Now! - Oxford Rugby League

OXFORD RL VS LOCK LANE
S U N D AY 2 8 T H F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 , K O 3 P M
#BACKTHEBLUES
2016 FIXTURE LIST
DATE
TEAM
VS
TEAM
LOCATION
TIME
06/03/16
OXFORD RL
VS
NEWCASTLE THUNDER
IFFLEY ROAD
2.30PM
12/03/16
LONDON SKOLARS
VS
OXFORD RL
NEW RIVER STADIUM
6PM
25/03/16
OXFORD RL
VS
SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS
TBC
2.30PM
10/04/16
KEIGHLEY COUGARS
VS
OXFORD RL
COUGAR PARK
3PM
16/04/16
TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE XIII
VS
OXFORD RL
STADE DES MINIMES
6.30PM
24/04/16
OXFORD RL
VS
HUNSLET HAWKS
TILSLEY PARK
2.30PM
08/05/16
NORTH WALES CRUSADERS
VS
OXFORD RL
GLYNDŴR UNIVERSITY
RACECOURSE STADIUM
2.30PM
15/05/16
OXFORD RL
VS
ROCHDALE HORNETS
TILSLEY PARK
2.30PM
22/05/16
DONCASTER RLFC
VS
OXFORD RL
KEEPMOAT STADIUM
3PM
05/06/16
OXFORD RL
VS
HEMEL STAGS
TILSLEY PARK
2.30PM
11/06/16
COVENTRY BEARS
VS
OXFORD RL
BUTTS PARK ARENA
3PM
19/06/16
OXFORD RL
VS
YORK CITY KNIGHTS
TILSLEY PARK
2.30PM
03/07/16
BARROW RAIDERS
VS
OXFORD RL
CRAVEN PARK
3.30PM
10/07/16
OXFORD RL
VS
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
ALL GOLDS
TILSLEY PARK
2.30PM
CONTENTS
INSIDE
COACH’S CORNER
GET TO KNOW THE BLUES
INFO ON LOCK LANE
ALSO INSIDE
05: WELCOME
13: SQUAD PAGE
24: BATLEY PARTNERSHIP
HEMEL ACTION SHOTS
IRISH INTERNATIONAL
BECOMES A BLUE
OXFORD RL CONTACTS
CEO / Adrian Smith, adrian@oxfordrl.com
RUGBY LEAGUE INSPIRES, SKY TRY - FOUNDATION
Chairman / Tony Colquitt
Head Coach / Tim Rumford, tim@oxfordrl.com
Assistant Coach / Chris Baxter, chris@oxfordrl.com
/ Garry Dunn
Team Manager / Steve Jones, steve@oxfordrl.com
Cavaliers Head Coach / Will Brewer, will@oxfordrl.com
Treasurer / Julie Shaw
Trustees / Andrew Thomas, Stuart James,
John Connaugton
General Manager Rugby League Inspires /
Ryan Cousins, ryan@oxfordrl.com
OXFORDRL.COM
@OXFORD_RL
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Untitled-2 1
03/02/2016 13:01
WELCOME MESSAGE
H
ello and a warm welcome to all
the Lock Lane players, officials
and supporters to Maidenhead
RFC for the third round Challenge
Cup match. Our thanks go to Dominic Birch
and Maidenhead again, as pitch conditions
and congestion cause havoc at this early
stage of the season.
We grabbed a few news headlines last week
with the announcement of our partnership
links with Castleford Tigers and Batley
Bulldogs. A fantastic achievement for a
young club to get heartland support from
such famous clubs. As the season develops
I’m sure the benefits of these links will begin
to show in our squad, on and off the field.
Reaction has been great and to be honest
that’s what I expected and I hope we can get
some momentum going with solid heartland
support. Plenty of goodwill messages were
flying around on social media and we are
grateful for the positive tones.
iPro Sport cup action last week against local
rivals Hemel Stags saw the boys deliver a
solid performance that sees the Blues keep
the local bragging rights, along with an
away tie against Keighley on Sunday April
3rd. The game was exciting and I couldn’t
pick a Blues man of the match, all the boys
put in a shift to be proud of. We are still very
much in the realms of “work in progress”, but
a positive result should be acknowledged,
so well done to Tim and the boys and all the
back room staff for a cracking start.
The Challenge Cup has a great history, it’s a
world famous cup competition and it’s an
honour to be in it and against Lock Lane,
a community club that has done so much
for player pathways and development. It is
important for us all to be aware of the core
values of rugby league and strive to achieve
these at all times, so we can ensure we
keep this wonderful game flourishing and
expanding for all to enjoy. Respect, discipline,
teamwork and sportsmanship on and off the
field, make rugby special and a sport to be
proud to be part of. I’m sure today’s match
will illustrate these values today.
Good luck to all the players and I hope all
their families and supporters enjoy a great
day and the experience of the Challenge
Cup.
Enjoy the game!
Adrian Smith
CEO
COACH’S CORNER
“LAST WEEK WE TOOK A
STEP FORWARD IN TERMS
OF OUR PERFORMANCE
AND I FELT WE FULLY
DESERVED OUR WIN.”
