Pilkington Recs v Millom

2018 Season

£2

Versus MILLOM

Saturday 24th February 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Round 3

v Thornhill Trojans| Sat 3rd February 2018 | Ladbrokes Challenge Cup

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

£2

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE President Dave Corless Vice President Derek Cross Chairman Ralph Rawsthorne Vice Chairman Dave Roughley Club Secretary Billy Dillon 07879 662940 Treasurer Andy Lyons Youth & Junior Development Director Neil Belshaw Club Registration Manager Joanne Knapper Club Welfare Officer Gary Trueman 07816 509995 Discipline Chairman

Gary Philbin Junior Representative Brian Hatton School Liaison Manager Ste Edgerton Fundraising Managers Kevin Whittall

Sarah Whittall Player Representative Paul Cresswell

HONOURS BARLA National Cup Winners: 1974-75, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82 BARLA Lancashire Cup Winners: 1974:74, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1980-81 BARLA Inter County Cup Winners: 1980-81 North West Counties Premier Cup Winners: 2007-08, 2010-11, 2011-12 North West Counties Champions: 1977-78, 1979-80 North West Counties Div 1 Champions: 1975-76, 1985-86, 1991-92, 2004-05 Warrington & District League Champions: 1973-74 Warrington & District League Leaders: 1968-69 St.Helens Junior League Champions: 1953-54 St,Helens Junior League Leaders: 1951-52, 1953-54 St.Helens Cup Winners: 1980-81, 1985-86, 2010-11 West Lancs League Trophy Winners: 1953-54 Bootle Charity Cup Winners: 1953-54 BARLA John Players 7s Winners: 1982 Haresfinch 7s Winners: 2007 North West Counties Fair Play Award 2005/06

CONTACT US @pilksrecsarlfc /pilkingtonrecs www.pilkigntonrecs.org

CHAIRMANS WELCOME Good afternoon and welcome to al opposition in the next round.

Ruskin Drive for this third round Recs will be keen to press on from game in the Ladbrokes Challenge their last game defeating Thornhill Cup. 16-0 and Millom will also be out to Round 2 saw several big names fall advance following their win over by the wayside and today it is my Bradford Dudley Hill. The game topleasure to welcome our opponents day should be a real spectacle of Millom who along with ourselves rugby league. As always applaud made the cut into the third round. good rugby, support your respective Millom should need no introduction team and acknowledge the imas they can claim to be the oldest portant role of the officials in officiatamateur rugby league club, being ing. formed in 1873. In any case, we I must give a great thanks to our have met on several occasions in Committee for their tireless efforts in recent years in National Conference managing the Club’s business, also League games and so it great to to our sponsors for the valuable see them back at Ruskin Drive and contribution to our Club and the on behalf of the Recs I extend a sport in general. Likewise a big warm welcome to their players, offithanks to our supporters who I hope cials and supporters. give the team plenty of support and As I said before, several big names encouragement today. Finally, a fell out of the competition in the last thanks to our players and coaching round and it is always exciting for staff at all age groups for their time the Amateur Clubs to make proand efforts in developing the sport. gress in this famous competition.

Come on The RECS!!

The possibility of coming up against some professional teams in the later Yours in Sport rounds presents a great challenge to the amateur players. The third round has professional clubs entering the competition and so the winners from today’s game stand a very good chance of meeting profession•

• • •

All spectators are requested to remain behind the pitch side spectator barriers Inside the ground perimeter fence is strictly a No Smoking Area at all times No dogs are allowed inside the ground Please use waste bins provided to dispose of your litter

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ALEX SERVICE ADVERT

TODAY’S VISITORS There are some parallels with Recs in terms of today’s visitors from Millom.

They were formed in 1873 - the same year as St. Helens RFC, incidentally and has played four times as a professional club. In this respect, they are similar to us, in that St. Helens Recs were a professional outfit between the wars.

Indeed, it is interesting to note that in the Lancashire senior Competition, on Boxing Day, 1899, Millom entertained the Saints and won 10-8! As an amateur outfit, Millom have made their mark in the Challenge Cup over the years, just as we have. Indeed our last meeting was up at their splendidly-resourced Coronation Field in the famous old competition, two years ago, when Recs came away with the spoils after a 46-12 success.

Expect the lads in maroon and white to try and redress the balance this afternoon.

