KRUFC vs Kirkby Lonsdale

Editor’s Notes

Just a couple of weeks into the new year and we are hosting our second home game of 2023! This one, in case you have not noticed is a bit different, it is the first home, real local derby for a number of years, so let us enjoy the occasion!

Without further words, let me extend a warm welcome to Kirkby Lonsdale, their team, officials and travelling supporters. Kirkby is a team we are familiar with, although recently we seemed to have missed each other and in fact the odds are we will not play each other next season. This season, both teams have learnt to put poor results behind them and although Kirkby have been at the wrong end of scores, this is a derby game and form is often the least factor in the occasion. Many football Prem. teams discovered last weekend that the same upset of form applies in the cup!

It is hard not to mention our disappointment last weekend at the loss to Wirral, following our good result at Burnage, it was generally felt that this fixture presented an opportunity to continue the recent momentum. In fact, this season seems to be one of fits and starts, but this also reflects that this league is hard. Additionally, if you look at the table, there is a core of teams above us all with a similar record to each other ie won roughly the same number as they have lost. This only changes when you get to the top four [Blackburn, Lymm, Rossendale and Sandbach], who are clearly better than the other teams, reflected by the number of wins and resultant points. Blackburn remain the stand out team and should be promoted.

We can now look at our remaining fixtures with that information and realise why our results can be so up and down. On a positive note, we have home games against Northwich, Sandbach and Macclesfield all possible wins and that would put us on par with the

group of teams above us. Despite last weeks game we have had a number of close results and it was good to see the supporters loudly getting behind our team. We will need to do that today we must not be beaten vocally by the Kirkby supporters! So come on supporters and team , let’s get the win we all want!!

One observation that always puzzles me is when things are going against you in a game, the referee always seems to take the same tack and penalises you for everything! I do realise that there are many reasons for this, not the least that the pressure does result in mistakes. Last Saturday this was the case, but additionally in front of us late in the second half the ref missed blatant obstructions and their players on at least two occasions not releasing the ball. Still back to my often said adage, “you can not have a game without a ref.” One final thought, our set scrums were good, driving them back a metre plus, the same again on Saturday please.

Lat week I was praising the new England coaching set up, my thoughts are still very positive. I am less pleased that Wales have pinched Mike Forshaw from Sale. He has been a very successful defence coach and will be clearly missed by Sale and unfortunately be an asset for Wales [sorry showing my biased there.] That neatly moves me on too plug for our six nations competition, which I have, alongside Mark, written about in the extended club news.

I was amazed to hear last weekend that the BBC’s radio “Sports Report” was 75 years old and is the world’s longest running sports radio programme. The presenters over the years are a premier list of the best sports presenters you are ever likely to hear and the reporters from grounds around the country did so well on minimal time and in the past very limited resources.

Specific thanks to all our contributors: Arthur Perrie; Mark Hodgkiss; Richard Sanderson; Dan Stephens; Claire Stephens; Stirling Hulme; Zoe Fox; Claire Park; Paul Want; Stacey Selby; Danny Airey and Martin Douglas. Please send articles to: Richard Sanderson: richard@alistairsanderson.com by Mon 23rd January.

opinions expressed in this programme are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views of Kendal Rugby Union Football Club Ltd.

Editor’s Notes cont.

Similar to those highlighted by Mark in the footnote I included this week. The very familiar theme tune of sports report, has been used since the beginning ,“Out of The Blue” by Hubert Bath, long may it last!

At the point of welcoming the opposition and commenting on the match, I usually comment on the weather. Last week I jokingly said that the clouds would break at 2.00pm and the sun would shine! Well in fact this happened at 1.00pm and the sun lasted until 2.00pm when the clouds closed in. So, no more jokes about the weather, but I have to say Saturday’s weather is predicted to be bad, let us hope the wind does not spoil the game, unfortunately it did affect the away game against Kirkby earlier in the season and if my memory serves me well, when we last played them here? I still know that our strength is in running the ball and moving it out through the backs, so hopefully we can see that happen today!

Like last week the programme features an extended “club news” as there are a lot of important information,

www.kendalrugby.co.uk

particularly re the six nations and club events. In fact, the programme has many articles and viewpoints and some that should inspire you to put “pen to paper” or fingers to keyboard, so please contribute to the next programme, as I not only welcome articles for the programme, I need them to ensure the programme is interesting to read and remains the success it hopefully continues to be. I want to thank all the contributors to the programme. So perhaps over the next couple of weeks you can write an article to share with club members on a wet and windy Saturday afternoon or in the warmth of your home the following day? Enjoy the programme and most importantly today’s game.

