TYNEDALE Rugby Club first XV wave goodbye to some old foes, renew old rivalries and take on new opposition in the new National League Division Two North season which kicks off on September 6th.
Only four teams finished above Tynedale last season – and two of them have left the league, Leeds Tykes promoted as champions, and Lymm hived off to the Division Two West.
Also going West are Chester, while coming the other way are old rivals Macclesfield, returning to the North division.
Among Tynedale’s toughest opponents are expected to be Darlington Mowden Park, relegated from National Division One, and they will also lock horns again with Scunthorpe, promoted from Regional One North East.
They will face unfamiliar opponents in Rossendale, promoted from Regional I North West.
Off the field, there have been changes to Tynedale’s management structure, following the departure of Harry Cornforth after five years as chief executive.
He is succeeded by Corbridge businessman Paul Williams, whose four children have played at Tynedale as juniors and colts Paul himself coached and organised tours to Amsterdam and Munster.
Speaking on the Tynedale website, , Paul said: “‘I like to think I will bring to the management team a focus on making the club as fantastic as possible for the players, supporters, sponsors, the local community and last but not least – the volunteers who make it happen…. while living within our means.’
Also stepping down after many years’ service as head of commercial activities is Ian “Squidge” Lewis who is succeeded by Richie Gledson, owner of Sky High Sports. who has been instrumental in arranging several recent incoming tours and events at the club and is keen to expand them further.
With post holder Andrew Neal taking up a role with Northumberland RFU, Keeley Wilkie-Smith will take over as chairman of youth rugby, having spent several years managing age groups in which her children play.
Keeley is keen to increase the involvement of women and girls in the administrative running of Age Group Rugby.
Games are scheduled as follows:
SEPTEMBER
6th Wharfedale (H)
12th (Friday) Darlington MP (A)
20th Otley (H)
27th Sheffield Tigers (A)
OCTOBER
4th Rossendale (H)
11th Hull Ionians (A)
18th Preston Grasshoppers (H)
25th Fylde (A)
NOVEMBER
8th Hull (H)
15th Macclesfield (A)
22nd Sheffield (H)
DECEMBER
6th Scunthorpe (A)
13th Billingham (H)
20th Darlington MP (H)
JANUARY
10th Otley (A)
17th Sheffield Tigersd (H)
24th Rossendale (A)
31st Hull Ionians (H)
FEBRUARY
14th Preston Grasshoppers (A)
21st Fylde (H)
28th Hull (A)
MARCH
14th Macclesfield (H)
21st Sheffield (A)
APRIL
11th Scunthorpe (H)
18th Billingham (A)
25th Wharfedale (A)
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