Looking back, last season was definitely one of two halves. Up to Christmas we were promotion contenders playing confident open rugby under Coach Hugh Gumbs and his team. The festive season lay-off was then followed by a disruptive spell of snow and frozen pitches lasting several weeks. Too make matters worse, the re-start was marred by a spate of injuries to key players. On top of this, talented back James Keinhorst went off to Germany with our good wishes to play for Heidelberg in the German Premiership League in January.

The results suffered for two months and then we turned things round towards the end of the season and played some excellent rugby to reach the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy and the Aire/Wharfe Cup, where we narrowly lost in both games.

Teams in our Yorkshire League 3 have been increased from 12 to 14 next season so we are hoping we can avoid another bad winter, otherwise, our crowded fixture list could push matches further into May.

During last season Club members and the local community were saddened by the death of Club stalwart and Hon. Life Member Geoff Storr. Geoff was deeply involved in the Club as a player and then hard-working volunteer for over 60 years and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts go out to Marie and his family.

We look forward to the new season with optimism and with a warm welcome to our new Coach, Carlos Hassan. New Zealander Carlos comes with a wealth of experience under both codes having played league with Bradford Bulls and top-level union with Rotherham, Bristol, Sedgley Park and Bradford and Bingley.

My hopes for the season ahead are that we combine success and enjoyment both on and off the field. Like every other amateur club, we rely on a hard-working, cheerful band of volunteers and my thanks go out to all who help to keep the Club ticking over.

Pre-season training is going well under Carlos and I wish him, his coaching team, all players, our loyal band of volunteers and supporters a season of successful and enjoyable rugby.

Club member Norman Coates was Yorkshire President up to June this year and the following are extracts from his report to the County Committee at the end of his term in office:

Three visits stood out for me during the season. I was delighted to award the "Seal of Approval" to Pocklington Rugby Club. A big thank you to Acklam for their efforts in a sponsored coast-to-coast cycle ride and giving me the pleasant task of presenting a cheque for £10,000 to Breast Care. I was invited to Selby Rugby Club along with Richard Appleby, the next RFU President, for the unveiling of their fantastic new facilities.

Unfortunately I ruffled a few feathers at several dinners I attended with my stance on discipline, but these individuals were in the minority and many Club members appreciated what I was trying to put across to them.

I attended all our three domestic finals at the closing of the season and congratulations to Old Rishworthians as Trophy winners, Bridlington as Shield winners and Wharfedale, winners of the Cup. It gave me great pleasure in being able to present all three trophies.

Finally to all County members, Management and Council members, a big thank you to one and all from my wife Anne and myself for a most memorable season."

Once again the new season is almost upon us and I am sure that everyone is looking forward to the new challenge which this will provide. The second team pitch has been levelled, re-laid and re-seeded and, together with that of the first team, looks in perfect condition. The "Monday Club" has been busy with the maintenance of the Clubhouse and changing rooms, underlying the excellent facilities which the Club provides for our players.

Yorkshire League 3 will remain highly competitive for our first team and after a very successful season in Merit Table 3, the second team will hope to maintain this form. It is hoped that the third team will have a full programme and again provide enjoyable and entertaining rugby. Once again I must thank the band of former players who put in so much time and effort, not only throughout the season, but during the summer months to ensure that the Club runs smoothly. Not forgetting the "teas ladies" on match days, we appreciate their help and support - again many thanks.

Two seasons ago centre James Tincknell was the leading try-scorer with 'Ensians, having joined the Club when he moved from Cumbria to work alongside 'Ensians lock, Sam Gray.

Originally, James' number one sport was cricket where he played for Cumbria and joined MCC young cricketers. In 2008 he was actually the 12th man for England when they took on South Africa at Lords. Sadly, a back injury put James' cricketing career in doubt

Having done well at 'Ensians, he moved on to Wharfedale last season where he impressed enough to go on tour with the England Counties to Canada. At the same time he came to the notice of Leeds Carnegie scouts to earn a contract for the coming season.

As James trains hard for the new season with Leeds Carnegie, the good wishes of his former team-mates and all at 'Ensians go with him.

On Maundy Thursday, the traditional date for the Club's Annual Dinner, Club President George Leach welcomed 60 members and guests, including 36 players - another good turn out.

George was particularly pleased and proud to welcome Club and County stalwart Norman Coates in his Presidential year of office. Maunday Thursday is a popular evening for club dinners and Norman's attendance had been booked for over two years to ensure that he was able to attend his own Club's dinner. He entertained diners with the funny side of tales from his year of high office and his many years on the County Disciplinary Committee. He had been expecting to be able to comment on a trouble free year for the Club, but a recent incident had dashed his hopes. Being asked to appear before ex-County prop Rodney Childs and his colleagues was not a pleasant experience and he urged all players not get themselves on the invitation list.