To continue with the history, the club fielded 12 men for the county game [Cumberland] against Yorkshire in 1889 and an incredible 50 players have been awarded international honours since 1945, a fine compliment to the club. Their biggest honour came in 1985-86 when they beat Mysons to win the BARLA Cup, once

again a competition the Recs are more than familiar with. Shortly after, they gave ‘big guns’ Wakefield Trinity a real scare in the John Player trophy, losing 14-8. Millom were one of ten clubs who formed the very first Rugby League Conference [with Pilks once again] in 1986-87, under the ‘one town, one team’ concept. They were NCL Champions of Division 1 in 1994-95, Cup winners in 1990-91 and Division 2 Champions in 2007-08. They also won the Barton Townley Cup, with the A team league winners. Like a number of our clubs, they have enjoyed good and not so good times, for whatever reasons, but they remain a famous name in Rugby League.

The ground, off Devonshire Road has seen several changes with finance from Sport England and Cumbria Regeneration providing extra changing accommodation. The new build was opened by HRH

Prince Phillip. The seniors currently play in the third tier of the National Conference [our paths have never crossed in league matches since Pilks rejoined the Conference] with the A team representing the club in the Barrow and District League. Youth rugby is provided with a range of teams from Under 8s to 16s, playing in local competitions. A visit to their HQ, with its superb historical displays allows you to find out about players like Les Bettinson, the Clampitt brothers, Billy Eagers, Jack Coulson and Syd Walmsley. Marvellous stuff.

Pilkington Recs ARLFC would like to remind all players, officials and spectators from Millom to join us in the Ruskin Club House after the match and enjoy a refreshing drink, plus, of course, the Man-of -the-Match presentations.

We hope you all enjoy the game!

THINK YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY? Alex Service talks about different aspects of our club which was first formed in 1878!

Recs: The Toast of Rugby League!

By beating Latchford Albion in the 1977 Lancashire Cup final, Recs were included in the Challenge Cup draw and were paired with mighty Castleford in the first round! A one-horse race? Not on your life! This match will long be remembered for its’ sensational attacking football and sheer drama, when the Recs once again covered themselves in glory and brought great acclaim to amateur rugby league. Another good crowd at Knowsley Road saw the Recs in an uncompromising mood and willing to throw the ball about at every opportunity. Such enterprise saw the side ahead by 10 points after just 11 minutes. Joey Hull’s brilliant interception try from the Castleford ‘25’was followed by a typically barnstorming effort from skipper Sid Wright. Both tries were converted by the immaculate boot of Glover. Inspired

by Great Britain forward Mal Reilly, Cas stormed back with a try from leftcentre Phil Johnson, who took advantage of a mas-

Sheer delight! Joey Hull and the fans on the terraces, celebrate his magnificent interception try in the Challenge Cup tie against Castleford at Knowsley Road.

sive overlap and shortly after, front-rower Peter Cookland burst through four would-be tacklers to go in by the posts. Stand-off Burton converted the latter with ease, to peg the score back to two points.

give his team a precious life -line at 13-20..

The Recs continued their all-action display in the second half, but the experience of the Castleford outfit began to tell as they seized upon every half-chance and kept Recs at bay with some solid defence. Half-back pair Bruce Burton and Gary Stephens added a try apiece. Burton’s conversions gave the Yorkshiremen a three-point cushion, which was reduced by a Glover penalty, to provide the breathless crowd with a magnificent grandstand finish as the Recs battered the Castleford defence, unfortunately to no avail as referee Billy Thompson blew his whistle to end a breath-taking eighty minutes of cup-tie football at its best.

Somewhat surprisingly, it was Recs who upped the tempo, with two magnificent tries from Man-of-the-Match Geoff Gormley. His delighted grin after scoring his second is one of the abiding images of the Recs’ post-war history. A further conversion from Glover looked to have the Yorkshiremen on the rack and facing a humiliating defeat.

Just before half-time, however, came the slice of luck that Castleford desperately needed. A towering up-andunder from Rufus Hill was seized upon by Cas winger Steve Fenton who raced the length of the field to Continued later in

Programme……..

COACHES CORNER Welcome again to all for this Challenge Cup Third Round tie.

Today we welcome Millom to Ruskin Drive for the first time. We last played Millom in the 2016 Challenge Cup where we came out on top after a tough contest in Cumbria.

against the back drop of 6 sinbins throughout the match is testament to the players.

