Our thanks to Gordon Brown for this photograph of the sunset at The Avenue on the evening of the recent match between Sedbergh and Woodhouse Grove Schools.

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We are delighted to have added two new players to the senior squad this week – experienced hooker Tom Burtonwood and promising flanker Jamie Brookes have joined from Blackburn RUFC. Tom and Jamie helped Blackburn to win promotion to Level 5 last season via a play-off win over Scarborough. Both will be on the bench for the 1st XV against Fylde where Tom will look forward to meeting up with old friends, having spent several seasons at Fylde before joining Blackburn.

Tom Burtonwood

Jamie Brooks

At the same time, fly-half Louis Verity has become the latest of last season’s Colts …

Members have been asking about new signings over the summer. We have now completed the registration of the following players: –

Matt Beesley – prop returning to Wharfedale after a spell away at Northampton and Ealing.

Jonny Moore – centre ex North Ribblesdale who played his junior rugby at Wharfedale before moving on to North Ribblesdale.

Will Smith – an exciting back row prospect from Wensleydale who was in last year’s England Counties 18 group squad and who made a big impact off the bench against Otley.

Matt Speres – hooker/back row originally from Cape Town, he spent several seasons …

On Thursday morning the Wharfedale Green Machine set off from Threshfield Avenue on Craig’s “wonder bus” heading for Heysham, across the Irish sea, destined for the Isle of Man, embarking on the first senior club tour for over 7 years. With an intoxicating mix of youth and experience, the squad of 45 compromising of players, officials and a handful of Alacados (See Note), the excitement was building. The mood was jovial, scattered with a few nerves, accompanied by high levels of expectancy for the two experimental teams that would be taking the field for the very first time, over the …

The new season will soon be here and the membership handbooks and membership cards are at the printers! These will be available to collect at the preseason friendly and early league matches at the club as follows: –

Friday evening 30th August -Foresters friendly against Old Brodleians

Saturday afternoon 31st August – 1st XV friendly against Rotherham

Saturday afternoon 7th September – 1st XV league against Otley and Foresters league against Morley

Saturday afternoon 14th September – Foresters league against Hull Ionians

Saturday afternoon 21st September – 1st XV league against Fylde.

This season the entrance gate fee to 1st …

The first training session for the girls’ teams will be on Tuesday 3rd September from 6pm to 7pm, and every Tuesday after that at Wharfedale RUFC. The under-13s and under-15s will train together most of the time, just splitting into age groups for contact rugby activities and games.

If you know any girls who might fancy having a go at rugby, please do tell them about it and encourage them to come along. If you would like more information, you can e-mail Stuart Willis at wharfedalegirlsrugby@sillytrouts.me.uk.…