PARK END ON A HIGH NOTE

In this issue
Match reports and photos
National 3 South focus
Readers letters
Sevens dates
and other odds and ends
that crossed the editor’s
desk.
- Wednesday 23rd April, 2008
PARK END ON A HIGH NOTE
W
elcome to another Parknews. The firsts finished the
League season in style with a super win at Dings
Crusaders, where only Mounts Bay and Canterbury
had won before this season. That made it a finishing flourish
of 6 wins from 7 matches – only runners-up Cinderford, on
their own ground, have beaten Park since mid-February. Are
the good times returning?
Indeed, only two kickers cost Park a top half finish after
we had done the difficult bit at Dings. Had Gert de Kock
converted any of the 3 tries Canterbury scored at Bridgwater,
where the home side won by a single point, Park would have
leapfrogged the Somerset side. Lydney were losing by 2
points at North Walsham into the 78th minute, a situation that
would have seen us finish above them, but an inconsiderate referee – clearly unaware of the wider implications of his
decision - gave the men from the Forest of Dean a penalty
which, despite Lydney being 22-5 down at the interval, Mark
Davies slotted over for an unlikely single point win. Such is
fate.
A number of senior squad players who weren’t in the side
made their own way to Dings – even paid to get in! – to
support the team on Saturday, and the whole lot went off on
Ed Lewis-Pratt scores a great try for Park in the away win at Dings Crusaders on
a bender afterwards. It speaks volumes for the spirit in the
Saturday [Photo: David Whittam]
side. One who didn’t go was Michael Poppmeier who was
off hotfoot to Heathrow to return to South Africa. However,
the Editor spoke to Popps just before he legged it, and he has enjoyed himself so
much at Park that he very much wants to return for next season.
T
Match Tonight
here is a very entertaining match in prospect at the Rock tonight with a
Rosslyn Park U-23 side taking on the Middlesex County U-23s in what is
now an annual fixture, and there’s even a Cup at stake. The Park side will
be mainly Development players, though senior squad players who fit the age
profile may be selected. Several promising Development players have been
recommended to the senior squad this season, and tonight’s match gives a great
opportunity for supporters to take a look at some of the young talent in the Club.
There is no admission charge and the Clubhouse will be open early to cater for
those of you coming straight from work.
T
he Slingbacks finished their season with an away win at Harlequins on
Sunday (report inside). The outstanding home match with Chesham will
now not be played, so the Park girls finished a very creditable third. Sadly,
it was almost certainly the last match scrum half Jenny “Shorty” Matheson will
play for them. The 4’10” Canadian has been a lynchpin of the side, and we wish
her well for the future. There are some promising looking girls coming up through
Slingbacks Too and we know that Claire Bowen has left Wasps and is considering
making the necessary commitment to play for Park next season, so if you bump
into Claire at the Floodlit Sevens do buy her a drink. It is the Editor’s firm resolve
to talk Ms Butler of Richmond into a return - /continued back page....
DISCLAIMER
Although Parknews is published on the Rosslyn Park website, please
note that it is independently edited and that any views expressed
within its columns are not necessarily those of the Club, its Committee
or its Officials unless specifically stated as being such. The identity of
correspondents may be withheld at their request, but items received
anonymously will not be considered for publication. The Editor would
like anyone offended by its contents to note that he is skint and therefore not worth suing anyway.
Tonight
Park U-23 v Middlesex U-23
(Home - KO 7:30 Admission free)
Saturday 26th April
Minis “Battle of Britain” Tag Tournament
(Home KO 2:00)
Sunday 27th April
Senior 7 - Sunshine 7s
(East Grinstead RFC KO 10:30)
Slingbacks Too v Alton
(Richmond Park, League, KO 3:00)
Saturday 3rd May
Senior 7 & Slingbacks
Middlesex Club Sevens
(Richmond Athletic Ground, KO 10:30)
Wednesday 7th May
Senior 7 plus all the other top
London Teams
LONDON FLOODLIT SEVENS
(home: KO 5:00PM - final at 10:20)
MAKE THAT 6 OUT OF 7
Dings Crusaders 5 Rosslyn Park 16
National 3 South
T
he difficulty of beating Dings on their sloping pitch is best illustrated by the fact that only Champions Mounts Bay and fourth
placed Canterbury had won there before Rosslyn Park’s visit on
Saturday. Park’s degree of commitment to an apparently routine end
of season fixture had the Bristol club on the back foot from the start,
and as early as the second minute they were caught offside on their
own 22, right in front of the posts. Richard Mahony made no mistake
in adding the 3 points.
