MAIN SPONSOR
£2
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE President:
Dave Corless
Vice President:
Derek Cross
Chairman:
Ralph Rawsthorne
Club Secretary:
Ste Edgerton
Treasurer:
Andy Lyons
Junior Secretary:
John Rees
Club Registration Manager:
Joanne Knapper
Club Welfare Officer:
Gary Trueman
Discipline Chairman:
Gary Philbin
Junior Representative:
Brian Hatton
Fundraising Manager:
Ailsa Looker
Media Manager:
Steven Hughes
HONOURS BARLA National Cup Winners: BARLA Lancashire Cup Winners:
BARLA Inter County Cup Winners: North West Counties Premier Cup Winners: North West Counties Champions: North West Counties Div 1 Champions: Warrington & District League Champions: Warrington & District League Leaders: St.Helens Junior League Champions: St,Helens Junior League Leaders: St.Helens Cup Winners: West Lancs League Trophy Winners: Bootle Charity Cup Winners:
@pilksrecsarlfc
/pilkingtonrecs
1974-75, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82 1974:74, 1976-77 1978-79, 1980-81 1980-81 2007-08, 2010-11, 2011-12 1977-78, 1979-80 1975-76, 1985-86, 1991-92, 2004-05 1973-74 1968-69 1953-54 1951-52, 1953-54 1980-81, 1985-86, 2010-11 1953-54 1953-54
www.pilkingtonrecs.org
Good afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive for today’s National Conference league Division 1 game. It is my great pleasure on behalf of Pilkington Recs to extend a sincere welcome to our visitors, Stanningley Rangers, who have made the trip over from Leeds. Stanningley Rangers can boast an impressive history having been established in 1889 and you have to admire their consistency in being at the forefront of the game for so many years. They also boast a vibrant youth and junior section which is essential for the game to survive these days.
now curse that rugby league express article headline. But that is rugby as they say and I am sure that the team and coaches will be looking to the game today to get back on the winning track. My thanks as usual go to our hardworking committee for their endeavours in managing the Club business; also to our sponsors for their continued support at all age groups; to our supporters for their encouragement of all our age groups and finally to the players and coaches for their commitment to the sport and this Club in particular.
So back to the game which has all the At the last outing Stanningley played promise of a great game in the maka Friday fixture against Saddleworth, ing, remember to respect the officials ‘the clash of the Rangers’, where they who have a difficult task in managing emerged with a convincing win and the game. Support your respective arrive for this game sitting around the teams and applaud good rugby and middle of the table and no doubt look- Come on The RECS!! ing to improve their position. Recs’s last game was their third away game on the run and it seems they failed to Yours in Sport settle into their game for the first half. A spirited resurgence in the second Ralph E. Rawsthorne half saw us take the lead only to be dashed in the final few minutes to lose Chairman by a narrow margin. Up to that point we had been undefeated and how I • • • •
All spectators are requested to remain behind the pitch side spectator barriers Inside the ground perimeter fence is strictly a No Smoking Area at all times No dogs are allowed inside the ground Please use waste bins provided to dispose of your litter
Finest Quality Pork Sausage
Cooked Meats & Pies
01744 22738 Lock Street, off Merton Bank Road St. Helens, WA9 1HS
ALEX SERVICE ADVERT
This afternoon we welcome the players, officials and supporters of one of the oldest amateur organisations in the rugby league. Stanningley Sports and Amateur Rugby League Club, from the Pudsey district, go back as far as 1889 [Pilks were founded in 1879] and play at the Arthur Miller Stadium, Coal Hill Drive in Leeds. Their facilities are second to none and they also have links with the Leeds Rhinos Under 19s Academy team, who play matches there during the season. One of our most recent links with Stanningley was in the Rugby League Challenge Cup campaign of 2016, when Pilks won 28-16 at the Arthur Miller. It was the start of a memorable campaign for the red, amber and blacks, with London Skolars falling in the next round at Ruskin and Halifax ending our interests somewhat comprehensively at Langtree Park. Talking of the Challenge Cup, Stanningley Ladies took part in the inaugural Challenge Shield final last year and gave a good account of themselves before being beaten 44-16 by a powerful Bradford Bulls, a fine achievement indeed. The Stanningley club is indeed an inclusive one, with a thriving Mens’ and Ladies Open Age set-up, together with youth/Junior and mini teams providing a valuable feed-pipe for the future. Talking of those who went on from the professional ranks, we think of the thundering front-rower Roy Dickinson, who produced such an impressive performance for Leeds in their 1975 Premiership final success over the Saints. Another tough prop who also represented the Black and Whites of Stanningley is Jamie Peacock,
