” An unusual occurrence in the Referees Handbook is that the Vale 1st XV and the Vale 2nd XV have been awarded the same level of Referee for the coming season i.e. Level 6.
 
It simply illustrates that the level of Rugby this season for the 2nd XV is likely to be equal to the 1st XV. This can be shown by the fixtures they are involved in. Sedgely Park,(H) Macclesfield (H).Fylde, (H) Caldy (A) Preston Grasshoppers (H) Waterloo (H).
 
Some terrific games are in prospect for the 2nds this season. Tony Gilmour and Lee Jones created a terrific side last year finishing as Champions of the Division 1 League last season -unbeaten for 18 games in succession – and rewarded by being promoted to the prestigious Bateman BMW Premier League.
 
The players will be facing a high standard of Rugby of an equal pace and standard to the 1st XV. I know support for the lads will be appreciated. Please note that when the 1st XV are away a game will be taking place at the Club with the second XV taking on Clubs of the stature as above.
 
Please support them.”
 
Fred Swarbrick.
Fixture Secretary.

Following Eccles’ failure to turn up for the fixture last Saturday and after consultation with the Lancashire Competitions Committee, we have received confirmation from Lancashire as below:-

“After consultation between members of the Lancashire RFU County Competitions Committee it has been decided to award the first round Lancashire Trophy game between Vale of Lune and Eccles to Vale of Lune.This is due to the Eccles Club being unable to fulfil the fixture on the set date for the first round, all games of which were to be played on the weekend of the 28th August 2010.”

Results for all games are below, click on link and then again in next page:-

Notification of 1st Round results – Lancashire Trophy 2010-2011

At this stage, the next round matches have not been drawn, so we do not know our opponents or venue.

Four Vale of Lune Colts represented Lancashire Under 18’s on a recent 5 day Tour to Northern Ireland to play matches against Ulster Boys and Ulster Clubs at Campbell College in Belfast.

Charlie Swarbrick (front row 1^st left), Matty Rogerson (front row 6^th from left) Oli Carter, Tour Captain (8^th from left) and Damon Hall (front row 4^th from right)are pictured at Campbell College. The boys also enjoyed training sessions along side the full Ireland side rubbing shoulders with Ronan O Gara and his team mates.

Lancs u 18s Ulster Tour August 2010

The Lancashire Trophy 1st round match scheduled for Sunday 29th August versus Eccles has had to be called off.

Eccles have reluctantly had to inform the Vale that due to a lack of front row players they have had to call off the game.

According to an Eccles spokesman they were quite willing to travel and play the match with uncontested scrums but Lancashire would not allow them

to do that or switch the match to a later date.. 

RR

Ladies and Gents I have now set up Ground Teams to cover the Playing Saturdays at the Vale for the past 5 seasons. I must say that each and everyone I have contacted in the past, as is the case this season, has been immediately willing to volunteer to do the odd Saturday for us. I’ve had a record response this season and now we will have 29 teams, 58 Ladies and Gents, and hopefully only one Saturday per team. ( one or two with two-hope you don’t mind )

This list has now been updated  for various reasons. Please all check your dates. 

Actually the favourable response is just terrific.

YOU WILL NOTE THAT “A” TEAM FIXTURES ARE BLANK FOR THE SECOND PART OF THE SEASON. THIS IS DUE TO THE 2NDS BEING IN A CONFERENCE LEAGUE THIS SEASON. THEIR FIXTURES FOR THE 2^ND HALF WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MID- DECEMBER. I WILL NEED TO ENTER THESE ONCE THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

New Changing Rooms this season. Early weeks might encounter a few teething difficulties but I’m sure as the season progresses things will be easier. Notices have been placed in each changing room asking that the lads respect the new areas and place all their waste in the containers provided. Let’s hope this works’ !!

To make things , hopefully , easier for myself, and not to have to commit to 58 telephone calls I have formed 29 teams based on your partners last season and identified the Saturdays and matches where you might be available. Please forgive me, you new Gents, but I’ve had it confirmed by your friends that you are willing to do the odd Saturday. Actually I think I have now spoken to 99% of you.

 If you have a problem with an identified date please give me a ring on 37601.

Once again we have a large number of new helpers and perhaps the notes below will help in outlining the procedures.

If you find you can’t do a particular Saturday (late notice) it would be nice to think you might contact another team for an exchange, if you find you can’t do this please let me know.

As follows :-

1)                Arrive at the Club maybe 1 hour before KO, depending on number of matches.

2)                Obtain keys for changing accomodation from Clubhouse. Might well be already opened by the players.

3)                Get the Flags and Post Protectors   Brown Container. This is situated on the far side of new Changing Rooms. Keys are in Office, hung up.

4)                Put out Flags on Pitches indicated by Board detailing Changing Accommodation. (Geoff – Will we have a board this season ? )

5)                Flag to be raised certainly on 1^st XV days. No Leagues’ Flag this season. Just the Vales’.

6)                No oranges again this year.

