1st XV : home to Blackburn in the Papa John’s Community Cup
2nd XV : home to Sandal 2
3rd XVs : at Pocklington 2s in the Merit play-off
4th XV : no fixture
Ladies 1st XV : play Kendal at home on Sunday – this is a charity fund-raiser for Hull and East Yorkshire Mind
Please note that, as the clubhouse will be set up for a Sportsman’s Dinner on Saturday evening, the main clubhouse will not be available – a marquee at the side of the club will have a bar, and be used for the players’ meals.
Our final position of fourth in the league is a true reflection of our season : a place I think we deserve to be. We can very satisfied with our campaign.
We now turn to Papa John’s Community Cup rugby. Yet again, without us starting a game, it has had it’s problems. Last week in the various levels of the competition there were 57 walkovers. This has had a knock-on effect on teams left in : as we have found out this week having to have conversations with clubs we are due to play because of other teams pulling out.
We have a few missing for the game, but still turn out a strong squad, so no excuses. In the forwards, the front row takes it’s usual look except Bryce McKinnon, who is injured. He leaves us on Sunday. Ben Johnson starts at Number 8 – joined in the back row by Jack Webster and Will Hughes. In the backs, Jonty Megginson makes his debut at full back – the other positions are all filled by regulars. Top-scorer Kalani Grant left us on Tuesday.
The 2nd XV team entertain Sandal in the Yorkshire Premier League semi-final. Having missed out twice in the last two years, the lads will be desperate to get to this year’s final. Whatever the outcome, they have had a excellent season.
The 3rd XV are also in Merit play-off action, away against Pocklington 2s. Again, they have had a great season : to reach the final four years on the bounce would be a special achievement.
The 4th XV have finished their campaign, fulfilling all 17 planned fixtures. They always have a full complement of players, and have used over 100 different players. That is unbelievable – well done to Gareth and all the lads.
The Colts XV finish their campaign on Sunday at Doncaster. They have got better as the season has gone, with some notable wins since Christmas. Well done to all.
The Ladies 1st XV finish on Sunday at home against Kendal. They will continue to play in the same league next season, and can be very proud of their efforts. It is also their charity day with a hundred and thirty sitting down for lunch. – please come down and support it. I am sure it will be successful both on and off the pitch.
Finally, a big welcome to Blackburn’s players and supporters. It is a long time since we played them in the league, in what used to be the Intermediate Cup. They have had a good season in a tough league so, yet again, we will have to play well to get the win.
1st XV v. Blackburn
- Simon Pettinger* (c)
- Dan Ramsden
- Josh Thundercliffe
- Harry Grant*
- Henry Hughes*
- Will Hughes
- Jack Webster*
- Ben Johnson
- Tom Sowersby
- James Watts*
- Joe Robinson*
- Reuben Kelly*
- Robbie Rix
- Owen Scurry*
- Jonty Megginson*
- Sam Robson*
- Henry Furbank*
- Rob Mewburn*
- Jack Marcroft*
- Ben Blacker*