Penrith Programme by Alistair Sanderson

Editor’s Notes

Today there is an U11 curtain raiser against Penrith, which unfortunately for those reading this may be over, in which case ask someone about the game!

I have just looked back at the last programme and I began with this phrase “another home game, then quite a gap.” Well, quite a gap, in fact it was beginning to feel like the summer break! Obviously there have been matches and a “must win” against Leek a couple of weeks ago. The very good news is that we won that game by twenty three points and hopefully that will give us some confidence for going into this game. More about today’s game in a moment. I should stress there have been other games at home although the weather has had a say, noting the cancelled second team last Saturday. Despite that and a couple of brief showers the women’s game on Sunday against Birkenhead Park went ahead and it was a good win by two tries to one penalty. The game itself good to watch but

frustrating, as we could have had at least three or more tries, but our defence was rock solid!

One of the consequences of a gap in home games is there is much to report on and I believe the programme reflects this, but if I run out of space it is not long to the next game, so nothing will get lost. The other consequence is as noted by Arthur, is remembering all the things you were going to put in the programme!

When out and about and suitably wrapped up for this very cold weather, I have to look at the date to check it is still Autumn? However, if forecasts are correct the weather today should be warmer, but hopefully not too wet, I know, never happy, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful days, clear skies and fab views of the superb area we live in. Reference to today’s weather is a good lead into today’s game, which is another encounter with our neighbours Penrith. For many years on and off we have played Penrith, so it is

our pleasure to give them a special warm Kendal rugby club welcome which we extend to the team, officials and supporters. I know you will enjoy our hospitality, with one reservation, this is a local derby so there will be an extra edge to the game on the pitch, but also from the spectators!

Reference in many places, including a sideways reference in Mark’s article to the current injuries of the first team see Dan’s article. However, these injury problems are not confined to the men’s teams, the women had to cry off a fixture the other week and Warren makes reference to an injury strewn game. Generally, a credit to our strength in depth, so we can never have too many players taking part in this great game of ours.

This leads well into making reference to a recent article in The Guardian, titled “RFU still have to marry grassroots with elite.” The article begins: “The damning report on school’s rugby released by the Rugby

Specific thanks to all our contributors: Arthur Perrie; Mark Hodgkiss; Richard Sanderson; Dan Stephens; Dave Rochell; Danny Airey; Adrian Heffernan; Claire Park; Warren Tilsley.

Football Union this week [2 or 3 weeks ago] leaves little open to interpretation. The verdict is unequivocal, the warning stark: act now or the sport will drift into irrelevance.” It is good that the RFU has recognised the problem that myself, Arthur and many others have banged on about for a long time! The article highlights many problems including the fact the RFU are only putting five million into the issues raised in this report! I observe when I played rugby at school there were two pathways to international level ie under 18’s schoolboys and under 18’s colts, hence catering for youth players from the clubs or schools. It is obvious the game is played by less men and this is also bad news, so if the grass roots are not supported the game will wither! [Pleasingly the rise of the women’s game should be applauded.] The FA is slightly better at distributing money to the base, so the example is there.

I do not want to make too many negative comments, but the RFU has a lot to answer for. I am not sure that brings me to noting disappointing

Autumn internationals performances by the England team. I found myself for the first time ever, not keen on watching them a feeling that I only ever had about the England football team!

Enough gloom, Tuesday night saw me as is often the case at the club training night, it is often an interesting watch. Definitely this week as the “pathways programme was underway. What a pleasure to both witness the enthusiasm of the younger players as they enjoyed the input from senior coaches. Equally the coaches seem to enjoy working with a different set of players, certainly Dan S was enjoying hands on as opposed to the fact that the role as director of rugby can be a little admin orientated. It was also rewarding as someone, who values highly the educational aspect of sport in its widest sense, to see so many youngsters enjoying sport both football and rugby on our all weather pitch!

