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 Kersal W Vale of Lune HWO TRAFFORD MV AWO 16 WATERLOO W ROCHDALE W Glossop HWO 23 DOUGLAS (IOM) W Preston GH 3 W W 30 St. Benedicts L ROSSENDALE W DUKINFIELD W

October 7 L Macclesfield 3 W Stockport W 14 Macclesfield 2 W 21 Vale of Lune L HEATON MOOR W “A warm welcome on what we predict will be a cold December afternoon to our friends from Altrincham 28 ROCHDALE W LYMM L Ashton on Mersey Kersal.

November 4 L Stockport W NORTH MANCHESTER W 11 W VALE OF LUNE L L Altrincham Kersal W Today sees the start of the second half of the season from a fixtures point of view. Hopefully, the cold spell 18 Rochdale L of the past week will die down so that we can get this game can be played. 25 Burnage W PRESTON GH 3 W BURNAGE HWO December 2 W Rossendale L Hope Valley W It was a shame that the fourth of our derby games against Manchester had to be postponed last week. 9 Manchester P Macclesfield 3 P LITTLEBOROUGH P 16 ALTRINCHAM KERSAL Trafford MV Personally I was gutted that the game was off as I have been away on business over the last four weeks, 23 missing several games. It would also have been the first time to have played our closest rivals since 2013 and 30 before that since 1996. January 6 Waterloo Lymm GLOSSOP 13 Douglas (IOM) STOCKPORT MANCHESTER 20 ST. BENEDICTS Wirral Dukinfield We played Altrincham Kersal away at the beginning of the season where I remember that they kept us 27 Stockport VALE OF LUNE STOCKPORT camped on our line for the first twenty minutes of the game before we started to break their lines. As it February 3 VALE OF LUNE Rochdale Heaton Moor turned out the score would indicate that we were comfortable winners but there were times during that game 10 17 Rochdale Preston GH 3 ASHTON ON MERSEY where our defence was put to the test and as a spectator, the game was much closer than the score 24 suggested. I’m sure that the Alty Kersal lads will be wanting to make amends for the game at their place so I

March 3 WARRINGTON Rossendale North Manchester look forward to a good game today. 10 Northwich MACCLESFIELD ALTRINCHAM KERSAL 17 24 BURNAGE Burnage One game that did go on last week was our Colts who played against Fylde in what supporters called “arctic 31 conditions”. I’m delighted to say that our Colts ran out 22- 10 winners showing the strength of the club at April 7 Blackburn Lymm HOPE VALLEY this level. They now lie second in Conference league - C but with a much better points difference ration 14 MANCHESTER STOCKPORT Littleborough and a game in hand against the leaders. 21 Carlisle Wirral BROUGHTON PARK 28 It has never been more important for this club than to have a competitive colts team as so many of our first team players have come through this source Raging Bull Senior U18 Colts : League C Following the conclusion of Many of you will have seen the posters around the club (and on the club website) promoting the annual September 3 Macclesfield W February 4 the Preliminary Boxing Day Spectacular where we have HS Old Boys v Wilmslow Wolves University Boys playing 10 WIDNES D 11 Crewe & Nantwich League season 17 Blackburn W 18 FYLDE again for the Sue Fisher Cup. Organised and promoted by the two Marks “Shotts” and “Barrel” who have 24 HWO 25 Makos during which each team plays provided the “bridge” for several years between Colts and Senior rugby for many players. Much planning has October 1 March 4 each other once, gone into organising the match and I understand that many people have said that they want to turn out and 8 Fylde HWO 11 WIDNES 15 BOLTON W 18 the organising play, for which I give my thanks on behalf of the club. 22 25 seeding 29 committee will To complement a festival of rugby an eventful day is planned with a Christmas 200 club £1,000 prize being November 5 Widnes April 8 select the drawn - you have to be there to win it otherwise you only receive the normal £400. Moreover, for those of 12 15 conference 19 BLACKBURN 22 you who fancy a burger or hot dog, Kiwi’s Age group are doing the Christmas match BBQ. So why not get 26 29 leagues. out of the house for some fresh air, a few beers and show off your Christmas jumpers!

December 3 CREWE & NANTWICH The Colts also 10 Fylde Finally a reminder about the Ladies Lunch on January 20th, 2018 12:30 for 13:00.The lunch has been kindly have a League 17 MAKOS sponsored by Care of the Skin Aesthetics and Laser Clinic. A great two course menu is planned together 24 Cup competition 31 and the with Prosecco on arrival all fo £15.00! Care of the Skin Aesthetics and Laser Clinic are also donating

January 7 Colts Cup to several prizes for the raffle as well. Tickets are selling quickly and we are expecting a sell out so please 14 Blackburn compete in. contact Sue Muckle ([email protected]) or Jason Sankey ([email protected]) if you wish to 21 WINNINGTON PARK attend.” 28 The Artisan League N1W Forecasts Sponsored by The Artisan Meat Company The first repeat game of the season and the last of the calander year. 10 people have all gone gone the same results this week. If it ends up H A A H H H H, then there will be some bonus points to be had. Red Gauntlet still leads the way but he is not one of those 10. Does he know something different or will there be changes at the top? Douglas, Burnage , Stockport, Vale of Lune and of course Wilmslow are all heavily backed to win. Most expect Carlisle to win at St Benedict's but the game between Warrington and Northwich has almost evenly divided opinion.

