throw verbal and has been Earlier on the same afternoon, several hundred miles further north, far away from the emotional awarded too is heaving Stade de France, Wilmslow were playing Northwich on a council owned pitch abuse. forbidden. adjacent to a derelict industrial site. Actually, the pitch was in excellent condition. Just Remember that not a very pretty location. children play Abuse of primarily for Match Officials Wilmslow’s winger Will Maslen scored a try despite a high tackle by Northwich full back their own Joel Barbour. The difference, of course was that Barbour’s tackle did not prevent Maslen from touching down. Let me also add that nobody thought there was any malice enjoyment not Code of in Barbour’s attempt but it was high, according to the current laws. Referee Kieran that of Conduct Henry immediately awarded Wilmslow a penalty try but Barbour received no yellow spectators. regulations Card. state that a Acknowledge person shall not ‘I wasn’t certain, said the referee afterwards, whether it was the winger or the fullback good play, abuse, threaten who had made the tackle and anyway I felt a penalty try was sufficient punishment.’ His effort and or intimidate a views clearly concur with those of Kaplan and I suspect also with Peyper, whom I performance referee, touch thought was saying to Watson: ‘Sorry, I have to do this, I have no choice, you have to irrespective of judge or other go! team or player. match official, Shout ‘for’ whether or not As Maslen actually scored, there was no question over whether ‘a try would probably players not ‘at’ on the field of have been scored’ so should a penalty try have been awarded in those circumstances. According to Kaplan though there was no option but to issue a yellow Card to the them. Never play. Crude or transgressor. ridicule a abusive player. language or Henry’s decisions also turned out be very significant in the context of the match. gestures Respect match towards officials In awarding a penalty try, Wilmslow had a seven pointer instead of a five with a difficult officials’ is not permitted. conversion attempt to follow. They led by 23 - 22 instead of, with all due respect to Bob decisions even MacCallum, probably trailing by 22 - 21. if they appear Abuse is to have made a defined as Barbour, who should by then have been in the bin, made a tremendous break from mistake. individual virtually under his own posts to score a magnificent try, which nearly won the game for Remember they perception of his side. If they’d been in front, he would probably have kicked for touch but should he are volunteers personal have still been on the pitch? too. degradation, be it mental, or These can all be difficult calls for a referee at whatever level, so none of these observations should be interpreted as criticism in any way. The game has always been Never verbally physical before, subject to a referee’s interpretation of the laws and on the pitch that is all that matters. abuse players, during and after coaches, match a game and It looks likely that next season we will be reunited once again with Broughton Park, who officials or includes verbal look comfortably set to wing SLC1 and quite possibly Liverpool St. Helens as well if they fellow or physical finish second and can win a play off against eny of Wigton, Aspatria or Bolton. De La spectators. assault, Salle of Salford look favourites to win NLC1 Such abuse intimidating can create a conduct and/or A glance at the leagues show some famous old clubs struggling: West Hartlepool, negative racial and Northern and Percy Park, all on the brink of relegation from N1E but Alnwick, where environment for sexual Mike Black grew up look set for level 5 rugby next season. players, which harassment. their behaviour West Park and New Brighton look favourites to go down to SLC2. Winnington Park, will often Abusive however, could well be back in SLC1 as they recover from a period in the doldrums.. reflect. behaviour affects the Explicitly calling reputation of the opposition the club and will team’s touch not be judge a b tolerated. Saturday 10th. March 2018 North 1 West Northwich 29 – 30 Wilmslow

