Wednesday 27th - Club open from 6.30pm
6.30pm-M&Js cricket
7.00pm-Wirral RUFC touch rugby
7.00pm- Wirral RUFC Ladies touch festival
7.30pm-North West blood bikes meeting Geoff Dean Lounge)

On TV @ 8.00pm Liverpool v Villareal (Champions League)

Thursday 28th - Club open from 6.30pm
7.00pm-9.00pm-Wirral RUFC senior training
6.45pm-8.00pm-Girls U13, U15, U18 and Wirral Warrior training
7.00pm-M&J`s rugby committee meeting (Geoff Dean Lounge)

Friday 29th - Club closed

Saturday 30th - Club open for food and refreshments from 12.00pm
12.30pm-3.00pm-Park Royal U13s FC end of season event (clubhouse)
8.00pm to 12pm- Park Royal U13s FC end of season event (clubhouse)

1.00pm-Wirral CC 1st XI @ home to Lymm OP CC (Cheshire Division 1)
1.00pm-Wirral CC 2nd XI away @ Neston CC 4th (Cheshire Division B West)
1.00pm-Wirral CC 3rd XI @ home to Hartford CC (Cheshire Division C West)

1.00pm-Wirral RUFC 3rds away @ Oswestry 2nd XV ((NOWIRUL 3rd South Division)

On TV @ 12.30pm Newcastle United v Liverpool (Premier League)
@ 3.00pm Gloucester v Bath (Gallagher Premiership)

Sunday 1st May - club open from 9.00am
U15s Cheshire Finals Day at the Memorial Ground
10.30am-Bowdon v Anselmians, Shield Final, (pitch 2)
11.00am-Wirral v Sandbach, Plate Final, (pitch 1)
2.00pm-Macclesfield v Knutsford, Bowl Final, (pitch 2)
2.30pm-Caldy v Stockport, Cup Final, (pitch 1)

On TV @ 2.00pm Everton v Chelsea (Premier League)

Senior Rugby Update

On what can only be described as an unbelievable day, the last Saturday of the weekend saw all teams playing, 2 junior touring sides, a football game and the return of the cricket season.
The under 11s team played against Billingham on the 1st team pitch in a warm up game for the main event, the Billingham support was fantastic and thanks for being part of a wonderful day. Big thankyou to Ben Campbell, who also organised the Travelling Wallabies for entertainment throughout the day.
The under 14s entertained Market Bosworth and just edged a tight game, thanks again to Sarah for organising and to the travelling supporters.
At 12.30pm the 3rd/4th team played a touring side, Merton RUFC from Surrey, what a great bunch of lads. The game was played with the touring spirit and both sides enjoyed a competitive few hours both on and off the pitch. The result from Phelo, “Cannot remember the score, but we won.” The 3rds and 4ths have both had a difficult season but have supported the club fantastically and a big shout out to everybody involved. The final 3rd team game of a very long season sees us travel to Oswestry 2nds
We lost to Billingham 21-26, in a great game and finished a creditable 9th in the North Premier League, injuries didn`t help us through the latter stages, however let us have a great break and come back to pre-season ready to go again in September. The game was the last for Ryan Stead, good luck in your retirement from 1st team rugby, Jack Yarker, who is moving to Cheltenham, hope that goes well Jack and Richard McNeil, who has had his last outing as 1st team manager. Richard has been a legend and will be sorely missed, but we will hopeful continue to see him watching in the future.
Our 2s beat Stockport 76-0 and won the Division One League by 10 points, rounding off an incredible season for all involved. The final game is on Saturday 7th May, the Cup Final against Birkenhead Park, kick off is at 3.00pm and is at Sedgley Park RUFC. Please support the lads in what could be a League and Cup double.

Pre-Match Lunch

With over 80 people attending the pre match lunch on Saturday honouring the members we have lost over the past 2 years, the day got off to a very memorable start. There was a small memorial to Derek Parry with his family present and after a fitting speech by Graeme Roberts, Derek’s plaque was unveiled on the patio for all to see, it reads

Derek Parry 04-07-1942 to 30-01-2015

Lovingly remembered by family and friends.
Laid to rest on the fields where he played and the club he was devoted to.
May all who play in maroon and white, carry the same tenacity and fight.

