HORSHAM v LONDON WELSH
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30th November 2024 Kick Off 2.00pm — 2024/25 Season Regional 1 South Central
Photograph Courtesty of Das
Sport Photography
President’s Welcome to London Welsh
We might call today a regular fixture. We have met them in this league and at Level 6. Though our futures may be set to part as they lead the league here and look set for promotion, even at this early stage. We’ve had some very tasty battles in the past and we welcome them back to Coolhurst.
For those of us of a more mature age, we can remember London Welsh as the team where Gerald Davies, John Taylor, John Dawes, JPR, and many more from the Welsh National side played. We can recall them being the stalwarts of the British Lions in those years and of course the very successful Welsh side of that time. Indeed a time when I personally lived in Wales as an Englishman. Not that the relative prowess of the English and Welsh teams was ever mentioned….yeah right!!
We arrive today after a thrilling encounter with Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago. What a game with the lead changing hands constantly and being in front from a late try, and then getting done for in the last seconds. Mind you, the rolling maul Wimbledon produced to get to our line and set up the try was a thing of beauty. But two bonus points earned, not to be sniffed at.
We have enjoyed a run of success for a number of seasons. Weve been able to improve our facilities and can be proud of our surroundings here. One large part of this is our volunteers. Last night we had a social event to thank many of our volunteers. The club cannot run without volunteers. They are the lifeblood of the club. If you feel your skills or your brute strength could be of use at the club, please let myself or Richard Ordidge, our Chairman, know. There’s always stuff to do.
And finally can I put in a plug for our Walking Rugby team. We meet and train on Monday nights at 6:00 pm. Most of us are 60+ with some even a little older. If you’d like to try it out, come along about 5.45 pm when we start our warmup. You’ll be most welcome. And you will enjoy it!
Have a great day!
Alan Fisher President, Horsham RUFC
HORSHAM RUFC Men’s Fixtures 2024/25
Notes from the Head Coach
We welcome league leaders to London Welsh this afternoon in what promises to be a great encounter and an opportunity to put on a show in front of what will probably be a large crowd. With our second team also playing on the adjacent pitch against the 2nd XV league leaders, both games will showcase the best of community rugby in what will be a good afternoon for the club.
Welsh travel to us is fine form sitting proudly at the top of the table, with a perfect record of 9 wins from 9 and in doing so securing try bonus points in all fixtures to date. This will be the toughest test to date and the boys are aware of the challenge. Watch out for a very effective backline well marshalled by ex-championship players who now ply their trade in the red of Welsh alongside a well drilled and large pack.
For our part, we have shown in recent weeks that we are able to mix it with the top teams in the league. The game against CS Stags was a very close-run affair with a scoreline that belied the tightness of the match. The draw against Bracknell and then the close loss away to Wimbledon the last time out - only falling in the last 3 minutes show the clear development of the young side. Like Welsh, our backs in particular have looked a huge threat and in doing so have scored some fantastic tries. We will certainly be looking to do this again this afternoon. With the forwards working immensely hard each week and a very strong team spirit across both the 1st and 2nd team squads, this afternoon really does give us the opportunity to show the character of the side, one that we expect the boys to take in full.
Nick Stocker
With two great games on show and a no doubt well lubricated crowd, we trust you will have a great afternoon.
