The School of Engineering RFC had an amazing year strengthening their two teams, organising doubleheaders, their annual old boys fixture and their brand new black tie ball. Chairman Guy Grimwood shares more with us.
Following on from the huge success of the first term the club has managed to push ahead with many of its ambitions into the second.
The two-team system strengthened in the advent of the UoB development league, which the second team competed in throughout the term, leading to weekly competitive fixtures for the first time in the club’s history. The first team continued to play against opposition from the Midlands men’s league, which it hopes to join next year, providing physical and challenging matches throughout the semester. Twice a week training continued with further triumph: 50 boys per week consistently turned up to training improving match day performances and club player development.
Two ‘doubleheader’ matches occurred this term with a huge turnout from supporters and social members. The first took place on the Bournebrook 4G where the Engineering ones and twos were in action against the respective Medics teams. Unfortunately, the games ended with two medic wins, however a dropped goal attempt with the last play of the twos game would have stolen the victory from the medics, but Daniel Appleton’s laces were seemingly tied together, and the ball strayed wide. The ones played the first half of their match with some of the best rugby the club has ever played – taking an early lead and camping themselves in the Medics half of the pitch. Dominating the Medics ones for half a match has really shown how far the club has come from losing to their twos in the last 3 years.
The second doubleheader was against Roll Royce at their main Derby plant, where the ones and twos played in parallel and managed to storm two decisive victories. The after match social, hosted by Rolls Royce, was fantastic with the provision of pulled pork sandwiches, the viewing of the Six Nations and a networking event with their team. We thank Rolls Royce for their brilliant hospitality and look forward to building on our new found partnership by welcoming them to our grounds next year!
On the 9th March, we welcomed back 50 old boys for our annual fixture and social weekend. The weekend started off with a Friday night curry and social which laid the foundations for the weekend to follow. The Saturday morning game was played in a true friendly style, with the old boys clinching the victory as the whistle went (much to the referee’s relief). There were some familiar faces returning to the club with two past chairmen; James Twist and James O’Neill organising the old boys, and a great turn out from club founding members who made the trip away from their wives and kids to relive the student life of their youth. A huge thanks to our official partners Deliveroo for sponsoring the weekend and providing 80 of Big John’s finest pizzas for our post-match recovery.
We hosted our first ever ‘pasta night’ – recommended by our RFU contact - to build further cohesion in the club and mix members away from their usual friendship groups. This proved yet another accomplishment for the club with freshers travelling from the Vale to mix in houses with 2nd, 3rd and 4th years, making and eating pasta. The feedback from this social was terrific, which was brilliant to hear as we strive to create an ever more inclusive club social scene.
Finally, the biggest event of the term was the first ever end of year black tie ball. The event was hosted in Selly Oak with a black-tie dinner, speeches from the captains, awards and committee presentation for next year. The entirely student-organised, 100-person event was immeasurable in terms of success with a superb night enjoyed by all. It was a pleasure to organise an event that received such a fantastic reception from the club.
It has been a pleasure to be Chairman of this Club this year, and help guide it through the many accomplishments it has seen. With the continued commitment of its members and work of its committee, this will never cease.
It is with great pleasure to announce the 2019/20 Chairman as Pat Dore and Capitan James Rodgers – good luck for next year chaps!
Guy Grimwood – Chairman
