SOMERSET COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION LIMITED HANDBOOK SEASON 2017–2018 FINANCIAL SUPPORT The Committee wishes to place on record its appreciation of the generosity given by ARDEN PARTNERS & Co & WEBB ELLIS during the past season 2016–2017. Somerset County Rugby Football Union Limited www.somersetrfu.co.uk Handbook for the Season 2017–2018 Free to all members PATRONS W.A. BISHOP, Bristol R.A.M. WHYTE, Glastonbury SPONSORS ARDEN PARTNERS & CO WEBB ELLIS HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS F.J. ELLISON, Keynsham H.M. JONES, Nailsea & Backwell B.A. TUTTIETT, Weston-super-Mare C. MACDONALD, Crewkerne M.R. BERRY, Bridgwater & Albion 1 Somerset County Rugby Football Union Fixture Exchange This is a free fixture exchange provided by Somerset County RFU for clubs in Somerset and neighbouring counties. The fixture exchange is divided into three parts. Select the one you require. Senior Mens Fixture Exchange Ladies Fixture Exchange Colts,Youth and Mini Fixture Exchange CONTENTS SCRFU LTD. Committee ...................................................................................... 6 Reports on 2016-17 Season .............................................................................. 11 Somerset Junior Cups ....................................................................................... 20 Players with 20 or more appearances for Somerset ......................................... 23 Past Officers of the Union .................................................................................. 24 South-Western Division Rugby Football Mutual Benefit Fund .......................... 25 Members ............................................................................................................ 27 Somerset Knock-Out Cup .................................................................................. 28 The Somerset R.F.U. Knock-Out Cup Competition Regulations ....................... 29 Somerset Knock-Out Vase ................................................................................. 34 Somerset Junior Knock Out Cup Regulations .................................................. 35 South West League Officials .............................................................................. 37 South West Structure ......................................................................................... 40 Member Clubs by Divisions ............................................................................... 43 Affiliated Clubs ................................................................................................... 43 England Rugby Structured Season Table ......................................................... 72 SCRFU Referees Society Ltd. ............................................................................ 74 Somerset Referees Society Report 2016/17 ..................................................... 77 Safeguarding Guidance For Match Officials ..................................................... 78 SCRFU Limited Rules ........................................................................................ 79 SCRFU Limited Regulations .............................................................................. 91 Rules of the SCRFU Referees’ Society Limited ................................................. 93 3 FOREWORD BY ANDY SHORNEY, PRESIDENT, SOMERSET COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION LTD 2017–2018 I am very honoured to have been re-elected as your President for this season. Once again I will be visiting as many clubs in the county as I can continuing with my mission of thanking and promoting our endless band of valuable volunteers who help greatly in making clubs sustainable. With the ever increasing workload that these good people sign up to we all must make sure that they are suitably thanked at regular intervals throughout the year. Volunteers are one of the most valuable assets of a rugby organisation. They offer time, effort and expertise, and deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their hard work. Rugby union has a long and proud tradition of thanking volunteers. Encouraging these traditions at clubs, schools, colleges and universities helps maintain the ethos of the game we love. Several RFU and CB initiatives have rewarded many worthy volunteers already and long may these continue to thank so many of these unsung heroes. I firmly believe that rugby is a fantastic sport on so many levels and that it should be available to all. Over the next year I would also hope to promote and encourage the sport throughout the county and I look forward very much to continuing this important role. I will also endeavour to uphold the traditions of the Somerset Rugby Football Union and achieve