SOUTH-WEST
GAIN FOR CAINES
Bristol-based Kingswood, of Gloucestershire Two South, have bestowed life membership on Rich Caines, the club president for the past five years who racked up 1,000 games for the first, second and third teams. They have also appointed Tom Bowen-Hall as the new head coach. He was UK Coaching’s Children & Young People’s Coach of the Year in 2002.
In contrast, Jack Pattinson stepped down as head coach of
One East club Windsor following his appointment in a similar role with the London Irish U18 squad.
RECORD BREAKER
No 8 Matt Gregory, the Devonport Services captain, has become the One West club’s top appearance maker since the current records began in 1994.
After Gregory played in his 262nd match, head coach Mike Lewis said: “He has done fantastically well to reach that total. He gets across the gain-line and off the base of the scrum and always makes the hard yards.”
POINTS MACHINE Fly-half James
Mackay is now Weston-super-Mare’s highest point-scorer in the South-West Premier club’s history. His 18 in the 48-27 win at Ivybridge took him to 1,862, surpassing Robbie Hazzard’s 1,844. There’s more recognition, too, at
Crediton, where a new honours board acknowledges that the women’s XV, founded in 2017-18, is an integral part of the club. It’s devoted to the captains of the team that now plays in the Women’s NC2 South-West (West) league.
TIGHT TUSSLE
South-West Premier club Camborne pushed Redruth, of National Two South, all the way to the final whistle in the annual Milk Cup match at the Recreation Ground.
A crowd of 1,200 saw Redruth win 21-15. They were boosted by three players recalled from a loan spell with Camborne, who were also without most of their Royal Navy contingent.
HISTORY MAKER
Buckingham hooker Seth Williams has much to celebrate after playing in 300 league games, an unprecedented total in the One East club’s history. He received an inscribed photograph from club president Alan Leach and a letter of congratulations from RFU president Jeff Blackett, who wrote: “It’s admired by all of us in rugby. Well done and keep playing.”
The club also paid tribute to 70 years of continuous service from the late Anthony ‘Tiger’ Smith, whose framed Buckingham blazer was unveiled in the clubhouse in the presence of daughters Claire and Suzy. He was fixture secretary for 50 years and his generous legacy has enabled the club to replace all the on-site scoreboards, with the one on the main pitch dedicated to his memory.
WINGING IN
Old Patesians, of One West, recruited Bath and England wing Ruaridh McConnochie as skills coach in mid-season. He represented England Sevens before moving to Bath, has won two England caps and scored a RWC 2019 try against the USA in Japan.
His appointment follows the departure of Will Safe, who stepped down after signing for Birmingham Moseley.
Around 250 old Pats shirts, all in good condition, are now being worn by disadvantaged children in Zanzibar. They were donated to the Footprints Foundation after their shirt sponsors provided new kit for Pats’ junior players.
WHEELS IN MOTION
Berkshire Banshees wheelchair rugby club won the Super Series Division One title and with it promotion to the Championship.
They train at Reading Blue Coat
School and competed against the likes of Brighton Buccaneers and Saracens Wolfpack. Across three rounds, the Banshees used 16 players, including six newcomers inspired by the Great Britain wheelchair team’s Olympic gold.
FRIENDS ZONE
Newbury Blues, of One East, have established a ‘Friends’ group to support the club. It’s designed to bring together members, players and other interested parties at an annual cost of £40 each. The first 93 (the age of the club in years) who sign up as a Friend will go into a ballot for two free tickets for a Test at Twickenham. Events arranged this year include a reunion day on 3 April, a golf day and a lunch.
CLUB EFFORT
South-West Premier club Royal Wootton Bassett make annual presentations to the senior and junior club members who have gone above and beyond. Chairman Chris Elias said: “This time we are announcing a ‘whole club’ award to recognise everyone’s contribution.” They’re also in line for a record membership, with the previous top figure 917 in 2019.