Welcome to S&ERFC
Welcome to S&ERFC’s match-day programme, now produced in digital format.
The warmest of welcomes from S&ERFC to all those participating in or attending this match in the Regional 2 South East league.
The 2024-25 season brings a range of fixtures, several with old friends and rivals, others with new clubs whom we have not met at 1st XV level before. But wherever they hail from, and whoever they are, our opponents and all visitors will always be warmly greeted at Rugby Lane.
Last season proved challenging, particularly for the men’s 1st XV. Ultimately, they finished in a comfortable eighth place, with the women’s 1st XV going one better, and finishing seventh in Championship South 1. At our level, league rugby is highly competitive, and is bound to become more so as the season progresses.
The Minis and Juniors section, both male and female, continue to thrive. The legacy of Jamie Paxton, whose vision and foresight led to the founding of this section, is there to be marvelled at every Sunday, and the vibrancy and enthusiasm these young players (and their parents!) generate gives the Club a real ‘buzz’.
We are also delighted to welcome back our friends from the visually impaired sector, whose skill, dedication, and evident enjoyment prove (if proof were needed) that rugby really is a game for all.
No club of our size and status could survive in the modern age without the support of sponsors. Some of our sponsors are represented by advertisements in this programme. Foremost amongst them is our headline sponsor: MB Associates, the company whose Managing Director is the redoubtable Monica Bradley. The Club is very grateful to all its sponsors for their continuing support – and I take the opportunity to remind all members that sponsorship is a two-way street: the more business Club members give to our sponsors (often on advantageous terms), the more that entrenches the relationship between the sponsors and the Club – to the advantage of both.
So, welcome once again. Let season 2024-25 be a season to remember at S&ERFC – for all the right reasons!
John Hardy President
Headline sponsor’s message
We are again delighted to be supporting S&ERFC in our eighth year as the headline sponsor.
Our ongoing partnership with the club is a constant source of pride, both for myself and my team. To be a part of something that is such a cornerstone of the local community and is so inclusive, on so many different levels, is indeed a real privilege.
As a business based in Cheam Village which has traded in Surrey for nearly twentyfive years, we share many of S&ERFC’s values. Therefore, it’s a great pleasure to be involved again this year, both from a sponsorship perspective but also with members of our staff yet again playing for some of the senior teams.
Wishing everyone at the club all the best for the 2024-25 season, and of course enjoying some outstanding rugby in the coming months!
Monica Bradley Managing Director
MB Associates
Our approach to branding and marketing communications is quite straightforward. We help our clients gain the competitive edge by applying logic and strong creative ideas to get the right messages, to the right people, at the right times.
Brand Design & Communication
The Art of Rugby playing cards
Themed playing cards celebrating the Art of Rugby and its glorious past, when the game was played purely for joy. Memorable images from a golden age – every card features a different and unique image of the sport, from vintage posters to programme covers. Packs can be purchased from:
etsy.com/uk/shop/HotAndBothered
Sutton through the Ages
The Sutton & Epsom club – just Sutton until the reorganisation of London in 1971, is one of the oldest clubs in England. The original club was formed in 1871, the year of the RFU’s foundation, and although Sutton’s forefathers disbanded a few years later, many of those pioneers joined forces with rugby enthusiasts in the Sutton Bicycle Club to bring rugby back to Sutton. And that is the club we know today. It was the autumn of 1880 and the club first took the field under the banner of Sutton Bicycle Club (Football Section) – hence the iconic and much-loved symbol of the pennyfarthing.
