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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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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!
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
£1000, please pay directly into the Fund’s bank, complete a Gift Aid me know via email. Fund bank: Amersham & Chiltern RFC, sort 40-244879. Any queries, please email.
Fund posborne@osbornesamuel.com
A Huge Congratulations to Our Super Centenary Prize Draw Winners!
On our Centenary Match Day (28th December), we celebrated in style by performing our Super Centenary Prize Draw—and here are our lucky winners!
Each winner has bagged themselves £100:
£1000, please pay directly into the Fund’s bank, complete a Gift Aid know via email. Fund bank: Amersham & Chiltern RFC, sort 40-244879. Any queries, please email. Fund posborne@osbornesamuel.com
Centenary Report
What a Wonderful day
We couldn’t have done it without you all
As we reach the halfway point of our Centenary Season and reflect on the wonderful Centenary match held on the 28th of December, we would like to recognise the people that make the magic happen.
Special thanks to Peter Osborne for organising the day with the assistance of Jennie and to Richard Bobbett for refereeing, it wouldn’t have happened without you. Thank you to Berko for joining in the celebrations too and making it a day to remember.
But of course, the stars of the day (apart from the players obviously!) are the world turners who ensure you are all catered for and are so often forgotten.
So as this year comes to a close, we recognise our unsung heroes to whom we must say the biggest thank you.
Huw – who does So Much no one knows about. The amazing Molly and all her team especially Andrea and Steph.
And of course, A Little Street Kitchen run by Leela (who flew in at 5.30am that morning) and her fabulous team.
We thank you all for all your hard work throughout the year, when everyone else has a choice of what to do with their day you turn
up and make the magic happen and do so amazingly.
We also would like to take this opportunity once again to thank all our loyal Sponsors, Supporter’s, Coaching Staff, backstage staff and volunteers, players, families and friends without whom this club would not be the fantastic place it is.
Thank you all for a fantastic 2024…..
If you would like to contribute to the running of this club, we have a special Centenary Fund.
To find out more and to contribute please click on the link below with many thanks for your continued support.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/thecentenaryfund
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Match Report - Saturday 21st December 2024
9TB 01494 472 572
Amershaam & Chiltern RFC 1XV 33 – Tring RFC 12
Half-time (19 - 0)
Chiltern bring Christmas Cheer as Tring sing the blues
‘There’ll be parties for hosting Marshmallows for toasting And carolling out in the snow There’ll be scary ghost stories And tales of the glories of Christmases long long a go’
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Match Day Lunch
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR - ANDY WILLIAMS 1963
“Digger Day !”
Surely, it’s always the highlight of the year? The last home game before Christmas and on the day of the club Christmas party. Add to that a fine Christmas lunch date with copious amounts of wine and beer. Some colourful jumpers and a wishful mood amongst the assembled and expectant Chiltern crowd.
Our near neighbor’s Tring would have been in a confident mood for the return match. Triumphant back during September sunny days Tring won by 43 pts to 31 and sitting 4th in the league. I re-call our confidence back then - just wait till we get them at home’. This was the day.
We welcomed some boys to our first team, Joshua Fisher and Jack Fisher. Not related and both with a touch of speed. Joshua recently returned home to A&C after some time at Maidenhead. Jack has always been home grown and was placed on the bench with the plan being to launch him like a firework when the Tring legs were heavy. And so, to the action.
Chiltern were relentless from kick off. With a decent wind on their backs, they attacked the field end. Confident and well-structured with solid ball retention it was only 11 mins in that the back line passed out
MATCH REPORT
as far as outside centre for Josh Fisher to sprint over unopposed for the opening try. Tom Fawssett sadly missed the conversion (5 - 0).
Tring struggled to gain and maintain possession and were rightly punished following a sustained
period of Chiltern pressure and multiple offences with a penalty try (12-0). Again, Tring tried to gain some momentum but with a high press and sound tackling struggled to find the space to make the gains. On 29 mins It was Josh once again on debut, doing the simple things and again sprinting over for his second try, this time converted by Tom (19 -0). Tring tried hard for a score before half time with A&C holding solidly in defence, HT (19 - 0).
The wind did appear to lessen for the 2nd half and the Chiltern crowd seemed to swell after half
MATCH REPORT
Since this fine win we have enjoyed our Centenary matches and lunch on 28/12/24 and then sad-ly had our away game on 4/1/25 against Letchworth Garden City postponed owing to frost. We are currently preparing for another home match V Hertford this Saturday 11/1/25 which will be 7th V 11th. We do though have some games in hand over others so looking forward to a busy couple of months securing our position higher in the league. This Tring win could well be a signifi-cant win when looking back at the end of the season.
time. They were not to be disappointed. Loud cheers of enthusiasm when our young bristling prop Max Morphey jumped up on his tippy toes and charged down a Tring clearing kick before securing the touchdown on 48 mins.