Whist still on a positive note, here is praying that the ceasefire in the middle east will hold, too many innocent lives on all sides have

been lost! Also, in this gap we have had “Children in Need” and a heart warming effort by Paddy raising approximately ten million!

I sometimes have mentioned cricket at this point in the programme, but I want to stay positive, so enough said!

Whatever the conditions today we want to see fast running rugby and skilfully crafted tries. Pleasingly we have scored many points this season, we have the players who can achieve this, many with a good turn of speed, so come on, as I said in the last programme let the ball do the work. We want that well deserved home win, you can do it and we [the crowd] need to get behind our team and give them that extra support, which should not be difficult in a home derby game!

Enjoy the programme and most importantly today’s game.

Richard ■

President’s Patter

Afternoon dear reader

Welcome to one and all to Mintbridge, especially to our friends and neighbours, Penrith, who are today’s visitors. Hope you’ve all had a safe trip, and have a great time with us today.

Before the usual tripe starts, Happy new season! It feels that way anyway, as it’s been ages since we were last together (sorry if I’ve forgotten any birthdays!! Most forget mine. 31 soon enough dear reader!).

Let’s have a heart-warming brief catch up on what’s been going on shall we? (Tough, we are!).

As the more battle hardened reader will know, my memory is pretty awful, but the men’s 1s won at Birkenhead, lost at Stockport, then won at leek.... there’s been a couple of “weather weeks” ironically the weather on the last one was abysmal, so great foresight for the week off.

The 2s have had a couple of losses, and a couple of weeks off, but better times ahead for the chaps. Great to see the lesser spotted kiwi, and ex player Casey “lacking confidence still” having a

game for the 2s..... until his hamstring went at Stockport. Better times ahead for him too!

The Wasps won at Birkenhead, lost at Southport, still in”discussion” with the rfu on the Blaydon fixture, then beat Birkenhead again at home last weekend. Now an off week or so for them. I know I often mention it in the Wasps programme, but there’s all sorts of sponsorship opportunities still at the club! I sponsor the lovely Emma, and also get to embarrass her on a game by game basis (I did tell her I was getting an I love Emma tee shirt)...... make your life better, sponsor someone or something down here, and make the world a better place!

hearing checked, and voting me back in. Sadly, for you dear reader, another couple of years of this tripe.... then I’m off.... promise! (I heard that cheering...... naughty).

The colts have had a couple of close losses.

I think we’ve now caught up...... and my memory banks have been pushed to their limits.

Let’s try some other news. Firstly, an apology to all. At the AGM the other week, I offered, and was allowed another term. Thank you to everyone for not having their

No rfu whinge this week. As I will no doubt say, in a far more important section, I was down at HQ last weekend. I shall not regale any tales of the trip, basically as I’ll possibly “drop myself in it”....... but I’ll share with you in another programme, if I remember!? (What do you mean you want to know?? I can’t say owt this week. Sorry!)...... oh OK, we went looking for the promised land of “project X”...... will fill you in next time!

Anyway, going back to the whinge. Who could find anything to have a go about? Not like the chief executive has had a massive bonus, now is it? Nice to see that it was over twice the amount that a championship side gets, and 950 times the amount we receive as a club, toward our travel.....

President’s Patter

obviously, I can’t use this as a point of annoyance. Possibly as it may take a few weeks to comprehend it! Least everyone has now forgotten about some of the recent results….every cloud and all that.

Speaking earlier about sponsors, and people who make the world a better place, this sections usual sponsor Ian Thompson is on holiday this week. Either that, or he was lying!? If the latter was the case, any form of pre warning with “he’s behind you!” Would be wonderful! Thanks in advance!

Last weekend I had a trip to our Nation’s capital, to go to Twickenham (I know you know) and to have a catch up with a friend or 2 (yes I do have 2!).

Whilst down there, I was lucky enough to make a couple of new contacts in Steve Duckworth (chairman injured players) and Christian Day from the professional players association.