There were less than two minutes still on the clock when Northwich full back Joel Barbour broke the Wilmslow defensive line deep in his own twenty two and then proceeded to hold off any covering defence for a length of the field try. It was the kind of try which would have deservedly won any match. His side only had to field the restart, to run down the remaining time with a couple of narrow drives around the fringes and to bang the ball out of play. They would have scored four tries and earned the maximum five league points to retain their challenge for second place at the top of the SPANISH STYLE SHERRY DUCK league. I’m just about old enough to remember the days when the most senior players of a side would refresh If only! Obligingly, from the Wilmslow point of view, the Northwich forwards conspired to drop the restart, worse still to themselves with a glass of sherry in the changing room before, not after, taking to the field. I recall one allow the chasing Wilmslow forwards to grab the loose ball. All afternoon, the Wolves had chased kicks ahead and at the such occasion prior to a Scotland v Ireland International when we played a touring side from NIFC, then restart with a venom not seen much recently, harassing their opponents whenever possible. Whether this was on the one of Belfast’s premier club’s, on the Friday afternoon. Their coach from Stranraer was delayed by mind of the Northwich receivers, who knows! Wilmslow now had one last chance. Any fumble or knock on, momentary loss of possession or breakdown would signal the end of the game. Everything had to be perfect and it was. The ball snow on the road and a late kick off organised. Inevitably by the time they arrived their hosts, us, had was spun from left to right and back again, it was taken on up the middle and slowly the Wolves worked their way to passed the sherry bottle around several times. My opponent, whom I knew from previous encounters, within a few strides of the Northwich line where once again the ball was recycled to Sean Street. The scrum half some just smiled and declared it to be ‘the sweetest smelling front row he’d ever been in’. how, like a weasel, squeezed himself into and through the slightest of openings, where none seemed to exist, slipped a tackle attempt, lengthened his stride and crossed the line under the posts. The Northwich players looked shell shocked as they might well have been; Wilmslow’s euphoric as they delightedly mobbed their No. 9. Bob MacCallum added the For this recipe you’ll need a duck leg or duck breast for each person, let’s assume four people, 2 tbsp. extra two points and referee Kieran Henry blew for no side. olive oil, 1 peeled chopped onion, 3 cloves peeled and crushed garlic, 500ml chicken stock, chopped parsley, stalks and all, 4tbsp ground almonds and a good squeeze of lemon, seasoning. What a finish to a well contested match. It may be remembered in Wilmslow annals as the try of the season because the Wolves had kept their heads to show a new patience, not normally their forte, to keep the ball alive in that lengthy final play, accompanied by no little skill and nous. It may be fanciful to think that it was anything more than a last gasp effort to Start by softening the onion and garlic in a frying pan with the oil until on the turn to light brown, win a match which looked to have swung against them or could it just possibly have heralded the start of something new transfer to a casserole dish. Now fry the duck pieces until nicely browned all over. Using a slotted spoon for a side, that has introduced so many new young players this season. transfer the duck pieces to the casserole but retain the duck fat in the frying pan.

If Wilmslow hadn’t enjoyed the rub of the green in their previous outing, then may be they did on this occasion. During the second and third quarters, they had been outplayed by the home side who squandered several clear cut opportunities Add the sherry, stock and parsley to the casserole and either simmer on the hob for 1½ hours or cook in but nonetheless still took two of them, through left winger Bud Skinkis and No. 10 James Reilly, during this period to lead a medium oven until the duck is tender. Now add the almonds, seasoning and lemon juice, stir and serve. 22-16. The Northwich pack had had the bit between their teeth, driving forward, counter rucking effectively and their dangerous backs were making inroads. The Wolves were still on a full scale damage limitation exercise when they had a stroke of good fortune as the pendulum started to turn towards them in the final minutes. Winger Will Maslen finished off The duck fat meanwhile can be used to brown some potato slices. Just parboil, the potatoes, slice them a good period of play touching down in the right hand corner but was adjudged by referee Henry to have been tackled and add them to the hot fat in the frying pan. You could also add a chopped shallot, spoonful of Dijon around the neck in the act of scoring. He awarded a penalty try, which was hotly debated afterwards, but strangely no mustard, splash of vinegar, seasoning and parsley. And voila, you now have Lyonaise potatoes to go with Yellow Card. The effect, of course, was seven points for the Wolves, instead of five with a difficult conversion attempt to the duck. follow. For the following few minutes, the Wolves seemed to be in control as they sought another try, which would have put them out of sight and just as importantly to keep Northwich bottled up in or around their own twenty two. To drink, you can have either a red or white wine. A medium bodied Pinot Noir or Beaujolais will do The Barbour intervention followed by Street’s opportunism in quick succession then brought the game to its exciting fine or if you want white wine, go for a white Rioja or Albarino conclusion.

