Here is a list of the experimental law changes that are to be implemented this season

EXPERIMETAL LAW VARIATIONS TO BE TRIALLED – 2008/2009

ELV 1 Law 6 - Match Officials
Assistant referees are able to assist the referee in any way that the referee requires.

What this means for the Game
When appointed by a match organiser, qualified touch judges will be known as assistant referees and can, at the discretion of the referee, be assigned additional responsibilities.

This ELV is designed to allow assistant referees to provide additional information to the referee to assist in decision making.


ELV 2 Law 17 - Maul
Remove reference to head and shoulders not being lower than hips.

What this means for the Game
Failure of players to keep their heads and shoulders above their hips throughout the maul will no longer constitute an offence.

This ELV is necessary because of Experimental Law Variation 3

ELV 2 WILL NOT BE TRIALLED AT UNDER 19 AND BELOW


ELV 3 Law 17 - Maul
Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down.

What this means for the Game
A defending team may pull the maul to the ground.

To do this, the defender must grasp an opposing player in the maul anywhere between the shoulders and the hips and then pull that player to the ground. If the maul is brought down by any other action it is regarded as a collapse which remains illegal.

ELV 3 WILL NOT BE TRIALLED AT UNDER 19 AND BELOW


ELV 4 Law 19 - Touch and Lineout
If a team puts the ball back into its own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch, there is no gain in ground.

What this means for the Game
Teams will no longer be able to pass or play the ball back into their own 22 and then kick directly to touch in order to gain ground.

This ELV is designed to ensure that defending teams do not have an unfair advantage over attacking teams. It encourages tactical kicking and counter-attacking skills.


ELV 5 Law 19 - Touch and Lineout
A quick throw in may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team’s own goal line.

What this means for the Game
When taking a quick throw in, a player will no longer be required to throw the ball straight along the line of touch. If an advantage can be gained by throwing the ball directly to a team-mate who is behind the line of touch, this will be legal. The ball must still travel 5 metres before it touches the ground or another player.

This ELV is designed to increase the likelihood of a quick throw in providing a positive opportunity for the team taking the throw in to run the ball rather than opting for the lineout.


ELV 6 Law 19 - Touch and Lineout
There is no restriction on the number of players from either team who can participate in the lineout.

What this means for the Game
At a lineout the team who is not throwing in the ball will no longer have their number of lineout players governed by the number of lineout players chosen by the team throwing in the ball. As long as there are at least two players from each team to form a lineout, and all lineout players fit between the 5-metre and 15-metre lines, there is no further restriction on numbers.

This ELV is designed to allow teams more flexibility in their tactics at the lineout.


ELVs 7 & 8 Law 19 - Touch and Lineout
1. The receiver at the lineout must be 2 metres away from the lineout.

2. The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball must stand in the area between the 5-metre line and the touch line but must be 2 metres away from the 5-metre line.

What this means for the Game
If a team chooses to have a receiver (a player in position to catch the ball when lineout players pass or knock the ball back from the lineout) that player must be 2 metres away from the lineout itself.

Similarly, the defending team must have a player in immediate opposition to the player throwing in and that player must stay 2 metres away from the 5 metre line.

These ELVs are designed to assist the referee in providing a clear 2 metre zone around the lineout. The referee will be able to clearly identify which player is the receiver and will be able to clearly see that the player immediately opposing the thrower is not a lineout player.


ELV 9 Law 19 - Touch and Lineout
Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in.

What this means for the Game
Players will no longer be required to wait until the player throwing in has released the ball before they grip a player who will jump to catch the ball.


ELV 10 Law 19 - Touch and Lineout
The lifting of lineout players is permitted.

What this means for the Game
Players will be able to lift team-mates in the lineout. However, support players must wait until the ball has left the hands of the player throwing it in before lifting their team-mate.


ELV 11 Law 20 - Scrum
Introduction of an offside line 5 metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum.

What this means for the Game
At the scrum, both back lines (all non-participants in the scrum) must be back 5 metres from the hindmost feet of the scrum.