As we had a general chat about fundraising, I found it fascinating that both sets are placing a major emphasis on especially raising funds for

mental health.

The importance of this, and the impact of mental health, as we all know, is massive..... but we are nearing a bad time of year for some, and a time where annually more and more pressure is heaped on. As most people will know by now, Christmas isn’t one of my favourite times of year, but I have my way of getting through. Please can we all be mindful that people may be struggling, and keep that ear and eye open for each other.

As ever if you need to chat, but don’t feel you have anyone that you can, please, please, come and find me..... I’m always about.

Nearly done (behave yourself). Just thank you to all the players, coaches, sponsors, volunteers..... basically, anyone who puts anything into this magnificent club, and sport.

Safe trip home, no matter where that may be.

Be well, and be lucky.

Arth ■

Thanks Arthur, we both noted, it feels like a new season start!

-Richard

John Chew

Rod Short

Roger Wilson

John Uttley

Derek Healey

John Healey

Derek Annand

Richard Berrie

Mark Bindloss

Steve Capstick

Mike Capstick

Tony Dixon

Michael Fahy

James Gough

Stephen Green

Maggi Green

Mark Hodgkiss

John Hutton

Lee Johnson

Andy Keating

Robin Oram

Sam Rayner

Neil Rollings

Brian Salisbury

Adrian Nutter

Steven Sproat

Andrew Peill

Andy Nelson

Craig Hine

Our

Director of Rugby Dan Stephens

Good afternoon everybody and a very warm welcome back to Mint Bridge after what has been a six week absence since our last home fixture. I know the playing squad and supporters have had an eye on this game ever since the fixtures were released back in August and results to date and the current positions of both teams on the league ladder suggest that we should be in for a cracker of a game.

Prior to the main event, the first mini and youth curtain raiser of the season will

Honorary Secretary

see Kendal U11’s take on Penrith U11’s on the main pitch, kicking off at 12:00. Please do make every effort to support these young stars of the future and create an atmosphere that they will remember.

Injury updates: Luke Atkinson (back) and Dini Noyo (wrist) both had successful surgeries back in October however, both are destined to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Unfortunately, Leo Mercer fractured and dislocated his collar bone in the defeat to Stockport and Ben Dixon limped off with a hamstring. All being well Ben will have made it through training this week to make today’s fixture whereas Leo will look to return to playing in the New Year. Steve Nelson (ankle) and Daf Philp (hamstring) are both still a few weeks away from being fit, likewise

Barney Coxon (calf) remains sidelined and is likely to be so until after Christmas. On a brighter note, George Philipson made a welcome return from injury in the victory over Leek, bagging a brace of tries and looking a real threat with ball in hand. The squad has been boosted recently with the addition of Jack Lane (Lancashire University) and Tommy Calvert (Loughborough University) both of which are likely to feature in the coming weeks. It has been a frustrating season to date in terms of injuries and we can only hope that we get a full playing contingent back and available for selection in the New Year.

Enjoy your day.

Dan S. ■

Thanks re injuries update, well done to those who have stepped up – Richard

Join our off pitch team

We are looking for an Honorary Secretary to join our off pitch team. This is a much needed and important role within the club. If you feel you have the skills or would like to know more about the role please email volunteer@kendalrugby.co.uk Claire

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The Women’s Section

The Wasps Head Coach

Hello and welcome back to Mint Bridge

The Wasps continue to work hard to ensure the best possible outcomes for each other. In recent events this resulted in a home victory against a team that almost forced us to draw the game when we played them away. Birkenhead was always going to be a tough game, last season after a convincing home win we travelled away for the final game of the season and came away with a loss. This season we wanted to ensure that history was not repeated. In the away

game we managed to secure a win by a 2 point margin in the final minutes which set the tone for our home fixture, Birkenhead had matched us like for like in our away fixture but in preparation for the home game we ensured that our defence was locked down and as a result Birkenhead were unable to score a single try, with the only conceded points coming from a well placed penalty kick. The final score ending at 10-3 to the wasps following a great run from Hayley Hodgson

to score the 1st try and then a set piece at the line out working perfectly to provide Susie Winter with our second try of the game.

