Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Programme 18-03-23

£5

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE

SEASON 2022-23

SEASON 2022-23

SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2023

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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

Chiltern

Amersham and Chiltern RFC

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

Peter Gibson 07535 241750

1ST XV HEAD COACH

Rich Hoskins 07813 827621 1ST XV TEAM MANAGER

Andy Grant a.granty@gmail.com

CLUB CAPTAIN

Jack Kenyon 07775 902681

PAVILION AND GROUNDS

Richard Bobbett 07768 505427

MATCH SECRETARY

Jamie Reeve 07889 705715

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

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!

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REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE TABLE

REGIONAL 2 THAMES FIXTURES 2022

MATCH REPORT

Match Report – 11th March 2023

Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields, Roehampton Vale, London SW15

London Cornish RFC 1XV: 26 Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV: 24

Tries:4

Conversions: 3

(H/T 19 - 14)

Tries: 4

Conversions: 2

Cornish get the Cream as Chiltern Teased in Hard Fought Win

‘Come all ye young fellows who follow the sea (To me!)

Wey hey, blow the man down And pray pay attention and listen to me Give me some time to blow the man down’.

It’s always a warm welcome, at the home of London Cornish RFC. With ‘apresrugby’ pasties to savour washed down with a wee glass of scrumpy, your always assured of some great company, a sing song and a memorable day.

Spookily it really did seem like a wee bit of Cornwall, with some casual water on the pitch and sea gulls swimming whilst other

CORNISH SEA SHANTY – THE LONGEST JOHNS

eyed up some of the ice creams and chips amongst the watching public. I could have been at Padstow minus the dog walkers.

MATCH REPORT

Always a potential banana skin, especially following our league opener at home (2 point victory) it was always safe to assume there would be a determined intent to ‘knock us off our stot’ – as my father would say. The Cornish were never going to disappoint.

Starting with a dominant opening spell from the home side, it was in fact A&C setting down an early marker as Kieran Booth, with a superb catch and drive, from an attacking line out after only 3 minutes scored a try in the corner. With Tom Fawssett then stepping up, with a low level Exocet missile style kick, just high and straight enough to pass between the posts (0-7).

We then saw Kieran dislocate his shoulder, but Cornish were far from discouraged and in all honesty, I think we just made them angry up until half time. Chiltern then had to ensure a spell of gutsy attacking rucks as Cornish relished both sides apparent flawless play at the breakdowns. It was an area throughout the game where there was little referee intervention. Of course, both sets of players, I’m sure, had been practicing.

With 3 unanswered tries from Cornish, 2 of which were converted, they had well-earned a (19–7) lead. Just prior to the half-time whistle, Jordan Scott made things a little more interesting with a well-executed and converted try in reply under the posts.

Half Time: 19-14.

MATCH REPORT

The match was then soon levelled at 19-19 when again Jordan went on a galloping run and scored a further try (unconverted). On 65 minutes Cornish again rucked well maximising the lead (26–19). Noah Jarvis looked to have then scored a further and well-deserved try near to the posts, although decreed held up by a referee checking ‘from the other side’.

I’m sure there was no shenanigans in the seconds following. (26 -26) would have made a very interesting ending especially with the final try being nailed by Tom Fawssett although the conversion missed.

The narrowest of defeats on a day when Cornish just about deserved their win. All to play for again next season.

Highlights:

• Jordan Scott: outstanding at No8 –absolutely relentless in attack and defence.

• Louis Bailey: pre-Twickenham visit and superb throughout. Mrs Bailey too for lending him to us xx

• Dave Cole: Hooker stepping up and throws pretty straight

• Conor Segre: penetrating attacks especially in the 2nd half

• Noah Jarvis: many say try scorer

• Kieran Booth: Great try! Before injury. Car superbly driven back to the club whilst receiving hospital treatment. Shoulder back in and seen quickly at Stoke Mandeville. Thanks to wonderful

MATCH REPORT

Jacques O’Driscoll for hospital liaison. Shoulder put back in and recovery underway.