This ELV is designed to increase the space available to the team who wins the ball at the scrum. By having all the forwards committed at the scrum itself and 10 metres between the back lines, significant space is created in which to build an attack.


ELV 12 Law 20 - Scrum
Identification of scrum half offside lines.

What this means for the Game
As a result of the introduction of the 5 metre offside line at the scrum, there is a need to establish the offside lines which apply to a scrum half.


ELV 13
The corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch-in-goal except when the ball is grounded against the post.

What this means for the Game
A try will no longer be disallowed if the ball carrier touches the corner post before grounding the ball as long as that player has not otherwise been in touch. A try will still be disallowed if the ball is grounded against the corner post. If the ball hits the corner post and bounces back into the playing area, the game continues.

This ELV is designed to avoid tries being disallowed simply because a player has taken out the corner post. It will also serve to simplify the role of the Television Match Official who will no longer need to discern whether the player made contact with the corner post before grounding the ball.

Charlesworth Carnival

The club has been invited to take part in this years Charlesworth Carnival.

As in previous years we will be putting teams into the tug-of-war competition, this year we'll have 2 teams - The Good Old Boys and The Glossop Young Tuggers.

We also have a float! The theme for the float is Super Heroes, however if you don't have super hero suit then some Glossop Rugby Club gear will be just as good.

As we'll be part of the parade lets make a real effort to get down and make our float half decent. No matter how you're affiliated to the club get down to Charlesworth, it'd be great to see lots of minis and juniors on the float with their senior counterparts. The carnival will be a great day for the kids and they can join in by hopping on the float.

Meet time for the float is 12 PM at St Margaret's Primary School (the one next to the club).

Lets all join in and drag your mates with you!

Glossop Switch To Yorkshire 1

After countless seasons of league rugby in the midlands Glossop's travel weary players can breathe a slight sigh of relief - we're in the north!

Ideally a move to Lancs and Cheshire would have suited a club with Glossop's geography, and this is still the ultimate goal. For the time being, however, we have been accepted into the north and will play in Yorkshire 1. This will dramatically reduce our travelling to away games - with teams like Sheffield, Bradford Salem and Skipton comprising some of the opposition.

Yorkshire 1 is widely regarded as one of the toughest level 7 leagues around and will therefore provide a stiff challenge. So lets pull together, have a good pre-season and get the club in ship shape for our Yorkshire visitors.

Work Party, Saturday 21st June - 9 a.m. start - BBQ lunch - Plus England v NewZealand

Summer Ball Raffle

SUMMER BALL RAFFLE

Apologies for not announcing the results of the raffle at the Summer Ball. The lucky winners are below.

£150 Hypnotherpy Vouchers (Courtesy of OKE Hypnotherapy) - Winning Ticket Yellow 313

6 x 1 hour Physiotherapy Sessions (Courtesy of Bodyworks) - Winning Ticket Yellow 9

Skincare Package and free Microdermabrasion Session (Courtesy of Surgicare Ltd) - Winning Ticket Blue 109

England Rugby Shirt (Signed by Sale Sharks Player of your choice) - Winning Ticket Yellow 172

England Rugby Shirt (Signed by Sale Sharks Player of your choice) - Winning Ticket Yellow 224

England Rugby Shirt (Signed by Sale Sharks Player of your choice) - Winning Ticket Yellow 129

France Rugby Shirt (Signed by Sale Sharks Player of your choice) - Winning Ticket Blue 52

France Rugby Shirt (Signed by Sale Sharks Player of your choice) - Winning Ticket Blue 305

Rugby Ball (Signed by Sale Sharks Player of your choice) - Winning Ticket Yellow 252

Winners please contact Adrian Swindells on 07834 346594

All prizes are available for collection until 12th July and then all unclaimed prizes will be awarded to a 'summer ball guest' who's name will be drawn randomly.

3rd Team Season Review

Glossop 3rd XV’s 2007/2008 Season.