With the wasps back on form we look forward to our next fixture away were we face Manchester. Some may be expecting another win following last season’s results but this season has proven that the

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The Women’s Section

The Wasps Head Coach

.cont

results from last season can never be counted on, each team we faced last season has shown marked improvements providing all new challenges and motivation for the Wasps to continue in developing their game. Following a difficult start to the season after all of the pre-season friendlies were called off due to the opposition pulling out, the Wasps have proven in recent games that the cobwebs have been dusted off and the team is working hard to ensure they continue to develop into the best team they can be. Sadly, sometimes to develop and grow you have to encounter difficulty and loss, but this can ultimately provide you with the greatest growth and bring a team closer together, our recent challenges have most certainly provided us with clear focus and determination.

Thankfully, despite what the result is on the pitch we have been assured by all of our opposition teams that off the pitch, we are top of the league by a country mile when it comes to hospitality

and food, to that end we have to thank our club for its support and give a special thank you to our amazing chef Chris.. I am sure that those of you who are lucky enough to enjoy the hospitality today will agree that his food really is in a league of its own.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank those who have travelled to our recent away games and also those who have supported at our home games, all support for the team is greatly appreciated by the players and coaching team.

I hope you enjoy today’s game and hope to see some of you at out next home game on the 15th of December when we have our first encounter against former championship 1 team, Liverpool St Helens. Adrian ■

Thanks, I can only repeat the praise for the defence, Excellent! – Richard

Kendal Youth Round Up

Kendal under 11s Squad V Penrith for today’s curtain raiser

Jake Crook

Harry Tweedale

Finbar McVey

Eddie Curtin

Freddie Jackson

Evan Hughes

Stanley Troughton

Jude Jenkinson

Tommy Roberts

Noah Taylor

Sullivan Cooper

Benjamin Kellett

Arthur Sweeney

Ralphie Taylor assisting with the guard of honour ■

Kendal Senior Colts

Hi all.

We hope everyone is well. We haven’t got a great deal to report on as recently the rugby has been so sporadic. Early October we travelled to our near rivals Preston Grasshoppers. A very tight game which we again sadly fell onto the wrong side of the result. Hoppers win 15-7. Kendal played some

great rugby and the try that was scored was a great first phase try. A clean line out ball taken and quick hands through the backs opened Hoppers up.

Our next game, 27th October we played Ospreys in the Cumbria Cup. The Ospreys are a mixture from Keswick players and Cockermouth players. the game played at Cockermouth. in the run up to this game we knew we were struggling for availability of players through injury mainly and holidays with it being half

term. At this point it’s worth mentioning like many other sides within the club, injuries this season are playing a big part. We are lucky to have 29 registered players within the squad. In the lead up to this game we had 13 players unavailable through injury!! The team was selected for the cup game and it was brilliant to be able to call up and use guys from the under 16s squad.

Another very tight game played and again sadly we lost 28-24. Another game that we were left

Kendal Youth

Round Up

questioning how have we not won this!! Far outweighing the negative of losing was the positives that the 16s brought to the group and the game itself. Caleb, Casper, Tyler all did themselves proud and were more than comfortable playing up.

Our last hit out was away at Wigan. Wigan sat at the top of the table so we weren’t underestimating the challenge ahead of us. Again, availability proving an issue with multiple injuries but the 16s were again called up and showed again the club has a bright future with some good young players coming through. Kendal played some great rugby and were camped in the Wigan 22, but just could not find the breakthrough. A turnover ball and Wigan cut loose and went the full length of the pitch to score an unconverted try. 5-0 Wigan. Not rattled again Kendal dug in and started making ground. Sadly, we then lost Ethan to a head injury, closely followed by Cappy with an arm injury and then Tommy with an ankle injury. We went into the

break 10-0 down but all was not lost apart from a few bodies. Dig in and go again was the call. We started brightly but then lost Freddie to a knee injury and then Charlie also. so down to 14 players, uncontested scrums. The boys dug in and carried on playing till the final whistle. Final score 36-5.