a legendary figure in Yorkshire rugby league with Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos and on the international front with the England XIII. Over at Warrington Wolves, veteran centre Ryan Atkins is another who spent part of his career at Stanningley. Now in his Testimonial year at Warrington Wolves, he was also a Bradford Bull and a Wakefield Trinity Wildcat for part of his career, as well as representing England. Garreth Carvell played for Leeds Rhinos at the tender age of 16 in 1997. A durable front-rower, he went on to wear the colours of Gateshead, Hull FC, Warrington, Castleford Tigers and Featherstone. He has the ‘full set’ of international caps, too: England, Wales and Great Britain! Jamie Jones Buchanan is now, of course, in the latter stages of a great career in the professional code. He started in the 2007 Grand final victory over the Saints and scored a try. Born in 1981 and from a family heavily involved in the 13 a side code, he has won 6 Grand finals, 3 World Club Challenges and, surprisingly, just one Challenge Cup winner’s medal. Jamie has also represented England on 14 occasions. Quite a CV for professional player development and we’ve only scratched the surface! Pilkington Recs ARLFC also remind everyone associated with Stanningley ARLFC to join us in the Ruskin clubhouse to enjoy a refreshing drink and the Man of the Match celebrations. Enjoy the game. After last week’s frustrations at Featherstone Lions, the lads need to maintain their winning ways once more to keep their title impetus well and truly on track once more.
We celebrate two fantastic milestones in 2019: the 130th anniversary of the Recs’ formation [as a rugby union club in 1879] and the establishment of the current amateur organisation in 1949. In a new series, Alex Service looks at those who have played for both Recs and Saints during their careers.
Bob Grundy St Helens Recs Heritage #111 St Helens RFC Heritage #499 Bob Grundy made his debut at Barrow in the second row. His brother, Billy, was at loose forward. Both were new to the First Team having impressed in the pre-season trial matches. Although Billy played a number of senior matches, Bob had to wait until the end of the campaign before he played for the seniors again. The Colonel, the rugby league correspondent in the St. Helens Reporter, was pleasantly impressed with Bob’s ability after the 23-10 victory away to Wigan Highfield, on 28 March 1932, when the brothers were reunited once again: “Bob Grundy, who was tried out in the second row astounded the natives of Highfield by his terrific speed. He is only 19 years of age, is 6’ in height and turns the scales at 13 stones. What possibilities there are in a handling forward of this type. Whenever he got the ball on the run he seemed faster than any of the threequarters who were playing.”
when Pat Martin carved out an opening for Billy Bowen, who after a marvellous break, gave the ball just at the right moment to Bob, who out-paced all opposition to score between the sticks. He wore a skull-cap that day, a result of a previous head injury. It was no surprise to see Bob playing on the wing towards the end of the 1932-33 campaign, after playing well against Widnes and Leigh on the right flank. “Bob Grundy ought to be given an extended trial on the right wing,” suggested The Colonel. “Next to Laithwaite he is the best wingman on Recs’ books and has speed, weight, stature and youth all in his favour.” First and foremost, however, he was a backrower and displayed, with his brother the somewhat lost art of dribbling the football, a tactic to catch opposing defences unaware. However, there were bouquets and brickbats. He was never the safest of handlers, but he could be quite brilliant too and when the Recs beat Wigan 20-10 on 15 April 1937, he beat three opponents, kicked over the remaining line of defenders and scored a try near the posts. The conversion gave Recs a ten-point advantage after half an hour’s play and did much to secure their sensational victory.