Glossop thirds this season have been nothing short of immense. Not only gaining promotion with games to spare, the season culminated in a victory of epic proportions against a confident if not border line arrogant Wigan 4th team which included a multitude of ex professional and international players. A real impetus for the side were the returning players and also the new faces that not only brought a fresh playing style and skill but also contributed greatly to the team’s spirit which was what really carried the side and led us to achieve the triumphs we went on to accomplish. Whether it was seeing Chris Snape obliterate his opponent for the first time or seeing just how fast Will Reddington could pounce on a ball and out run his opposite man, or how well the forwards acted as a pack, the rolling maul destroying teams almost every game, the highlights of the season were many. Reacting to disappointment, showing real team character with a complete desire to win was a major driving force. After falling to a heavy defeat in the 2nd week against a Broughton 1st XV that eventually went on to win the league, Glossop felt not only disappointed but embarrassed and turned themselves around, the next week winning 53-0. This was where the season began and this was where Glossop thirds started to show just how capable of greatness we were. After the next game we suddenly had scored over 100 points in two matches and had conceded none. We were ready to take on anyone. We eventually went on to destroy three sides unbeaten records, ruining what one can only imagine would and could have been a perfect season for all of them. Glossop achieved so many victories across the season racking up over 750 points in the league and conceding only a third of that. It wasn’t until week 9 of the season we had conceded a single point at home! The biggest victory of the season was against North Manchester 2nd XV where Glossop came out victors 71-5 but the result that will stay in everyone’s minds will be the 18-10 cup final result in which Glossop third XV walked away triumphant after a gruelling cup run which saw us defeat teams from the Lakes, two lots of Scousers, a tough Heaton Moor side and perhaps one of the most satisfying results, a convincing win against an at the time unbeaten Macclesfield 4th XV. In the whole of the competition we only conceded 27 points. And then on a beautiful day in Blackburn, Glossop third XV with a couple of helping hands, psyched themselves up for a game we knew we were underdogs for and put in 110% for a victory that I’m sure will stay with everyone who played that game and those who showed their commitment to the club and just came to support. It was duly noted and certainly contributed to the team’s success.

There were low points in the season too however and the defeat at Oldham certainly rides high on that topic. Despite being ahead at half time a depleted side couldn’t quite hold on and went on to be defeated for the second and only other game we were to loose all season in competitive matches. Other low points of the season were rare and came in loss of personnel rather than disappointment on the pitch. Jim Parker breaking his hand in the Halbro plate semi final (even if he did play almost the entire game with it broken) forcing him out of the rest of the season was a blow, as was long term injuries to Ian Marshall mid-season, who came rampaging back with a vengeance, Ian Hughes who sadly got re-injured not long after returning, Jon Robinson who had regular knee problems, Jon Openshaw who had a nasty muscle tear against Eccles and Rob Smith who pulled his back lifting a fridge. There were a few scares in the season though and Glossop’s testicular fortitude was tested on occasion especially in the case of Trafford Metrovicks who after 5 minutes were leading 14-0 and Bury, who even by their own admission only put out 3 third team players in their third team game ran Glossop close to a defeat in a game that ended up 5-5. We wont mention Whisty’s (my) kicking at this point in time. It was not losing these games that really displayed the determination we had as a side this year and displayed our belief in ourselves as individuals but most of all our belief in the team. Perhaps one of the lowest points of the season was seeing a number of players not having the chance to play as often as they deserved due to a swelling squad and simply too many substitutes on occasion to pick from. Next season with the prospect of a 4th XV emerging we can only request that these frustrated individuals show the same commitment to the club that they have done all season and return a fresh with the opportunity to play regularly as they duly deserve.

By Robert Smith

3's Win The Cup

GLOSSOP WIN THE HALBRO PLATE FINAL‘It was good, wasn’t it?’

Glossop 3rd XV 18 – Wigan 4th XV 10

Saturday 3rd May 2008Glossop took to the field knowing that the Wigan 4th team this season were undefeated and hosted a number of ex-professionals and international players. Admittedly, they were ex-rugby league but this was still a daunting prospect. Having already gained promotion this year in the Miller Homes League Div5 East, Glossop thirds wanted to cap off a successful season coming through as underdogs and snatching victory from an otherwise flawless season for their opponents.

