Amersham Rugby Programme 21-01-23

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Chairmans Welcome

Welcome to Amersham and Chiltern’s online match programme. A particular welcome to the players, officials, and supporters of our visitors, and especially to those clubs who will be coming us for the first time.

This year, following a reorganisation of the structure by the RFU, our First XV play in the ‘Regional 2 Thames’ league. This competition contains teams from both the London and South-West Divisions, allowing us to renew some old friendships as well as to play some different teams. Level Six of the RFU pyramid will continue to provide a standard of rugby that is very testing for a club from a relatively small town like Amersham. We are proud to compete here.

Our Second XV is completely in the SouthWest Division and plays in the snappily titled Counties 2 Tribute Berks, Bucks and Oxon North league. This is a Level Eight league, where the team was last year, but the reorganisation means that it will be a much tougher proposition than it was. The Seconds now play a number of 1st XVs, some from clubs that we have previously faced at first team level. The Third XV play in the Herts and Middlesex Merit Table 3 South and provide competitive but social rugby for those who cannot commit to weekly league matches and training. One, both or neither of them may be at home today.

Like most clubs we are always looking for new players. If you would like to join in, at any level, please contact our Director of Rugby, Pete Gibson. Alternatively, go old school and ask at

the bar, or speak to anyone involved with one of the teams. You will be very welcome.

As well as our adult sides, we run extraordinarily successful Mini and Junior Sections, providing rugby for age groups from Under 6 to Under 18. The club is absolutely buzzing on a Sunday when training and matches take place. If you have a child who would like to try rugby or one who already plays, please contact Rob Elms (Minis) or Richard Clifford (Juniors) - or just bring your boy or girl along.

If you have five minutes before the game starts, please flick through the other pages of this programme and check out our fantastic sponsors. They are all great local companies; without their support it would be very difficult for us to continue. If you could use any of them, and mention where you saw their name, you would be doing the club and the game a real service.

I really hope that you have an enjoyable day with us today. If you do, and you want to come back, please pick up a fixture card from the bar. Anyone and everyone you might want to contact is listed there. If you’re really modern, the information is also on our excellent website.

Huw Thomas Chairman

President: Peter Kenyon; Chairman: Huw Thomas; Hon Sec: Ralph Hayward; Hon Treasurer: Ross Bugden; Commercial Committee Chairman: Scott Jarrold; Director of Rugby: Pete Gibson; Minis Chairman; Rob Elms; Junior Chairman: Richard Clifford

Oh Gosh, it’s Ladies Day

Following on from recent successes, Ladies Day will take place at the club on Saturday 18 February. Of course, wives, girlfriends, sisters, mums and grandmothers are all welcome throughout the year but we’ve decided to make this day a bit special. Tickets include, from midday, 3 course lunch, challenging ‘bottomless’ Prosecco, stylish Goodie Bag, plus of course the chance to watch our A&C 2nd XV match - all for the FAB price of only £25, thanks to generous sponsorship from Chiltern Estates Maintenance and Allan Janes Solicitors. We hope that as many ladies (and gents!) as possible can join us. Tickets from the Bar and online at... www.chilternrugby. com/payments

Saturday 18 February

CORONATION BALL

Saturday 6th May 2023

Black Tie Ball 7pm until 2am Champagne reception 3 course meal Live Band DJ until 2am

Tickets are £75 a head Tables are for 10 or 12 people

Reserve your table with Jennie Cahill jennie.cahill@icloud.com Or on 07894 293905

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MATCH

Well, well, well, it was quite a build-up and quite a day. After many days of rain and wind Saturday morning was no different. Mid-afternoon on the Friday the pitch inspectors of Regents Park had detected a dampness in the royal soil and after considering the 24hr weather report felt the additional moisture to come would cause some damage to the pitch’s calm serenity.

All credit to the opposition who quickly flicked through their other pitch directory

and unbeknown to them selected A&Cs favourite London pitches in Acton, the home of Wasps FC. Any club that displays Alan Simmons name as Wasps Captain and Dave Crimp as an ace Stand-Off was bound to rub off on us.

It was 4th V 7th in the table, and after a home defeat in October 2022 (7–19), A&C were determined to avoid the double and push towards 3rd place. The rain had also stopped and the pitch was surprisingly firm.

‘Be still my beating heart

would be better to be cool

not time to be open just yet A lesson once learned is so hard to forget’

Oscar kicked off with the wind on his back. Not the strongest wind but sufficient to have some influence. A&C started strongly with some good place kicking by Dan Kingsley and strong rucking with Tim Hayes on tip toes distributing the ball well. Chiltern also had the dominant pack and although early signs looked promising in respect of the lineout, it wasn’t long until Belsize appeared to work things out and put pressure there.

On 7 minutes and following some quick ball work from the ruck and some slick handling

by the backs it was winger McKenzie South, who running into space and over the line scored the opening try. Tough touchline conversion from Oscar which had the distance but fell narrowly wide to the right. (0 – 5).