Huge thank you to Wigan for their hospitality and care, and a note that the referee was excellent.

In 2 calendar months we have played 3 games. We play next weekend against Rochdale at home which will be our last game of 2024, so only one game in December. Our next game will be mid-January, not great when trying to regroup and rebuild some form.

Please can we have all the support available for the game on the 8th v Rochdale. We are hoping to have some bodies back and are wanting to put right some of the wrongs of the last few games.

If we don`t see you on the 8th, thank you for your

continued support.

[Merry Christmas and see you all in 2025!]

Thank you as always for all the support we receive.

Warren Tilsley ■

The Christmas message is in brackets because we have more programmes, I hope for the next game and 2025 you will a full squad! – Richard

Other Youth News

It’s been several weeks since the last programme which has covered the period of half term, and then with the recent bad weather, there’s only been a few games played during that time period; both against our local rivals Penrith & Kirkby Lonsdale; some of those games will have been reported about on the Mini and Youth’s socials, if you’re not yet signed up; please do so to keep up with the comings and goings of the youth section of the club.

I had the pleasure of refereeing the U14s game against Kirkby Lonsdale, in which Kendal were the victors, but more importantly it was great

Kendal Team

14. Dan Shorrock

12. Mark Carruthers

6. Dane Blenkharn

4. Oscar Coxon 5. Alex Ryder

8. Alistair Thompson

7. Patrick wolstenholme

3. Joe Anderson

2. Matty Houghton

1. Glenn Chesher

10. Aaron Stephens 9. Ollie Rose

13. Ben Dixon (C)

15. Devin Coyle

11. George Philipson

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Lee Chapman

Adam Howe

Ant Davies

Dylan Thompson

Scott Lancaster

Sam Wilson

Archie Rattray

George Graham

Mike Fearon

Thomas Connell

Joe Kirkup

Isaac Murray

James Newman

Rob Coward

Match Official Ball Sponsor

Craig Price

Ashton Hook

Johnny Hodgson

17. Greg Wrathall

Tommy Calvert

Kendal Youth Round Up cont

to be able to see up close that the future of both these clubs looks safe, with quality players on both teams coming through the ranks.

Those who do follow the club’s socials will have seen posters advertising free sessions for newcomers to the mini and youth group across all ages, and it’s been good to see this has had some success with new recruits to most of the younger age groups.

This got me to thinking; what does rugby offer these kids. The obvious way to answer that is the RFU’s slogan TREDS:

Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. All great values to be instilling in our kids and all of which you can see developing in the players running around on a Sunday morning. The attraction this should be for parents; however, is that more and more it’s becoming evident that these values are reflected not just on the field on a Sunday morning but also off the field, and it’s great to see all our volunteer coaches helping to bring out the best of all our kids and instil those values in them.

A favourite quote of mine

when looking at developing kids in sport comes from one of sport’s greatest; Magic Johnson, who said: All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.”

So, I would like to say a massive thank you to all our coaches who give up their time to get the very best out of our kids, and having spent time recently watching the sessions of all age groups, I know they are getting the help they need, they are given lots of hope and encouragement and they are left in no doubt that their coaches believe in

Kendal U7s v Penrith U7s

Kendal Youth

development of our young players, the club has now introduced a Player Pathway Programme with the first session being run on Tuesday just gone. This new initiative has been received very favourably by parents and players alike and promises to help with the delivery of more junior players making that transition into senior rugby, which can only be a good

of the club, but also for the future of these young players transitioning into adulthood.

