Dear Fellow Club Member
Welcome to this April Edition of the Club Newsletter being produced in unprecedent times, matched only by that of total war it seems to me. Not since the German hordes swept across Europe in 1939 have we faced such an implacable enemy. The consequences to us as a people are profound with the collapse of the economy a real threat. I have been reading Max Hastings’s book Chastise, his account of the Dambusters Raid in May 1943 when Britain was at a low ebb. I mention that because one of the points he made about the differences between us and the Germans was that “… the Allied Powers exploited the talents of their peoples much better than did the Axis.” We certainly need to exploit the talents of our people as never before if we are to overcome what threatens us. What has all that got to do with a humble rugby club you might ask. Like much of life in Britain as a whole, we face considerable problems and, as a members’ club, we will have to exploit the talents of our members.
Ultimately the season ended in disappointment and I don’t think we have any complaints that the powers to be decided that the first team should be relegated. The second team put in some very good performances against the second string of many of the 1st XV opposition showing we have a very commendable strength in depth. The twos also won their cup. The thirds finished mid-table and they compete against many first XVs, some of whom, until quite recently, we competed against at first team level. We were delighted, also, that we could get a fourth team out in the non-league Matrix organised by Dorset & Wilts with a special thanks to Tim Robbins who picked up the reins of the organising wagon in the later part of the season. We mustn’t forget the Junior Section lead by Greg Pike who have had another tremendous season with numbers burgeoning, well there seem masses of the little darlings on a Sunday morning disturbing my Sunday crossword it strikes me. Mind you there is more than just the seniors and juniors to this club as it reaches out into the wider community: The indefatigable Stuart Gallagher and his Rippa Rugby outfit providing the opportunity for youngsters to learn the skills of any number of sports; Wheelchair rugby; Touch rugby; Women’s rugby continues to grow; the Colts those on the cusp of senior rugby and we even had a representation in the Dubai 7s with our lads masquerading as the Windsocks. Glad they got it in before the Chinese got going with this virus thing though. All illustrating a vibrant and inclusive club understanding their place in the community and what they can do to provide sport of the youngsters choice in a safe environment.
Tim Robbins of course is one of many volunteers that enable this club to function and we are very grateful for their efforts. When I first played, I turned up, had a great game, well the team did, a few beers and then made one’s drunken way home to ask mum to wash your dirty kit. Great. However, much goes on in the background goes on for erks like me to be able to take such a laissez-faire attitude about playing rugby on a Saturday afternoon and often on a Sunday for that matter. We are very grateful also for all the financial support we get through our sponsors and much credit must be given to the recently departed James Croker for his efforts in attracting sponsorship. There was a price to pay, however. Have you ever been to one of the lunches when he is hosting? Impressive list of sponsors to read out though, amongst all the jokes. Well he used to laugh at them. Though our sponsors must wonder sometimes what they have let themselves in for. Supporting all this is our team of coaches lead by Richard Sharp, Mike Pope and Matt Sturgess, all ex 1st XVers. Repairing the bodies is arguably the best physio team in the division and perhaps even higher, lead by Andy Curtis and we are very grateful for him and his team for their efforts in ensuring the wellbeing of the players.
If this is first XV centric forgive me but it was a tough season. One of the problems was we lost a number of players who took us back up to Level 4 which does not help but we don’t want to whinge. Nonetheless the lads played with a great resolve and courage and the morale held up remarkably well. Unlucky with some of the results, especially against teams in the top half. Top scorer was Grant Hancox with 182 points, which included the leading conversions of 35 and penalty goals of 34. He is also leading career points scorer with 1269 having taken over from that imp Hardcastle, Sam to his friends. He, it might come as a surprise to some, was not leading try-scorer this season, that was hooker Alan Manning with a massive seven. Come on you backs where have you been and don’t let me hear ‘the forwards wouldn’t give us the ball.’ Sam however is miles, sorry, kilometres ahead in the career stakes with lots of tries, lots amounting to 216 which includes the record of 10 hat-tricks. A number of erstwhile Colts were given a taste of 1st XV football and what is expected of them. It ain’t easy at this level and it is a real test of the ambition of the up and coming youngsters. We wish them well.
On a more sombre note we have to report the death of Tim Cotton in March after suffering for so long with cancer of the throat, borne with much stoicism, courage and humour, well supported by his contemporaries from his playing days. A right winger of some pace and remembered by someone up at Tonbridge Juddians when we were up there in January, such is the world of rugby. We offer our sincere condolences to wife Julie who nursed him in those last days and weeks.
We face testing times and hopefully we have a club to come back to but stay safe everyone and enjoy what ever you can in the circumstances but with government approval mind you.
Doug Warren
President, Bournemouth RFC
And let me remind you all out there, I was young once and I did play the game.
