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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.
After promotion last year, our 1st XV play in the Regional 1 South East league of the RFU’s London and South-East Division. This is Level Five of the RFU pyramid and provides a standard of rugby that is very testing for a club from a relatively small town like Amersham. We are proud to compete here.
Thanks to the vagaries of RFU administration, our 2nd XV is in the South-West Division, and play in the Counties 2 Tribute Bucks, Berks and Oxon South competition. Like the 1st XV, they were promoted last year.
The Third XV play in an informal competition for Bucks third teams, usually under lights on a Friday evening. They provide competitive but social rugby for those who cannot commit to weekly league matches and training.
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, or get in touch through the club website. 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. Last year we won the County Cup at every age group. 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 Ryan Westmacott (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.
Along with the rugby, we have a full calendar of social events, details of which can be seen elsewhere in this programme, on the website, or on the posters in the clubhouse. Whatever your level of interest in rugby, it’s a great club to be a member of, and we’d love to have you join us.
Huw Thomas Chairman
President: Peter Kenyon; Chairman: Huw Thomas; Hon Sec: Ralph Hayward; Hon Treasurer: Chris Tavender; Membership Secretary: Sandra Hitchman; Director of Rugby: Pete Gibson; Mini Chairman: Ryan Westmacott; Junior Chairman: Richard Clifford
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Old Amersham Hotels are ready to welcome you to our breathtaking venues across the Chiltern Hills.
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The Centenary Fund
For the next100 years
The centenary of our great club will be marked by many events at the club during the season 2024-25. We are an ambitious, friendly and successful community club providing an exceptional and inclusive rugby and social experience to all our members of all ages and backgrounds.
We are entirely dependent on the support of our members and many generous sponsors. The annual cost of running a big sports club is considerable and we always need to spend large sums on clubhouse and ground maintenance.
The Centenary Fund has the target of raising £200,000 and we hope that members past and present will support this project - it will make so much difference to our club and benefit all our members. The Fund will be used exclusively to support key projects around the club, including:
• Clubhouse refurbishment and upgrade
• Extended patio area with multi-weather surface
• Pitch and floodlight improvements
• Resurface north car park
• Improved gym facilities
• Expanded solar panelling
Please support the club by donating at JustGiving/The Centenary Fund - and please tick the Gift Aid option as the club receives an additional 25% on top of your donation.
For donations over £1000, please pay directly into the Fund’s bank, complete a Gift Aid declaration and let me know via email. Fund bank: Amersham & Chiltern RFC, sort 40-2417, account 2266 4879. Any queries, please email.
Peter Osborne Chair,
The Centenary Fund posborne@osbornesamuel.com
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REGIONAL 1 SOUTH EAST LEAGUE
MATCH REPORT
AThe A&C Vets’ annual contest of rugby proficiency did not disappoint in our Centenary Season Team Manager, Mike Neill reports...
s human beings we all have special days to look forward to and to celebrate. To the young child it is the magic of Christmas day or a birthday. To awake to the excitement of presents at the foot of the bed is indeed a wonderful
To others it might be the memory of that special day in one’s life that was so memorable or a day that perhaps changed his or her life.
To a member of the veterans of Amersham and Chiltern RFC (the Chiltern Hundreds) that special day is the annual contest of rugby proficiency conducted on the playing fields of Ash Grove. That anticipation is there for many months before and on the day, ‘he’ will spring from his bed, sniff the fresh autumn air… and then swiftly return to bed until his conscience persuades him to
MATCH REPORT
rise again to search for rugby boots, lying discarded in some obscure corner of his abode. When found he will, occasionally, attempt to scrape the congealed mud from the soles before packing them into his kit bag along with other essentials, including medications, to journey to the club, accompanied by memories of previous encounters and looking forward to the fray of another.
This year had a special connotation as it coincided with the Centenary of the club. Incidentally, contrary to appearances none of the match participants were founder members of Chiltern RFC.
The beauty of the match format is that none of players know whether they will be representing the blue or claret team until they arrive in the changing room. From time to time, there is some debate as to whether
a certain colour suits a particular player but, thankfully, this year there were no prima donnas, at least, not in the changing room.
