OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN CHILTERNRUGBY.COM
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REGIONAL22THAMES THAMESLEAGUE LEAGUE REGIONAL SEASON2023-24 2022-23 SEASON SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 2023
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Chairman’s 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
Amershamand andChiltern ChilternRFC RFCRugby RugbyManagement ManagementSeason Season2019-2020 2023-2024 Amersham 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
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REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE TABLE
FOR ALL THE LATEST FIXTURES, RESULTS & STATS VISIT: CHILTERNRUGBY.COM
REGIONAL 2 THAMES FIXTURES 2023-24 02 Sep Grasshoppers
09 Dec Leighton Buzzard
09 Sep Leighton Buzzard
16 Dec Fullerians
16 Sep Fullerians
06 Jan Old Haberdashers
23 Sep Old Haberdashers
13 Jan Aylesbury
30 Sep Aylesbury
27 Jan Chobham
14 Oct Chobham
03 Feb Hemel Hempstead
21 Oct Hemel Hempstead
17 Feb Old Priorians
04 Nov Old Priorians
02 Mar HAC
11 Nov HAC
16 Mar Marlow
18 Nov Marlow
23 Mar Belsize Park
02 Dec Belsize Park
06 Apr Grasshoppers
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MATCH REPORT Match Report - Saturday 18th November 2023 Marlow RFC 1XV 3 vs Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV 40 Penalties: 1 Tries: 6 Conversions: 5 Penalties: 0 ‘Marlow muffled as Chiltern impress to maintain unbeaten record’. ‘When I wake up in the morning, love And the sunlight hurts my eyes And something without warning, love Bears heavy on my mind Then I look at you And the world’s alright with me Just one look at you And I know it’s going to be A lovely day…….. BILL WITHERS 1977
With a wee bit of pressure mounting after our hard-fought draw with 2nd place HAC last week, we had a short hop down the road to Riverwoods, the home of Marlow RFC for another of our Bucks derby games. 7th place versus top spot, and us there to be shot at, it was important that we return to winning ways and maintain our push for promotion to level 5.
Both sides were packed with home grown youths and with mobile phones and ear pods locked away for 80 minutes rugby for them all. It was a joyful distraction as they all stepped up and gave everything in an entertaining match. Congratulations also to Jack GURNEY, 1st Team debut at Number 6 (back row).
MATCH REPORT although muddy to the touch.
A&C had brought Dave Crimp to run the line and intimidate. With no jip from the players or crowd he ran the line impeccably and had quite a busy afternoon. Soon after kick off Noah Jarvis livened things up gifting an intercept purely to test our defence early on. They passed the test. Lock Kieran Booth though made the early yards scoring the opening try after some resilient rucking and a strong finish under the posts. Tom Fawsett converting easily (0-7).
Quite a match belying his tender age. With the sky having shed tears all morning there was casual water throughout Bucks. At the side of the river Thames, owing to a gravel base, the pitch was in great condition
Within 3 minutes Marlow built well into the A&C half and with a high tackle deserved the penalty chance which they took well (3-7). The next 10mins was competitive until A&C again applied pressure with the greater amount of possession and rucking before
MATCH REPORT
prop Cameron Wilson thudded over for the 2nd try duly converted by Tom (3–14). On 31 minutes and after sustained possession from A&C winger Bojan
Cecaric ran beautifully securing the 3rd try in the corner which Tom failed to convert (it was a tough one but good effort)
MATCH REPORT
Next Match: Saturday 2nd December. With a week off Amersham and Chiltern then welcome Belsize Park to Weedon Lane for another test and top versus 3rd place. Should be a cracker!
See you there. Team 1.
Cameron WILSON
2.
Chris JOYCE
Marlow stuck with it against a dominant A&C defensive line. Jordan Scott continued to turn the screw after another Bojan surge with another try under the posts. Step up Tom (3-26) and then on 62 minutes Kieran again with a great steal and rampage widened the well-deserved lead. Noah Jarvis converting (3-33) to conclude and well-deserved after some missed chances.
3.
Charlie SWERLING
4.
Kieran BOOTH
5.
Harry BRADSHAW
6.
Jack GURNEY
7.
Josh FINCH (Captain)
8.
Jordan SCOTT
9.
Alex BOWER
It was Lloyd Anderson exposing a tired Marlow defence to secure our last try followed by a quite brilliant Noah Jarvis conversion from the touchline.
11. Bojan CECARIC
Half time: 3-19
10. Dan KINGSLEY 12. Noah JARVIS 13. Lloyd ANDERSON 14. Tom FAWSSETT
Final Score (3-40).
15. James MORRISON
With the Knights of Camelot losing their lead against HAC and drawing 17-17 it was indeed a ‘lovely day’ allowing Chiltern to open a 6-point lead at the top of the league.