Warrington v Rochdale v Wilmslow Alty Kersal

Northwich v Lune V of

Stockport vStockport Manches-

Douglas vDouglas Alty Kersal

Saturday vStBenedict Carlisle

Burnage v Stockport

Blackburn v StBene-

Rochdale vRochdale Burnage

Warrington v North-

Douglas vDouglas Waterloo

THIS WEEKTHIS TOTAL

Carlisle vCarlisle Waterloo

9th December 16th

Vale of of Vale Lune v

Manchesterv

Blackburn December Wilmslow

TOTAL

wich

dict 2017 ter

Bar Steward H A H H A H H 13 269 H A A H H A H

Basher H A A H H H A 13 229 H A A H H A H

Beer Keeper H A H H A A H 13 214 H H H A A H H

Braveheart H H H H A A H 16 269 H A A H H H H

Chicken Sarney H H A H A A H 16 236 H A H H H A H

Dick D & Mutley H H A H A A H 16 267 H A A H H A H

Draichgoch H H A H A A H 16 274 H A A H H H A

Fiery Basher H A A H A A H 13 269 H A A H H A H

Flying Scot H H A H A H H 16 242 H A A H H A H

H H A H H A A H 13 278 H A A H H H H

Jonty H H A H A A H 16 253 H A H H H A H

Kiwi H A H H A A H 13 249 H A A H H H H

Millie 29 H H H H A H H 16 271 H A A H H H H

Nob H H H H A A H 16 264 H A A H H H H

Pilgrims H H A H A A H 16 244 H A A H H H H

Red Gauntlet H H A H A A H 16 283 A A A H H H H

Romulus & R H H H H A A H 16 274 H A A H H H H

Shakey H H A H A A H 16 253 H A A H H A H

Super Ted H H H H A A H 16 262 H A A H H A H

Uncle Fester H H H H A A H 16 240 H A H H H H H

Results 38-0 27-14 P 42-5 P P P 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 10.00am - 4.00pm

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 2nd. December 2017 North 1 West Wilmslow 18 – 17 Blackburn A dreich afternoon, complete with a pervasive drizzle, falling mist and poor light had The Memorial Ground floodlights at full power from early on. Without them, it's doubtful that this game could have been completed. Certainly nobody would have seen much of it.

Act as a cheat When Blackburn scored a well crafted converted try midway through the second half to open up a 14-6 lead over the positive role because you Wolves, it looked ominous for the home side. It wasn’t that they were playing badly, the eight point deficit wasn’t model to all disagree with insurmountable but Blackburn had at that stage grabbed control and weren’t making too many mistakes. Night was PISTOU SOUP AND SLOW ROASTED PORK BELLY players. him over where drawing in, the mist was settling and a persistent pervasive drizzle was falling. Quite how they would salvage something the ball went from the game in these conditions was a question that could only be answered more in hope than conviction. Abide by the into touch, For the soup

RFU’s Child whether or not 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 onion,3 cloves of garlic,3 leeks,3 potatoes,3 carrots,1 And yet as the gloom became its murkiest, they hit back with two tries to secure the narrowest of leads. Even then Protection it was in touch stick of celery,3 courgettes,2 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley,2 fresh bay leaves,250 Blackburn’s full back Leon Fifield still had a long range penalty shot that would probably have won them the game had it Guidance in at all or g baby green beans,1 x 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes,1 x 400 g tin of cannellini gone over. Any impartial observer and I don’t think there were any of them present may have concluded that in the end it relation to who the throw had gone to the side which had displayed a bit more ambition to score tries. Wilmslow’s Bob MacCallum eschewed at beans,1 x 400 g tin of borlotti beans,70 g small macaroni verbal and has been least two kicks at goal, which may have been in his range, to set up attacking lineout positions. Fifield on the other hand emotional awarded too is missed three shots at goal, none of them easy but within his range, when in the conditions he may have been better Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, then trim and slice the leek. Chop the abuse. forbidden. advised to have kicked the corners to give his pack the chance of a ‘catch and drive’. Remember that potatoes, carrots, celery and courgettes, then pick and roughly chop the parsley

