BRUFC vs SHEFFIELD RUFC
Nathan Howarth (R), Michael Harris (AR) & Simon Lazenby (AR)
BILLINGHAM RUFC
- Adam Brown
- Ed Graham
- Dan Dixon
- Ben Walton
- Ryan Kirkbride
- Dan Burns
- Anth Jackson
- Mike Walton
- Sam Heron
- Peter Evans
- Jonny Horner
- Luke Wilson
- Peter Youll
- Joe Ross
- Elliott Husband (C)
- Jordan Foulds
- Kieran Clark
- Nathan Myers
- Conner Foley
- Ryan Foreman
SHEFFIELD RUFC
- Ben Whitney
- Reece Bartlett
- Jake Hicklin
- Archie Crapper
- Dom Parsons
- Alex Fawdry
- Matt Adcock
- Ryan Burrows
- Elliot Fisher
- Callum Posa
- Chris Hooper
- Will Smith
- Jamie Flint
- Cameron Catleugh
- Ieuan Cooke
- Sam Grady-Graham
- George Rogers
- Charlie Flinders
- Jonny West
- Alfie Kimpton
TABLE, FIXTURES & RESULTS
National League 2 North
FIXTURES
RESULTS
CLUB PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
JOHN KER
CLUB PRESIDENT
In welcoming our visitors in this, our Centenary season, whether you are a player, committee representative or loyal fan, we shall endeavour to make sure that you are treated well, both on and off the pitch, whatever the ultimate result. First of all I would like to apprise you of a few things. As a club we have taken another step (perhaps more of a giant leap) upwards into the higher echelons of English rugby union.
Our rugby club was born out of the Synthetic and Nitrates Company which eventually became ICI. Originally we were the rugby section of the Synthonia Sports Club and for many years simply regarded as a 'factory' team. Although our date of inauguration is 1924, during the autumn of 1923, players were recruited, training started and coaching commenced in earnest. The very first game was against West Hartlepool Secondary School when Billingham Synthonia Rugby Football Club won by 8 points to 6. Our first dinner was held in April 1928 and the following year saw us achieve Senior Club status. Although
"… the pavilion was a wooden but and tin basins with cold water did service in place of showers"
We have come on a bit since those days, however, and since the turn of this century we have opened the new clubhouse on a new ground at Greenwood Road, courtesy of lottery funding. Then in August 2017 we added the Artificial Grass Pitch thanks to RFU, but this year, following our league and Durham County Senior cup wins of last season we start life in National 2 North. Not content with promotion, we have added to our facilities in extra special ways, which everyone can enjoy this afternoon.
Annually I put into print my appreciation and thanks to the strong leadership of our hardworking Executive Committee and, of course our very many volunteers, without whom we would struggle. I realise that most sports clubs rely heavily on voluntary help but I think our various groups are a match for any club in the country. I believe it is also important to acknowledge the many parents who bring their children to join the minis then stay involved to become coaches, team managers, fund raisers and even - referees.
It is difficult in a one-off piece which remains in the programme for the whole season to react to weekly events but the contributions from Chairman, Mark Armstrong and Director of Rugby, Peter Evans do change game by game.
So a special thanks to both.
John Ker
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
MARK ARMSTRONG
CLUB CHAIRMAN
Welcome Sheffield RUFC...
Welcome to all of our wonderful members and supporters, enjoy the match, remember where you are, who we are and respect players, officials and each other. Rugby is always the winner.
I have achieved many things in my life that I am proud of (my family being top of the list), I have been to many places, seen many things, met many people and overall, I see myself as being very fortunate. I also know that fortune favours the brave, hard work delivers results and being part of a team, a successful team is a wonderful place to be.
The above sums up this club for me. I have been fortunate to be part of this club for 35 years of it’s 100 year history and to be it’s Chairman for over 20 of those. A centenary is a milestone in any sport and in life in general and those of us who are members today, including myself, are fortunate to be part of a club that has been built on the back of many generations of players, members and supporters. We may have started out as a works team but back in the day we were a force to be reckoned with and despite the end of the industrial giant that was ICI, Billingham RUFC has gone from strength to strength.