Richard Sanderson

Welcome everyone to Mintbridge. Especially today our visitors from Kirkby, I really hope that they, along with everyone else today really enjoys the day, Hopefully people will appreciate that there’s an amount of guess work that goes into putting on a day like this, especially on numbers etc (there’s quite a lot of guesswork goes into everything I do in fairness as well!!) so many thanks to all our friends and club volunteers for helping today, or lending a hand or several. As we all

know local sport needs all the help it can get, so thanks to PSR hire, and Lancaster Brewery for the help outside…….with a bit of luck the outside bar doesn’t overtake Noah, as the weather hasn’t exactly been to clement now has it?? But

Afternoon Dear Reader

President’s Patter

hopefully several people will enjoy the fayre provided on several occasions.

Shall we have a bit of a catch up? Why not eh? Firstly, a big shout out to my hand doctor, as I promised that I would. Also, to “Uncle” Stirl, as I promised his party that I would mention him also (it’s getting worse than local radio isn’t it? Actually, please don’t answer that!). I shall be speaking to him about the final question in this column, as I am sure he will have the answer. Anyway………..Last Saturday we hosted Wirral, and lost. As per with these things, several injuries never help matters, before, during and after, so we’re all hoping for a better day today, as things are starting to get to “m*a*s*h” ward proportions.

The seconds had a trot out on the agp pitch to bottom of the table Broughton Park, and also lost. In fairness the opposition travelled extremely strongly, and will have fielded their strongest outfit all season.

The ladies went to Darlington, and came back victorious..... excellent work ladies! They are off back to Novos this week I believe, but please do check prior to travelling….. completely unlike me to get things wrong I know!

Speaking of having a catch up, after a couple of dinners with my rotund self, our resident fixer of the gate block (thanks again), conditioning guru(sorry I missed the session), and all round decent chap, Chris Park esq has had his op, and seems to be on his way to recovery very nicely. It’s been great to have him about in other capacities other than playing, but knowing him I wouldn’t bet against a comeback…….if I was a gambling man of course (you stop that sniggering!). But I know folk have been wondering how he’s getting on……hopefully very well after another dinner or two! I can’t think of anyone more worthy, bar possibly Liam also (speaking of comebacks) of a good slap up and a few beers. Great servants, blokes and friends.

After that semi emotional outburst, or as near as I will get to it, many thanks again to the lovely folk who

attended after bidding on tables for the game last week, via charities. Everyone seemed to enjoy it (after a lot of booze to drown me out) and will hopefully try again. Here at the club, we do remember that we are part of a bigger community, and I know that the charities are also really appreciative of the support. I was also appreciative of avoiding getting a sore earhole (yes earhole….behave yourself!) from mis advertising the “hospitality” the bidders would receive from me. Anyway, you’re all stars. Handily moving on from that, many thanks also to Nige and Hiney for the donation of the comedy large cheque last week from supporter’s club golf day! My usual reader and I were second on the day (and I’m still fairly certain he’s not recovered yet from the ordeal either) with the rest of our team. The supporter’s club has been doing great work for a large number of years now, and without it we wouldn’t have a number of outlets that we do have, so thanks to everyone involved.

As the regular reader will know, there’s a man who I would love to thank, but if I did I would have to answer some awkward questions. Indeed the colossus of accountancy Ian (Saint) Thompson. As with before Xmas, this old drivel’s sponsor will be eating with me again today. Once again, if we could all avoid telling him that he still sponsors me (I had to tell him when he first found out that it was a “clerical” error) I’d be much obliged. I know I’m safe from him seeing this column as; He avoids anything I’ve written like the plague (what do you mean you don’t blame him! Cheeky!) ………….He only humours me as part of his kind works in the community I wouldn’t like to repeat what he did say he’d do if he was associated with this gumph again, but I’d rather not find out if it is physically possible! So, thank you in advance for sparing me for another week.

I never managed my full blown rant last week (now I’ve got to 28 I’m struggling to manage anything full blown tbh) and I think I will not stick the boot in the RFU again today, as I received some help mid-week from the premier points pilferer – but it will come again at them,

President’s Patter cont.

