PROGRAMME £2 AMPTHILL V. BEDFORD BLUES 14TH DECEMBER 2019 KICK OFF 1.45PM PrimaryPRIMARY Partner PARTNER: SENIOR PARTNERS MATCH SPONSOR Ampthill & District Community Rugby Club Limited Senior Partners: Dillingham Park, Woburn St, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2HX www.ampthillrufc.com Tel: 01525 403303 Vat Reg No. 196 7536 11 Registered in England and Wales 00629333 WELCOME Chairman’s welcome to Bedford Blues It gives me great pleasure to welcome our neighbours ‘Bedford Blues’ to Dillingham Park today for the Green King IPA Championship Cup. We sincerely hope that the officials, players and supporters enjoy our warm hospitality. This is likely to be the biggest gate at the club for a rugby fixture, so please bear with us if our services are not as slick as those of Goldington Road. We have put on additional food and drink outlets, a small temporary stand and of course the second marquee for a three-course lunch and social event following the final whistle. We hope that Blues supporters enjoy our post-match hospitality whatever the final score. And now to the rugby!! As the new kids on the block we have clearly found some of our fixtures to be somewhat challenging this year, however, last week we ‘clicked’ in the Grange Bowl. Our tackling was better, in attack we caused our visitors problems and generally the heart in the side was huge. All of this created a really terrific performance. It was disappointing to see so few people witnessing this spirited showing but probably the combination of Christmas preparations and our visitors bringing only a small support may have contributed to that. Today is another day!! Bedford will no doubt want to show their class on the paddock. They have a point to prove having had a couple of poor performances, by their high standards, over the past couple of weeks losing to Ealing Trailfinders and Coventry. With progress to the next stage of the Greene King IPA Championship Cup being a distant memory for both Ampthill and Bedford, both sides will be playing for pride today. At the end of the game I hope to see you all in the marquees for a beverage. Over the past few weeks we have been honoured by supporters embracing our home setting commenting about how lovely it is to visit “a real traditional rugby club” and that’s exactly what we are. Long may that continue. Oh, and by the way, there is the small matter of a league meeting on Boxing Day at Goldington Road to add to your diary!! Have a relaxing Christmas and I wish you all a very Happy New Year. Come on you A’s Alex Radley - Chairman, Ampthill and District RUFC 2 Saturday 14th December 2019 Ampthill & District RUFC v Bedford Blues ACHIEVEMENTS PRESIDENT NATIONAL 1 LEAGUE WINNERS 2018-2019 Pat Sherry [email protected] NATIONAL 1 4TH PLACE 2017-2018 NATIONAL 1 3RD PLACE 2016-2017 CHAIRMAN Alex Radley NATIONAL 1 4TH PLACE 2015-2016 [email protected] NATIONAL 2 PROMOTION PLAYOFF WINNERS 2014-15 CHAIRMAN OF MINI & YOUTH NATIONAL 2 NORTH RUNNERS-UP 2014-15 James Wiggett NATIONAL 2 SOUTH 2013-2014 RUNNERS UP ChairmanMiniYouth@ ampthillrufc.com LEAGUE WINNERS 2012/13 HONORARY SECRETARY WINNERS OF EAST MIDLANDS CUP FINAL 2012 Ian Titman LEAGUE WINNERS 2009/10 [email protected] LEAGUE WINNERS 2008/09 TREASURER CUP WINNERS 2004/05, 2006/07 Bill Warfield CUP RUNNERS-UP 2005/06 [email protected] RED CIRCLE CUP 1998/99 DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Mark Lavery DirectorOfRugby@ ampthillrufc.com Ampthill & District Community Rugby Club, Dillingham Park, Woburn Street, Ampthill, Beds, MK45 2HX Email [email protected] Telephone 01525 403303 Cover: Sam Hudson in action against Coventry Rugby www.ampthillrufc.com Image: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography 3 Extensive experience of major Electrical and Mechanical installations in domestic, industrial and commercial sector environments, Wheeler Electrical Ltd have traded in the Ampthill area since 1961. We are currently working for the UK’s major House Builders and Main Contractors. Please send all enquiries to [email protected] UNIT 3-4 BLACK MOOR BUSINESS PARK | NEW ROAD | MAULDEN | MK45 2BG T: 01525 720022 / F: 01525 718844 WWW.WHEELERELECTRICAL.COM TODAY’S OPPONENTS A History of Bedford Blues The Beginning Founded in 1886 following the merger of Bedford Rovers (1876) and Bedford Swifts (1882). The first match was played on 9th October 1886 against Olney at Goldington Road and won by Bedford 10-3 The Invincibles (1893-1894) Played 29. Won 27, drawn 1 lost 1 including wins against Stade Francais 22-0 and Barbarians 7-3. Bedford v New Zealand 15th November 1905 at Goldington Road. Won by the All Blacks 41-0 with a record attendance of 6,000. R.C.(Dick) Stafford Educated at Bedford Modern School (1900-1910). Made his Bedford debut 20th March 1909 (Captain 1911-12). 