Mahony made a good break through the middle, then put in a good
positional kick to maintain Park’s overall control of the early play. But
Dings showed how good a side they are with their first real attack in
the 13th minute, which stretched the visiting defence and some quick
hands worked the ball across to winger Wright-Hider who knew where
the line was. This clearly delighted the Dings backs coach, former
Park scrum-half Nick Walshe. So for all Park’s edge in possession
and territory, they were 3-5 down.
The visitors appeared unfazed by the setback and soon came back
at Dings. With Park driving at the home defence the referee played
a long advantage before bringing play back for a penalty in the 25th
minute, from which Mahony restored his team’s lead by 6-5.
A great run from Ed Lewis-Pratt nearly sent Nick Harlock in, but the
winger was injured in the process and had to be replaced by scrum
half Sam Browne after 29 minutes. Tony Paul also caused the home
defence some problems but, after weathering some late home pressure during an extended injury time, Park went into the interval with a
slender one point lead for all their exertions.
F
rom the start of the second half Park showed their intent with a
massive drive to the home 22, against one of the better packs in
the division. A score looked likely until Morgan Jones was spotted by a touch judge stamping on an opponent. The Park flanker was
possibly fortunate that the card he was shown was only yellow, but his
team nearly paid heavily for a moment’s indiscipline. Determined to
make the numerical advantage tell, Dings hammered into the visitors.
Park defended with great determination and skill, and when Dings
knocked on with the defence at full stretch their best chance had
gone.
Restored to 15 men, Park again took over up front and drove at the
home defence. A penalty was won and kicked to touch for the catch
and drive. Park inched towards the line, gained a scrum but somehow
the Dings pack summoned the energy to turn it. Park won the ball
back and a great run from John Swords nearly bore fruit.
Dings, however, had far from given up the game and always looked
dangerous enough on the break that a 6-5 lead was slender indeed.
Back came the visiting pack with an immense drive and Park were
camped in the 22 but there seemed no way past an excellent defence. Such situations call for a moment of magic and it was delivered
by Ed Lewis-Pratt, who received the ball on the edge of the 22 and
somehow found a way past 3 tackles on a super run for as good a
try as you could wish for. Mahony added the extras to give Park an 8
point cushion.
Dings were far from done for and tried to come back, but the game
probably went beyond them when they kicked to touch into the Park
22. From the throw, Russ Forster was dangerously taken out in the air
for the second time and the referee had no hesitation in showing the
yellow card. Park still had to play down the clock, with fully 8 minutes
of injury time added. They sensibly retained the ball until a searing run
from John Swords almost beat the defence. It gave Mahony his 50th
League penalty attempt of the season, and his 39th success saw Park
home and dry. A run of 6 wins in 7 matches – only runners-up Cinderford (away) have beaten them since mid-February – means that over
the summer we can dream of better times returning.
Park: Lewis-Pratt; Riley, Swords, Paul, Harlock (Browne); Mahony;
Evans; Huggett (Charlton), Ritchie, Blom (Frazier); Poppmeier, Forster (Corin); Gates, Jones, Count.
Park scorers: Lewis Pratt (T), Mahony (3P, C).
MATCH PHOTOS
Mike Count sends the defence the wrong way; Dave Riley on a
break; Mike Poppmeier about to offload and (bottom) Ed LewisPratt starts the run that led to his spectacular try. [Photos: David
Whittam]
SLINGBACKS STRONG FINISH
Harlequins 12
Slingbacks 41
Championship 2
Team P
W
Aylesford
14
13 Hove
13
11 Slingbacks
13
9
This rearranged match was Park’s
13
7
last of the season, and, after losing Wasps II
London Welsh
14
6
out narrowly to Hove in their last
Chesham
13
4
game, Park were keen to end the
14
4
season on a high. Alex B was back Harlequins
Camberley
14
0
on the left wing after 6 months out
with a shoulder injury, and Becks
made a welcome return at full back. Quins had other ideas however
about the way this was going to be decided and started the game with
gusto. Quins had a strong pack and used their size and strength to
hit the ball up effectively around the rucks, holding Park up in contact
and disrupting Park’s more expansive style of play. Park seemed to
be unsure how to react and Quins soon made ground and went over
after only ten minutes of play to score their first try through their second row. It was a wake up call for Park but Quins continued to use
the same tactics to good effect.
Championship 2
By Alex Burbidge
The first half became a war of attrition. Park did come back with
an answer to Quins try, finding a way over on the right side through
winger Beef, but the ball struggled to come out wide throughout much
of the first half. The Park forwards however started to up the ante,
and as their tackles got lower, and they committed more to the ruck,
Quins started to feel the pressure. Chidge who had stepped in at
hooker made some evasive runs to trouble the Quins defence and
Charl, the captain, rallied the troops, leading by example and hitting
rucks and mauls with force. Jo Phillips at 8 put in some impressive
tackles and carried the ball well. The Park scrum really started to
challenge for the ball, winning against the head, and this gave the
backs a good attacking platform. The line out was equally impressive
as jumpers Potter and Lou J secured clean ball for Park and stole
Quins’ line outs.
