Cambridgeshire Rugby Handbook 2014/2015

68 Pages·2014·1.42 MB·English

by  Alasdair Bovaird

Cambridgeshire
Rugby Handbook
2014/2015

Affiliated to

Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Cambridge University and District Rugby Referees Society
Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club

Patron
R. E. G. JEEPS ESQ., CBE

Contents

Contents ........................................................................ 5
Report of 2013-14 Season.............................................. 7
Calendar of meetings ............................................... 12
Previous Officers ...................................................... 15
Club County Representatives ....................................... 16
Club Secretaries ........................................................... 18
Club details, match contacts and directions ................. 20
Cambridgeshire Schools RFU ....................................... 24
League Membership 2014-15 ...................................... 30
Six Nations 2015 .......................................................... 31
Cambridgeshire County Cups 2014-15 ......................... 32
County Cup History .................................................. 34
Other Competitions ................................................. 35
Cup Competition Rules ............................................ 36
Cambridge University and District Rugby Referees
Society......................................................................... 40
Officers .................................................................... 40
The Whistlers Trophy ............................................... 41
Rules for the Cambridgeshire Youth Rugby Cup
Competitions ............................................................... 42
Under 13’s to Under 16’s Cups .................................... 42
Youth Tournament Draws 2014-15 .............................. 48
Under 13 ................................................................. 48
Under 14 ................................................................. 49
Under 15 ................................................................. 50
Under 16 ................................................................. 51
Summary of rules..................................................... 52
Club Youth Contacts .................................................... 53
Bye-Laws of Cambridgeshire Rugby Football Union...... 54
Dickie Jeeps Trophy ..................................................... 61
Vice Presidents and Associate Members ...................... 63
Associate Membership ............................................ 64
Application Form for Associate Membership............ 65
Report of 2013-14 Season

The 2013-14 season presented many challenges to those involved in
Cambridgeshire rugby both on the field and off. We reach the end of the
season however with our enthusiasm for the game we love undimmed and
looking forward to the forthcoming season with relish – new approaches to
the development of our young players will need to be bedded in; a new
league structure for teams across Eastern Counties will doubtless present
opportunities to develop new friendships and the prospect of the Rugby
World Cup in Autumn 2015 is a mouthwatering one. The latter also presents
us with a once in a generation opportunity to promote our game and its
values to the wider community – one that the county will be working hard to
seize.

As always, the past season has been full of activity – much of which goes
unseen to large parts of the rugby community – but which could not take
place without the loyal and generous support of our sponsors. We therefore
record our gratitude to:

 Silicon Valley Bank>
 Gibbs Denley Insurance and Financial Services
 Adcock Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Limited
 Kings School, Ely
There can be no doubting the highlight of the domestic club season in 2013-
14 was the revival of matches at first team level between Cambridge and
Shelford, with large crowds present at both the National League 2 clashes.
Honours were even on the field over the two games as Shelford first defeated
Cambridge at Volac Park and Cambridge then returned the favour at the
Davey Field later in the season. While both clubs maintain ambitions of
playing at a higher level, it was Cambridge who claimed local bragging rights
with a higher league position than their rivals this season – but both will be
looking forward to renewing their rivalry at the Davey Field on 27 September
this season.