• Andrew Toole: again substitute prop holding the line with distinction. Alongside Mrs Toole who always has a big smile on her face

• Warwick South: for covering 2nd row with distinction although constrained a little from his usual back row romps.

Quote of the day: ‘Cornish were always going to be up for this one. Probably too focussed on post-match pasties, after a superb Hammersmith double. Back to winning ways for the last game of the season we hope’ – A young English teenager wearing an England rugby top on the way to Twickenham – A tough day at the office then!!

Next Week: Our final hurrah as we welcome the Old Hab Dabs to Ash Grove. After a very narrow defeat earlier in the season this is the ideal opportunity to get back on the horse and ride to victory and runners-up spot in the league. Weather set fair so be there or be square.

Team:

1. Andrew Toole

2. Dave Cole

3. Louis Bailey

4. Keiran Booth

5. Will Drewett

6. Warwick South

7. Josh Finch ©

8. Jordan Scott

9. Conor Segre

10. Dan Kingsley

11. Tom Fawssett

12. Ben Pothecary

13. Noah Jarvis

14. Alex Bower

15. Ben Pothecary

16. Cameron Wilson

17. Michael Everett

18. James Morrison

BY ANDY GRANT

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

FROM THE TOUCHLINE

by Pete Gibson

This week Huw is away enjoying time ‘on piste’, as today’s game is a postponement of the 21st January match. We hope Huw’s time ‘après ski’ will be full of Six Nations excitement and thoughts of our A&C 1XV finishing the season in style. Filling Huw’s shoes is our Director of Rugby, Pete Gibson, and here’s what Pete has to say…

It’s the last home game for the 1st XV and we finally get to play our second game against our friends, Old Haberdashers. Well known to be one our President’s favourite opposition clubs, we look forward to welcoming our Old Habs visitors to the President’s table and on the pitch at Ash Grove today.

Overall, this season has just flown by and it’s hard to believe it’s nearly over. It doesn’t seem long ago that our senior section of the club went through a rocky start, with many players injured which, in turn, hindered the ability to field three senior teams and at times struggling to have a 2nd XV take the field.

Post pandemic many social players have not returned to rugby as well, which has compounded the player availability issue. As many of you know, we are not alone and this issue has affected clubs up and down the country. Thankfully, as the season has progressed, players have returned and the injury woes eased and we have had some consistency across the 1st & 2nd XV. Our strong Senior Team spirit in well and truly back on track.

Johnny Rice and Adam Cook have worked hard with the 2nd XV team to turn things around and it’s great to see the positive results rewarding everyone’s efforts. They all deserve it. The 2nd XV have a couple of away games before they finish. Next week we are away at Faringdon, and we await the final date for the abandoned game at Chipping Norton. All supporters will be very welcome.

Our aim for the 1st XV this year was to be a top four league team and if we do things right today we will finish second in the Thames Regional 2 League. A great achievement. I’m personally very proud of all the players, their support team and coaches, Rich Hoskins & Dan Pearson.

With an eye on next season already, plans are afoot to build our squad and kick on and I’m buzzing with expectation. We have major plans for the Colts and the 2nd XV for next season with new support being offered with coaching and resource. The 2023/24 season looks bright and we plan to continue to lead our way into the Centenary Year.

Everyone has contributed an enormous amount of time and energy to the rebuilding of A&C as the best club in Bucks. The Club is a great place to be with so many fantastic people behind the scenes helping to create something special.

I have to say a huge thank you to Derek, Molly, Andrea, Deirdre, Steph and all the team who take care of the Club House, our players, members and guests on a continuous basis. They work so hard and it doesn’t go unnoticed. I wish them a restful Summer, but I know we have many events booked in the Club House calendar, not least one of my favourite events of the year, The Coronation Ball on the 6th May, I look forward to seeing many of you there.

As always, after today’s game our illustrious 1st XV Manager, Andy Grant, will sum this game up in one of his poetic match reports, look out for it on the website, as well as all the other great stuff that’s on the site too.

