Amersham Rugby Programme 07-01-23

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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

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

If there’s one place you never mind going on a wild goose chase its Hazelwood, the home of London Irish, Sunbury-on-Thames. Lasered to be level, with manicured lawn and 4G options it really is a venue that if Carlsberg did rugby, it would be at the home of the London Irish Wild Geese. We arrived with confidence. Still smiling from our previous win against top of the table Hammersmith and Fulham. We also had an extra-desire to avenge our last

Match report by Andy Grant

kick, and some say controversial loss to the Wild Geese at Home in September. Matters though would not be straightforward. A home side at Hazelwood is always well supported and I’m sure they were keen too to make it a double win for the season.

So with a decent number of away supporters and blazer representatives (Huw, Chris and Peter) A&C were well set to impress and ensure Irish eyes were not to smile as much as last time.

So with a bit of dynamite to start it was A&C who demonstrated their intent to recycle fast ball and unleash their backs early on. On only 5 minutes it was a welcome return to Mackenzie South on the wing for a fine finish in the corner. Even with a valiant Oscar attempt to convert from out wide, it was our wise man Noah who then jinked and skipped to score an early second try and ensure a 10-point unanswered lead on 10mins.

Irish then managed to steady the ship with some strong forward rucks and set play at scrum and lineout. With some well-earned pressure some more normal service was resumed with a strong converted try (7-10). Chiltern though did seem to be in the mood, and again with slick passing amongst

their backs it wasn’t long until Noah again found space before diving again into the corner. Not making the conversions easy Oscar again looked great in preparation before stringing it wide. (7-15). With attack seeming to be the theme Mackenzie joined in again this time finishing off another excellent backs’ move in style. Oscar’s first conversion of the day duly slotted (7-22). On 44 minutes Oscar showed he’s not just a kicker and with balance and poise calmly accelerated through a struggling Irish defence (7-27). A restless Irish home crowd then had something to cheer with a good try after some pre-half-time pressure. Duly converted.

Half Time (14–27)

Minutes into the 2nd half Oscar made up for his missed conversions with a lengthy and straight penalty (14-30). This seemed to trigger even more energy from the Chiltern back line and McKenzie took the opportunity to nail his 3rd try of the match. This followed a lovely kick ahead from scrum-half Conor after he broke free into some well-earned space. Verging on Brazilian/Scottish style. It’s quite a blend. (14-37).

Chiltern kept their foot on the throat of a hard-working Irish side. Number 8,

Jordan Scott , wore the defence down with consistent hard-hitting gains. It was therefore no surprise when he finished a solo effort under the posts to the applause of everyone watching (14-44). Oscar again then took control swooping in on a loose ball and gathering wonderfully before tip-toing at speed through a shell-shocked defence (14–51).

All credit though to the Wild Geese who were pushing and hoping for a bonus point. They neared their target on 76 mins with a well worked converted try to make things a bit more interesting. (21 – 51).

MATCH REPORT

However, that was only until Roadrunner, Dan Kingsley, waved himself through in confident style for the finale try (21-58) prior to resilient defence to deprive Irish of any additional point.

Great game, great spectacle and great hosts. A well-deserved win.

Quote of the day: “To do your talking by the way you play is so much more efficient, than the hot air wasted in needless dialogue with others. Rugby is an action sport after all”; a wee wise man that happened to be passing.

Highlights:

• Mackenzie SOUTH – hat-trick and some glorious tries.

• Rampaging and relentless attack from our rejuvenated back line

• ‘Trust in the system’ and ‘chasing of feet’ without reminders

• The 4 Musketeers (you know who you are) eventually arriving after finding all the traffic in South West London.

• Après-food to die for with Chicken breast burgers, all the fillings and lashings of sauce and crispy seasoned chunky fries.

• Copious amounts of extra-cold Guinness with a DJ play-list that ‘played the Wild Rover for many a year’

• A welcome back to wee Will Drewett as a big boy second row. This made a difference.

Next Week: We travel down Windsor way to say ‘Hi’ to the Royal swans and run around the King’s estate. Although 2nd versus the league’s bottom club it’s a local derby and as we all know how they can be a leveller when there’s a rugby ball in play. Supporters more than welcome for a festive themed head to head.

Team: 1. Douglas McGregor-Smith

Joe Batt

Callum Newton

Will Drewett

Kieran Booth

Andrew Toole

Josh Finch ©

Jordan Scott

Conor Segre

Dan Kingsley

Mackenzie South

Noah Jarvis

Oscar Heath

Bojan Cecaric

Tom Fawssett

Michael Everett

Jack Kenyon

Aaron Lewis

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

Happy New Year to you all!