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HORSHAM RUFC - REGIONAL 1 SOUTH CENTRAL RESULTS & SCORERS 2024/25 SEASON
Horsham 10–16 Maidenhead
Tries: Johnson
Pen: Chennell
Conv: Chennell
Old Alleynians 18-0 Horsham
Horsham 27-41 Tunbridge Wells
Tries: Greatwood, Howard, Warwick
Pen: Chennell 2
Conv: Chennell 2, Warwick
Hammersmith & Fulham 25-27
Horsham
Tries: Sanders 2, Johnson, Viol
Pen: Johnson
Conv: Johnson 2
Horsham 20-7 Brighton
Tries: Thompson
Pen: Chennell 5
Jersey 69-17 Horsham
Tries: Jeavons, Johnson
Pen: Chennell
Conv: Chennell 2
Horsham 3-24 CS Stags 1863
Pen: Chennell
Horsham 26-26 Bracknell
Tries: Whittaker 2, Chennell, Greatwood
Conv: Chennell 3
Wimbledon 31-29 Horsham
Tries: Whittaker 2, Greatwood, Thompson
Pen: Chennell
Conv: Chennell 2, Whittaker
HORSHAM RUFC - REGIONAL 1 SOUTH CENTRAL APPEARANCES 2024/25 SEASON
9 Denhart
9 Greatwood
9 Howard
9 Kilfeather
9 Standing
8 Johnson T
8 Linfield
8 Chennell
8 Whittaker
7 Boczek
7 Sanders
7 Warwick
6 Smith
6 Morris
6 Thompson
5 McLoughlin
5 Powell L
5 Blake
5 Osgood
5 Viol
4 Jeavons
3 Johnson J
3 Maunder
2 Beynon
2 Coy 2 Paku
1 Earle
1 Grogan
1 Drauniniu
1 Tredgett
1 Bell N
REGIONAL 1 SOUTH CENTRAL LEAGUE TABLE
THIS WEEK’S LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday, 30 November 2024
Brighton vs Old Alleynians
CS Stags 1863 vs Camberley
Hammersmith & Fulham vs Tunbridge Wells
Horsham vs London Welsh
Jersey vs Maidenhead
Wimbledon vs Bracknell
LAST WEEK’S LEAGUE RESULTS
Saturday, 16 November 2024 Bracknell
Luke Standing
Freddie Kilfeather
Taylor Morris
Jacob Denhart
Jack Osgood
Joe Johnson
Jordan Smith
George Howard
Aaron Linfield
Oli Chennell
Tom Sanders
Thomas Johnson
Thomas Whittaker
Max Greatwood
Joe Blake
Regional 1 South Central
Referee: Rob Hitch
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Barry Wright
Kim Platfoot
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Tony Smith
Dave Green
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Dennis Emson
Bob & Marcella Gates
Barry Johnson
Alan Fisher
Alan Lord
The Bell Family in memory of Simon
Nick Bell
Jack Thompson
Henry Warwick
Nick Stocker
Adam Halsey
Josh Drauninui Richard
Billy Morton
Mark Sillett
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Barry & Jess Hillicks
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RUGBY
REGIONAL 1 SOUTH CENTRAL
Saturday 16th November 2024
Wimbledon 31-29 Horsham
Report by Richard Ordidge
This was another spirited performance by Horsham, showing they can compete at this level, but yet again faced a narrow defeat against one of the top sides. The bonus points earned ensure they remain ninth in the league.
Wimbledon scored an early converted try from a driving maul which was pegged back by an Oli Chennell penalty.
Both sides then traded tries with Tom Whittaker adding a great score from first phase play on the stroke of half time with Horsham going into the break 12-8 down.
Following the restart Max Greatwood scored a converted try from a great first phase attack off a scrum, only for Horsham to concede two tries and go into the final quarter losing 24-15.
The visitors managed to turn the tide with two stunning tries. Jack Thompson scored from a multiple phase attack in the 22 metre area which was well converted by Chennell out wide, followed by Whittaker adding his second try following several quick phases.
Horsham were leading 29-24 with only 7 minutes remaining but there was still time for Wimbledon executed a powerful rolling maul making 30 metres of ground to secure the win.
Head of Rugby, Nick Stocker, said after the game: “Whilst we are very pleased with the two league points, the squad left frustrated that we lost in the final minute of a tight game. Wimbledon generally had the better of the first half with our defence proving obdurate to keep us within touching distance. However, our try on the stroke of halftime gave the boys an indication as to the way we could go on and win the game and in the second half, we offered more threat, particularly out wide where our clinical finishing was excellent today.
The boys continue to develop well at this level and whilst losing out on three points was disappointing, the confidence of performance will be built upon over the rest of the season.