At the break coach Barnesy pointed out the areas in the Park
performance that needed to be worked on and the team stepped up
to the challenge with renewed enthusiasm. Park started to realise
they could win this game. Mils at 10 grew in confidence and as Park
started to play a faster, wider game the gaps began to open up. Park
exploited the wind direction and kicked long. The tries started to
come; Beef went over again using her awesome pace to outstrip the
Quins backs, and Mils exploited a dog leg as the Quins 10 came up
too quickly and left acres of unguarded space for Mils to run into.
Alex managed to take the ball close to the line from Diz – who was all
over the pitch and creating some great linked passages of play – and
crashed over for her first league try of the season. Becks at 15 was
safe under a high ball all game and stopped a late Quins attempt to
rally and gain the initiative, catching the ball on the full and kicking it
back to gain a line out deep into Quins territory.
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
L
1
2
4
6
8
9
10 14 F
431 422 354 271 178 77 123 27 A
86 84 110 154 199 250 389 611 Diff 345 338 244 117 -21 -173 -266 -584 B Pts 5
9
9
8
6
5
3
2
Pts
57
53
45
36
30
21
19
2
Try of the game however
has to go to Po, a late sub
for Becks at fullback, who,
with her first touch of the
ball following a fumbled
line out, made a massive
kick downfield and over
the head of the Quins fullback. Po chased up her
own kick and, as Quins
fell in their attempt to get
to the ball first, Po was
there to collect under the
posts and place the ball
over sweetly for a try.
Subs Esther (12), Cat
Muge (Wing) and Tamsin
(4) made their own impact on the game injecting fresh pace. Anna
Hanak who came on at prop was strong in the scrum and put in some
big hits to disrupt Quins (even after the whistle was blown ). Shorty
(sadly playing probably her last game for Park), who had come on for
Norm at 9, put her mark on the game, running in a try through a scattered Quins’ defence. Mils also scored again from close in, after quick
passes spread the ball wide, and Park’s win was looking assured.
Quins scored once in the second half but it wasn’t enough to stop
Park winning a bonus point. Final score – 41 to 12 to Park.
Players of the match went to Diz for the forwards, for her excellent
passing and for just being everywhere, and back of the match went
to Becks (who wasn’t there so Po downed the can of Carling for her
audacious try!). And that’s about it folks - until next season!
Scorers: Alex ‘BGA’ Burbidge (T), Jo ‘Beef’ Maeva (2T),Camilla ‘Milo’
Breuton (2T), Tara ‘Po’ Hodgkinson (T), Jennifer Shorty Schechter (2),
Rae ‘Awesome’ Miller (2C).
[Match photos by Kristina Dorner]
NATIONAL 3 SOUTH FOCUS
T
he promotion /
relegation issues are
now looking
straightforward.
Mounts Bay
are promoted,
along with
Tynedale
from 3 North;
Cinderford will
play off against
Darlington
Mowden Park
for the other
promotion
place. Henley
Current League Table – National 3 South
Club
P
W
D
L
F
A
PD
4T
7L
Pts
1
Mounts Bay
26
23
0
3
772
337
435
13
2
107
2
Cinderford
26
20
2
4
722
305
417
9
2
95
3
Ealing
26
18
1
7
689
402
287
13
4
91
4
Canterbury 26
18
0
8
608
473
135
10
3
83
5
London Scottish
26
17
0
9
633
410
223
12
3
83
6
Dings Crusaders 26
13
1
12
492
441
51
7
6
67
7
Lydney
26
13
0
13
501
485
16
6
5
63
8
Bridgwater & Albion26
13
0
13
495
558
-63
6
4
62
9
Rosslyn Park
26
12
0
14
502
463
39
5
6
59
10
Havant
26
8
0
18
394
567
-173
3
6
41
11
Barking
26
8
1
17
711
223
-223
3
4
41
13
Clifton
26
8
1
17
476
852
-376
4
2
40
12
North Walsham
26
6
0
20
384
711
-327
3
6
33
14
Luton
26
2
0
24
380
821
-441
3
5
16
NB Canterbury were deducted 2 points for a breach of the rules. They are placed above London Scottish despite an inferior
points difference because, since the introduction of bonus points, number of wins is used to determine position.
will drop into the southern division and Halifax into the Northern;
whichever side wind the promotion play-off will be replaced by Nuneaton.
