Amersham Rugby Programme 23-09-23

£5

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE

SEASON 2022-23

SEASON 2023-24

SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 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.

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

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!

What’s on at Amersham & Chiltern

COMEDY NIGHT

6th October

A&C MINI FESTIVAL

8th October

FIREWORKS NIGHT GOLF DAY

27th October

GRAYBURN (VETS) DAY

11th November

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

16th December

3rd November

SPORTSMANS’ DINNER

24th November

BURNS NIGHT SUPPER

26th January

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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.

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TICKETS PURCHASED ON THE GATE ON THE NIGHT.

ARRIVE EARLYTO AVOIDTHE QUEUES!

REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE TABLE

MATCH REPORT

Match Report – 16th Setember 2023

Chiltern fizz as Fullers fall flat in convincing away win

Fullerians RFC 1XV - 15 V Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV - 41

Half-Time 3 - 31

‘You got to speed it up And then you got to slow it down ‘Cause if you believe that our love can hit the top You gotta play around But soon you will find that there comes a time For making your mind up’

MAKING YOUR MIND UP - BUCKS FIZZ - EUROVISION WINNERS 1981

7days flies by but always excellent timing to visit New Field on a fresh and clear late summer/early Autumn kind of day. With the ground extra firm, the grass a subtle shade of brown and a Fullerians side without a win the scene was set for high riding Chiltern to gallop to victory. And gallop they did. With what is becoming a regular , vocal and increasingly

stylish away support (Led by Mr Crimp) - forgot to take a photo, A&C were fast out of the gates and throughout the first have focussed on speed, pressure and tries

Step up Captain Scott. Never needing an invitation to cross the try line Jordan led by example with a magical pick-up at the rear of the scrum following a power drive and turn over ball. A brief gallop, high knees and a withering early

Fuller defence ensured initial parity in score was a thing of the past. (0-5). Alex unable to convert from out wide. Already with the momentum and after more impressive buildup play it was wee Chris Joyce, our once chatty hooker who tip-toed unnoticed to be given the ball before nudging himself over in the corner (0-10). Again a tough one for Alex to convert.

MATCH REPORT

Traditionally Chiltern may have thought the job was done however with lessons learned opportnity knocked once more for Captain Scott. With continuing Chiltern pressure Jordan ensured a sound catch and drive with the final result being our third and his second try. (0-15). Although Alex could

have been 3rd time lucky he wasn’t and it was trusted and reliable Ben Pothecary stepping up and nailing the conversion comfortably (0-17). Fullerians remained plucky and determined in attack. With a reliable line out and some persistence they managed to respond with a penalty (3 -15). Chiltern though remained focussed on exciting and fast paced rugby. As has been the pattern and not to be out done it was the silent but deadly Dave Francis who after more sustained build up play bulldozing his way over to score the bonus point try just by the posts (3-24) with an easy Pothecary conversion. With half time then approaching it was the warmest welcome back for our wonder wing Lloyd Anderson who in the try

MATCH REPORT

rugby. One is never enough for Lloyd and with some great service from all the ball was hurled to the wing for Lloyd to then again dazzle with his footwork and execute beautifully with his speed. Not bad for an old man Lloyd ) full time (15- 41)

Highlights

• My man of the match full back Ben Pothecary. Outstanding kicking both from hand and the kicking tee.

• Lloyd Anderson - it was as if you never went away.

• Andrew Fluker bringing his New Zealand flair to the scrum -half role. You went away and now your back. Always welcome

tradition of the Roadrunner and with steam from his feet cutting through easily to score our 5th. Duly converted by an impressive Ben. H/T (3 - 31)

The job did seem done although there clearly remained some pride to play for. Fullerians started with more purpose and after some rare attacking managed to score their first try. (10-31). With Chiltern appearing to conserve some energy for next week Fullerians managed to restore some pride with a second try again after a period of some decent possession (15 -31). However with some great game management Chiltern secured a kickable penalty and Ben duly slotted that (1534). The the finale and a suitable end to a game which had some great running

MATCH REPORT

• Dave Crimp in the most amazing designer black braces and black jeans and ankle boots. I’d never get away with that no matter what age I am.

Next Week - Kick off 3pm and home to the Old Habedashers of Borehamwood. A bit of a bogey club to us away from Weedon Lane they have had a good start to the season and will adorn our clubhouse with very bright blazers and red jeans. We will need Dave Crimp and his friends to be as well turned out as possible. Should be a cracker!!

Team

1. Callum NEWTON

2. Chris JOYCE. 2nd try

3. Charlie SWERLING

4. Kieran BOOTH

5. Ollie CATO

5. Warwick SOUTH

6. David FRANCIS 4th try

7. Jordan SCOTT - (C) 1st try, 3rd try

8. Andrew FLUKER

9. Dan KINGSLEY

10. James MORRISON

11. MacKENZIE SOUTH

12. Alex BOWER. 1 conversion

13. Lloyd ANDERSON. 5th try and 6th try

14. Ben POTHECARY. 3 conversions. 1 penalty

15. Joe BATT

16. Douglas MacGREGOR-SMITH

17. Aidan CALDWELL

FROM THE TOUCHLINE

by Huw Thomas

Today we welcome Old Haberdashers, our President’s favourite opposition: good people and always a good game. Also very welcome is referee Charlie Holmes from Bucks RFURS, who is being assessed by our very own Peter (ten in a row) Dickinson.

