Amersham & Chiltern Rugby 9-9-2023

£5

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE

SEASON 2022-23

SEASON 2023-24

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2023

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Allan Janes are proud to support Amersham and Chiltern RFC

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.

For 2023-24, our First XV will once again play in the ‘Regional 2 Thames’ league, which contains teams from both the London and South-West Division. Six of the sides have changed from last year so it will be interesting to see whether our high finish last year can be replicated. 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 plays in the snappily titled Counties 3 Tribute Berks, Bucks and Oxon South league. This is a Level Nine league, with a good proportion of local fixtures (Drifters, Farnham Royal, Marlow, Windsor): we hope that this will improve availability, which was an issue in 2022-23. The Seconds play a number of 1st XVs, some from clubs that we have previously faced at first team level. Their fixtures alternate with the First XV, so please give them your support if you aren’t travelling away with the 1s.

Like most clubs we are always looking for new players. We hope to resurrect our 3rd XV this year, on an occasional basis. 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; Director of Rugby: Pete Gibson; Minis Chairman: Rob Elms; Junior Chairman: Richard Clifford

Rich Hoskins 07813 827621

Ladies Day

Ladies Day is on Saturday 16 September. Wives, girlfriends, sisters, mums and grandmothers are all welcome - even Gents! We’ve made the day a bit special including 3 course lunch, challenging ‘bottomless’ Prosecco, stylish Goodie Bag, plus an A&C 2nd XV match - all for the FAB price of only £30, thanks to our sponsors Chiltern Estates and Allan Janes Solicitors.

• Tables of 8-10 people, or individual tickets at £30 each • Doors open 11:30am, Lunch at 12:30pm • Frocks at the ready? Dress up to feel good. Gents, blazers & ties please

• Tickets go fast, so BOOK and PAY NOW as below, confirming via hughcgriffiths@gmail.com.

• Bank transfer: ACRFC Trading, 12655713, 40-24-17, with LD/your name as reference

• At the clubhouse bar: with A&C member card, credit/debit card or cash

The Kenyon Family wish Amersham & Chiltern RFC a successful new season

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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This year, the annual competition for the right to hold the car-rallying trophy once purloined by one of our most distinguished members will be held at Wycomb e Hei g h ts Gol f Cl u b

Groups will be arranged by the organisers, with the first one teeing off about one o'clock. The winner will be decided by Stableford scoring. All the usual consolations such as nearest the pin and longest drive will be on offer, the only shots for which your mulligans will not count. Afterwards, competitors will repair to the bar for a meal and the award of prizes

Ollie Choules has negotiated a deal/steal price of £55 for the day.

If you want to enter, contact him on o l l i ech o u l es9 6 @ g m a i l . co m and he will provide you with an entry form, including details of how to pay.

It's always a great event: sign up!

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Collection & Delivery across South Bucks

Either order from our website or download the CleanCloud App from your App Store using the QR code, and select The Natural Laundry.

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE TABLE

MATCH REPORT

Match Report – 2nd Setember 2023

Grasshoppers RFC 1XV v Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV

Grasshoppers RFC 1XV 26

Tries:11

Conversions: 3

Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV: 41

Tries: 7

Conversions: 3

‘Oh Rupert, Rupert the Bear Everyone sing his name Rupert, Rupert the Bear Everyone come and join In all of his games’

CHORUS OF ‘RUPERT THE BEAR’ – 1971 - WRITTEN BY JACKIE LEE

And so it was that the 2023/2024 season started with a trip to newly promoted Grasshoppers and their home at Syon Lane, Isleworth. A day for plenty of water bottles, sun hats and tubes of suncream with both teams primed after decent pre-seasons.

It would be a test to test on the 4G pitch ‘joining in his games’ at the impressive facilities provided by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his local Sky team.

Amersham fielded a fairly familiar side from

the previous season and with, again, home grown talent being the theme. We were looking forward to the speed and consistency offered by the 4G surface. We also knew that the first 10 mins was important to make a strong impression and the boys certainly didn’t disappoint.

A mere 2 mins after kick-off and it was Noah Jarvis accepting a crash ball and scoring the first try of the game (0-5) - unconverted.

Minutes later MacKenzie South finished a ‘classy backs’ move by scoring down the blind side (0-10) –

unconverted again. A decent first 10mins and everything going to plan with some tough unsuccessful conversions.

MATCH REPORT

to do the damage resulting in them scoring 2 further tries and securing a well-deserved first half lead (19-15)

Just when we thought the foot would be pressed on the jugular (we have practiced this) it was Grasshoppers with an inspired ‘Kung Fu - Grasshopper’ film moment ensuring they turned the tide and scored their opening try following an impressive maul and execution (5-10).

