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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eccles Newsletter - October 2002
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Here we have a picture of Mark Dutton and Greg Wilson waiting to catch a bus.
I don't know why. Maybe Greg is hoping for a baton of garlic bread? And Mark for milk roll? |
And here we have some more ugly people. What is this?!
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U13s win - at last!
Having started the season with a string of losses against the likes
of Lymm, Sedgley Park and Altrincham Kersal, the Eccles U13s finally
found their form and beat the Manchester Metrovics.
The score line, 20 - 7, hardly tells the story as coaches Paul and
George took the opportunity to rotate their squad, playing many new
and inexperienced players and trading points today for many more in
the future.
This was a triumph for the forwards who are steadily improving - having
come to terms with the full sized pack and even fuller sized pitch.
They totally dominated the set piece, taking strike after strike against
the head. Second rows David Jones and Mathew Coulston both added to
an excellent 'boiler house' performance with strong runs - Jones in
particular punishing a loose kick with a 70 meter run being stopped
just short of the line. The back row also did well with two tries
coming from number eight drives with Nick Vernon scoring both whilst
putting in a massive performance. Later Andy Jessop laid his claim
to the number eight shirt with a string of powerful 'pick and goes'.
Out in the backs there was a composure that reminded of last season
with Chris Wilson and Thomas the 'tank engined' winger setting the
standard, shocking the opposition again and again with crunching tackles.
James 'the menace' Dennis marked the game with his first ever clearance
kick from the back of the scrum that lead directly to Eccles first
try and Michael Dutton set the pattern for the game with a 30 meter
glide through the opposition defense for the second. After that the
coaches stepped in and many regulars found themselves on the bench
watching new hopefuls showing us what they can do.
Students of history will remember that last season this team only
just managed to beat the Metrovics in two close games. That this victory
should be so clear and easy just goes to show how much the U13s have
improved,
win, loose or draw.
A letter from Simon "Double Dutch" Holland - Whoops!
I wasn't supposed to tell.
To the Editor of the Eccles RFC Junior Section News Letter
Dear Sir
I
would like to make reference to the photograph published in the most
recent newsletter under the heading "Doctor Who Visits 2002 Tour".
I am very concerned that this photograph implies that I was returning
to the coach having relieved myself in a public place. I wish to point
out that I have never done such a thing, and that I would never condone
such behaviour. On the occasion depicted in the aforementioned photograph,
I was returning to the coach having told the other team members that
their actions were not those expected of members of the Manchester
YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) Rugby Club, and that if they
did not want to compromise the club, they should finish what they
were doing and return to the coach immediately.
I would like to take this opportunity to point out that throughout
my career in rugby as a player and coach, I have never indulged in
such stereotyped rugby behaviour as after match singing of raucous
songs, partaking in drinking games, walking around clubhouses in various
states of undress, or baring my bottom, nor have I encouraged teammates
or opponents to do likewise.
I
hope that this letter helps to clarify a number of issues resulting
from the publishing of the photograph.
On a positive note, I would like to say congratulations to the editor
and his reporting staff on what is, apart from the above editorial
error, a very enjoyable and accurate newsletter.
Finally, I would like to thank you for publishing a photograph which
provides evidence that I once possessed a full head of hair.
Yours
Upset
from Walkden (Full name and address supplied)
[Ed - Too late! This will be continued. Does any body else have
any evidence? This man dressed up as a lady per chance?]
JUNIOR SECTION NEWS
NO CONTACT!!
NO INJURIES!!
PLAY RUGBY!!
Clare Dean is
looking to form a girls, 12-14, Tag Rugby Team.
Anybody interested, or with a sister that might be looking for a bit
of excitement see Clare.
Tuckshop
The Tuck shop took £650 at the Eccles Tournament (which raised
£1,300 for the junior section in total) and that is a lot of
MARS bars! Congratulations to Sophie, Sarah, Emma, and Charlotte -
(and those boys who hung around to 'help' by the club house) and to
newcomers Emily Cheadle and Chloe Fitton working unseen over on the
far pitches, (although I do understand that they forgot the beer).
In addition to sweets the tuckshop will also be selling spare kit
this season, head guards, studs, gum shields and no doubt socks to
will be available on request.
Junior
Tour 2003
Whittaugh Park has been booked for this year's tour and places will
be allocated on a first come first served basis. Since space is short
latecomers may find themselves under canvas so get your deposit down
quick. There will be games against the local team and paint balling
for all
.
The price is £120 per person. See Ca-ro-lyn for details of early
payment discounts.
Remember, This could
be you next tour so do not miss out.
Book your ticket soon.
THE BIT FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Junior
Section Coaches Required
The junior section needs help recruiting more coaches. If you are
an ex, or nearly ex, player and you want to put something back into
the club, turn up on a Wednesday night and see what goes on, or even
on a Sunday morning and take in a game. You might be surprised to
see just how much fun it is.
The next committee meeting will be on Wed 30th Oct at 8:00pm. Dave
Nichols is the head coach and will be happy to get any help he can
from his 'older' friends.
Glen
Cahill has a Senior Moment
Following a string of near misses the first team finally got into
winning ways with an excellent away win at Lytham. Having gone 17
- 0 in front plenty of senior trumpers were twitching when Lytham
clawed back and took a two point lead into the closing minutes. But
cometh the hour, cometh the man, or half a man anyway as pint size
legend Kenneth Webb intercepted a pass and went over for a match winning
try. The win was well celebrated on the way home; just ask Chris Cunliffe
who treated us all to a lovely rendition of Lady in Red, it brought
tears to the eyes.
A quick mention must go to Pete Lillie, who is now sadly in Denmark,
(but if you saw the girl he 'admired' in Chorley you would leave the
country too). Fair play to him, he beat Steve to win their bet.
The game against Old Bedians brought Eccles another two points for
a win, and was noticeable for Ben Crammant scoring another try, meaning
the new lad from Bolton had now scored in consecutive games. Apparently
Steve Lillie is gutted because Ben only spends thirty minutes on his
hair and it looks miles better than George's.
Eccles then welcomed visitors from Salford University who were soundly
whooped in a midweek game under floodlights. This match saw an excellent
first team debut from Danny Burke at scrum half, prompting Radar to
comment "I didn't know scrum halves were allowed to run with
it". Everybody was extremely impressed with the facilities available
at the club and it is now widely accepted that Eccles have the best
changing rooms and gym equipment in our league and at least two or
three higher.
Eccles then took their rugby roadshow to Ashton under Lyne and took
another two welcome points without playing particularly well. This
game saw excellent tries from Boo Bates and a good performance up
front from the forwards, noticeably Scott "Too Hot" Traynor
and Adam Calderwood. One word of caution to Griff though. If he spends
any more time in the bin he might as well leave a spare trackie behind
each set of sticks. Fair play to the big lad though, training three
sessions on the trot is a drastic improvement and has meant the forwards
have been able to practise their set pieces.
Finally I'd like to commend Matt Owens and Mike Ince on the excellent
start they have made to their captaincy this season. It's a great
job to do when you're winning but a real pain when you're losing.
It's a credit to them the way they have managed to stay so positive
despite the early defeats. I don't think the previous captain would
have managed to maintain his cool and would undoubtedly have hacked
off plenty of players by now. And believe me, that wasn't easy to
admit, but eh? There's only one Ted Povey.
Contact
Information
Published by Colin Atkins of Pressure Link who can be found at colin@pressurelink.com
Edited by Paul Willis - All contributions welcome - please email to
pnw@cds-systems.co.uk
Web site contributions/suggestions to Trevor Parrott at trev.parrott@advirtual.co.uk