I am sure.

It does however seem the right time to continue my sentiments from earlier on…….local sport needs all the help it can get. This is our derby fixture. Hopefully there will be a great turn out to watch the game, people will be entertained, and leave with some form of talking point/ memory from the game. So maybe not help, but all the support it can get may be the better way of putting it. Traditional participation sport, at least on the traditional home of the weekend, seems to be on the wane. I think we all remember junior sports teams having several sides more than they have now in operation.

Yes, I know that I can come across a tad blinkered in saying what I just have. The women’s rugby game seems to be a real guiding light across the board in sport, building on its great international success, down the levels to grass roots. I do however feel it’s important that where we can, we should all watch/get involved in local sport. Involvement can be as today, possibly coming to watch, or cheer on a side. Support by buying a beverage, or a pie…….not just here at Kendal, but wherever, such as Kirkby next week, really does support clubs. Non-competitive sporting participation grows, as the competitive shrinks. As we’ve seen in our sport, two fully professional outfits have gone, leaving a void. I really do not want to see a situation in our sport where younger people have nowhere to go to prosper, bloom or call home, as that void probably will never be filled. Philosophical point made, albeit badly.

As some of you will know, Monday is the titular “Blue Monday”. This is meant to be the most depressing day of the year, due to the Christmas overindulge, not keeping resolutions etc. as some of you will also know, I do like, that the stigma of feeling depressed over these things is now out in the open, and also encouraged to be spoken about. I have just read an interesting extract that people instead of feeling depressed, now celebrate the day, treat themselves, and then use the day to “reset” or re concentrate efforts for the time to come later in the year.

As per, as this may not be possible for people, let’s just keep that eye, and ear open for each other, down here, or around and about. And, as ever, if anyone does need to have a chat, or someone to speak to on anything, please just give me a shout. Do not suffer in silence. As they once said “it’s good to talk”. Anyway, just about done (stop that cheering). I know that I’ve already thanked everyone for the help, and the volunteering, but without you we’d be, well we wouldn’t be here. Thank you all also, players, coaches, support staff, spectators, diners and sponsors as well (thanks to Kudos showers for sponsoring the game too – top end bunch) in general. I’m not too sure if you can preside over nothing? I certainly do not fancy trying to find out! All that’s left to say is, I hope you all enjoy your stay with us, and have a safe trip home. Be well and be lucky, Arth

To answer your question in last week’s programme. You are correct, Wirral are one of the teams we have faced most regularly in the league over the last ten years. We first played them in 2013/14, they got promoted so we did not see them for two years until we were. We then played them for three seasons before we went down, so a break to this year – so a fifth season. The two others who match that are Vale of Lune and Wilmslow. The only

The Men’s Second Team The Twos

The seconds played last Saturday against Broughton Park at the same time as the first’s and it should be noted that the all-weather pitch was not pinched by the first team. Unfortunately, they lost a hard fought battle 24v33.

Despite all, it is pleasing to note they retain eighth place in the table and in fact have a game in hand over

team who beats it, is today’s opposition, as this will be the sixth season we have played them since 2013/14. We have played Carlisle more times as well, due to meeting them three times in the Cup plus eight league games. Despite the proximity this will only be the 27th game against Kirkby Lonsdale (and 12 of those are in the last ten years). Until the Leagues we had only lost to them once (1922), but honours were even since then, until we won there, earlier this season.

Mark/Richard

the leaders, Macclesfield. However, they are the out and out leaders and playing a way will be a tough fixture, so let us hope the firsts leave them some players to travel with. Following this game, as noted fixtures come without a break, although one weekend [22nd. Jan.] should give the opportunity for some colts to play.

Good luck lads, Richard

KENTDALE LAND ROVER KENDAL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB MAIN SPONSOR

LAND ROVER, GROWN IN BRITAIN.

Land Rover’s range represents luxury, performance and capability taken to new levels. Models include the Discovery Sport, the adventurous and versatile compact SUV, the Defender, which is capable of great things, the Discovery which is their most versatile vehicle. Meanwhile the Range Rover Evoque is distinctive and individual, a true Range Rover in compact form. The Range Rover Velar is the avant-garde Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport is a high performance all-terrain grand tourer while the Range Rover is the pinnacle of refined capability.

Seven models; seven routes to legendary performance. Which will you choose?

