50th Anniversary SEASON

Transcription

1 Founded 1967 by R. A. Ford ( ) 50th Anniversary SEASON Printed by Gemini Print

2 President David Beale P. Baker N. Box S. Cropper A. Cornford D. Dunn Mr & Mrs M.Allen Mr G. Awberry Mr D. Beale Mr C. Fisher Vice Presidents J. Hunter D. Hunter G. Glendinning D. Lamb C. Lee Life Honorary Members Mr A.Ford Mr & Mrs P.Gregory Mr C.G.B. Hills Mr G. Medhurst A. Lee T. Mitchell G. Scott I. Towner A. West M. Llewellyn Slade Mr C. Woodward Chairman: Mark Llewellyn Slade markllewellynslade@gmail.com Vice Chairman: Lewis Beale lbeale@mazdaeur.com Fixtures Secretary: Mark Llewellyn Slade markllewellynslade@gmail.com Secretary: Chris Woodward cbwoodw@sky.com - 34 Houndean Rise, Lewes, E.Sussex, BN7 1EQ Treasurer: Richard Box r.box@btopenworld.com Bar Manager: Colin Fisher colinfisher@hotmail.co.uk CAPTAIN: Rory Loftus roryloftus@gmail.com VICE CAPTAIN: Craig Wells VICE CAPTAIN: Flavian Obiero cwells5653@gmail.com otienoflavieo@yahoo.co.uk COACH: Rhys Beale rhysbeale@yahoo.co.uk

3 Presidents Foreword... RFC has consistently punched above its weight in the county for most of its 50 years. An early encounter with Pulborough saw a 4 all draw. We did manage a win against them in 1986 a three team club. The previous year we had beaten Crowborough 1st, a team that had won the Sussex cup twice in the previous ten years, at home 10-9, with a pushover try. We have always managed to produce a competitive scrum, pushover try's against Brighton in the cup a 15-9 loss, Chichester in the cup,a 10-9 loss, with more recently East Grinstead in the league a last minute defeat, these were remarkable results for a small village club. At a time in the mid- eighties we were the club that all the big teams wanted to avoid in the draw. At first team level we have also managed to beat Heathfield, and in a season that saw us promoted to Sussex 1, Seaford along the way. There have been difficult times I was recently reminded how close we came to an amalgamation with Ditchling, a fate not worth contemplating. On occasion we have gone out to play without 15 men. Over the last 20 years we have often had to rely on Colin putting down his touch flag and taking the field, my hat comes off to you Colin for playing at least once in every decade of our history, you are what we are all about. What the Plums usually do though is turn up! And after the game visit the opposition s bar, regularly the last to leave, moving on to another unsuspecting club and forcing them to stay open a while longer. Recent history would see us record a win against Crawley; many would consider this to be our finest hour. A team with paid players and a full time coach, more of this later Who would have imagined that a team started by a scout troop in a small village would command such respect around the county? I hope we can carry on for another 50 years. My blood and that of my family is maroon in colour, I don t want a transfusion. Best Wishes to all. Dave Beale President

4 College connection... At a recent college open day I met up with an old friend that I had not seen for 40 years. Tim Firmstone was a lecturer at in the late 60's early 70's and was probably the first one from there to play for the Plums. It was Tim that posted the "Players wanted" message on the students notice board and I was the first to respond. I went to training one Sunday morning with Tim who introduced me to the club; Well what a journey 46 years on. That first year I was feted regally, I didn't pay a match fee or subscription hardly ever had to buy a beer (what s new I hear you all saying!) and was ferried around to away games, often by Albert Denny and his wife Lil, this was a squeeky bum experience as Albert would often have face to face conversations while he was driving with people in the back seats. In my second year the College produced a fairly good rugby side and several of us would play regularly for the Plums, this had two consequences the club was able to field a fairly regular 2nd team, and my free rugby ended abruptly. It was during this period that the late Brian Steele a lecturer at, played, he was one of the best centres ever to play for us and went on to play first team rugby at Lewes. Several of us ex- students played for a few years with the Plums but by the mid 70's most had moved on,and I went to do my thing at Haywards Heath. The College connection carried on through Sunday morning games played with the College old boys side for a few years, but by the time I returned to early 80's there was little interface despite the fact that the Principal at the time John Wilson was a rugby man, his son Ian who played several games for us while home from Uni was a very good wing and he also went on to play at Lewes and was their first exchange player with a club in New Zealand. We are now mid 80's and the first of only two of the colleges farm staff Ian Hallam a useful fullback played for us. It was not until the 90's when Dave Lamb and Dave Hunter went to work at the college that links were re-established. The face of the college was now changing rapidly and by the early part of this century, although student numbers had increased, Saturday morning lectures had ended and people disappeared home on a Friday night, and indeed the college rugby pitch was removed and replaced by tennis courts, mainly to cater for foreign students who came during the summer. Well this situation needed a saviour and it came in the form of Rhys Beale who took over the running of all the colleges sports teams and fairly soon had a new pitch installed. Although the student numbers are ten time that of 40 years ago it seems to be more of a struggle logistically to put out a side, and then, because students are much younger now, only at under 18 level. That said the Plums have benefitted greatly over the last 10 years or more, not only from students of which we get anywhere from two to ten available each week (when they can remember its Saturday) but also staff members and this last year the second of the farm staff to play Flav Obiero. In recent years we have trained on the colleges sports ground used the indoor sand school for winter training and occasionally used the college pitch. Our connection is now not only historic, the very first RFC game was against the Students of 1967, but crucial, in these turbulent rugby times, a team photo from the late 60 s would show 12 or 13 players that lived in the village, a recent one would show only 2 or 3 at the most. Our ties are invaluable, and uniquely this year for the first time the club captain, Rory Loftus, was elected while still a student, Craig Wells, vice-captain, is an ex-student and Flav Obiero,vice-captain, is on the Farm staff. Long may the college connection last. Dave Beale; 1st college student player/ 1st ex-student captain / 1st ex-student Chairman / 1st ex-student President / 1st ex-student in the bar (always) RFC Train at College 7pm Tuesday s, all welcome