For the first quarter, MacCallum and Street had put some very effective box kicks for Elliot Rowe and James Coulthurst to run onto, which had had the home defence in some trouble. There was an eagerness to chase the kick ahead in both open play and at the restarts, which hasn’t always been apparent recently but in this match it paid handsome dividends. MacCallum kicked a penalty after five minutes but it was against the run of play when Maslen’s run down the left wing led to a loose ball being picked up by Northwich’s Richard Dale, who ran in unopposed for a seven pointer on the quarter hour. The Wolves still looked the more likely at this stage, with a second MacCallum penalty immediately followed by a kick and chase taken by Coulthurst, a quick piece of recycling and full back Ben Day intruding for a very good try. A third MacCallum penalty then had the Wolves 7-16 to the good. Quite simply the Wolves’ pressure in the first half hour was forcing the home side into a series of breakdown offences.

Maslen’s try in the seventieth minute then opened it all up for the final moments of joy and ecstasy, firstly for Northwich, misery and grief for Wilmslow and then a complete reversal after the final play.

Coach Rick Jones was particularly pleased afterwards for his players. ‘We’re not a bad side, he said, but the last few weeks have been difficult, non availability, injuries, match cancellations because of ground conditions and so on. We just hadn’t really done as well as we could have and may be heads were beginning to drop. We got the players together to talk about what they thought was going wrong and what they could do better and then put it into practice on training nights. I’m really proud of their response, he said. Adam Hewitt stood out as a proper No. 7 in this match, Jack Masters probably had his best game ever at No. 6 and many of the others, young players like Charlie Gardiner, Max Wortley, Will Maslen and George Witham also put in a good shift. Northwich are a decent side with some outstanding players so to come here and to snatch any kind of a win speaks volumes for the character of this side.’

REHAU NATIONAL INSTALLER OF THE YEAR - 2015-16

RESIDENCE 9 UPVC

THE AREA’S LEADING ESTATE AGENCY

Happy to be associated with Wilmslow Rugby Club

18 Offices throughout Cheshire and South Manchester

42 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, SK9 1NY t 01625 536434 f 01625 527772 [email protected] SIX NATIONS

3rd. February Wales v Scotland Principality Stadium 3rd. February France v Ireland Stade de France 4th. February Italy v England Rome

10th. February England v Wales Twickenham 10th.. February Scotland v France Murrayfield At the A J Bell Stadium 10th. February Ireland v Italy Aviva Stadium

23rd. February France v Italy Stade de France Friday 8 September 24th.February Scotland v England Murrayfield FALCONS 19.45pm 24th. February Ireland v Wales Aviva Stadium Friday 15th. September 10th. March France v England Stade de France LONDON IRISH 8.00pm 10th. March Ireland v Scotland Aviva Stadium 11th March Wales v Italy Principality Stadium Friday 29th. September

17th. March England v Ireland Twickenham CLOUCESTER 8.00pm 17th. March Wales v France Principality Stadium 17th. March Italy v Scotland Rome Friday 27th. October CHIEFS 19.45pm

Friday 24th. November SAINTS 8.00pm

22/23/24 December BATH

THE BRITAUTUMN INISH & IRISH 05/06/07 January QUINS

League North 1 West Country Home Furnishing 2017-18 For over 40 years our family business has been giving THIS WEEK’S the highest level of service, quality, design and P W D L PF PA PD Pts B Pts Adj OTHER furnishings. We pride ourselves on our customer Vale of Lune 20 18 0 2 878 268 610 89 17 0 MATCHES service, having built up a very loyal customer base,

Blackburn 22 14 1 7 507 324 183 67 9 0 Carlisle v Blackburn nearly all our sales are generated from Firwood Waterloo 22 12 0 10 584 442 142 67 19 0 recommendations. With competitive prices to suit all Northwich 20 13 0 7 429 353 76 65 13 0 Waterloo v needs, from studio apartments to prestigious Stockport 22 12 1 9 519 494 25 63 13 0 Northwich developments we offer solutions for all your home