Clifton will drop into South-West 1, replaced by Chinnor. Richmond
are promoted along with the winners of a Worthing v Bracknell playoff. Neither Luton nor North Walsham can slot into South-West 1
(and will be north of most clubs in London 1) so that is going to cause
some bureaucratic head scratching.
At the bottom end of 3 North old friends Morley go down, along with
West Park St Helens and Beverley, so there is no one obvious to
drop into Midlands 1 where Loughborough Students are promoted
and Luctonians play off against Huddersfield, Kendal being the side
promoted automatically.
So with Richmond and Henley definitely added to next year’s fixtures,
along with either Worthing or Bracknell, and no trips to North Walsham, Mounts Bay or Clifton, expect incoming Treasurer Pete Curry
to start sniffing around the travel budget as his first cut!!
Cinderford 8 Ealing 12
Cinderford: Try: McNeil (17). Pen: Trigg (33).
Ealing: Tries: Bundy (21), Bruynseels (64). Cons: Ward.
Ealing finished the season with an away win at Cinderford and were
the only side to beat both the top two on their own patch. It was the
home side who took the lead on 17 minutes when flanker Chris McNeil went in for his 19th try of the season and they were 5-0 ahead.
Four minutes later and it was all square after full back Simon Bundy
went over but Ben Ward could not add the extras. Just after the half
hour mark and Cinderford were back in front as right wing Dan Trigg
put over a penalty goal and they took their three point lead into the
break. The winning score came on 64 minutes when winger Owen
Bruynseels went in for his 20th try of the season and this time Ward
converted. That try took Bruynseels one clear of McNeil at the top of
the try scorers list.
North Walsham 22 Lydney 23
Havant: Tries: Claffey (47), Raubenheimer (54). Con: Claffey. Pen:
Claffey 40).
Clifton: Tries: B Kent (6), Viol (40), Leonard (72). Cons: Barnes 3.
Clifton did their bit with the win but with Barking beating Mounts Bay
it was all for nothing as they finished a point short. They took the lead
on six minutes when centre Barnaby Kent went over the home line
and John Barnes converted. Late in the half they got a second to go
14-0 ahead as right wing Rob Viol went over for his 15th try of the
season and Barnes again converted. In injury time Stephen Claffey
put over a penalty goal for the home side. Havant started the second
half better with Claffey going over for a try and adding the conversion
and when No 8 Dylan Raubenheimer went over for his 14th try of the
season they were ahead 15-14. The winning score came on 72 minutes when centre Steven Leonard went over and Barnes converted
for a six point lead which they held till the end of the match.
NW: Tries: Thorpe (2), Holt (39), Godwin (5). Cons: Young 2. Pen:
Young (8)
Lydney: Tries: Jenkins (38), Davies (41), Davies (59). Con: Davies.
Pens: Davies 2 (56, 78).
North Walsham saw the stay in the National Leagues come to an end
with this narrow defeat at home to Lydney after leading 22-5 at half
time. The home side were over the Lydney line after just two minutes
with full back Andy Thorpe touching down for his 13th try of the season and three minutes later it was 12-0 after right wing Adam Godwin
went over and this time Iain Young converted.
Not long after Young added a penalty goal and they were 15-0 ahead
and scoring at over a point a minute. It was Lydney who got the next
score to get off the mark as flanker Dean Jenkins went over but late in
the half right wing Tom Holt got a try, Young converted and they went
in 22-5 ahead. All the scoring in the second half went the way of the
visitors with fly half Mark Davies getting a try in the opening minute
of the half and it was 22-10. Before the hour mark Davies kicked a
penalty goal and converted his own second try to make it 22-20. The
winning score was a penalty goal on 78 minutes from the boot of
Davies.
Barking 16 Mounts Bay 14
Luton 12 London Scottish 35
Havant 15 Clifton 21
Barking: Try: Api (35). Con: Owens. Pens: Owens 2 (6, 67). DG:
Owens (24).
Bay: Tries: Salter (17), Hilton (64). Cons: Mosey, Rashleigh. .
Barking did the impossible and beat Champions Mounts Bay to secure their National League status and with Clifton winning at Havant.
Fly half Harry Owens put the home side ahead with a 6th minute penalty goal. Bay responded with the games opening try on 17 minutes
when hooker James Salter touched down and Tim Mosey converted
for 7-3. Owen pulled three points back with a drop goal and when he
converted a try from centre Basil Api it was 13-7 after 35 minutes and
they took that lead into the half time break. It took 24 minutes for the
first score of the second half as second row Ben Hilton went over the
home try line and this time replacement Matthew Rashleigh converted
for a 14-13 lead. Three minutes later Owens put over what turned out
to be the season saving score to give them the win and send Bay to
just their third defeat of the season.
