WIMBLEDON RFC v DORKING SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2020 K.O. 2.30PM

ROUND 21

PROGRAMME £5 Club President Director of Men’s Rugby 1st XV Captain Jim Green Colin Osborne Josh Bayfield WELCOME Club Chairman Men’s Head Forwards’ 2nd XV Team Manager John Woods Coach Marc Bertrand TO WIMBLEDON Honorary Secretary Craig Newby 3rd XV Team Manager Meg Gardiner Men’s Head Backs’ Coach Will Brunt Jim Green Honorary Treasurer Neil Hallett Women’s XV Head Coach Club President Steve Platts Men’s additional Niall MacSweeney Chair, Senior Rugby Forwards Coach Women’s XV Captain Stefano D’Anna Shawn Renwick Hannah Gutteridge Director of Men’s Rugby It is my pleasure to welcome you all The Junior section of the club are operations Head of Medical Caroline Parmenter for today’s match against Dorking starting a new Youth Training initiative James Ogilvie-Bull RFC. Dorking are in fourth place – Boys and Girls aged 12-17 are and are showing improved form in welcome at the club on Tuesday 25th this very competitive league, having February for rugby training from beaten Sidcup 25-15 in last Saturday’s 5-7pm with food provided afterwards match. This good form is matched by in the club house. So please support us Follow us: @wimbledonrfc Wimbledon 1st XV beating Guildford by encouraging as many youngsters as last week, 0-38, and securing a bonus you can to come along. point. Fixtures between the two sides have always been very entertaining and On the Social side, the clubhouse has full of excitement and I am sure today’s enjoyed some great events including match will live up to our expectations. another outstanding Dando Quiz;

Accredited Club thank you to Peter and Terri for all Over the last few weeks, Storms Ciara your hard work. The next events in give us a TRY! and Dennis caused chaos with all our the calendar to look forward to are the fixtures and caused the Senior Youth Wooden Spoon dinner on 28th Feb and and Mini games and festivals to be the President’s lunch on the 4th April cancelled. The exception was the 3rd tickets are available from Ruth and XV, the Mavericks, who enjoyed a 58-0 Andrew Hodgson. win against Warlingham RFC well done the Mavericks and the Women’s Wishing everyone the best of luck for XV who narrowly missed out away to this weekend’s games. Lewes, 15-10. Editor: Meg Gardiner Jim Green Proud to support Wimbledon RFC Design: SCG Studio President, Wimbledon RFC Print: The Wimbledon Print Company

www.thewimbledonprintcompany.co.uk General enquiries: [email protected] WEB DESIGN | GRAPHIC DESIGN | PRINT WEDDING STATIONERY | PROMO PRODUCTS | DISPLAY To advertise in our match [email protected] day programme or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please 020 8540 5959 contact Emma Boatman on [email protected] Wimbledon v Dorking 3 STEF SAYS... Stefano D’Anna wooden spoon charity dinner Chair, Senior Rugby Friday 28 February 2020 | 6.45pm Venue: Wimbledon RFC, 52 Barham Road, Wimbledon, SW20 0ET

Cost: £35 per person to include a three course dinner Dress code: Jacket/Rugby Club Blazer and Wooden Spoon/Rugby Club Tie Welcome to our friends from Dorking. second half to put the score beyond Ladies: Smart Casual the opposition. By the time the final whistle went, I think everyone was After a week off and some difficult ready for a beer! Congratulations to training conditions, the guys looked Toby White who had his first game up for it despite the weather come back after a long term injury. Saturday afternoon. The win was convincing against Guildford in some atrocious conditions. It took 30 ____ minutes to break them down and play the weather. We had the ascendancy a convincing win in in most areas but the scrum in particular was dominant and credit atrocious conditions to the Guildford number 8 who did ____ well to dig the ball out of a retreating scrum. The lineout was a bit of a lottery, as was the kicking from hand Before the break, we had another because of the wind and driving rain, away trip with a less favourable but the energy from the boys was outcome against Rochford. A evident. The backs handled the ball disappointing afternoon that could Guest Speaker and MC John Inverdale well considering the weather but it have ended differently. We had our was a day for old school forwards (President of Wooden Spoon chances to win the game but couldn’t rugby and the stepped up with some BBC Radio & TV Sports Presenter quite execute. We seem to have a aggressive carries, sold defense and worrying tendency of getting held up Chairman of Rugby at RFC) breakdown work. over the line. They scored two catch and drives from penalty kicks to the It never really looked in doubt but corner but I can’t recall conceding any it took until ten minutes into the other catch and drives this season. To book your place please email John Woods

6 Wimbledon v Sidcup [email protected] Wimbledon v Dorking 5

Wooden Spoon is a registered charity in and Wales (Reg No: 326691) and in Scotland (Reg No: SC039247) STEF SAYS...CONTINUED