Converted by Tom (26-0) and then to really secure the win in style our No8 Kazeem secured the ball from the line out and with a superb mall scored our final try and secured the bonus point (33-0) with Tom converting. All credit to Tring scoring a couple of tries in consolation in the 63rd and 74th minutes (33-12) final score. It was a great party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally - this won’t be cancelled because of the weather. Tables are being booked up now for our Centenary Burns Supper at the club on Friday 24/1/24 from 7.30pm. With a wee Tartan feel and an opportunity to taste a whisky
MATCH REPORT
or 2 we welcome our celebrants and enjoy our haggis starter, chicken main and a Cranachan sweet. We welcome and address the haggis with a piper and then participate in some wholesome sangs and clatter whilst learning of the exploits of our bard Burns and paying homage for his poetry and songs. £40 for a place and a wee bottle of whisky included for each table. This is the club’s 4th such supper. Payment instructions on the website re the A&C bank account or pay behind the bar with your name as reference.
E-mail me on a.granty@gmail.com to tell me your coming. That’s it.
See you there!!!
Andy
Team -
1. Razvan Dranca 2. Joe Batt 3. Max Morphey
4. Harry Bradshaw
5. Jacques O’Driscoll 6. Jordan Scott 7. Josh Finch (C) 8. Kazeem Olayinka 9. Ben Harris
10. Alex Bower 11. Tom Fawssett 12. Noah Jarvis
13. Josh Fisher 14. Tim Hayes
15. Ben Pothecary 16. Charlie Swerling 17. Dave Francis 18. Jack Fisher
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FROM THE TOUCHLINE
by Huw Thomas
21-23 Little Marlow Rd, Marlow 01628 898 866
891 London Rd
High Wycombe HP10 9TB 01494 472 572
Happy New Year! All things considered, 2024 was a great calendar year for Chiltern rugby. It seems a long time ago now, but in April we ended a season that saw the 1st, 2nd and Colts XVs all win their respective leagues and gain promotion. The Juniors had won all the county cups that they entered. Since September, the teams have gradually learned to compete at their new levels, and we have not only reinvigorated the Third XV but also started up a women’s side. We all need to work hard to keep up this momentum through 2025 – and we are doing so!
38 Oak End Way Gerrards Cross SL9 8BR 01753 891 892
273 Farnham Rd
Slough SL2 1HA 01753 535 556
Today, we welcome the players, officials and supporters of Hertford RFC to Ash Grove. We lost the away game 40-15 in October, but we were winning 10-0 before we went down to fourteen men, and we did manage three tries. More importantly, we have improved significantly since that game, so, although Hertford are always a good side and are having a solid season themselves, we believe we have a chance of getting a result.
There hasn’t been much rugby since my last missive, but what there has been, has been great. Our last home game saw a long overdue victory over our nearest rivals Tring, by 33-12. The boys played exceptionally well, the highlights perhaps being debutant Josh Fisher’s two tries and Max Morphey’s magnificent charge down, chase and score. Tring outclassed us at their place, and it was so pleasing to be able to say that we were clearly the better side this time.
On the Saturday after Christmas the club celebrated its centenary with a game against the resurrected Old Berkhamstedians, who were our first opponents on Boxing Day 1924. The round-robin format, incorporating the returning students Wanderers side, was a real success. Coach Grinch Hoskins forbade any of the 1st XV to play and the mixed-ability club team narrowly lost both matches, but rugby (and the bar) was the winner. There was a big crowd for the day, and it was especially nice to see Josh Lewsey, and his family, back in the clubhouse.
Last week’s match at Letchworth Garden City was lost to the weather, our second postponement in a month. Unfortunately, some of the sides around us have managed to play and we have fallen back to eleventh in the table. We have one or two games in hand on everyone, and just one good win could do us a power of good – but we must win it!
The poor old 2s have not had a game since 30 November 2024, either because of the weather or because the opposition couldn’t raise a side. The 3s game Friday night game at Marlow was cancelled midweek. A mid-season break, anyone?
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My last bit of news is of course Project Weatherfield, our proposal to lay an all-weather pitch on the back field. This would be financed by the sale of a small piece of land for the construction of a dementia care home. I’ve written to everyone, but I know you don’t all open my emails. Details are on the website, and I’d be more than pleased to hear what you think.
