Matches on Saturday 26 January
Harbury have two matches this weekend. The Colts game at home to Kenilworth having been cancelled following a number of injuries received in their Cup match last Sunday.
The 1sts are away to Rugby St Andrews, the League leaders in potentially the toughest match of the season. The seconds entertain St Andrews.
UPDATES
Last Saturday's League Match at home to Pinley had to be cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. This has been re-arranged to 23rd February. The second team travelled to Pinley with 16 players - one of whom was Matt Knight. They faced a Pinley side with 28 available. The first half saw Harbury leading 13-10 through tries from Steve Alford and Lloyd Storey and a Gary Beavan penalty. Pinley added a second half try and Matt came through his 40 minutes of re-habilitation.
The Colts match against Old Leamingtonians was switched to OL's due to the state of the pitch. OL's young Colts side were a useful side, though in their first year. Harbury's forwards dominated the game and they ran out 55-0 winners.
This win put Harbury up to third place in the Warwickshire Colts Merit Table.
23 January 2008
CHRIS LORD
Chris Lord a key back in the Club has broken his leg in a freak injury during a warm up session prior to last Saturday's match against Warwickian. During a series of sprints he turned and caught the back of his foot in a divot. He immediately went off and put ice on the injury. However, this had no real effect and in the Clubhouse afterwards he was commenting how painful it felt. A visit to A & E on Sunday confirmed the worst news of a broken bone. He will obviously be out for the rest of the season. We all send him our commiserations and look forward to seeing him soon. His absence will be sorely missed and certainly on Saturday he would have had a field day had he been playing. Harbury's back line is beginning to look very stretched at the moment with injuries to Ricky and Steve Alford, Gregg Peebles, Gary Fennarty and Tom Jamieson.
January 15 2008
HARBURY GAIN TWO WINS OVER WARWICKIAN
The 1's and 2's had wins last weekend over neighbours Warwickian in two very different matches. The 1's chose to give a number of players a run out- so that following Chris Lord's pre-match injury- this was widened so that the backs had only three 1st team regulars and the forwards five. The match was abandonded after 60 minutes when a Warwickian lock went down in a set scrum. He suffered a neck injury and referee Jason Pyott immediately called for an ambulance and then blew for no-side. The player was thankfully okay.
The game was dominated by the heavy conditions and thanks must go to John French for harrowing the pitch and Bob New for forking the areas of standing water which at least made the surface playable. Warwickian scored a good try after 20 minutes but Harbury countered immediately through a Lloyd Storey try converted by Gary Bevan.
The forwards gelled well as a unit and poor handling in the backs led to at least two certain scores being wasted. The scoreline remained at 7-7 at the break. Harbury with slope, sun and wind behind them dominated the opening quarter of the second half. Bevan kicked two penalties to put Harbury 13-7 ahead and the backs managed to squander two early scoring chances. Warwickian took advantage of a breakdown in mid-field and a huge boot down the field caught Harbury's back three and a quick follow up led to an unconverted try to narrow the difference to a single point. Harbury, irked by this hit back and began to put further pressure on the visitors when the injury occured. Good to see the pack playing well and a welcome return for Jamie Paulson after 4 weeks out with a hamstring injury.
The 2's were primarily Colts with a number of senior players - Jeff Foster, Roger Hayden and Ken Robertson. It was also an opportunity for James Clarke to make his debut. Dave Andrews who watched the game was impressed with the way the team gelled in their 55-14 win. The match, played with uncontested scrums as Warwickian could not field a front row, was dominated by some good approach work by the team. James Carroll, who scored 3 tries was the Miles of Tiles Man of the Match. Shane Dunne (1T), Dan Taylor (2), Pete Connon (1), Jamie Newport and James Clarke (1 apiece). Jon-Jo Cronin added 3 conversions and Newport 2.
January 15 2008
COACHING SESSIONS
WITH
WARWICKSHIRE RFU
Mark Richardson the Warwickshire RDO has confirmed the times and dates for the coaching sessions that we have discussed with him.
They will be held on MONDAYS and the programme is:
JANUARY 28TH at 7.00 pm
- This session will dealing with the TURNOVER and will be led by
HUW THOMAS
FEBRUARY 4TH at 7.00 pm
This session will be dealing with the LINEOUT and will be led by
RICH SIVETER
FEBRUARY 11th at 7.00 pm
This session will be dealing with the BREAKDOWN/RUCK and MAUL and will be led by
MARK RICHARDSON
There will be follow ups over the next three weeks
FEBRUARY 18th at 7.00pm
This session will dealing with the TURNOVER and will be led by
HUW THOMAS
FEBRUARY 25th at 7.00pm
This session will be dealing with the LINEOUT and will be led by
RICH SIVETER
MARCH 1st at 7.00pm
This session will be dealing with the BREAKDOWN/RUCK and MAUL and will be led by
MARK RICHARDSON
Besides this I have asked the Committee to fund two external floodlights on the apex of the Clubhouse, where it overlooks the first team pitch so that JOHN GOLDEN can provide an input into
SPECIALIST KICKING
Also on
TUESDAY 5th FEBRUARY
A Referee will be discussing the Ruck and Maul. This will be an indoor activity and will use the main clubroom. More details later.