The first was early in the first half Anyway Dorking will be solid when for some reason we put a front opposition this afternoon, They are jumper up, didn’t particularly disrupt a good side and have been playing them despite getting a hand to it. well. But we know we need to win, Proceeded not to sack and then got keep composed for 80 minutes and be ourselves in a pickle allowing them to ruthless to keep us on track. splinter us and get over the line. The 2nd XV had a convincing win last The second one late in the second Friday against Barnes under lights; half I couldn’t quite see but we are 45-0. I don’t think anyone expected usually so good at defending this we the score line to be that high but the somehow didn’t. Maybe a little lack boys were on fire. The 3rd XV had of composure from our urgency to a great win against Warlingham at win the game? There is no question the weekend; 59-0. Our Women’s the boys were up for it and gave XV narrowly missed out against everything. second in the table, Lewes in a tight but enjoyable fixture. This weekend they are away to top of the table, ____ Hammersmith & Fulham. we know we need to Good luck to all playing. See you in win, keep composed the bar. for 80 minutes and be ruthless Stef ____ Stefano D’Anna Chair, Senior Rugby

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In a skinny frappe latte world, there are still those who prefer bone china 2 Wimbledon v Bedford Wimbledon v Bedford MEG GARDINER Honorary Secretary Meg started playing rugby WHO’S WHO at Wimbledon in 2010 and was appointed as Club Secretary and Women’s XV Manager in 2011. Meg has been paramount in driving the Club forward in terms of its organisation and bringing together AT WIMBLEDON RFC all areas of the Club whilst being a senior player in the Women’s team. [email protected]

JAMES BOATMAN Chair of Clubhouse James started playing PAUL GOSS Chair of Youth Rugby Paul joined Wimbledon as a dad rugby at Wimbledon in 1990 and was appointed to the Executive of an U6 child in 2012 and was appointed as Youth Chair in 2018. Committee in 1998. James has fulfilled many roles on the Paul can be found helping develop the minis and youth programme Committee but is currently Chair of the Clubhouse. James acts as to help drive this section of the club forwards, and still enjoys the integral link between Wimbledon and Merton and has played a running around at Touch on a Thursday night! vital part in various major developments at Wimbledon. [email protected] [email protected]

RICHARD CASTLE Chair of Minis Rugby Richard joined Wimbledon JIM GREEN President Jim started playing rugby at Wimbledon in as a dad of an U7 child in 2012 and was appointed as Minis Chair 1979 and was appointed President of the Club in 2017. Jim can in 2018. Richard is a key player in managing our management often be found being a cameo coach for newer sections of the club information system and ensuring the smooth running of our minis (e.g. Girls, Inclusive and U21s) and acts as a vital link between the section whilst promoting a “Rugby for All” approach. Club and former players. [email protected] [email protected]

STEFANO D’ANNA Chair of Senior Rugby Stef started playing STEVE PLATTS Treasurer Steve started playing rugby at rugby at Wimbledon in 1994 and was appointed to the Executive Wimbledon in 1990 and, after some time away, Steve was appointed Committee in 2014. Stef’s current position is Chair of Senior to the Executive Committee in 2011 as Treasurer. Steve is one of Rugby. He has been vital in driving forward the current era of the few Executive members who still pulls on a Wimbledon shirt the senior teams and working towards ensuring a suitable player and enjoys Saturday afternoons playing for the Strollers (our 4th pathway exists from U6 into senior rugby. XV). [email protected] [email protected]

DICK DUNFORD Elected Member of Executive Committee Dick JOHN WOODS Chair of Executive Committee John joined joined Wimbledon as a dad of an U6 child in 2006. He has held Wimbledon as a dad of an U9 child in 1998 and was appointed to many roles on the committee including Chair of Youth Rugby. His the Executive Committee in 2014. John has fulfilled many roles in current stint is supporting the club with his creative expertise in the Club, most notably setting up our Inclusive Rugby section in devising a strategy for future proofing the Club. 2013, but currently serves as Chair of the Executive Committee. [email protected] [email protected]

NICK FULLER Chair of Grounds Nick started playing rugby at ANNA YEARDLEY Women’s Representative Anna started playing Wimbledon in 1995 and was appointed to the Executive Committee rugby at Wimbledon in 2000 and was appointed as Women’s in 2015. Nick is Chair of Grounds meaning he is responsible for all representative on the Executive Committee in 2009. Anna has been of the pitches and for managing our fantastic groundsman, Wayne. a stalwart in driving forward the development of women’s rugby at Nick will sometimes make a cameo on a Thursday night ensuring Wimbledon RFC and ensuring its future is sustainable. the pitches are fit for purpose! [email protected] [email protected] 16 Wimbledon v Bedford MATCH ACTION GUILDFORD 0 WIMBLEDON 1ST XV 38 Saturday 15 February by Tony Mann