Danny Airey ■

Thanks for info, very pleasing to see the section flourishing – Richard

Player Pathway Programme

As Danny mentioned above this programme has started

part of Tuesday’s session. It was very pleasing to see the youngsters thoroughly enjoying learning from the senior coaches, there was a very positive buzz, time will show the benefits of this programme.

Richard ■

Kendal U9s

Auld GreysWalking rugby

View from the sidelines

Anybody who knows me, knows that I am waiting for a hip replacement. This is because I have either told them outright or they have asked me why I am walking as if auditioning for the part of Long John Silver. I tend to sit in the same part of the stand each game so if you are sat towards the river and you see someone trying to get in or out of a seat looking as if they are having a crack at doing some modern interpretative dance then it will probably be me.

There are few upsides to having a knackered hip. Even simple pleasures like sneezing now come at a wince inducing price and the involuntary noises I make while trying to put my socks on remind me of the noises mating walruses make in a David Attenborough programme.

People tell me to be more positive but for me the light at the end of the tunnel is often the light of an oncoming train, so I must confess to struggling with my predicament, but I have found a spot of brightness amid the gloom. Because of my hip, I cannot play with the Auld Greys and have been refereeing instead. This has

not been something I have particularly enjoyed but-to labour the light metaphorit has been illuminating. Referees are a special breed and deserve respect for without them what is sport and where would we all be? No, the bright side of my sidelining has been the opportunity to watch the games that the AGs play. I do not pretend that we could give South Africa a game, but the standard of defending, covering, attacking, passing and catching does sometimes leave me genuinely awestruck. All of us are over 55 and some of us are some way over but the skill shown is a pleasure to behold.

In our number there are some very good former players who demonstrate the adage that while form may be temporary class is permanent. However, as well as spinning passes out left and right, they are also adept at advising and instructing those who are newer to the game and still developing their skills. There is encouragement, skill and enthusiasm in spades but there is also a great deal of fun.

Every week there are examples of flexibility and suppleness that surprise the exponents as much as

everyone else. At some stage there will always be a dummy bought so completely that someone must pay to get back in the ground. An attacking line will suddenly carve open a tight defence and leave even the most experienced player wondering where it came from. Without fail there will be examples of slaloming and chicanery so dizzying that defenders are left with twisted blood. And every week all of this unfolds to a soundtrack of laughter. Some of you may have seen the Auld Greys film that Paul Want and John Hodson have produced. It is on the club website and the AGs’ facebook page and is well worth a look. It is like the short films they used to show before the main picture at the cinema. To see the blockbuster why not head down to join us on a Wednesday at 2pm. No fancy kit is needed, just you, some outdoor shoes and whatever skill you can muster. There is no contact, no scrums, no kicking and no physical contact. We’re sure you’ll not regret it.

Hopalong Halsall ■

Thanks, I hope the pain soon goes, but refs are neededRichard

Sacrifices

A six week break to come up with new things to write about, and instead it is back to a topic previously done. What will it be like when we have three home programmes in a row, to come up with ideas for in the New Year? The idea came from the difficulties the Wasps had in getting a team on the field for a number of recent away games, but applies equally to the First and Second XV. There is often muttering on the touchline when players are “unavailable” for selection due to other commitments, with former players saying it wasn’t like it in their day, when you didn’t miss a game or take a holiday in the season. At our level the game hasn’t changed and most players are still playing for the enjoyment, rather than any financial reward.