Bob continued to play First Team football until the end of the 1938-39 campaign [his most consistent with 27 appearances and four tries] and Recs’ unfortunate demise. Normally, it was in the second row, but occasionally it was on the wing. Bob vied for a place in the pack with Jack Howard, Jack Atherton and Horace Randolph, perhaps not quite in the Smith, Fildes and Mulvanney class, but great Bob, who lived in one of the unique terraced players in their own way. Bob played in Recs’ houses at Factory Row in Ravenhead, with his penultimate game, against Wigan at Central brother Billy could certainly shift a bit! In the Park. He also turned out for the Saints during Challenge Cup tie against Hunslet at City Road the war years, when his former club-mate in February 1933, the Recs were well-beaten Oliver Dolan was coach at Knowsley Road. in the end, but their first try was a real ‘belter’
FEATHERSTONE LIONS 18 PILKINGTON RECS 16 A lacklustre first half put paid to Recs unbeaten start to the season as they fell short at Featherstone Lions. Recs travelled to Yorkshire full of confidence after winning 8 consecutive games as they look to return back to the Premier Division after last season’s disappointing end.
However, it was the home team that came out of the blocks strong and spent the opening 15 minutes camped on the Recs line. The visitors lie looked to have held out as they found away to move upfield, however an error whilst on the attack, saw the Lions move downfield to eventually score as their 2nd row forward broke out of the attempted tackles to Score on the right for a converted try . Recs began to make mistakes as they pushed for an equalising score. It was however the home side that got the next score as the right centre cut inside to find Recs middle defence had fallen to sleep as he scored beneath the posts With the visitors holding on, a half time deficit of 10 points looked generous for Pilks. However , the home side found their way over on the left to leave the score 14-0 at half time The much needed interval seemed to have paid off as Andrew Nisbet created space off a scrum to send Jon Frodsham over in the corner after 3 minutes of play Five minutes later Recs were over again as Nisbet dove over from acting half . Knapper converted to reduce the arrears to four . With 20 minutes left on the clock , Frodsham was over again following Nisbet’s flick pass, scoring by the right corner flag . Knapper converted from the touchline to give the visitors the lead for the first time. The game became an arm wrestle as the sides battled each other along with the torrential rain. As Pilks pushed for a winning score , a stray pass saw the home side more upfield before scoring on the right with only minutes to play and Recs unbeaten run
National Conference League Div
PILKINGTON RECS 1.
Owain Abel
2.
Jon Frodsham
3.
Cameron Brown
4.
Greg Smith
5.
Jake Hodson
6.
Kyran Knapper
7.
Tom Connick
8.
Jon Key
9.
Ryan Liptrot
10. Jono Peers 11. Tez Riley 12. Mike Garrity 13. Jamie Smith (c) 14. Ryan Stevens 15. Joe Chow 16. Jordan Morris 17. Chris Clayton
Coaches John Rees Liam Bostock
Offic Matthew C George J Ronan
Physio Gary Trueman
Pilkington Recs ARLFC prides itself on be RESPEC The club will ensure high standards of be spectators, coaches, matc Rugby league is an all-inclusive sport, com tolerate any form of discrimina
vision 1 Saturday 18th May 2019
cials Charnock Johnson n Bird
STANNINGLEY Coaches Physio
eing a family club that supports the RFLs CT policy. ehaviour are maintained amongst parents, ch officials and volunteers. mmitted to equal opportunities and will not ation or unsporting behaviour.
1.
Jack Smith
2.
Liam Copland
3.
Aidan Scully
4.
Thomas Sharp
5.
Benjamin Selby
6.
William Barker
7.
Niall Murphy
8.
Jamaine Ruan
9.