See you later in the Clubhouse for Super Saturday. My final words; thanks to everyone and “Up the Chilts!”

Pete

THE TEAMS

SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2023, KICK-OFF 2.00pm

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

1. Andrew Toole

2. Joe Batt

3. Callum Newton

4. Will Drewett

5. Jacques O’Driscoll

6. Warwick South

7. Josh Finch (Capt)

8. Jordan Scott

9. Conor Segre

10. Dan Kingsley

11. Tom Fawssett

12. Noah Jarvis

13. Bojan Cecaric

14. Jack Kenyon

15. Ben Pothecary

16. Harry Pollard

17. Michael Everett

18. Alex Bower

Referee: Alex Ebbage.

OLD HABERDAHSHERS

1. Pat Hagerty

2. Thomas Marsh

3. Andrew Sanderson

4. Cian O’Riordan

5. Animesh Misra

6. Tom Brogden

7. Rob Harraka

8. Tommy Arnott (c)

9. Jason Smith

10. Etienne Dussatre

11. Will Dell

12. Ben Lewry

13. Joey Gatus

14. Riccardo Fabiani

15. Tom Arvidsson

R. Richard Johnson

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PLAYER PROFILE

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: TOM FAWSSETT

Big Tom Fawssett always a man tough to Tuesday night training.

Tom has enjoyed an outstanding season to date. He has kicked beautifully whilst lifting his huge legs with an athletic prowess defying his size.

Known as ‘Fairy Feet’ to his mates and ‘Tommy Kitten’ as a family pet name he is renowned for his thundering runs and high-pitched squeals in the tackle. An honour indeed to be under our spotlight.

Whilst drifting off to sleep

Tom acknowledges that he is still of the belief he grows during the night. He thinks of his early morning gym session (at 5.30am) when awake, and before sleep has already decided what colour scheme and clothes he will wear the following day. Oh what style!

FULL BACK AND WINGER,

Industry and prides himself on big hankies, striped shirts and red jeans as he competes relaxing in his big bath,

switching on the bubbles and sipping double rum and coke. His wonderful girlfriend Hadleigh introduced him to it as this is the nectar of St Kitts.

A lover of steak and chips every Friday. This is borne from his time at College when 2 steaks for breakfast was his staple diet. He really is that big!

Well known on the flashing dance floors of Watford, he is a regular white suited, open shirt, hip swinger at Pryzm Nightclub.

In 10 years’ time he hopes to be coaching locally.

He still loves the colour pink and gold and has just saved up enough money to coat his car alloys accordingly. ‘It reminds me of my time at Chess Valley Andy’.

Following in his Dad’s footsteps he adores Liverpool FC. He is also a lover of Gloucester RFC and recalls his banter towards Saracens fans as Gloucester cruised to victory whilst standing in the Shed.

Tom enjoys quality time with his mates and swears by the following chat up lines ‘are you from Tennessee cause you’re the only 10 I see’ and ‘are you from Jamaica

because you are Jamaican me crazy.’ My goodness me!

At the gym he displays pictures of All Black Sonny Bill Williams and looks forward to the day he is rich enough that he doesn’t have to work.

Chiltern are dynamite and wants to be part of our eventual promotion to Nat 2.

Tom thank you for being you. We salute you!

BY ANDY GRANT

CH I LT ER N STASH

The new Cl ub Shop, i n conj uncti on wi th Samurai Sports can be accessed vi a the cl ub’s websi te www. chi l ternrugby. com under the shoppi ng tab and usi ng the l i nk: http: //www. samurai cl ubshops. com/amer shamchi l ternrugby

The shop i s a maj or step forward for the cl ub and has a great range of l ei sure and sportswear of excel l ent qual i ty.

Other items are avai l abl e from behi nd the bar:

Cl ub Ti e £15

Lapel Pi n £5

Cuff Li nks £10

Key Ri ng £5

Thermal Mug £7. 50

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.

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

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