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Chairman’s Welcome
Welcome to Amersham and Chiltern’s match programme. A particular welcome to the players, officials, and supporters of our visitors.
For a second 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 East competition. They are usually, but not always at home when the Firsts are away.
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 U14 and U15 and narrowly lost in the final of the U16 competition. 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 James Stacpoole (Minis) or Rob Elms (Juniors) - or just bring your boy or girl along.
Last year we started up a Women’s team, which has gone from strength to strength. They are keen to recruit new and experienced players and will give both the warmest of welcomes. If you or anyone you know want to get involved, contact Vicky Edington or Gareth Bourne.
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; Deputy Chairman: Andy Saunders; Hon Sec: Ralph Hayward; Hon Treasurer: Chris Tavender; Membership Secretary: Sandra Hitchman; Director of Rugby: Pete Gibson; Mini Chairman: James Stacpoole; Junior Chairman: Rob Elms
TIME TO ORDER YOUR NEW KIT.
The Clubhouse Kit Shop is stocked and ready for the new season... but how can you buy the kit you need for season 25/26 at A&C?
The Click & Collect Service from the Clubhouse - order your kit now... The Clubhouse is also open on Thursday evening and on Saturdays from 1pm - 5pm (later if a home game is on), so you can collect your orders then as well.
www.chilternrugby.com/payments?category=all
The Sunday Kit Shop Opens on Sunday 7th September at 10am - 12 midday. If you need your black training gear, ie, waterproofs, hoodies, track pants, coats etc. Visit the A&C Website and click on ‘CLUB SHOP’ on the black banner at the top of the front page and shop away! Home delivery is now faster than ever before so happy shopping. Plus, it’s not all black, if you want some supporters kit, check out the new styles and colours of the tops that are available.
If you have anymore questions, please e-mail events@chilternrugby.com
What’s on at Amersham & Chiltern
SATURDAY 20th
A&C MINI FESTIVAL
FRIDAY 7th U13 INITIATION TO JUNIORS
FIREWORKS NIGHT A&C VETS DAY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
SATURDAY 6th
SUNDAY 5th
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
SATURDAY 13th
What’s on at Amersham & Chiltern
CLARKS DAY
SATURDAY 13th
SATURDAY 31th
BURNS NIGHT SUPPER
SATURDAY 29th
FRIDAY 23th
A&C MINI DEV FESTIVAL SPONSORS LUNCHEON
SATURDAY 7th
DIGGER DAY
SUNDAY 1ST
What’s on at Amersham & Chiltern
SATURDAY 11th
PRESIDENT’S LUNCHEON
SATURDAY 28th
VETS TOUR TO SOUTHEND
MINI AWARDS DAY
FRIDAY 24th
SUNDAY 12th
JUNIOR AWARDS EVENING
SENIOR PLAYERS AWARDS
FRIDAY 22th
SATURDAY 25th
SENIOR OVERSEAS TOUR
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AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 1XV
2025 / 2026 SEASON
MATCH REPORT
Amersham and Chiltern 1XV Pre-season matches
2025/2026
SUMMARY
The killer Bs
Banbury (Away) - Saturday 16/8/25 - Graf UK Stadium, Bodicote, Banbury. Last season finished 7th in Regional 1 Midlands - level 5.
Bracknell (Away) - Saturday 30/8/25 - Lily Hill Park, Bracknell - Last season finished 5th Regional 1 South Central - Level 5
Practice makes Progress - Happy Monster Band
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MATCH REPORT
And so, it was off to Banbury Cross to see if there was ‘a lady upon a white horse. With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes’, A&C were determined to have ‘music wherever she goes’. In the end music was made. With 4 X 20 mins sessions both sides amalgamated their senior squads on what was a dry and dusty pitch clearly suffering from many weeks without rain.
Being our first run out there was an undoubted keenness from all to impress. With the introduction of some new faces everyone shared a
healthy optimism that the momentum from the end of last season would be evident. Reassuringly whilst blooding the new we were blessed with many of the old guard and together we would ensure our rotations allowed for everyone to have oppor-tunity to hit the ground running for the season ahead. Both sides were competitive and opened with what appeared to be their strongest 15s. Both sides scrummaged well with A&C having the edge although Banbury seemed superior in line out. Both sides’ defences were steady with little
MATCH REPORT
opportunity. Chiltern opened the scoring with a con-verted try in the first quarter. A further try then extended their lead before Banbury responded solidly in the middle quarters to take the lead. The final quarter saw both sides push for victory with Chiltern again impressing with some decisive pressure prior to the winning score.