And Sutton Football Club, as it soon became known, were quick to stamp their name on the football map, not only in the local area, but throughout the metropolis. Under the initial leadership of Yorkshireman Herbert Hooper, and later boosted by the arrival of international forwards Alfred Allport and George Fraser (the former Sutton born and bred) and a glittering array of backs, Sutton became a major force, capable of meeting and beating the likes of Saracens, Wasps and London Welsh, and even crossing the English Channel to beat the French Champions Stade Français in Paris. Thousands would flock to Grove Road, where a Sutton defeat was something of a rarity. Especially prized was the Surrey Challenge Cup, in which Sutton enjoyed a four-year stretch without defeat and once conceded not a single point in their triumphant cup run. One triumph coincided with the Victorian Era Exhibition at Earls Court in 1901, and there on a plinth in the Great Hall was the Surrey Cup itself, with Sutton’s name engraved upon it, alongside the Calcutta Cup recently won by England.
The Great War brought an end to Sutton’s dominance on the field – but not the growth of the club itself. The present Cuddington Court clubhouse was purchased in 1937 and the club resolutely stayed afloat during the war years, taking on the All Black and Wallaby inspired Royal Australian and New Zealand Services XV stationed in England. The president of the RFU opened the War Memorial stand in 1961 and within 30 years additional pitches had been purchased at Priest Hill, just half a mile away, reflecting the growth in playing numbers.
By 1987 leagues were upon us and it was a proud boast that Sutton, who had been placed in level five London One, retained their place in the top regional division for fully 18 years. There was also another period of dominance in the revived Surrey Cup, with seven cup triumphs in eleven appearances in the final. By 2019 Sutton had advanced to the National League Division Two. However, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and the club are now plying their trade in Regional 2 South East this season.
Such is the vibrant state of Sutton rugby today that it can now claim the distinction of being one of the biggest clubs in the country, with over 2,000 playing and social members. It can put up to 25 sides in the field every weekend, with minis from U5 to U11, youth sides for boys and girls from U12 to U18, a flourishing Womens XV, competing in the Women’s Championship South 1, and five men’s sides, including the flagship 1st XV, whose achievements over the past few seasons have been among the finest in a history spanning 140 years.
We are reminded of those words of another Sutton scribe, who wrote: “We have in our hands a precious legacy… it isn’t ours to keep, but it is something to make the most of when it is our turn and cherish, sustain and strengthen for future generations.”
Building Technology to Deliver Expertise
It is always happy hour for members of Sutton & Epsom RFC at their local wine bar. Please present your membership card for 10% off your bill.
Regional 2 South East Table 2024-25
This Afternoon’s Games:
Sutton & Epsom v Thurrock; Gravesend v Dartfordians; Medway v Reeds Weybridge; Old Colfeians v Old Tiffinians; Old Reigatian v Battersea Ironsides; Sidcup v Beckenham.
Next Round (30th November):
Gravesend v Sutton & Epsom; Battersea Ironsides v Sidcup; Beckenham v Medway; Dartfordians v Old Colfeians; Old Tiffinians v Old Reigatian; Reeds Weybridge v Thurrock.
1st XV Fixtures Regional 2 South East 2024-25
Sep 7 H Old Colfeians W 50-7
Sep 14 A Beckenham L 14-29
Sep 21 H Old Reigatian L 43-48
Sep 28 A Battersea Ironsides D 19-19
Oct 12 H Sidcup W 12-7
Oct 19 A Old Tiffinians L 19-41
Oct 26 H Medway W 22-18
Nov 9 A
Nov 16 H
Nov 30 A Gravesend
Dec 7 H
Dec 14 H Beckenham
Dec 21 A Old Reigatian
Jan 4 H Battersea Ironsides
Jan 11 A Sidcup
Jan 18 H Old Tiffinians
Feb 1 A Medway
Feb 15 H Dartfordians
Mar 1 A Thurrock
Mar 8 H Gravesend
Mar 22 A Reeds Weybridge
Apr 5 A Old Colfeians
Focus on Thurrock
Considering that we have not played Thurrock in the league for over 20 years, let alone last season, it would be most remiss not to refresh our memories concerning the history of today’s opposition. In 1928 LT (Jack) Edwards formed Grays RFC. Their first fixture game was against Gravesend, who are also in this league, and it started with an 11-6 win for the hosts. It was rather rudimentary for the players who had to change in a barn behind the Whitmore Arms in Orsett. As the club grew the name was changed to Thurrock RFC to reflect the clubs geographical sphere of influence. The club moved to Stanford Recreation Ground with ‘HQ’ at the United Services Club. Further expansion followed and in 1966 Chairman S David and Secretary J Egan opened the clubhouse in Long Lane.