16. Joe BATT 17. Aaron LEWIS 18. Jack KENYON Match Report by Andy Grant
For all your match day photos follow this link: https://www.chilternrugby.com/photos/1xv-vs-marlow-1083548.html
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Contact Jennie Cahill on 07894 293 905 22/10/2021 12:48
Mike Raffety wishes Amersham & Chiltern RFU many Champagne moments throughout the season.
BUYERS AND SELLERS OF FINE & RARE WINES For Champagne and Fine Wine orders, investments or advice, contact michael@turville-valley-wines.com 01494 868818 www.turville-valley-wines.com
FROM THE TOUCHLINE by Huw Thomas Weather permitting, today we welcome the players, officials, and supporters of Belsize Park. The two clubs have been in the same league for a couple of years now and we have had some great games against them. Let’s hope today continues in the same vein. They are third in the table and have only lost once on their travels, so it should be close. The lads had a week off last Saturday (no, I don’t know why). The week before that, we went down to Marlow (Riverwoods is still a beautiful ground) and came away with a more than convincing 3-40 win. Promoted last year, Marlow are holding their own at this level, but we were just too strong for them. Kieran Booth, Cam Wilson, Bojan Cecaric, Jordan Scott, Kieran again, and Lloyd Anderson helped themselves to tries. It was the twelfth time this year Jordan has crossed for five points, giving him twice as many tries as the next highest scorer in the league – just ask, he’ll talk you through all of them. Jack Gurney came up for his 1st XV debut and had an absolute stormer. Three weeks ago, it was a very different story when we played HAC at home. The result was a 7-7 draw, which doesn’t sound much but it was a fantastic game. There was some great rugby played and, obviously, some excellent defence from both sides. After a scoreless first half, Charlie Swerling put us ahead with a try, converted by Noah Jarvis (this was Charlie’s 99th game for the 1s, and he made it 100 against Marlow – congratulations, chap). HAC wouldn’t lie down though – they converted a try from the touchline with the last kick of the match. To be fair, it was no less than they deserved. The Mighty Twos don’t have a league match this week. That’s because Drifters have effectively pulled out of adult rugby, which is a worrying illustration of the problems currently facing the game. It’s not that long since they were in the same league as us. We have picked up a pool game against Harpenden, so Jack and the boys will be able to see Derek at least. I’m afraid that’s all from me for this week. I wish I had more to tell you, but things are a bit up in the air at the minute. As I write, Belsize Park are keeping their team a secret, we don’t know if we have a ref (a Covid crisis in officialdom – do they share whistles?), and everything depends on pitch inspections. The only certainties are that the lunch is going ahead, and the bar will be open. See you there. Huw
THE TEAMS SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 2023, KICK-OFF 2.00pm
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 1. Doug McGregor - Smith (36) 2. Chris Joyce (12) 3. Charlie Swerling* (50) 4. Kieran Booth* (55) 5. Harry Bradshaw* (5) 6. Dave Francis (59) 7. Josh Finch (c) (74) 8. Jordan Scott (124) 9. Alex Bower* (29) 10. Dan Kingsley* (76) 11. James Lewis* (7) 12. Noah Jarvis (55) 13. Lloyd Anderson (72) 14. Bo Cecaric (23) 15. James Morrison* (12) 16. Joe Batt* (102) 17. Jack Gurney* (1) 18. Tom Fawsett (41) * = home grown players () = 1st team appearances
BELSIZE PARK 1. Declan Moore 2. Max Self 3. Diss Birger Djerf 4. Thomas Lewis 5. Mark Robinson 6. Sam Fenn 7. Samuel Harry (C) 8. Chester Allen 9. Colm Doyle 10. Ben Whinney 11. Thomas Church 12. George Leithbridgr 13. Mitch Butler 14. Adam Kroon 15. Oliver Lee 16. Daniel Hughes 17. Lloyd Clarke 18. William Stride REF - TBC
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PLAYER PROFILE UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: DAVE FRANCIS He is really not that grumpy, and to think
David (previously that he has apparently been known as known as Dave) is one ‘Grumpy Dave’, I was undoubtedly in the of those Welsh people company of the wrong man. who is heavily disguised as an Englishman. You find them in I didn’t join him in the spa although did numbers within Cardiff in the South and admire his A&C budgie smugglers from the Rhyll in the North. They are a rarer breed side, dipping my feet in from time to time. within the ‘land of the sheep’ which some David John Francis is a Welsh say is pretty much the rest of the proud thoroughbred. Very proud and a principality. Not a hint of a Welsh accent fantastic singer. He was produced in the and no offers of rarebit or a singsong MiddlesexTown of Uxbridge. A place I along with Tom Jones. I find David relaxing in a spa pool eating a peanut (crunchy) butter sandwich, sipping on a can of ‘Sumo’ Mad Squirrel beer wearing his ‘big boy’ headphones strumming his fingers to the sound of ‘One’ by Swedish House Mafia. This is a man who knows what he likes, and this is undoubtedly a man at peace with himself and the world.
