Last Saturday should have seen the Green Machine at Cross Green for the last action of the 2019/20 league season. Sadly, we were denied that pleasure and, although we are also to be denied Otley’s company in National 2 North next season following their relegation under the RFU’s formula approach, we have agreed to make up for Saturday with a pre-season fixture away at Otley on Saturday 22 August.

Rob Baldwin and the coaches are looking to put in place a comprehensive pre-season programme on the assumption that rugby can restart at the usual time, but we obviously do not …

1. Who were our very first opponents in league rugby on 12^th September 1987 KEIGHLEY (away) WE WON 7 – 3
2. When did Wharfedale first win the Yorkshire Cup and who were our opponents 5^th MAY 2010 v SHEFFIELD TIGERS AT HUDDERSFIELD YMCA
3. Who was head coach for our first Yorkshire Cup success JASON STRANGE
4. How many league games did we lose from the start of season 1993/94 till the end of season 1995/96 LOST 5 GAMES & DREW 1 IN 94/95 BUT WERE UNDEFEATED IN 93/94 & 95/96
5. How many consecutive seasons were Wharfedale in the third

It is with deep regret that we have to report that long-standing club member Peter Rymer died this weekend.

Peter was a former Captain, Prop forward and Committee Member for many years in the fifties and sixties, and since then an avid supporter who until this last season rarely missed a match.

He was one of the Front Row brigade along with Brother David, Ken Slater and Arthur Chaney who helped to put the club on the map as the Club progressed after the war years.

Peter was also a leading light in Dales League Cricket and in particular at Cracoe …

On Friday 3 April the RFU issued confirmation of the final league positions for 2019/20 season based on a “best playing record formula” designed to ensure “fair and balanced outcomes for the game”. The methodology takes an average of points gained for all home and away fixtures completed and applies this to the remaining games that will not get played; this is then added to points already secured in order to reach a final total for the season. With no play-offs possible but a desire to retain 3 up/3 down, the play-off side with the better points record has been …

Supporters will be aware that RFU cancelled the rest of the season on Friday 20 March and have promised a further statement on the implications of the cancellation by mid-April. It is understood that this will address the consequences for promotion and relegation after “a thorough review to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game”. The cancellation was immediately followed by a government announcement effectively closing the clubhouse and gym with effect from 20 March.

The impact on the club has been that all rugby and clubhouse activity has ceased; we have lost 2 1st XV home league games …

Dear Member/Supporter,

Our rugby season has been brought to an abrupt end and we now all face difficult times ahead.

The Wharfedale RUFC Grand Draw will still take place and winners will be notified by telephone and listed on the website by the end of April 2020.

The prizes will be distributed when the situation allows.

The part of the draw that involved bottles of booze donated by the membership and won by members present in the clubhouse at the draw will be postponed until an early game in the new season.

Those of you who have not had chance …