It has been a good week for ‘Clubman’.
Monday it was Buxton and time in the company of Henry Blofeld, Thursday back to Buxton to listen to Curtis Stigers and his excellent band. Friday a nice anniversary meal at Prestbury Village, Saturday afternoon another excellent pre match meal in good company and then a comprehensive victory over Waterloo with the icing on the cake a trip to the Heritage Centre in the evening to listen to and admire the excellent Northern Chamber Orchestra. Sunday a good walk in the foothills around Kerridge and now putting this weekly article together!!
Anyway enough of me and the bonus point victory over Waterloo combined with Caldy’s 34-21 victory over Leicester Lions keeping them just one point behind us at the top plus Loughborough Students win (29-8) over Preston Grasshoppers it means that the three clubs are now putting a little space between them and Fylde who sit in fourth place now five points behind the Blues. Surprise of the day was the defeat of Huddersfield – who we visit on Saturday (see Preview) – at Hull Ionians by a 30-13 margin for Ionians to record their first victory of the campaign.
As I have previously said and will continue to say this league is so competitive that any side can beat another on the day and injuries, weather, decisions on the park will all have their say before 24 April 2010.
Other results saw Fylde beat Bradford (39-25) Harrogate hammer Hull by 57-11, Westoe beat Kendal (33-17) and last Friday in the Midlands ‘Derby’ it was Broadstrreet bouncing back from our victory there when they beat Rugby Lions 12-0 at Rugby under lights.
Around Priory Park the Lions had a convincing 32-0 victory at Waterloo to remain second on point’s difference to Sedgley Park (who they play a week Saturday) in the Bateman BMW Premier League. The Thirds lost narrowly 35-33 to Wilmslow Seconds at Priory Park and the Fourths lost heavily by 40-0 on the Wirral to Anselmians.
I mentioned above the pre match meal before the Waterloo game and now give advance notice of the next one which takes place on 7 November when we entertain Fylde so get in early and book your place now. You do not know what you are missing.
There have been moves for the Second XV Competition within the NCA North to be amended in some form so as to ensure that certain clubs within the present set up are not regularly winning games by 40 or 50 points on a regular basis and thus losing some of the competitive edge due to the variations in standards. It was raised at a recent NCA meeting but surprisingly many clubs seem happy with the situation and do not wish for change. Last season ourselves and certainly Sedgley Park won by 50 points or more on six occasions and by over forty on seven more occasions. Certainly more competitive games will mean more for the players who seek 1st XV games and at this national level that sort of competition is required. One or two of the clubs who object to change – and they shall remain nameless – rather surprised me but maybe something will change in the future.
Saturdays games:
1st v. Huddersfield – League – Away – 3.pm.
2nd v. Liverpool St Helens – League – Home
3rd v. Leigh – League – Away
4th v. TBA (Manchester have dropped out of the league)
Vets v. Manchester – League – Away
Preview
Saturday 17 October 2009 – Kick Off 3.pm.
Huddersfield v. Macclesfield
The trip to Lockwood Park on Saturday will be tough as the Blues discovered last season when the home side won by just a single point (19-18) after a hard fought encounter in what was the home sides first season at national league level. Macclesfield were successful in the return match at Priory Park by 29-23 so clearly last time round there was little to choose between the sides.
This season Huddersfield, who have quietly and efficiently recruited, currently sit in fifth spot with four victories and two defeats to their name. They began the campaign well with successive victories over Waterloo (41-21) Caldy (32-17) & Bradford (60-0) before losing to Leicester 23-15. They recovered to beat Fylde (22-15) before last Saturday surprisingly losing at Hull Ionians by 30-13.
Chris Johnson at Stand Off is a quality player who cannot be given an inch and he is also a very good kicker so no penalties!! Last season he scored 248 points and so far has 98 this time round just 11 more than Ross Winney. Also last season top try scorer were Nick Sharpe& Alex Shaw with seven apiece.
Macclesfield will await on the fitness of Matt O’Regan who was injured on Saturday and who joins the lengthening list in the treatment room as they seek to retain top spot.
Directions to Huddersfield’s Lockwood Park HQ as follows:
From the M62 leave at Junction 23 (Eastbound) and follow Huddersfield signs to the ring road. Take the SA616 marked Holmfirth/Sheffield and at third set of lights at Lockwood Bar with the Red Lion on your right go straight ahead for half a mile. Main entrance on left before viaduct. Post Code HD4 6EN
See you all there – this is our shortest ‘away’ game so no excuses for poor support.
Clubman