children play Abuse of leaves. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and sauté the The Wolves were still bottled up in their own half, as they had been for much of the third quarter when centre Ethan primarily for Match Officials onion, garlic and leek for 5 minutes, add the other chopped ingredients, the bay, Harding took the only realistic option open to him, to kick down the left touch line for his winger to chase. It was the dual their own green beans and chopped tomatoes. Drain and add the beans. Cover with water, ten – twelve playmaker option, which we have heard so much about from the pundits since last Summer’s Lions Tour, in enjoyment not Code of action. The Kiwi Caleb Loomans set off after it like a gun dog, managed to get a toe to the ball and then again, forcing the season and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Add the pasta and simmer until that of Conduct last Blackburn defender to kick the ball dead. Quite rightly, referee Daniel Taylor awarded the Wolves a five metre scrum cooked, adding water if the soup is too thick. spectators. regulations from which No. 8 Alex Taylor broke and somehow managed to twist and turn with the help of his mates to get the crucial state that a touchdown. At 11-14, they still had to score again and when they offended after a poor exit from the restart, Blackburn’s Acknowledge person shall not Pistou sauce, 5 cloves of garlic, 6 sprigs of fresh basil, 60g Parmesan cheese,3 Leon Fifield kicked an improbable penalty from long range for 11-17. Only a converted try would now do. This came when good play, abuse, threaten tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Blackburn infringed as the Wolves threatened in their twenty two. MacCallum’s kick set up a lineout within five metres, the effort and or intimidate a throw and catch was good but the drive was held as it crabbed into midfield. When it was pulled down, referee Taylor performance referee, touch Peel and add the garlic to a pestle and mortar, add the basil leaves and sea salt. played advantage and scrum half Sean Street found a gap to nip in from close range. Something must have been said irrespective of judge or other that offended Mr. Taylor, so it promptly became a penalty try, thus denying Street his sixth try of the season. There was Pound until puréed, then finely grate in the Parmesan and drizzle the extra virgin team or player. match official, still ten minutes to go but ‘Burn, now down to fourteen, were unable to make much of the possession that came their way, olive oil to make a paste. Shout ‘for’ whether or not Fifield’s final long range penalty attempt went wide and the Wolves then played out the remaining time. Another frustrated players not ‘at’ on the field of Blackburn player got Yellow Carded for bad language and the Wolves were on the attack again looking for their third try them. Never play. Crude or Serve the soup with a dollop of pistou. when Street judged the moment to kick the ball out of play for no side. ridicule a abusive

player. language or For the pork Blackburn had been first on the scoreboard after just a minute when a high kick ahead from Fifield was spilt by the Wolves gestures 600g Boneless Pork Belly, 1 Grated Nutmeg, Rock Salt,, Thyme, 2tbsp Demereara and he simply pounced on the loose ball for a simple run in from 30 metres. Thereafter, the Wolves generally had the Respect match towards officials better of the first half play but were their own worst enemy in trying to play what was described by one spectator as ‘dry Sugar, 2 Sliced Onions, 4 Pears, peeled, two of the halved, cored and sliced, 4 officials’ is not permitted. weather rugby in wet weather conditions’. At the break all they had to show for their efforts was a solitary MacCallum Cloves, 200ml Chicken Stock, 1tbsp Runny Honey decisions even penalty. They came out bristling for the second period and within a couple of minutes MacCallum had notched over his if they appear Abuse is second penalty and then they promptly lost a lineout just after the restart. This heralded twenty minutes or so of Blackburn to have made a defined as Score the skin of the pork with cuts 5mm apart, 3mm deep. Make a rub of pressure in the Wilmslow half. Their second try came from a five yard scrum, which was initially halted by the Wolves but mistake. individual nutmeg, salt, thyme and sugar. Rub over the pork and chill in the fridge for 12 when the ball was released ’Burn had men over and Fifield exploited the space well to squeeze in at the corner. He then Remember they perception of hours. Put the onions, sliced pears, thyme sprigs, nutmeg, chicken stock into a converted his own try. are volunteers personal roasting dish. Wash he rub off the pork and place in the roasting dish, cover with

too. degradation, be Despite the miserable conditions, it had been a good entertaining game between two evenly matched sides, both of whom foil and roast for 3 hours at 150C.. For the last hour, add the whole pears drizzled it mental, or wanted to play positive attacking rugby. The pitch, although in good condition, was wet and heavy slowing down the play. with runny honey. Remove the pork and whole pears from the oven. Discard the Never verbally physical before, Wilmslow despite plenty of possession, particularly in the first half, were never once able to make a line break and nor thyme sprigs and cloves and blitz the remaining juices in a blender. abuse players, during and after were their forwards able to capitalise on several good positions. The visitors for their part, led by No. 8 Corey Logan, broke coaches, match a game and the Wilmslow line several times when tackles were missed and only a resilient covering defence prevented them from officials or includes verbal Put the pork back in the roasting dish and place under a hot grill for about 15 scoring more than once in the opening period. Rick Jones recognised the danger and brought on the veteran Charlie fellow or physical minutes until the crackling crisps. Grill the whole pears until they brown. Serve Levings in the back row early in the second half to tighten up the midfield defence. ‘Not much got through after that’, spectators. assault, the pork with the pear and onion sauce and blackened pears. chuckled Jones afterwards, obviously delighted that his tactical foresight had made a difference. In the nip and tuck of the Such abuse intimidating second period, it was a game that developed into an even if dour contest, between two sides neither of which were can create a conduct and/or making unforced errors. For the glass negative racial and Just about any medium weight red wine will go down well with this. As always, environment for sexual Coach Rick Jones had known that this would be a close shave believing that in the end it would be the side ‘wanting it the players, which harassment. think ‘quality’ as a bottle costing £10 or more will just taste better than something most’, which would prevail. For the third week in succession, the Wolves had shown this quality by coming from behind to their behaviour bought for a fiver. grab a win in the final quarter, being awarded a penalty try on each occasion. He singled out hooker Alex Donaldson for will often Abusive an immense performance. Donaldson had to switch to loose head when Jonny Evans retired after fifteen minutes with a reflect. behaviour Try a Piedmont red for something different. A Barolo or Barbarescu. pulled hamstring. His scrummaging, his throwing at the lineout and his contribution around the field stood out and all this affects the after a week of working nights. The Kiwi too, Caleb Loomans, put in a fine stint on the left wing with several dangerous Explicitly calling reputation of runs arguably making the difference between winning and losing. And the heavy weights in the pack Alex Taylor, Tom the opposition the club and will Bull, Max Wortley and Adam Hewitt once again punched their weight and more throughout. team’s touch not be judge a b tolerated. Wolves Appearances and Point

