Rugby Club Issue 72 | Page 45

Tyldesley appointment of Allan Coleman and Stuart Pugsley whose unprecedented success at local RL team Leigh Miners was the talk of the local sporting folk. What was most pleasing about the re-building process was that the interest from players and members new and old meant that Allan and Stuart re-built without the need to source players externally meaning that all the players were Tyldesley through and through. The increased numbers saw the resurrection of the 2nd XV who re-entered the NOWIRUL leagues albeit at a lower level but with healthy numbers each week. The emphasis at the start of the season was to re-invigorate the club from top to bottom with the mini and junior section needing support to ensure that the player drain suffered during their early teenage years is lessened and to try to put the club back into the heart of the community. There has been increased optimism from the season’s outset and this has grown throughout the year with training numbers at a level rarely seen in previous years. The second team had a tremendous year, winning their league with an unbeaten record, scoring in excess of 1000 points in the process and most importantly there was a seamless transition when players were selected for the 1st XV as well as being a team with a significant number of players under the age of 25. The Mini and Junior section, despite not having an age group older than the under 12s, had a great season, showing substantial growth as the season progressed including the resurrection of a girls team which was last seen at St Georges Park more than five years ago. With the enthusiasm brought to the club by Allan and Stuart and the support from Team Manager Steven Lloyd, Director of Rugby Eddie Wallbank and Assistant Coach Lee Cunliffe the season went from strength to strength. The most important part of the season turned out to be the first two weeks of 2017 when they met the two teams above them Hoylake and Liverpool Collegiate and by winning both put them on course for the league title which was wrapped up in the sunshine on the Isle of Man. The next target was to secure a place in the final of the Lancashire Plate and a stunning 33-15 win against higher league opposition from Littleborough saw that target reached and in the final at Leigh RUFC they comprehensively put Burnley to the sword with a 50-24 win securing the first cup win since the 1895 Lancashire Cup victory. Promotion to a very strong level 7 means that the work to strengthen the playing numbers at the club will keep the minds of the coaches focussed and the aim of raising sufficient players to resurrect a third team, albeit on a social basis, would be a great turnaround from where the club found itself twelve months earlier. Head coach Allan Coleman is striving for a top half finish next season but recognising the standard and intensity of rugby needs to improve week on week. The biggest challenge facing the club is to build on the success of this year, keeping the club on a sound financial footing and attracting players, members and sponsors to become part of the club but most importantly to have a production line of players through the youth section and although this may take few years to come to fruition there is suddenly an enthusiasm to drive the club forward to see it into its 137th year of existence. Article provided by Membership Secretary Ian Lysons C J Roberts & Partners LTD Chartered and highly experienced accountant services Tyldesley At C.J Roberts & Partners Ltd we are committed to the individual requirements of each of our clients. Whatever your need, we are dedicated to add significant value to your business and personal wealth. Our accountancy services include: • Accounts production sole traders,partnerships, Limited Companies(ixbrl) • Bookkeeping and accounting • Business advice • Business planning • Business start-up,Setting up businesses sole traders, partnerships and limited companies • Tax advice,Tax planning,Tax returns individuals, partnerships and corporation tax • Company accounts • VAT returns all • Payroll, Real time information(RTI) The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Tel: 01942 891 556 Web: www.cjroberts.co.uk 160 Elliott Street, Tyldesley, Manchester M29 8DS Wright Build Ltd PLANNED AND REACTIVE MAINTENANCE IN THE NORTH WEST Wright Build provides Planned and Reactive Maintenance to the private sector and to the public sector via local authorities and registered social landlords. We also provide general building work to individual customers and commercial organisations. Our range of services is extensive and includes Heating Engineers/Plumbing Electrical General Works Security 24 Hour Emergency Callout Call Us 01942 883312 www.wrightbuild.org.uk www.rugbyclubmag.com 45