Chiltern have so far played three, won three, all with bonus points, and currently sit top of the table in Regional 2 Thames. Nit-pickers would point out that the teams we have played so far have two points between them and occupy the bottom three places in the league, but the boys can only beat what’s in front of them. Old Habs have won two of their three games and today’s result will be a better indicator of where we are.

As you will have read in Andy Grant’s match reports here and on the website, we have beaten Leighton Buzzard and Fullerians since I last wrote. We scored nine tries (all converted by Tom Fawssett) against Buzzard, to rack up a score of 63-21. The match was marred by a very serious leg and ankle injury to scrum half Conor Serge, which needed surgical intervention: get better soon, Conor. Last week we went to Cassiobury Park and won 15-41. After a superb first half, which ended with Chiltern leading 3-31, the boys seemed to lose a bit of cohesion as Fullerians stepped their own game up; however, it was a score and an outcome we would have been very happy to take at 3.00.

The 2s continued their winning ways, beating Phoenix 1st XV 41-5 at Ash Grove. Like the 1st team, they have won all their games with a bonus point and are the early leaders in their league. Improved availability has been the key to the change from last year, both in terms of the 2s results and the support they have been able to give the 1s. Six wins from six games and thirty points from a possible thirty for the senior sides mean that Director of Rugby Pete Gibson is (almost) satisfied so far, but we need to keep going.

The Colts opened their season last week with a friendly practice match against a Tring squad. They play their first competition game tomorrow, a cup match against Harpenden. Kick-off is at 2.00 pm, please come and support them if you can.

I shall close with a reminder that the club is open for all the England games in the Rugby World Cup. This afternoon, we are showing the match against Chile, starting at 16.45, which should just give you time to order a pint after the 1st XV game. See you there!

Huw

THE TEAMS

SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023, KICK-OFF 3.00pm

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

1. Callum Newton* (61)

2. Chris Joyce (6)

3. Charlie Swerling* (43)

4. Ollie Cato* (101+)

5. Kieran Booth* (47)

6. Dave Francis (55)

7. Ben Rooke* (Debut)

8. Jordan Scott (c) (116)

9. Jack Kenyon* (119+)

10. Dan Kingsley* (69)

11. James Lewis* (2)

12. MacKenzie South* (21)

13. Alex Bower* (21)

14. Lloyd Anderson (67)

15. Ben Pothecary (53)

16. Joe Batt* (95)

17. Doug McGregor - Smith (31)

18. Bojan Cecaric (17)

OLD HABERDASHERS

1. Thom Arnott (c)

2. Tom Marsh

3. Nick Langley Pope

4. Cian O’Riordan

5. Tom Brogden

6. Tom Pierce

7. Harvey Taylor

8. James Clark

9. Charlie Saunders

10. Matt Barton

11. Tom Lovelace

12. Tom Jackson

13. Joey Gatus (VC)

14. Will Dell

15. Tom Mullaney

Gamechangers: Martin Reeves

Alex Curtis

Adam Day

Referee: Charlie Holmes, Bucks RFURS

PLAYER PROFILE

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: BEN POTHECARY

What a pleasure to sit in Ben’s company, even though it was only for 30 mins to throw the club’s spotlight over him.

Always impeccably wellturned-out Ben is a man who loves to feel close to his teammates especially. On the pitch, he is great with his feet, but fantastic with his hands Ben ‘Mr Tickle’ Pothecary has a genuine warmth, which is so strong he thrives on close body contact, especially hugs and tactile acknowledgements.

start by stating ‘what a game you had against Fullerians on Saturday’ before taking up position a safe distance away.

So Ben was christened a few years ago apparently ‘Sir Ben Pothecary’ - I think that’s a bluff Ben. It gets better as he was birthed in a barn, under a bright star and slept in a manger in High Wycombe. He even requested Gold, Frankincense, and

He is one of the sons of Jude and John Pothecary and brother to his brother. On a non-rugby /workday Ben loves nothing more than travelling from his home in Watford to London to train spot and admire the dinosaur skeletons at the Natural History Museum and alongside the architecture around

He is one for a flask and loves to bite into some extra thick crusty sandwiches washed down with lashings of sugar-free Sprite. He is a regular visitor to Buckingham and Kensington Palace and, of concern, the Police have got to know him very well as a

During the week his focus is very much on a high pressure

and committed role as a respected recruitment consultant. Even though he is clearly at his rugby peak he feels it may well be time at the end of the season to spend his weekends visiting other royal palaces (he is getting a bit too well known by the Police) and admire their architecture.

Ben explains that curry is important for his digestive system. The Spice Society delight is the one that he just feels is ‘doing something’ as it passes through. Ben misses ’Derek Curry’ very much - it had the same effect with the wind generation that undoubtedly added to his speed and helped to generate more space on the rugby pitch.

He is determined to beat Captain Scott to the most tries for this season as he believes he is ‘Chiltern Dynamite’ with red being his favourite colour and with white together it can make him cry.

He is a sensitive soul loving the rhythm of ‘Fred Again’ and his only wish in the world is for Ed Wainwright’s hairline to stay where it is. I’d have another wish, Ben.

When born, a very proud Mum and Dad took one look at his thighs and knew their baby boy was destined for rugby glory. They also knew he had ‘film star looks’ and are so glad that he has looked after his ears and nose over the years. Having recently has his rib cage rearranged in Norwich, Ben has found he his is a better tackler, faster runner, and amazing kicker when he is side on. He has adapted his game accordingly and this makes him unique.

Ben you could still be James Bond. Red and white you are Chiltern Dynamite, and we salute you!

BY ANDY GRANT

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

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