Scorers : 2017 - 18

Tries

Penalties

Points

Drop GoalsDrop

Appearance Conversions

Jordan Ayrey 10 2 10 Nick Barker 3 ALAN LANG Sam Beckett 1 Elliot Brierley 7 2 10 4 LINDOW Tom Bull 8 4 20 PARADE Kevin Burge-Jones 1 CHAPEL LANE James Burgess 1 James Coulthurst 11 4 20 100% British Produce from Ben Day 8 2 10 Cheshire, Alex Donaldson 8 1 5 and Jonny Evans 3 the Welsh Borders Charlie Gardiner 7 Ethan Harding 12 3 15 Adam Hewitt 13 1 5 Richard Hughes 6 2 10 Charlie Levings 7 Rhodri Lewis 3 Caleb Loomans 5 Connor Loomans 4 Bob MacCallum 12 9 24 75 Will Maslen 4 2 10 Gold Rolex Sold for £9000 for Jack Masters 4 Wilmslow Estate Two Gold Phillipe Patek Watches Conor McMurdock 3 1 5 15 Sold for £8000 for Wilmslow Est. Matt Pearson 1 Seb Pemberton 5 1 5 This season’s Garner or Ghana Cup, Elliott Rowe 3 1 5 whichever you prefer, has been arranged Toby Rowe 6 by David Barker at Prestbury Golf Club Matt Shufflebottom 6 Ed Stobart 1 It’ll be in the same format as the last one Sean Street 10 5 25 with very much the same cost. The menu Adam Taher 4 2 10 will also be the same - gammon, egg, Alex Taylor 13 10 50 peas and chips Fergus Taylor 1 Robert Taylor 13 1 5 Josh Whiteley 8 2 10 And finally, the date for this very popular Tommy Wilkinson 2 event will be 3rd. May 2018. George Witham 2 1 5 Ollie Wilkinson 6 Please let David know if you wish to Max Wortley 9 participate. 2017/18

[email protected]

This time last season, Kirkby Lonsdale were seven points clear of Park and fourteen ahead of the rest of the field. Wilmslow were lying third with forty six points and three defeats. If ever a side looked equipped to move up a level, it was KL but surprisingly they have found level 5 rugby a tough proposition with only four wins from twelve. A glance at their team list for today’s match at Kendal showed only seven of the names that appeared against Wilmslow in April and that has been the pattern this season. Others have been absent through injury, a few are playing for their second team but the others just seem to have disappeared. One place below them are Birkenhead Park, who also went up and are lying twelfth, cut adrift from the rest of the league together with the other promoted side Pocklington and Morley. It would seem that Level 5 is a big step for teams coming up from Level 6.

2nd.December Results generally favoured the Wolves, who climbed up into third place. Vale of Lune had been expected to see to Warrington but not by 67 points. Stockport lost their fourth game, this time well beaten at home by Northwich, and drop down to fifth, whilst Northwich have a home game in hand against St. Benedicts, so their notional position is probably higher than fourth.

Vale scored 13 tries, Damon Hall leading the way with four, Fergus Owens with three, and with the other six being shared out between Evan Stewart, Ben and Jordan Dorrington, Ollie Jacques, Harry Fellowes and jack Ferguson. After their last two games being postponed and their previous outing being the mugging by Douglas, one can only assume, that they felt they had a point to make. Well, they made it and Stuart Vernon finished his report with words from Henry V,: ‘I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips’. They’re clearly a cultured lot up there. Warrington were short of at least four first choice players but their correspondent David Jervis felt that even at full strength they would still have been well beaten. A really bad day, said Warrington coach Andy Roberts, we’ll just have to put it behind us, we’re still second with everything still to play for.

Stockport’s hopes for an early return to the ‘Northern Premier’ league were dented by Northwich, beating them at Headlands road by 34 -15. By all accounts, the Blacks brought their best game with them, Baldwin’s pin point kicking set up tries for each of his wingers as the Blacks ran in four tries. Stockport were just starved of possession and it was all done and dusted long before the end. Port’s injury time try just served to narrow the margin of a convincing defeat.