Before the match the traditional team photographs were taken. Unfortunately, owing to a mix up on time the official photographer was not present but a number of unofficial photographers stood in, including club stalwart, Mr. George Grammenos. (Photos are also taken post-
MATCH REPORT
match as an important aid in ensuring that there have been no serious casualties).
Sadly, this year the crowd was diminished compared to previous encounters, possibly owing to local flooding following the previous day’s deluge and the non-running of the local rail service but, nevertheless, there was no shortage of enthusiastic support from the spectators who had turned up to watch this extravaganza of walking rugby.
At least that is what it was billed as, but natural exuberance overcame some participants as they broke into a run, or at least a jog. This transgression was overlooked by the referee, Mr Owen Conway (South Bucks and Kalkan), ex level 5 (how the mighty hath fallen), who was just
pleased that there was movement of whatever kind. Inevitably, this suited a player like Duncan Bell, whose pace and swerve defeated many an opponent. However, there were also prominent performances from others such as Rupert Simmonds, whose encounters with Peter Williams were a highlight of this non-physical(?) spectacle; and Peter, himself who exercised a brilliant NFL type one handed torpedo pass later in the game.
It was good to see that Chris Smith had not lost his
MATCH REPORT
fiery competitiveness, undiminished, despite his time as an RFU Old Fart. Unfortunately, this did lead to a yellow card, following criticism of Mr. Owen Conway’s handling of the match. This was a second yellow as the President, Peter “Digger” Kenyon, had received one earlier; not a good example, Mr President.
Before the match, there had been concern that the pitch would be heavy. However, it played beautifully, taking the stud well. Unfortunately, many of the studs of past chairman Peter Kyte’s boots remained in the pitch, along with much of the soles. It was not a pretty site watching him try to play virtually barefooted.
Tony Hunter played his usual stalwart game both in defence and attack, whilst Jonathan
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Moughton, sporting brand new Chiltern socks (there’s optimism for you) was his elegant self, gliding through the game. It was also nice to see David Baker make his annual appearance sporting what can only be described as his Covid hairstyle. Someone really ought to let him know that lockdown is over, and he is allowed to visit the barber’s.
Your correspondent was also pleased to make the acquaintance of Paul Badman, who seemed a good egg, both on and off the field. My only criticism would be of his ghastly, luminous socks, reminding me of the fashion for luminous socks of the 1950s and 1960s. Was he wearing them to blind opposition tacklers or for a bet?
Finally, I must mention Dave McKintosh (2), who’s tireless work was contributory to a
MATCH REPORT
win for his claret team, at least, that’s how he explained it to me.
Overall, the players observed the laws and spirit of rugby football, except when Digger attempted to enter a scrum whilst smoking a cigar, no doubt hoping to create a smoke screen to foil the opposition front row. Thankfully, our esteemed referee intervened.
The match completed, players and officials enjoyed the beer kindly provided by Richard Bobbett, Jon Royals and Spike Stevens. And thence to lunch where animated conversations concerning various ailments accompanied the food. What else is there to talk about these days?
Onwards and upwards and keep taking the tablets
Mike Neill Team Manager
FROM THE TOUCHLINE
by Huw Thomas
891 London Rd
Today we welcome the players, officials and supporters of North Walsham RFC. We have played them before, when we were in the same league a few years ago. For both clubs, the away game from or to the north Norfolk coast is the longest trip of the league season.
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North Walsham recorded their first win of 24/25 last week, with a victory over Bedford Athletic. The four games before that had yielded a couple of bonus points but no wins. With seven league points, North Walsham have four more than Chiltern, who currently sit bottom of the table. It’s a big game for both teams.
I have two results to report, both of which, sadly, and obviously, were defeats. Three weeks ago, on the day of a magnificent Arnhem lunch, we lost 19-33 at home to table-topping Letchworth Garden City. They started like a train, but Chiltern stayed in the game for a long time. Although we probably weren’t the better side, we were unlucky that a try from the last play denied us a bonus point.
