Puffin Gannets & North Berwick RFC

The Royal Burgh of North Berwick is a seaside town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, approximately 25 miles east of Edinburgh. Several of the Islands of the Forth near the town host thriving colonies of sea birds. The most famous island being the Bass Rock which is home for many thousands of Puffins and tens of thousands of Gannets.

The town has a great sense of community spirit and North Berwick RFC is one of the main hubs. The club has active teams in senior, youth and mini rugby. The rugby club, at Recreation Park, is where you are most likely to find one or more of the rare Puffin Gannets. These mature members of the club like to give their wisdom and advice to the whippersnappers who play in the numerous teams the club fields. From time to time, the old Puffin Gannets put down their pints and nips, hang up their coats and scarfs, pack up the walking frames and sticks to don the pink and grey shirts, head out to the park and attempt to entertain with their particular brand of Puffin Gannet, Golden Oldie Rugby.

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

What goes on tour ....and Silvergate ?

Not only does it stay on tour but the PGs have taken to going on secret sneaky little tours without telling the management ....

Fresh from the recent Belfast debacle ( McLean and Cockburn sneakin' over to Belfast without telling anyone for a cosy threesome with loved-up Louise and to play in Perennials 20th Anniversary fixture) we've now apparently been to Kirkwall, Orkney too and brought home yet more silverware


Here is the report from young aspiring Puffling M'bozza Ritchie


".....and so the stories shall remain in the Orcadian Capital of Kirkwall however the boys from Big Man's Stag returned South with the prestigious Orkeny RFC Plate. We managed to enter 2 teams on the day running a Puffin A's and B's. Unfortunately both squads had to play at the same time therefore we called out of retirement Robbie 'the Dogg' Lorimer to make his first appearance in a pair of rugby boots since the Millenium.

Talking of retirement spot the Auld Timers noted who all started their first game together and played in all 3 group matches!!


Squad A: Kelliher, PC Peter, PC Matt, Capel, Smeaton, Bozza, PC Davey, PC Bungle, Baldy, Dunc

Squad B: Gerry Hughes, Jonny McNair, Gaz, Dunc, Joe Armstrong, Smithy, Baldy, Ben McNair, Dogg, PC Neil


Results:

Group Stages

Heriots 12 - 10 Puffin A's (2 Tries from Capel)Orkney Baa Baa's 31 - 7 Puffin A's (Try from Capel)East 5 - 38 Puffin A's (Tries from Smeaton x 4, Bozza & PC Davey)Grangemouth Legends 31 - 14 - Puffin B's 14 (Tries from Smithy & Baldy)Orkney B 47 - 0 Puffin B'sKGS FP 33 - 10 Puffin B's (Tries from Dogg & Baldy)

The A's then progressed to the Semi Final of the Plate Tournament beating Westry Young Ones 41 - 0 and progressed to the final stages. At this stage we had recruited try scorer Baldy and Dunc from the B's as we suffered injuries to PC's Matt and Davey. In this tie Baldy picked up 3 tries, Smeaton 2, Bozza 1 and PC Peter 1.

We then took on the Veterans from Grangemouth and as they were celebrating 20 continuous years North we imagined this would be a tough tie. We discussed our game plan and knew if we could score the first couple we would be in a good position. From KO, Smeaton kicked to the 10, Kelliher caught and rumbled on off loading to Dunc with the move finished off under the posts. From there it was easy sailing and we won the final and the Plate by beating the Legends 45 - 5 with tries from Smeaton, Baldy and making his try scoring debut PC Bungle.

A great day was had and thanks to our travelling support, Adam, Junior, Magnus, Wobbles, Scrimgeour, Bean (Fish) and a huge thanks to Tommy Chippendale for his support after joining us as a late call up. Unfortunately Tommy went missing and we're awaiting news from Orkney Today about his imminent return and we hope he makes it back safe in time for the Club Dinner.

By winning the Plate it means it has to be returned next year..........................!! and is also the first peice of silverware the Puffin's have won since..........well..........I think ever (can this be confirmed?)

Until next time

Bozza "


Pictures to follow ?




SILVERGATE SHOCKER

Re the preposterous first silverware claim it has to be denied - this season we were all of the following

1 Joint World Golden Oldies Champions being undefeated in three matches against the champions of Australia , Canada and USof A ( technically that is goldenware mind you )

2 Runners Up in the Evelyn Armstrong Memorial Trophy

3 Team of the Year (Elect) at the North Berwick RFC Inaugural Team of The Year Dinner to be held in the Clubrooms on 22 May ( we can have team of the year awards now cos we once again have more than one team ?? )

4 Top Try Scorer ( 2 ) and MVP awards in Belfast for McLean & Cockburn ( as captain of World Invitational Select , Try Scorer and wittiest speech ) respectively

5 Maddog Trophy Winner in Dennis McCafferty for longest and wittiest grace ever.

6 Air New Zealand Outstanding Team Award at the Inaugural Scottish Golden Oldies Festival - 19 April 2009

That is just in 2008 / 2009 for starters so less of your cheek M'Bozza

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Congrats from the PGs to all the various other teams of NBRFC / NBHS who have done so well over the season bringing home many many plaudits and trinkets to North Biarritz - the minis no doubt won hundreds of trophys and millions of medals, NBHS did so so well in the Bell Lawrie ( now renamed Brewers Droop ) Trophies , all the the age group sides who have represented NBRFC so well showing many many bigger clubs what its all about with the U16s and the U14s doing fantastically well in the Borders 7s circuit ( u16 beaten finalists at Melrose and Gala with the u14s sweeping all before them winning at Melrose and Gala in fine style as well as winning the Stewarts Melville school 7s vanquishing Edinburgh's finest as NBHS ) and the U18s winning the Inaugural 10s on Sevens day and another trophy at PL , the seconds coming second in their league and the 1st XV doing so well in the Cup and their league as well as some fantastic 7s etc etc ( sorry if I've missed anything ! ) - HISTORIC !

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Finally Cameron , the NBRFC captain and Bozza plus two mates are running in the Hearts and Heroes Challenge - 29 miles of Southern Upland Way to the Greenyards and would very much appreciate your support http://www.justgiving.com/cameronewer but if you want to see what I've just done with a twisted ankle http://www.justgiving.com/howardswaywalk-hadrianswall - donations to both v welcome.
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