The club enjoyed considerable success in the 1970s winning their first of many Essex cups in 1972. They were cup specialists with a hat trick of Essex and Eastern Counties Cup doubles from 1974-6. Perhaps their greatest triumph came in 1991, having already defeated Sidcup and Combe Down on the road, they defeated the might of London Irish 16-10 at home in the Pilkington Cup 3rd Round. The Irish had five internationals and were at Level 1 compared to Thurrock’s Level 5 status. As the Sunday Telegraph reported: ‘Several tinctures had passed the lips of a committeeman in a green tie before he ventured, with a twinkle in his eye: “Thank God we’re only playing Orrell next week!”’ They succumbed in the last 16 to Rosslyn Park but had arguably recorded the greatest giant-killing feat in English club rugby.
Sutton first played Thurrock in a friendly in Grays in 1982 and returned the hospitality the following season. However, we were soon to enter the league era that would seriously disrupt fixtures lists. Our first league encounter was in London One in the 1990-91 campaign after our visitors had been promoted as Champions of London Two North. The following season it was onwards and upwards again for the men from Essex. They secured the London One 1991-92 title edging out Eton Manor who had only just arrived London 2 North as champions. Sadly, Thurrock were to endure consecutive relegations. The first from National 4 South was via an RFU restructuring which was followed by a departure from London One with S&E inflicting a last day of the season defeat that saw them exit with Dorking and Old Alleynians.
Happily, they soon returned in 1996-7 and this time they were the beneficiaries of the RFU as they finished bottom of London One in a season without relegation. Their status lasted until a 2000-01 relegation, in the first ‘home and away’ season at this level, which brings us to the present day for the next encounter with Sutton & Epsom. This season our visitors are not the first side to feel rather harshly treated by a regional transfer as they continue their search for a first league win of the campaign.
The Rapid Round Up
Beckenham have replaced Medway as top dogs. This is a status they had this time last year and maintained that position until losing to Reeds Weybridge in Round 14 before suffering a serious decline in the second half of the season.
Round 7: 26th October 2024
Dartfordians 38 Old Tiffinians 36
In the tie of the round Dartfordians edged out OTs who had the consolation of two bonus points. The man of the hour was Jarlath Hetherington who scored the hosts first two tries and was 5 from 5 with his conversions for a personal tally of 20 points.
Gravesend 10 Battersea Ironsides 34
The Ironsides wrapped up the game in the first half capitalising on the host’s many errors to score 27 points. The second half was a tight affair but the damage had already been done.
Old Colfeians 20 Beckenham 29
The visitors led 17-6 at the break at Horn Park and secured another win on the road to add to their successes at Gravesend and Old Tiffinians. Their win put them on top of the league.
Old Reigatian 14 Reeds Weybridge 34
With only a solitary blemish on the opening Saturday to Beckenham on their record Reeds Weybridge have moved into second place. Goals from Josh Clark and Matt Stevenson plus a brace of long-range penalties saw Reeds lead 20-0 at the break. Pete Cole added another try before ORs got on the scoreboard via Will Parker and skipper Reilly Franklin-Talbot. The bonus point try from Marcus Clark concluded the scoring and allayed any fears of a Reigatian comeback.
Sidcup 46 Thurrock 15
After a couple of losses Sidcup returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over a Thurrock team still in search of their first victory of the campaign. The Essex men rallied with tries from Kodie Holloway, Harry Reynolds and Caolan Watts-Adams but missed out on a bonus point.
Round 8: 9th November 2024
Battersea Ironsides 29 Old Colfeians 10
The Ironsides remain well placed in the chasing pack with only four points covering the top four. All indicators point towards another highly competitive Regional 2 South East season.