9th. December With four games postponed last weekend, the table took on a new complexion with eight teams all spread out in a very close bunch from 2nd. Placed Warrington with 40 points to 9th. Placed Waterloo with 33. Four teams including Wilmslow are on 39 points .

Douglas (IOM) were an unknown quantity back in September but they do seem to have adjusted to Level 6. Their 42-5 win against AK propels them to third in the league with 8 wins from 13. AK’s flight was delayed and the game was switched to Ramsey either to accommodate a 3.00pm. start to be played under the floodlights there or because of ground conditions in Douglas. Whatever, it seems to me that AK were on to a hiding to nothing. The Wolves are due there on 8th. January so they have better beware.

A significant result was Burnage scoring four tries to see off Stockport, a second successive nil return and a further blow to their hopes..

The only other game played was Blackburn to nobody’s surprise putting 38 points past St. Benedicts, who already look set for a return to the NLC1 league next season. It’s not likely though to be the end of trips to West Cumberland as Aspatria now head that league this season.. .

.

What They Said at Blackburn It could have gone either way. Burn got off to a dream start when Leon Fifield put in a chip that should have been easily taken by a Wilmslow player but was spilt and seized upon by Fifield to score under the posts. After this Wilmslow came back at Burn, but Cotton Traders Championship Burn’s defence held strong and relieved the pressure. The next chance of points fell to Burn after 25 minutes, but Fifield’s kick Team P W D L For Agst Diff Pts +/- went wide. Not long after Wilmslow did successfully kick a penalty from just outside the 22. The half closed out with Burn pressuring their opponents, Corey Logan had a typically barracking run, from half way, he made it to the 22, had options outside Lymm 2 11 10 0 1 443 153 290 41 0 him, but chose to try and go again himself, unfortunately he was brought down and the danger was over. The half ended with Vale of Lune 2 10 8 0 1 407 130 277 37 0 Burn in a 3-7 lead. Wilmslow 2 11 7 0 3 343 155 188 31 0

Wilmslow struck early in the second half from a penalty after 5 minutes. However, Burn then struck back on 51 minutes, from a 5 Wirral 2 10 6 0 4 281 228 53 28 0 metre scrum. Logan had an initial drive for the line, he was stopped, the ball was recycled and spread wide to Fifield. He still Preston Grasshoppers 3 11 2 1 7 100 374 -274 21 0 had plenty to do, at first it looked like he had been stopped short of the line, but he showed good strength as he managed to twist Rossendale 2 9 4 0 4 156 203 -47 20 0 and stretch to score. He then followed it up with the conversion from out towards the touchline, making the score 6-14. Burn kept the pressure on Wilmslow and on 60 minutes Fifield had a chance to extend Burn’s lead, but he missed with his penalty attempt. Rochdale 2 11 2 0 9 170 355 -185 17 0 Macclesfield 3 10 2 1 7 170 346 -176 17 0 Wilmslow started to turn the screw on Burn and after hacking through only a covering sliding kick from Fifield Stockport 2 9 2 0 7 126 252 -126 15 0 saved a try. However, it did leave the home side with a Leagues - Division 4 East 5 metre scrum and they took full advantage as they picked and went from the back and managed to crash Team P W D L For Agst Diff Pts +/- over the try line. The conversion was missed, but they Littleborough 3 11 9 0 1 331 189 142 41 0 were now within 3 points of Burn. Fifield added another three points on 65 minutes but this was as good as it Stockport 3 11 8 0 3 325 185 140 35 0 got. Wilmslow took the lead on 71 minutes after a Wilmslow 3 11 6 1 1 369 80 289 31 0 penalty try. From a catch and drive the home side went Ashton on Mersey 1 10 6 0 3 223 141 82 31 0 to inches of the line, Burn were penalised, Wilmslow took a quick tap and were illegally stopped by Burn Glossop 3 9 5 0 2 214 105 109 28 0 resulting in a penalty try and Alex Evans being shown a Dukinfield 2 11 4 0 4 167 239 -72 28 0 yellow card. Burn did try and come back at their Burnage 3 11 5 0 3 221 174 47 27 0 opponents, but failed in their attempts, a late sin bin for Tom Lavelle didn’t help as Burn just couldn’t get any Heaton Moor 2 10 4 0 5 258 265 -7 25 0 further points and the hosts held out to win 18-17. Hope Valley RFC 1 10 4 0 6 375 291 84 22 0 Altrincham Kersal 3 11 3 0 7 184 426 -242 19 0 This game showed Burn can challenge those at the top end of the league, however, this won’t be of much North Manchester 2 10 2 0 5 129 243 -114 17 0 comfort. They had a real chance to win this game, but Broughton Park 4 10 2 1 6 183 295 -112 16 0 had to settle for a losing bonus point. Games are Trafford Metrovick 3 11 1 0 8 161 325 -164 16 0 frequently won and lost on small margins. Better decision making, better ball retention and less injury Manchester 3 10 2 0 7 157 339 -182 15 0 disruption may just have made the difference. Senior Colts Conference League - C Team P W D L For Agst Diff Pts Winnington Park 4 3 0 1 83 89 -6 10