7)                Benches out in marked areas for replacements

8)                Might have time for a beer or two now lads.

9)                Back for KO. Make sure Changing rooms are locked once vacated. Cones out to leave space for Ambulance in case of emergency.

10)             One of you to be on hand to open a Changing Room in cases of injury.

11)             Make sure Refs are well looked after please. REMEMBER WE RECEIVED THE WHISTLERS TROPHY TWO SEASONS AGO CAN WE DO IT TWICE. REALLY DOWN TO THE WAY US GROUND LADS LOOKED AFTER THEM. I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT PLEASE OFFER THEM ALL HELP.

12)             Post match. Make sure all flags and Post Protectors are back in storage and bring in benches. Flag lowered.     “   Rendition of the Last Post if you like  “

13)             Time for a well earned beer. (Don’t forget First one complimentary as a Thank You. You deserve it !!!)

14)             Return to the Changing rooms for final clean up. Make sure everything is secure and now back for another gallon of beer as duty is completed.

 NO TEA JUST ORANGE JUICE. PICK UP A GALLON OF CONCENTRATE FROM THE CLUBHOUSE AND MIX AS REQUIRED. PETER LOVATT HAS PURCHASED 8 NEW JUGS FOR US. GOOD ON ‘IM.

THIS WENT DOWN WELL LAST SEASON !!

Long Range Weather forecast is for a long dry Winter cold middle part but again dry. How many of us got a soaking last year. Did it rain every Saturday of the season or only when I was on ? Lets hope the weather is better this season.

Thanks, thanks for your offers of help. 

Fred S.    

Ground Teams 2010 – 2011

A                     Lyn Summers         George Howson

B                     Andy Higgin               Trevor Glover

C                     Anthony Ireland         Carl Huntington

D                     Barry Parsonage        Eric Rigg

E                      Gerald Bird                Geoff Marsden

F                      Brian McCann           Tony Whiteway

G                     Chris Parry                Wayne Lord

H                     Cliff Huck                   Eddie Price

I                       David Bennetts          Phil Sutcliffe

J                      Ged Foster                 Simon Baines

K                     Gordon Sallis              Andy Perry

L                      John Gill                     Alan Entwistle

M                    Mark Sutcliffe            Malcom Fowler

N                     Paul Dorrington          Phil Rogerson

O                     Reg Robinson                        Fred Swarbrick

P                      Steve Swarbrick         Terry Starkie

Q                     Tom White                  Fred Swarbrick

R                     Scott Lord                   Michael Huntington

S                      David Winn                David Moore

T                      Brian Cumpsty           Stuart Hesketh

U                     David Carter              Howard Roberts

V                     Maurice Mudd           Martin Woodhouse

W                    Les Houghton Alistair Bain

X                     Mike Kirby                Richard Mason

Y                      Neil Bennetts             Paul Wilson

Z                      Michelle Fish             Alison Turner

AA                   Cliff Huck                   John Shearing

BB                   Paul Antcliffe              Linda Antcliffe

CC                   Peter Lovett Horn      Dave Curwen

Due to receiving out of date pricing information from the RFU, the prices of tickets for England RBS Six Nations games at Twickenham that were circulated to members with the annual mailing are incorrect.

Ticket prices are NOT as circulated.

Tickets are £87, £73, £62, £54 and £40. These apply to all matches.

If you are thinking of applying for tickets, please note the different prices and send the correct amount.

Thanks to a run of good weather and some hard work by the contractors, Vale’s new changing facilities are on schedule for the official opening in September.  And on hand to perform the ceremony will be Kevin Roberts, Chief Executive Officer Worldwide, Saatchi and Saatchi, chairman  of American Rugby and one of the club’s most famous old boys.

The new facilities will be opened before the local derby game against Kirkby Lonsdale on 11^th September and members will get the chance of inspecting the changing rooms before they are taken over by the players.

Kevin Roberts is a long time Vale member, a former captain of the colts and a man who has made his mark worldwide not only on business but on the rugby world as well.  He is currently chairman of the sport’s organisation in America and previously was deeply involved in running the game in New Zealand.

But Kevin has never forgotten his roots and his affection for Vale runs deep.  So much so he has become a major benefactor and his generosity has contributed greatly to the funding of the new build.

Club president, David Bennetts, who went to the Lancaster Royal Grammar School, with Kevin, said: “It will be great to extend a true Vale welcome to him when he opens the new facilities.  Kevin has always spoken warmly of his Vale connection and I know he is deeply proud of the club and all it did for him when he was a young man.

“His major contribution to the funding is a real bonus for us as a club and for Kevin to perform the actual opening is a fitting tribute to his vision of helping us achieve many of our ambitions on and off the pitch”.

The impressive new facilities have been built with the full support of the Rugby Football Union who have provided a substantial grant.  When they have been opened, they will provide Vale with six purpose built changing rooms, treatment rooms, storage rooms a small catering area and a garage.

Please see the “Development” site on the top Header for Opportunities to help sponsor the Vale in the quest to help the Development of the Club.