As mentioned in the last programme, we have put a real focus into fitness and defence this year. To concede only once in two matches is very In the last round, Millom overcame a pleasing to see as a coach. Long may strong Bradford Dudley Hill side, who it continue!! we will face in the league this year, so We’ve had some bad luck on the injuwe will certainly have our work cut out ry front over the last 2 weeks with today and expect an equally tough both Chris Smith and Jon Key breaking a foot. They are likely to be out for match as last time. around 8 weeks, but we wish them a Those that were here watching our victory over Thornhill, will have seen speedy recovery. a rejuvenated side who defended defiantly against our determind opponents. Keeping any team scoreless is a huge achievement, but doing it

Finally, the A team begin their season next week with a home tie against Wigan St Pats. Good luck to them for the season ahead.

PLAYER PROFILE RYAN HILLIARD Age This week is’s the one and only RAZ.

26

Height

5’ 8”

Weight

80 kg

Debut

Irlam (a) 2009

NCL Games

86

You’re a colour blind bin man. Do NCL Tries you still mix up the green and NCL Points brown bins?

Yeah, all the time. But that won’t be Twitter a problem now I’ve passed my HGV test

46

How old are you?

Errrmmmm….. 26. I sometimes think I’m 27, but my birthdays only in April

188 @raz_pilks6

What’s your first rugby memory?

Going down to City Road when I was 6 training on the crap pitch on the right. Also going to Knowsley Road with my Dad. When was your open age debut?

It was against Irlam away for the seconds. I got smashed about 10 times. Still got man of the match though What’s your best rugby memory?

Beating Bank Quay in the 2011 Premiership Cup Final. It was at Brook so was good winning it there with all them watching.

Josh Charnley is your best mate from your days at Wigan, do you still wear his kit as pyjamas?

Definitely, it’s a bit big on me though. Me and Charno get on like a house on fire.

Who would you say is your best team mate at Pilks and why?

Lippy - He always buys my drinks when we go out.

Who would you say is the laziest trainer?

It was Ben, but then he beat Lippy on the run so it’s got to be him now.

Who is your weirdest team mate and why?

Gary Philbin …….. He watches tranny porn!!

Finally, who is your dream woman? &*”$%^!............ Best not put that in case Jess comes watching. Put Shakira, I’ve always liked her.

THINK YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY? that Castleford offered Sid Wright a virtual blank cheque to turn pro with them. Sid Recs’ supporters gave their team a stand- said, rather characteristically, that he ing ovation for almost ten minutes to cele- couldn’t be bothered and he’d sooner stay brate what had been one of the great with the lads.”

Knowsley Road cup ties. The players repaid the compliment with a lap of honour Rugby League Challenge Cup Round 1 as a special ‘thank you’ for the terrific sup- Sunday 26 February 1978 port they had received. “People still talk about the match today,” remembers Jeff At Knowsley Road Gormley, who with scrum-half Billy Sim- Pilkington Recreation [20] 22 Castleford mons had tormented the Castleford de- [13] 23 fence for the whole eighty minutes. “They say ‘why didn’t you try for the drop-goal?’ Referee: Billy Thompson [Huddersfield] It was quite simply the performance of a Attendance: 11,000 lifetime from us without even thinking Man-of-the-Match: Jeff Gormley about coming back the following week!”

[Pilkington Recs] Lenny Lowe watched the match from the grandstand at Knowsley Road. “I taught a Pilkington Recs: Peter Glover [5G]; Andy lot of the Recs’ lads during my time at Casey, Rufus Hill, Alan Shea, Joey Hull Robins Lane [Sutton] and they were des- [1T] John McCabe, Billy Simmons; John perately unlucky to lose,” he recalls. “I Forster, Jeff Gormley [2T], Kenny Cross, talked to Castleford Coach Mal Reilly later Steve Smith, Brian Highcock, Sid Wright and he told me that his job was on the line [Capt 1T] until that length-of-the-field try by Fenton changed the complexion of the game. Subs: Eddie Fuller; John Finney [for Smith Something that is not generally known is 29 mins]

Continued……..

