This week’s topics
Richmond v Lydney 21st April KO 12.30pm
U14s raise £2000 for Gareth Savin Trust
London Scottish v Esher/Parking at the ground 21st April
Weekend travel disruption
Hartpury College v Richmond Saturday 28th April
Possible Play Off date 5th May
Shop End of Season Sale – 25% reduction this weekend only!
Awards Dinner 2012 Saturday 19th May
Derek Osman
Marathon Men
Sainsbury’s and Tesco’s schools and clubs equipment promotions
Results from last weekend
Richmond v Lydney 21st April
The next two Saturdays are not going to be good for the blood pressure as we enter the final stretch with every result counting as never before. The support our FIRST XV is getting has been magnificent so please let’s have more of the same to see them over the line.
This Saturday 21st April they take on Lydney at home and for reasons that have already been well documented the KO time is much earlier at 12.30pm. Please do not let that deter you as your support is crucial and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
Due to the earlier KO and the subsequent London Scottish game at 3pm the format of the day is different and I would draw your attention to the following arrangements:
The main gates will open at 11.30am and for those of you attending the game only, entrance will be as usual with members needing their membership cards to pay members entrance rates. For those supporters, pre match drinking will be available in both the Sports Bar and the temporary bar at the score board end of the main pitch. The Members Bar will NOT be open as the London Scottish pre match lunch will be taking place in there
For those booked in to the post match meal in the marquee, and for all player’s guests and club guests, it will be necessary to register with me at the registration desk which will be by the main pitch entrance and open from 11.30am. I will then be able to give you the relevant tickets etc which will enable you to drink both before, during and after the match in the marquee bar. I am afraid that space restraints mean that only those that are booked into the post match lunch will be able to drink in the marquee bar - we are unfortunately not able to open it to all.
Under 14s raise £2000 for Gareth Savin Trust
At half time there will be a presentation by the Under 14s of a cheque for £2000 which they have raised for the Gareth Savin Trust as part of their tour fund raising activities. A magnificent achievement and many congratulations and thanks go to all the boys, coaches, managers and parents who have made this possible.
London Scottish v Esher
At the end of the match it will be necessary to clear the ground as quickly as possible as the ground staff need to turn it round for the London Scottish v Esher match KO 3pm. Those lunching should make their way to the marquee whilst the Sports Bar will be open to slake the thirst of other supporters.
I would stress that it will not be possible to stay in the ground to watch the London Scottish match – if you wish to see this match you will need to exit and re-enter with the appropriate ticket. A concessionary rate of £5/head is being made available to RFC members on production of a current membership card and on line booking is highly recommended (click here) as this match will be very busy as both London Scottish and Esher fight to avoid relegation. From half time, entry to this game will be free and at that time the Members Bar will also once again be available to all supporters.
Parking at the ground Saturday 21st April
With all this activity parking at the ground will obviously be busy and will be stewarded. The use of public transport is therefore highly recommended although I do know that this weekend the District Line will be suspended between Richmond and Turnham Green with a bus replacement service running – for other travel disruption news check here
For those of you bringing children to the match I would mention that Ruggerbeez (click here) will be in action providing fun but structured rugby coaching sessions on the far side of the main pitch between 2pm to 5pm and although this time span covers the London Scottish game, access will be readily available. Admission is free and will I understand cover the age range from 2 years up to 12 years although obviously not together!
There is no VIKINGS game this Saturday but the SAXONS are at home to Tonbridge Juddians KO 3pm and the NORMANS play Amersham & Chiltern also at home in a semi final play off KO 3pm. We wish them good luck.
On Sunday:
YOUTH games – U14B v Grasshoppers at home KO 12PM
MINIS – it is the Surrey B Festival at Sutton & Epsom so if you are unsure of where you should be please contact your age group manager
Hartpury College v Richmond Saturday 28th April
Next Saturday 28th April the FIRST XV travel to Hartpury College (for those of you who like me are geographically challenged, this is 4 miles north of Gloucester) for the final scheduled league game of the season and as this will be a crucial match I know that many of you intend to come along to offer the lads the support they so richly deserve. We are therefore considering taking a supporters coach but I do need to check viability so please would you let me know by return if you would be interested - cost would be no more than £10/head and leave time would be about 10.45am for a 3pm KO
Possible Play Off Date 5th May
The following Saturday 5th May it seems highly likely that we will be in the play off game at home against the second place team in National League 2 North. I gather there are several contenders for this honour so watch this space and in the meantime please do save the date in your diary and make sure that you can be here making as much noise as possible to ensure our lads get the promotion that has been such a long time in the coming.
Shop End of Season Sale
A reminder of the shop spring cleaning SALE which is currently taking place with the vast majority of product reduced by 20% although for this weekend only the reduction will be increased to 25%. Not to be missed and includes both adults and kids sizes and all shirts, shorts, socks, T shirts, polo shirts, waterproof training tops, after match jackets, hoodies, fleeces, track pants, beanies, baseball caps, as well as the baselayer T shirts and shorts and all protective wear such as head guards, shoulder pads not to mention back packs and boots.
The shop will be open on Saturday from 11.30am to 3pm and on Sunday from 9am to 1pm and although not officially open during the week, if you are passing we will be happy to accommodate.
We also do mail order – just call the office on 020 8332 7112 and ask for Carly or Jen or email
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Awards Dinner 2012 Saturday 19th May
The 2012 Awards Dinner will take place on Saturday 19th May which is a little later than usual to accommodate the play off date.
Awards will be made during the dinner to players from every section of the club from the U7s to the oldest Heavy, as well as recognising the coaches, managers and medical team that help keep the players on the field and the supporters that cheer them on in all weathers.
It is open to all – wives girlfriends, partners etc – and dress code is No 1s.
Cost includes a 3 course meal in the Members Bar and is £21.50/students, £27.50/players, coaches, managers, physios and £35.50/others
We are happy to take bookings now so call me or Carly on 0202 8332 7112 or email
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Derek Osman
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Heavies stalwart Derek (Oz) Osman on 10th April following a long battle with cancer and I know that all his friends at Richmond offer deepest sympathies to Celia and his family. He will be greatly missed.
His funeral will take place at Easthampstead Park Crematorium, South Road, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham RG40 3DW on Thursday April 26th at 2.15pm and a reception and afternoon tea will follow at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA
I should be very grateful if you would advise me if you intend to be at either as Celia needs to know numbers by next Monday
Marathon Men
Good luck to Vikings Coach Steve Lawrence and First XV player Tom Chesters who will both be running the London Marathon on Sunday, Steve in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Tom in aid of Barnado’s. We wish them good luck and if you wish to sponsor them, please click here for Steve and here for Tom
Sainsbury’s and Tesco’s schools and clubs equipment promotions
Just a reminder that the Sainsbury’s promotion which in the past has yielded much needed balls and equipment for the mini/youth sections, finished on April 10th, so if you have any vouchers then please do drop them off with me in the collection box in the shop when you are next at the ground, or if you are one of our long distance supporters then please pop them in the post to me at the address below.
As they do each year Tesco are running a similar promotion, although theirs continues for some while yet, but again I have a collection box in the shop which I should be very happy to see filled with vouchers when you are next passing.
These vouchers have made a significant contribution to our junior equipment in the past, so your support of these initiatives would be much appreciated.
Results from last weekend
Richmond 16 Henley 16
Vikings 80 Henley II 19
Saxons 27 Old Redingensians 29 – LEAGUE WINNERS! Many congratulations
Youth: U14B 12 Henley 7, U13B 10 Old Wimbledonians 37
Jen Gadsby Peet
Secretary