2023 offers much to look forward to. With ten games left, Chiltern are nicely placed in the league, equal third with today’s opponents Cobham. When the dust settles on the league, we’ll go straight into the RFU’s new cup competition, sponsored by Papa John’s (keep an eye on the website for details of the games in due course). Add in the Six Nations (watch it here!) and a World Cup in the autumn, and there’s plenty coming up to discuss and enjoy.

It’s nearly two months since we had a 1st XV fixture at home. Indeed, because of the big freeze in December, it’s over a month since the boys have played at all, so it will be interesting to see how they have managed the layoff. Chiltern will need to be at their best, because in truth we had to play very well and may still have been a little fortunate to win when we went to the Memorial Ground in early October. The 23-28 result clearly stung Cobham, because they have won every subsequent game. We warmly welcome their players, officials, and supporters to Ash Grove today, and hope for an equally exciting match. We are also very pleased to welcome today’s referee, Mr Arron Williams, who has come up from Gloucestershire for the day.

While Cobham have undoubtedly been playing well, it’s only fair to say that we were in a very rich vein of form before the games at Windsor and Beaconsfield were frozen off (now re-arranged for 4 February and 25 February respectively). We beat second placed Old Priorians here in a 34-32 ten-try thriller, before going to runaway leaders Hammersmith and Fulham and inflicting their first and, so far, only defeat of the season. Coupled with the OPs result, the 19-20 outcome (three tries each) shows not only that we can go toe to toe with the best at this level but also that we never give up.

The game at London Irish, which was the last time we played, was not, in all honesty, a similar test for the boys. The home side were severely depleted by an in-season wedding (apparently such things are allowed these days), but it did give Chiltern an opportunity to show the kind of rugby they can play. Expertly marshalled by Oscar Heath, the backs scored all but one of the tries, with three for Mackenzie South, in a 21-58 win. The move finished off by Jordan Scott may have been the best, and while Aaron Lewis’s description of it as ‘rugby porn’ may have been a bit much, it was a pleasure to watch, as was the whole performance. To get a better flavour of the game, read Andy Grant’s match report in the programme or still available on the club website.

Finally, I’d like to thank Andy Saunders, Charlie Swerling, Doug Smith, and Jonny Rice for putting together the teams for the annual Wanderers match on the Wednesday after Christmas. It was a great occasion. Apologies to anyone who turned up on the Thursday, but I don’t call or call off the ambulance strikes.

Huw

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

Dan Kingsley

Bojan Cecaric

Noah Jarvis

(vc)

PLAYER PROFILE

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: NOAH JARVIS

At the age of 26, Noah Jarvis plays inside centre, at number 12 for A&C. He is also our kicker, try specialist and probably one of the smoothest customers of the Beech House.

For a man who does everything in pairs, including his try scoring, it is one of the greatest pleasures to make time to sit alongside and chat to the man who has brought style to A&C.

Noah joined the club back in 2020 from Tring. A Jamaican International he is a man who likes to relax in silk bathrobes and is often seen stroking one of his many thick haired cats as he sips a Disaronno Velvet on the rocks through a metal straw, before spinning round in his antique leather armchair. With pussies galore he is a man seldom shaken but regularly stirred into potent offence with a strong dash of defensive prowess.

His favourite drinks are milk for the bones and champagne for the nostrils. To have a good party you need the strength and stamina. He believes sunglasses are useful too. His favourite style is a leather jacket and wide shirt collars. With a chest to

display this combination, it means any staining can be wiped up and ventilation secured for his hirsute torso.

When asked; “What do you love?” “Smooth Jazz” is his first answer. Followed by; “Winning and training with the boys in the heat”. It’s the dream combination really. Sweat helps make the world go round at the end of the day, as they say.

When asked; “What do you hate?’ Noah replies: “When Tom Fawssett shouts at me during games. I seek his approval in everything I do. Shouting and bad language is awful. I’m a lover not a fighter and with some silky communication and a calm

exterior you’ll be amazed how much can be achieved with a smile and a wink”.

“How do you spend your time away from rugby?” “I’m a podcaster and You Tuber and I’m never shy to post some informative pieces on rugby. Like a modern Bill McLaren, I also enjoy relaxing in hot, steamy baths and resting in my robes. I always say, ‘if you rest well, you play well’ and do it all with a big smile on your face”. What’s Noah’s New Year resolution? “A goal of 50,000 You Tube subscribers and maintaining A&C 1XV’s excellent season so far”.We appreciate you for being you.

BY ANDY GRANT

Amplio Developments Limited

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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 SHOP THE NEW COLLECTION