Belsize were now finding it tough to get the distance in their kicks as the wind picked up and the clouds cleared. Belsize also continued to work hard by trying to run out from their own 22. Tiring stuff against a hard-working and resilient Chiltern defence. 0n 30 mins it was a Dan Kingsley special at

Plan B; no changing rooms so we had to use the hall

Warming up; strangely it wasn’t a muddy game

stand-off making the break and passing 3 defenders before an inside pass to Noah Jarvis for a try under the posts. Straight forward conversion by Oscar (0-12).

On 39 minutes and after some terrific hits Warwick South adjudges to have been a wee bit high so off to the Cooler he went for 10 minutes.

Belsize pressure turned up before half-time but to no avail. Penalty to Amersham on 42 minutes and well kicked for a (0–15) A&C half-time lead.

With no wind on our faces the pressure was on to retain the lead. However, the

wind was still blowing and developing into a bit of a howl. Good early pressure from Chiltern showed intent with some great forwards and back play.

Belsize soon after kick off ended up losing their play maker stand-off through injury. With Warwick returning it just wasn’t enough, eventually Belsize’s efforts paid off (53 minutes) with a try near to the posts. East conversion (7–15).

The comeback was on. Callum Newton off the bench to strengthen matters. Oscar Heath also injured and sadly off with a recurrence of the shoulder injury that kept him out for 6 weeks earlier in the season.

MATCH REPORT

On 55 minutes the second Belsize try was scored in the corner. A missed conversion and the momentum was with them (12–15), until Dan Kingsley had the last laugh scoring the decider and Noah Jarvis converting in front of his Mum. Final score; 12-22.

Quote of the day: “Well done Wasps for hosting and at such short notice. With so many past Wasp players at A&C this was always going to be a place that felt a wee bit like home”

Dave Crimp (Ex – Wasp dynamo, A&C Trustee and probably one of the finest linesmen in the world)

Highlights:

• Away win at an always challenging Belsize Park RFC fixture, with some additional challenges given the weather and need to find a pitch after early Regents Park cancellation.

• Après Festive season rustiness gone.

• Big Defence! – Doug McGregor–Smith, Warwick South, Jordan Scott, Joe Batt and Kieran Booth

• Dan Kingsley – silky runs and all with a big smile.

• Tom Fawssett again shaking those hips with some marauding style.

• Dave Crimp running the line superbly and George Grammenos, Chief Rabble Rouser, keeping our spirits high.

Next Week – Home Game against our favourite away game hosts (not) those Old Haberdashers. 4th v 10th in the table. We always look forward to the home game and all on ‘Digger Day’ for some added spice and I’m sure a drizzle of sunshine to warm us up a little. Always a day to remember.

Team: 1. Louis Bailey

Joe Batt

Doug McGregor - Smith

Will Drewett

Kieran Booth

Warwick South

Josh Finch ©

Jordan Scott

Tim Hayes

Dan Kingsley

Bojan Cecaric

Noah Jarvis

Oscar Heath

MacKenzie South

Tom Fawssett

Callum Newton

Michael Everett

Ollie Choules

Old Amersham Hotels are ready to welcome you to our breathtaking venues across the Chiltern Hills.

Whether it is a hearty pub lunch by the fire at the Kings Arms, a cosy night in a luxurious suite at the Crown Inn or a stylish celebration under the glittering chandeliers of the Kings Chapel we’d be delighted to have you!

FROM THE TOUCHLINE

by Huw Thomas

At the time of writing, it is by no means clear that there will be an outside game today, but, if not, there’ll be plenty of top-class European action on TV in the warmth and conviviality of the clubhouse for you to enjoy. If you’re reading this online, why not come up to the clubhouse and settle back with one of your two beers for the week, as recommended by the Canadian government?

You will find many people already enjoying our President’s hospitality. Digger Day has become a fixture of our calendar and, as ever, we are grateful to Peter and Jack Kenyon for their phenomenal generosity and support of the club. Today, we welcome one of Peter’s favourite opposing clubs, Old Haberdashers, to Ash Grove. We lost 33-29 at Croxdale Road at the end of October, just failing to claw the game back at the end. It’s always a tough match against Old Habs, and today should be no exception. Alex Ebbage has come a long way to referee, and he is very welcome too. We’ve played two games since my last missive. Two weeks ago, we lost 17-13 at home to Cobham in a thrilling encounter in the mud, governed by a strong wind. Coach Hoskins felt we should have had more return for our dominance in the scrum but, when I tell you that we won at Cobham by five points, you can see how well matched the two sides are. One win each seems fair enough. Last week, we travelled to Wasps ground at Twyford Avenue, which Belsize Park had hired for the day. An excellent performance saw us reverse the outcome of the home fixture, winning by 12-22. Sadly, Oscar Heath’s shoulder went out again; we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. You can read more about both games in Andy Grant’s excellent reports, in this programme or on the club website.