Of course, we have had challenges along the way, including becoming homeless in the 90s, then nearly going out of business in the 00s, but we have come through to where we are today. Many people have contributed to our survival and our growth and the honours board of Presidents, Chairs and Club Captains are a great example of this, but there are many that don’t have their name on boards who have been instrumental in ensuring we can stand here today, with a soft smile on our faces. We have a plan for them too!
If I look at the last 25 years, from the time before we had our clubhouse to where we stand today, many of the people who have helped with our success, are still here today, every day, every game. This club to many, is a big part of their life. Our club is our community and over time our club has become an important part of the community.
When you have a great team, great things happen, and this year, our centenary year, to be playing in the National Leagues, Level 4 of rugby, in the top 60 teams in the country, in our new clubhouse, yes it is a dream come true, but one that was never in doubt.
We have a great rugby leadership team, we have a great rugby operations team, we have a great rugby development team and we are supported by many volunteers. Not only are we playing in Level 4, but we boast teams from U6 to Colts, 4 senior teams and 3 girls teams, a total of 19 teams. You have heard me say time and time again, if you stand still you go backwards and we have never accepted anything for granted and looked to improve every year.
We look at every part of what we do; coaching, kit, health and well-being support, playing surfaces, changing facilities, club, food, even the beer, and we look to make improvements along the way. Today we stand in a new extended and refurbished clubhouse. We used the have the ‘If Carlsberg made toilets…’ moment (we still do) but now we have the ‘If Carlsberg made members bars’ experience. Yes, I am excited about this, of course I am, and why not, who would not want a private bar, with a private balcony with the best view of the match?
But we are not finished, we want to continue to improve and the next phase is the players, including girls changing and physio facilities. Some might ask how you can afford it and the answer is simple, we invest all of our profits back into rugby but we do not pay players, repeat we do not pay players. They, like every playing member, pay their monthly membership subscription. Some say this will restrict our potential, I say, this is what has got us to where we are, this is the ethos that defines our culture and this is what will ensure our success.
It was John F Kennedy that gave the famous speech in Berlin in 1963, and said that “2,000 years ago the proudest boast was to say you were a citizen of Rome”, and went on to say, “that today the proudest boast is ‘ich bin ein Berliner”.
Today I say to you, the proudest boast is to say, “I am a member of Billingham Rugby Club”.
Mark Armstrong
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SENIOR COACH UPDATE
PETER EVANS
SENIOR COACH
Back home after another real tough outing last week.
When we looked at the start of the season and thought our first 4 away games would be 4 serious contenders, I feared the worst. Add to that a real challenging start at home we thought it would be a baptism of fire. It's turns out we have battled for every inch and deservedly we have managed 6 points against 3 teams from last seasons top 6.
We started poor last week, we allowed Fylde to set the tempo of the game, sat back and watched them do their thing. A great fight back shows what we can do and gives us a boost going into this week.
It has been a while since we played Sheffield lots will have changed. We do know we have a really physical side coming to play. They bullied Preston last week and have been one of the high scorers in the league, so again it's another cup final for us. The challenges keep coming, we understand it's a step up and we're learning week on week.
We have 3 unbelievable squads out this week, both 1s and 2s at home to Sheffield and the 3s at BBOB. The 2s side this week is probably the best side I've ever picked. Full of talented players. There has been a big buy in this season as week on week we make changes and hand out chances. It looks like 6/7 changes to the first team this week all positive as we rotate and think ahead.
Excited for a busy club cheering the lads on, the last home game was a party atmosphere. It helps massively!
A huge weekend ahead.
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CAPTAIN'S CORNER
ELLIOTT HUSBAND
1ST XV & CLUB CAPTAIN
All in 100% of the time.
This is the mantra we have been working to through pre-season and putting to the test over our first 3 games at level 4.
It’s a fine balance between self-belief and realism but I think so far, we are getting it spot on. We as a team have a self-belief that if we are the hardest working team on the pitch, then we will be rewarded in the form of league points, however many that may be. We are also realistic that this is the highest level a lot of our squad have played at and that will take some adjustment. I was over the moon when the fixtures came out for the season and our first 2 away games were Titans and Fylde, it’s my belief that the quickest way to adjust is to jump in headfirst at the deep end, these fixtures gave us that opportunity.
Getting 6 points from our first 3 games, including a home win, and being mid table is a great first step and I think an accurate representation of how we’ve performed. However, it’s a fact that our hard work has just started, and so far, we have only set the standard.
