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Clubchat 10

Clubchat 10

Malcolm Knowles2 Aug 2013 - 15:45
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https://www.hullionians.co.uk/

August is here and that means only one thing, the new season is only a month away. Oh, two things, by the end of it Simmy and I will be a year older.Sorry, three things, there is a lot to do and a lot going on. Please surf the site to find details of the events and matches taking place this month -
Volunteer day, 10th
Fun Day, 11th
Match v Titans, 17th
Match v Sheffield Tigers, 24th
Simon Smith Charity Match, 25th
Match v 'gate, 31st

There is a saying "whilst the cat's away the mice will play". Coach Pearce is on his annuals but I didn't see much larking about at training, it looked fairly tough.

Mug shots for the programme will be snapped over the next couple of weeks, can all contracted players please bring a comb and hair gel to training.

Hull Ionians are engaged in several pre-season fixtures before the real stuff gets under way, starting with a match against Championship side Rotherham Titans on the 17th August, quality rugby for £5. There are two other games for the 1st XV squad as well as fixtures for the Hawks

No news at all of Jim, even his pal Graham Lilley is eerily quiet but Dave Marshall, the diminutive but vociferous lad who played for us a couple of seasons ago, has apparently signed for Blackheath.
Luke Thundercliffe has returned from his sojourn to the ends of the Earth, minus his appendix,but looking none the worse for his experience, good to have him back.

LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT NOW - TWO EVENTS NOT TO MISS!

This week we visit St Albans -
I was surprised to find the former denizens of Albania had apparently formed a rugby club in the outer reaches of greater London. More renowned for their interest in Norman Wisdom and football; they have done a really magnificent job.
In 1924 former pupils, presumably from a school for Albanian Nationals, established a sports facility behind the school before finding a home at the Woolams playing fields. The ground now caters for cricket, hockey, football and tennis as well as rugby. It is tantalisingly close to the Grand Union canal.
After a fairly disappointing start to league rugby Old Albanians have made progress through the leagues to establish themselves in the top 40 clubs in the country, finishing in 5th position in N1 last season. They have a close association with the Saracens, another ethnic group not known for their interest in the oval ball.
There are plenty of opportunities for a game at Woolams; there are 5 senior teams as well as a ladies side and a thriving M/J section that enjoyed success at many of the end of season tournaments.
Last seasons top scorers were all in the backs, with the scrum half and centre pairing being the most prolific try scorers and fly half Richard Gregg kicking the bulk of the goals.
Depending on the tide I expect Pat to sail the Cantona down the coast and up the Thames, eschewing the opportunity to take to the inland waterways.

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