In his review of the season, Club Coach Hugh Gumbs complimented the teams on their performances so far. Once again an excellent start for the 1st team up to Christmas had been followed by patchy performances in the New Year, which meant there was still work to do to ensure League safety. The worst Winter's weather for many years had made life difficult for players and administrators alike, most noticeably the 3rd team who had played only 2 games between 19th December and 27th March. The 2nd team had done well following promotion last season, winning 11 of 18 merit table games to date.

Elsewhere in this Newsletter, the records show how the full season ended.

Very funny comedian Lee Roberts rounded off the formal part of proceedings with some entertaining stories and banter.

TROPHY WINNERS

We are once more grateful to our Webmaster, Roy Appleyard, for continuing to maintain our website and also for the excellent action photos of the matches he provides throughout the season. He's there in all weathers with his impressive-looking camera capturing images of players in all teams.

If you haven't had a look at our Website recently, maybe now is the time to start. Reports of matches are often posted on the Sunday or Monday after the games along with top class action shots.

Roy reminds everyone that if they want anything on the Website, then stick it in email to him. This can be a photo, an ad for an event, a match report, whatever. If you've printed a poster and stuck it up around the Club, send Roy a copy by email as well.

If you don't do so already, now is the time to start logging on regularly to www.oorufc.co.uk and get news and match reports when the season starts on 4th September. Log on and keep in the know!

Last year it was reported that one of our top three projects had been completed - the car park extension; one was planned for this year - the 2nd team pitch levelling and the third, improved training lights, needed a bit of extra impetus.

Good progress can be reported. After some sterling work by Roger and his contractors, and a generous helping of good fortune from Mother Nature, the 2nd team pitch is dramatically better than it was this time last year. It's not billiard-table smooth, it was never going to be, but it is a lot flatter with a good crop of new sward. There is still work to be done on a small area where wet conditions made levelling difficult and in the battle against weeds. These will be addressed over the coming weeks and months.

So, two down and one to go - or maybe two to go.

Last November the floodlight project got the necessary kick start and the target timeframe was set as July/August 2010, subject to planning permission and the development and execution of an appropriate funding programme for the £35000 plus cost. August is now unlikely, because of delays in understanding how much power we have and how it might be up rated, but we are reasonably confident now that new match, not training, quality floodlights will be up and running before the dark training nights start. Thanks to John Harrison's efforts and generous contributions from members, local businesses and the RFU, we are hopeful that the majority of the costs will be covered. However, if you feel you would like to help, get in touch.

As hinted above, there maybe another project on the horizon. The container and garage are not big enough for our storage needs, especially as Roger's work for other clubs continues to grow. It's been suggested they might be replaced by a bigger, permanent concrete block building. Could you help get that project to fruition?

Last year's accounts showed a very small surplus. Subscriptions, donations, match receipts, bar, investment income and other income were all down, some like bar profits and investment income very significantly. The car park extension and pitch levelling projects have used up about £6000 of our savings and a worse than expected outcome of RFU funding for the floodlights may mean a further significant drain on reserves. Making £300 a year is not enough to service our ambitions.

What can we do about it? Lots. Support money raising efforts; organise a do, pay all your dues - on time; have that extra pint at the Club (but drive safely); suggest the innovative idea that generates more income or reduces costs - is there a more effective and efficient way to collect subs and match fees? Arbie knows one. Will you buy into it? Switch off unwanted lights and heaters.

In presenting the Fixture Secretary's report, John Churchman said that from his point of view, it had been long and hard work at times, but pretty successful despite the weather. He thanked Roger Whitworth and Dave Beardsley in particular for the help they had given him during the season along with Coach, Hugh Gumbs. The 1st XV experienced an "up and down" season, being at the top of the League around Christmas and then dropping down to finish 7th after injuries, postponed fixtures and a mass of matches at the end of the season. The team had then competed well to reach to reach the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy and the Aire/Wharfe Cup.

The 2nd XV, newly promoted into Yorkshire 3 Merit Table, had done well to achieve 4th place. The 3rd XV's season had been curtailed by the poor weather and cancellation of fixtures both by the opposition and ourselves, nevertheless, they had played entertaining rugby to win 8 of their 12 games.

Presenting the Secretary's report on behalf of Tom Broadbent who is standing down, Assistant Secretary Dave Beardsley reported that the Club had had a mixed season on the pitch with all three teams being affected by injuries and by the long spell of freezing weather. Despite this, the 1st XV finished mid-table in Yorkshire League 3 and the 2nd and 3rd XVs had had successful seasons. (Full details of points and scorers are set out separately in this Newsletter.)