The sessions with Huw, Mark and Rich co-oincide with our 3 League Matches - Alcester, (9th Feb) at Home Cov Welsh (16th Feb) at Home and Tenbury (1st March) Away and Upton (8th March) Home.
Please make every effort to attend these are important and extremely useful sessions to help you improve your game and those of the team you play for. These cover Seniors, Colts and Under 17's
Tuesday 8 January
DAPHNE SHURVINTON
Sadly we have to report the death of Daphne Shurvinton who passed away early on Monday morning (7th January). Daphne, the wife of former Chairman and Life Member Graham, had suffered from cancer over the last eighteen months and wanted to make two targets in her final days - Christmas and her birthday, which would have been next week. She made the former but sadly not the latter.
I guess many current players will not be aware of the work that she did in the early years for Harbury Rugby Club. Well `Daph', as she was affectionately known, organised a group of ladies to provide meals for the players on match days. It seems hard to believe that it was back in 1976 when HRFC moved its HQ from the Crown Inn to two rooms in the Village Hall. We had managed to obtain a licence and Daph got together a Committee that included Anne Winchester, Sue Andrews, June Wells, Madeline Mann and Jo Birkbeck. Their responsibilities were to arrange to collect pies, peas, spuds etc and tea - yes the players even had tea in those days!. And then to cook etc for some 40 + players using the village hall kitchens. Daph stood no truck with players who asked for more, telling them bluntly to get the washing up done before getting any extras!
Daph and Graham were an institution and when `Shurv' retired after 11 years as Chairman ( to be followed by the inimitable `Hollers') she was equally supportive of his singing and acting. She was a rock when Nicola, their daughter, was seriously ill with kidney failure and Shurv found that his kidney was compatible, so enabling him to assume the role of a donor. This saw the three of them becoming even closer and Daph worked with Shurv and the then Wallsgrave Hospital to help raise funds for another dialysis machine through a series of fund raising concerts.
We will very much miss you Daph and our thoughts go out to both Graham and Nicola in these very trying times.
HARBURY CRUELLY STUNG BY THE WASPS
Dudley Wasps 18
Harbury 15
Midlands 5 West (South)
To an extent this match summed up luckless Harbury's season. They fielded their strongest squad and were able to have the services of Steff Bekker, who was playing his last match for the Club before returning to South Africa with his family.
After an early penalty to Dudley, Harbury's 10 - Ricky Alford - produced a sublime passage of play with a double chip and gather to score beneath the posts. He added the conversion for a 7-3 lead. Dudley hit back with a sharp try to regain the lead. However, Harbury's pack put pressure on the Wasps and were awarded a penalty which Alford converted to regain the lead at 10-8. Wasps then added three points to regain the lead. Harbury's pack were gelling well and from a lineout a well directed drive gave Jeff Foster the chance to be driven over for the try to make it 15-11. Steve Alford was denied a try as he went passed his man for the line. The referee overuled the linesman and claimed the bal was out - which it was palpably not. Such decisions can shape the outcome. Alford was injured and was replaced by Dave Flegg.
In the second half Harbury witheld a strong challenge from Wasps. An outstanding tackle by Ricky Alford resulted in a neck injury to Ricky. The game was held up and he was airlifted to hospital, thankfully he is okay but still sore. The referee didn't abandon the game, which at that stage had about 25 minutes of play left, but moved it to an adjacent pitch.
Harbury coped with the change to personnel and pitch well and defended admirably to keep Wasps at bay. Harbury had some options - they went for a penalty attempt wide out which drifted wide. Minutes later another penalty was awarded and again a kick was attempted that too went wide.
A great break by scrum half Rob Shuttleworth seemed certain to result in a score but the pass went astray and Wasps breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Harbury lost Tom Kittendorf and entered the last ten minutes of play defending their narrow lead. They repelled their attackers with some tremendous defence and with three minutes left were awarded a penalty. The relieving kick just failed to find touch and the home full back countered with an attack down the blindside and offloaded well about 10 metres from the line. A couple of mistackles led to a try, which was converted to give Wasps the lead once more. In the final minutes of the match Harbury took the game to Wasps and twice were stopped short of the line. Then the referee awarded a penlaty in front of the home posts - but it went to Wasps who kicked the ball off the park and that was that.
A cruel, cruel result for Harbury - but if you dont take your chances you can be caught out as happened this day.
