Good afternoon and welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National League fixture against Morley R.F.C. and as ever we extend the warmest of greetings to their players, officials and supporters It is a matter of just a few weeks ago that we met at Scatcherd Lane when we came out on top[16-27] effectively winning the game in the first half when turning around 5-27 ahead.

Unfortunately Morley has done little to improve their league position since then and is now being dragged into a dogfight to survive in National rugby. As things stand to date there will definitely be at least 3 relegation places which will increase to 4 or even 5 if Stourbridge finish below Rosslyn Park in Div 2 [doubtful] or if the runner-up in our division lose their play-off against their equivalents from Div3 S [unless something strange happens this will be played in Cornwall and therefore probable].

West Hartlepool and Sandal are already doomed leaving the battlefield to Bedford A., Whitchurch and Morley. Their respective fixtures are;

BEDFORD[15pt] L.S.H.[H] N.B.[H] SCUNTHORPE[A]

WHITCHURCH[16pt] SANDAL[H] MORLEY[A] NUNEATON[H]

MORLEY[16pt] N.B.[A] WHITCHURCH[H] DUDLEY[A] NUNEATON[A]

Above them Scunthorpe and Nuneaton appear to be in relative safety although nothing can be taken for granted. What we can do is assure all concerned that our aim is to win all of our remaining games with the strongest team available. It is also reassuring to note that all of the above games will be important to both sides. Guessing who will win what is an impossible and fruitless task. Last week's results when L.S.H. and Dudley who both lost to somewhat surprising opposition bears testimony to that. All we can do is wish Morley the best of luck in their last three matches.

Congratulations to all the players who took part in last weekend's double-header. Our strength in depth was evident on Saturday when hanging on to record an impressive victory over Nuneaton. On Sunday it was a case of one game too many but our admiration goes out to those who made such a valiant attempt.

The good news from Cheshire headquarters is that sense has prevailed and in future no club will be put in such a predicament again as ALL league games will take preference over the cup and Wednesday nights will become the norm.

Don't forget that [ex Morley star] Kevin Brookman's Testimonial dinner on Saturday 13th April after the LSH game. Please put your name on the notice board and join us in celebrating the playing career of a man who brought Rugby [with a capital "R"] back to Reeds Lane.

Enjoy the game and please join us in the clubhouse afterwards.

A warm welcome to Reeds Lane especially to the players, officials and supporters of Dudley Kingswinford our visitors in today's National league game. We are also delighted to greet over 200 of our past players who are celebrating their annual reunion with a pre-match lunch.

It is perhaps just as well that we have so much support for D. K.'s followers are certainly not backward when vocal encouragement is needed. They have had something to cheer about this season for they have been fighting with Doncaster for top spot throughout.

Realistically after their somewhat surprise result at Blaydon when routed 50-21 their attentions will now be aimed at the play-off place. Their main competitor for that position is L.S.H. and although they have to visit them in 3 weeks time perhaps the key to the final outcome is today's result and our home match against L.S.H. that closes the season.

Dudley can be fully assured that although our relationship with L.S.H. is extremely friendly we will be doing our level best, especially with the slump in Waterloo's fortunes, not to allow one of our neighbours to inch ahead.

Two players to keep a sharp eye on this afternoon are Shaun Perry, the league's leading try scorer and Steve Smart who with 16 tries,54 cons and 33 pens leads the point scorers table.

As previously mentioned, we do have with us some of our past stalwarts with us this afternoon. Unfortunately, due to illness, perhaps the greatest of all such men is unable to be here with us today. Our thoughts will inevitably include Ian when "Absent Friends" is proposed.

At the risk of embarrassing the man, once again we are indebted to Doug Thorpe for arranging today's reunion. As you no doubt are aware bad weather last November caused the cancellation of the original date creating twice as much work as is usual on such occasions. Doug has also latterly taken over as Chairman of Rugby to add to his already full portfolio, which includes Chairman of Ground and Guru of New Brighton's WEB site..Any help in any capacity will be most appreciated!

For the benefit of our guests, a brief summary of the season so far;. . After an initial away win at Scunthorpe and a creditable draw at Dudley we proceeded to lose 6 of the next 9 matches, the only victories being against Sandal, West Hartlepool and Nuneaton. However, following a last minute 2 point defeat at L.S.H., we have now won 11 out of the last 12 games. The only blemish being an unlucky 1 point. reverse against Doncaster, avenging defeats by Tynedale, Blaydon and Whitchurch in the process.

Next Saturday we have a rearranged league game, here at Reeds Lane, against Nuneaton followed on Sunday with a home tie in the Cheshire Cup against the old enemy Birkenhead Park. As Park don't have a game on the Saturday no doubt our gate receipts will be enhanced by their committee members[the one's with red, blue and white ties and red faces.]

Enjoy the game and please join us in the clubhouse afterwards.

Good afternoon and welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National League Div 3 N match. Our opponents are Blaydon R.F.C and we extend special greetings to all their players, officials and supporters.

Currently in 6th place having won 9 and lost 9 of their games, they produced the shock of the season last week when demolishing promotion chasing Dudley Kingswinford (50 - 21). Prominent in that victory was Iain Dixon who scored 30 points converting 10 of his 11 attempts at goal.

