Rugby Notes from Clubman
Another early start and a long day at Cambridge ended with just a bonus point but many were asking afterwards could we have done it? and the answer is probably yes.
The home side are a credit to their club, as the Blues in their first season at this level most certainly are and they play the game with the panache of youth. A sin binning and the additional ten minutes defensive effort which ensured that the home side did not score perhaps took it out of the Blues but overall and in the context of the afternoon (high wind and heavy pitch after consistent rain) it was a game to be savoured by both sides as they put on a superb display.
However that game is gone and now we face on Saturday at Priory Park unbeaten top of the table Barking about which more in the Preview so it clearly does not get any easier!
Around National 1 on Saturday Barking retained their top spot with a 20-18 victory over local rivals Rosslyn Park and second place the professional London Scottish saw off Redruth in Cornwall by 21-15 in another close game. Cinderford, last weeks visitors to Priory Park, had a good day against improving Coventry winning by 26-0 whilst Otley beat Blackheath by a single point in West Yorkshire. Sedgley Park nilled Blaydon by 17 points and Wharfedale won at Stourbridge by 30-15. Tynedale got back on track with a 26-8 victory over Launceston in Corbridge.
So on it goes, Macclesfield still lie fourth but with a 12 point gap behind the top three but importantly an 8 point gap above chasing Blaydon & Stourbridge and at what, for the Blues, is now effectively the half way point of the season in my view the lads haven’t done badly have they?
Around Priory Park the Lions, beginning the Bateman BMW Conference A, beat Caldy by 34-20 and this week face a huge task at Sedgley Park. The Thirds lost at Burnage to their Seconds by 21-12 while the Fourths also went down 19-16 against Northwich Thirds.
This weekend of course we have another pre match dinner before the Barking game which I understand is a sell out with very much a Burns theme to it thanks to Ray and his team, looking forward to that.
Off the park the Grand Draw was made on Sunday morning and firstly many thanks to those who sold their tickets including the 1st XV who completely sold their allocation of 75 tickets and the 3rd team & Tour party who sold 85% of their allocation. Most other sections sold a good percentage of their tickets to ensure that the club gained a decent profit but there was one side – who shall remain unidentified – who sold none whatsoever which, to me ,is a great disappointment. I wonder if they have paid their subs.
However the winners were:
1st and a £250 voucher for PR Jones Jewellers - Willie Montgomery
2nd and the Ultimate Golf Package (3 round of Golf for 4 people at Prestbury, Macclesfield & Davenport GC) - Kate Allen
3rd and 6 tickets for Sale Sharks v. Bath on 11/2/10 - Charlie Jenkins
4th and a Champagne Reception for 4 at Ronnies Bar - Steve Hartley
5th and the Monster Booze Hamper - Colin Beattie
6th and a Signed Sale Sharks Shirt - Ollie England
7th and Dinner for two at City Café, Manchester - C Price
As Mrs Clubman is uncertain what a golf course is I can feel some negotiations coming on.
Games for Saturday:
1st v. Barking. Home, 3.pm.
2nd v. Sedgley Park. Away
3rd v. Fylde 3. Away
4th v. Whitchurch 3. Home
Vets v. TBA
