This week we welcome a resurgent Roundhegians visiting us on the back of beating Yarnbury 25-19 and will be full of confidence after improving their form recently. We narrowly beat Roundhegians in the reverse fixture 24-29 and today is likely to be another closely contested game. A sad consequence of that game was losing our talisman standoff Richard Skull with a badly broken jaw, that has unfortunately side-lined him for the season!

The return of the Six Nations will undoubtedly raise our appetite for the game and it will be interesting to see how England build towards next year’s World Cup. A strong Six Nations is required for the momentum to be there to challenge the All Blacks at the Autumn Internationals and steer us towards a strong bid in Japan.

We have not had the brightest of starts to 2018. With two narrow defeats and the impact of Barnsley’s “Flying Fijian,” who scored three tries in the first half last week we have slipped down to eleventh in Yorkshire Two, which is a clearly place we do not want to be at! We have not played without spirit or endeavour; we do, however, need to cut out silly mistakes and make the right decisions when it counts. We are well capable of getting back to winning ways and today provides a perfect opportunity to do so. As a Club we have to get behind the lads and offer as much support and encouragement as we can!

The Club will be having its first ever Beer Festival on 30th June 2018. I am calling on all members and friends to support this event. The festival will be a family fun day, live bands, food, children’s entertainment and excellent ale to taste. We are seeking both volunteers and sponsors, so if you can help please get in touch with me.

I hope you enjoy today’s rugby and I would like to thank you for your support, which is appreciated. Come on Ripon!