21- 28 and both sides undoubtedly optimistic for the season ahead.
of the possession and an opening converted try. Soon another try under the posts meant the string start continued. Bracknell stuck at it though and were rewarded eventually with a well-worked try prior to a 3rd try from Chiltern just before half time (5-21). Bracknell responded positively with a converted try with a 4th then being added by Chiltern. With
Bracknell offered us the opportunity to test ourselves against a club who finished last season 5th, from our sister regional league at level 5. We played on a well-watered pitch benefiting from bore hole much like our own. This time was split between the squads into 2 separate fixtures 1s and 2s with again some rotations between the adjoining pitches. Surrounded by 23 hectares of park, the setting was picturesque and fitting for what was sure to be a great test for both ambi-tious sides.
1s - Again A&C started strongly with most
MATCH REPORT
encouraging home support and a whole lot of pride Bracknell then found some de-cent form, recovering matters with a couple of tries to come within 2 points. (24-26). Bracknell then made things interesting with a cheered final try and the lead (29-26). 4 mins later Chiltern, with a deserved try and conversion secured a hard fought win.
2s - A strong selection resulting from a strong training squad excelled alongside with a more con-vincing victory 28 -40. Great credit to everyone involved and means both sides can enter their league games positively and better prepared for the undoubted challenges ahead.
This week
1s - Home against Southend Saxons RFC. Southend did well to avoid our strong end to the sea-son and whilst they did do the double on us, I’m sure they would have been glad not to have been visiting Weedon Lane during our run in for survival. On Super Saturday our A&C Colts enter-tain us from 1pm prior to the 3pm main event.
2s - Away against Milton Keynes 1sts ko 1pm
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If you have any further questions, please get in touch. Thank you.
Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club Administrator Tel: 01494 725161 events@chilternrugby.com
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Welcome to the U13s
Today we proudly celebrate a milestone moment for our U13 squad as they take the leap from the Minis section to the Juniors at Amersham & Chiltern RFC. Last season saw an incredible group of players show resilience, growth, and commitment as they rounded off their time in the Minis, often fielding two full teams and embracing everything that makes rugby so special.
This year, the squad not only steps up in age group—but in numbers and ambition too—with several exciting new additions joining us from Chesham, Challenors, Beacon, and beyond. A warm welcome to all our new players and families – we’re thrilled to have you with us.
As we enter the Juniors, the game changes: bigger teams, longer matches, changing rooms etiquette, number ones, and a touch more structure and competition. But at the heart of it remains what we
Cory Samuel Hinton
Henry Izzy
Ethan O’Shea
Henry Butt
Sasha Needham
Archie Smith
Arthur Wansbrough
Austin Hehir
Buddy Taylor
Casper Ashton
Charlie Myers
Ellis Asbridge
Felix Ashlyn
Felix Osborne
Finlay Cruttenden
Fred Braley
value most – fun, friendship, and rugby values. We’ll continue to build our culture around the RFU’s TREDS principles: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, and Sportsmanship –values for the pitch and for life.
Today’s tie ceremony marks not only the start of a new season but the beginning of a new chapter – one of pride, development, and a whole lot of rugby. Good luck to our U13s this year – let’s make it one to remember!
Freddie Walkinshaw
George Ogden
Guy Harris
Harry Taylor
Haydn Blackburn
Henry McCarter
Hugh Lees-Millais
Jacques Bantam
James Bass
From Minis to Juniors!
2025 U13 SQUAD
Keegan Van de Weg
Matthew Slater Down Air
Nicholas Myrtle
Nicolas Makhutadze
Oliver Ward
Oscar Dixon
Rudy Jones
Alone Germain
Whether Hartley
Whether Smith
Tristan Sales
Zach Webb
FROM THE TOUCHLINE
by Huw Thomas
891 London Rd
21-23 Little Marlow Rd, Marlow SL7 1HA 01628 898 866
Here we go again! The new season starts today with a home match against Southend, friends and rivals for some years now. We extend a warm welcome to their players, officials and supporters.