Last week, the boys travelled to Hertford and were in control of the match with a 10-0 lead after half an hour. At that point, a red card for Aaron Lewis reduced Chiltern to fourteen: we were unable to keep out a team with an extra player and the final score was 40-15 to Hertford. Andy Grant has spent many hours this week dealing with the administrative fallout from Aaron’s (rather harsh) dismissal: we are very lucky to have the benefit of his help and expertise.
The Second XV continue to win games in their new league. In the fixtures corresponding to those reported above, they had a marvellous win 14-17 win at Tadley and then beat Hungerford 34-15. Both games were against first teams. I watched the Hungerford match and, while Chiltern thoroughly deserved to win, they might have scored more points if they had moved the ball away from the opposition’s bigger forwards more often and more quickly. That might be carping, and the lads will no doubt point out that they are third in the table. With Andy Saunders and Gareth Bourne now helping Cookie out with the organisation of the side, they are set fair for a solid season.
On the hospitality front, normal service is resumed today, and I hope to see many of you at the pre-match supporters’ luncheon. However, I can’t close without acknowledging the sensational success of our Centenary Dinner last Saturday night. The venue and the food were fantastic, and Wayne Barnes gave what may be the best speech of its kind I’ve ever heard. A few people worked incredibly hard to make it happen, all under the indefatigable direction of Jennie Cahill. However, the main joy of the evening was to have so many people from the club’s past and present all together and relishing each other’s company. We have a great club and it’s a great place to be: you should come up more often.
Huw
THE TEAMS
SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER 2024, KICK-OFF 3.00pm
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 1XV
1. Doug McGregor-Smith 2. Chris Joyce
Pat Nash 4. Mike Phillips
Harry Bradshaw
Dave Francis 7. Josh Finch (C) 8. Kazeem Olayinka
Rory Vorster
Ben Harris
Noah Jarvis 12. Dan Kingsley
Alex Bower
Tom Fawssett 15. Ben Pothecary 16. Joe Batt 17. Mike Everett 18 Will Swerling
Referee - Mr Leigh French
NORTH WALSHAM
1. Mark McCall
2. Matt Bowden
3. Henley Brightman
4. Mark Coogan
5. Hudson de Lucchi
6. Danny Whittred
7. Jobe Brooks
8. Ewan Kingdom
9. Connor Dudley
10. Henry Dewing
11. Alfie Coop
12. Ross Magnus
13. Benji Hewitt
14. Freddie Sbary
15. Jack O’Leary
16. Ethan Holmewood
17. Harrison Collins
18. Archie Bryan
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THE CENTENARY DINNER
complete a Gift Aid Chiltern RFC, sort 40-24-
12 OCTOBER 2024
Oh What a night
Friends old & new, acquainted and reaquainted, fun and laughter all creating a night to remember.
“It’s not often we get the chance to gather members and friends of our Club from the U5&6 all the way through to our Vets, travelling from all over even as far as Australia!”
A very special night indeed...
Wayne Barnes,OBE, entertained us with stories from throughout his career, from the Forest of Dean to the Rugby World Cup Final.
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SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS
Why do we need Sponsors and Advertisers?
The rugby club is run as a charity and in a good year the income from subs and the clubhouse events and sponsors means we just about break even.
This season we celebrate 100 years of our active presence in the local community. The senior club was founded in 1924 and just as importantly we were one of the pioneer clubs who started mini rugby 50 years ago. We continue to provide a wonderful rugby experience for players and supporters of all ages.
Peter, pictured here, always in his A&C attire, chatting on match day
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 the solar panels, the new car park and of course the borehole. All of these investments make it possible to start the season.
Incidentally with our energy costs increasing dramatically we need to focus on ways to become more energy efficient. Pitch maintenance is another big expense, with an extra £20,000 spent this summer on more ground’s maintenance work and nearly £30,000 on clubhouse repairs. We continually invest and the Centenary fundraising offers a great opportunity to make more progress. 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.
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 and their coaches too.
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.
Ruthie Brockett, our Sponsorship & Publicity Manager, will be delighted to hear from you with ideas and suggestions. Please contact her on sponsorchilternrugby@gmail.com.
Most importantly we want our members to enjoy using the products and services in this programme.
