Club News and Events (2001-2002)

President: J Austin

Chief Executive: A.P. Deacon

Hon. Secretary: W.D.Stewart

Hon Treasurer: A.Briggs

Club Captain: K.Johnson

Club Coach: S.Olivier

 

Orbituaries

John Edward Cousin

John died suddenly but peacefully during his sleep on Thursday July 4th 2002 aged 82.

John played for Tynedale before and after the second world war when he was a hard, uncompromising flanker. John captained Tynedale after the war and was a member of the Senior Cup Winning team of 1948. John also represented Northumberland on many occasions.

Over the past 30 years John has been a keen supporter of Tynedale Rugby Club contributing as a coach in the early days of Colts rugby and in latter years he helped man the gates at home games where his cheery face and kind words welcomed spectators to Tynedale Park.

John was an extremely popular and much respected senior statesman at Tynedale and his absence will be sadly missed at the Club.

Cyril Parker

Cyril died suddenly on Sunday June 23rd, 2002 aged 82.

Colin Fox

Colin died suddenly whilst playing golf on Monday 20th August 2001, aged 69.

Colin, who captained the First XV in 1957-58, was a versatile player who played with distinction at full-back, centre or fly-half. Colin played for the club over three decades, continuing to play for the junior sides after his First XV career was over.

Colin was a likeable, quiet, modest, unassuming character who since retiring from playing has been a regular attender at Tynedale's matches.

Tot Gledson

Tot died in Hexham Hospital on Monday 6th August 2001 , aged 81.

For many years Tot was a regular supporter of Tynedale (both home and away) - and of course a great supporter of the bar afterwards. Tot was a great socialiser and will be a sad miss.

Bits and Pieces

• The 1stXV withdrew from the County Cup due to league committments.
• View the Rugby Memoirs of Simon Clayton-Hibbott.
• Richard and Edward Parker were the proud fathers of baby daughters after Kay and Clare gave birth within a fortnight of one another. View Details.
• In the days before Dannie Hodgson, Alan Old etc the County prepared for matches in a slightly different fashion. View a letter sent to Jack Suddes (John Suddes's old man) in November 1938 informing him of his selection and detailing some coaching advice.
• Angela Johnson was appointed as the new Club Steward.
• The Rugby Club lost in the final of the Tynedale Cricket Club Knock Out for the second year running. In a dramatic finish the scores were tied - the winners were decided by a "bowling at the stumps competition" with The Feathers coming out triumphant.
• The three Saturday Bucks Fizz breakfasts which accompanied the televised Lions Test matches raised a profit of £640 - well done everyone who either helped or participated in these successful events.
• A Beer Festival was held at the club over the weekend June 14th and 15th. The event was organised in conjunction with Tynedale Lions.
• The end of season (2001-2002) league statistics (top try scorers, most successful kickers, disciplinary records etc) can be viewed by clicking here.
• Tynedale's junior sides had a disappointing season in the Northumberland Junior Leagues. Click Here to view the final league placings.
• Tynedale were the proud County Champions at Under 16, Under 11 and Under 10 level after the three age groups clinched their respective County Cups on Sunday 21st April.
• (20/04/2002) Tynedale Colts went down narrowly 9-12 to Gosforth in the final of the County Cup. (View Team Photo) The Colts found themselves up against a giant Gosforth XV and struggled to contain them in the opening quarter. After this initial period Tynedale held the upperhand but unfortunatley were unable to convert their chances and Gosforth held out to win.
• Tynedale Under 16's won the Newcastle Cup defeating West Hartlepool in the final on Saturday 6th April. (view report & photo). The Under 16's then went on to do the double when they defeated Ponteland 20-3 in the final of the County Cup at Alnwick on Sunday 21st April.
• (23/03/2002)Tynedale Raiders pulled off a tremendous victory 27-20 in the final of the Northumberland Senior Shield. Against a strong Northumbria University Cobras team they were 6-20 down with only seven minutes remaining. Two late tries, both converted by Simon Allen, brought the scores level - the second conversion being the last act of normal time. The teams then played ten minutes each way of extra time and victory was secured with a fine Richard Ponton try. (view full report and photographs)

125th Anniversary

This season marked Tynedale Rugby Football Club's 125th anniversary.

Edward Robson and Douglas Hamilton prepared a booklet to commemorate 125 years of Tynedale Rugby Football Club's existence.