Our mindset has been splitting games up into 10-minute blocks to win the battle that’s immediately in front of us, into bite size chunks. We are viewing the season like this as well, only looking a week ahead to the next immediate battle, the next bite size chunk. If we keep grafting away with this attitude, come the end of the season we will hopefully have had a 3-course meal of league points and something to be proud of.
I’ll finish this brief (semi-regular segment) with this… That last 5 mins against Fylde, managing to score 3 tries to secure 2 league bonus points, is the epitome of the attitude we want to show. We always have something to play for, no matter the score or situation. We will be the team that ‘never say die’ and no team in this league will get an easy ride against us. I am incredibly excited about the challenge ahead of us and if I can convey anything to our proud fanbase, your excitement and support gives us that extra 5% which could make a huge difference come the end of the season. Stick with us and return we will give it everything we’ve got, there’s some special days on the horizon.
Our spirit is our Strength.
Elliott Husband
FIRST XV SHIRT SPONSORS
Billingham Colts 23/24
The Colts have started this season strongly with 3 wins from 3 games and head into this weekends National Colts Cup top of the Halbro North East and Cumbria League (South).
The lads are at home to old friends Houghton on Sunday (1pm KO) in our first appearance in the National Colts Cup after a few years hiatus from the competition.
Although carrying quite a few injuries our strength and depth will see us field a competitive squad for the game. We see a few players return from ACE national competition duties to bolster the pack and some return from injury in time to earn a spot in the squad.
The lads have been training well every Tuesday and Thursday with strong numbers building on a good preseason to garner momentum through the first few games.
Last Sundays game was by far our best performance in a well ground out game against Horden and Peterlee Colts who gave us a great game with only a try at the end for Billingham securing the win.
A big thanks to the lads who have played out of position as well this season to cover our injuries and unavailability.
Special mentions from last weeks game to Harry Wildridge, Tom Fawcett, Brandon Booth and the man of the match, Todd Finn!
We go again this weekend!
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Billingham Colts
COACHES
Chris Hyndman
Dave Hill
Dave Rowlands
MANAGER
Jov Mallam
H20
Kempy
CLUB NEWS
Tickets available for Billingham Rugby Members
ENGLAND vs WALES
10th February
ENGLAND vs IRELAND
9th March
No news on away matches at the moment
Deadline is Sunday 6pm. Email only.
Category - Your Price - Standard Price - Junior
Premium - £163 - £194 - £30
Cat 1 - £146 - £167 - £30
Cat 2 - £130 - £145 - £30
Cat 3 £112 - £117 £- 30
Cat 4 £80 - £85 - £30
Players Wanted
We are continually asked…. Are you taking on new players?
The simple answer is YES!
We don’t turn anyone away. No matter what age, ability, gender there is room for everyone.
Be part of something special.
Be part of Billingham
Richie Morrison: 07792 717262
Billingham Vs Tynedale - Match Report - David Munns Style
After last week’s plaudits but no points it’s back to Greenwood road this week for another milestone, the first home game in National 2.
I usually gauge the expected attendance by where I park on Greenwood road and the signs are good as it’s quite stretch of the legs but unusually I have time in hand. It’s a buzzing extended club house with DJ Revell on the wheels of steel, well it’s actually his phone but tunes are pumping out.
1st’s and 2nd’s at home today so there’s a choice of action, view point, lots of catch ups and various raffle action. After last week’s report which I can only put down to being written while giddy from the away bus this, I’ll try and be concise but pack as much in as possible. Weather – scorchio...
Ex Players Day this year is on the 4th November.
The game, Leeds Tykes, an ex-premiership team at Greenwood road. How often can we say that!
Change from previous years where it was a ticket event for entry and food. This year as it’s just going to be a turn up on the day and pay the entry fee on the gate.
We want as many ex-players, members, etc, to be there on the day and keep the tradition going, so there's a lot of expectations on us all to pass the word around to our circle of rugby friends and fix the date in our calendar’s.
Let’s keep this tradition going fellas and gather a big squad for a get together and support the lads in NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY.
Wagga
WE'RE HIRING...
Hospitality Staff
Role includes: Table service, Bar service (full description upon interview). 18+.
Please email CV to matthewpinkney1@hotmail.co.uk
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