Most of us on the touchline turn up no more than an hour before kick-off and can leave as soon after the final whistle as we want, when in most cases there is no home game for a least a fortnight, so plenty of time to get on with the rest of our lives. For the players

there is training in midweek, then arriving at the ground early on the day to be prepared for the warm up, and for away game an even earlier start and much later return home, repeated on most weeks for over half the year. Then after putting their body on the line, getting up on a Sunday morning which may be their only other day off work, as unlike many on the touchlines now free of those commitments, all those involved will be of working age. It is possibly even worse for the Wasps, who don’t even get that extra day for recovery. Whilst hopefully all those involved enjoy what they are doing, (if not why are they here?), there is another group making sacrifices. Their family who they are missing from on a Saturday or Sunday. So, all those family or friends events for birthdays and anniversaries, the ferrying of children to the myriad of sports and events (or so it seems for those who work with me who have young children), that they cannot be there for. The other problem now is work is not necessarily 9-5 Monday

to Friday, which I think this was one of the issues for some of the Wasps, who found themselves potentially needed on four weekends in a row, when normally it just a few times a month.

During my research of teams of the past, players certainly did occasionally miss games due to being “unavailable”; playing other sports; and being “away on business” (never sure what that meant). It was certainly very rare at times for the same fifteen to turn out two weeks running. The deterrent in the past may have been with more playing sport (or less alternative attractions on a Saturday afternoon) there was more competition for places, and in a nonLeague environment, more opportunity for selectors to not necessarily pick their best team, if someone missed a previous game. Today with less playing resources, and a need to field the best fifteen available to try to ensure those precious League points needed for promotion or to stave

Sacrifices cont

off relegation, it is harder to overlook players who sat out weekend. There is of course still the danger of the understudy who does rather well, making a case for keeping their place. There are certainly several in the First XV who I’m not sure would have been seen as automatic choices at the start of the season, but when others have been missing, have now established themselves.

We also need to look after today’s players, as they are the future of the club. I often wonder, apart from those involved in coaching, how many recent

200 Club

November Winner

It’s Christmas come early

former players are here on a Saturday afternoon? Today’s team are (many) tomorrow’s, President; Board; gatemen; car park attendants; and all those invisible (but vital) jobs that go on behind the scenes, to keep the club functioning.

So rather than complain when a player is unavailable, maybe we should be more appreciative of the sacrifices they make for our enjoyment, the rest of the time.

The odd thing is the frequency, that having pontificated about the

lack of commitment of an unavailable player, when at the end of the game someone says “see you in a fortnight” the reply is “we’ll be away” or “may be looking after the grandchildren”.

Mark Hodgkiss ■

It is a team game in every sense of that phrase!

-Richard

Well, it is for Elizabeth Baker whose number was drawn at last Wednesday’s Auld Greys’ session, by Gail Race.

As a result, Gail has now decided to join the 200 Club. (Result!)

Well done Elizabeth and enjoy the Christmas spending.

Dave Rochell ■

great news, thanks- Richard

Make a day of it with a meal before the game

To book pre match meals please email Jack on events@kendalrugby. co.uk ■

Fantastic community firework

Kendal Rugby Club fantastic community firework display. This community fireworks events was very successful, we had 10 local vendors and the event was supported by 54 club volunteers and just under seven thousand people came along!

Well done Claire for this great event, clearly a fantastic team effort , which clearly showcased our facilities and an event we should be very proud of.

Richard ■

Our Programme

Just a reminder that on the team page you will see YP against some players, this is to recognise they have come through our youth section. Home grown considerable talent!

Hopefully by the time you read this programme some of you will have enjoyed watching the under 11’s curtain raiser, another way of encouraging young players.

At this time of injuries, this talent is very much needed and the pathways programme, written about briefly above and in the Youth section will or should insure that our teams will benefit from challenging the talents of all our younger players.

Our regular contributors continue to do us proud and I have included lots of photos, although some of these may be chopped as we have to fit the programme into a certain even number of pages.

However, I will stress that I can never have too much written information so YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS are more than welcome! Please send me articles e.g. memories of past games/ events, history of the game, grounds played on, clubs long gone, views on the game etc..

It is pleasing to see we have now established a regular women’s programme.

Finally sponsors for any and all aspects of Kendal Rugby are welcome and needed, particularly programme sponsors, space in the programme can always be made for adverts of all sizes. Match day sponsors are very welcome

Richard ■