Cleobury Mortimer Rugby Club News
20th Anniversary YearThe 2011/2012 season marks something of a celebration, as Cleobury Mortimer RFC will leave it's teenage years behind and come of age! The first match was following the 1991 Rugby World Cup, so we shall be celebrating the 20th Anniversary with several events during the year. The first of these is a re-enactment of that first game! To inform those that may not be aware and to remind those with foggy memories, the Club started following an England game in the 1991 Rugby World Cup. With all games shown on terrestrial TV people were leaving the Kings Arms and the Royal Fountain at the same time and inspired by what they had just been watching, manage to stop the traffic for an impromptu scrum in the street! After agreeing to a more recognised game of teams representing the two pubs, the first game against recognised Rugby Clubs came against Dudley Kingswinford 3rd XV. The kit was 'all black' and a photo was taken after the game that is now proudly on display in the Sports & Social Club.
We have contacted ALL of the players on that photo and all have agreed to turn out once more on Saturday 10th September 2011 to replay the match against Dudley Kingswinford who have also promised to try and drag out as many of their old boys as possible – so we shall re-enact that first official game between the two clubs. That date has been designated the President's Day and there will be liquid refreshment on pitch side (to revive the spectators as much for the players), while the more serious matter of the first home League game for the 1st XV against Wednesbury 1st XV now that we have been promoted to 'Midlands 3-North (West)'.
First Proper GameFollowing the initial challenge match, the first official match took place early in the New Year against Dudley Kingswinford 4th XV and this was the team: (Back l to r) Alan Woodhouse, Steve 'Squeeze' Hems, Anthony 'Willie' Griffiths, Richard 'Red' Redfern, Matt 'Barney' Barnsley, Mark 'Tank' Booton, Glyn 'Duck' Edwards, Adrian Evans, Peter England, (Middle l to r) Andrew 'Daisy' Davies, Bob Bateman, Dan Bills, Nick 'Cumbum' Cumming, Andy Goold, Kevin Shields, Pete Colquitt, Ian 'Ento' Dayus (Front) Dominic Allen
This season there will be a number of 'father / son' or 'brother' connections to look out for! Sparked by a story in the Birmingham Post in 1994, several of the Sunday papers picked up on the fact a number of local players had managed to produce 'sons & heirs' to continue the Rugby playing tradition – will this year some of them become old enough to achieve that ambition
Some of the combinations to look out for include: Pete Howman & son Ben, Dan Bills & son Sam who is probably not much bigger than as featured in the front row of that article behind the ball!. Also this year Colin Todd & Tom will join the ranks of these family connections.
Junior Section Presentation Evening
A very successful occasion was held to celebrate another excellent season by the youngsters on Friday 15th July 2011 @ the Sports & Social Club. These youngsters train every Wednesday and have played 8-games this season (unfortunately adverse weather put paid to at least three other games) with a success rate of 5-wins and 3-defeats. Most of the Club Committee and several senior players attended to support the junior section of the Rugby Club, to recognise their achievements, celebrate their winners and encourage them all to be adult players in a few years time.
Hunks and Chunks Car Wash
As a Club we would like to thank the good people of Cleobury Mortimer who were brave enough to allow their precious vehicle(s) to be washed and cleaned by the 'Hunks & Chunks' of Cleobury Rugby Club on Saturday 23rd July between 10.00am until 2.30pm. On that special day the cars of the town received some special love, care and attention they deserved from the fine strapping young men of all shapes and sizes from Cleobury Mortimer RFC! In return for this 'love-in on a Saturday morning' donations towards Club Funds were accepted and a total of over £230 raised. While the car owners waited coffee, tea & cakes were served inside the Sports & Social Club. The Club wishes to pass on most sincere thanks to everyone who willingly came up and to those that were innocently passing by, but allowed their car to be subjected to this treatment – we are very grateful for your donations.
Players Dress Code
Have pride in your club as we request that for all match days that you adhere to our minimum dress code. This involves popping in to the clubhouse afterwards, even just for a few moments and that club shirt & tie must be worn! Club shirts are complementary once 6-matches have been played (subject to stock levels) whilst ties are very reasonably priced and players are encouraged to purchase one as soon as they can.