Wilmslow 3 3 0 0 118 32 86 9

\Widnes 3 3 0 0 109 58 51 9

Many thanks to Simon King and On Point Developments for Makos 4 2 1 1 86 82 4 9 sponsoring today’s game. In recent seasons, Simon has been a Fylde 5 1 0 4 84 113 -29 7 great supporter of the club. In particular, his company On Crewe & Nantwich 3 0 1 2 41 85 -44 4 Blackburn 4 0 0 4 73 135 -62 4 Point Developments were kind enough to sponsor the Vikings Saturday 2nd. December Saturday 9th. December for a couple of seasons recently. Cotton Traders Championship Cotton Traders Championship Rossendale 22 - 13 Vikings Vikings P Macclesfield 3 Sale Sharks League 4 East Sale Sharks League 4 East Hope Valley 0 - 24 Hawks Hawks P Littleborough We hope they enjoy their afternoon with us. Sunday 3rd. December Sunday 10th. December Senior Colts Conference League - C Senior Colts Conference League C Wilmslow 49 - 12 Crewe & Nantwich Fylde 10 – 22 Wilmslow

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Following last year’s inaugural match, there will be a re-run this year of: Wilmslow High Bathroom Showroom Wilmslow 01625 445742 School Old Boys v Wilmslow Wolves University Boys 91 Chapel Lane Wilmslow SK9 5JH Kick Off :2.30pm. For the Sue Fisher Cup

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RESIDENCE 9 UPVC

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18 Offices throughout Cheshire and South Manchester

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

Almost a year ago to the day, AK were our visitors. The Wolves were third in the league, AK were tenth. Twelfth months on, not much appears to have changed. When we met In September, it was the first league game of the season. Kersal dominated the opening period, just as they had a year previously. The Wolves were slow to get going but eventually woke up to decisively take charge of the second half, running out as winners by 36-9. The year before, it had taken a late late penalty by Bob MacCallum to secure the Wolves a win by 21-20. AK on that occasion had recovered from an 18 -10 deficit and 9 Sep 17 Altrincham Kersal 9 - 36 Wilmslow looked poised to snatch the honours until MacCallum’s 10 Dec 16 Wilmslow 31 - 18 Altrincham Kersal intervention. In fact, they had looked like a side which 10 Sep 16 Altrincham Kersal 20 - 21 Wilmslow would finish higher up the league than they eventually did. 6 Feb 16 Altrincham Kersal 20 - 37 Wilmslow 19 Sep 15 Wilmslow 31 - 12 Altrincham Kersal Since beating Wilmslow twice in 2010/11 when they won 14/15 No matches home (33-32) and away (39-17), they’ve had only one 1 Mar 14 Altrincham Kersal 7 - 58 Wilmslow solitary league success against us in 2012/13 - apart from 2 Nov 13 Wilmslow 41 - 13 Altrincham Kersal the Cheshire Vase, of course, on a Bank Holiday weekend. 13 Apr 13 Wilmslow 13 - 3 Altrincham Kersal Mustn’t forget that! 6 Dec 12 Altrincham Kersal 19 - 15 Wilmslow 11/12 No matches They won this league in 2010/11, something Wilmslow 2 Apr 11 Wilmslow 17 - 39 Altrincham Kersal have never done, but were promptly ejected from National 16 Oct 10 Altrincham Kersal 33 - 32 Wilmslow 3 North the following season. Two seasons on they went down to SLC1 but came back up again after an absence of just one season. The five meetings since then have all gone Wilmslow’s way.

Nothing though lasts for ever and nothing is certain in rugby. AK won at Firwood Waterloo and at St. Benedicts and took Stockport to a draw at Stelfox. Clearly, they have the firepower to mix it with most sides in this league and on their day to pull off some good wins. Hope springs eternal, so we can be sure that they will be set upon changing the record today and starting a run of wins that will move them up the table. Pictures from Altrincham Kersal v Wilmslow 9 Sep 17

Who did Wilmslow play on this weekend last season?

This game between the fourth and fifth placed sides in the N1W league at The Memorial Ground always had the hallmarks of a closely contested affair which would be hard to call. The visitors three losses this season had all been against the three leaders at the top, two of which Wilmslow had yet to play. And so it proved to be with the result in doubt until the final play had been concluded.

First half tries from Alex Taylor, Max Harvey and Ben Day plus a MacCallum penalty proved to be sufficient against opponents who landed three penalties and scored a second half try. AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS

Barbarians at Twickenham 4th. November New Zealand

THE at Twickenham 11th. November Argentina 18th. November Australia At the A J Bell Stadium 25th. November Samoa Friday 8 September Scotland at Murrayfield FALCONS 19.45pm 11th. November Samoa 18th. November New Zealand Friday 15th. September 25th. November Australia 8.00pm

Ireland at The Aviva Stadium Friday 29th. September 11th. November South Africa CLOUCESTER 8.00pm 18th. November Fiji 25th. November Argentina Friday 27th. October CHIEFS 19.45pm

Wales at The Millennium Stadium 11th. November Australia Friday 24th. November 18th. November Georgia SAINTS 8.00pm 25th. November New Zealand 2nd. December South Africa 22/23/24 December BATH BRITAUTUMN INISH & IRISH 05/06/07 January QUINS LIONS