Our Regional 1 London and South East league has three new teams this year in Medway, Westcliff and Colchester. We have played the latter two before at this level and we look forward to seeing them again. Medway will be an interesting (and long) trip. The league will be spiced up and, for some, extended by the introduction of promotion and relegation play-offs.
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Usually in ‘From the Touchline’, I update you on recent 1st XV matches. Obviously, there is nothing to report yet, but I feel I should take some time to remind you of a magnificent performance in the last game of last year. Needing a point to ensure safety, Chiltern beat high-flying Sudbury 54-24. Scoring the fourth try that secured a bonus point really let the pressure off, and the boys ran in four more brilliant scores. It was the culmination of a very strong end to the season, so let’s hope that they pick up where they left off. Two strong pre-season wins away at Banbury and Bracknell suggest that they may do.
There have been some changes in personnel over the summer. Rich Hoskins remains in place as head coach, but business commitments have forced Mike Smith to step down. We wish him all the best and hope to see him at Ash Grove again soon. Tom Pierce has joined the coaching team, and the players have reacted very favourably to his fresh input over the summer. They have also enjoyed the S&C work that Jack Green has done with them, and they look fit on it too. Player-wise, for various reasons, Jacques O’Driscoll, Alex Bower, Mike Phillips, Raz Dranca and Kaspar Strugar are among fourteen players who have moved on and we wish them all the best. An almost equal number of players have joined or come back to Chiltern: at the time of writing, I’m not sure which of them will be on the team sheet, so I’ll let you work out who the new boys are.
The 2nd XV begin their season with an away game at Milton Keynes. Dave Cole carries on as skipper, and Andy Saunders and Dan Burke manage the team. They will play at the same level, but the South-West RFU have revamped the league, changing BBO2 from a North/South split to an East/West one. This allows us to get back to playing more of our traditional opponents, with games against Beaconsfield, Chesham, Maidenhead, Marlow and Slough to come. We also play Risborough, with their cohort of ex-Chiltern boys. The team is confident it can do well, and rightly so.
Finally, a word about today’s pre-match events. A Little Street Kitchen are continuing to feed us this season, and I for one am looking forward to their delicious fare (the envy of other clubs). Our guests will be joined by the U13s and their parents, for the traditional tie presentation marking their transition to fifteen-a-side rugby. And outside on the field, we welcome the touring North Walsham Colts, who will be taking on our own lads in a curtain-raiser to the 1stXV game. It’s good to be back! Huw
THE TEAMS
SATURDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2025, KICK-OFF 3.00pm
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 1XV
v SOUTHEND SAXONS
1. Doug McGregor Smith
2. Joe Batt (Capt)
3. Max Morphy
4. Kieran Booth
5. Harry Bradshaw
6. Jordan Scott
7. Andrew Toole
8. Kazeem Olayinka
9. Conor Segre
10. Aaron Lewis
11. Bojan Cecaric
12. Noah Jarvis
13. Dan Kingsley
14. Sammy Sinclair
15. Louie Mould
16. Charlie Swerling
17. Ben Harris
18. Harry Stevens
Ref - Jesse Lipetz-Robic (RFU)
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 2XV v MILTON KEYNES 1XV
1. Theo South
2. Dave Kerr
3. Liam Bruno
4. Andrew Davison
5. Jacques O’Driscoll
6. Cameron Sham
7. Kit Desmond-Webb
8. William Drewett
9. Rory Vorster
10. Maxim Garrett
11. Mackenzie South
12. John Barrett
13. James Morrison
14. Will Swerling
15. Jack Kenyon
16. Ben Gale
17. Edd Headly
18. Tyron Porteous 19. James Batch
20. Dapo
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UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
MOLLY POLLARD - BAR MANAGER AND SO MUCH MORE... EVERYONE NEEDS A MOLLY IN THEIR LIVES!
The excitement surrounding the beginning of a new rugby season provides me with a wonderful opportunity to spend time with a true A&C legend. She is one of the most charming yet most formidable members of our heroic clubhouse team with an ever-present smile and ‘can do’ attitude. ‘Wee Molly’ to me and ‘Molly’ to everyone else, she has asked me to join her on a dog walk alongside her trusted Labrador ‘Rodney’. I’m glad to see that she has come with equipment to ensure no wet tennis balls touch my sensitive hands..
