This Saturday we welcome, all the players, officials and supporters from Heath RUFC who play against Tynedale for the very first time. Its always special to play against new opposition and we hope everyone associated with the club enjoys their day at Tynedale Park.

While the 1stXV take on new opponents we welcome back old friends from Stockton and Seghill who travel to play our Raiders and Centurions respectively. It’s great to see both these clubs back at Tynedale Park again.

We also, of course, extend a warm welcome to this all this week’s match officials.

To EVERYBODY - Enjoy your day!

HEATH RUFC (Formerly Heath Old Boys RUFC)
The idea of forming an Old Boys Rugby Club arose in 1927 when Heath Grammar School changed from Association Football to Rugby Union. The first official season was 1928/29 after games had been played on an “ad hoc” basis during 1927/28 with a team of Heath Old Boys and schoolboys playing both soccer & rugby according to whichever could be arranged.
In 1935 the Club Treasurer managed to obtain for the Club the lease of Corporation owned land at West Vale. Changing facilities were in a pub, the Bridge Inn. There was a large communal bath built into an outhouse with hot water from an electric water heater.

1937- The Club reached the Shield semi-final and third round of the Yorkshire Cup.

1940- The Club offered to share use of the ground with Old Crossleyans as Broomfield the OC’s ground had been requisitioned for food planting.

1948- Heath was the last local club to reform after the war with home games held at another ground for a season.The first post- war games were held at West Vale on November 26th.
1960- A ten- year lease was obtained on the ground and plans were drawn up for the construction of a pavilion and changing rooms in two stages.

1974- Three teams were now being fielded and the facilities were becoming too small. Yorkshire Water became the freeholders and a new 28- year lease was negotiated with plans drawn up for additional changing and bar facilities and the creation of a new pitch at a cost of £20,000.

1975- It was agreed to drop the “Old Boys” from the Club name.

1987- The start of the new season was profoundly affected by an accident on the M6 near Lancaster which saw the loss of Mick Hiller, Secretary for over 18 years, Tom Park, Treasurer between 1963/64 and 1974/75 and Keith Whitaker a First XV Captain in the late Fifties. Amongst the injured were Russell Smith President since 1969/70, David “Harry” Brearley Chairman between 1974/75 and 1984/85 and Keith Johnson Fixture Secretary since 1957/58.

1997/98-The Club was promoted to Yorkshire Division 3 and in 1998/99 to Yorkshire Division 2.

2006/07- Promoted to Yorkshire 1 and in 2011 Heath finished third in Yorkshire 1 with 82 points.

2013- The newly extended Clubhouse incorporating two new changing rooms, referees room & physio room was opened in September by Manu & Freddie Tuilagi.

2015- The Boxing Day Flood caused a great deal of damage to the building and surrounds. The costs of rectification totalled around £25,000. Club Members rallied to clear up. Flood doors were installed in the beer cellar & boiler room.

2018-19- The Club's 90th Anniversary Season.
And recently:- In 2025/26 Heath secured promotion to National 2, North, the highest competitive League in the club's history. They were League Champions with 21 wins and only 1 loss.

The Heath Hawks (2nds) topped Yorkshire Championship West, winning 16 out of 18 matches, so they have been moved into Yorkshire League (League 2 B) for the new 2026/27 season, where, (like the Tynedale Raiders), they will now meet other Club's 1st XV’s in many of the games.
HALIFAX
Halifax is a West Yorkhire town located in the south-eastern foothills of the South Pennines, situated about 4 miles (6 km) from the M62 motorway, close to Bradford and Huddersfield.

There are six rugby union clubs in or near the town – Halifax RUFC, Halifax Vandals (Warley), Heath RUFC (West Vale), Old Crossleyans, Old Rishworthians (Copley), and Old Brodienians (Hipperholme).

Tynedale played against Halifax RUFC, one of those clubs many times, from 1977. The last fixture between the clubs was in November 2004 in season 2004/5, when Halifax won promotion. In 22 fixtures Tyne had only won 7 times whilst Halifax won 14 matches, with one draw. Since then the fortunes of Halifax have dipped, however, and they now play in Counties 3 Yorkshire B at level 9.

Heath RUFC on the other hand have flourished and are now the leading team in the Halifax area, with a most impressive history of league promotions for their 1st XV and considerable improvements to their grounds and clubhouse.

Whilst it is always a pleasure to meet old friends, it is also refreshing to meet and learn about new opponents, so we look forward to welcoming Heath’s players and officials for today’s match.

Although the two clubs have not met before, we have one unfortunate experience we share; the 2015 floodings from which both clubs suffered!

STOCKTON RFC
One team in North East Counties 1 (level 7) with whom we are very familiar are Stockton RFC. who are coming to play our Raiders today.

The Stockton club was formed in 1873 – so it is three years older than Tynedale.

The clubs competed at 1st XV level for many years in the 1970’s. and then in the 1980’s when Stockton were particularly strong. During the late 1980s Stockton gained three promotions within four seasons to North One. Stockton remained in that league for ten years and during the 1990s won the Durham County Senior Cup five times in seven years.

The rivalry continued until 2000, when Tyne won promotion into the National Leagues, beating Stockton 14-0 away on Nov.20th 1999 and 49-7 at home on Jan.16th 2000.

DIVIDED LOYALTIES
Scott Powell played rugby for Stockton RFC, then for Tynedale 1st XV for four seasons from 2014 to 2018 before returning to his home club. In those four years Scott was Northumberland RFU Community Rugby Coach, visiting schools in the greater Tynedale area to advise and coach youngsters.

After retiring from playing Scott was head coach at Stockton for six years until this season, when he joined Tynedale’s Senior coaching team.
Tynedale Raiders play Stockton at Tynedale Park on Saturday! Will Scott be hoping for a draw?

HEATH THIS SEASON
Although its early days to assess teams in the league its fair to say that, despite only winning 1 if their opening 4 matches, Heath have certainly not been overawed.
Facing a challenging opening to the season Heath have, like several other teams, managed to keep the scoreboard moving.
In their opening 4 matches Heath have scored 13 tries while conceding 19 tires. By comparison Tynedale have scored 12 tries and conceded 18 tries. An interesting competitive match looks on the cards.

Heath’s League Results to date:-
Preston Grasshoppers 27 Heath 26 3 4
Heath 14 Hull Ionians 28 2 4
Sheffield Tigers 24 Heath 26 3 4
Heath 33 Darlingtom MP 47 5 7

HEATH’s WEBSITE
http://www.heath-rugby.co.uk/

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Cam Livingstone
AR1: Brendan Fitzmaurice
AR2: Liam Rogers

BALL BOYS
Tynedale Under 16’s

WEATHER FORECAST
Dry, sunny intervals, light westerly wind, 15 degrees

OTHER RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

SATURDY 3RD OCTOBER
Raiders v Stockton 1stXV (3pm) – Counties North East One
Morpeth Edwardians v Hadrians (3pm) - CaNDY One League
Centurions v Seghill 1stXV (3pm) – CaNDY 2 North
Colts – No Fixture
SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER
Northern Colts v Tynedale Colts (1pm) – National U18 Cup
Houghton v Panthers U16 (2pm) - Aqua Pura North East & Cumbria Girl's U16s League

SELECTED SQUADS

Upcoming Matches