The game started at a frantic pace, with wave after wave of Wigan attack play. Glossop’s defence however stood firm and wouldn’t allow their opponents to break through. After finding their feet Glossop established where they could exploit Wigan and this was mainly in the forwards at the breakdown. Dogged play from the wing forwards, Gary Wilson and Paul Marsden along with the rest of the pack were too much for the lads seemingly used to league style phase play. The deadlock was broken after about fifteen minutes with a try from winger Charlie Hughes who managed to drive forward and wriggle over the line with a ball from the base of a solid scrum. Before the celebrations had died down however Wigan began pressing once more and about five minutes later managed to get a try of their own with a lovely flowing backs move which culminated in the outside centre touching down in the left corner. Wigan’s drift play was impressive at times however support from their forwards just wasn’t swift enough and Glossop won the ball back on numerous occasions. Wigan used to a powerful running game were required to kick and try and find fault with Glossop full back Karl Hart who to Wigan’s dismay was probably Glossop’s man of the match, showing composure, pace and ability in all areas of game play. A few minutes before half time another great drive forward from the pack set up Stanford who was having a great game at fly half to drive low and over the line. With this Glossop went into the break ten – five up, their heads held high and mentality that winning the final was a real prospect.

After the break Glossop found a rhythm they were comfortable with and despite Wigan running at them time and time again the Glossop defence was just too solid, Chris Snape and Stephen Percy in centre and prop Ian Marshall unrelenting throughout with some huge tackles. Not long into the half Glossop’s attack resulted in a penalty not far from the post and captain, Kev Swift, made the right decision to go for the three points which Stanford duly slotted over. Glossop were now more than a converted try ahead and pretty much in control of the game. The match was sealed about fifteen minutes from the end when the unstoppable force that is second row Adam Thompson barged his way over the line with three tacklers almost literally hanging off him. This was the icing on the cake, and even with the slight scare of Wigan pulling a try back in the last five minutes the game was won. Glossop third XV had achieved a victory of epic proportions and something the whole squad can be proud of for years to come.

By Robert Smith

Team Sheet: 1.Swift 2.Williamson 3.Marshall 4.Smith 5.Thompson 6.Wilson 7.Marsden 8.Littlewood 9.Alderdice 10.Stanford 11.Howarth 12.Percy 13.Snape 14.Hughes 15.HartSubs: 16.Gerard 17.Deacon 18.Gatsby 19.Jordan 20.Nobby

Additional squad members present: Rothery, Shiels, Reddington, Barth, Whiston, Ford

Girls Under 15s Caldy vs Glossop

New Girls’ Team Face First Opponents

Glossop Under 15 Girls’ Rugby Team travelled to Caldy on Sunday to face their first opponents. The team came together only 5 weeks ago following the Inter-School Sevens Tournament at Glossop Rugby Club.

The girls, all aged between 13 and 15, enjoyed their first taste of contact rugby at the school tournament so much that, in mid-March, around 20 of them began training at the Club on Thursdays with the already established Under 18 team. With the end of the Rugby season fast approaching it was decided that the girls should have a competitive game now rather than wait until September. This was a big gamble with only 5 weeks to train but the girls showed commitment and enthusiasm and bravely headed to Liverpool for their match.

Playing on the first team pitch, in front of a very ‘vocal’ crowd, the girls were not intimidated and soon began to look like a rugby team, showing courage in defence and confidence in attack.

The final score was Caldy 25 – Glossop 5 which was a fantastic score-line considering how new to the game Glossop were. The Team showed great spirit and team play, putting in several try saving tackles, some confident kicking and finishing their game with a lovely try by the fly-half running blind-side from a 5-metre scrummage.

The girls will follow up this game with an end-of-season Tournament at Sandbach where both Under 15 and Under 18 teams will take part. Throughout the summer the girls will stay together doing fitness training each week on Tuesdays. Any girls interested in rugby or general fitness should give Jayne Owen a ring on 07930669096.