Castleford: Wraith; Claughton, Smith, Johnson [1T], Fenton [1T]; Burton [1T, 4G], Stephens [1T]; Sampson, Hardy, Cookland [1T], Orr, Reilly, Crampton Subs: Morris [for Smith 60 mins]; Tyreman [for Hardy 40 mins]

Want to know more? You can read about Recs’ history in every home programme this An iconic image of Pilkington Recs! Jeff Gormley looks to the year. referee for confirmation after one of his two tries against Castleford in a man-of-the-match performance. He’ll be here today…ask him

A TEAM FIXTURES Date

Comp

Home Or Away Home Home

Opponents

Result

Thatto Heath B Eccleston Lions

8 - 22 L P-P

3rd February-18 10th February-18

Friendly Friendly

3rd March-18 10th March-18 17th March-17 24th March-18 31st March-18

League League League League

7th April-18 14th April-18 21st April-18 28th April-18

League League League League

Away Away Away Home

Rochdale Mayfield A Halton Simms Cross Latchford Albion Widnes Tigers

5th May-18 12th May-18 19th May-18 26th May-18

League League

Home Away

Haresfinch Hindpool Tigers

League

Home

Leigh Miners Rangers A

2nd June-18 9th June-18 16th June-18 23rd June-18 30th June-18

League League League

Away Home Home

Wigan St Patricks A Walney Central Rochdale Mayfield A

League

Away

Widnes Tigers

7th July-18 14th July-18 21st July-18 28th August-18

League

Home

Simms Cross

4th August-18 11th August-18 18th August-18 25th August-18 1st September-18 8th September-18 15th September-18 22nd September-18 29th September-18

Home Wigan St Patricks A Away Walney Central Away Leigh Miners Rangers A Home HIndpool Tigers Easter Weekend

Nines Comp Nines Comp Challenge Cup Weekend League League

Away Home

Haresfinch Latchford Albion

1st TEAM FIXTURES Date

Comp

27th January-18 10th February-18 24th February-18 3rd March-18 10th March-18 17th March-17 24th March-18 31st March-18

C/Cup C/Cup C/Cup League League League

Home Or Away Away Home Home

Opponents

Result

Wallsend Eagles Thornhill Trojans Millom

6 - 42 W 16 - 0 W

Away Leigh Miners Rangers Home Ince Rose Bridge Away Skirlaugh Easter Weekend

7th April-18 14th April-18 21st April-18 28th April-18

League League League League

Away Home Home Away

Featherstone Lions York Acorn Milford Marlins Oulton Raiders

5th May-18 12th May-18 19th May-18 26th March-18

League League

Away Away

Thornhill Trojans Lock Lane

2nd June-18 9th June-18 16th June-18 23rd June-18 30th June-18

League League League

Home Away Home

Bradford Dudley Hill Shaw Cross Sharks Thornhill Trojans

League

Home

Skirlaugh

7th July-18 14th July-18 21st July-18 28th August-18

League League League

Away Home Home

Milford Marlins Lock Lane Oulton Raiders

4th August-18 11th August-18 18th August-18 25th August-18

League League League

1st September-18 8th September-18 15th September-18 22nd September-18 29th September-18

League League League

Away York Acorn Home Shaw Cross Sharks Away Bradford Dudley Hill Challenge Cup Weekend Home Away Home

Featherstone Lions Ince Rose Bridge Leigh Miners Rangers

PILKINGTON RECS

MILLOM

1.

Ryan Hilliard

1.

Ross Brookes

2.

Kyran Knapper

2.

Niall Harris

3.

Jon Frodsham

3.

Tyler Lancaster

4.

Ian Stanley

4.

Scott Fisher

5.

Jake Hodson

5.

Owen Myers

6.

Tom Roughley

6.

Jonathan Hodgson

7.

Danny Lynch

7.

Adam Kelly

8.

Mark Briody

8.

Ethan Kelly

9.

Ryan Liptrot

9.

Tom Newbegin

10.

Mike Garrity

10.

Dane Kelly

11.

Tez Riley

11.

Chris Warren

12.

Luke Riley

12.

Joseph Wright

13.

Jono Peers

13.

Thomas Sibley

14.

Phil Riley

14.

Kyle Evans

15.

Chris Clayton

15.

Connor Mitchell

16.

Tom Chisnall

16.

Noah Robinson

17.

Conor Mulcahy

17.

Charlie Emslie

Coaches John Rees Liam Bostock Ste Edgerton Physio Jonathan Mann

Officials TBC

Coaches Thomas Sibley Lee Edmondson Paul Evans Physio Gary Kelly