Beckenham 40 Old Reigatian 15
The hosts reinforced their status as league leaders with an emphatic win maintaining their 100% record at Balmoral Avenue.
Old Tiffinians 38 Gravesend 37
For the second round on the spin Old Tiffinians provided the most excitement. This time they were on the right end of the result just shading the 75-point thriller. Gravesend started well with tries from Will Stener and Zac Filmer but OTs clawed their way back into the contest to trail 12-17 at the break. Despite the visitors leading 34-19 at one stage it was the hosts who won the game with a late conversion to send Summer Avenue into raptures of delight.
Reeds Weybridge 34 Sidcup 22
Reeds extended their winning streak to seven with an impressive success over the erstwhile league leaders. Sidcup captain Louis Keeley’s try opened the scoring and two additional penalties gave the visitors a useful 11-0 lead. However, Alex Corner’s converted try meant that Reeds only trailed 7-11 at the break and they would have the slope for the second period. RW won the second half 27-11 with a brace from Matt Stevenson and Marcus Clark also crossing the whitewash.
Thurrock 19 Medway 34
Still no joy at Oakfield as Medway swiftly put their Rugby Lane loss behind them with a bonus point win. Despite tries from Max Bullock and Conor Chalmers Thurrock struck back with two goals from Kodie Holloway and Jay Jennings with the boot of Harry Reynolds giving the hosts a 14-10 lead at the break. Unfortunately the visitors scored a further four tries to crush Tees’ hopes of breaking their duck.
Regional 2 South East
Sutton & Epsom RFC v Thurrock RFC
Saturday 16th November 2024 – KO 2.00pm
Your referee for today is: Andy Morris (LSRFUR)
Sutton & Epsom Thurrock
15. Gareth O’Brien Fullback 15. Harry Reynolds
14. Angus Findlay Wing 14. Daulton Carter
13. Adam Bibby Outside Centre 13. John Frear
12. Freddy Bunting (c) Inside Centre 12. Angus Poole
11. Jordan Huie Wing 11. Elliot Chew
10. Tom Lennard Fly Half 10. Charlie Chitty
9. Steve Munford Scrum Half 9. Scott Chitty
1. Dan Johnson Prop 1. Jack Cowman
2. Dan Jones Hooker 2. Lewis Squelch 3. Callum Gibson Prop 3. Anthony Catchpole
4. Josh Glanville Second Row 4. Dritam Loka
5. Ewan McTaggart Second Row 5. Caolan Watts-Adams
6. Ben Tame Flanker 6. Kodie Holloway
7. Jac Davies Flanker 7. William Lewis
8. Rob Hegarty No. 8 8. Jay Jennings Replacements Replacements
Callum Hilton
Ahmed Aminu 17. Josh Rea
George Miles
18. Laurence Wise 18. Euan Thomas
Manager John Croysdill Mike Dunk
DoR Andrew Spooner Martin Jones
Coaches P Hodgson; A Dombrandt; C Leigh; M Blakeburn D Stevens; D Catchpole
Physio Cherry O’Sullivan Alex Evans
Touch Dan Harris
Home-grown player
TBC
Player sponsorship
MEN
Rob Hegarty sponsored by Davis-Skeggs Wealth Management
Ewan McTaggart sponsored by Walbrook Law LLP
Freddie Bunting sponsored by IT4Automation
Thomas Boaden sponsored by Ayming UK Ltd
Pete Gordon sponsored by The Hegarty Family
Angus Findlay sponsored by The Hegarty Family
Dan O’Brien sponsored by Free Partners LLP
Pio Louis sponsored by Better Spirits Ltd
Ciaran Mohr sponsored by Cutting Edge (Sets) Ltd
Alex Mount sponsored by Daksta Ltd
Callum Hilton sponsored by Ideal Medical Solutions
Josh Pulvirenti sponsored by Parsons Building Services
WOMEN
Joanne Evans sponsored by Evans Swim School
Beth Evans sponsored by Evans Swim School
Abby Brassey sponsored by U14 & U16 Girls
Zoe McTear sponsored by InTouch Capital Markets Ltd
Isabelle Keith sponsored by MSP Organisation
Esme Newton sponsored by GMJ Coaching Ltd
Player sponsorship @ £300.00 covers cost of player’s membership, sponsor included in match programmes, club website and social media teamsheet and MOTM posts.