Luton: Tries: Lincoln (51), Arasa (59). Con: Lincoln.
Scottish: Tries: Fitzgerald (20), A Smith (32), Penalty Try (55), Greenslade Jones (62), Millard (68). Cons: Micklewood 5.
London Scottish finished their first season back in the National
Leagues with a comfortable win away at bottom of the table Luton.
It took the Scottish 20 minutes to get the games first try as No 8 Matt
Fitzgerald went over and full back Chris Micklewood converted. 12
minutes later it was 14-0 with second row Andrew Smith touching
down and again Micklewood converted with the final score of the half.
11 minutes into the second half and Luton were on the board as fly
half Simon Lincoln touched down. Four minutes later and the Scottish
had a third try as referee Steve Walters awarded them a penalty try
and Micklewood added the extras. Just before the hour mark the
home side got a second try as centre Gerard Arasa went over and
Lincoln converted to stay in the game. Two tries in a five minute spell
wrapped up the win for the visitors with tries form centre Rory Greenslade Jones and prop Steven Millard and /Continued next page...
From previous page...
Micklewood made it a full house of conversion for a 35-12 win.
as members as the kids leave home and the Club. To do that, you
need a separate, lower cost, couples membership.
Bridgwater & Albion 16 Canterbury 15
I think Park underestimates the long term revenue benefits from having singles, couples and family membership groups. These groups
cater for 99% of society which means a one-off recruitment should
last the Club 40+ years, as there is always a suitable cost-effective
membership available for every individual’s life-stage. For example,
I’ve always been happy to pay the joint couples membership - now
merged with family membership - and show up a few times each
season home and away. It’s costed in and I’ve never questioned the
point of membership over the last ~20 years and could see no reason
not to continue the arrangement for a further 20. Now I feel I have to
justify the incremental £50 … and I know that I won’t show up enough
times to cover the cost I would pay at the gate. But, if I let my membership lapse, I’ll probably come even less – and once letting it lapse,
what incentive is there to rejoin? So Rosslyn Park would not only
lose £50 for 2008/9 but the revenues for each year going forward too.
Bridgwater: Tries: Wulff (14), Edwards (39). Pens: Wulff 2 (1, 62).
Canterbury: Tries: Melford (12), Pratt (58), De Kock (69).
Albion finished the season with a win and end up eighth in the
table whilst Canterbury finish in fourth place level on points with
fifth placed London Scottish but are above them on the more wins
rule. The home side were ahead in the opening minute with fly half
Christian Wulff slotting over a penalty goal for 3-0. It was the visitors
who got the game’s first try on 12 minutes when right wing Michael
Melford went over for an unconverted try and it was going to be the
lack of conversions that cost the visitors. Two minutes later and the
home side were back in front with a try from Wulff for 8-5. Albion led
13-5 at half time with a late try from wing Jon Edwards increasing
their lead. Just before the hour mark and the visitors were in for their
second try as the other wing Andy Pratt went over to make it a three
point game. But two minutes later Wulff put over a penalty goal and
it was 16-10 going into the final quarter. Canterbury did get a third try
to close to a point as fly half Gert De Kock went over but he could not
convert and Albion took the win.
READER’S LETTERS
Marian Parker on the subs increase for non-playing members
Hi Charlie
2008/2009 Membership Rates
I
thought these seemed quite a price hike, so I’ve just spent an interesting 45 minutes surfing the web and comparing Rosslyn Park’s
non-playing membership rates against the other clubs in National
League Three South.
Barking, Cinderford, Luton, Lydney and Mounts Bay don’t seem to
advertise membership rates on their websites. Of those that do, the
cheapest membership is Ding’s Crusaders at £30 for the season,
followed by Canterbury at £60 and Havant with a membership range
of £55 – £70. Clifton don’t quote a non-playing membership rate but
playing members pay £60. North Walsham seem to have a system of
£80 for a season ticket, but become a VP and receive various other
benefits for a minimum of £50 single or £60 joint . Moving out of the
cheap seats, Bridgwater & Albion charge £100; concessions £75 and
no family membership.
Of the London clubs, Ealing offer membership at a minimum of £50,
families £100 inc first child with +£20 for second child + £10 for each
subsequent child. London Scottish offer £85 social member, £130 for
joint membership (husband & wife, partners, civil partnerships etc)
and £100 for family membership. The apparent discrepancy between
£130 joint and £100 family seems to be access to international tickets. The Rosslyn Park website currently quotes £85 single; couples/
family £110. Rates for 2008/9 are single £100 and couples/families
£150.