5 Chairman s Ramble... I started watching from my pushchair back in 1967, and here I am 50 years later as Chairman. Memories, I certainly have a good few as you would imagine. Those memories are conjured by reciting the characters associated with them. A few of you will know them all; all of you will know a few. Roy Ford, Don Bradley, Albert and Lill, The Mad Marine, Colin, Dominic, Pinky Medhurst, Chris Woodward, Rab, Monty and the Beale's of course. They, along with many others, have helped to shape our club in one way or another into what it is today...several words spring to mind - refreshingly course rugby, informal, fun, relaxed and all spiced up with a dollop of quality rugby every now and then. Rhys in full flow stepping effortlessly passed one defender then another then accelerating to the try line; Laurie Flowers on the hoof with the ball impossibly grasped in his right hand ready for the inevitable one-handed pass to nowhere on the rare occasions he didn't somehow score; Lewis offering another poor, unsuspecting referee the benefit of his vision and wisdom with the help of Brock who had that rare gift of being able to interpret the laws in a uniquely creative way; Mike Llewellyn-Slade undiplomatically screaming out what everyone else was thinking from the touch line; Then all off the bar after a good pasting for a post mortem hosted by the likes of Cropper, Blakey, Craig, Hunter, Dunny, Lamby and Brock, which always seemed to centre around the failings of the back line - if only rugby could be an eight man game they would rant, after which drink and drive laws didn't apply and monthly tours, Paris international weekend's and 'ski' trips where organised and delivered on a plate by our saviour, Lewis of course. Perfect! What memories will the next 50 years hold for us all? Mark Llewellyn-Slade Chairman

6 SEASON Wkend No. Saturday Date Internationals K.O Time Saturday, 13 August 16 Saturday, 20 August 16 1 Saturday, 27 August 16 2 Saturday, 3 September 16 2pm 3 Saturday, 10 September 16 3pm 4 Saturday, 17 September 16 3pm 5 Saturday, 24 September 16 3pm 6 Saturday, 1 October 16 3pm 7 Saturday, 8 October 16 3pm 8 Saturday, 15 October 16 12am 9 Saturday, 22 October 16 3pm x1 Saturday, 29 October 16 3pm 10 Saturday, 5 November pm 11 Saturday, 12 November 16 Eng v S. Africa Saturday, 19 November 16 Eng v Fiji pm 13 Saturday, 26 November 16 Eng v Argentina pm 14 Saturday, 3 December 16 Eng v Australia Saturday, 10 December 16 2pm 16 Saturday, 17 December 16 2pm 17 Saturday, 24 December 16 x2 Saturday, 31 December Saturday, 7 January 17 2pm 19 Saturday, 14 January 17 2pm 20 Saturday, 21 January 17 2pm 21 Saturday, 28 January 17 2pm 22 Saturday, 4 February 17 Eng v France Saturday, 11 February 17 Wal v Eng pm 24 Saturday, 18 February pm 25 Saturday, 25 February 17 Eng v Italy Sun Saturday, 4 March 17 3pm 27 Saturday, 11 March 17 Eng v Scot pm 28 Saturday, 18 March 17 Ire v Eng Saturday, 25 March 17 3pm 30 Saturday, 1 April 17 3pm 31 Saturday, 8 April 17 3pm 32 Saturday, 15 April Saturday, 22 April 17 tbc x3 Saturday, 29 April 17 Co. Championship 1pm 34 Saturday, 6 May 17 Pool 1pm 35 Saturday, 14 May 17

7 Home Away PLUMPTON RFC EVENT CHAIRMANS BARBEQUE STOOLBALL BANK HOLIDAY W/E 4 teams TURBO 13'S TOURNAMENT Brighton 3 Chichester 3 Norfolk Arms Burgess Hill 2 Hastings/Bex 2 5th Oct- HARVEYS TOUR Bring a Mate Match BAMM Worthing Azurians reversed fixture BSMS (Medics) Hay Heath 2 Crawley 2 Littlehampton BUS TRIP St. Francis 1 Brighton 3 PUB CRAWL Christmas New Year Chichester 3 Norfolk Arms Burgess Hill 2 Hastings/Bex 2 BUS TRIP Worthing Azurians reversed fixture BSMS (Medics) Hay Heath 2 Crawley 2 Littlehampton St. Francis 1 Tour Game 7s (Sunday - 1pm) 50th Anniversary Game BANK HOLIDAY W/E SOFIA TOUR 7S TOURNAMENT 50th DINNER BH W/E Races Ladies Day

