CHAIRMAN + PRESIDENTS GAME

On Friday 27/04/12 North held a special inter club game involving the Chairman’s select 15 verses the President’s select 15. The game was followed by an award presentation and hog roast.

The game was officiated over by guest referee of national level ability Harold Fyreman who kept the game going whenever possible, producing free flowing and exciting rugby which was played in good spirit by all players.

A near maximum crowd witnessed plenty of skill, commitment and endeavour as the Chairman Kenny Burdass’s team prevailed over President Richard Lovelace’s team by 22-19.

Richard Lonsdale scored the first try for the Chairman’s team before Ian Duffus equalised for the Presidents team with a fortuitous try which was just over the line, both conversion attempts taken by try scorers were missed by a wide mark. With personal pride at stake all players were trying the best to stretch the limits of the law to win the ball and also attempting various forms of one upmanship to put their opposition off. The referee however was missing nothing and was giving various warnings before sportingly requesting Nicholas Bainbridge to be replaced before he was carded for repeatedly boring in on his opposite number in the scrummage. Bainbridge was replaced by the evergreen 60 year old Craig Walley, which meant him competing directly against his son Daniel Walley who was in the opposite front row. Soon after Dave Barrett scored a well worked try for the Chairman but also missed the easy conversion to gain a 5 point lead. Just before half time Tom Rennison scored a brilliant solo try for the President, by easily outstripping Gareth Essex to score under the posts and score the conversion. Half time Chairman 10 – President 12

Both teams began to tire in the second half, mostly due to the fast pace and open expansive style of playing. After ten minutes of the restart, Essex scored a dubious try with what appeared by some spectators to be a slight knock on and with the referee unsighted. That was soon followed by a second try from Lonsdale who shrugged off two tacklers to score under the posts and nonchalantly drop kick the conversion. This put the Chairman’s team into a strong 22-10 lead. The presidents team were given a lifeline when Craig Walley was yellow carded for consistently being offside, or just being plane lazy! With the man advantage the Presidents 15, led by Martin Dennison tried to press home the benefit, but some excellent defending kept them at bay. The Chairman’s 15 had the chance to widen the gap but a ridiculous forward pass was spotted by the official to rule out Essex’s second try. Five minutes from the end another of the Chairman’s players, Barrett, was carded for unsportsmanlike like conduct. This time the Presidents team did take advantage with Duffus claiming his second try to close the scores to 22-19 at the final whistle.

After the game there was a presentation of various trophies and plaques. –

1st team player of the year was given to Richard Lonsdale.

2nd team player of the year was given to Jack Kitchen.

3rd team player of the year was given to Justin Carr.

Most improved player was Liam Lincoln.

Club person of the year was awarded to H Johnson – for the third year on the trot!

And finally Young Player of the Year was awarded to Sam Windross who continues to make a remarkable recovery following last week’s terrible incident.