Some of these rates admittedly are not exactly as they seem: some
clubs require members to hold a season ticket or pay a reduced admission charge. Nevertheless, my conclusion from all this is that prior
to the rate rises Rosslyn Park is one of the more expensive clubs in
NL3S, but compares reasonably well with nearby clubs Ealing and
Scottish. However, with the forthcoming price rises we’ll be the most
expensive for both singles and families as I doubt that any other club
will be raising their rates by 17% (single) and 36% (families). Which
leads me to ask, “If you are not a dyed-in-the-wool Park supporter,
why would you join?” To a newcomer, both the Scots and Ealing offer
more success at lower cost.
Apart from the absolute cost, I also wonder about our pricing strategy
(assuming we have one and this was not an amount plucked out of
the air). We seem to have made the family membership a catch-all.
We have active Minis/Juniors sections so why not tailor our pricing in
the way that Ealing have done, so that there is an element of linking
family size/usage with the rate? For around 10 years each family
group is probably quite an active part of the club as the kids move
through minis and juniors but after that you’re in danger of losing the
parents as the kids are likely to take up student membership or move
out of the area. The trick is surely to encourage the parents to stay
I really think a more strategic view would recognise that there was
valid reasoning behind the old system of single, couples and family
membership and reinstate these categories at competitive levels.
Think again, the Old Farts of the past did get some things right!
Marian
Bernard Wiggins with thanks all round
Charlie,
think, after my trip to Dings Crusaders on Saturday, the last 2 miles
(1hr 30mins) being an utter nightmare due to gridlock (courtesy of
IKEA’s 21st birthday bash).....They ought to sponsor us for mega
bucks.......by way of an apology!
I
In any event, apart from Saturday’s perfromance, that was total, committed and well executed (mostly), I thought it pertinent to thank the
players for their efforts this season. Six wins out of seven at the back
(hard) end of the season (something that more than protected our position), says a lot about the club, and the fact that others of the senior
squad mini-bussed it down for the match (and to make a weekend of
it) spoke even more highly.
Thanks to all for their efforts, most particularly to John Adair, Shaun
Justice and all the coaches, and looking forward to 2008/9
Bernard Wiggins
Phil Stringer on use of the main pitch
Hi Charlie,
T
he events of last weekend have made me ponder awhile before
I put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard, as it were.
Way back when, in 1976, Rosslyn Park was a happily amateur and
relatively successful club, probably having just moved to Roehampton, and enjoying the success that comes with a John Player Cup
Final (for those who don’t remember, the forerunner to the Pilkington Cup and then the EDF Energy Cup - the big one at that time).
This was, I believe, the year that the stalwart Bob Fisher got to score
his try at Twickenham against Gosforth.
Sadly though, Park lost
and the rest, as they say, is history (but not necessarily as a consequence of that loss).
Around the same time, and building on the success that he had
enjoyed with programmes such as Sam & Co and Sesame Street,
the late (great) Jim Henson thrust The Muppets on an unsuspecting
world. A world where anarchy ruled, where Fozzie and Animal just
didn’t have a clue, where Kermit ran just to stay still and Waldorf &
Stadler looked down from high.
Henson has gone, the Muppets have waned in their popularity, as
have Rosslyn Park but, I’m pleased to announce that the spirit of
Waldorf & Stadler lives on!
Saturday, the Development XV had a match, booked to be on the
main Club Pitch - the penultimate full match for the Club at home
with just the Devs v Middx U23 on Wednesday and the Floodlit 7s in
May. The Development sides have been pretty successful this year
and, a few times, have been booked to allow the honour of playing at
home on the main pitch.
/Continued next page...
From Previous Page (Readers’ Letters)
However, once again, despite the pitch being in good condition and
the fact that we only have one more game to go, were told that Richmond Park was calling.
At what point will Waldorf (or is it Stadler?) realise that these guys
don’t just play for the red & white hoops; they want a bit of the kudos
that goes with it. They enjoy the idea that they are going to play on
the Main Pitch. They do not want to be relegated, yet again, to the
windswept steppes of Richmond bl**dy Park!
Getting all the teams to feel that they are part of the Club goes a
great deal further than just allowing them to wear the shirt. It must
be a concerted effort to capture the hearts & minds, actions which
go much further than a name on a team sheet - playing properly ‘at
home’ whenever the conditions allow is just one way of fostering that
inclusivity.
We, as a Club, have to build up our support base and
we ain’t gonna do it by questionable use of the pitch.
If the cameraderie and ‘team’ aspect of the equation doesn’t quite
work for you, dear Reader, think on this . . . . on Saturday, there were
two matches at Richmond Park and probably around 70+ spectators
over the two. With the teams, that’s maybe 150 people.