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Carlisle 12 4 0 8 280 316 -36 23 7 0 Vale of Lune v Manchester 12 5 0 7 250 372 -122 22 2 0 Blackburn Altrincham Kersal 13 3 1 9 204 374 -170 17 3 0 39 Chapel Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5HW Warrington v Tel 01625 527949 Rochdale 11 2 0 9 209 345 -136 12 4 0 Northwich St Benedicts 11 1 0 10 95 419 -324 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. BendictsStockportVale of Lune Warrington Waterloo Wilmslow

Altrincham Kersal 8-34 23-5 12-27 0-20 22-22 9-36

Blackburn 23-12 42-7 38-0 10-31 18-28 19-12

Burnage 40-27 24-10 35-36 42-7 27-14 31-34 15-17

Carlisle 39-19 27-28 64-0 18-41 29-27 P Douglas IOM 42-5 3-7 16-27 19-15 75-17 36-24 22-10 2017-18 Manchester 10-9 19-36 19-10 63-24 15-24 P

Northwich 15-0 25-10 P P 33-23 20-17

Rochdale 13-19 20-29 21-36 17-33 37-14 P 19-26

St. Benedicts 9-41 14-36 18-20 12-28 P 8-17 20-19

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

Vale of Lune 60-12 58-17 24-31 66-12 53-17 87-20 41-17

Warrington 38-3 32-0 P 31-15 21-10 29-17

Firwood Waterloo 31-33 22-29 39-23 33-21 76-0 13-15

Wilmslow 18-17 34-18 45-24 19-11 50-7 17-24 35-33

Specialist in Domestic Extension and

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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 Congleton 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 Knutsford 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 It is a particular pleasure to welcome Altrincham/Kersal here today, as in the guise of Kersal and playing in All week we’ve been wondering whether this Stretford, they were our match will take place at the allotted time. Being first opposition against Altrincham Kersal means that there’s not following our re- much travelling involved and that a final decision forming in 1923. They need not be taken until just before kick off. won 21-3 and “kept better control in the Earlier in the week, prospects for play looked pack than the over pretty dismal. Meteorlogical forecasts promised weighted Wilmslow a ‘sharp’ spell all week and certainly it was men”, or so said the plenty ‘sharp’ enough for my taste on Sunday, reporter of the day, Monday and Tuesday. But then the temperature possible alluding to their fitness, or the lack of it. went up on Tuesday night and the rain came. By Wednesday lunchtime, there was standing He was silent as to the state of the Stretford pitch but we do know water in the streets of Wilmslow. The threat of a that, for the return fixture, also won by Kersal by 22 points to 8, the frosted snow covered pitch diminished by the game was played at Land Lane on a “perfect pitch”. Land Lane minute but one partially flooded was not now out was in fields behind the Rectory, somewhere near Thorngrove of the question. Thursday dawned bright and Road is now. The teams changed and bathed in cold water at the summer with a steady cold but drying breeze. Railway Hotel, now alas, an office block facing the station. Prospects for play now looked at their best but by 10.00pm the rain was again falling steadily.. It was a difficult starting season for the Club in 1923/24. We won four games and lost nineteen, scoring a mere 117 points. 78 of On Tuesday night Rick Jones was confident that these points came in the last three games (one of which was it would be on, even though he’d brought his against Stockport), so in the other twenty games, we scored 39 players inside into the hall to do their training. points, so it seems “overweighted” must have been a lot fitter by As an aside, there may be now an all singing, all the end of the season. dancing gym adjacent but the idea that it could be used by rugby players on such occasions is Their website has no information as to when Kersal left the green evidently beyond the limit. Rick’s mobile though fields of Stretford to join the Altrincham Club but I do know that I produced a forecast which showed light rain up played in an Eric Evans XV to celebrate a move to where they are to Thursday, a gorgeous day on Friday and now on Stelfox Road, . crucially temperatures above freezing. He is also there to ensure the players are in the right On another matter, I am sorry to report the death of Phil Good. Phil state of mind to play and to produce a game plan never played for Wilmslow, but became a sponsor in the 1990’s to suit both the conditions and to see off the and became a very generous benefactor to the Club. He paid the opposition. It wouldn’t be any good if your coach majority of the funds for the demolition of the old changing rooms was all negative about prospects for play. and erection of the new and improved facilities in the interior of the hall. When I joined the club, the old changing rooms were at either On the other hand, of course, a junior coach end of the building, with a large bath in each, and the bar was in present in the bar at the same time produced the middle. (Running the bar, was Joe Walker, who was also the another forecast on his mobile showing groundsman). As you can imagine, it was a bit cramped if the three continuing frost in the second half of the week teams played at home, so the present bar was built in 1958, with and the prospect