Kentdale Land Rover Shap Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6NZ 01539 814444

hadwinfamilygroup.co.uk

www.kendalrugby.co.uk

Kendal Rugby Club supports Doddie Aid 2023

Looking for a New Year’s resolution, motivation to get fit and a chance to raise money for a great cause?

Here’s a chance to do all 3. Following the sad death of Doddie Weir last month, Rob Wainwright is asking local clubs to promote DoddieAid. Starting in January it encourages people to undertake 6 weeks of exercise, log their activity on an app and raise money for Motor Neurone Disease.

Scotland international, Lion and great friend of Doddie Weir, Rob wrote: “Doddie Aid is a mass participation exercise event, where we are looking to get as many people as possible to sign up (for just £20) to 6 weeks of exercise and recording of their miles for their team. In its 3rd year, we have raised £2million up till now and had 30,000 people take part. There are 6 regions they can choose from, Wales, the Baabaas (everyone else/ROTW), Edinburgh, Glasgow, The South and then the North and Mids of Scotland. With

Our Ladies - The Wasps

After a wonderful festive season, we have kicked off 2023 with a spectacularly muddy win away against Darlington keeping up our undefeated title!

With our eyes set on the league win the team is still growing with newer wasps training hard and making spectacular debuts. We’re not getting complacent though and have been working hard in training working on both individuals’ improvements and skills as a team. We are continuing to build our fitness that has had a key role in our success this season with the forward pack continuing to shape up into a formidably strong and fit squad.

Next up we are looking at an away game with Novocatrians seconds (4th in the table) on the 15th of January, who brought a strong side the last time we faced each other and we expect nothing less this time. This then leads to a top of the table clash at home on the 12th February! It’s set to be a memorable game with

the tragic loss of our figurehead 10 days ago, this year is even more poignant, and we want to make it bigger than ever. If we get 50,000 taking part, that is another £2 million for MND research as we hunt for solutions to this awful disease.”

Getting signed up is really easy. Download the Doddie Aid App

Choose the Barbarians Team (representing England and the rest of the world)

Search and Join the ‘Kendal Rugby Club” league Donate a minimum of £20 and receive a FREE snood!

The activities start on January 1st and any activity counts, rugby, walking, cycling, gym, swimming, exercise classes etc all can be converted to miles and logged.

Let’s see if we can get the Barbarians and Kendal Rugby Club to the top of the DoddieAid league! Go to doddieaid.com

all the teams in the league aiming for that first win against us, especially Blaydon who put up a hell of a fight every time we meet them on the pitch with a strong scrum and as a team very quick at the rucks. Without doubt it will be worth the trip to the club to support.

Zoe Fox

Many thanks do we have to wait until 12th Feb to see you at home-Richard?

THE ART OF PERFORMANCE

Jaguar vehicles include E-PACE, their first compact SUV –a unique combination of looks, agility and dynamic driving, XE the most advanced, e cient and refined sports saloon that Jaguar has ever produced. XF, the luxury business saloon with distinctive design, dynamic drive and state-of-the-art technologies, F-PACE – simply luxury performance SUV o ering practicality and e ciency. F-TYPE, the pulse-quickening, pure Jaguar sports car. I-PACE, Jaguar’s first all-electric performance SUV. Jaguar cars are a manifestation of their passion, which one suits your passion?

Kentdale Jaguar Shap Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6NZ 01539 814444 hadwinfamilygroup.co.uk

www.kendalrugby.co.uk

Kendal Youth Round Up

The Senior Colts

Kendal Colts players Barney Coxon, Oscar Coxon, Idris Hill, Robbie Kincart, Connor Lees, Will Meaden, Aaron Stephens and Patrick Wolstenholme were all selected to represent Cumbria U18’s in the final fixture of the of U18 RFU North Festival of Rugby. The fixture against Durham took place at Lymm RUFC on Sunday 8 January. Cumbria were fast out of the blocks and scored a converted try within the first 5 mins. However, this was to be the one and only score posted by Cumbria in the first half with Durham taking the upper hand and turning round at half time with a 29-7 lead. Cumbria made a number of changes at half time and with the full contingent of Kendal players now all on the field, Cumbria looked a different team and posted 4 unanswered tries to get the score back to 29 - 29 with 10mins left to play. Cumbria collected the restart and were making great progress up the field until a pass was intercepted by Durham on the half way line and gifted them a try. After dominating possession for such lengthy periods in the second half this score against the run of play really took the wind out of Cumbrias sails and they were never able to regain the momentum or any further scores. Final score Cumbria 29 - 43 Durham. A great effort by all of the Kendal contingent. Tomorrow, Sunday 15th January, the Kendal Colts travel to Manchester RUFC in the quarter finals of the Lancashire Cup. With several players now returning from injury we hope to be at full strength and we will be going all out to record yet another upset in this prestigious competition (much against the Lancashire RUFC officials wishes). Good luck lads.