In conditions similar to those at the himself lucky to defeat the swirling recent game – if not gale and make the conversion. worse – credit must go to both teams ____ for making this match more watchable for the few hardy spectators than their international counterparts had the ball was like a bar managed. Despite shipping 38 points, of soap Guildford played their part but just ____ could not compete with Wimbledon’s pack, in attack or defence, and had it not been for a sterling effort by Guildford’s But with Guildford using the wind no.8 behind a scrum being driven back to make huge territory gains, aided at a rate of knots, Dons’ margin would by several soft penalty offences by have been even wider. Wimbledon, and securing their own With the ball like a bar of soap the lineouts (other than those stolen by handling by Dons’ half-backs, Blane Dons’ flanker Kane Alboni), it was Wilson and Steve Boatman, was another 20 minutes before Wimbledon superb. Wisely in the conditions, they scored again, this time by flanker Jack rarely spread it wide, giving it short Flanagan, in circumstances similar instead to any one of Dons’ charging to their first. Boatman again beat the forwards to break the gain line, recycle, wind. pick and drive and break it again – and Shortly before the interval, for the first, again. It took just eight minutes for and almost only time in the match, one such sequence of play to result in Wimbledon spread the ball wide and Wimbledon’s first try, when no.8 Chris wing Toby White raced in to score in York broke blind from the back of a 5m the corner. This time the wind won the scrum and ran in unopposed. Although conversion battle. close to the posts, Boatman considered

Wimbledon v Dorking 13 MATCH ACTION...CONTINUED

Five minutes into the second half, the with the home pack and awarded Dons Dons’ pack created the try-bonus score a penalty try. with a charge down close to G’s line To finish, following a 25m drive by and a smart pick-up by prop Bradley the forwards, a Boatman penalty kick Ugodulunwa who ploughed over the to the corner, and a secure lineout try line taking two defenders with him. and drive, York touched down for his Boatman’s conversion took their lead second of the day to bring up the final to 0-26. scoreline of 0-38. With the handling error count on This was a thoroughly professional both sides unsurprisingly increasing performance by all eighteen in the mud, Guildford managed to Wimbledon players, with the pack keep Wimbledon out for the next 20 outstanding. Next week they are at minutes, but with their visitors now home to fourth-placed Dorking for earning penalties at most set scrums what promises to be a fairly close the inevitable fifth score came from encounter. another period of pack pressure which ended when the referee lost patience Tony Mann

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Supporting Wimbledon RFC in the community projects RUGBY AT WIMBLEDON 1ST XV FIXTURES 2019-20

SEPTEMBER JANUARY 2020 07 H Irish Wild Geese 04 A Sevenoaks 14 A CS Stags 1863 11 H Tring 21 H Sevenoaks 18 A Bedford Athletic 28 A Tring 25 H Sidcup

OCTOBER FEBRUARY 05 H Bedford Athletic 01 A Rochford Hundred 12 A Sidcup 15 A Guildford 19 H Rochford Hundred 22 H Dorking 26 H Guildford 29 A Brighton

NOVEMBER MARCH 09 A Dorking 21 H Hertford 16 H Brighton 28 A Guernsey 23 A Hertford LEBANESE APRIL DECEMBER 04 H Tunbridge Wells 07 H Guernsey 18 A London Irish Wild Geese LUNCH £7.95 14 A Tunbridge Wells 21 H CS Stags 1863 WRAP, FRIES + DRINK* AVAILABLE MON-FRI UNTIL 6PM** Facebook and Twitter: @wimbledonrfc *OFFER INCLUDES ALL SOFT DRINKS OR HOT BEVERAGES. ALCOHOL NOT INCLUDED. **OFFER IS EXCLUSIVE TO MEALS PURCHASED IN THE RESTAURANT ONLY. DELIVERY ORDERS ARE NOT INCLUDED. Wimbledon RFC promotes environmental travel and encourages visitors to car-share, use public transport, walk or cycle to the Club. Secure cycle parking facilities are available adjacent to the clubhouse. Proud to be supporting WRFC man of the match this season wimbledonrfc.co.uk Wimbledon Rugby Football Club, Barham Road, London SW20 0ET

16 Wimbledon v Bedford TODAY’S LINE UPS WIMBLEDON V DORKING

1. Abu Abdul 1. Brenton Greaves 2. Bradley Ugodulunwa 2. Callum Watson 3. Josh Bayford (c) 3. James Catton 4. Alex Campbell 4. Steve Howorth 5. Rob Louw 5. JP Alberts 6. Kane Alboni 6. Joel Grant 7. Jack Flanagan 7. Harry Elbrow 8. Chris York 8. Harry Watts 9. Blane Wilson 9. Henry Smith 10. Steve Boatman 10. Andrew Ramsden 11. Kieran Morris 11. Toby Mcrea 12. Jack Reville 12. Ryan Jeffery (c) 13. Paul Hendry 13. Olly Rathbone 14. Toby White 14. Tom Hunt 15. Tom Milner 15. Killian Wilson 16. Calum Grant 16. Max Sheldrake 17. Jack Cooke 17. Matthew Jones 18. Ben Newman 18. Fraser Macdonald

Wimbledon Rugby Football Club is a founder member of the English and is affiliated to the National Clubs Association and Surrey RFU.

Wimbledon RFC Beverley Meades, Barham Road, London SW20 0QT Follow us: @wimbledonrfc