Ormskirk RUFC

Dear Member,

I hope you enjoyed the finale of the RWC with a disappointing but close result for England.

After the World Cup Final a Halloween party ensued with some excellent fancy dress outfits, and some not so excellent karaoke singing... Thanks to Mark Slater, Neil Habberfield, and Mike (Club Steward), for organizing

On the pitch our men's senior sides had mixed fortunes since the last time I wrote to you. The 1st XV beat Orrell in a feisty encounter on 14/10/23 42-0, with the referee abandoning the game after 73 minutes due to verbal abuse to the referee by the Orrell players (the result stands if abandoned after 60 minutes), then lost to Garstang away on 21/10/23, losing 43-12. They later heavily lost away to a very able Thornton Cleveleys side on 4/11/23, 99-5, in an ADM Counties League 3 cup and league double header.

The 2nd XV have not played a fixture since Blackpool on 30/9/23, with Fleetwood 2nd XV and Bolton 2nd XV both crying off, as they were unable to raise a team, and Colne & Nelson cancelling due to waterlogged pitches.

The ladies team lost to a strong Leigh team at Green Lane on 22/10/23, 7-36, then were unable to field a team for a Friday night (2/11/23) kick off at PGH.

The junior colts side continued their winning streak beating Knutsford at Green lane 45-28, then beat Leigh 19-0 away on 5/11/23.

Joe Higham, a tree surgeon who runs Joe's Tree Care will be pruning the overgrown tree branches over our floodlights.

Joe's company is a player sponsor of the Club and if any member wants to use his professional services then contact him on 07528819038 or mail him on joestreecare2021@gmail.com 

Our multi talented Club Secretary Derek Ward, assisted by Bruce Porteous (Club president), and Norman Hall (Club Groundsman), have completed the rip out process for the refurb of the ladies toilet, whose installation will start soon by Livewire Mechanical and Electrical Services on 14/11/23. This represents a significant investment by the Club with some grant support from the RFU.See photos attached.

Thanks to those involved in the rip out process.

Despite asking for ideas to give way our old kit, I continue to find a charitable home for the masses of old badged kit we have left over. In the meantime if anyone wants some decent quality large kit bags let me know as I have at least 6 in good condition. 

An ex-player, Ollie Scull, has been co-opted to the board to cover the vacant business development role. He brings to us a wealth of sales and marketing knowledge.
We wish him every success in his role and if you can assist him with any and sponsorship commercial leads for him, then please pass them to me, through the contact details below, and I will pass them on.

Andy Evans and Sophie Rogers has been busy ordering stash for the Club (including Christmas items) and have been selling stock to the Mini and Junior Section on Sunday mornings and to the senior players on Saturdays.

Graeme Ford, a former player won the October 200 Club draw.

Finally we had another conduct issue where a referee reported a junior player for verbal abuse.

This is being handled at the moment but i would draw your attention to the Code of Conduct posted in the Clubhouse near the door at the back of the club facing the pitches.

Regardless of circumstance Lancashire RFU, the RFU and Ormskirk RUFC take a zero tolerance to referee abuse of any sort and all players, coaches, officials, and spectators are reminded of that. 

Yours in rugby,

Brian Stevenson (Ormskirk RUFC Chair) tel 07976896722  or chair@ormskirkrugby.co.uk