The colts have a transition weekend in their Conference League A on 22 January where they will get the opportunity for some Senior rugby at the club. Our long awaited home fixture against Stockport takes place on Sunday 29th Jan (14:00 KO). The lads are relishing the opportunity to play at their home ground and we would welcome your support on the day!

The Senior Colts against Liverpool St. Helens

Kendal Youth Round Up

Other Youth News

.cont

Last weekend was a busy one for the M&Y, with the U7 –U13 playing against local rivals Vale of Lune which saw another busy morning at Mintbridge.

The U14s were invited to help Tarleton U14s in a fixture against North Ribblesdale and jumped at the opportunity to forge rugby friendships with a new club. The format turned out to be a tri-fixture whereby the Kendal U14s would first play against North Ribblesdale U15s, before then loaning some players to Tarleton who would play North Ribblesdale and then finally Kendal would play against new opponents Tarleton (supported with a few loan players from North Ribblesdale U15s). The first fixture was always going to be a difficult game against older and bigger opponents used to playing at the older age grade rules, but it was useful to see how the Kendal lads responded to the challenge and they grew into the game and became more physical and aggressive as the game progressed in order to combat the challenge they faced, but were ultimately overpowered in a game but I’m sure they learnt a lot from the experience.

The weather then turned for the worse as Kendal waited for their fixture against Tarleton but those players chosen to represent Tarleton against North Ribblesdale, performed very well as the remainder of the players huddled up in the dug-out.

Keen to finish on a high before sprinting off for a warm shower, the Kendal U14s then started strongly against Tarleton where they were finally able to gain some dominance with their forward pack that allowed the No 8 to race away for a couple of early tries. Tarleton showed some real grit in the worsening conditions and were able to pull a try back just before full time in what was a game that everyone enjoyed. We have now been able to add Tarleton to our fixture list and will look forward to visiting their ground later in the season. Unfortunately, the U15s and U16s bad luck with fixtures

continued, as both their games were cancelled, but we have been able to arrange home fixtures for both teams this Sunday; the U16s play Fylde and the U15s play Keswick, so get yourself down to the club and offer your support to them.

The minis teams will be travelling to play Carlisle whilst the U13s and U14s will be training.

The Mini and Youth section are still on the lookout for a sponsor so any local businesses who would like the opportunity to support (and benefit from the substantial reach of our social media channels) one of the most thriving aspects of the club, then please get in touch to discuss options at minirugby@kendalrugby. co.uk.

Or better still, come and find me today for a quick chat (bring your cheque book!!).

The M&Y Committee now have a vacancy for an Equipment Coordinator; to start at the end of this season. If anyone would like to take on this role, please get in touch. You will be helped with your introduction to the role by the outgoing coordinator Troy Melhuish who has done an outstanding job in seeing to all the M&Y equipment needs over the last three to four years.

Danny Airey

Auld Greys - Walking rugby

There were plenty of Auld Greys about for the disappointing Wirral game last weekend, many proudly sporting their Amber and black new training tops. The general conversation around them was, “ But have you had them out in the rain yet?”….Surely a question that hardly needed asking as our Lakeland weather has hardly let up its downpours since well before Christmas. Doubtless there will be many Auld Greys here this afternoon for the “Westmorland Derby”. Both clubs are having disappointing seasons really and Kirkby are firmly rooted at the foot of our league. Well done them for being resilient, after suffering some heavy defeats in their league season. Rugby is a fickle game at our level and both clubs have seen a large turnover of first team players in recent seasons as players travel through work or adventure, seek playing opportunities with more remuneration or drift from the game through family commitments. Good to see those regulars who are around through thick and thin and doubtless Kirkby will see better times soon ( though hopefully not this afternoon).