HARBURY 2nd XV 10
CHIPPING NORTON 3rd XV 24
The 2nds came back well after conceding four early tries against Chipping Noton 3rds - but it was a case of too much to do in too shorter time. Kev Comerford and Shane Dunne were try scorers with Gary Bevan adding the conversion.
Sunday 6 January 2007
Thursday 3 January
Changed fixture for 2nd XV on Saturday 5th January
Please note that our scheduled opponents were Rugby Welsh. They are involved in a league match. We are now at home to CHIPPING NORTON 3rd XV - a Club whom we haven't played for many seasons. Kick off is at 2.15pm
Wednesday 2 January
COACHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR JANUARY
Warwickshire RFU will be undertaking a series of coaching clinics on the following areas of play - THE LINEOUT , RUCK/MAUL and TURNOVERS. These will be held at the Club under the guidance of top level coaches. The exact dates are to be confirmed. Players should be aware of how these sessions will help their play. We need to get good numbers present and will include all Seniors, Colts and Under 17's.
We have also arranged an evening session on TUESDAY 5th FEBRUARY from 7.00 pm onwards with a Society Referee to through aspects of play focussing initially on the ruck and maul. This will be an excellent opportunity for all players to be fully aware of the laws in relation to this aspect of play - and hopefully will make you thinkd twice before conceeding yet another penalty! The session will be held indoors and will make use of video and film to enable all to understand why the ref blows his whistle!
We look forward to welcoming SEAN GEARY back in his coaching role at the beginning of next month. Sean, as many of you are aware, has been setting up a new business with his father and this understandably has been a full time commitment for him.
Monday 31 December
NEW YEAR REMINDER
TRAINING 2008
All players should note that Training for 2008 begins on
THURSDAY 3RD JANUARY
at 6.30 pm
Club Captain MATT KNIGHT wants to talk through our intentions for the rest of the season including how training evenings will be structured. Your attendance is essential if you are unable to make it then please contact MATT on 07967203175
Saturday 29 December
BIRMINGHAM EXILES 2nd XV 10
HARBURY `A' XV 51
A good result in this end of year friendly that was plucked from the fixture pool on Christmas Eve when scheduled opponents Trinty Guild withdrew. The side was a a mixed make up and the squad of 19 included a roughly equal mix of 1sts/2nds and Colts. Outside half RICKY ALFORD captained the team, which after an intial hicup when the opposition left wing sped through some poor defence to touch down within two minutes of the start, settled down to produce some excellent rugby.
The Exiles were formed ten years ago through an amalgamation of Birmingham Welsh and Birmingham City Officials and they play a spitting distance from the Airport. On Saturday the conditions were cold and windy and Harbury played up a slope and into a biting wind. Harbury quickly overcame the initial set back when RICKY ALFORD ghosted through for an unconverted try. A stray kick from the restart went straight into the hands of the hosts try scoring wing, who had an even simpler opportunity to touch down and put his side 10-5 ahead.
Harbury tightened up their act and played with ball in hand and a clever move found STEVE ALFORD in space and he cantered over to level the score. Brother RICKY converted and then STEVE scored a further try to put Harbury 17-10 ahead. However, an injury led to him being replaced and the loss of NATHAN SMITH and DARREN NICHOLLS led to further replacements so that after twenty minutes four colts were in the pack and they all played excellently to added to the quality of rugby played.
Scrum half TOM O'CONNOR moved the ball well and continually harried his opposite number and the ball playing skills of PAUL PIGGOTT produced some excellent field positions for the backs. Lock forward LLOYD STOREY finished off a good move and further tries from STEVE ALFORD, with a conversion from full back JAMIE NEWPORT, and flanker DAN TAYLOR gave HARBURY a 34-10 half time lead.
Exiles made several changes at the break but their momentum was stopped by good defence and DAN TAYLOR was expert at ripping the ball out of mauls to set up his backs. STEVE ALFORD, who was feeling a little poorly after too much pop over the weekend, appeared from nowhere to add his fourth try, which NEWPORT converted, DAN TAYLOR added another and ALFORD finished off with his fifth try for an emphatic outcome. Warwickshire Beer man of the Match was Dan Taylor
HARBURY start the New Year with a difficult away match at Dudley Wasps, a side whom they beat 21-0 at the end of November. How good it would be to do the double. The seconds have a pool fixture and the Colts, who have no game this weekend, are back in action next week when they are away to Northampton Old Scouts.
Squad: Newport, Emms, Steve Alford, Piggott, Smith, Butcher, Ricky Alford *, O'Connor, Dave Heydon, Nicholls, Lines, Storey, Gallagher, Williams, Dunne, Comerford, Taylor, Flegg
Scorers: Steve Alford (5T), Dan Taylor (2T), Ricky Alford (1T, 1C), Lloyd Storey (1T),
Jamie Newport (2C)
WELCOME
28 December 2007
For one reason or another our website has been experiencing a few problems. However, we are now in a position to update our information provide a guide to what has happened since the end of October and give you a flavour of our intentions for the New Year.