How many of those people went back to the Clubhouse?
How much money was put over the bar?
How many bar-staff were allocated, and paid, on the basis that it was
a ‘home’ match at Rosslyn Park?
How much money did we lose because the match wasn’t properly ‘at
home’?
£10 Entrance on the night
For information about Marquees or other Sponsorship opportunities please contact
Steve Kearns at [email protected] or on 07968 114485
My understanding is that Steve Kearns has got an awful lot of work
to do to catch up on the lack of marketing and promoting of the club
over the past 25 years and that isn’t going to happen immediately.
For goodness sake, don’t let’s waste the opportunities when they
land smack dab in our laps! Phil Stringer
Rob Auld bids a fond farewell
Charlie
Just wanted to send in a quick note to let everyone know I’m moving
up to Leeds in a couple of weeks so my time at Park is coming to an
end.
I just wanted to thank everyone who has coached, played and had a
drink with me over the last 7 years. It’s been great to be part of a club
that has so much ambition but has fun at the same time. I’ve managed to go from being a mediocre player to an average player over
the years but I’ve made so many firm friends through the club that
there will always be red and white stripes running through me.
Good luck in the next year and make sure the club starts climbing the
leagues like it deserves, so I can get down and watch Park the in the
glamour spots of North.
Best Regards Rob Auld
HAIL AND FAREWELL
Jenny “Shorty” Matheson almost certainly
played her last game for Park at Harlequins
last Sunday, but not quite her last match in the
UK, before returning to her native Canada.
Shorty has been invited to play in an RFUW
President’s squad that is being captained by
the England’s women’s captain, with players from the Wales and Scotland sides also
represented on the team next Friday April 25th
at 8pm. It’s a charity match with big support
from women’s rugby across Britain. They are
putting out a webcast and programme but,
being Canadian, she was unable to be more
specific than “The game is in Kent”.
Thanks for everything, Shorty, and do remember to drop in at the Rock whenever your
future travels take you through London.
Rosslyn Park Presents
The End of Season
Masquerade Ball
May 10th 2008
From 7pm Till 2am - Champagne Reception - 3 Course Dinner
Live Band - Disco - Casino - Fundraising Auction/Raffle & Much More!
Tickets are £50 (tables of 10)
Dress Code: Venetian MasQuerade, Ball-Gowns or Black Tie, (just don’t forget your mask)
For more info and to buy tickets plaese contact either: Andrea on 07815302341 or [email protected]
Kearnsy on 07968114485 or at [email protected] / Or ask the team behind the bar
If you download Parknews 69 there is a full
page copy of the Floodlit Sevens flyer that you
can copy and put up in your local pub, sports
centre,etc.
Continued from front page
as an accomplished kick-boxer with psychopathic tendencies is an
adornment to any front row.
CAPTION ENTRIES
W
ill Thorogood reports that, “The Bench had their final League
match of the season against Guildford on Saturday. A last
minute call-up saw, yours truly, plodding around for 80, maybe,
70 minutes. Andy, I have to thank you for all the work and struggles you
have had over the season, in raising and maintaining the Bench on their
new adventure in the Surrey Vets’ League 1. Bench were up against
a useful G’s side (they did beat the Heavies) who have, obviously,
played together on a regular basis. They even had a couple of ex-Park
players in their fold. (They were obviously good, then!) We were, a little
disjointed, with many people playing out of position, with, at least, 3
forwards in the backs, including myself (left wing).
“Continuity and recruitment are required, but the overall feeling is that
the Bench have enjoyed their season. Anyway, we lost 37-0, but won
the “years battle” up-front, by 155-135, including John Moylan’s 63
years! The Bench do need more Vets, and for a Club of our size, surely
that is possible?! The Bench finished mid-table.
“Just forgot to say the Nomads are on tour this weekend. I think that it’s
Portugal? And the B’s are on tour, too...Barcelona?”
W
e received a brief report on the 4th XV tour to Devon. Skipper
Fresh reports, “Salutations from and wet and windy Devon.
The Fours toured the West Country playing Salcombe 2s
on Friday evening and winning 27-10, followed by Sidmouth 2s on
Saturday which we lost 12-7. A couple of injuries - broken arm and
broken nose but generally some very happy souls returned on the train
with stories a-plenty and sore livers. If you are ever in Torquay we can
recommend a bar called Mambo!”
Achtung! Cheap beer
W
ing Commander Graham Robson advises,via Tom Blake, that
preparations are almost complete for Battle of Britain II, an end
of season intra-club tag festival at the Rock which this time
will include not just the 7s and 8s but some 6s also. All will stand for
The National Anthem at 14:00 following which the squadrons (carefully selected to ensure an even competition) will be scrambled and the
dogfights will commence. True to the spirit of the occasion, Shepherd
Neame Spitfire Bitter will be on sale at WWII (ish) prices. The servery
will also be open. All are welcome.