In terms of notable performances, the front row were again strong throughout putting in a solid 80 minute shift, whilst Jack Osgood in his first start for 7 weeks was physical throughout. Jacob Denhart ran the lineout well and Jack Thompson’s work rate was capped with a good try. In the backs, Oli’s kicking was excellent, and his play selection is developing very well and the back three were threats all afternoon. The centre combination continues to build nicely with two great performances at 12/13 which ultimately saw our man of the match going to Tom Whittaker for the second week in a row capped off with another 2 tries this afternoon.
Next up, following the break we have a very tough encounter with the league leaders, London Welsh at home in what’s sure to be a busy day.”
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Early years
TODAY’S VISITORS
A HISTORY OF LONDON WELSH
London Welsh was formed in 1885 by and for London’s Welsh community and has played senior-level rugby since then.
1960s
London Welsh enjoyed great success in the late 1960s. John Dawes was appointed captain, and effectively also as coach, for the 1965–66 season. He initially significantly increased fitness levels, and then led the club in an open, running, quick-passing, attacking style of rugby, including an overlapping full-back, and relatively skilled forwards. One 1968- 69 performance was described by journalist John Reason as “one of the most brilliant exhibitions of club football it has been my privilege to see,” and by journalist Terry O’Connor as “the finest display by a club team I can remember’, further describing London Welsh ‘switching attacks with speed and handling skill. Seven London Welsh players were selected for the 1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand (a Lions record which remains unbroken to this day).
2006-9
In December 2006, London Welsh revealed their ambition to leave the English league and become the fifth Welsh team in the Celtic League. The club later appeared to go back on this report, claiming they had been misquoted and said this would only be considered if the English Premiership decided to prohibit promotion/relegation, but confirmed their hopes of ground-sharing with Brentford FC either at their current stadium Griffin Park or a new 20,000 seat ground to be built at Lionel Road, near Kew Bridge.
2009–12 Championship era
In June 2009, the club went into administration shortly after turning professional. They were bought from the receivers in July 2009 by Saudex Global, owned by Neil Hollinshead, and allowed to continue in The Championship, albeit with a five-point deduction. According to the BBC in March 2011, court documents show that Hollinshead is “alleged to have submitted forged documents and fake bank account details in order to continue his control of London Welsh and that he repeatedly lied to ensure that ownership of London Welsh was transferred over to him.” The former shareholders of London Welsh RFC rescinded the 2009 agreement, by which they sold the shares of the club to Hollinshead and had regained control by January 2010.
2012–15 Premiership era and relocation to Oxford
In June 2012, it was revealed that Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish had approached senior figures at the club about a possible ground-share at Selhurst Park, as the club’s plans to play their matches at Kassam Stadium in Oxford were deemed unsuitable by the RFU, after securing promotion to the English Premiership. However a legal appeal by the club against the RFU’s actions was upheld on 28 June 2012, after the appeal panel ruled that the criteria were in breach of EU and UK competition laws. Promotion was ultimately secured when it was announced that Newcastle Falcons, the club facing relegation from the Premiership, would not appeal against the ruling. A move to the Kassam Stadium was then confirmed for the 2012-13 season.
In 2013 London Welsh caused controversy by fielding an ineligible player (Tyson Keats) in nine league matches during the season, eventually receiving a 5-point deduction and £10,000 fine.
In April 2013, London Welsh were relegated from the English Premiership in their first season (pending the winners of the RFU Championship meeting the Premiership entry requirements) after a 14–31 defeat at home to Northampton Saints. Newcastle Falcons were eligible for promotion and therefore confirmed Welsh’s relegation.
In June 2014, London Welsh won promotion to the English Premiership again, defeating Bristol 27–8 at home and 21–20 away, 48–28 on aggregate. However, the club endured a difficult season back in the English top flight, and suffered defeat in all of their 22 league fixtures of the regular season, claiming only 1 bonus point throughout the entire campaign. The team therefore finished bottom and was relegated to the RFU Championship for the 2015-16 season. The team was also defeated in every single European Challenge Cup game, as well as every single AngloWelsh cup game. As a result, they became the first top-flight English side for over 10 years to suffer defeat in every single competitive match over a season.
