Archived News from 2008
Rugby Club off to a good start in Division 1
13 September 2008
Cheltenham Civil Service 18 Brockworth 0
Having bounced back from a season in High Bridge Jeweller's Gloucester 2
Service need a few games to gauge their level and aspirations for Division 1
this season. What better way start to their league campaign than a win
against Brockworth who finished near the top of Division 1 last season.
It was a lively start by Service that rocked Brockworth and set the tempo
for the rest of the game. Service dominated possession but were unable to
turn pressure into points and were almost punished when a loose pass 10
metres from the Brockworth line was intercepted but luckily run down only
yards from the service line. Brockworth then had a three minute spell,
their only threat in the first half, camped in the Service 22 but the strong
tackling and solid defence that was a predominant feature of the home team’s
game kept the visitors out. Despite the strength of the Brockworth
lineout the first score of the game from fullback Gareth Wilkins came from a
Service lineout, good driving play from the forwards and then quick ball
along the backs with Wilkins joining the line to go over for his debut
league score for the club. Further pressure from Service led to
indiscipline from Brockworth eventually leading to a yellow card for a
Brockworth back row and a penalty in front of the posts which fly half Paul
Ogden stroked over to give Service an 8 to nothing half time lead.
They could have been another try up near to the end of the half if it hadn’t
been for a last-pass fumble 5 metres out.
The second half began as the first half had ended with Service applying
all the pressure. Again indiscipline, frustration and a yellow card for
Brockworth set Service up for an attack 5 metres out from the Brockworth
line. The first attempt saw number eight Matt Carter go over the line but he
was held up by a strong Brockworth defence. From the resulting scrum Carter
crossed the line and was able to touch down; Ogden converted. The
middle 20 minutes of the half were an even contest and Brockworth spent a 5
minute spell in the Service 22; but again the Service defence was
impenetrable and they managed to get turnover ball to clear their lines.
Service soon realised that you cannot afford to relax in Division 1 but need
to keep up sustained pressure and the last 10 minutes was again theirs.
Another penalty and another yellow card allowed Ogden to convert a penalty
and take the home side tally to 18 points. Service flanker Paul Williams
almost got in for a last try on the last play of the game but was bundled
into touch just 2 metres out. The Service back row was outstanding
with Rich Simpson always involved and leading the forwards by example;
debutant prop McGillion also stood out.
|
50 years of skittles
 Although
he hasn’t played for 6 years Ernie Field still supports his C.S.
Skittles team, Hangovers, attending every game and collecting match fees,
and, in so doing, has now marked up 50 years association with the Skittles
Club.
The records of his first three years have unfortunately been destroyed
but since then Ernie has played 667 games for Hangovers. He produced the
Best Average of any of his team-mates on two occasions and made the Highest
Score four times, including a 60 in 1966 which stood as the best score
within the team for 38 years.
In 1971 he established a competition which is the highlight of the team’s
end-of-season get-together. Anyone who has played for the team in a season
just ended is qualified to play, in a simple knock-out, for “ERN’s URN”, the
keepsake trophy for which he generously donates every year.
Now a gentleman of leisure he is as keen on the game now as at the
beginning and delights in seeing younger people playing and succeeding. We
hope to enjoy his company for many years to come.
Reg Rowley
|
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
We shall miss them
Becky Lewis is the daughter of Phil & Joy Lewis our Steward and
Catering Manager.
Becky has been a member of the CACSSA staff for a number of years
helping out in the kitchen, working as a waitress, as a bar–maid,
and working front of house at major functions including weddings.
Becky will be leaving us in shortly when she takes up a career in law
after 4 long years of qualifying.
We will miss Becky’s cheerful attitude and competent skills – she has
been a valuable member of the CACSSA team and we all wish her the success
she deserves.
Jody Roberts is the daughter of Caroline (affectionately known
as Floss), our Assistant Steward who has worked for CACSSA for 13 years.
Jody has worked at the club over several years, helping out in the
kitchen and more recently (since she was 18) as a bar-maid.
She goes to university in September to study Film. We wish her
every success with her studies, and also her music. Jody is the lead
singer and guitarist of “Commercial Waste” and she not only composes her
own music but performs it as well. Her talent was obvious to us all
when her group performed at the club a few months ago.
We shall miss her – but hopefully Jody will find time to come and help
pull a few pints for us during her holidays
|
CSSC National Skittles Finals
These were held again in Cheltenham and won by the Northern Ireland
team.