8 50 Golden Years... I was talking to a fellow allotment holder in Uckfield, he remembered playing against us at the racecourse In the early days. That got me thinking, I remember trays of sandwiches, before we graduated to Pie and Beans. Apres match entertainment was singing items from the book of rugby songs, having previously listened to the LP of the same name performed by the Jock Strap Ensemble (You had to work out the words that had been bleeped out; not difficult!). Our idea of a warm-up before the match was to sit in someone s car with the heater on. A few seasons later when visiting teams started doing warm up exercises we consoled ourselves that they would be worn out before the match started. How times have changed?! The playing time was usually agreed when the captains coin toss with the referee. We tried for 35 mins each way, 30 if the pitch looked heavy. I recall watching Roger Quittenden referee and international on TV, a few weeks later he refereed us at the racecourse, after all, they were both games of rugby! My father Roy ford loved his rugby, supported England, Canada (where he was born), Sussex & The Lions; but was his club. He would have been so proud that the club was celebrating its 50th Anniversary; a pint in one hand & his pipe in the other. Cheers! Andrew Ford Founder member

9 50th Anniversary Headline Sponsor Sponsors Affiliated Pubs

10 Forty Years Of Hurt.... One hundred and fifty thousand, against fifteen hundred men, that should be just slaughter, but we re so Think Again. Rain like the tears of a silent witness pored, of, Harrold Ellis, Mike Slade, John Davies, Roy Ford. Only one present could remember what had gone before (this is Colin by-the-way) when it was 0 - Crawley 104. The game kicked off at a frantic pace, Crawley confident, the Plums, just wanting to save face. The backs were valiant all through the game and tackled like demons again and again. Our number 10, Rhys with the wind at his back put in long raking kicks in defence and attack, he marshalled the line and tackled with power, and to me this was His finest hour. And Cropper was there in spirit. The forwards were magnificent where the scrummage excelled and the Crawley drives were forced back and repelled, Grant and Craig put their heads where it hurts, smashing anyone in Magenta into the sodden racecourse turf. And Cropper was there in spirit. Our young Tight head Lochie, just a boy looking like Little Lord Fauntleroy. Had his opposite man to the referee puffing; the Ref said look pal you re just getting a stuffing. Then Juicy did er....well what Juicy does! And Cropper was there in spirit. The game now entering a crucial stage, found the Crawley coach on the pitch in a rage, he was constantly annoying the Ref with his nagging, but a quick red card soon sent him packing., now buoyed took control of the game, as their coach took that very, very long walk of shame. And Cropper was there in spirit. As our scrum half Lewis cried for one final effort and seek a remarkable win. The crowd erupted on the final whistle as we realized what we had seen, Crawley Rain like the tears of a silent witness fell,. but mainly on Crawley, so what the hell. Now our revenge is complete we have settled the score, and the poor Crawley coach was soon shown the door, but as a gesture of compassion, not wishing to mock, Hunter offered the poor man Part time work at the Cock. And Cropper will be there for the spirits. So when Noah says Grandad tell me a story with villains and Hero s striving for glory, I ll regale of the day when beat Crawley. But don t worry when I tell him of the Plums Days of Yore.. I won t mention Cropper, The wee lads only four. Take a bow: Craig Wells, Rob Blake, Lochie Elliot, Ed Bowman, Alex Aston, Joe Hodgkiss, Grant Restieaux, Steve Blake, Lewis Beale, Rhys Beale, Joe Bryant, Justin Smith, Dan Franks, Liam Dunkley, Gareth Lourens.

11 Final Whistle Don Bradley John Davies Harrold Ellis Tony (Hank) Hancock Rod Bellringer-Jones Mike Rust Mike Slade Kenney Snell Jack Cook Albert Denney Roy Ford Steve Hole Bill Merryfield Alvaro Samblas Peter Smith Brian Steele Rectory, Green, BN7 3BU Fifty years ago this season, a group of individuals came together and formed a Rugby Club in the village of, East Sussex. And so The Mighty Plums team was born. Enthusiasm, commitment, comradeship and team work became the order of the day not to mention the social activities after the matches! Over the last fifty years there have been many achievements and successes. In paying tribute to the present membership of The Might Plums we should also remember all former members of the Club and especially those who are no longer with us. The Mighty Plums salute those who founded the Club and all past members. The Revd. G.D. Broster Rector of and East Chiltington.

12 P L A Y E RS WA N T E D Training on Tuesdays College BECOME PART OF THE MIGHTY PLUMS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RUGBY AT PLUMPTON VISIT or Contact : Rory Loftus rloftus@gmail.com PLUMPTON PLAY IN THE SUSSEX DIV 3 (ORANGEBOOM) C O M E O V ER TO THE D A R K S I D E