Player sponsorship @ £500.00 as above but also includes one social membership for the season and an invitation for 4 to a pre-match league lunch.
Enquiries: bob@haime-butler.com
League playing records 2024-25 season
Games selected as a replacement are shown in brackets and included in the total
* = Penalty Tries: 1 v Beckenham (A) 14th September 2024
Results Grid
BEEN KICKED INTO TOUCH?
– 1 to 1 Performance Coaching & Mentoring
– Development of Internal Coaching Systems & Cultures
– Organisational Team Coaching
– Leading through Coaching Proud to be developing Sutton & Epsom’s coaching workforce
Club structure
PRESIDENT
John Hardy
LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS
J J R Austin 1982
W S Bellenger 2002
B G Chapple 1971
R J Cheall 2012
J Croysdill 2022
P J Dommersen 1985
Jackie Dowden 2009
J C Evans 2003
A J Fernihough 2011
I M Frazer 2000
R J Haime 2017
J Hardy 2010
N Harries 2005
D R S Harris 1976
P Hatch 2002
D Hegarty 2015
G Howford 2022
J Hume 2001
M J Hunter 2000
P Jenkins 2007
D Kieran 2006
I M Lovatt 2001
Jo Martin 2009
CLUB OFFICERS
Chair
R Reino
Honorary Secretary
R Davies
Assistant Secretary
G Jones
Honorary Treasurer
TBC
Main club contacts
PRESIDENT
John Hardy
John.Hardy@3rblaw.com
CHAIR
Ryan Reino
I McGraw 2022
K Mohr 2022
Janet Moore 1990
D E Moore 2002
P J O’Hagan 2000
P O’Sullivan 2005
J Parsons 2013
P Phillips 2016
R R Poole 1998
L H Quested 2003
R Reino 2016
Ann Saunders 2001
J R M Saunders 2004
S M Shaylor 2007
R J Sinclair 2000
J A Tedder 2003
Ann Towers 2001
J N Vale 2000
A J Woods 1996
Rachel Wright 2009
D M Yadoo 1979
G Yadoo 1976
Chair Sponsorship & Marketing
R Haime
Chair House & Grounds
D Luxon
Director of Rugby
A Spooner
HONORARY TRUSTEES
J J R Austin; J Parsons; G Hill
ryan.reino@blueyonder.co.uk 07734 452427
HONORARY SECRETARY
Rob Davies
robert.davies@walbrooklaw.com 07900 167376
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Garry Jones
garry.jones@mac.com
HONORARY TREASURER
TBC
serfctreasurer@outlook.com
CHAIR SPONSORSHIP & MARKETING
Bob Haime
bob@haime-butler.com 07702 419195
CHAIR HOUSE & GROUNDS
David Luxon
david.luxon@hotmail.com
CHAIR EVENTS
TBC
TBC
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Mark Asten suttonrugby.membership@gmail.com
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Bob Haime
bob@haime-butler.com 07702 419195
PRESS LIAISON OFFICER
Paul Beken pbeken@virginmedia.com 020 8643 2456
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY
Andrew Spooner dor-serfc@outlook.com 07458 680767
HEAD COACH
Paul Hodgson
hodgey_no9@hotmail.com
1ST XV MANAGER
John Croysdill
johncroysdilljc@gmail.com 07852 487798
CLUB CAPTAIN
Rob Hegarty
rhegarty99@gmail.com
SENIOR FIXTURES SECRETARY
Iain Frazer
Iain.frazer@virginmedia.com 020 8643 4835
CHAIR WOMENS’ SECTION
TBC sandeladiesrfc@gmail.com
WOMENS’ FIXTURES SECRETARY
Hannah Smith
sandeladiesrfc@gmail.com 07900 663961
CHAIR MINI & JUNIOR RUGBY
John Potts
Johnpotts06@hotmail.co.uk 07769 941862
CHAIR JUNIOR GIRLS
Michael Snaith snaith@unseennetworks.com
MINIS FIXTURES SECRETARY
James Teuten-Shaw fixturesec@serfcmini.co.uk
CLUB COACHING CO-ORDINATOR
Nick Harris
nickaharris@gmail.com 07939 253649
SAFEGUARDING
Ian McGraw
