Presidents Welcome to Kirkby Lonsdale

A very good afternoon to one and all, especially to our visitors who have made the journey from the picturesque Cumbria town of Kirkby Lonsdale. Due to unforeseen circumstances the club are unable to send any committee members down to our pre match lunch today, however we extend a warm welcome to the team and supporters. It is fair to say that KL have found this year particularly difficult to be competitive at this level. As a club they have made a policy to stop paying players, a move I and the whole of Lymm RFC endorses. This means that some of the experienced players have left for pastures new and have been replaced by committed young lads with limited experience of senior rugby. These lads are to be commended for their spirit and determination to see the club through this difficult period and I am sure that they will all gain valuable experience that will be put to good use as they develop. Keep going lads, the game needs you!

The need to maintain a balance of experience and youth remains strongly in evidence in the Lymm team with most of our players (14 out of the 18 match day squad last week) coming through the M&J section, with several already achieving significant milestones for the number of ‘caps’ awarded.

Last week’s game against Kendal saw us post 50 points in what eventually played out as an easy victory, though I must confess to feeling a little nervous as we seemed to have ‘eased off the gas’ at 0-19 up to allow them back into the game at 14-19 by half time. Perhaps a few stern words from Fletch at half time steadied the ship back onto a victory course with an excellent second half display.

In a week that saw the departure of another Prime Minister it also saw the arrival of the ‘Three Dads Walking’ in Westminster, raising awareness of suicide among young girls and campaigning for lessons about the dangers of social media to be added to the national curriculum. A worthy cause borne out of tragedy. The reason I raise this here is simply because the other most frightening statistic that has emerged is that suicide is the largest cause of deaths in all males under the age of 45. As a rugby club, a large section of our community and membership is made up of this age group. Mental wellbeing depends on encouraging people to talk to each other and share experiences.  One of Rugby’s core values is friendship and looking after teammates both on and off the field.  More information can be found on the England RFU website, so please have a look.

Two ‘plugs to note’

Pre-match lunches continue to grow in popularity to the extent that we now only have a few tables left spread over the remaining 4 home games. If you and your friends would like to take advantage of these remaining tables, please let me know ASAP via e-mail, neilk2560@btinternet.com  or my mobile 07768 077150. Places are priced at £25 per head which includes the match admission fee and a 3-course lunch.

Vice Presidents save the date

The VIP party for all the VP’s and their partners on Friday 13^th January. It will be a party to end the January Blues with VIP entertainment, drinks reception and buffet to match! If you wish to upgrade your membership to secure entry to the event let me know!!!

Cheers

Neil Kelly, President