SOMERSET COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION LIMITED HANDBOOK SEASON 2015–2016 FINANCIAL SUPPORT The Committee wishes to place on record its appreciation of the generosity given by the following businesses and individuals during the past season 2014–2015: ARDEN PARTNERS & Co GRAHAM WEBSTER & PERRY TRUCKS Somerset County Rugby Football Union Limited www.somersetrfu.co.uk Handbook for the Season 2015–2016 Free to all members PATRONS R.T. BAGG, Weston-Super-Mare W.A. BISHOP, Bristol J.A. STOCKWELL, Martock R.A.M. WHYTE, Glastonbury 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 ....................................................................................... 7 Reports on 2014–15 Season ............................................................................. 12 Somerset Cup .................................................................................................... 21 Somerset Blackthorn Vase ................................................................................ 22 Players with 20 or more appearances for Somerset ......................................... 24 Past Officers of the Union .................................................................................. 25 South-Western Division Rugby Football Mutual Benefit Fund .......................... 26 Members 2015–16 ............................................................................................. 28 Somerset Knock-Out Cup .................................................................................. 29 The Somerset R.F.U. Knock-Out Cup Competition Regulations 2015–16 ........ 30 Somerset Knock-Out Vase ................................................................................. 35 The Somerset R.F.U. Knock-Out Vase Competition Regulations 2015–16 ....... 35 Structured Competitions Season 2015–16 ........................................................ 46 Member Clubs by Divisions ............................................................................... 50 Affiliated Clubs ................................................................................................... 50 South West Structure ......................................................................................... 77 SCRFU Referees Society Ltd. ............................................................................ 79 List of Referees in Membership ......................................................................... 81 SCRFU Referees Society Limited Annual Report .............................................. 87 Child Protection Guidance for Match Officials .................................................. 88 SCRFU Limited Rules ........................................................................................ 89 SCRFU Limited Regulations ............................................................................ 101 Rules of the SCRFU Referees’ Society Limited ............................................... 103 3 4 FOREWORD BY DES CHALMERS, PRESIDENT, SOMERSET COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION LTD 2015–2016 It is again a great honor for me to be elected the County president for the second year. This season brings huge expectations with the RFU hosting the Rugby World Cup. There has been great effort in producing the World Cup tour and build up, also the legacy. Congratulations to all those who have put many hours without looking for any plaudits. I am sure this will all benefit the game. I offer my congratulations to the Clubs who were promoted from their leagues, and to the winners of the County Cup and Vase Competitions, as detailed in the reports elsewhere in this Handbook. Last season I tried to visit a club every weekend especially if the fixture was against another Somerset Club. I am very grateful to all the Clubs for their hospitality and it was great to meet rugby enthusiastists at every level. The organisation, the commitments and the competitiveness which were on show, proves that the game continues to be very strong throughout the County. I hope that I will be able to go to more Clubs in the forthcoming season, so that over my two years as President, I will at least have been able to meet players and officials from the majority if not all the Clubs in membership. On behalf of the County, I would like to thank all the hundreds of volunteer coaches, administrators and referees as well as supporters who make the game of Rugby so successful throughout the County at every level from the under 6 teams to the veterans. I am looking forward to the coming season, and I hope that everyone involved in the game remembers the new RFU directive to uphold the Core values of our great sport. Thanks to all my colleagues on the Somerset Committee for the support and input over the years. Two notable members who will be missed in their posts as Treasurer and Secretary are Mike Berry and Andy Shorney. Des Chalmers Somerset County RFU President 5 FOREWORD BY JASON LEONARD, PRESIDENT, RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION 2015–2016 This is going to be a once in a lifetime year for rugby in England and I know that Somerset, with such a great reputation for hospitality, will be busy welcoming everyone inspired by Rugby World Cup 2015. I am very glad to wish all your hard working volunteers and all players a fantastic 2015/16 season. I am sure it will be one that will bring our game a tremendous legacy. A Somerset County XV has been playing for around 140 years and Somerset Rugby Referee Society led the way some 125 years ago. Much has changed since then but one thing remains the same and that is the dedication and sheer hard work of all those organising, coaching and officiating so that others can enjoy playing. I would like to thank you all in my new role as RFU President. I hope that the county squad, the age grade sides and the district teams have a tremendous season. Somerset has a proud rugby history and has helped to develop many players, including the likes of England’s Richard Hill, Simon Halliday, Jerry Guscott and, more recently, England Women’s World Cup winners Danielle Waterman and Marlie Packer. I know that everyone is looking forward to England hosting the Rugby World Cup and I’m sure that there will be great excitement in the county as everyone gets together to celebrate our amazing sport. Enjoy this wonderful season. Jason Leonard OBE President 6 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: Des Chalmers, Lewinsdale Lodge, 5-7 Clevedon Road, Weston- super-Mare BS23 1DA (H: 01934 632 501; E: [email protected]) President Elect: Andy Shorney, 21a St. Mary’s Grove, Nailsea, Bristol. BS48 4NQ (W/F: 01275 857 506; E: [email protected]) Chairman: John Harding, Water House, Blue Water Drive, Elborough, North Somerset, BS24 8PF (H: 01934 822 977; M: 07860 885 602; 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, 56 Barrington Way, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9BA (H: 01823 666 286; 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]) Neil Prescott, 25 Gordon Terrace, Bridgwater TA6 5JP (H: 01278 420 795; M: 07545 020 626; E: [email protected]) 7 Nick Robins, 37 Bircham Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 8EX (E: [email protected]) Karen Travers, 11 Clarks Meadow, Dukes Rise, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4FD (M: 07799 506 898; E: [email protected]) Co-opted Members Jason Wheatley, Age-Grade Chairman (M: 07770 674 010; E: [email protected]) Paul Shepherd, Coaching Chairman (M: 07816 922 404; E: [email protected]) Jonathan Elliot, 31 Kings Castle Road, Wells, BA5 3LT (H: 01749 676 093; M: 07738 067 416; E: [email protected]) Dave Binding, 58 St. Mary’s Gardens, Hilperton Marsh, Trowbridge, Wilts. BA14 7PQ (H: 01225 768 323; M: 07941 123 584; E: [email protected])