Amersham Rugby Programme 16-12-23

OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN CHILTERNRUGBY.COM

£5 REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE

SEASON 2023-24 REGIONAL 2 THAMES LEAGUE SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2023 SEASON 2022-23

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21 EASTON STREET, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, HP11 1NT

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 2nd December 2023 Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV 31 v Belsize Park RFC 1XV 33 Tries: 5 Tries: 5 Conversions: 3 Conversions: 4 Penalties: 0 Penalties: 0 ‘Bogey Belsize chasten table-topping Chiltern’ ‘Children, have you ever met the Bogeyman before?

No, of course you haven’t, for you’re much too good, I’m sure Don’t be afraid of him, if he should visit you He’s a great big coward, so I’ll tell you what to do Hush! Hush! Hush!

Here comes the Bogeyman!

Don’t let him come to close to you He’ll catch you if he can Just pretend that you’re a crocodile And you’ll find that the bogeyman will run away a mile’ HENRY HALL AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1987 MADE FAMOUS IN THE TV SERIES THE SINGING DETECTIVE.

‘Bogey’ – one over par or a piece of dried mucus from inside the nose. It can be something or someone that people are worried about, perhaps without cause or reason or something that causes fear amongst a lot of people. Within the Scottish language a ‘Bogie’ is a Goblin. When it comes to Bogeymen than I’m glad to say

that they are indeed imaginary although evil in spirit or being, used to frighten primarily children.

There are 2 clubs in this league that we affectionately call our bogey sides. Belsize Park especially at home and the Old Habedashers of Borehamwood undoubtedly away.

MATCH REPORT

And so the bogeymen came and conquered.

It was though quite a match.

Competing well, alongside Jack Frost and later in the match with the Misty Moon (what memories), Weedon Lane was eventually smothered in a sinister winter fog.

Top place versus 3rd, history known, a tense crowd waited with gloves on in eager anticipation.

Belsize were on fire. With no hint of minibus stiffness or Metropolitan line fatigue they

were relentless in attack making the first 20 mins very much theirs. Three unanswered tries and lots of back slapping they set their stall out with purpose. Many a team would have buckled at this point. (0-19) Under the spotlight David Francis that day,(previously known as Dave) it was he ( I think someone made him angry) who showed the initial leadership needed to front up and respond with our opening try (7 -19). The behind the posts chatter was clear from Belsize. Great start and some silly mistakes especially making Dave angry.

And so, momentum was then maintained and impressively it was Bojan Cecaric, needing no invitation, and smoothly avoiding contact, who exploited the space with the 2nd A&C try in response (12 -19).

Things were interesting.

Until Belsize showed why they can never be under-estimated as they built again, punishing some weak defending, to stretch their lead with a converted try (12-26).

MATCH REPORT Not the plan at half time.

Then you guessed it someone made David angry again and after a marauding raid and run it was ‘spotlight David’ again answering the Chiltern call with a fine individual try (17-26).

All to play for. Belsize though were determined to maintain their lead and this made the last 20 mins very interesting indeed. As Chiltern upped the tempo they managed against the run of play to score the most valuable of tries and conversion.

Some said that score would be decisive.

(17-33)

And yes, against most sides it would have been, but all credit to the boys they were now in the mood and looking the league leaders they deserve to be.

Within 14minutes of sheer magic Lloyd Anderson and Tom Fawssett partnered up and became the biggest crocodile ‘you ever did see’. The Bogeymen became defenceless and whilst not running away as such certainly rolled over with a bit of tickling. Two tries in quick succession from Lloyd with two classy conversions from Tom set up the high drama finale. (31-33) Following what some thought was a harsh forward pass call from the resulting scrum Chiltern earned a deserved penalty to win.

Entirely kickable and the bogeymen struck!!

What a game!

This week: Fullerians at home. No Bogeymen expected. See you then. Not one to be missed.

Merry Christmas!

MATCH REPORT Team 1.

Doug MacGREGOR-SMITH

2.

Chris JOYCE

3.

Charlie SWERLING

4.

Kieran BOOTH

5.

