Club points News for Hitchin Rugby Football Club members Issue 28 • May 2013 Hitchin 1XV 2012-2013 Hitchin had a rather varied season this year; we had a very confident start to the season by only marginally losing to the eventual unbeaten Old Priorians, and then setting a high standard of rugby across the board but unfortunately not getting the results needed. Westy runs in to score v. Haringey We then had a great October and early November winning five games in a row including two victories in the cup against Upminster and Norwich who had both not lost a game all season. Unfortunately, then came the rest of November and December where Hitchin did not win a single game through a heavy injury list losing key players such as Duane Brand, Jack Peachy, John “Nuts” Bolter on the charge v. Datchworth Perkins, Nathan Burns, Ian Thompson and Lewis Skittrall but the team still showed tremendous heart and pride putting their all performances from James Bolter, Heinrich Schlehmeyer, Stefan in week in week out. Hitchin came back after Christmas with a Brand, Nick Panton and Jack Peachy. great spirit and Coach David Marshall had come up with a master This standard of rugby was showcased at the brilliantly plan to change the way Hitchin played. organised LV weekend, where the under 23’s took on the over With key players coming back into the team some wonderful 23’s in the John Drew Cup, which saw the best of the youth rugby was seen at King George’s playing Field with fantastic section run by Jim Panter and Amos Brand, take on the older victories over Haringey Rhinos, Cheshunt, Barnet and a huge heads of Hitchin, headed up by Dave Marshall and Adam Shaw. performance against Datchworth. This brilliant game end up at 28-28 with some superb skill and These marvellous performances saw Hitchin finish the season talent, showing that this forthcoming season could be a very on a high with some of the best rugby being played, and standout good season for a new look Hitchin side. Adam Shaw RESULTS IN This issUE... London 3 North West 20 April 2013 Team P W D L F A Diff B Pts Pts Adjust 25 years of Old Priorians 22 22 0 0 839 212 627 16 104 0 Mini & Youth Twickenham 22 20 0 2 773 188 585 15 96 0 Welwyn 22 14 0 8 568 386 182 9 65 0 Finchley 22 13 1 8 384 333 51 6 60 0 Datchworth 22 12 0 10 416 429 -13 11 60 0 LV= and HRFC London New Zealand 22 10 0 12 641 380 261 16 56 0 Wasps 22 10 0 12 461 423 38 14 54 0 Hitchin 22 10 0 12 361 533 -172 9 51 0 Changing room Barnet Elizabethans 22 9 1 12 373 436 -63 9 47 0 Imperial Medicals 22 5 0 17 302 656 -354 9 24 -5 redevelopment Cheshunt 22 4 0 18 219 592 -373 4 20 0 Haringey Rhinos 22 2 0 20 188 957 -769 3 11 0 update The Ladies Passion... Drive... Talent... Just a few words to describe Hitchin Ladies rugby. From no coach to three, the Ladies fought back and got on with it. With copious amounts of club support and positivity from Jim Panter, Amos Brand and Gary Ayers, we went from a team that played, to a team that people wanted to watch and talk about. We started to win games and play simple rugby as a gelled team. Our Friday night game under the 1 XV lights was a massive highlight with over 100 fans out The LV weekend was also an excellent Ladies under lights supporting us on a fabulous win. Not example of how we pulled it all together, only were we a team on the pitch but the coming second, and loving every minute comradery off the pitch increased tenfold. of it. A positive end to a great season. RUGBY SHORTS 100 Club winners Cheers Dave! • Keith Gibson • Babs Morgan Many of you will know that David • R Swarbrick Marshall has left his position of Head You have to • Brian Chapman be in it to Coach to take up a similar post at • Derek Ambler Dunstablians RFC. David has been • Chris Jones win it! involved with Hitchin RFC for many years as a player, a successful Captain – remember Twickenham 1993, Coach and RFU Grand Draw more recently he played a very great part Thanks to all members who in the implementation and organisation contributed to the draw, which of the LV= U18 National Cup. put nearly £1,200 into the bank. David became Head Coach at the start Unfortunately no one from HRFC of the 2007/8 season when we found won, but there is always next year! ourselves back in Herts Middlesex. David Marshall Second prize went to a Royston Returning to Hitchin from Ampthill after RFC member, so it is getting closer. a year away from the club it was clear standards matched those off the pitch. that he had a desire for the club to do David always felt the Club had the Called to the bar well. At the end of the season the First players to achieve promotion to London John Humphries retires as Bar XV gained promotion to London NW4. NW2, but each season had its own Chairman after six years, taking The 2008/9 season saw the Club problems – injuries to key players, over from John Gregory in the maintain its position within the league especially the ‘curse of the captain’ 2005/6 season. The bar is of course but due to the RFU reorganising the and the uncertainty about promotion/ the club’s best asset – our thanks league structure the start of the 2009/10 relegation late in the season. to John who will no doubt prop campaign put us in NW3. David, always As well as being Head Coach David up the bar from the other side. looking to involve younger players, made was always looking to promote rugby use of members of the successful colts’ and Hitchin RFC. The idea to organise an side who became available for senior U18 National Cup, look for sponsorship Silver Hedgehogs rugby – the start of “Hitchin’s Young and hold the finals at Hitchin shows how Recipients of the much valued silver Guns”. At the end of the season the team forward thinking he is about the game of hedgehog since the last issue of Club was playing a more expansive game rugby. Points are the ubiquitous Mark Tidey, and was able to compete with a greater David has been a great asset to the and Richard Stidolph, for his work level of fitness, helped by the idea to Club and we wish him all the best in the on the website and online shop. change the garage into a gym and the next step of his coaching career. introduction of some indoor training. At the end of the season the 1st and 2nd teams were County Cup finalists. Over the next couple of seasons the 1st XV played with mixed success, often playing some brilliant catch up rugby, having given the opposition too much of a start. David’s enthusiasm for open rugby allowed players to be creative and HG Construction supporting the youth of today and building for the future. this was often seen on the rugby field. The end of the 20011/12 season was A Hitchin based construction company working regionally, producing high quality, frustrating for David, with results not energy efficient and sustainable buildings to meet all the needs of our Clients. quite as good as expected, and he was looking forward to the next campaign We wish Hitchin Rugby Club every success with their plans both on with good things happening at the Club and off the pitch for the future. – LV= sponsorship, the U18 Cup and the planning of new changing rooms. He felt For the latest news and projects at HG Construction, visit our website at www.hgconstruct.co.uk it was now time to ensure that playing 2 3 25 years of Mini & Youth The 25th season of the Hitchin Mini and youth rugby and then Youth Section has flown by and what a both those sides top their season it has been! leagues as champions, I am happy to report that we now gain promotion and are have a record 412-registered M&Y also the Herts County players, with a growing number Plate runners of age groups now maintaining up. We look 40+ players. This is clearly a John Drew forward to wonderful position to find reported at the welcoming ourselves in, but one which 1987/88 AGM that them into presents both challenges and there was a proposal the Academy rewards. The limitations on to set up a mini next season. pitch space at KGV as well as rugby section. The U16’s strains on other resources has ended their forced us to take a good look at season as HML how we can better manage what Division 2 Champions! we have. The U19’s ended There have been many outstanding second in their league, achievements; U11’s are winners of the a tribute in no small part Hitchin girls’ squad Cup at the North Herts Festival, U12A’s to the success of the newly the Bedford Festival Plate Winners, the formed Hitchin Academy organisation of the tour, I was delighted U14’s finished 3rd in their league, a now completing it first year.