Reminder that pre-season starts on Thursday with a players’ meeting followed by a light training session.  We’ll start in the clubhouse at 7.00pm with the intention of being outside by 7.30.  Please be changed and ready for training before the meeting starts as we’ll be into action immediately the meeting ends.

Please note some very important dates that are coming up. The AGM is on Wednesday 11th of June at 7.30pm. All club members, especially players, should make every effort to get to the club and vote on next season’s skippers and other appointments.

Pre-season training will commence on Thursday the 12th of June with a players’ meeting at 7.00pm followed by training at 7.30. The players’ meeting will allow the new management team to outline plans for the coming season, including details of pre-season training, selection policy and expectations and ambitions.

All senior players are requested to attend on the 12th.

The Yorkshire 2 league fixtures for next season have been published - the division is now down to 11 teams as Redcar have been placed in Durham/Northumberland 2 following their relegation from Yorkshire 1.

The league kicks off on Saturday 13th of September with Ripon being the side without an opening day fixture. Our first league game is on Saturday 20th when we welcome Wheatley Hills to Mallorie Park, follwed by an away game at Yarnbury the following Saturday. The EDF Senior Vase 1st Round takes place on Saturday 6th of September.

You can download the full Yorkshire 2 fixture list (pdf) from here.

Last night’s players’ dinner saw the presentation of awards to the following:

1st XV Most Valuable Player: Craig Wolloms
1st XV Most Improved Player:Gareth “Gaz” Matthews

2nd XV Most Valuable Player: Patrick “Bob” Whittaker
1st XV Most Improved Player: Ben Hawkins

3rd XV Most Valuable Player: Simon Williamson
3rd XV Most Improved Player: Aaron “H” Horseman

Coaches’ Award, recognising outstanding effort: Mike Buttrell

Photos from the Old Brod’s game and the Hornblower’s end of season meal are now posted. View them by clicking on the photos link.

Let’s make sure we get big support down on Saturday to get behind the lads. Post your good luck messages here now!

Click here to view this Saturday’s squads.

Ripon’s battle for survival in Yorkshire 2 will continue into the final weekend after a late penalty denied them a share of the spoils at Pocklington. Ripon started the game brightly and early exchanges suggested the two teams were fairly evenly matched. Ripon’s scrum was looking dominant but the lineout was misfiring badly. Pocklington showed some ambition to move the ball wide with some goood interchange between forwards and backs.

The opening score came after 15 minutes as fly-half Alec Porter landed a penalty. However the home side responded by putting Ripon under pressure and a lineout catch and drive saw the Pocklington forwards crash over for their opening score.

Ripon responded in style as a well worked move was finished off by Porter; he also added the extra two for a 10-5 lead. (more…)

Senior squad selections for Staurday’s games can be viewed here.

The senior squads selected for Saturday’s fixtures against Northallerton can be viewed here.