2015–present: return to Richmond and liquidation
The club left Oxford and returned to Old Deer Park at the end of the 201415 season. Following the return the club, led by Head Coach Rowland Phillips, went on to win the British and Irish Cup, beating Yorkshire Carnegie 10–33. Phillips then moved on to take up a coaching role with the Welsh Rugby Union. He was succeeded by forwards coach James Buckland who took the role of Head Coach, assisted by Sonny Parker and Richard Tonkin.
HMRC petitioned the High Court to wind up the club in September 2016 due to unresolved debts. The debts were paid and the petition was dismissed by the High Court. HMRC returned to court with a second winding-up petition in October 2016 and the insolvency court granted a stay of two weeks to arrange refinancing. After failing to pay their debts, the club went into voluntary liquidation on 23 December 2016 under disgraced Chairman Bleddyn Phillips. Phillips claimed to have sold the club to a California-based investment group led by Welshman Trevor Owen Shaw, but no contract or funds ever materialised. It was since reported that former lawyer Phillips did not carry out any due diligence on Phoenix, the California-based investment group and that Owen Shaw was a con man with no backing funds.
London Welsh would not be fulfilling the club’s fixtures in the league. A separate entity, “Rugby 1885 Limited”, was created on 21 December 2016. The club were deducted 20 points from the Championship dropping them from 5th to 12th. Rugby 1885 Limited were granted a temporary licence to complete London Welsh’s two fixtures until a further decision on their future in the Championship. When the temporary licence expired on 17 January 2017, the RFU Board met and extended a deadline to allow the new entity to show it could meet RFU regulations. After a further deadline was not met, on 24 January 2017 it was announced by the RFU that London Welsh had been removed from the Championship and their results expunged. The RFU stated that their place in the league was “untenable”. The remnants of the defunct club were amalgamated into their amateur set up.
London Welsh are currently following an ambitious 5 year plan to return to the National Leagues under the RFU pyramid, with a squad packed with talent and led by Cai Griffiths (Ospreys, London Irish and of course London Welsh), Will Taylor (Ospreys, Wasps) and Steven Shingler (Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Ealing Trailfinders).
Phillip Allen
David Ashby
Giles Atkinson
Nigel Ayre
Donald Balfour
Giles Barber
Dave Batchelor
John Baulch
Chris Bayley
Derrick Belcher
Richard Bell
Nick Bell
Paul Birch
Norman Blower
Richard Bond
Craig Boswell
Graham Boswell
Richard Brock
Matt Brown
Janet Callaghan
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Horsham Rugby Club
Vice Presidents
Simon Chennell
Rob Clegg
John Clery
Deborah Collins
Alan Croucher
Elaine Croucher
Sandra Curtis
Michael Davis
John Dent
Helen Denton
Clive Dolan
Kate Dold
Stephen Driver
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Mark Elliott
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Bob Essex
Peter Everitt
Martin Fairs
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Darren Francis
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Emmy Goode
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Nick Greenwood
Ashley Grimsey
Alan Hallowes
Paul Halsey
Richard Hamley
Guy Hannell
Paul Harding
Carl Harman
Rick Harman
John Hasson
Phil Hawley
Andy Hepworth
Barry Hillicks
Neal Holden
Pete Howard
Barry Johnson
Susan Johnson
Alan Jones
Andy Jones
Karen Jones
Maurice Jones
Derek Jones
Terry Jones
Tony Jones
Howard King
Trish LeFevre
Brian Lewis
Steve Lewis
Tony Lewis
Kate Leyshon
Alan Lord
Tony Lowe
John Macfarlane
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Kevin McKale
Chris Mallows
John Masters
Tom Mathias
Simon Matterface
Tyrone Matthews
Steve McCall
Moira Merry
Billy Morton
Les Nash
Rob Newton
Jane O’Rahilly
Richard Ordidge
Jonny Ordidge
Jacquie Patterson
Gary Pearce
James Penny
Roger & Maggi Pitts
Kim Platfoot
Robert Plinston
Bruce Porter
Jonathan Pratt
Chris Pratt
John Price
Barry Quantrill
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Daniel Senneck
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Tim Smith
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Matthew Stone
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