Adam Benn
10. Stephen Welton 11. Tyler Hart 12. Jack Sykes 13. Sam Savage 14. Joseph Phipps 15. Jack Clover 16. Thomas Kent 17. Rylee Captein
Our U18s are into the BARLA Cup Semi Final after a 29-10 win over Saddleworth Rangers on Sunday. Their reward is a trip to West Hull in June. Meanwhile, our U14s also progressed in their cup competition with an impressive 24-16 win over Shevington Sharks. They will face a home match against Hindley in their next cup match on 9th June. Elsewhere, our U13s bowed out of their competition with a 58-8 defeat at local rivals Thatto Heath Crusaders. Staying on the road, our U12s were also winners as they claimed an impressive 44-28 win at Chester Gladiators to keep their cup run going. Their next opponents are to be announced at a later date. Whilst our U11s were in league action against Culcheth Owls at Ruskin Drive and lost narrowly 30-28. Meanwhile there was a draw for our U10s against Liverpool Lions and our U9s lost out 64-34 at Leigh East. There was also three games for our U8s this weekend. They sent two teams over to welcome Waterhead Warriors where there was one win and one defeat for our young Pilks. They claimed a 48-40 win and a 36-32 defeat. The third side travelled to Warrington to take on Latchford Giants and won 32-8. Finally, our U7s welcomed local rivals Haydock Warriors to Ruskin Drive and won 44-32.
Stanningley 16 Pilkington Recs 28 30th January 2016 Recs progressed to the next round of the Challenge Cup with this hard fought victory over Yorkshire side Stanningley. With the weather producing snow, rain and gales, this was never going to be a spectacle of open flowing Rugby. Recs looking dominant in the first quarter, were unable to take advantage of good field position as the opposition dug deep in defence and it took 25 minutes before the scores were opened as Kyran Knapper dove over in the corner after fantastic handling skills from Ryan Hilliard and Mark Ashton. As the conditions worsened, mistakes became more frequent and the home side scored 2 quick fire tries after capitalising on Recs mistakes to lead 10-4. Ian Stanley reduced the gap to 2 points with his customary try before Stanningley scored on the stroke of half-time with a well executed chip and chase by the scrum-half who fed the winger to score a converted try. HT 16-8 With the wind behind them in the second half, Recs had taken control of the tie with a blistering opening 15 minutes. First, a neat blind side play by Danny Lynch put Stanley clear before he returned the pass to Lynch who scored beneath the posts. Lynch converted. Then the impressive Ryan Hilliard was next on the score sheet after powering his way over the line before forcing the ball to ground despite the attention of the defenders. Ashton then bagged his opening try of the season after racing on to a lofted Lynch pass. The final say of the match went to Jamie Smith who barged over from close range for a converted try with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Recs continued to push but were just lacking the finishing touch that will come as the season progresses. Danny Lynch was the AMDEC Man of the Match
Welcome back to Ruskin Drive to all. As down. we return to our own ground for the only As we sit at the top of the table still, our occasion this month. opponents will no doubt be out to topple us Last weeks loss saw our running streak and make challenges of their own to sit at come to an end against a tough Featherthe top table in 2020. So it is up to us to get stone Lions side. It was a disappointing back on the horse and try to emulate the loss for a number of reasons, both on and last 8 games off the field. However, I was informed this week that it was our best start to a season Today we host Stanningley for the first time since 2014, on that occasion we ran out since 2008/09 when we went 11 games unbeaten at the start of that season. So the comfortable winners as our opponents were disappointment quickly made way for pride going through a challenging period. at what this group of players had done. They have since overcome those challenges and had a wonderful season last year, The talk last week was about the monkey winning the division 2 title to earn promobeing off the back!!!! But is it?? tion. As we experienced last season with Ten years ago the 12th fixture turned out to Thornhill, the newly promoted champions be the only loss that season as we went on can be a dangerous proposition indeed, to win all our remaining league games but and we will certainly be expecting a tough still did not win the Championship game this afternoon. (something Liverpool fans will know all Enjoy The Game about this week!) Showing that you can never let off as those around you hunt you
