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A very warm welcome to Reeds Lane especially to our French visitors from
Wirrals twin town of Gennevilliers.
As with all touring teams, guaging the strength of the opposition is, to say
the least, an inexact science but, trusting in the experience gained from our
previous encounter we hope we have got the balance right and that we will be
entertained with a close game. It matters not what the result is so long as all
participants enjoy themselves and that the bonds which already exist between
our two communities are further strengthened.
We also take this opportunity of welcoming the Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Mrs
Kate Wood and her party and trust that they will have an enjoyable afternoon
with us. We are indebted to the Mayor for initiating this match and to her
staff for bringing it to fruition.
As the season comes to an end it is appropriate that we take the opportunity to
thank our officials from the Liverpool Society for their continued assistance.
Because the 1st XV match officials are RFU appointments we have little chance
to put into print our acknowledgement of their work "down the sides" on
Saturdays and of course, their Sunday invovement with the Colts and the Womens
XV's. Our thanks to you Gentlemen, -- keep up the good work.
As the 1st XV season, dogged by waterlogged grounds and latterly by the "foot
and mouth" problem, grinds to a an end we find ourselves once more in third
place for the third year in succession. Not perhaps the goal we had set
ourselves at the outset but, never the less, coupled with our 4th Cheshire Cup
win, not one to be over disappointed with either. Hopefully, we will make it
next season!
Our Match Officials today are the referee Tony Brunsdon assisted by Touch
Judges Paul Warrington and Brian Harris, all from the Liverpool Society and all
good friends of the Club. We trust that they to will enjoy the game and their
day with us.
Enjoy the game.
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As the 200-2001 season stagger to a close, or what will eventually be accepted
as the close, I think that most of the Reeds Lane faithful will be looking back
with a sense of disappointment over what has transpired. After a solid start
and a death defying period when we survived our our bogie Christmas and New
Year fixtures we kept going, only to fail at Nuneaton. Of course, on paper,
this was by no means the end but we all knew that Sedgely Park away would be as
difficult as it eventually proved to be and so once more we finished third,
just a sniff away from the promotion chance the lads had fought so hard for.
But should we be disappointed? After all, by most other teams' performances
we've been pretty successful this season. In the National Leagues, one of the
top 50 clubs in England, Cheshire Cup Winners for the fourth time in succession
and a Tetley Bitter Cup run which earned our side the respect of everyone we
played, particularly the London Welsh against whom we played a 'stormer' before
finally going down with all flags flying. (....and don't forget the comments of
the referee after the match!). A Second XV which, before the rains came and
disrupted their season, took some beating and a Senior Colts side which won the
league, and had a tremendous run in the Colts National Cup and, on top of all
this supplied the bulk of the players for the now blossoming Lees Lloyd and
Whitley/Wirral Academy team. And the Women's side weren't hanging about either
finishing their season second in the league in only their second full season.
Altogether, an excellent Club performance and one in which everyone involved,
particularly Skipper Geoff Jones ans all the players, can be justly proud.
Finally all those who have helped Geoff Stone and me out over the season with
contributions to the programme, particularly Phil and Joe Pinnington, Colin
Hall and a special word for Doctor Bob, (for it was he,) for his very amusing
evaluation of the Gate Team - we're still waiting delivery of the tunic Bob!
Thanks to everyone for their support, have a good Summer break and we will see
you all next September!
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