Guess Who… Solved!
Nice to see CMRC has been represented on Google Street Maps, but the mystery has been solved! Why was Allan Shields not at work?
LOOK OUT FOR:
Vice President's Day Lunch: This year will be on Saturday 29th October 2011 at Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Social Club. The 1st XV will be playing Stourbridge Lions 1st XV in a League game and the 2nd XV have a game scheduled against Telford 3rd XV. You are invited to join us for a buffet lunch prior to the game at Social Club at 12.30 and then out to watch the games afterwards. We'd love to see you, so if you'd like to attend please email Clare on clare@cleoburycountry.co.uk ASAP to book places.
Remembrance Parade: Last year the club were delighted to be invited to join with other organisations in the town to honour the fallen in all conflicts that British Forces have been involved with on Remembrance Sunday. This year we have booked a wreath and would like to see as many players, committee members or vice Presidents that are able to join us. This year we propose to ask 1st & 2nd XV Captains to lay the wreath on behalf of the club.
We meet on the Talbot Car Park at 10.15am on Sunday 14th November 2011 for the parade along Love Lane and down the main street to the War Memorial for the reading of prayers and the 'last post'. Dress code for players is club tie, shirt and blazer. It is up to individuals whether you wish to join the rest of the congregation in St Mary's Church for the Sunday Service or adjourn to the KA for a coffee. This is such a small sacrifice to remember the fallen comrades and vital to keep their memory alive so we hope that as many of you as possible can make it.
Unique and very special Remembrance Day trip: As Armistice Day falls this year on Friday 11th November 2012 – 11/11/11 we propose to organise a special day for members of the Cleobury Branch of the British Legion. We shall book transport for a trip to Ludlow to commemorate the day. Breakfast is available to purchase at the Kings Arms from 9am onwards, with a Service outside church at 11am. We shall board the Coach to Ludlow at 11.30am and have a day out sharing experiences with the veterans. Transport will be back to Cleobury at 6.30pm. We are asking all players / friends of Cleobury Mortimer RFC to help fund the day for the British Legion members and everyone would be welcome to come along and we ask for £10 each to cover transport costs and veteran's kitty so in the words of David Dickenson "get yourselves involved"!
Log Drop – a donation of winter fuel for the elderly of the parish: This initiative was launched last year, the brainchild of Andy Goold, Cleobury Mortimer RFC looking to give something back to the community during the festive season. The Players, both young and old, volunteered to give their time free to deliver a bag of logs, all donated by Paul 'Compo' Harding, to local residents. Finding a big 'hairy arsed' Rugby player carrying a bag on your doorstep on a dark night was scary for some elderly people, but once the situation was explained, they were very grateful.
This year preparation for the Log Drop will commence during the games on Saturday 26th November 2011 and Saturday 3rd December, when we shall be looking for people to sponsor a bag of logs for the elderly. The day we shall be dropping off the logs is Sunday 18th December when we hope to arrange a junior game. The afternoon will end with a party for the whole club and their families at the Sports & Social Club to include nibbles and a disco.
Rugby Football Union Draw Tickets: We have once again agreed to sell RFU draw tickets again, because as a club we gain 90% of the income with 10% returned to the RFU, so we are looking for the support of all the players, committee and friends of the club to offer support and cooperation to sell as many as possible so that the Club can earn as much as possible. We shall be asking all players and supporters to assist and either we return the tickets unsold or we pay the RFU the 10% owed from the quantity of tickets they sent us.
The 'Only way is Sussex' tour: In the modern era of League Rugby we as a Club are still trying to uphold the traditions of the game and have organised another Tour. After negotiations with League officials to keep us a free week, insurance AND trying to find a club free from their League commitments willing to host us – we are looking for support from the players. This year as another celebration of the Club's 20th Birthday we are indebted to Andy Goold who has arranged a trip to Sussex over the weekend of Friday 16th March to Monday 19th March 2012. Our hosts are Barns Green RFC near Horsham in Sussex and we shall be staying in Worthing. The cost of the Hotel for 2-nights is £140 and 3-nights is £170 and includes a 'Tour Shirt'. We shall have to arrange transport but £100 deposits will be needed by the end of September 2011.