W
elcome to Maidenhead for
today’s Challenge Cup game.
First and foremost I would like to
extend our thanks to our hosts
at Maidenhead RUFC for their
hospitality, the facility here has served us perfectly
in our hour of need and we are all very grateful for
this.
Lock Lane are a proud club with a notable history
in this competition and they will see the draw as an
opportunity to take the scalp of a professional side.
They have a number of ex professionals and Barla
internationals in their team and we will give them
the respect they deserve.
Last week we took a step forward in terms of our
performance and I felt we fully deserved our win.
Tim
With a little more composure at key times the score
line could have been greater. There are a number
of areas we need to tidy up and we will be working
hard to cut out indiscipline and polishing our
attacking play, in order to punish teams when we
earn scoring opportunities.
Our defence on our own line was the best I have
witnessed since being at the club and this is
something we will look to replicate consistently in
order to compete in a tough looking League One.
Today’s game will be as tough as any as we will play
this season. Castleford Lock Lane will offer us a stern
test in every department and we will need to be at
the top of our game to progress in the Challenge
Cup.
Enjoy the game
GETTING TO KNOW THE BLUES
CONNOR
HUGHES
Connor is a versatile back able to play centre,
wing or fullback with pace and a physical edge.
He’s come from an excellent rugby
environment gaining valuable experience in
the Castleford Tigers academy. He’s developing
as a player that applies himself well in
training and runs good lines in game time.
Connor is also a good communicator, he reads
the game well from the back and along with
his versatility this makes him a great asset
to the team. He relishes a challenge and is
determined to make his mark in the Blues jersey.
LUKE
GARDINER
Luke made an impressive first season
on the wing for the Blues developing
from
Northampton
Demons
RL.
Luke is one to watch, he’s got pace and potential
to be a prolific try scorer and as his experience
and confidence grows, so will his try tally. He’s
probably one of the finds from last season
and he’s put in a big effort into preseason.
Luke is tough, strong and makes progress
with every game and the Blues hope to see
him cross the white wash more often in 2016.
CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFO
GETTING TO KNOW LOCK LANE
LOCK
LANE
Lock Lane ARLFC are a well-known amateur
club based in Castleford, West Yorkshire. They
have produced many talented players who have
gone on to great success in the professional
ranks. They continue to be a an outstanding
community club developing players through
juniors to first team and beyond . Joe Westerman
and Ben Crooks are two examples currently
playing in the Super League with Warrington
and Castleford Tigers respectively. Other famous
sons include Paul Anderson, Mark Aston, Paul
Broadbent, Grant Anderson and Ryan Boyle.
Lock Lane were formed in 1938 and have
created a rich Challenge Cup history ever since.
On four occasions,1958, 1960, 1970 and 1974
they qualified for Round 1 of the Cup and in
1970 the club almost caused an upset against
Huddersfield. The score at full time 15-10.
JOE WESTERMAN
Following the restructuring of the Challenge Cup
in the 1993-94 season, they have qualified for
the third round of the Challenge Cup on eight
successive occasions between 1995 and 2002, a
record for an amateur club. They also reached the
third round in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2011 - in 2007
losing to the town’s professional team, Castleford
Tigers 88-10 after leading in the early stages 4-0.
Cup success was achieved when the club won the
1981-82Yorkshire County Cup, a competition for
amateur clubs only. They beat Jubilee ARLFC 19-13
in the final. The club have also reached the National
Cup Final in 1981 and 1983, losing to Beecroft &
Wightman (11-2) and Leigh MW (12-8) respectively.
BEN CROOKS
CONGRATULATIONS TO SIMON HICKS
THE LUCKY WINNER OF THE ULTIMATE
SEASON TICKET.
Simon will be enjoying a pair of season tickets to see his favourite club, Widnes Vikings,
expenses and accommodation for Summer Bash, Magic Weekend, Ladbrokes Challenge
Cup Final, First Utility Super League Grand Final – plus an England game at this
autumn’s Four Nations! All washed down with Kingstone Press Cider of course!