The fast tempo of both sides continued and again A&C looked to pull away. This time it was Conor Segre wasting no time with a quick kick and go before putting on the burners and blazing a trail for the 3rd Amersham try (5-15) - unconverted.

Grasshoppers though dug in and again using their forwards from set play continued

With a bit of a reset, some focus and a playing of some Scottish Jacobite war songs in the changing room our A&C cherubs seemed energised for the 2nd half ahead.

Charlie Bourne, with the build of a Grand National stallion needed no second chances to pluck the ball and then gallop through to score the try and quickly regain the Amersham lead. Again uncoverted. In fairness, it was another tough one but there was a concern given we all know ‘kicks win games’ (19-20).

With the momentum Callum of Newton family fame wasted no time in securing a great catch and drive before going over for

MATCH REPORT

our 5th try. Tom Fawssett took over kicking duties from Noah and slotted the easiest kick of the day (19-27).

This time and with a decent breeze on their backs A&C kept the pressure on and it wasn’t long until wee Chris Joyce (our music man) followed Callum’s lead with another catch and drive led by our front row. Again, Tom secured the conversion (19-34).

It now felt the game was won with Grasshoppers suffering injury and a wee bit of naughtiness. The pressure mounted prior to Jordan Scott bursting through after a quick penalty taken by Conor, a pass to Joe Batt and then a release to Jordan to lift his knees high and secure our 7th and final try. A hat-trick of conversions from Tom and (19-41) would have been a decent final score.

Grasshoppers though were determined to finish with champagne style play and

reward a decent home crowd. They were eventually rewarded after some tired rugby from both sides with a consolation final try ( 26-41)

Highlights:

• Dave Crimp - Legend and Chair of Trustees being the most stylishly dressed man in the sun and splendour of Isleworth. Befitting of a catalogue model.

• An air-conditioned bar and lashings of chilled cider on draft

• Wee Tim Hayes making his return to the 1sts from the bench and landing the most potent rib-tickling tackle on the biggest guy on the pitch.

MATCH REPORT

• A now slip and ripped Jonathan Rice leaping like a salmon with increased zest and energy

• Big Max Morphey on league debut making the gains every time he got the ball -he’ll only get better.

Team

1. Max MORPHEY

2. Chris JOYCE - Try (catch and drive)

3. Callum NEWTON - Try (catch and drive)

4. Charlie BOURNE - Try

5. Jonathan RICE

6. Warwick SOUTH

7. David FRANCIS

8. Jordan SCOTT - (C) - Try (side to side

Conor took quick penalty to Joe Batt)

9. Conor SEGRE - Try (tap and go)

10. Dan KINGSLEY

11. Bojan CECARIC

12. Noah JARVISTry (crash ball in the 22)

13. Alex BOWER

14. MacKenzie SOUTH - Try (backs love and back down the blind side)

15. Tom FAWSSETT - 3 X Conversions

16. Joe BATT

17. Cameron WILSON

18. Tim HAYES

Next Week - Kick off at 3pm and home to Leighton Buzzard. Buzzard. They lost 17 -34 in their opener to Aylesbury so we will undoubtedly be hoping for a win.

FROM THE TOUCHLINE

by Huw Thomas

Today we welcome the players and supporters of Leighton Buzzard, who have come back into our league from Regional 2 East Midlands. We also welcome referee Steven Farnell from Bucks RFURS.

Chiltern started the season well last week, with a bonus point win by 41-26 away at Grasshoppers. The result was most important outcome, and there were some excellent performances, particularly from Conor Serge, who was quite brilliant. Callum Newton was the pick of the pack. However, we were far from perfect, and the game left the players and coaches plenty to work on. After some crushing wins in pre-season, the team was full of confidence and may have expected to win more easily than they did. Grasshoppers were obdurate opponents and deserved their bonus point. By the way, their ground is a fantastic facility – visit if you get the chance.

The 2nd XV is away at Farnham Royal (older readers will remember them as Pennanians). The 2s started the season in their new league in splendid form, despatching old rivals Bracknell 54-17, a result that put them top of the table. Chiltern’s pace, skill and organisation saw them prevail over bigger and older opponents, who suffered in the sun. Aidan Caldwell helped himself to four tries and new recruit James Lewis scored three. This included possibly the first league try scored in the country, when James claimed Dan Kinsey’s kick-off and went straight under the posts. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he makes his 1st XV debut today.

