The Season So Far and Volunteers to Keep the Club Running, and Moving Senior Side Update Forward
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EPPING UPPER CLAPTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB November 2014 The EUCRFC Newsletter November 2014 ‘’I DON’T CARE EVEN IF I AM THE REF, NO WAY AM I STAYING HERE’’ IN THIS ISSUE Meet the Board of Management It takes a lot of work by a whole host of club members The Season so far and volunteers to keep the club running, and moving Senior Side Update forward. Overseeing all this is a team of club officers that meet regularly to manage all aspects and the issues place. Well if the adage is correct, the response that matter, and over the following months we will put could not have been better! them in the spotlight so that you can get to know them It has been an exciting start to the season for st better. First up is our Club President – Colin Tucker the 1 XV with some real stand out Since this loss it has been three wins and a performances from the team. The team took walkover, with the bonus point earnt in each Page 2 the field back in September with a new kit and game. Millwall were put away 43-24, although it a new name, Epping Upper Clapton RFC. It was took EUCRFC a while to get going and we had to st an impressive start as the youthful 1 XV took come back from 13-0 down but once we did get Remembrance Sunday at the the game to Pegasus Palmerians and ran out going we ran out worthy winners. Victories Club and the Leonard Cowper comfortable winners 74-7. against Maldon 35-13, and 49-20 against long Award 2014 This gave the team confidence and early season term rivals East London just two weekends ago have followed. In the midst of all this we had a momentum to head off to our local rivals walkover against Burnham who were unable A very poignant Remembrance Day ceremony at Bancrofts the following week. What a difference th sadly to field a team. the club on the 100 Anniversary of the Great War a year makes! This fixture last season ended in a heavy defeat that gave Bancrofts the bragging So where does this leave us as we reach a third Page 2 rights for the first part of the season. This time of way through the season? The first team lie it was Epping Upper Clapton who came away second in Essex 1 with the front runners May & st having scored eight tries, some of which were Baker one point ahead but unbeaten and with a Club Lunch Dates – 1 XV Games out of the top drawer and showed flair, real game in hand. Below us lie Dagenham, the only Book your table now for what is always a great day to handling skills and great teamwork. It was an team to beat us this season so far, and just meet up with old playing colleagues, enjoy a good lunch impressive performance and set us up for the behind them are Canvey Island and our old and watch the first team in action in Essex League One. visit of Dagenham back at Fortress Upland Road rivals Ilford Wanderes. So when are we playing We cover the lunch for the East London game on a week later. them I hear you ask! Well the big dates are as November 1st in this issue. follows; we have May & Baker away in our next Dagenham arrived having already lost at home game on 15 November. Saturday 6 December to May & Baker the week before. This was a bit Page 3 of wakeup call for the first team, and calmed sees the visit of Canvey Island. What better way to get into the Xmas spirit than enjoying a few the euphoria and table topping hopes of EUCRFC Forthcoming Events for the Diary drinks with friends and cheer on the First XV! fans and members. On the day we came a An overview of some of the events coming up at comfortable second and went down to a gritty STOP PRESS!- Narrow Loss 0-8 to May & Baker the club over the next few weeks. and tough Dagenham side 20-43. away dropped us to 3rd in the table. Writtle It is often said it is a good measure of team were next up at Upland Road, and were beaten Page 4 45-0, keeping pressure on at the top! spirit to see how they cope with a setback, and for any coaching team it is a challenge to the Club News Round Up Page 4 structures and playing style they are putting in UPPER CLAPTRAP THE EUCRFC NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 2 Knowing so many good people who give MEET THE BOARD OF freely of their time for the Club. Particularly in the Youth and Mini MANAGEMENT Sections. Our tomorrows. First in a series, EUCRFC put some How many games will England win questions to El Presidente, Colin in the Autumn Internationals (out of Tucker over lunch at the club at the Club President 4)? lunch for the East London game- My heart hopes 4, my head says 2. Beer was had! England are not yet the finished article Colin Tucker and, currently, cannot field their best When did you join the Club? XV. (The NZ and SA game had not been played at the time of going to press, but I joined in season 1974/75 Colin has a chance of being spot on). Can you give a brief summary of Who will win RWC 2015? New Zealand or South Africa …. BUT… I your playing career? have never predicted this correctly so England must be in line. I never played above 4 XV, at Full Back. Captained sides downward in consecutive years until Centurians in 1979/80. Who is your tip for the winner of Mr Retired 1984/85. Epping Upper Clapton on 28th November? What was your playing highlight? Whomsoever my wife decrees!! Scoring an intercept try within own 25 Favourite Drink yards against Bishops Stortford, being Free Beer overtaken half-way by the Referee, Frank Harding no less. The whole Thank you Colin spectacle witnessed by the 1st XV two pitches away during a (lengthy) pause in Club President Colin Tucker, during a their game. Great! EUCRFC would like to point out that the office of president does not convey free beer lull in play. We can tell there is a lull as rights to the president, it is just that his mouth is closed. (We think back then this was probably own members are always buying Colin a beer. 22!) Favourite part of current role as President? Next month – Club Chairman Steve Slade The hidden benefits and free beer! What about the club gives you the most enjoyment? trip, and the impact it had on the boys that the The country has been gripped by the emotional award was born. and stunning Poppy tribute at the Tower of London in the last few weeks to remember the The Leonard Cowper award is presented to a casualties of the Great War. It was also a fitting young player who through his actions, deeds and and respectful ceremony, as it is each year, up at behavior epitomises what the rugby club stands Upland Road on Sunday. It is always tremendous for and the purpose of playing a team sport such as to see so many players, ex-players, parents and The Leonard Cowper rugby. Mike Tindall gave a wonderful presentation families up there. The service is superbly led by Ian Swindale and the Last Post salute, given each year speech and it was a golden moment when a very Award by the Leyton Orient bugle team is a very moving deserving Ben Pryor was announced as winning th moment. the Leonard Cowper award for 2014. He joins a list Remembrance Sunday at the club –9 of very fine young people that have won the award November 2014 (previous winners below) The Remembrance Day service is now linked to the and it is a fitting tribute to his contribution to Club’s Leonard Cowper award. The story of the Epping Upper Clapton. Well done Ben! Club’s young First World War Lieutenant Cowper brings home the sacrifices made by so many throughout different conflicts, reminds us of how many club players gave up their lives, and portrays in particular how horrific the Great War was. Chris Prince went on to explain how the idea for the award came about during a youth tour to Holland when all decided to make a detour to the battlefields of northern France. It was out of this Ben receives his award from Ian Swindale UPPER CLAPTRAP THE EUCRFC NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 3 CLUB LUNCH 1 NOVEMBER 5, 2014 Forthcoming Lunch Dates The club lunches are great occasions to meet up with friends and teammates from years past. It is chance to dust off the old blazer, enjoy some excellent food and refreshments, and talk about old times around the lunch table. At the same time you will get to hear what is going on at the club now, and what we have planned for the future. st 1 XV V Canvey Island Then it is time to wrap up, put on the wellies, grab a pint th of IPA for the first half and head out the pitches to watch 6 December 2014 the current crop of players giving their all for the Club. No one will mind if you tell all and sundry it was better in my day! It always is, you were only 25 then! st FAST FACTS 1 XV V Millwall th 17 January 2015 99% st The percentage of people that rate a club lunch and 1 XV V May & Baker watching the 1st XV as a first class day out with old th friends.