An update and what we are doing
The playing side has suffered through injuries and unavailabilites over the last couple of months and this includes 1's, 2's and Colts. This coupled with an indifferent set of results has ineveitably led to a fall off in numbers for training. However, we are addressing this and are looking to put into place a revised structure commencing in January. As many of you are aware Sean Geary, our coach, has been setting up a new business and this has taken all of his time over the past few months. However, he is looking to resume his responsibilities with the Club at the beginning of February. In the interim we have approached one or two former players, Warwickshire RFU and the Referees Society to provide some diversity and interest in our coaching regime.
Training sessions -proposed structure
Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions will remain and over the next few weeks Matt Knight, Mark Finch, Rob Shuttleworth and Tony Cowley will be overseeing training. We have taken time to examine specific deficiencies in our game and are looking to tackle these constructively. We will therefore be looking at restarts, turnovers, ball retention and lineout work in particular and we will be bringing in specialist coaches through the Warwickshire RFU to assist us. Once these dates have been confimed players will be advised through the web, flyers and text.
We are also aiming to take the opportunity to make use of offers of helo from within the Club. John Golden, who watches most of our games and was a very useful outside half, is keen to provide clinics on kicking - especaially out of hand. The dates for these will be published.
We give away a lot of unecessary penalties in our games. Therefore, we have approached the Warwickshire Referees Society to advise us and to provide a theoretical and practical evening during January so that players become more aware of what they are legally able to do on the pitch.
Selection
It would appear that many players think that there is no structured selection process in place. Rest assured there is. Selection is held on Tuesday evenings after training and includes Matt Knight, Mark Finch, Rob Shuttlewoth, Jeff Foster and Adrian Exton with inputs from Tony Cowley and Dave Andrews. When Sean is back in the frame he will also be included. We do also seek advice from anyone who has watched a match and their thoughts, which may be given in person or by means of an e-mail are forwarded to the Selection Committee. These include Sean Comferford and Steve Dunne (from the Colts) and occasionally Jerry Birkbeck and Steve Kittendorf.
From the beginning of January (following w/kend 5/6th January) an SMS Text message will be sent to all players on a MONDAY seeking player availability for all teams with a Yes/No message to be sent back by the players before 8.00 pm ON THE TUESDAY. This then gives us a clear idea of exactly who is available compared with the rather hit and miss system now in place. However, its success is entirely dependent upon individuals responding to the message, not a lot to ask really.
This is how we are moving forward into 2008 and we are keen to ensure that everyone is aware of what is happening and very much looking to your thoughts and contribution.
Harbury RFC wishes all members, vice presidents, friends and guests a Happy New Year.
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2007/08 Fixtures |
9 Sept 07 |
All Fixtures and Results are now online for all teams and age groups, including the new "Floodlit 40's" competiton (formal known as the 20:20), sorry for the delay. Fixtures and Results .....
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Go Play Rugby |
28 Aug 07 |
We are keen to encourage potential players to come and join us. We are a serious club with ambitions and aspirations and are looking for both quality and social players. Read More.....
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2006/07 HRFC Awards Evening |
30 June 07 |
STEVE ALFORD was voted PLAYER OFTHE YEAR and the work of both MATT KNIGHT and the season's 1st team skipper MARK FINCH was noted. He also thanked SEAN GEARY and TONY COWLEY for their contribution and the work of all the Coaches, Helpers and Officials in the Colts, Junior and Mini Sections. Full Review..... |
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Harbury Colts win Warwickshire 7`s Plate Competition |
15 May 07 |
Harbury Colts took some silverware home from the Warwickshire Colts 7`s winning the plate Competition.Harbury were drawn in Group 1 with Barker Butts,Sutton Coldfield and Earlsdon and didn`t make the best of starts going down 26-5 to Barker Butts despite leading at halftime 5-0, but... Full Report.... |
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2006/07 Season Review |
12 May 07 |
We began the season with improved facilities, scrummage machine, additional practice equipment, enhanced changing room facilities, some new players and above all a new player coach to work with Tony Cowley. Full Review..... |
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2007 Tour Review |
12 May 07 |
Harbury RFCs Official 2007 Blind Tour kicked off Thursday evening (19/4/07) at the Old New Inn, Harbury where the theme was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, an array of characters were represented including 6 oopma lumpas, an everlasting gobstopper, wonka bar and all 'winning' contestants and parents. Full Report.... |
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HRFC Toolbar |
8 May 07 |
Stay bang upto date with the HRFC toolbar, with HRFC RSS and latest League Results.  |
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