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2016 SQUAD
Marcus Brooker
Sponsor:
Charles Derby
Financial Services
Errol Carter
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Luke Gardiner
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Andy Hoggins
Sponsor:
SAE Logistics
Connor Hughes
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Ben Jaysen
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Tom Lewsley
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Josh Nathaniel
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Ethan Roberts
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Scott Aspinall
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Casey Canterbury
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Doug Chirnside
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Adam Flintham
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Nathan Kitson
Sponsor:
Cottage in the Country
Louis Richards
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Jorge Richardson
Sponsor:
Quirke Logistics
SEE FULL PROFILES ON OXFORDRL.COM
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2016 SQUAD
Josh Banham
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Tom Davies
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Santino Decaro
Sponsor:
B.H. Collections
Luke Evans
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Jack Elliott
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Kris Ford
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Charlie Greene
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Luke Haslem
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Mark Hayes
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Daniel Igbinedion
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Dan Jamieson
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
George Lenton-Hall
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Jamie Mackay
Sponsor:
Marjorie James
Chris Palser-Thorne
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
Josh Scott
Sponsor:
Rapid Leasing
Dave Thornton
to sponsor contact:
steve@oxfordrl.com
SEE FULL PROFILES ON OXFORDRL.COM
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND JOIN TODAY
HEMEL STAGS ACTION SHOTS
HEMEL STAGS ACTION SHOTS
TIM RUMFORD INTERVIEW
LAST TIME OUT
21ST FEBRUARY2016
OXFORD RL
34 - 12
TRIES
HEMEL STAGS
TRIES
HOGGINS (3)
CANTERBURY (25)
HOLMES (39)
GREENE (42)
NATHANIEL (67)
DECARO (70)
(HT: 18 - 6)
CONVERSIONS
CONVERSIONS
RICHARDSON
(3, 25, 39, 42)
KITSON (70)
STEAD (14, 52)
ATTENDANCE 155
13TH FEBRUARY 2016
SHAW CROSS
SHARKS
STEWART (14)
ELLIS (52)
6 - 40
LOCK LANE
TRIES
TRIES
UNKNOWN
L PRICE (4, 21)
C JONES (11)
M HAYWARD (16,
67)
C SIDDONS (48)
K ROBINSON (77)
HT: 0 - 24
CONVERSIONS
CONVERSIONS
UNKNOWN
D ROWSE
(4, 11, 16, 21, 48, 67)
ATTENDANCE 510
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IRISH INTERNATIONAL BECOMES A BLUE
Oxford RL are pleased to announce that
Ireland RL international Clark McAllister has
joined the Blues and follows in the footsteps
of JJ Baird, Callum Mulkeen, Matty Hadden,
Ruairi Lynch, Kenny Caladine and Graham
O’Keefe.
with Oxford. The club’s got a bit of an Irish
tradition and JJ Baird has been very helpful
in giving Clark a good understanding of the
commitment required and the experience
he will get. I’m delighted Clark has put pen
to paper and look forward to working with
him.”
McAllister added “I’m excited to get the
opportunity with Oxford. JJ speaks well of
both the club and the coach. I’m keen to
develop my game and add to my Irish caps
and Oxford have helped a number of players
gain honours in the Emerging Nations RL, so
hopefully if I work hard I can progress my
ambitions.”
Team manager Steve Jones closed by saying
“This is more positive news for the Blues
squad. Competition for places is getting
stronger and healthier. Hopefully Clark
settles quickly and the Wolfhounds team
will benefit later on this year.”
24 year old centre, McAllister was drawn
into rugby league thanks to his PE teacher
from Banbridge High School, who got him
along to Portadown to play for their rugby
league team. Clark’s journey in the game
was underway and he quickly came into
the frame to play for the Irish Wolfhounds #BackTheBlues
against Belgium, scoring in the 34-0 win and
then gained his second cap against Serbia. If you are interested in sponsoring Clark
McAllister to help achieve his goals then
Blues Head Coach Tim Rumford commented contact steve@oxfordrl.com
“I spoke to Clark last September and a
couple of times since about the opportunity
OLD AND NEW LINK IN DR AGREEMENT
Oxford Rugby League today announce a partnership
with Batley Bulldogs, rugby league’s second oldest
club. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby
football clubs which formed the Northern Football
Union in 1895 and were winners of the first Northern
Union Challenge Cup Final in 1896-7. Batley beating
St Helens at Headingley with a 10 – 3 victory.
Blues Head Coach Tim Rumford had this to say “We
are delighted at this news, I’d like to think it’s a result
of our growing reputation for creating pathways
and opportunities for promising players. As a club
we’ve done a lot to progress, but we are very proud
of developing two players now in Super League
squads and helping the progress of a number of
Championship players. Coaches and players alike
have spoken well on us and we appreciate that and
I hope we can continue this ethos with Batley.”
Bulldogs CEO, Paul Harrison said “Batley Bulldogs
are delighted to join up with Oxford and form a
new exciting partnership which will be beneficial
to both clubs. Having met with Oxford officials over
the last few months, I believe the club has a great
plan to develop rugby league away from the M62
corridor, and being part of their development in the
early stages can only be good for the game.
Former England and current Wales RL and Batley
Head Coach John Kear knows Rumford well,
having taught Tim through his school years. John
commented “Rugby League expansion is important.
Oxford in their short time have developed a few
players who have gained honours in Emerging
Nation RL comps and it’s key to keep this pathway
healthy and it’s terrific that one of the oldest clubs is
forging links with one of the new kids on the block
for the good of the game.”
Blues CEO, Adrian Smith added “It’s been a full on
off the pitch, our partnerships have taken time to
sort out and develop. And now to be associated
with rugby league heritage is great, understanding
the history and the values of rugby league which
have been nurtured and personified by clubs like
Batley. It’s important to hold those values and learn
from your elders. We don’t wish to copy, we want to
emulate whilst establishing our own club spirit and
character and it’s reassuring to have the support
and a link with Batley Bulldogs.”
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