It probably was ever thus, but to us old timers the stability of knowing to turn up each home Saturday 20 minutes before kick-off, and greet mates you’d played with since schooldays, feels like a distant time. Good to turn up at 1.40 on a Wednesday then. Not today, anymore, for a quick drag on a fag, before picking out damp, mouldy old boots from a bag untouched since

It’s the Law

I have done this one before (maybe more than once) but (hint) something you can have a think about yourself for an article in a future programme ?

If you could make changes to the Laws of the game, what would you do to make it better?

last week, but these days in our bright new training gear to greet friends, ask after family and discuss states of health and ailments. Great isn’t it?

Well, it is actually. Not all of us have family around, many live alone and stuff happens. As Arthur always says in his notes “ It’s good to talk” and the Auld Greys do – we do look out for each other.

Perhaps it’s the Auld Grey’s community spirit that has kept us going through some pretty dismal mid-winter Wednesday afternoons. I don’t think fewer than thirty folk have turned up at many of our sessions and we’ve had several new members join us as the year has progressed.

As a new year starts, we’ve appraised our current status and believe that we are sufficiently established now to need a committee and officers. Yes, the dreaded C Word! The good news is that most of us have at this stage in our lives spent far too long in committee meetings and so I’m sure the whole thing will be “ light touch”.

In other news, our Christmas raffle raised £205. Funds were donated to the Kings Food Bank, Breast Cancer Now and Waste into Wellbeing. Thanks to all for both prizes and buying a ticket.

Good luck to both teams today, let’s hope everyone stays safe and the best team wins.

Martin Douglas.

Anyone who has stood too near me on a touchline over the past few seasons may have spotted something which really annoys me, and I would outlaw. Teams going for scrum drives deep in their own half, clearly just to try to win a penalty, to kick for position. One of those who I muttered to about it came to the same conclusion as me.

It’s the Law .cont

Make the penalty indirect so you cannot kick direct to touch, or get the throw if you do. Someone else came up with an even more intelligent point, that forcing someone into conceding a penalty (and if you are a weaker pack you probably have little option) is itself cheating, and if a team is playing to get a penalty, they should themselves be penalised. Would my view be the same if we had the same dominant scrum as in the past ? I like to think so. It may need a variation for scrums near the line, to stop a team deliberately conceding penalties – but there are other laws which only apply in certain areas of the field. Two from the lineout. Teams should not be given a timeout to have a pow-wow (giving the less fit ones some time for a breather), and the ball should be back in play as soon as possible. You do see the occasional referee penalise a team, but most are far too lenient. Another is the “sledging” of the opposition hooker putting the ball in – again referees need to get tough (we have seen a few do it) and penalise the moaners.

Another (which seems to be more of a problem with referees in the Manchester area) is teams who use blocking runners. I am told it is only an offence if the “blocker” is interfering with play. In my opinion anyone running a line to obstruct a potential tackler is, and needs to be penalised. The daft thing is referees seem far more likely to penalise a team when it is clear they have just messed up a move, and got in each other’s way, than where a player is clearly timing a run to deliberately block an opponent, without having any intention of taking a pass. Another, which I am sure is already there, but in the last two games referees have failed to enforce, is the player who deliberately gets in the way of a player chasing a kick, to give his own player more time to gather the ball, and evade a tackle.

I would also give the team who have just conceded a score, the option at the restart of whether they want to kick-off or receive. Currently a team concedes a score (often after a long period of pressure) then immediately has to give the ball back to the opposition, to either run it

back (and many teams are very good at ball retention) or kick it back for a lineout deep in the half the other team has only just stopped defending in. So, if the conceding team have the choice, they can consider whether they can win their own kick off, or are better to get the scorers to give the ball to them, so they can attack.

Another is the coaching staff who spill out down the touchline. Referees need to get tough and get them back in their box. Also deal with those who complain when their player is penalised for a high tackle, “it’s a man’s game” (if it was the opposition for the same offence they would screaming for a card). The high tackle law may disrupt game, but better than affect players’ future health, and those coaches need to be teaching their players to tackle legally.

Back to one I am sure I will have mentioned previously, is simplifying the rules at the tackle. I think as soon as a player is off their feet (whether tackled or just fell over) they should have to take both hands off the ball and not touch it again until back on their feet. This also encourages players to be fit enough (like Ben Dixon) to get back on their feet quickly. It is always an odd area, as one referee allows a player to lie on the floor waving the ball about until a team mate arrives to take a pass to – whilst another is penalising them before they have even hit the ground.

