FEBRUARY 2019 Issue 5 Designed by: Printed by: What’s Inside? Boxing Day Success -- I Love Rugby -- Junior vs Senior -- Upcoming Fixtures -- The Power of Rugby -- And Much More! Our Significant Otter If last season served as a in Otter, as well as his other in scintillating form; hitting Otters praises; “Jack Otter sneak preview, this year is back row stars - Luke rucks, turning over ball, has had an amazing start to the full feature-length Tamlin and Marcus Epps making important tackles - the season and has come picture! And the star of the often made up the rest of everything you hope for on leaps and bounds since show - Jack Otter! the wing-forwards. (The trio from a young seven! pre-season. His individual 19 year-old Jack broke are affectionately known as Meanwhile, bad luck has hit talent to read the body through into senior rugby ‘The Boyband’). Luke and Marcus in the language of the opposition alongside his colts team, The three band members form of injury, but this in the ruck and tackle area coached by former senior made up the back row for singing Otter has quite a is why he is such an asset to Head Coach, Justin Boyes. the majority of last year’s voice, and a solo career has the back row. He still has a Boyes remained Jacks unfortunate relegation been more than achievable! lot to learn but for such a coach for a further year, season, but here they Although, if asked, I’m sure young player he has a very taking the helm of the remained, at the disposal of he’d love to get the band bright and interesting rugby seniors as his junior new Head Coach Jordan back together. career ahead.” coaching days came to an Thompson. As the season Coach Thompson has also end. He showed great trust has unfolded Jack has been been in great voice, singing THE BLINDSIDE - FEBRUARY 2019 1 Thompson Takes Charge Another year. Another youngsters within the coach. Following last squad but, at the same year’s relegation, Justin time, add some Boyes made the decision experience and leadership to step down as the club’s with some old heads - head coach, giving look no further than Chris Bourne the off-season to Nanson. The decision to appoint a third in as many move him from last years years. Many applications front five to this year’s were received and backs seemed pre-season trial sessions questionable to say the were taken by a lucky few, least ... well, question but in the end it was answered. The bulky Jordan Thompson that fly-half has nestled in topped the list. Thompson seamlessly. has played and coached Jump to present day and at a number of clubs in Bourne sit second in the Kent since he left league with the second Coach Thompson (Left) with brother Brad, sporting Sittingbourne some 17 half of the season still to Sittingbourne Vets colours years ago. The 39 year old play. With training took his first session with numbers higher than drills and game plan they “As Sittingbourne was my seven weeks until the start usual and great morale are practicing at training. first senior club and still of the new Kent 2 season within the squad, hopes Younger players are holds true the rugby and implemented his style are high for the rest of the growing and developing family ideal then I would of play quickly. His new season. Thompson in their game and the welcome the chance to look side took to the field appears to have reigned in more seasoned players put back something to the for the first time in a rout this youthful squad. are providing good club that gave me my of old rivals Sheppey, the The chairman’s opinion; balance to the enthusiasm start in rugby life”. That’s a first of three pre-season Watching games it is clear of the youngsters. pretty good motivation in matches. His team that our teams Jordan joined us in the my book. selections have looked to understand and are summer. His application trust the exciting enacting the skills and for the post stated that: Planning Approved Written by Roger Down development will be history! letters of support and The Swale Planning subject to discussion We are indebted to Quinn attendance at meetings Committee have passed regarding clubhouse and Estates for all their hard has been immense and it the planning application facilities design between work and for their is truly appreciated. for development at Wises ourselves and the generosity throughout Now the hard work starts Lane which includes a developers and will be this process and in the - planning, running and new clubhouse, three based on a 100-year future. developing our own pitches and car parking renewable lease. This will I am extremely proud that facilities to help us to for Sittingbourne Rugby give us security of tenure, the whole club's response maintain and grow. Club! something our club has in supporting the OUR CLUB, OUR The detail of the never had in its entire application through FUTURE!! Computer-generated images of how the new development could look 2 THE BLINDSIDE - FEBRUARY 2019 Boxing Day Success Written by Roger Down Sittingbourne RUFC’s annual Boxing Day game was played in memory of Steve Ardley who played for both Sittingbourne and Faversham, however Faversham were sadly unable to field any players this year. Steve’s brother, Terry, attended as a spectator as he has every year. Being early on Boxing Day the game started with only 9-a-side, one team splendidly bedecked in the Wooden Spoon playing shirts. Players gradually turned up as the snappers. There was a Sittingbourne, we had a course Wooden Spoon game progressed, welcome return to the great turnout from the who do great works in finishing up with pretty club by the Goodrum supporters who gave their improving the lives of much 15-a-side. family, not seen at the usual helpful suggestions children and young Notable participants were club for a goodly while. as to how the players people with disabilities Andy Butler, an elder of The match was refereed might do a better job. As and facing disadvantage. the club and his son by Fred Nash who looked for the score, not a clue Thanks to the generosity Jacob, Big Al and Little Al at times quite competent, but the clear winners were of all players and Collins with just three legs but at others as if he was our great sport of rugby, spectators we raised between them and trying to herd cats! our great club and its £330 for the charity. numerous young whipper As is normal at community spirit and of ‘Just a Little Bit Longer’ Dave Fairbrass ... yes he’s where, within 6 months, have declined over the still playing! At the ripe he became the skipper of years, his love for the old age of 72, Dave still the 3rd team. game and desire to keep dusts off his boots a few 3rd team captain would playing certainly have not. times a year to play for turn out to be calling for So what could the secret Bourne. Dave as he took on the be? How does Dave keep Dave was born 18 months very same role when he putting on the Bourne after the war (the second migrated towards shirt? one in case you were Sittingbourne, and Well, many readers will unsure) in Margate. Living maintained a 12 year stint probably already know in Thanet, he grew up with before finally relinquishing the answer - Dave’s lucky a taste for sport, taking the role in 2011. These shorts have been the part in athletics and days, if you’re lucky, you’ll staple of his kit since his cross-country at school. catch him running the first match, not missing a His first experience of wing in the odd 3rd team game since 1972! And if Dave sporting his rugby came when he or Vets game, refusing to Dave has his way they’ll lucky shorts joined the navy, taking take the easy non-contact live to play for years to part as a hooker in a option. come. seven-a-side game Ever since his journey in When asked how he club’s history.” between his ship and a club rugby began Dave wants his rugby future to Well here’s to that! A real New Zealand ‘rival’. has played constantly, pan out, Dave said; “I want club legend! Keep going In 1974 he left the navy never considering his age, to play just a little bit Dave, we hope to see you and found his way to and although the longer ... I want to be the on the pitch again and Sheppey rugby club frequency of games may oldest try-scorer in the again. THE BLINDSIDE - FEBRUARY 2019 3 Introducing: Big Dan! Sittingbourne Rugby Club session one to session two is proud to introduce its alone was incredible, and latest acquisition - Big since then his Dan! Dan Elliot joined up improvement has been with Bourne in the exponential. With just a pre-season with a basic understanding of fondness for rugby, but rugby and one very little playing scrummaging session experience ... and his first under his belt, Dan was session made that selected to prop in the apparent. However, first team pre-season knowing that the senior match against Sheppey, front row has become and he did more than hold somewhat depleted (and his own.