This is where our secretary posts an informative view of the club.
End of 2009/10 Season Newsletter
21 May 2010 10:18
Compiled by Barri HurfordIncorporating report of secretary Steve Bold to agm
LEAGUE RECORD
We started the season in a good position with Richard Vivian, our new coach, receiving assistance from Colin Nicholson and Bristol tight-head prop Wayne Thompson. The expanded Western Counties North meant there were 26 league games on the 1st XV fixture list and players trained hard in preparation.
However, we began with eight consecutive losses and our first league win did not come until the end of October. The Old Players’ reunion that day clearly gave us a kick start against Berry Hill. Perhaps the new coaching structure and game plan needed time to bed in, but we spent the rest of the season avoiding relegation rather than thinking of promotion. The 1st XV finished with a creditable 11 league wins and one draw out of the remaining 18 games. This has has retained our status in the league as we finished 10th out of 14. Next season starts at home to Bristol Harlequins on 4th September 2010 and the league structure can be viewed at www.swrugby.co.uk. Our full league fixtures are live on our website.
The 1st XV is in a state of transition. The squad now is very young and there are surely better results around the corner as this team matures. There were some great results from this side including a 53-nil win at Hornets, a good win at Drybrook [15-8] and another over our bogey side Stroud [28-15]. It is encouraging to see that Ross Wilson [captain] and the coaching team are staying in place for the coming season and this should offer the continuity needed for a top of the table challenge.
For the record: 1st XV - P28 W12 L15 D1 and in the league P26 W11 L14 D1.
SECONDS AND THIRDS
The 2nd XV once again struggled through non-availability. Colin Nicholson stood down as 2nd XV coach before Christmas as he felt there were not enough numbers at training to justify his continuing. This left a hole in the team admin which was taken on by Craig Hazzard. Without Craig’s hard work, the 2nd XV would have played many fewer games.
This is the last season of the Bristol Combination Merit Tables as from next season the Gloucestershire RFU will be running a more structured reserve league format for our 2nd and 3rd teams.
2nd team record for the year - P22 W8 L14 and in the Merit Table P16 W5 L11
Our third team did not play a game until early November and on just four occasions during the year were we able to raise three sides on the same Saturday. This is despite there being a total of 102 players playing at least one game and 62 who played at least five.
In total the 3rd team P11 W6 L5 and in the Merit Table P6 W3 L3
We did not raise a 4th XV at any stage of the season.
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Some notable milestones were reached during the season just finished. Martin Green and Dennis Vittle surpassed 900 games for the club. Mike Lewis scored his 100th try and also his 50th try in league games.
Most appearances for the season were made by Gary Charles 30, Tony Booth 28 and Chris Jelf 27.
Leading try scorers were Lee Heal 9, Phil Sterry 8, Gary Charles 7, Antony Jelf 7, Mike Lewis 7 and Dan Snow 7.
Top points scorers were Dan Snow 158, Darren Gillespie 72 and Joel Phillips 56.
OLD PLAYERS’ REUNION
The Annual Charles Hill Day was held on 31st October and there was the usual big turnout, with old players happy to spend their hard-earned pensions across the bar. Barri Hurford was thanked for doing a grand job in organising the event as usual.
USE OF GROUND
England u-18’s and u-20’s have again made use of our facilities this season and have been impressed with how we have looked after them. Our third pitch has seen its first action but is not yet in ideal shape and we are currently carrying out further work on the drainage. There has been additional work behind the clubhouse and this will hopefully improve in taking off water from the pitches. An increase in the capacity of the soak-away should lead to fewer games being cancelled through waterlogged pitches.
JUNIOR SECTION
The Junior Section suffered the break-up of the u-17’s but there is hope, with Nigel Smith installed as 3rd team captain, that many will return to play for the seniors next season.
CLUB ACCOUNTS
Our accounts have been improved by greater income from the car park and the compound. This has enabled us to carry out improvements to the clubhouse and ground facilities and also to pay off some of our debts.
Major spend items this year have been concentrated on the clubhouse and ground. These include the refurbishment of the toilets, the kitchen, the changing rooms, the referees’ room and the disabled toilets, in addition to the outside work on improved drainage. Money has now been earmarked for closed season work on the pitches, replacement windows and doors for the clubhouse and repairs to the floodlights. Next on the budget plan is refurbishment of the weights room.
Carol Loveridge has done great work in looking after our accounts, as has husband Bob with the ever-improving lottery. Thanks go also to club steward Debbie Yeo for increasing income from lettings and for managing the bar so efficiently and willingly.
The club is in the enviable position of remaining in the black. Annual subscriptions and monthly lottery payments have increased over the year and North Bristol rfc is grateful to those who continue to show their support. Donations and sponsorship are down on last year, but that is just a sign of the times.
ANNUAL DINNER
There was a disappointing turnout at the dinner, not necessarily by the players but from members who are entitled to a free ticket via their standing orders but who do not show. We are considering whether we have the right format for the dinner and the committee would welcome any input on this issue.
AWARD WINNERS
Clubman of the Year – Craig Hazzard
Player of the Year – Gary Charles
Young Player of the Year – Simon Mortimer
Most Improved Player – James Marsh
Coaches’ Cup – Rob Collins and Andy Chappell
2nd Team Players of the Year – Darren Gillespie & Phil Sterry
3rd Team Player of the Year – Johnny Lyons
OFFICERS AND CAPTAINS FOR NEXT SEASON
Chairman – Dennis Vittle
Secretary – Steve Bold
League Secretary – Nick Tatum
Treasurer – Carol Loveridge
Chairman of Rugby Committee – Glyn Williams
Club Coach – Richard Vivian
Fixture Secretary – Mike Cottle
Membership Secretary – Mark Edgerley
Players’ Representative – Alex Flannigan
Team captains: 1st XV – Ross Wilson
2nd XV – Darren Gillespie
3rd XV – Nigel Smith
2nd & 3rd XV Team Manager – Craig Hazzard
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Unchanged:
full playing membership £20 per month (£10 pm for students)
non-playing full membership £10 pm
associate membership £8 pm
lottery membership £5 pm
with a one-off fee of £36 per month for a full member not wishing to pay by standing order and those not paying £20 pm pay £5 per game.
END OF SEASON TOUR
North Bristol RFC’S 47th consecutive annual tour was once again brilliantly organised by T & M Promotions ( Nick Tatum & Derek Miles). The tour party numbered 25, led by club president Ken Rendell who has only ever missed two of these events. Home base for the third time was Sol Trinidad Hotel in Magaluf, Majorca, well situated and in the picture for what is needed.
One game was played and El Torro rfc were defeated by 19-15. This was an excellent result considering the pre-match state of a mixed team of inebriated players from the 1st, 2nd & 3rd XV’s. Consensus was that it was one the best tours ever. Expectations are that the touring party will be a bigger one next year, the 10th organised by T & M Promotions.
