Cleobury Mortimer Rugby Club History

1991 / 1992 season

As shown by the badge, the club was officially established in 1992, but it really all began one Saturday afternoon during the in Autumn 1991, the Rugby World Cup in England changed all that. An impromptu ‘scrum’ in the main street that stopped the traffic between two local pubs was the actual starting point.

Against the back ground of soccer and cricket far more popular in the town with several local football teams and two cricket clubs, the sport of Rugby Union had no tradition or history. Rugby was taught at the Secondary School and encouragement given by PE Staff to foster links in local clubs. The school mini bus was used to transport those with a keen interest to play in the junior section of Kidderminster Carolians RFC on Sunday mornings.

The inaugural Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand in 1987, not many of the matches were shown live on terrestrial television. The 1991 event was different, jointly hosted by the European countries of the Five Nations vitally all the matches were shown live on terrestrial television. Despite losing the opening game against holders New Zealand, England had a fairly successful competition, they managed to come second in the pool, defeat France (19 – 10) in the quarter final, Scotland in the semi final (9 – 6) and reached the final at Twickenham. In a tense game they were narrowly beaten by Australia (12 – 6)

With matches shown in the local pubs, one drink fuelled afternoon in the Royal Fountain Inn, a group of ‘lads’ were watching an England victory and following the final whistle, decided to move up the road to The Kings Arms. Out of the Kings Arms came a group of Young Farmers - equally as merry and making their way down to the Fountain. The two groups faced each other and after much friendly banter, pushing and shoving on the pavement, decided to settle the issue with impromptu ‘scrum’!!! The traffic was stopped and a scrum was formed in the middle of the road and the 20-a-side ‘pack’ proceeded to push each other up and down the road, but without a ball! It is not documented who won, or even if there was any arbitration, but rumour has it that the Vicar stopped and leaned on the railings above near the Church, to watch as he walked past.

A challenge was made and a game was arranged for the following Saturday played at Tenbury RFC. The ‘lads’ were thrashed but CMRFC was born and once RFU affiliation arranged and a kit purchased, the Club was officially formed prior to the next match, which took place early in the New Year against Dudley Kingswinford 4th XV.

Since starting to work together at Lacon Childe Secondary School in 1980, it remained an aspiration of the two PE Teachers, Roy Powell and Dave Hinves, to establish a Rugby Club in the town alongside the various Football Clubs at the time. Indeed Rugby was taught with equal attention and focus as was Football and Cricket. Regular fixtures against other schools were organised and the annual House Matches in both sports were equally as popular. Keen youngsters were taken in the school Mini bus to Kidderminster Carolians Junior sessions on Sunday mornings, with a few players emerging through the ranks to eventually play for Kidderminster RFC. However, following that initial ‘scrum’ on the street and the inaugural match in 1991, it was the enthusiasm and drive of several local young men that saw the fledgling team play 18-games and score 173-points that first season. It was the last season of ‘4-point’ tries and there was no restriction on under age players, so a very young looking Kevin Shields played and the side was dominated by Dominic Allen, Mark ‘Tank’ Booton and Alan Woodhouse. The players did train and were coached by Richard ‘Dick’ Blower while playing experience was provided by Matthew Barnsley, Dave Taylor and Tony Heap, but the real talent to emerge during that first season was a 15-year old Tony Yapp with 5-tries. Other try scorers that season included Peter England and Andrew Key, while Ian ‘Ento’ Dayus even managed a penalty kick to go with his try that first season, but Top Points Scorer that term was Dominic Allen (25-points) with 4-tries, 6-conversions and a penalty.

Many people were willing to help that first season, with Dan Bills at the helm as the first Club Chair, the changing rooms and pitch were hired from the Lacon Childe School and with the Sports & Social Club still to be established with its present building, the after match food was organised in various venues around the town including the Old Lion, the Kings Arms, the Royal Fountain and on one occasion in the Talbot Hotel. The tradition of the ‘Boot’ for those who score their first try was established and the end of season Annual General Meeting was held in the garden of the Royal Fountain. At that meeting Roy Powell was installed as the new Club Chair and Dave Hinves thanked for Refereeing home games with his ‘boot’!

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