ianmcgraw@btinternet.com 07961 808545
Kellie Rutledge
kellie_rutledge@yahoo.co.uk 07808 719150
REFEREE CO-ORDINATOR
Cameron Murtagh cameron.murtagh@icloud.com
L SRFUR LIAISON OFFICER
Dave Carty
davidcarty08@icloud.com 07775 883939
I NTERNATIONAL TICKET SECRETARY
Iain Frazer
Iain.frazer@virginmedia.com 020 8643 4835
WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR
Bob Haime
bob@haime-butler.com 07702 419195
CLUBHOUSE MANAGER
Frankie Murray
suttonrugbyclubhouse@gmail.com 020 8642 0280
HONORARY CHAPLAIN
Rev Derek Brice derekbrice@blueyonder.co.uk 020 8642 0241
MAGPIES GOLF SOCIETY CAPTAIN
Steve Sparrow steve@countydistribution.co.uk 07973 370456
SOUTH WEST LONDON AND SURREY’S PREMIER SCAFFOLDING COMPANY are proud to support Sutton & Epsom RFC
L & R Scaffolding pride themselves on being one of the leading scaffolding companies in South West London & Surrey. With professional tradesmen and great health and safety, we aim to deliver your scaffolding project on time at an affordable price – and always to the highest standards.
Whatever your domestic or commercial scaffolding needs, contact us today to arrange a free no obligation quotation.
CALLING ALL S&ERFC MEMBERS DO
YOU PLAY GOLF?
The Magpies are Sutton & Epsom RFC’s very own Golfing Society and all club members automatically qualify as members. You don’t need any particular high level of golfing skill although a sense of humour and ability to ‘lunch’ well will help!
Come and join players, past and present, and enjoy your fantastically entertaining Golf Society – a warm welcome is assured. We have four meetings a year including the legendary Christmas meeting and Captain’s Away Day. For further information contact:
Steve Sparrow (Captain) 07973 370456 steve@countydistribution.co.uk
Phil O’Sullivan (Treasurer) 07753 931625 phil.osullivan@newmarketholidays.co.uk
Club Hire
The clubhouse and grounds are available for hire at very reasonable rates. We can host a range of social functions, including parties, dinners, weddings and wakes, as well as indoor and outdoor facilities for clubs and societies of all descriptions.
Generous discounts and special terms are offered for club members. To enquire or make a booking contact:
Sponsorship
We are always looking for new business partners with whom we can build relationships for long-term mutual benefit.
In return, we can offer our sponsors a range of benefits, including opportunities to promote their business and their products, to generate direct sales via club membership and to entertain their clients, both at the club and at Twickenham.
We have a range of packages available to suit all budgets and objectives. For an initial discussion, without obligation, please contact:
Frankie Murray Clubhouse Manager suttonrugbyclubhouse@gmail.com
Bob Haime Chairman Sponsorship
&
Marketing
07702 419195
bob@haime-butler.com
All aspects of garden and tree work undertaken by fully insured, qualified and experienced professionals including:
• Tree felling and pruning
• Stump grinding
• Driveway and patio installation
• Paving and brickwork
• Fencing and decking
• Pond installation and maintenance
• Turfing and landscaping
• Water features
• Garden maintenance