Tynedale gear up for a special year with gala dinner

More than 350 people packed into a grand marquee at Tynedale Park for an evening of fine food, great entertainment, while reminiscing about the past and looking forward to the future

Past and present players, administrators and supporters enjoyed a memorable evening, made all the more remarkable for the fact that the marquee was hit by a sudden squall shortly before the event began, ruining many hours of preparation.

Happily the weather relented for the event itself, with the venue bathed in warm sunshine, and MC Bruce Aitchison, of Happiness is Egg-Shaped rugby organisation, kept the fun ticking along,

There were well received question and answer sessions with club favourites Alan Gledson, Dick Parker, John Fletcher, Jamie Murray, Jack Harrison, Matty Outson, Chris Wearmouth and Oscar Caudle, along with a successful auction and raffle in aid of the Wood Spoon rugby charity.

The dinner kicked off what it is hoped will be a year to remember on the field as well as off it.

Having finished up runners up last term to promoted Sheffield, Tynedale are expected to be among the front runners  for the National League  Division Two North championship,

Tynedale’s second team The Raiders  are also embarking on their first ever season in North East Counties One in September.

As well as a full league campaign, the Tynedale first XV have also arranged two fixtures with top Scottish Borders side Kelso, who also celebrate their 150th anniversary this season,

Three of the first XV’s first four games are away from home, with Darlington Mowden Park the only September  visitors on September 12.

Fixtures are as follows:

FIXTURES

AUGUST:

15th  Heriots  (H)      Pre-season)

22nd Hinckley (A) Pre-season.

SEPTEMBER:

5th Sheffield Tigers (A)

12th Darlington Mowden Park (H)

19th Sedgley Park (A)

26th Huddersfield (A)

OCTOBER

3rd Heath (H)

10th Fylde (A)

17th Harrogate (H)

31st Wharfedale (A)

NOVEMBER

 7th Chester (H)

14th Otley (A)

21st Billingham (H)/

DECEMBER

 5th: Preston Grasshoppers (A)

12th Hull Ionians (H)

19th:  Darlington Mowden Park (A)

JANUARY

2nd Kelso (A) 150th anniversary game

9th  Sedgley Park (H)

16th: Huddersfield (H)

23rd Heath (A)

FEBRUARY

6th  Fylde (H)

13th Harrogate (A)

20th Wharfedale (H)

MARCH

6th Chester (A)

13th Otley (H)

20th Billingham (A)

27th: Kelso (H)  anniversary game

APRIL

3rd Preston Grasshoppers H)

10th Hull Ionians (A

17th Sheffield Tigers (H)