Huw
• Home Visits by Appointment •
THE TEAMS
SATURDAY 11 JANUARY 2025, KICK-OFF 2.00pm
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 1XV
1. Razvan Dranca
2. Joe Batt 3. Max Morphey 4. Harry Bradshaw 5. Jacques O’Driscoll
Jordan Scott 7. Josh Finch (C)
Kazeem Olayinka
Ben Harris
Alex Bower
Tom Fawssett
Noah Jarvis
Dan Kingsley
Josh Fisher 15. Ben Pothecary 16. Doug McGregor-Smith 17. Mike Everett
James Morrison
Zach Kinnaird (Hampshire)
HERTFORD
1. 1. Chubsy Basra
2. 2. Steff Jones
3. 3. James Bovaird
4. 4. Joe Tracy
5. 5. Sonny Swift
6. 6. Ciaran Andrew Galvin
7. 7. Tremaine Fry
8. 8. Alex Kay
9. 9. Dave Hale
10. 10. Sam Little
11. 11. Ben Bridgewood
12. 12. Kyle Lemon
13. 13. Ben Gilchrist
14. 14. Morgan Jackson
15.
16. 16. Fin Bloomer
17. 17. Alex Banna
18. 18. Dom Merrett
15. Lloyd Davies
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UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT RAZVAN DRANCA
Razvan is a big boy yet he is sophisticated, calm and collected. Gentle yet powerful with some saying gifted with the softness of a big brown bear.
Raz has been welcomed with very wide-open arms this season after a smooth transfer from Camberley RFC (an already established Level 5 side). ‘A&C have always been dear to my heart Andy; he says with sincerity and a big smile’.
We meet within a sauna within a health facility local to the Wokingham area. Razvan enjoys this time as he gets to wear little, whilst enjoying the comfort of flip-flops. We find a table and drink carrot juice together.
Surprisingly he opens by explaining his love for ‘Taylor’ – yes! He is a Swifty and gets frustrated when she doesn’t sing on the changing room play list. He was also there, yes! at Wembley for the Era tour with many fellow admirers who enjoyed being lifted up and sitting on his shoulders for a decent view.
TV wise he is an avid watcher of ‘The Office’, both UK and US versions.
He does find it funny rather, than informative thankfully.
He eats vegetarian food especially carbonara soaked in fake meat with a deluge of cheese –‘any cheese will do Andy!’. ‘I’m a modern man and love Pink as a colour’ - it says a lot about a man especially big ones.
Holiday wise he likes nothing more than stripping to the minimum and flip-flopping around his home town and birth place of Suceava in Romania. Wizz Air transports him there on the cheapy tickets. This keeps his slim as there is little food provided, and drinks are passed round in a
Being Romanian, sadly like many others from afar, Manchester Utd is the football team he is drawn to – ‘they were the only team we knew in Romania he says’.
I share my experience of watching Ally McCoist score for Rangers in the 80s, away, against Steau Bucharest. Raz does not hesitate in pointing out he is too young to remember that!!
Now interestingly when it comes to his passion – Rugby! He is a fan of the Bristol Bears. He explains that he has also played before at Ashton Gate their home ground and share with Bristol City FC. This was a part of the Bristol Varsity
He played stunningly well! Spookily Romanians have a love and deep fondness for the brown bear and having witnessed a couple in the foothills of
Transalvania I know how ‘Cheeky cheeky’ they can be. They were obviously girls, big and strong and very effective bin emptiers.
Razvan has a single wish and that is to continue to have no injuries and to feel ‘sprightly’ on Sunday mornings. I explained that wish is common for anyone aged over 50. He also wishes very much of course that A&C remain challenging within level 5.
When not sweaty either on the pitch or in the spa Raz works as a Manager for Insights. He explains how insightful he is about most things and that he has a gift to be able to simplify the complicated within an algorithm prior to drawing lots of triangles, squares and of course circles. This drives sales and makes him a decent income. Must be a Consultant!!
He would rather not disclose his age, but his moustache is coming on and he has the thighs of Hercules. He moved from Romania to the UK in 2002 and wishes very much that he settled in Scotland and aquired an accent like mine J. He is very wise!
After the next 10years he sees himself living somewhere sunny without a care in the world. He would like to still be playing and still be able to run as fast as me. He will always be a watcher from the sidelines if not playing. A future linesman?
Prior to departure from the spa we arrange to reconvene at the gym soon for a session of his favourite deadlifting weights – can’t wait! He also suggests a quick game of Pokemon trump with his set of cards. He is a keen collector and gamer.
A mighty prop and marauder Razvan you are already a seasoned Chilt and we all salute you.
Unit 3, Binders Industrial Estate, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 6LJ
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 sponsorship@chilternrugby.com.
Most importantly we want our members to enjoy using the products and services in this programme.