I am sure you can do better (and there are things I have forgotten) !

Mark Hodgkiss

The rules around the tackled player have changed many times, never finding the ideal solution that is why rugby league uses “play the ball” – Richard

I have now included the footnote to Marks last weeks article about collecting and using archived stats. I had to drop it for space, but it is a fascinating comment on techniques used in the past and the excellent work of those who kept track of games over the years.

It’s the Law .cont

Footnote

Some of the stats’ from the early days don’t always match each other, with the total of tries shown in match reports combined, not matching the end of season figure. However from records in the Archives, these details were being complied with pieces of paper and a pencil. In one season in the early 1950s, the complier had drawn a pencil grid and ticked when a player appeared, but having written the team out in game one, as players came in their names are just added below, so they are not in alphabetical order, and as the season progresses games (and columns of ticks) move further and further across the page from the list of names. Just trying to

6 NATIONS PREDICTIONS COMPETITION

As promised, more details about this very special competition. There are forms on the web-site, and some printed copies which will be available at the club commencing this Saturday.

Entries £5, must be in before Friday 3rd February with cash or a cheque [cheques payable to KRUFC Supporters Club]. Please hand into the club or send to “6 Nations c/o Dave Rochell, 125 Heaning Lane, Windermere, LA23 1JW. Please note entrants must be 18 years or above.

The following thoughts have been written by Mark. “If you haven’t spotted it elsewhere, or have and don’t know what it is all about. It is almost time for the Northern Hemisphere premier sporting competition. Not the Six Nations (deadly dull) but the Six Nations Score prediction competition. It is very easy to do – but equally impossible – Just predict the scores of the various games to be played over the next few months, and the person nearest the actual scores each weekend wins a prize, and there is a bigger prize for the person who gets closest through the full set of games.

copy it was hard, compiling it would have been a lot harder. On other sheets, appearances and scores are just a set of five bar gate grids.

Whilst I had to set up the spreadsheet on the computer (and regularly update the formulas), once done it now checks the number of players is correct, that I only have only include one player in each position, that the total from tries, conversions, penalties and drop goals equals the scores in the game; adds up appearances and scores for each player; checks it matches the other totals; and flags up errors [I still find things I got wrong !)

So, whilst I may be spotting some minor inconsistencies, the accuracy of what the statisticians of the past did, without today’s technology, is amazing !

Mark

You could get all the results wrong, but still find yourself above someone who got them all right, if you were closer to the actual scores in the games (particularly possible in games involving Italy, who always looks as if they should be well beaten, but rarely are). This season both England and Wales have new coaches since the Autumn Internationals, and regardless of how well they are doing against anyone else, Wales and Scotland will normally raise their game against England, especially if it is a year when they are in Cardiff or Edinburgh. The Irish, talk a good game (and sometime play it), the French can be World beaters in the first half, then be well beaten in the second, especially if the red mist descends and they go down to fourteen.

I am sure some do lots of research on the relative strengths of each team. Others (like me) just pick random scores (I do try to get the result the right way around –but may not succeed). I used to just copy the results from two years earlier (it wasn’t successful), someone used to just go for a draw with the same score in each game (still worked better than my formula), Good Luck Mark!

Our Club

LADIES DAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2023

Once again, we are delighted that Stacey Selby will be hosting and organising Ladies Day 2023. The event will take place on Saturday 18th February 2023 for the 1XV game against Northwich.

The theme is Calamity Jane and fancy dress is optional but we hope many of you will join in the fun!

Tickets are priced at £30pp members and £35pp nonmembers and includes welcome drink, themed food, day and evening entertainment and a few surprises.

To make a booking please message our Facebook or Instagram page or send an email to volunteer@ kendalrugby.co.uk.

We look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of FUN! Stacey and the Social Committee

FOODIE FRIDAYS

The new social committee has also helped launch Foodie Fridays which will be continuing the last Friday of every month in this year. Please support these events and to all our volunteers THANK YOU and thanks for making Kendal Rugby Club

League - Regional 1 North West

the place it is, a great community to be a part of!

STOP PRESS - 6 NATIONS TICKETS

England v France 11th March 2023

Due to unforeseen circumstances 4 tickets have become available for the above fixture. These are available for fully paid up members of the Club on a first come, first served basis. Please contact me on 07881 936089 if you are interested.

Stirling Hulme

Claire Park