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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
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fireworks display fireworks display
FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
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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REGIONAL 1 SOUTH EAST LEAGUE
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 1XV
2025 / 2026 SEASON
MATCH REPORT
Saturday 11th October 2025 - 3pm
Amersham & Chiltern 1XV - 20 v Letchworth Garden City - 29 (HT 15 - 8 )
‘CRYING SONG’ - PINK FLOYD - 1969
‘We smile and smile, we smile and smile Laughter echoes in your eyes
We climb and climb, we climb and climb Footfalls softly in the pines
We cry and cry, we cry and cry Sadness passes in a while
We roll and roll, we roll and roll Help me roll away the stone’
Another home again, and another one that got away from us. This season, it is already more ap-parent than last that there will be no easy games alongside constant pressure to produce our best week in, week out. With the benefit of some consistent selection and levels of vocal home support, there was every reason to be confident of victory, despite another consistent and im-pressive start to the season from a confident Letchworth 1XV.
On a day when the Finch family joined Joshua to celebrate his 100 cap for the Chilts, there was good reason to ‘cap’ the day off with the wee fella, our Captain Josh sipping from the celebratory urn. It was not to be, although we did manage to win the first half.
MATCH REPORT
And so, to the action - and yes, you guessed it. Another strong start with A&C taking the game to the visitors with poise and purpose. Some slick handling and some pacey breaks, A&C were clearly in the mood to take Letchworth on head-on. With the opportunity of an early penalty (4th min), it was taken with a smile by young centre and rising star Harry Stevens. (3-0). Only 8 mins later and after Letchworth had time to consider a suitable response, they wasted no time in turn-ing the screw with their opening try, after some disappointing tackling, allowing a well supported run in. Missed conversion (3-5). With matters levelling out, it was tough to see why this was a 10th v 3rd match, even appreciating it was still relatively early in the season. In 25 mins, Chil-tern’s forwards made some key gains before the Back row, and another 1200 capper, Jordan
Scott, wasted no time in galloping through for our opening try. Easily converted by Harry (105). With momentum back with us, it was then wonder winger Josh Fisher, with his head down and rapid feet floating in the corner, to ensure a winning first half (15-8).
Now was the time to push on. Disappointingly, though, we lost intensity for another 15-20 minutes. Letchworth were never going to roll over and therefore with no surprises, momentum changed. With a well-worked converted try right at the start of the 2nd half and then another only 5 mins later (15-22),
MATCH REPORT
there, so I will save you the pain of reading about it. Sudbury watch out! We look forward to welcoming you back to Ash Grove xx.
A&C 1XV v Letchworth Garden City 1XV -
1. Doug McGregor-Smith 2. Joe Batt (VC) 3. Max Morphey. 4. Will Drewett. 5. Harry Bradshaw. 6. Kazeem Olayinka. 7. Josh Finch (C). 8. Jordan Scott 9. Ben Harris. 10. Dan Kingsley 11. Sammy Sinclair. 12. Noah Jarvis. 13. Harry Stevens. 14. Josh Fisher. 15. Reiss WalkerSubs 16. Charlie Swerling. 17. Charlie Bourne 18. MacKenzie South.
the damage was done. Even with the troops appearing to rally to the cap-tain’s charge through Sammy Sinclair’s slick wing running (20-22). A&C were unable to secure the 4th try or even a losing bonus (within 7 pts) when Letchworth cruelly secured their 4th try and bonus point win. Really could have been so different.
The following week was always going to be another tough one on the road. This time to deepest Suffolk and the land of Gainsborough, down Sudbury way. Again, well placed towards the top of the league and probably still smarting from our convincing home win against them at the end of last season, Sudbury secured a convincing home win 66-17. I wasn’t
MATCH REPORT
A&C 1XV v Sudbury 1XV (Away)
- 1. Doug McGregor-Smith 2. Joe Batt. 3. Charlie Swerling. 4. Kieran Booth. 5. Charlie Bourne. 6. Andrew Toole. 7. Jordan Scott. 8. Kazeem Olayinka. 9. Ben Harris. 10. Harry Stevens. 11. Josh Fisher. 12. Noah Jarvis. 13. Sammy Sinclair. 14. MacKenzie South. 15 Reiss Walker. Subs 16. Liam Bruno. 17. Michael Everett. 18. Tom Welham
Please support our Planning Application
Investing in Club Fields and facilities safeguarding for future generations
Develop and improve sport facilities for the community
Create improved facilities for all users
Support the NEW girls & womans teams
Provide for care home and dementia for local area
Additional parking and better access
The club needs everyone to support our case please register your support on the council website.