Wilmslow 21 12 0 9 591 426 165 63 15 0 furnishing needs. Manchester v Warrington 22 12 0 10 546 430 116 62 14 0 Douglas(IOM) Burnage 23 11 1 11 548 532 16 62 16 0 Our Chapel Lane showroom contains a large collection Douglas (I.O.M.) 22 12 0 10 526 465 61 59 11 0 St. Benedicts v of classic and contemporary home furnishings. Rochdale Carlisle 22 9 0 13 460 507 -47 48 12 0

Altrincham Kersal 23 9 1 13 425 561 -136 45 7 0 Stockport v Manchester 22 10 0 12 451 595 -144 43 3 0 Vale of Lune 39 Chapel Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5HW Rochdale 22 4 0 18 373 700 -327 23 7 0 Tel 01625 527949 St Benedicts 19 1 0 18 107 847 -740 5 1 0 www.countryhomefurnishings.co.uk

League Fixtures & Results—2017/2018 PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING ALL WILMSLOW RUGBY CLUB TEAMS HOME

TEAMS

AltrinchamBlackburn Kersal Burnage Carlisle Douglas IOMManchesterNorthwich RochdaleSt. BenedictsStockportVale of Lune Warrington Waterloo Wilmslow

Altrincham Kersal 8-34 23-17 23-5 25-17 12-27 0-20 54-0 22-22 12-50 14-3 9-36

Blackburn 42-21 23-12 42-7 36-0 44-5 26-10 12-6 38-0 10-31 18-28 19-12

Burnage 40-27 17-17 19-16 20-21 24-10 35-36 42-7 27-14 31-34 41-7 15-17

Carlisle 39-19 25-14 27-28 12-16 31-12 64-0 13-26 18-41 29-27 15-18 Douglas IOM 42-5 3-7 16-27 19-15 75-17 36-24 30-3 12-3 8-15 22-10 30-35 22-20 2017-18 Manchester 10-9 19-36 22-0 15-25 19-10 63-24 15-24 19-33 10-7 28-15

Northwich 23-20 15-0 22-8 25-10 30-17 13-14 5-12 33-23 20-17 29-30

Rochdale 7-15 13-19 31-39 20-29 21-36 37-28 17-33 37-14 7-28 9-3 19-26 5-24

St. Benedicts 9-41 14-36 6-15 18-20 12-28 0-36 8-17 0-26 20-19

Stockport 16-15 32-20 38-19 26-25 24-43 15-34 33-24 43-0 38-28 14-27 14-38

Vale of Lune 60-12 34-17 58-17 52-10 24-31 66-12 92-7 91-0 53-17 87-20 20-14 41-17

Warrington 38-3 10-23 19-0 13-18 32-0 11-13 29-19 96-3 31-15 21-10 29-17

Firwood Waterloo 31-33 23-7 22-29 39-23 33-21 54-24 76-0 24-17 13-15 19-20 25-19

Wilmslow 12-22 18-17 29-33 34-18 45-24 19-11 50-7 80-0 17-24 35-33

Specialist in Domestic Extension and

Design

Paul Sheridon Tel. 07969 790075 [email protected]

Paul Sheridon wishes the Wolves every success in 2017-18

WRUFC is once again supporting Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby founded in 1983 to help improve the lives of disabled children locally.

The Wooden Spoon Charity focuses on providing funding to PC AND LAPTOP organisations across the UK such as specialist schools, other charities and community projects that give support, treatment or respite care to children with disabling or life-limiting medical REPAIR conditions or who are living in areas of severe social deprivation. SPECIALISTS Wooden Spoon has become one of the largest UK funders of respite FINE BENGALI & and medical treatment centres, sensory rooms, specialist playgrounds, sports activity areas and INDIAN CUISINE community-based programmes. So far grants exceeding £22 million Restaurant and to 600 projects have been made, helping over 1 million young people and children in need.. Take Away Menus ♦ Faulty Components ♦ Power Supplies or Inlet Problems ♦ Keyboard Failures ♦ Broken Screens ♦ Viruses ♦ Loss of Data In October 2011, Wooden Spoon was awarded the IRB Spirit of Rugby Award and as such is the first and only charity to receive this Rd. accolade. Nether Alderley Wilmslow IT : Telehone 01625 533550 ♦ [email protected]

