Re: Ams Vs Richmond
Posted by:
Richmondshire Secretayr (IP Logged)
Date: 25 September, 2009 15:09
Hello Guys,
I am the Secretary for Richmondshire and I'd just like to explain our reasons for Social League Rugby and the team we fielded at West Ams.
Half way through the season 07/08 we dropped out of D & N 3 following a humiliating defeat away to Seaham. We travelled away with a bare 14 players and had been cancelling our second team games due to lack of numbers. At an extra-ordinary committee meeting it was decided that as we could no longer compete in D & N we (the club) would fulfil all the second team fixtures in the social league where we felt we would have a chance again of competing.
Season 08/09 we entered the social league as Richmondshire 1sts and had mixed results but we fought a lot closer games and got some deserved victories, this in turn bred confidence within the club and things turned on the up for us.
We decided at our AGM for this season to remain in the Social League with a view to moving next season into the merit league or indeed back into D & N 3 if we felt the time was right. At the time these decisions were made we still had similar player numbers and personnell to last season. These decisions have not been taken lightly as we nearly folded in season 07/08 and are looking forward more brightly now.
At the start of August we did a leaflet drop around Richmond and at the local supermarket, our player numbers increased as a result of this to the point now where we can nearly field a second team. Obviously for this to happen we would need the help of some "South Sea Islanders" or whatever you like to call them.
As for the team we put out on Saturday at Ams there were 4 service personel, The muscular darkish skinned back row and the 40 year old back row. The scrum half was also, as was the 5 stone scottish winger who we brought on in the second half (no South Sea Islanders!). All the rest of our team were local lads who have found the determination and desire to play again which comes from winning games.
My view on the game was that Ams put up a good show when at times they were chasing shadows, they very much deserved their consolation score and probably ought to have had more. We must all remember that we play this game for fun and I'm quite sure that at some point this season we too will find ourselves on the wrong end of a defeat just hope it's not against our local rivals Wensleydale.
As a club we wish Ams the very best for the rest of the season and look forward to the return fixture in Richmond.