know well having been Sheriff there for 4 years. David had clearly been a good boy or else he would have lived elsewhere. He will not disclose. He adores the colour blue and feels very comfortable in the cold and wet. He is happiest when wearing a woolly bobble hat and ensures to maintain a beard to keep his chin nice and warm. A Llanelli Scarlets superfan he enjoys going home to Wales and lending his support if not playing himself. As well as enjoying Tom Jones and reciting Welsh
poetry David has fond memories particularly of Monty Python’s Spamalot or a watch of his Book of Mormon DVD. Highly principled David is a lover of animals particularly small hairy extended sausage dogs. He simply adores the streets of Las Vegas and is drawn not by the gambling or nightlife but rather by being a 24/7 City never sleeping, and the excitement of it. High energy and a strong sense of party David is undoubtedly first on the dance floor and last to leave. He leaves the spa and dries off showing me his collection of individually framed Pokemon cards. He knows them all by name and even has a tattoo on his right buttock
of one (not verified by me). David explains that his rugby style is not Welsh and is not English. His marauding, high energy rough and tough passion in fact emanantes from the Polynesian islands from far, far away. He once spent 40 nights and 40 days of deep meditation on Populoppu, reflecting on a tough but successful season. He finds meditation and his collection of Polynesian tattoos a great source of inspiration as he approaches our centenary year and his 33rd birthday. We embrace and pat each other’s shoulders before I leave. I feel inspired to be in his presence. David Francis - we salute yr. BY ANDY GRANT
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CHILTERN STASH The new Club Shop, in conjunction with Samurai Sports can be accessed via the club’s website www.chilternrugby.com under the shopping tab and using the link: http://www.samuraiclubshops.com/amershamchilternrugby The shop is a major step forward for the club and has a great range of leisure and sportswear of excellent quality. Other items are available from behind the bar: Club Tie £15 Lapel Pin £5 Cuff Links £10 Key Ring £5 Thermal Mug £7.50
A&C RFC CENTENARY 2024 is a significant date in the club’s history, our Centenary. The first ever match was played on Boxing Day in 1924 between a Chiltern team and a team of Berkhamsted Old Boys. The club was formed shortly after and apart from the war years (when incidentally a third of our players were killed in action) the club has always been at the heart of the local community. Nearly 50 years ago we were amongst the first clubs in the country to embrace Mini and Junior rugby and now provide sporting and social opportunities to all ages. In spite of being one of the biggest and best value sporting organisations in the area we are entirely self supporting. We are a charity and every year spend significant sums maintaining the infrastructure of the clubhouse and grounds. As well as subscriptions we are dependent on the support of our wonderful sponsors and advertisers, without whom the club would struggle to stay afloat. Our Centenary celebrations will run throughout the 2024/25 season. As events are firmed up we will share the details with you. A number of people have already come up with good ideas. In particular we want to use the occasion to raise significant funds to make the club as a whole, and the clubhouse in particular, more sustainable. Key events will include a Centenary dinner in October 2024, a December replay of the first club match against a Berkhamsted XV, and a match against a County XV with players chosen from all the Bucks clubs. Traditional club events such as the Minis Festival and the Presidents lunch will all continue as usual with a Centenary theme. There will be a Centenary ball at the end of the 24/25 season. A new logo will be designed for the Centenary and this will feature on a range of special Centenary playing and leisure kit. We are now looking for people to help make this happen. We need volunteers from all sections of the club to join the Centenary committee and to take ownership of key events. We have formed a task force with Jennie Cahill, myself and others who will convert ideas into actions over the coming months. If you would like to join us please contact Jennie, on 07894 293905 or jennie.cahill@icloud.com and we will arrange another meeting and look forward to working with you.
Thank you for being part of our Club and for all your support. On behalf of the centenary working group Peter Osborne
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT THROUGHOUT
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Chesham Prep 01753 899222 www.ashwoodtravel.co.uk
A good education lasts a lifetime...
Turville Valley Wines Waste Management & Recycling
Nigel Stirrett master butcher
Thomas Cooke Chartered Accountants
PRESTWOOD
The The
Entertainer TheToyShop.com TheToyShop.com TheToyShop.com
Stirrett’s Butchers Stirrett’s Butchers
Chequers Parade, Prestwood, Buckinghamshire HP16 0PN Chequers Parade 01494 864013 Prestwood
Buckinghamshire HP16 0PN
HIRE OUR CLUB HOUSE hallbookingonline.com/acrfc
OVER
5oo WINES
IN PORTFOLIO E S TA B L I S H E D
1737 WINES FROM A L L OV E R T H E www.dayladrinks.co.uk
WORLD