By Phil Hodgson THE Coral Challenge Cup is alive and kicking! I know that the venerable old competition seems to have been struggling in recent years but there was plenty of action last week to suggest that the Silver Lady is high on the priorities of players and coaches. Wembley remains a dream target, although only eight clubs now have the great stadium still in their sights (with another group, including two of those that are still in the Challenge Cup, now battling for a place in the inaugural 1895 Cup Final, of course). Several of those eight are in the quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth after having edged thrillers last weekend. There was arguably nothing more compelling than Bradford Bulls’ stunning 24-22 victory over old rivals Leeds Rhinos, a sensational triumph for a Betfred Championship side over a Super League outfit. Don’t tell Bulls coach John Kear or his stand-off Jordan Lilley that the Challenge Cup doesn’t matter so much anymore. Clearly it does to them, to the rest of the Bradford camp and, very importantly, to the fans, who turned out in numbers for an historic win that thrilled BBC TV viewers. Bradford’s reward is a quarter-final tie with their neighbours Halifax, meaning that the semi-finals will include a second-tier side for, I think, the first time since Hull KR reached the last four in 2006. One of those two will soon be 80 minutes away from Wembley, which is what the magic of the Challenge Cup is all about; as is the fact that Halifax are not too far away from dreamland despite having been somewhat fortunate to have survived their recent tie at League 1 side Hunslet, which they edged 28-24. There were thrillers, too, at Warrington, where the Wolves pipped Wigan Warriors 26-24, and at Huddersfield, where the Giants pushed favourites St Helens all the way before losing 22-16., while Hull Kingston Rovers staged a rally to prevail 32-18 at Salford Red Devils. The four other ties were won comfortably, certainly the one in France, where holders Catalans Dragons beat Doncaster 62-6, with Wakefield Trinity seeing off Widnes Vikings and Halifax cruising home at Dewsbury Rams, although Hull FC were helped to a 28-12 victory over Castleford by a number of Tigers errors. What the Challenge Cup now needs is a great final before a big crowd. In that sense many neutrals would, I think, like to see St Helens make it through. The Saints generally play in a style that would grace Wembley and the fact that they haven’t been there since 2009 (a surprising fact) means that their fans would in all likelihood turn up in numbers. Wakefield Trinity, who St Helens meet at the next stage (and whose fans will certainly be hungry for Wembley after a 40-year hiatus) will have something to say about that of course, in further proof that the Challenge Cup is alive and, if not exactly in rude health, at least well.
Eddie Cunningham Eddie`s attacking prowess and clinical finishing resulted in him sitting prettily on top of St Helens RFC Heritage the club`s try-scoring chart at the end of the #904 1976/7 season, scorching in for 25 tries in 32 matches, including hat tricks against Hull A former Pilks’ junior, KR, Warrington and Castleford. In the 1977 Eddie Cunningham won Premiership Final against Warrington the a Challenge Cup winmatch was still in the balance when smart ner`s medal with the Saints before his youngest brother Kieron was even born! He play by Eddie sent Roy Mathias in for Saints` was signed from Wigan for a bargain fee of third try. He then scored a blistering try himself leaving the Wire defence for dead £5,000 in February 1975 and was immediately drafted in his familiar second row po- as he raced in from forty yards, effectively sealing the match for the Saints. sition. Eddie made 13 appearances before the end of the season helping Saints to secure their one-and-only First Division