Dave VDZ also voiced his sadness at Derek`s loss with some kind words to Adam and Paul.
We then heard Vando recite a great speech in memory of our other losses Brendan Bailey, John Orrill, Rod Backhouse, Brent Taylor, Doreen Tushingham, Norman Simpson, Twiggy Branch, Bob Atlee and Gordon Ferguson. Such a sad occasion, but it was fantastic to see all represented by family members.
I knew all these people very well and thank them for all their efforts and hard work over many years at the club, I will miss them all sorely and they all had a massive part in my life in Wirral Rugby.

Senior Cricket Update

Saturday saw the return of the cricket season and after the success of last season, our boys were raring to get into action. The 1s played away at Heaton Mersey, the 2s at home to Appleton and the newly formed 3s were at Chester CO. There has been a lot of work by many of the committee over the pre-season and it is fantastic that as a club we have 3 senior teams. A big shout out to all involved, players now need to support the club to ensure we continue to compete and regularly put out 3 teams.
Our 1st XI realised the standard of the League they were promoted into and unfortunately lost by 110 runs, however onwards and upwards in what will clearly be a tough season. The 2nd team faired much better, but unfortunately lost with the last shot of the match as Appleton made 206/9 against our 203 after 40 overs, absolutely gutted for the lads. Our newly formed 3rd XI played Chester County offices away and with a decent 159/5 score posted, again realised how tough the League will be, eventually lost by 8 wickets.
Please support the teams on Saturdays, with games being played on The Memorial Ground and Ocean Fields, there is plenty of cricket to watch and the club will be open for refreshments.

Touch Rugby

Wednesday 7.00pm
Hi, guys, `n Girls

Cometh the time cometh the man, or in basic terms if you put you name down are you still coming at 7pm this Wednesday for touch rugby.
Can you please e-mail me at tony_obrien1@sky.com that you are coming so I can plan the session.
Thank you in anticipation
Let us get down to the club and enjoy a wonderful evening of touch rugby

Sunday 1st May
This Sunday sees us host the Cheshire U15`s Finals Day and with 4 back-to-back games the club will be very busy. Thanks to the U15`s coaches and Sarah for organising the day. Let us hope for some fine weather and some excellent games, please come down to support the club, especially when our u15`s are in their Final against Sandbach, with kick off at 11.00am. Come on the boys, let us have a great win.
The Junior Colts are in their Cup Final at Heaton Moor and we will play either Caldy or Chester, who play their semi final tonight. The kick off is at 3pm, so if you are free, please go along and support our Junior Colts. Good luck boys, go well.
Monday 2nd May (Bank Holiday)
Another festivals day at The Memorial Ground, sees us hosting 2 Senior Cheshire Cup Finals in which New Brighton, Hoylake, Old Parkonians and Duckinfield play in their respective Finals. The first game kicks off at 1pm with the second following at 3pm, please pop down to see us and watch some competitive rugby, with 3 local teams entertaining us.

Bob Atlee
Our latest ex player and member to pass away and a legend of local rugby.
Message from Paul Clancy:

“On being invited to the lunch on Saturday, I noticed the rather long list of members past, many of whom I was with in School or played alongside at the Club, then was shocked to see the name of Bert Atlee; I know not when his death was notified but I totally missed it, what a sad loss. Such a character.

I recall one of the last games I played at the Hooton ground, probably the 66/67 season, and Bert captained a 1st/2nd team mix against a side from SE Lancs. A good, hard game - end to end stuff as a media commentator would say - we were winning 13-9 with seconds to go but were camped in our own 25 and under serious pressure, the ref was preparing to blow no-side when they scored under the posts, 13-12 with the conversion to come. As we lined up ready to charge the kick, Bert (who had taken up position on the line right in the middle of posts) was staring straight at the kicker - he was down on one knee as he prepared to place the ball (no Tee in those days!) - said in a louder voice than necessary: "Don't worry lads, I've seen these missed"! The kicker, still on one knee and holding the ball, clearly heard him and looked up at Bert, then he placed the ball and in time honoured fashion slowly paced backwards before nearly knocking over the corner flag with his conversion attempt.

I'm certain Bert did not have to buy himself a drink that evening. What a game and what a captain. RIP Bert.

Good luck against Billingham and best wishes to all,”

A busy week for the club, thanks for your continued support and always feel free to pop down for a libation, there is a lot on, please be a part of the thriving club and if you are free to volunteer for any duties this week please contact me.

Kind regards
Andy “skinny” McKinney
Wirral Club Manager
amckinneywrufc@yahoo.co.uk