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
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. It’s early days, but they find themselves eleventh in the table of twelve, a position to which they are not accustomed. Amersham and Chiltern are one place above, in tenth, which is by no means a safe place given the new playoff system. Both teams have won one game from the six played so far and have seven league points; we have a better match points difference. Like us, Hertford seem to have played the teams making the running this year: they have lost to the top five and beaten Westcliff, currently in eighth place. Both teams would see a win today as a springboard for the rest of the season. It should be very close. Our 1st XV have played two games since my last report. Two weeks ago, they lost 20-29 at home to Letchworth, having been 15-8 ahead at half time. Jordan Scott, Josh Fisher and Sammy Sinclair scored great tries, but the crucial point in the game was a spell when we were down to fourteen men because of another eminently avoidable yellow card, and Letchworth scored twice. On the positive side, Harry Stevens kicked well for goal, Reiss Walker made a smooth debut, and we competed throughout, particularly in the scrum –Letchworth made tight head Charlie Swerling our man of the match.
Unfortunately, the Letchworth game cost us dearly in personnel. Dan Kingsley and Will Drewett incurred concussions, and captain Josh Finch suffered a knee injury. With lineout manager Harry Bradshaw and the rampaging Max Morphey both unable to travel, we went to Sudbury significantly weakened, though Michael Everett’s return from long term injury was a bright spot in a bleak East Anglian afternoon. To be fair, as usual, we competed early on but in the end Sudbury’s class told and we lost 66-17.
The disappointment was compounded by injuries to Jordan Scott (ankle) and Joe Batt (calf). Harry and Max are both back today, but the other five are all still out. We therefore give debuts to hooker Sean Maughan and Michael Mackenzie-Crooks, both of whom look more than useful finds. After a brief sojourn in the great wen, Ben Pothecary has returned: he will provide direction and noise at number ten.
32 Gregories Rd, Beaconsfield HP9 1HQ 01494 685000 High Wycombe
As far as the other sides in the club are concerned, the 2s recorded a great 36-33 win over hitherto unbeaten Beaconsfield last week. We went over for the winning score in the last minute, when down to fourteen men – that’s the way to do it, lads. In what turned out to be a successful experiment (I had my doubts), the game was something of a double header, with our Women playing Beaconsfield’s just before. Sadly, the opposition won that one, but it was a great afternoon.
• 24 Hour Attendance
Traditional, Alternative and Green Funerals
The 2s don’t have a fixture today but our 3s are playing a rare Saturday match down at Chesham. Normally, the competition is played on Friday under lights, but Chesham don’t have that facility. Let’s hope we can preserve local bragging rights.
Huw
• Pre-Payment Plans
• Home Visits by Appointment •
THE TEAMS
SATURDAY 25th OCTOBER 2025, KICK-OFF 3.00pm
AMERSHAM & CHILTERN 1XV
1. Douglas McGregor-Smith
2. Sean Maugham
3. Charlie Swerling*
4. Harry Bradshaw*
5. Kieran Booth*
6. Charlie Bourne*
7. Michael Everett*
8. Kazeem Olayinka
9. Ben Harris*
10. Ben Pothecary
11. Josh Fisher*
12. Noah Jarvis (Captain)
13. Harry Stevens
14. MacKenzie South*
15. Sammy Sinclair
* = home grown players
Ref - Josh Methven
HERTFORD
1. Farhad Fayaz
2. Steffan Jones (cpt)
3. James Bovaird
4. Alex Kay
5. Sam Balcombe
6. Ciaran Galvin
7. Sean Galvin
8. Tremaine Fry
9. Dom Merrett
10. Will Howes
11. Tommy Neave
12. Tom Lamb
13. Oli Cook
14. Ben Bridgewood
15. LouisKendrick
16. Finn Bloomer
17. Mattia Mengotti
18. Dave Hale
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UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
JOSH FINCH – 1ST TEAM CAPTAIN AND CENTURIAN
One hundred caps playing for Amersham and Chiltern RFC is no mean feat. I don’t know the exact number, Captain, but I do know he’s a leader, and it’s probably most, if not all. He takes the yellow cards for the team, chats very nicely with the referees, is so eloquent presenting our ‘dick of the day’ awards and always ‘stands up’ when asked.
