23/06 Gasson, McGrath and Hughes sign up!
June 23, 2009
Newbury Blues are delighted to announce the signing of three very strong additions to their squad.
Waylon Gasson was 1st choice scrum half for the Blues last season and he has signed again. Waylon is an experienced player at this level and has a good mixture of fast delivery, sniping runs and abrasion at the base of the scrum.
Graig McGrath is a former U21 Scottish hooker and his addition means that along with Paul Fincken we have two very capable hookers.
Chris Hughes is a former Leeds and Doncaster winger who adds pace and experience to the back line.
Dont forget our pre-season
Pre-season (All Home)
8th Aug Clifton Kick off 3pm
15th Aug Richmond Kick off 3:30pm
22nd Aug Heineken 10’s
22nd Aug Bristol Kick off 5:30pm after the Heineken 10’s
12/06 Perkins and Sullivan to return from Havant
June 12, 2009
Newbury Blues are delight to announce that we have given contracts to two players who last season went on loan to Havant.
The progress of both Liam Perkins and Greg Sullivan has been monitored and both players have impressed with their development.
Perkins is capable of playing at both open and blindside flanker and adds pace to our forward options.
Sullivan is a utility back and is able to play at 10, 13 and 15 across the back line.
The fact that these players have been able to develop at other clubs and then come back to us better players is testiment to the selective use of the loan system that Newbury have started to use.
12/06 Mike Marchant still a key man at Newbury
June 12, 2009
Following a report in the Newbury Weekly News I would like to clarify the position of Mike Marchant.
Mike has for a number of years helped Newbury Rugby Club develop rugby talent. Mike has brought to the club several players who have gone on to play 1st XV rugby for Newbury. Mike is very committed to his role at Newbury.
We asked Mike earlier in the year to continue and enhance his role with the club’s development team and he will be working with Andy Widdop on developing players both home grown Newbury boys and lads from the surrounding area.
During his time with us Mike has always continued to have other rugby interests and we are delighted that he is taking a role at Winchester, this role will not interfere with his commitment to the development squad on a Tuesday.
Mike brings to the club a depth of rugby knowledge and is a great sounding board for all of us involved with 1st XV rugby as well as his direct involvement with developing talent. Our relationship with him and our commitment to player development is as strong as ever.
Regards
Julian Lewis
10/6 Enjoy the Lions test matches at the club
June 10, 2009
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA - 2.00PM KICK-OFF SATURDAY 20TH JUNE 2009
Hello from Newbury Rugby’s new catering, bars and conferencing team.
We “kicked off” operations at the club on Monday 1st June and are looking forward to greeting as many of you as possible over the next few weeks and during the 2009/2010 season.
We’re open for business now, and we’ll be showing the Lions warm-up matches in the Kickers Bar, with complimentary nibbles - we hope you’ll come and join us for these.
Our first big chance to entertain you is the 1st Test on Saturday 20th June.
We’ll have……
• Mickey Liquorish’s finest Paella and Hog Roast cooking away pitchside
• BBQ serving Griffins best burgers and sausages
• All served with fresh salads and relishes
• Kickers Bar open serving your old favourites plus West Berkshire Brewery’s Good Old Boy, coffee and teas too
• Kids’ competitions on the main pitch
THE FIRST 100 GUESTS INTO THE KICKERS BAR WILL RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY PAELLA, HOG ROAST OR BBQ
We’ll be running similar days on the 27th June and the 4th July for the 2nd and 3rd Tests, so put the dates in you diary and come and watch some first class rugby, at your local club with friends, good food and a fine ale.
DOORS OPEN AT 11.30AM…KIDS COMPETITIONS AT 12 NOON…BBQ FROM 12.30PM…KICK-OFF 2.00PM…
We hope to see you there!
05/06 - 4 more sign for The Blues
June 5, 2009
Newbury Blues are this week announcing 4 signings.
Two new players in the form of Lock Dan Hodge and England Counties Prop Chris Rowlands.
Also 2 more Blues favourites have signed on the squad, Captain Paul Fincken and Tom Fiddler
Dan Hodge signs from Bridgewater having spent a season at Coventry. Dan is 25 and is set to be a big presence in the 2nd row for the Blues.
Chris Rowlands who is currently on tour with England Counties in Korea and Japan will also become one of the clubs community sports coaches taking rugby and other sports into schools and clubs in the area. Before Clifton Chris was signed to Stourbridge at the start of last season where he suffered a fractured skull in a game verses Launceston which has now fully recovered.
Last year’s club captain Paul Fincken has become a club favourite on and off the pitch at hooker and is a welcome addition to what is now a strong and experienced pack.
Tom Fiddler played most of last year at tight head and will hope this year to get more of a chance at his preferred loose head position. “Fidds” picked up the most improved 1st XV player award at the club dinner this year having put in solid performances even when out of position.
More signing are on the way to be confirmed before we start pre season training on the first Tuesday in July.
The 8th of August will be a change for all supporters of the club to meet the squad, swap stories and share a drink in the bar.
01/06 Mockford to Face Croft!!
June 1, 2009
Brad Mockford who played in Newbury’s second row for much of last season will face the British and Irish Lions this Wednesday. Mockford is on trial with the Golden Lions having finishing his season with Newbury.
Mockford will face ex Newbury Junior Tom Croft who got his late call up to the tour just before they left and is selected at blindside for the game. We wish both guys the very best.
Full teams.
Golden Lions
15. Louis Ludik
14. Michael Killian
13. Jannie Boshoff
12. Doppies la Grange
11. Dusty Noble
10. André Pretorius
9. Jano Vermaak
8. Willem Alberts
7. Franco van der Merwe
6. Cobus Grobbelaar
5. Willem Stoltz
4. Brad Mockford
3. Gert Muller
2. Willie Wepener
1. Lawrence Sephaka
Replacements:
16. Ethienne Reynecke
17. JC Janse Van Rensburg
18. Ernst Joubert
19. Todd Clever
20. Chris Jonck
21. Walter Venter
22. Earl Rose
British & Irish Lions
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
4. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements
16. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
17. Euan Murray (Northampton Saints/Scotland)
18. Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland)
19. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)
22. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)