Amanda Trący Pollard was born in Southampton at time when Pink Floyd released their landmark album ‘The dark side of the moon’ and the Sydney Opera House was opened by the Queen. There was also the matter of an oil crisis and a 3-day working week in the UK and ‘The Wicker Man’ film hit the cinemas. 1973 may not be the name of a famous pop band but it gave us Molly - for which we are all very grateful.
The weather is dry, and the ground is hard. The freshness of Autumn is in the breeze, and we are
both wearing our walking boots - socks tucked in of course. We immediately talk films and establish that ‘Castaway’ inspires her as much as she loves the isolation and the waves. Although not a TV watcher we recount the time I visited her home, and I had opportunity to both see and hear her describe a Netflix series - Loose Tooth - where children turn into half animals/pets. She loved that series and I didn’t understand it.
To relax and let her hair down Mollie adores a special kind of cocktail - red wine and diet coke surprise. Although she does not have a lot of
spare time, she does enjoy walking the dogs as well as dancing in the local pubs and spending time with her family (all also A&C through and through). Molly is keen to emphasise that she would rather not cook.
In the kitchen and at parties she always requests the sounds of Dolly Parton. Country and Western, although not really a passion, is nevertheless a style of music that causes her feet to tap and her knees to shudder. If Dolly gets too much, then she requests the sounds of Pink - she really belts her songs out Andy’. Indeed, she does Molly.
We then discuss some of the players at the club. This clearly hits a spot. ‘I love Alex Bower’, he’s such a sweet little boy. I’m going to really miss him. We take moment (about a minute in silence) to acknowledge the love she feels. I then mention the question, “If your fairy godmother gave you a wish?’ She knows Alex is going away and
ponders again. ‘I would like a private jet to visit my son in Australia” - a great wish Molly.
So, we finish our walk with a hug, and I hand the wet tennis ball back. Rodney receives lots of hugs and we go our separate ways.
Molly Pollard - A&C superfan and all round gem. Here’s to the season ahead and here’s to you and all your family.
We salute you!!!
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11+ Home Matches to be played throughout the 2025/26 Season
Sent to all our Club Members (approx. 2000)
Full Page: £600 + VAT - Half Page: £350 + VAT -Logo link on Club Website
PLAYER SPONSOR: £450 & VAT
Sponsor your favourite playing position in our 1XV Online Programme, i.e., Full Back
LARGE PITCH-SIDE HOARDING FACING THE CLUBHOUSE or SIDE OF 1XV PITCH:
Facing the Clubhouse: £1200+VAT plus £500+VAT production cost
One pitch-side advertising board size 4000mm x 720mm
Logo link on Club website
Plus featuring in our Sponsor Spotlight in our newsletter and on our social media, FB, X and Instagram
PITCH-SIDE HOARDING: FACING THE PITCH SIDE: £600 plus £350+VAT production cost
One pitch-side advertising board 2000mm x 600mm
Logo link on Club website
Plus featuring in our Sponsor Spotlight in our newsletter and on our social media, FB, X and Instagram
CENTENARY SCOREBOARD: £100
SENIOR/WOMEN/COLTS
XV KIT SPONSORFOR
NEXT SEASON 25/26
Your logo on the shirts/kit worn by the Senior XV for all their games
Plus, a company feature in our Sponsor Spotlight in our newsletter which goes to all Members and on our social media, FB, X and Instagram Logo link on Club website
SENIORS/WOMEN
MATCH DAY SPONSOR: CLUB PACKAGE £2,000 + VAT
Please enquire for more information.
MAIN SPONSOR OF THE MINIS DEVELOPMENT FESTIVAL/EVENTS
If you are interested in any of the above opportunities, please complete the below and return to Ruth Brockett sponsorship@chilternrugby.com
Full Name
Business Name (if applicable)
Email address
Mobile number
Sponsorship package/ packages
Personal Club Donation
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.
Last season we celebrated 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 51 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. 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.
Thank you for supporting our great Club.
Peter Osborne Director
OSBORNE SAMUEL GALLERY
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT THROUGHOUT 2025/26