Harry BRADSHAW

6.

Dave FRANCIS

7.

Josh FINCH (Captain)

8.

Jordan SCOTT

9.

Alex BOWER

10.

Dan KINGSLEY

11.

James LEWIS

12.

Noah JARVIS

42 minutes A&C try Bojan Cecaric (12 -19)

13.

Lloyd ANDERSON

44 minutes Belsize try and conversion (12 -26)

14.

Bojan CECARIC

50 minutes A&C try Dave Francis (17-26)

15.

James MORRISON

55 minutes A&C try Lloyd Anderson and conversion Tom Fawssett (24 – 33)

16.

Joe BATT

17.

Jack GURNEY

69 minutes A&C try Lloyd Anderson and conversion Tom Fawssett (31 – 33)

18.

Tom FAWSSETT

Summary: 7 minutes Belsize try and conversion (0 -7) 15minutes Belsize try (0 -12) 21 minutes Belsize try and conversion (0 -19) 28 minutes A&C try Dave Francis and Noah conversion (7 -19)

52 minutes Belsize try and conversion (17 – 33)

Last kick of game missed penalty A&C Tom Fawssett – to win (unlucky son) Full Match Photo Album Link: www.chilternrugby.com/photos/1085025/28477193.html

… proudly supporting Amersham Chiltern RFC

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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 Today’s game is the return against Fullerians. We beat them 15-41 at their ground in September.

I am sure that those of you who braved the cold to watch our last home game, two weeks ago against Belsize Park, will agree that it was a thrilling spectacle (at least for those who could see through the mist). Belsize are a fine team and they notched three tries to roar into a 19-0 lead in the first twenty minutes. Chiltern rallied and scored five tries in response: Dave Francis 2, Lloyd Anderson 2, and Bojan Cecaric. However, Belsize grabbed another two for themselves. We could have won it with the last kick of the game, from wide on the right, but when the music stopped BP were just in front, 31-33: our first defeat of the season.

I should have two games to tell you about but sadly last week’s match against Leighton Buzzard was cancelled because they couldn’t raise a side. I believe that this is the fifth time this season that they haven’t managed to put a team together and it seems likely that they may have to withdraw from the competition.

It’s a sad reflection on the current state of rugby that a Level 6 club finds itself in this situation. It only makes me more grateful for all the hard work put in by our coaches and captains each week to make sure that we continue to be able to field two teams and fulfil our fixtures.

Instead of travelling over to Leighton Buzzard, many of the faithful were able to watch the mighty 2s at home against Farnham Royal (known to older readers as Pennanians). This game was 0-0 after twenty minutes, mainly down to our difficulty in adapting to the strong wind. However, the boys asserted themselves eventually and a 58-0 win solidified their position at the top of their league. Today, Cookie leads his boys down to Taplow, to play Phoenix on the best pitch in the county.

Although the day is always mainly about the rugby, the match will be preceded by what I’m sure will be a magificent Christmas Lunch. I am looking forward to Little Street Kitchen’s twist on the traditional fare, as well as the opportunity to view the spectacular annual array of Christmas jumpers (in my case, a cardigan). Rebellion have kindly donated a barrel of beer to kick start the festivities. As ever, special thanks have to go to Jennie Cahill, who has worked tirelessly to pul the event together.

Speaking of Christmas, when you’re looking for stocking fillers, please bear in mind everything that our fantastic shop has to offer. It’s open this afternoon and again tomorrow, and it’s full of stuff that will be really useful to whoever receives it.

Final plug of the week is for the Wanderers game on the Saturday after Christmas, when a club side takes on a team made up of returning students. Kick-off is at 1pm. After the match, players and spectators will repair to the bar and LSK will be tempting everyone with their fare. It’s always a good do and a welcome chance to get out of the house.

Merry Christmas!