Saffron Walden’s season continued right to the very end of the year as they
sought promotion to London 1. A 22-0 victory over leaders Ipswich in
December saw the Cambridgeshire side top of their league at Christmas, but a
pair of unfortunate losses in January meant that they were fated for the play-
off position at season-end. A trip to Twickenham RFC (just a mile from HQ)
was to follow and a loss in extra time by the odd point in 87 means that the
Henham-based club will remain at London 2 level for the next season. The
renewed strength of the second team however means that there will be a
high level of optimism for going one place better in 2015.
Two Cambridgeshire clubs competed at London 3 level in the last season –
both having been promoted two seasons ago. Another season of
consolidation for Cantabrigians saw them finish in the upper half of the table
without ever seriously challenging for the promotion places. However the club
is in good spirits as it approaches its seventieth anniversary season and
significant investment in facilities will see them in good heart for the new
season. Wisbech also opened their renovated clubhouse this season but will
be returning to the Eastern Counties 1 league next season as a late run of
losses saw the Fenland club drop out of London 3 by a single point.
For much of the season, Newmarket looked likely to win the Eastern Counties
1, but injuries eventually took their toll as they lost a series of tight
encounters in the last two months of the season to miss out to West Norfolk
for the championship and automatic promotion. A play-off against Clapton –
runners up in Essex 1 – was lost by a single point and so a further season in
Eastern Counties 1 beckons. Ely will remain alongside them as their young
side continues to contest the upper reaches of the league – buoyed perhaps
by their appearance in the County Cup final – they will be looking to build
again in 2014-15.
For Mildenhall Red Lodge in Eastern Counties 2 the vagaries of player
availability continues to be a challenge, but they can look back with some
pride in having completed their league season, ensured that where they were
able to they also honoured the fixtures for their second XV in the Greene King
leagues, and will take the field again among their Cambridgeshire colleagues
in the new Eastern Counties leagues for next season.
For Cottenham-based Renegades, the season was one of transition as a
mixture of youth and experience led to a series of variable results – but an
honourable third place in the Green King Premiere table was obtained – while
for Sawston and March in the same league, some renewed stability was
achieved. Teams were fielded regularly, oppositions were hosted in the
appropriate style and genuine community rugby was delivered – no mean
achievement in times of increasing demands on players time and continuing
economic uncertainty.
The same can be said of Cambourne Exiles and Wendens Ambo who graced
the Greene King Deuxieme league with good humour, commitment and – at
times – skill. Indeed at all levels of our local game, we see individuals playing,
refereeing, volunteering for the sheer joy of the game, its camaraderie and its
values of teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, respect and – most
importantly – enjoyment. While it might be the first teams who gain the press
coverage and can attract several hundred to pre-match lunches and the like,
all levels of a club from firsts to fifths contribute to this spirit and provide the
framework for games to take place.
Sadly, one famous name in Cambridgeshire rugby met its end this season as
Old Perseans finally decided to wind themselves up. As longstanding
secretary, Phil Harvey, reported: “It has been several years since the club has
played a single game and many more years since a regular fixture list has been
in operation. A few months ago I called together some of the local ex stalwarts
and it was decided, over a pint or two, that there is no sensible reason to
prolong the club's existence. We then had a big reunion on 12th April,
including taking in the Shelford v Cambridge match where we wore our old
OPRUFC shirts, some more comfortably than others! We had some great
years, in the 60s and early 70s especially, and this really is a sad but the
inevitable conclusion.”
The Youth and Mini Rugby scene across the county remains vibrant, with an
extensive programme of county cups at youth level, mini festivals and
tournaments being held. This year’s model of taking various events to
different clubs around the county proved successful and enabled the
workload to be more widely spread. The new age grade regulations from the
RFU have now operated for two seasons and are contributing to a faster and
more inclusive mini rugby game … we wait with excitement to see how the
increased skill level will translate into the older youth game. County Cups
were held at u13 to u17 level and this year the cup winners, runners up and
plate winners all took part in inter-county competitions with their
counterparts in Norfolk and Suffolk – a much enjoyed innovation.
The Cambridgeshire Youth County squads had an enjoyable and productive
year in terms of player development. With Cambridgeshire providing the
largest contingent of players selected for the Eastern Counties under 18
squad, there is a feeling that our player-centred approach to developing
young talent is proving its worth. This learning will be taken on board next
season as the youth squads – rebranded as the ‘Developing Player
Programme’ fall under the wing of the Premiership clubs. Cambridgeshire,
along with Suffolk, will form part of the Northampton Saints programme while
Leicester Tigers will take Norfolk under their wing. We wait for the final
details of the programme and its personnel but an exciting future beckons if
the prospectus is to be relied upon.
Every year the county awards the Dickie Jeeps Trophy to the outstanding
young player on the county scene, with some illustrious names being among
the winners. Those of a certain vintage will recognise ‘AW Hancock’ – trophy
winner in 1963 and 1964 and scorer of a famous match-winning try for
England in the Calcutta Cup in 1965. This year’s winner was Rory Hutchinson
of Northampton Saints and Shelford and before that Wendens Ambo Mini
Rugby – a Scottish youth international at under 18 and under 20 this season
and part of the Scots’ Junior World Cup squad. Congratulations are due to him
and also to Alan Gregory of Cambridge RFC who represented Scotland at
under 16 level.
The Cambridgeshire County XV also played two matches and ended up
sharing the Inter-Counties Cup with Norfolk. With Gareth Godfrey and Danny
Hunter taking on the county coaching duties at short notice – just days before
the home match versus Suffolk – it was a huge performance which saw
Cambridgeshire lose by just two points at Ely in front of a crowd of assembled
members from both counties. With Norfolk defeating Suffolk, all was set for
the deciding game at Thetford. Cambridgeshire won by seven points leaving
Norfolk and Cambridgeshire unable to be separated and so sharing the trophy
– the first time Cambridgeshire’s name would be on the cup since 2008.
The season finished with two county cup finals held at Ely on the first
Saturday in May … Cambridge Development defeated the hosts to take the
County Cup while Shelford IIIs defeated Cantabrigian IIs in the Junior Cup –
congratulations were due to all four teams for an entertaining day of rugby
and to Ely for providing a high quality venue and coping with a large crowd so
admirably. Next season’ the new league and cup structure will mean that we