Cham- Eddie topped the charts once again in 1977pionship, a clear nine points ahead of rivals, 78 [39 matches 29 tries], with this haul including a four-try performance against Wigan. In those days the Champions were Swinton with hat tricks against Huddersfield only issued with 17 medals and so Eddie and Bramley. The 1978 Challenge Cup Final missed out on the award. saw Eddie return to Wembley and back in Dave Dooley on the Saints’ heritage website the second row. In an enthralling encounter writes: “Eddie was a very strong runner for Saints raced into an early ten points lead only to be pulled back by a spirited Leeds his size. He was blessed with an amazing display. Eddie and his team-mates had to be turn of foot and an array of evasive skills. content with runners up medals, after one He was also very adept at offloading the of the great all-time finals. ball just as he was about to be tackled. These attributes persuaded coach Eric AshThe 1978/9 campaign was Eddie`s last seaton to try him out in the centres”. In the 1976 Challenge Cup Final, Eddie was one of son at Knowsley Road. The ‘Dad’s Army’ team of the 1970s was breaking up, altthe younger Saints on view, although he hough Eddie scored 10 tries from his 33 made his mark after just twelve minutes, taking a pass from stand-off Billy Benyon to appearances. His overall career total of 75 give Saints a lead they never relinquished! tries from 141 appearances is a fine strike rate, given his alternation between centre Eddie worked like a Trojan in defence too, and second row throughout his career. A one of the reasons the Chemics remained Lancashire, Wales and Great Britain repretry-less during the 80 minutes. Hamstring sentative, he was sold to Leeds for £25,000 trouble kept Eddie out of the Premiership Final two weeks later as Saints completed a in the summer of 1979 - a net profit of £20,000 and some memorable moments season`s treble by defeating a strong Salfrom one of the famous Cunningham clan. ford side 15-2.
Date 16th February
Friendly
Home Or Away Away
2nd March 9th March 16th March 23rd March 30th March
League League League League League
Away Home Home Away Home
6th April 13th April 20th April 27th April
Comp
League League
4th May 11th May 18th May 25th May
League League League League
1st June 8th June 15th June 22nd June 29th June
6th July 13th July 20th July 27th July 3rd August 10th August 17th August 24th August 31st August 7th September 14th September 21st September
Opponents
Result
Eccleston Lions
0 - 66 W
Westhoughton Lions Manchester Rangers Leigh Miners Rangers A Bury Broncos Wigan St Judes
38 - 0 L 22 - 18 W 32 - 18 W P-P 28 - 8 W
Away Hindpool Tigers EASTER WEEKEND Away Chorley Panthers
Home Away
Langworthy Reds Wigan St Patricks
League League League League League
Home
Hindpool Tigers
Away Home
Leigh Miners Rangers A Westhoughton Lions
League League
Away Home
Wigan St Judes A Wigan St Patricks A
League
Away
Manchester Rangers
Nines Comp Nines Comp
League League League League
Challenge Cup Weekend Home Bury Broncos Away Haresfinch Away Langworthy Reds Home
Chorley Panthers
26 - 16 L 22 - 0 L
10 - 32 L
Date
Comp
9th February
Friendly
Home Or Away Away
Opponents
Result
Ince Rose Bridge
20 - 6 L
2nd March 9th March 16th March 23rd March 30th March
League League League League League
Home Home Away Home Away
York Acorn Saddleworth Oulton Raiders Dewsbury Moor Skirlaugh
36 - 30 W 34 - 10 W P-P 32 - 4 W 6 - 25 W
6th April 13th April 20th April 27th April
League League League
Home
Milford
18 - 0 W
4th May 11th May 18th May 25th May 31st May (FRI) 1st June 8th June 15th June 22nd June 29th June
League ` League
Away Away Home
Myton Warriors Featherstone Lions Stanningley
18 - 32 W 18 -16 L
League League League League
Away Away Away Home
Wigan St Patricks Wigan St Patricks Dewsbury Moor Skirlaugh
League
Away
Oulton Raiders
6th July 13th July 20th July 27th July
League League League
Home Away Home
Myton Warriors York Acron Featherstone Lions
3rd August 10th August 22nd August (THURS) 24th August 31st August
League League League
League
Away
Stanningley
7th September
League
Home
Normanton Knights
Away Saddleworth Away Normanton Knights EASTER WEEKEND
Away Milford Home Oulton Raiders Home Wigan St Patricks CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
16 - 28 W 22 - 36 W