The 1st XV completed its league programme at Evesham on Saturday and despite a big effort we lost 14-40 to good opposition. We played the first half into a strong wind which helped Evesham pin us back and they scored three times in the first quarter. We had chances ourselves but couldn’t quite finish them off but with the elements in our favour in the second half we were still in the game. Stu Campbell, playing out of position in the centre finished off a good attack just after the re-start and we came within inches of adding to it twice. In the end, Evesham got on top again in the final quarter and scored three more tries but at least we had the final score as Gareth Shuttleworth touched down in the final move and converted it himself. See John Warner’s full report on the website.

This week we switch to the Papa John competition and we are away at Bugbrooke, who are situated just south of Northampton. One of the joys of the Papa John is that you get to play clubs you haven’t met before and this is the case with Bugbrooke. They were formed as a Sunday social side around 1970 and formalised their situation at the end of that decade. They have progressed strongly since then and have acquired additional pitches and built a new clubhouse. They have done well in the leagues and play in the equivalent division to us in the East Midlands. Although they lost by 76-7 to league winners Stamford on Saturday, they have had a good season finishing with 11 wins and 2 draws in 5th place, one behind Newbold and well ahead of Old Laurentians, who have come bottom.

Unfortunately, we will not get the opportunity to see their facilities as some post-season groundworks is being done and the game has been switched to nearby Northampton Men’s Own which is about three miles away, in Ashton. The post-code is NN7 2JN

Playing Stats. The Papa John stats are still to come but having completed the league programme, the preliminary figures are that.

• We finished in 8th place with 8 wins well down on last year when we won 14 and finished third
• Overall, we fielded 54 players and whilst availability was a problem all season it did at least give us the opportunity to gives chances to some second team “regulars” and some of our Colts
• Gareth Shuttleworth played the most games with 21 and was only denied playing in all the games by a late-season injury. Skipper Joe Kinghorn played 20, Richard Mullis 19 and Joe Dunbavin 17. A lot of players played in around half of the games – due mainly to injuries
• Conor Chamberlain was top try scorer with 10, followed by Richard Mullis on 9 and Gareth Shuttleworth on 8. Connor was also top points scorer with 61, followed by Freddie Spencer on 55

Other gamers were played at the weekend – the U16 lost by 14-21 to Earlsdon and the U15 who had a huge 80-7 win over Rugby St Andrews. The U15 are at home this week to Harbury and the mini sides are at home to Broadstreet

The Warwickshire Cup Final is taking place on Sunday 13th April 025 at Coventry RFC, between Broadstreet RFC and Nuneaton RFC, kick off at 2.30pm. Spectators can pay on the gate on the day, cash or card, Adults £5.00, Senior Concessions £3.00, U16s FOC

Kit Forrest will be organising a 200 club draw during the afternoon. Prizes are £300, £200, £100 and £50. The 200 club is a great earner and you have the chance of getting your money back as a prize. If you want to get into this final draw of the season, please contact Kit Forrest on 07748 658086 or kit.forrest1951@gmail.com

The final 200 Club Draw will take placed at the club on Saturday. Prizes are £300. £200, £100, and £50.
The 200 club is a great earner and you have the chance of getting your money back as a prize. If you want to get into this final draw of the season, please contact Kit Forrest on 07748 658086 or kit.forrest1951@gmail.com

Johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com