Strong as an ox, posh as they come and has been compared to James Bond with a nice car, stunning good looks and of course always likes it shaken rather than stirred.
I’ve looked back in the archives and found his original spotlight piece when he was a bit younger and not quite at his peak.
‘Some say Captain Josh Finch is an international man of mystery. He does not drive an Austin; he drives a Jag. On the rugby pitch, he shakes and is not a stirrer. As a cat lover, he has pussies galore.
His universal password always contains a 0 0 and a 7. He wanted to be a Sparrow rather than a Finch, and Josh should have been Jack, making him a Pirate of the Caribbean. Josh is our Captain and, therefore, referee liaison. He is charming with a northern edge to his accent. His name is Josh Finch, and there remains a vacancy in His Majesty’s Secret Service. However, he is far too busy to apply.
Today, we put Josh in the spotlight.
Josh is a member of the Man V Food A&C Eat a Lot Team. Alongside Peter Gibson and Rich Hoskins, he can clear multiple plates of food. He therefore has no favourite food; he loves it all!
Josh likes to sip Lemon Tea because it’s refreshing and helps keep his teeth lovely and white. A zesty personality, he is one of the founders of our wellknown drinking game ‘Lemon Shoulder’.
Josh pauses when considering whether he is capable of hate. He explains that he is not, in fact, a fighter; he is a lover. We love you too,
He is a lover of pork scratchings as he likes the salt and the crunch. He strongly believes that a strong jaw provides great looks, and therefore sees the
crunching as valuable exercise for his jaw and is convinced he is still getting taller. Bless our Josh.
In 10years’ time, Josh is convinced he will be a millionaire and eating sushi for lunch. He will have reached 6’5” in height and have a jaw to die for. He regularly watches Braveheart, and it makes him cry. A fan of face painting, Josh is regularly seen at Murrayfield with the St Andrew’s Cross painted on. He really loves Scotland and its people. Thanks, Josh, from me.
Lastly and finally, who is the favourite Celebrity? He doesn’t have one he has no time for celebrity.
Never a truer word written. Marlows’ loss has undoubtedly been Amersham and Chiltern’s gain.
Thank you, Captain Josh. We still salute you.
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MATCH REPORT
A fantastic run-out for our Women on Saturday in the Ash Grove double-header against Beaconsfield.
The result didn’t fall our way, but the smiles, the effort and the spirit never dropped. It’s still early days for this squad, and every week the team grows in confidence, connection and belief. Plenty to be proud of — and plenty more to come.✨
MATCH REPORT
Thank you to our sponsors Allan Janes LLP and Osborne Samuel Gallery for your continued support.
Allan Janes LLP, Osborne Samuel, Nick Morrison & Peter Osborne
ADVERTS IN OUR ON-LINE MATCH PROGRAMME – 1st XV GAMES
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
Celebrating the senior team Caps
A huge congratulations to four of our senior players who’ve each reached incredible milestones in their A&C careers
Josh Finch – 100 Caps
Jordan Scott – 163 Caps
Joe Batt – 138 Caps
Dan Kingsley – 107 Caps
Each cap represents hard work, commitment and loyalty to the club — and we couldn’t be prouder to have them wearing the claret!
Here’s to many more games, memories, and moments together on and off the pitch!