This season we are placing renewed emphasis on trying to harvest more of the talent produced by our incredibly successful Mini and Junior organisation. That feeds initially into the Colts, and we have appointed Charlie Swerling and Phil John as the Colts coaches. Their brief is (to win and) to align the Colts playing style with the Senior teams’, and to introduce players to the men’s sides in a structured way. They have a practice match against Teddington tomorrow at 2pm.

I hope that those of you attending enjoy the pre-match lunch today, particularly our special guests the U13s and their parents. Given the weather, you have permission to remove your ties. The club is open well into the evening, so please stay (or come back) to watch England v Argentina in their RWC match.

Huw

THE TEAMS

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

1. Max Morphey* (1)

2. Joe Batt* (93)

3. Callum Newton* (58)

4. Johnny Rice (23)

5. Will Drewett* (25)

6. Andrew Toole (32)

7. Dave Francis (53)

8. Jordan Scott (c) (114)

9. Coner Segre (37)

10. Ben Pothecary* (51)

11. James Lewis* (Debut)

12. Noah Jarvis (50)

13. MacKenzie South* (19)

14.Tim Hayes* (12)

15. Tom Fawssett (36)

16. Charlie Swerling* (41)

17. Chris Joyce (4)

18. Jack Kenyon* (118)

LEIGHTON BUZZARD

1. Batchelor

2. Beer

3. Forsythe (c)

4. creber

5. Baroux

6. Maynard

7. Dove

8. Bloxham

9. J. Cullen

10. Taylor

11. Pleass

12. Nossiter

13. B.Cullen

14. Fiske

15. Hopkin

16. Gallie

17. Hayter

Referee: Steven Farnell, Bucks Society

SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2023, KICK-OFF 2.00pm

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

PLAYER PROFILE

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: JORDAN SCOTT

On a ‘hot hot’ day I meet up with a ‘hot hot’ guy.

Jordan SCOTT, so cool his surname is the same as my nationality and his first name is the same as a once famous glamour model, basketball player, Formula 1 Team, river and country.

Our current Captain deputising for Captain Josh he sits, sipping on ice tea with a calculator in hand as he contemplates having another ice bath to relax his aching limbs. The rumours are true! He really is that chilled.

Born in Hillingdon (affectionally now known as ‘Killingdon’ – wee reflection on previous high serious crime rates) he has reached a mature 28 years of age and now resides in North London suburbia.

Ulez compliant, Jordan is highly motivated in all that he does and

works full time as a Foreign Exchange Broker, as well as being a part-time model. A recruit to the Chiltern Cherubs way back in 2015 he has drifted away to chase his rugby dreams before returning to Weedon support our continual push to achieve Level

To maintain his good looks Jordan enjoys clothing whilst at home and enjoys sipping oat flat white coffee’s with oatie biscuits from Aldi as ‘dunkers’. He yearns to return to the idyllic holiday island of Bali.

Renowned for his A&C mixing with the many lads and ladies from Oceania who love meeting up with Jordan to share their special holiday moments. With sushi as his go to meal-deal Jordan is expert in squirting soy sauce out of little fish shaped plastic capsules and crunching prawn tails. Like a dolphin

each packet devoured to maintain his high energy levels.

Jordan has a wonderfully relaxed persona and his very much a ‘coiled spring’ when it comes to securing a ‘lust/love partner’. He has considered paying for an advertising board at the club displaying his picture and invitation to leave details or speak at the bar. He has resisted though although is keen to make the invitation after the game today. If anyone is interested he explains he is keen to travel the world for 6 months or so and take part in international dance as well as to explore opportunities to expand his collection of foreign coinage and notes.

Jordan loves a titter with Joe Batt on a Thursday and his favourite colour is

Glasgow Rangers blue (good lad!). He is always on the lookout for the No28 as this is lucky for him – good luck Jordan.

He wants to turn the clock back to when Wasps were at their peak and Lawrence Dallaglio and Danny Cipriani were getting tricked by fake Sheikhs and fake women. When asked for a world cup prediction he looked thoughtfully past me before offering South Africa as a team that will take some stopping. Well Jordan I have some news for you – they play Scotland first J.

Jordan SCOTT – we all salute you.

BY ANDY GRANT

What’s on at Amersham & Chiltern

SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS WHY WE NEED YOU

The 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. In fact, our Centenary Season is 2024/2025, next year.

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. Incidentally our energy costs have increased dramatically, and we now have a renewed focus on ways to become more energy efficient and sustainable. Pitch maintenance is another big expense, with an extra £20,000 spent this summer on top of the £35,000 spent last year in addition to the upgraded our floodlights. We now estimate that we need to spend some £100,000+ 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 are always welcome at the club for lunch on home match days.

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

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