Old Yardleians RFC: Club News
TIME TO RECOVER AND THEN TO REGROUP
Mon, 07 May 2012 02:21
Not the greatest season in our history
Without being too negative, this has not been the best of seasons particularly as our first team finished the season in a relegation position. The Development team have been highly unpredictable with some excellent performances but some dire ones thrown in as well. Meanwhile the more senior players, the Vandals, continue to win a lot more games than they lose.
Starting at the younger end of club we are pleased to see that a very good number of under 6 players have been turning up for training on a sunday morning which is a good sign for the future. The under 7, 8 and 9 teams are showing great promise and are looking forward to next season. The under 11s have a lot of potential, have played some great rugby but are in need of a few more players to provide a good sized squad. The under 16s have been the major success story of the season gaining in strength and playing an exciting brand of open rugby.
PRESIDENT'S DAY
Last saturday saw the climax to the season and as you can guess it was a January day weather wise transposed into early May. In other words it was cold.
The day began with our younger players putting on a series of exhibition games.
The under 16s welcomed Five Ways to be our opponents. Earlier in the season we had played them twice losing narrowly on each occasion. Briefly, the game was a fascinating contrast in styles with Five ways keeping it tight and using the driving maul as their main means of attack. The Ys however, like to play a more open game bringing their dangerous back division into play at every opportunity. The game was closely fought but in the second half the visitors began to tire and the Ys took full advantage and went on to outscore the opposition by 4 tries to 2. The final score being 24-13 to the hosts.
A very big thank you to our visitors who always provide a stern test for our boys and it must be said that the man in the middle, the referee, Jim Looney officiated superbly,
At around 3 o clock the senior teams entertained the vast crowd that had gathered. Our 2nd team played the Edwardians 2nds and although Chicken in front of his under 16 team demonstrated how to miss tackles we won fairly comfortably with new prop, Shane, looking like a first team player of the future. A big thanks to the Eds for giving us a game and to John Kelly, the Peter Pan of referees. It is worth noting that John played a couple of seasons for us but felt that he was being led astray (just like most Old Yardleians of that era) and left to join a convent or something like that. Thanks again John.
Not too far away, our 3rds were playing a Kings Norton select XV and without anybody to kick their conversions, the Ys lost by a single point. 'Honest' Mark Baldwin reports in that he scored a try. He also told me that Martyn played for a full 80 minutes so believe it if you want. Again, thanks to our guests for taking part in our programme.
A special mention to the entertainment for the evening. That one time Ys front rower, Eds star and Society Referee, Craig Fleming, for perforrming his own brand of magical show and also to our very own Steve Price for supporting Craig so enthusiastically. To those up and coming young players, you could always ask Craig to teach you the full version of 'Pass the Parcel'
The A.G.M.
With the club bursting at the seams, which is even more surprising considering our first team's lack of success, friday night saw the start of the fightback that will inevitably take place, and in fact, already is being planned with a determination that will surely leads to success both on and off the pitch. The elected Officers for the next 12 months are as follows.
President is Steve Painter (Dip FD)
Chairman is Steve sidwell
Hon Sec is Jan Collins
Hon Treasurer is Mark Higgins
Hon Fixture Sec is Mark Baldwin
Hon Match Sec is Shannon Killarney
Hon Creative Story Teller is Dave Adams
General Committee Members are Steve Price, Luke Harris, Phil Painter, Pat McDaid, Robbie Dixon, Kim Hemmings, Tom Power, Mike Hughes, Terry Wales and Andy Killarney.
Brian is still chief groundsman and Bill Collins is i/c car parking.
With a group of this quality great things are anticipated.
And Finally
It won't be easy getting 3 points at West Brom but remember Mr Wenger knows best.
Wishing my readers a good summer, there will be news over the closed season but probably not quite so much.