The 1st XV are doing well, currently sitting fourth in the league with a game in hand. As, if not more exciting is the news that the 2nd XV have started to win. Jonny Rice and Adam Cook have worked hard to turn things around and it’s nice to see some reward for all their efforts. A famous 5-19 away win over Tring 2s (ably marshalled on the day by Ed Wainwright) was followed by an equally impressive victory last week, 10-17 at Witney. Everyone understands the need for a strong second team to support the firsts, but it’s also great to see the boys recovering the strong team spirit that served them so well last year.

I close by reminding you of a few social events: Burns Night next Friday has a few spaces left, so sign up on the website or at the bar; Ladies Day on 18 February is always an event worth attending (or so I’m told); tables for the Coronation Ball on Saturday 6 May are selling fast so don’t delay. If you want to book a place at the President’s Lunch on 4 March…..I’m afraid it’s sold out.

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

OLD HABERDASHERS

Tim Hayes

Dan Kingsley

Bojan Cecaric

Noah Jarvis

Suwi Chibale

Harry Briffitt

Jack Kenyon

Owain Davies

PLAYER PROFILE

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: JORDAN SCOTT

It is a welcome opportunity for me to sit down with Jordan, who at 27 yearr old, is a firm Club favourite, and get to know him better, over a cup of tea and a hobnob. Already, I can tell he is energised as he sips on some pink coloured Lucozade whilst chewing a host of wine gums and Jaffa cakes. Jordan really is that athletic, at his prime and well worthy of being our Chiltern

has a hatred of snakes, this fear, although not regularly being a risk in Amersham or the City of London, is one he has learned to live with.

When he has time to dream he dreams a dream of being just like Gordon Ramsay and owning a successful restaurant in London. He loves watching ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ on More4 and admires Gordon’s honesty and cooking style. He would call it ‘Jordans Banqueting Parlour’ and host dancing and live music whilst devouring Derek style cooking especially soup.

Jordan has learned a lot from Derek over the years.

As the years go by Jordan is very specific about where he sees himself in 10 years time. It’s London (in the Centre) or the USA. He’s not a country boy really and just loves the dynamics of big city living.

When he does relax he loves a good film and none are better than the 2004 film ‘Layer Cake’. With an all-star cast including

Daniel Craig, Tom Hardy and Sienna Miller, it’s all action and involves bad boys and good ones too.

Surprisingly Jordan when he decides to treat himself plumps for burger and chips. Again none finer than Derek’s Bucks Burger selection on match days. Jordan insists that he does not have vegetables or salad with it as it’s all about the burger and the chips. Now that’s focus.

To finish I slow the pace down and we get quite mellow. It’s time for the goose bumps question and what causes them to ripple up over his skin. It’s the sound of Mick Jagger

and his fellow stones as they roll around together. ‘Gimme Shelter’ he describes as a proper tune.

A pleasure spending time with Jordan as we all look forward to a wonderful run into the end of the season.

BY ANDY GRANT

Amplio Developments Limited

development design innovation

Unit 3, Binders Industrial Estate, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 6LJ

OSBORNE SAMUEL

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SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS WHY WE NEED YOU

The A&C Rugby Club is run as a charity and in a good year the income from subs and the clubhouse and sponsors means we just about break even. We have been active in the local community for close to 100 years. Our loyal members are very supportive and over the years we have done various fundraising schemes to improve every aspect of the club. The clubhouse itself was the biggest and others have followed such as solar panels, the new car park and of course the borehole, without which we would not have been able to start the season on Saturday 3rd September 2022. Incidentally our energy costs are set to increase dramatically so we need to focus on ways to become more energy efficient. Pitch maintenance is another big expense, with an extra £25,000 spent this summer on much needed grading work. We have also upgraded our floodlights at an additional cost of £45,000.

Peter, pictured here, always in his A&C attire, chatting on match day

We now estimate that we need to spend some £80,000 on club house refurbishments. One reason for doing this is to make the club house the kind of place people will want to use for events, from private parties to corporate away days. And, of course, our sponsors and advertisers, as well as our members, are always welcome at the club for lunch on home match days.

So, without the support of our sponsors and advertisers it would just not be possible to contemplate the level of capital expenses we face every year. We have a huge responsibility to our members and to the wider community, we get no external support even though we are one of the biggest sports clubs in the area and provide outstanding pastoral care and specialist coaching to players of all ages. We recognise that in return for the fantastic support we get we need to work with our sponsors and advertisers to see how we can help them.

Jennie Cahill will be delighted to hear from you with ideas and suggestions. Please contact her on 07894 293905 or jennie.cahill@icloud.com. Most importantly we want our members to use the products and services in this programme.

Thank you for all your support.

Peter Osborne Director OSBORNE SAMUEL GALLERY

This season The NEW Club Shop features the NEW Samurai range of Team Gear & Leisure Wear featuring the new Samurai logo. To visit the shop go to www.Chilternrugby.com & go to the ‘Club Shop’ tab at the very top of the home page or use this link: www.samuraiclubshops.myshopify.com/collections/Amersham-Chiltern-Rugby