Welcome to the 1st XV Section

Rishworthians secure promotion and Silver Trophy

Rishworthians completed their most successful season in their history. They won the Silver Trophy and gained promotion to Yorkshire 2, their highest ever league position. This was their third successive promotion, 2007-08 Yorkshire 5 champions: 2008-09 Yorkshire 4 champions and 2009-10 Yorkshire 3 runners up.

The club's youth policy continues to grow with last season's under 16 players coming on stream during the season. Gary Morris was nominated as captain again this season with Paul Savage again as second team captain. Rishworthians' successful minis/junior section ran two new teams at under 12 and under 13 level. The under 16's won the Yorkshire Bowl and the under 11's won the Telford Festival.

Rishworthians away at Halifax Annual 7's

All day event (Please bring all necessary equipment including food and liquid refreshments!)
Rishworthians will be entering 2 teams for this event, the 1st team will be playing in the elite league. The 2nd team will be playing in the social league, both teams are hoping to bring some silverware home early in the season.
So far those attending the event are (in no particular order)

Squads:John Clough (Elite Manager, Kate (Physio), Annie (Physio), Ian Teasdale, Lee Atkinson, Paul Savage,
James Kidd, Matt Knight, Joe Lawton, Andy Sadler, Christian Hill, Johnny Burgess, Robbie Kitchen, David Fee,
Alex Wood, Luke Flannagan, Gerrad Rollings, Jack Ledgard, Josh Ferguson, Ozzy, Joe Fris, David Wood
Meet at club 9:30am or at Halifax RUFC 10:00am

Any one else who is interested in playing please could you contact Paul Savage or John Clough. We look forward to seeing you on the day and anyone available to support Rishworthians would be welcome!

Rishworthians go into the 2010 - 2011 season playing in Yorkshire 2, the higest position in the club's history. There are some clubs we have never played before and some we have not played foe several seasons. Dropping down from Yorkshire 1 are Skipton and Yarnbury to join Doncaster Phoenix, West Park Leeds, Ripon, Hullensians, Moortown, Huddersfield YMCA, West Leeds, Pocklington, Leodiensians and Barnsley. Ourselves and Roundhegians making up the league.

There is no local derby game but Huddersfield YMCA are our closest rivals in the league. There are 6 clubs in the Leeds area and the only long distance trips are to Pocklington, Ripon, Hullensians and Doncaster. The league fixtures are expected to be published early June.

Otliensians 8 - 14 Rishworthians

Old Rishworthians kept alive their chance of league promotion and a cup double by defeating Otliensians 14 - 8 at Otley in the semi final of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy

The weather could not have been more unkind for the Copley men, as rain fell throughout the afternoon, which did not suite their style of play. Rishworthians again gave the opportunity for their young talent to show their paces with Paul Henry Jackson,at no.8 and replacements, Luke Flanagan, Chris Dyson and Matthew Hunt-Brown.

The Otliensians side attacked from the kick off and used their bigger forwards to gain valuable ground, but lapses in concentration and the wet ball meant that Rishworthian skipper Gary Morris and his half back partner Jamie Bloem kicked the ball away on several occasions. However after 15 minutes good support work between the home backs and forwards saw them crash over for a try which was unconverted. Gerard Rollings made a break in the middle of the field but Old Rishworthians lost the ball, only for Bloem to charge an attacking kick down on the 10 metre line. He kicked the ball on and won the race for the touchdown and converted his own try. Just before half time Bloem had the chance to increase the lead with a penalty, but the long grass and wet conditions meant that the kick fell short. At half time with the score at 7-5, it was still anyone`s game.

The second half showed why the Old Rishworthians have done so well this season. With limited ball they can defend superbly and time and time again they stopped the home side in their tracks. Martin Brook, Simon Edmundson and Richard Turner in the front row did not give up and the scrums were solid. Ben Robinson and Rollings were winning good lineout ball but from an attack by Otliensians. However Rishworthians conceded a penalty when the referee penalised the centres, the home team kicked the penalty to take a slender one point lead.

At 8-7 the light was beginning to fade, but Old Rishworthians still had the confidence to attack the home threequarters with Chris Flanagan and co centre Joe Billing making some telling breaks. Dyson then followed up a clever grubber kick by Bloem and touched down under the posts for a try converted by Bloem, The match swung to the other end and Rishworthians defended magnificently, with Chris Fox and Anthony Shoesmith making very important tackles. Eventually after 52 minutes of the second half the referee blew his whistle ending the game and the Copley men now play Leeds Corinthians in the final. This was an exceptional defensive effort and coaches Jamie Bloem and John Clough were delighted with the performance.

Rishworthians get a 1st round bye

Old Rishworthians have a bye in the 1st round of the Yorkshire Shield and are away in the 2nd round to the winners of Keighley v Ilkley. 2nd round ties to be played on or before 6th November.