the standards set by my predecessors. My congratulations go to all clubs who were successful in their respective leagues last season. I would also like to thank those teams who despite a shortage of players on occasions at the lower levels of the league structure still managed, with hard work and the goodwill of others, to fulfil fixtures whenever and wherever possible. My thanks once again go to all members of the County Management Committee for their continued hard work and support. Finally, I wish you all a very enjoyable and successful season and may the SCRFU flourish and grow and continue to set high standards for others to follow. Andy Shorney Somerset County RFU President 4 FOREWORD BY JOHN SPENCER, PRESIDENT, RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION 2017–2018 I’m delighted, as I become RFU President, to wish everyone involved in rugby in Somerset a fantastic 2017/18 season. It promises to be a great one for the game in so many ways, and Somerset will be a big part of that. Development of Somerset players is illustrated by those who have reached the highest level and represented their country, players like Richard Hill and, more recently, in a great Women’s Rugby World Cup by Danielle Waterman and Marlie Packer. I know that at least 20 Somerset clubs and 12 schools had, at the start of the season, signed the Old Mutual Wealth Kids First pledge, making enjoyment uppermost for our youngest players. This child-centred approach will keep youngsters in the game and benefit them and the clubs and schools they play for. So well done to all who have signed up and all fostering a love of rugby in our young players. Women’s and girls’ rugby is also building in the county and thanks to Inner Warrior camps in clubs like Chard and Winscombe will continue to grow, offering more opportunities for all. Of course, the men’s teams in Somerset, whether club or county, have always had a fine reputation and I know that this is thanks to excellent coaches and proficient match officials. They are among the fantastic volunteer workforce who work to ensure people can play and enjoy the game and that our rugby clubs remain at the very heart of their communities. The very best of luck to all Somerset teams and players and a big thank you to all who work so hard for the game. Have a great season! Good luck in the coming season to all players and coaches and my thanks to the county’s administrators and volunteers for all your continuing hard work. Have a good season. John Spencer RFU President 5 RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION Rugby House, 200 Whitton Road, Twickenham TW2 7BA Tel: 0871 222 2120 Web: http://www.rfu.com See RFU Handbook or website for information SCRFU LTD. COMMITTEE Officers of the Union President: Andy Shorney, 21a St. Mary’s Grove, Nailsea, Bristol. BS48 4NQ (W/F: 01275 857 506; E: [email protected]) President Elect: Mark Hawkes, ([email protected]) Chairman: Steve Mead, 28, Court Farm Road, Longwell Green,Bristol BS30 9AA (H: 0117 932 8616; M: 07854 290 290; E: [email protected]) Secretary: Neil Skinner, 11 Venus Lane, Clutton, Bristol, BS39 5SP (W: 01761 453 579; M: 07928 800 692, E: [email protected]) Hon. Treasurer: Mike Wicks, 33 Huntsham Road, Exeter, Devon, ESX1 3GH (M: 07854 033 311; E: [email protected]) Elected Members Steve Arnold, 19 Millbank Close, Brislington, Bristol. BS4 4PY (H: 0117 909 0878; M: 07703 3192 44; E: [email protected]) Alison Bennett, 36 The Glebe, Queen Camel, Somerset BA22 7PR (H: 01935 850 004; M: 07732 788777; E: [email protected]) Paul Box, 33 Wren Gardens, Port Marine, Portishead, North Somerset, BS20 7PP (H: 01275 847 421; M: 07734 316 517; E: [email protected]) Eddie Cooper, 51 Waterleaze, Taunton, Somerset TA2 8PX (H: 01823 323772; W: 01984 624642; M: 07971 179 114; F: 01984 629 301; E: [email protected]) Herbie Davies, Bath Cottage, 45 Milton Lane, Wells BA5 2QT (01749 672 635; E: [email protected]) John Harding, Water House, Blue Water Drive, Elborough, North Somerset, BS24 8PF (H: 01934 822 977; M: 07860 885 602; E: [email protected]) Mark Hawkes, ([email protected]) Steve Mead, 28, Court Farm Road, Longwell Green,Bristol BS30 9AA (H: 0117 932 8616; M: 07854 290 290; E: [email protected]) Jason Wheatley, 9 Amberley Close, Keynsham, BS31 2PY (M: 07770 674010 E:[email protected]) Nick Robins, 37 Bircham Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 8EX (E: [email protected]) 6 Barry Sparks, Birchwood House, Nye Road,Sandford, Winscombe, BS25 5QE (H: 01934 824877; M: 07742 580507; E: [email protected]) Co-opted Members Neil Prescott, 25 Gordon Terrace, Bridgwater,TA6 5JP (H: 01278 420795; M: 07545 020626; E: [email protected]) Paul Shepherd, Coaching Chairman (M: 07816 922 404; E: [email protected]) Des Chalmers, Lewinsdale Lodge,