Report |
|
The JB Jazz Band
JB Jazz have decided to cancel their monthly Sunday evening bookings at
the club.
We tried many different formats, including swing dancing to see if
members could be encouraged to attend this enjoyable evening of
wonderful music and entertainment.
Sadly not enough of you want this sort of event at the club.
We thank John Beckingham and his band of very talented musicians and we
wish them well in their search for future venues.
Sue Brown, Manager
|
|
Skittles News
MUFFINMEN SUFFER A-BOMB BLAST AT CLUBHOUSE!
President's Shield
A-Bombs have completed the double of League and Shield Championships, for
the second year running, and in so doing consigned Muffinmen to second place
in both competitions. Not only did they beat Muffinmen in a high-scoring
Final game of the knock-out competition for the President’s Shield but they
also produced the highest score in the competition, previously held by
Muffinmen. A-Bombs 523 - 507 Muffinmen. Jean Field
and Mark Leach achieved the highest score for a lady and a gent.
See
the full results
Winter League 2007-08
The League competition was closely fought throughout the season with a few
teams presenting a challenge to the top two at various times, most notably
Strongbows, but A-Bombs marched steadily on, only suffering two defeats all
season. A-Bombs finished with 32 points and Muffinmen had 26 points.
See the
individuals' honours and final table
Mixed Pairs Competition
This is the second year of this competition and it was won by Elise and Paul
Collins. After qualifying in the Group stage they progressed to beat
Jenny Adams and Mark Court in the Final game with the highest score (48) of
the Knockout stage. Jenny and Mark had earlier knocked-out last year's
winners, Angie and John Atherton, who presented trophies to the finalists.
18 Pairs took part, all games being played in one evening.
See
pictures and details
Player-of-the-Year
TOM BANKS is the 2008 Player-of-the-Year after beating last year's
Runner-up, Phil Lewis, in a scintillating Final game which produced the
highest-pin count of the whole tournament. Tom's 53 (equalling his score in
the round of 16, and the best in the whole tournament) included a 14 spare
to which Phil immediately replied with a 13, in his score of 51. Tom had
earlier beaten last year's winner, John Harper, who presented trophies to
the two finalists. 50 players took part in the competition which was
spread over two nights.
See pictures and
details |
|
Civil Service Rugby Club win Gloucestershire Division 2
Old Cryptians 14 Cheltenham Civil Service 18
Cheltenham Civil Service were celebrating winning Gloucestershire Division
Two on Saturday, 19 April 2008. Although Ashley Down Old Boys won one extra
game to Civil Service they were deducted two points and Service took the
league by virtue of having a far better points difference to Ashley Down.
Games between Old Crypts and Cheltenham Civil Service have a long history
and a history of being passionate close encounters. This game was no
different with two evenly matched teams on the day. Cryptians were first to
take the lead with a penalty for a Civil Service off side. It wasn’t long
before Service Fly half Paul Ogden hoisted an up-and-under which was chased
down, quick distribution from the following play set up a service try for
centre Sam Roberts taking the pass off fly-half Paul Ogden; Ogden converted.
Crypts were then to take the lead back when a quickly taken penalty exposed
a gaping hole in the Service defence and they scored an unconverted try wide
out. Ogden slotted two first half penalties to give Service a 13 – 8
halftime lead.
Cryptians kicked an early second half penalty to put them within two points
and nearly took back the lead with a try in the corner but last pass
handling let them down. For the middle 30 minutes of the half neither team
looked like scoring although more of the game was played in the Cryptians
half of the field. Then, five minutes from time, Cryptians took the lead
back with a penalty. Service now put some urgency back into their game but
Cryptians defence held up on more than one occasion. A Service lineout
started the last play of the game and first wing Dan Bailey and then Rich
Simpson were both stopped a yard short of the line but then, like a bird of
prey, centre Roberts appeared from nowhere, swooped onto a pop-up from
Simpson and glided in for the kill. Ogden missed the conversion which would
otherwise have taken him to a 301 personal points tally for the season.
Civil Service are now looking forward to the challenge of Gloucestershire
Division 1. Although they have been fortunate to have some strong players
join in-year and now have a squad strong enough to keep them in the higher
league, they still need to recruit some new blood in key positions to make a
shot at the league title next year a realistic goal. Congratulations to all
Cheltenham Civil Service players, committee men and a special mention to
coach Peter Lodge for a successful season. Thank you also to Club staff and
groundsman Martin Saunders for one of the best facilities in local rugby.
|
• 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 •
|
cacssa
co