Huw

THE TEAMS SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2023, KICK-OFF 2.00pm

AMERSHAM & CHILTERN

FULLERIANS

1. Doug McGregor - Smith

1. Will Smith

2. Joe Batt*

2. Richard McCabe (c)

3. Charlie Swerling*

3. Lee Bass

4. Harry Bradshaw*

4. Liam Boyd

5. Kieran Booth*

5. Mike Kerr

6. Dave Francis

6. Owen Renowden

7. Josh Finch (c)

7. Sean Deller

8. Jordan Scott

8. Will Clark

9. Alex Bower*

9. Dan Anderson

10. Monty Weatherall*

10. Dan Evans

11. James Lewis*

11. Keiran Cavanagh

12. Noah Jarvis

12. Liam Mann

13. Dan Kingsley*

13. Will Kinder

14. MacKenzie South*

14. Sam Harrison

15. Ben Pothecary*

15. James Turner

16. Chris Joyce

16. Matt Bushell

17. Jack Gurney*

17. Fin Horastead

18. Lloyd Anderson

18. Lewis Cannings Referee: Jesse Lipetz - Robic

* = home grown players

Thomas Cooke Chartered Accountants

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT MIKE SMITH - DEFENSIVE COACH Gosh! This really is a Christmas special – spending some quality time with our defensive coach, Mr Mike Smith.

Some say he is the Joe Schmidt of Regional Thames 2, meticulous to the enth degree with accompanying balancing skills befitting of his Chartered Accountant status. We sit calmly enjoying each other’s company reflecting on what makes this defensive maestro tick.

Importantly Mike is a business man, a selfmade man generous to a tee and our main supplier of desserts (Haribos). Always first to offer a pint and provide access to sweeties.

Mike explains that 43 years is a great age.

One beyond the universal answer to the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (42) he explains he is at his peak in everything that he does.

Gibbo is a man he fancies madly, his size and especially his accent. He is attracted to the New Zealand vowels (must be a rugby All Black thing). I ask if they have been on any dates? Fishing is whispered. We like fishing Andy.

Mike is a lover of the colour red. He explains to me it is a vibrant colour associated with danger. ‘It’s edgy Andy – red light districts, the colour of passion, the colour of danger’ – I change the subject.

In food he is rather adventurous – Boerewors snacks supplies his protein and spices up his life.

Hero wise, it’s Ben Pothecary. I probe further and establish that he believes he has ‘the best legs in town’. This leads onto his confession that his biggest mistake in life is that he didn’t do as much leg work whilst in the gym. I’m surprised how much he regrets this and note he has covered his little legs under his baggy tracksuit trousers.

Mike is insistent that he never looks backwards. ‘What has been has been and life is too exciting not knowing what’s around the corner. His glass is half-full, and he is ready to pour a top up whenever he can.

Mike would rather not talk about football, but when pushed he shares that he always looks for the Wolverhampton Wanderers results. I ask why this is and he explains that they are a team that have their feet on the ground. They also originate nearby the

home of ‘Pipkins’ and the Crossroads motel.

He has a soft spot for Meg Mortimer. That’s quite a disclosure.

Moving on we talk about his dreams. ‘No Comment’ he replies with a cheeky grin.

To finish I ask; if I was his fairy godmother, what would he wish for. A short pause and smile divulging legs like Poth and fishing skills like Gibbo. What more could a man ask for.

Mike we salute you!

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

OSBORNE SAMUEL

Noble Building Projects Ltd

M O D E R N A N D C O N T E M P O R A RY A RT

www.dayladrinks.co.uk

www.osbornesamuel.com

Incorporating: Noble Windows & Conservatories Ltd N

CLARKS OF AMERSHAM

Chiltern Estates Maintenance

Arnold Funeral Service High Wycombe Beaconsfield Slough Gerrards GerrardsCross Cross Marlow Marlow www.arnold-funerals.co.uk

JOHN NASH

independent estate agency in Amersham

www.john-nash.co.uk

murray’s

for boys aged 3-13

ACCOUNTING SERVICES

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

SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS WHY WE NEED YOU

T

he 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 Peter, pictured here, always we have done various fundraising schemes to improve in his A&C attire, chatting on every aspect of the club. The clubhouse itself was the match day 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.

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

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

NEW 2023/24 SEASON CHILTERN STASH

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

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