Every single penny a regional volunteer group raises for Wooden SK10 4TD Spoon stays in that community and funds causes and projects local to IT ♦ 31 Tatton St. ♦ Knutsford them. The club will look to raise funds for Wooden Spoon over the Tel 01625 890379/890560 course of this season. Telephone 01565 650022 ♦ [email protected] www.bengaltigerlily.com NEXT MATCH AT THE MEMORIAL GROUND Wednesday 28th. March 2018 14th. April North 1 West WILMSLOW V MANCHESTER North 1 West Wilmslow v Warrington PLAYERS AND THEIR The Wolves next away game is on SPONSORS 7th. April away to Blackburn Wilmslow XV and their Sponsors Warrington XV The players and coaches would like to thank those organisations and individuals BLACKBURN RUFC, who have supported the cause of Wilmslow RAMSGREAVE DRIVE, rugby by becoming their personal sponsors. BLACKBURN, BB1 8NB 15. Elliot Rowe John Gardiner 15 J Thompson All the funds raised are directed towards funding coaching, kit, equipment, physios and team travel. Ramsgreave Drive is some way out 14. James Coulthurst Curtaincraft 14. T Arnold of town, due north of Blackburn If you would like to support the team by 13. George Witham Concept Group 13. K Hughes becoming a sponsor, then please let either centre. he most simple way of Mike Blackett or David Pike in on the secret. getting there is to head up the M6 12. Ethan Harding Jonty Fallows 12. S Pilkington There are players still looking for personal as far as Preston, where you exit sponsors this season. 11. Will Maslen Peter Turner 11. N Beesley the motorway at J31 to take the Jordan Ayrey - Nigel Day A59 eastbound. Bear right towards Nick Barker - David Barker Sam Beckett - Bryn Lewis Blackburn when the road forks, 10. Bob MacCallum Ian Stewart 10. T Wood Elliot Brierley - Loves Young Dreams taking the A677 towards 9. Sean Street Norman Herring Tom Bull - Barry Fisher Blackburn. As you approach the 9. B Hockenhull James Coulthurst - Curtaincraft Charlie Gardiner - Mike Clifford town, you come to traffic lights Ben Day - Concept Group where you turn left into Yew Tree 1. Jordan Ayrey Nigel Day 1. C O’Rourke Alex Donaldson - John and Sue Gardiner Drive, which then becomes Jonny Evans - John Folds 2. Alex Donaldson Sue Gardiner 2. S Hughes (capt.) Ethan Harding - Jonty Fallows Ramsgreave Drive. The rugby club Adam Hewitt - Robin Gregory is visible on the left. 3. Robert Taylor (capt.) M2 Recruitment 3. J Jones Rhodri Lewis - Martin Cicognani Connor Loomans - Terra Nova and Peter 4. Tom Bull Barry Fisher 4. D Fleming Turner Will Maslen - Peter Turner TONIGHT’S REFEREE 5. Seb Pemberton John Pemberton 5. J Downes Bob MacCallum - Ian Stewart Conor McMurdock - KNH Plumbing 6. Jack Masters 6. H Kellett Seb Pemberton - John Pemberton 7. Adam Hewitt Robin Gregory Elliott Rowe - John and Sue Gardiner 7. P Lynch Toby Rowe - John and Sue Gardiner 8. Alex Taylor Iain Milne 8. J Riley Matthew Shufflebottom - RHS Property Services Sean Street - Norman Herring Alex Taylor - Iain Milne Subs Subs Robert Taylor - M2 Recruitment Josh Whiteley - John Folds Rhodri Lewis Martin Cicognani C White Ollie Wilkinson - Tim Holloway Max Wortley - M.A.X Funding & Jon Hitch Rick Hughes S Yoxhall A N Other B Dixon

James Brown MDRURS

Wishing the Wolves a Successful Season