O
n Sunday Park play in the Annual Sunshine Sevens at East
Grinstead RFC. This is a strong tournament which always
attracts some of the best Sevens squads around. Play gets
underway at 10:30-ish, but you know how Sevens tournaments are…
One change to our Sevens schedule, Park will unfortunately not be
competing in the Surrey Sevens at Warlingham. The tournament has
been switched to a Friday evening, and there is no realistic prospect
of fielding a team in those circumstances – a great pity, because it’s a
good competition and Warlingham are a smashing club. But it is far better to acknowledge now that we wouldn’t be able to assemble a Friday
side than to string everyone along only to be a “no show” on the night.
Given the absence of a young lady with a gloved finger, entries were
predictably sparse this week. Indeed Bill Young’s entry harked back
to last week’s with Jon Cooke saying, “Am I the only one looking
forward to the finger test?!” Brian Lawrence, not a man to bear a
grudge thought he himself might be saying “Forget it, I’m not going
to help help him while he has that fork”. The winner was someone
who is supposed to be a friend of John Moylan’s has our hero clutching the pint saying, “I know I’m Irish, but when that b****** said I
was turning out with the Bench today I didn’t think he meant you old
sods!”
Club Tens
A
plea to all skippers not to forget the Club 10s on Saturday 10th
May, which is always a real fun tournament. Will Thorogood and
Rocky need to know the commitment to this, so that they can set
the machinations going. We do need, at least, six teams for this to make
it worthwhile. Provisionally, the 4’s, B’s, Devs and Slingbacks have said
they are up for it. It would be good to get the senior club involved, and
we’ve yet to hear from the Nomads and Hatters. Unfortunately the Park
Bench are on tour that date.
Obolensky Dinner
T
he Prince Obolensky Association is holding its annual diner on
Wednesday 30th April next. Shaun Justice will be giving an insight
as to his role and objectives as Director of Rugby at Rosslyn Park
F.C. Then David Flatman, Bath and latest Sky presenter, will hold a Q &
A session, hopefully supported by his trusted minders Danny Grewcocok and Nick Walshe. The dinner will be held in the Obolensky Bar
(7.15 p.m. for 8.00 p.m.) and for non members the cost of a ticket is £30
obtainable from Peter Smith. 01932 224366 or
[email protected]..
There is no restriction as to the number of guests that you can bring and
ladies,of course, are most welcome. (Dress - Lounge suits)
AGM
C
lingbacks Too round off a successful season on Sunday with
their re-arranged League match at home to Alton, being played
in Richmond Park, kicking off at 3:00PM. All support will be very
welcome. Looking well ahead, the Slingbacks will be entering a team in
the Solstice Sevens at Nottingham, which takes place between 20-22
June. For strong livers only!
lub Secretary, Bob Evans, advises that the AGM this year will
take place on Thursday 31st July at 7:00PM. Please note that if
you wish to nominate anyone to serve on the Committee, or to
be an Officer, the nomination must be received by the Secretary no later
than 31st April. All such nominations must be seconded by someone
who is also a Member and must bear the signature of the nominee that
he or she is willing to stand.
n Saturday 3rd May we’ll be defending our Middlesex Sevens
crown at the Athletic Ground, Richmond, where the tournament
is due to start at 10:30. An appearance at Twickenham is in
prospect for the winners, so it is bound to be strongly contested. The
Slingbacks have entered the ladies’ competition this year, so there’s
certaily plenty to watch.
O
A similar deadline and procedure applies if you wish to submit any
motion for consideration at the meeting. There is always time allowed
at the end of the meeting for Members to ask questions or put points of
view in a less formal way.
T
s always, don’t forget to tune in to BBC Radio London for the
latest news and gossip about the London Rugby scene on The
Scrum at 9:00PM on Thursday. The programme usually goes out
on 94.9FM, or you can listen by logging on to the BBC website.
S
he RFU have nominated Rosslyn Park to contest the Moscow
Sevens in July but – and this is not the view of the Club or its
Committee – in typical half-arsed RFU fashion they haven’t allocated any funds for this to take place. If anyone has around £5000
to spare you could make a small squad of players very happy. [Memo
to Alex Milward: what happened to all those black market roubles you
stashed in your back pocket when you escaped from Gulag Accenture?].
The Scrum
A
There will be a Parknews next week so any letters, match
reports, photos or articles not in breach of tour rules will
be gratefully received (by close of Tuesday, please).