That defeat has certainly opened up the race for second place and a play off against the runner up from Div 3S. Although not as hoped for at the beginning of the season we will have a say in that particular event as we still have to play D.K. and L.S.H here at Reeds Lane.

Another of Blaydon's victories was of course against ourselves last October (18-11) their first against us in five attempts. We shall be all out today to restore that differential.

Seven consecutive wins, including five in the league, have raised us up the table into fourth place. Included in that win a double over Darlington M.P. and recognition from their supporters that no better side has visited them this season.

Last Saturday we had a fine win at Morley (27-16). The game was effectively over by half time when we turned round 27-5 ahead and not surprisingly eased off later allowing Morley to reply with 11 unanswered points.

The following day the side were again on duty when overcoming a fired-up Chester side 22 -5. That we had to compete on successive days was an absolute disgrace but we should be very proud the way the players overcame that handicap.

I have no doubt at all that although the next round could also fall on a "double weekend" Birkenhead Park would not be so petty as to enforce it.

We will keep you informed.

Enjoy the game.

Good afternoon and welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National League Div 3 game. Our visitors are Doncaster RFC and we extend the warmest of greetings to their players and officials whilst not forgetting their enthusiastic and vocal supporters without whom the atmosphere at these meetings would be strangely lacking.

Amongst their players of course if Geoff Jones our recent captain and stalwart of the past six seasons here at Reeds Lane. Understandably the ordeal of traveling from Yorkshire three times a week became too onerous and whilst we were very sad to lose him to Doncaster, it is a pleasure to welcome him back.

We now regard "Donny" as an old adversary but in truth fixtures between our clubs only started in the 1994/5 season. Before this campaign the record for both clubs stood at W3, L3, D2. Then last October we traveled over the Pennines and got absolutely thumped 51 - 10, more than a satisfying revenge for their 33 - 9 "welcome to National Rugby" defeat two seasons ago.

To be honest, up to a few weeks ago the chance of redressing that balance looked extremely slim (Murphys were asking what odds you'd like!), with Doncaster proudly sitting as league winners elect and ourselves languishing somewhere in the nether regions. But then something changed, not to Doncaster who are still very much in pole position having beaten Dudley K 20 - 8 last Saturday, but to N.B. who appear to have suddenly begun to believe in themselves.

Seven consecutive wins, including five in the league, have raised us up the table into fourth place. Included in that win a double over Darlington M.P. and recognition from their supporters that no better side has visited them this season.

Whatever the result this afternoon we can be proud of the way the side have responded to their challenges and have come back in the manner they have. Remember that this is the same squad as was available last October, no players having "bought" in.

Please don't rush in to see the very start of the International but wait outside and applaud both sides off the pitch.

At the time of writing our Cheshire Cup fixture against Chester, scheduled to be played on the 17th February is in difficulties. On Saturday 16th we have a rearranged league match against Morley and on the same date the 2nd XV has an unbreakable fixture at Otley. Amazingly Cheshire Cup rules state that only a national cup fixture is a valid reason for postponement if the clubs cannot agree a new date. Chester not having a fixture that weekend will not accommodate a move to a midweek fixture with the result that either we ask players to play on consecutive days or we devalue the competition by scratching, perhaps incurring a fine and / or non eligibility next season.

Whilst accepting that these difficulties do have a way of resolving themselves to everyone's satisfaction especially when under the guidance of our Cheshire Representative perhaps NB and our players should seriously consider their county allegiances in the future.

Enjoy the game.

Enjoy the game.

Good afternoon and welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National League match. Our visitors are Tynedale R.F.C. and we extend special greetings to their players, officials and supporters trusting that no matter what the result on the pitch, our clubhouse hospitality will help shorten their journey home.

They are currently in 9th place having won 5 of their 13 games, beating Whitchurch, Scunthorpe, Nuneaton, West Hartlepool and of course ourselves. Tynedale are the first of five clubs, L.S. H. Doncaster, Blaydon and Whitchurch being the others that have the opportunity of being the first club to do "the double" over us since the home/away league system was introduced some 8 seasons ago.

We do have a point to prove to our visitors after what last November was arguably our worst performance to date, losing 18-6. Thankfully having reached our nadir the team has greatly improved in performance with the result that five of the seven league games since then have been won.

A more settled squad has helped but there is no doubt that the extra input that Steve and Bucks have contributed has put greater steel into the side.

Last weeks victory, 40-11 over Sandal, has moved us further away from the relegation zone and indeed there seems to be a safety cushion opening. Comfortable victory it was, but against very disappointing opposition it was hard to evaluate our performance. Watching the game it was difficult not to sympathise with Walsall's plight last season after being relegated by committee instead of Sandal.

The draw for the Cheshire Cup has been made recently and we entertain Chester home on a date to be agreed. The winners will be at home to either Birkenhead Park or Vagabonds in the semi-final.

Next Friday, 25th January was to have been the Kevin Brookman's Testimonial Dinner but due to the interest from current playing members we have postponed it to a later date. This means that the Mockbeggar Dining Society will have their January repast on that date. Everyone is welcome - all you have to do is put your name down on the notice board, turn up, pay £10.00 and enjoy a first class meal in pleasant surroundings amongst convivial company - Bargain!

Enjoy the game.