Click Here to test your knowledge of 125 years of Tynedale Rugby Football Club.

A 125 Dinner was held at Slaley Hall in December 2001. 

Player Records

Season 2001-2002 (End of Season))

 

43 different players represented the First XV from 27 matches with only Keith Johnson starting every match. Phil Belgian is top points scorer with 120 points while Ed Holmes is top try scorer with 8 tries. The First XV scored 62 tries. (see full details)

 

A staggering 81 different players have represented the Raiders after 24 matches and not surpisingly no single player is an ever-present. Top points scorer is Simon Allen with 95 points while Richard Ponton is top try scorer with 15 tries (from 12 matches). The Raiders have scored 111 tries to date.

Click to view full details of 1st XV appearances (2001-2002)

International Schools Rugby Competition

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS RUGBY TOURNAMENT.

 

Sunday September 2nd 2001 saw the third international tournament for school first fifteeens with Colston Collegiatte of Bristol coming out winners for the second successive year.

 

They retained the Tynedale Trophy (Donated by Tynedale District Council), defeating Merchiston Castle of Edinburgh by the narrowest margin of 3 points to nil. Merchiston took the Hexham Courant trophy as runners-up.

 

Fourteen teams competed, the original entry of sixteen having been depleted due to concerns regarding the Foot & Mouth outbreak in the Tynedale area. The teams played initially in leagues before entering either the Main or Plate knockout competitions.

Click here to view the RESULTS

Colsten defeated Rossall, Edinburgh Academy, Tynedale Schools, St Edwards, Oxford and Newcastle RGS on their way to the final whilst Merchiston, who won the inaugral tournament in 1999, lost to Northumberland Schools, before defeating Barnard Castle, Dame Allens and Edinburgh Academy.

 

Newcastle RGS reached the semi-finals despite losing to local rivals dame Allens, 3-0. in their opening match.

 

The Plate Final was a North-East affair with Barnard Castle defeating Tynedale Schools by 8 points to 7 in the final.

 

The Tournament was refereed by leading Northumberland officials supported by the Changling brothers from the Border Region.

 

The Tournament was sponsored by the Club in association with Tynedale District Council and Northumberland County Council.

 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS RUGBY WILL RETURN TO TYNEDALE PARK IN SEPTEMBER 2002 AND ANY SCHOOL INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING - OR ANY SPONSORS SHOULD CONTACT ALEX KERR ON 01434 672816 or at akerr@northumberland.gov.uk

 

Click here to view the RESULTS

Tynedale RFC in 1947

Whilst clearing out a cupboard in the clubhouse, Douglas Hamilton came across an old book of accounts dating back to 1947. The information in the book provides an interesting insight into the administration of Tynedale RFC in the immediate post-war years and also into life in a small market town. Douglas has summarised the records in a letter - View the Letter.

Announcements

Births

Curtis Dacre Johnston

Rachel and Craig had a baby son, Curtis Dacre, on Friday April 19th. Curtis came a few weeks early and weighed in at 5lbs 2ozs. All are well.

The Parker Girls

Kay Parker (Richard's wife) gave birth to a baby girl called Katie Anne on Sunday January 6th 2002 - Katie weighed in at 8lbs 2ozs.

Clare Parker (Edward's wife) gave birth to a baby girl called Samantha on Christmas Eve, 2001 - Samantha weighed in at 8lbs.

Coaching/Fitness Training

Training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings - starts 19:00 prompt.

Steve Olivier will be Tynedale's coach for 2001-2002.

Steve has recently taken up the position of Head of Sport Sciences at the University of Northumbria and was Waterloo's Senior Coach last season.

Steve , a 41 year old South African, moved to the UK two years ago and coached Stoke prior to moving to Waterloo. Steve played 1st Division rugby in South Africa for ten years (in Natal and Eastern Province) and coached the Eastern Province Under 23 team prior to successfully coaching North Coast Rhinos in the Natal First Division for four seasons.

Kirk Barclay (an England senior athletics coach for 15 years) is responsibile for players fitness training. As well as personally supervising fitness training Kirk is monitoring individual fitness levels and providing each player with fitness schedules.

Romuald Debil is coaching our second selected side, the Raiders, this season. Frenchman "Romy" is a teacher at Mowden Hall and previously coached in Sussex.