4 England caps 1912. Died of spinal cancer 1st December 1912, aged 19. The Lions of Bedford Gerry (Beef) Dancer (South Africa 1938 - 3 tests) Derek Prior (Budge) Rogers (South Africa 1962 – 2 tests) W.C.C. (Billy) Steele (South Africa 1974 – 2 tests) D.P. Rogers OBE Educated at Bedford School (1950/58) he made his debut for Bedford on 26th December 1956 against Old Paulines. 485 appearances for Bedford and 34 for England. The Pennant Flies High 1974/75 – RFU Club Competition Winners. 2004/05 – Powergen Challenge Shield Winners. 2005/06 – Powergen National Trophy Runners-up. 1998/99 – Runners-up Courage League 2 (promoted) 1994/95 – Courage League 3 (Champions - promoted) 1997/98 – Allied Dunbar Premiership 2 (Champions – promoted) 6 International Board 41 players whilst contracted to Bedford have won full international caps. England (27), Scotland (3), Wales (1), Ireland (2), Samoa (1), Tonga (2), Canada (2), Italy (2), USA (1). Three have captained England, David Perry (1965), Budge Rogers (1966) and John Orwin (1989). 83 further internationals have made one or more appearances for Bedford. Leading Appearances for Bedford D.P. Rogers 485 (1956/76) M.A. Howe 478 (1976/96) R. Eidforth 374 (1924/49) F.N. Barker 347 (1966/77) J. Smith 343 (1953/66) St L.H. Webb 336 (1952/65) R.J. Slaughter 334 (1960/78) B.E. Mcarthy 330 (1952/65) A.J. Finnie 322 (1982/96) by Phil Beard Hon. Keeper of the Records Ampthill Payers who have appeared for the Blues, include Norman Brown, Richard Churchill, Fred Thistlethwaite, Bob Demming, Steve Pearcy, Phil Argent, Kevin Moore, Tommy Gray, James Fletcher, Richard Sheard. Bedford 1st XV versus Rossyln Park – John Player Cup Final 1975 Bob Demming (4th. from left – back row) became a prolific try scorer for Bedford on the right wing. He scored 73 tries, including seven hat-tricks, in 147 appearances, represented England ‘B’ as well as having a final England trial. He scored two tries in Bedford’s 28-12 victory over Rosslyn Park in the RFU Knockout Cup final in 1975 (John Player Cup). The game was played at Twickenham in front of almost 18,000 spectators. 7 TWO TO WATCH Josh Buggea - Back Row It’s been a whirlwind Blues career Buggea who signed for Bedford at the beginning of the 2014/15 season from Premiership outfit Worcester Warriors. The back rower quickly established himself in the Blues team with his drive and determination as well as a superb skill set being recognised and appreciated by his teammates who voted him the Player’s Player of the Season for 2015/16. PROUD TO SUPPORT Buggea was a student at Bablake School before moving AMPTHILL RUFC on to Hartpury college. During his time at Hartpury, Buggea played and won the AASE final against At Eagle, we embrace Oaklands college in 2011 before being called up to different perspectives. England under 18s in 2012. While others move cautiously, we soar fearlessly. James Lennon - Scrum Half Take a different view. Nippy number nine James Lennon was born in Enfield and went to Felstead School. He played junior rugby for Cheshunt before joining the Saracens Academy. He then moved to Ireland to take up a place in the Munster Academy where he continued to flourish. James has played for Irish Exiles U18, Munster U20 and Ireland U20 (v Munster U20); he was part of the Ireland U20s 6 Nations training squad, the Ireland 7s training squad, playing for the Ireland 7 against Spain, and appeared for Munster in the B&I Cup against Rotherham. Having signed for the Blues, Lennon came under the Tutelage of Lee Dickson at Goldington Road and has continued to expand his game significantly. AVAILABLE AT THE BAR! 8 BORN AND BREWED IN BEDFORD MARST_9715_Ampthill_Rugby_Club_Eagle_Programme_Advert_A5_AW.indd 1 12/12/2018 09:20 PROUD TO SUPPORT AMPTHILL RUFC At Eagle, we embrace different perspectives. While others move cautiously, we soar fearlessly. Take a different view. AVAILABLE AT THE BAR! BORN AND BREWED IN BEDFORD MARST_9715_Ampthill_Rugby_Club_Eagle_Programme_Advert_A5_AW.indd 1 12/12/2018 09:20 LAST TIME OUT 1stXV 22 Ealing 24, Sat Dec 07, 2019, Championship Cup Ampthill welcomed visitors Ealing for their first ever game against the hosts to the Grange Jaguar Bowl on a dry, bright afternoon with a moderate breeze. The pitch looked a picture when bathed in occasional sunshine while underfoot conditions were excellent. Ealing’s selection reflected the importance that the cup holders place on the Championship Cup and they began very well, as Amps allowed the kick off to bounce leading to visitors possession and pressure on A’s defence. A few phases later and the visitors eighthman, Kieran Murphy crashed over wide on the left in the 2nd minute, fly half Craig Willis converting. The home side were under pressure for the next 10 minutes until a penalty was kicked just inside Ealing’s 22 on the left.