of a frozen pitch with a watery members doing most of the work. I ought to mention that the half frozen crust on top. It couldn’t possibly go members worked hard on the demolition of the old clubhouse. ahead he said but then he had a different agenda, revolving around saving the pitch for his Back to Phil Good. Phil became Chairman and his ambition was to junior team on Sunday. get the Club up the Leagues and persuaded us to pay players, which we did up to Christmas that year. Despite these imported None of this helps the editor, who not only has to players, we were still close to bottom of the League, so we stopped fill the pages of this magazine but who also has paying them, they left and we were relegated but much better off to make a decision as whether to send it to print financially and a much happier club. or not on Thursday night. The worst case scenario is to do the work, get it printed, then to Finally, on looking at ort league table, I see that Vale of Lune are find the match is postponed on Saturday still top, despite having had three postponed games. Contenders morning and to get a mouthful of verbals from of which there are about eight have been unable to close the gap, the treasurer for recklessly spending the club’s so it looks like Goodbye to our old friends from Lancaster for a money on a magazine from which there will be a while and Hello once again to Birkenhead Park, languishing in zero return. To add to the editor’s misery, the twelfth place in the Northern Premier League. whole thing is also bunkum by 4.00pm. and in the event of a postponement a completely new programme will have to be written from scratch and contributors such as the president and Barry Fisher will want their hard crafted paragraphs to be reproduced for the re-arranged game, regardless of whether they’re out of date or not. NEXT MATCH AT THE MEMORIAL GROUND Saturday 16th. December 2017 2nd. December North 1 West Wolves v Blackburn North 1 West KO. 2.15pm Wilmslow v Altrincham Kersal PLAYERS AND THEIR The Wolves next away game is on SPONSORS 6th. January against Firwood Waterloo. The players and coaches would like to Wilmslow XV and their Sponsors Altrincham Kersal XV thank those organisations and individuals who have supported the cause of Wilmslow FIRWOOD WATERLOO rugby by becoming their personal sponsors. RUGBY 15. Elliott Rowe 15 Rob Worsfold All the funds raised are directed towards funding coaching, kit, equipment, physios THE MEMORIAL GROUND, and team travel. ST. ANTHONYS ROAD, 14. Toby Rowe 14. Jack Snoddy BLUNDELLSANDS If you would like to support the team by Peter Turner & Terra Nova becoming a sponsor, then please let either , L23 8TW 13. Caleb Loomans 13. John Coulson Mike Blackett or David Pike in on the secret. 12. Ethan Harding Jonty Fallows 12. Calum Robinson There are players still looking for personal Take the M62 towards Liverpool. sponsors this season. 11. James Coulthurst Curtaincraft 11. Joe Kelly Join the M57 at J6, heading North. Jordan Ayrey - Nigel Day Cross the A580 and at the junction Nick Barker - David Barker Sam Beckett - Bryn Lewis with the M58, take the A565 exit 10. Bob MacCallum (capt.) Ian Stewart 10. James Coulson Elliot Brierley - Loves Young Dreams towards Southport. Turn right at Tom Bull - Barry Fisher first traffic lights (by Police Station) 9. Sean Street Norman Herring 9. Callum Yates James Coulthurst - Curtaincraft Charlie Gardiner - Mike Clifford onto Copy Lane. Immediately bear Ben Day - Concept Group right, keeping on main road around 1. Jordan Ayrey Nigel Day 1. Alex Faupel Jonny Evans - John Folds perimeter of housing estate. Ethan Harding - Jonty Fallows 2. Tommy Wilkinson John Folds 2. Alistair Berryman Adam Hewitt - Robin Gregory Go straight through the traffic Rhodri Lewis - Martin Cicognani lights at the crossroads with 3. Robert Taylor M2 Recruitment 3. Nathan Bailey (capt.) Connor Loomans - Terra Nova and Peter Buckley Hill Lane. Turner 4. Max Wortley MAX Funding & Jon Hitch 4. Aaron Loftus Bob MacCallum - Ian Stewart Turn left at the T junction (A565) Conor McMurdock - KNH Plumbing towards Liverpool onto Quarry 5. Charlie Gardiner Mike Clifford 5. Chris Weighell Seb Pemberton - John Pemberton Road which then becomes Moor Matthew Shufflebottom - RHS Property 6. Seb Pemberton John Pemberton 6. Mica Dyas Services Lane after the next traffic lights. 7. Adam Hewitt Robin Gregory Sean Street - Norman Herring Turn right at roundabout onto 7. Paul Mallaband Alex Taylor - Iain Milne 8. Alex Taylor Iain Milne 8. Andrew Frost Robert Taylor - M2 Recruitment Moorland Avenue. Josh Whiteley - John Folds Turn left at the T-junction with Ollie Wilkinson - Tim Holloway Little Crosby Road, then Max Wortley - M.A.X Funding & Jon Hitch Subs Subs immediately turn right onto St Michael's Road and bear right. Conor Loomans Peter Turner & Terra Nova Andrew Gallimore Go straight ahead at the Sam Cutts Luke Matra roundabout, then straight across TODAY’S REFEREE the crossroads with Dowhills Road Jack Walmsley Sam Gallimore (St Michael's church on your right) onto St Anthony's Road. Firwood Waterloo FC is 100 yards down on your right hand side. James Brown MDRURS Wishing the Wolves a Successful Season