Chairman's End of Season Notes
Read Richard Larcombe's round up of the 2017/2018 season
It was hard to believe that the last Vice-Presidents’ lunch on the 21st April brought the 1st XV season to a close when they defeated Marlow, a club with whom we have a special relationship. It has been a difficult season with injuries to key players and, even more frustratingly, player unavailability. However,the win ensured we finished 5th in the league having used nearly 60 players! That of course means that a lot of players who did not expect to play 1st XV rugby this season have stepped up to help us out – thank you.
Looking beyond the 1st XV, the other Senior teams also closed out their season on the 21st with the 2nd XV finishing 5th in their League and the 3rd XV producing a fine performance to win their Dorset & Wilts Cup. I watch a number of the Junior fixtures and had the pleasure of watching an excellent U16s cup semi-final between us and a very good Chippenham side, which we just lost at the end. Then later that day our reinvigorated Colts won again and as a result captured their league. Last season we barely had a Colts team so this is a massive achievement and a big step for the whole club – congratulations to them and thanks to Steve Allen, Nik Mould, Russ Jugg and Neil Jones for leading this. Another milestone for us is that our Women’s team are growing again and playing some competitive rugby, which augurs well when considered with the large number of girls coached every Sunday by Geoff Wilman and his team.
The Senior Mens’ teams finished with their dinner on the 28th April – the award winners are listed below.
When we add in the continued excellence of our mini section and the large number of happy faces playing Rugby at our Club every weekend, we are in great shape.
Although the playing season has ended, the general running of the Club, commercial operations and fundraising continue, largely to support our efforts to provide players with new changing rooms. We have now raised over £210,000 ourselves, with £245,000 pledged in grants and loans. Bottom line, we need to keep raising money to hit our £600,000 target so please try to help however you can. So come along to some of our events, which offer a wide range of options that should appeal to all of our adult members:
- Friday 18 May Salisbury RFC and Alzheimers Society Quiz – entries to Vince Hayward This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Martin Plimsoll please. Two good causes for the price of one.
- Saturday 26 May President’s Walk from the club, followed by BBQ and the Premiership Final at the club – please sign up with Simon Hedges, as per e mail, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Friday 1 June Fine Dining in the Reg Room, a Greek Evening this time to continue our pre Brexit EU theme. Everyone welcome but limited places possible. £30 per ticket from me please – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Friday 22 June Midsummer Madness here – details and tickets from Neil Tonge or Bar
- Saturday 23 June - Clay Pigeon Shoot at Garth and Ed’s Farm at Redlynch. To enter please call Ed Parsons 07812 178245 or Chris Whalley 07971 955441
- Friday 6 July Golf day at Salisbury and South Wilts Club. These are good fun days so please try to get a team of four together – details from Pat Clash This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank-you to everyone who has helped the Rugby Club run this season and produced yet another outstanding number of fantastic days out for all our members, whether a 6 year old mini or a 85 year old VP. Special thanks to Vince and his bar staff, Tonger for his match day experiences and events, Neil and the kitchen crew, my fellow Board members who do so much work behind the scenes, Steve Allen and all his Junior coaches & administrators, plus the magical minis and all the parents & coaches who make them such a success. Finally, grateful thanks to all our sponsors, large and small, who underpin so much of what we do, and hope to do.
Best wishes
Richard Larcombe, Chairman Salisbury RFC
1st XV Player of the Year Dan Hammond
Players Player David Tonge
Young Player Serge Griffiths
Most Improved Player Reman Gurung
2nd XV Player of the Year Jamie Wright
3rd XV Player of the Year Dave Thorpe
4th XV Player of the Year David Veal