History

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="044785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>old ashmoleans rugby</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="old ashmoleans rugby"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ancestry"><U>Ancestry</U></A>   |   <B>History</B>   |   <A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Location"><U>Location</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fixtures"><U>Fixtures</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U>Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Profiles"><U>Profiles</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id168.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Training"><U>Training</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shop"><U>Shop</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Links"><U> Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Facilities"><U>Facilities</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id167.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Games"><U>Games</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Galleries"><U>Galleries</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ads."><U>Ads.</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id170.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Guest Book"><U>Guest Book</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id237.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Subs/Gifts"><U>Subs/Gifts</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id243.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Points Scorers"><U>Points Scorers</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>History</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="650" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1120 WIDTH="646"><div> <B>In the mid 1950's the game of rugby was introduced to the hitherto soccer stronghold of Ashmole Secondary School then in the south eastern corner of Hertfordshire. It made no immediate impact on the sporting life of the school, but in 1961, when the first group of boys left the school , sufficient interest in the game had been instilled in ten of them. These ten decided to investigate the possibility of continuing with their rugby, and in 1962 the OLD ASHMOLEAN R.F.C. was formed with 12 members playing matches mainly against the lower sides of the neighbouring clubs, Barnet and Old Elizabethans.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The first two seasons were a struggle, but with the increase membership and the use of Ashmole school facilities, a regular fixture card was attained. 2 years later a second XV was established. Recruitment from the school was still slow, which meant it was a further 5 years before a 3rd XV came to be.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Clubhouse facilities were impossible to come by. Enquiries throughout the London boroughs of Enfield and Barnet proved fruitless. Many local hostelries ( Pubs ) became the home of the O.A.R.F.C. until the early 80's. Woodlands Lawn Tennis Club agreed to share their clubhouse in the grounds of Priory Hospital ( See where are we ). Bar catering facilities were greatly improved during the 85/6 season and a secure future seemed assured.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>As a young club, fixtures with older established clubs in Hertfordshire were difficult to acquire and the O.A's had to travel far and wide for their games. The introduction of the merit tables brought the club fixtures closer to home and with the hard work on the late Ken Redding ( then the fixture secretary ) the clubs playing situation was greatly improved.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Over the next few years the club enjoyed success on and off the pitch. In 1981 and 1984 the club won the Barnet 7's. In 1985 the O.As' reached Twickenham unfortunately ending up as runners up in the final of the preliminary competition of the Middlesex 7s.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In the 94/5 season we had our most successful year to date reaching the quarter finals of the Pilkington shield. We lost 27 - 24 to Helston who went on to lose to the Medics in the Final again played at Twickenham ( see gallery for squad photo ) Ian "Bobsy" Dodd, the 1st XV skipper attributed the success the to enthusiasm to attend training sessions. This was brought about by the appointment of a coaching trio, Fred Colborne, Dave Perks and Graham Seagroatt, which ensure varied and entertaining sessions for all players to enjoy.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>With the success the club was enjoying it was felt that the facilities were no longer suitable. This led to the club moving out of its relatively small hideaway to a such larger clubhouse, still in the familiar grounds of the hospital. The new location boasts greater improved floodlit training grounds and has had substantial structural improvements made which has improved further still our facilities.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We are close to the completion of attaining ( for the first time in the clubs history ) our own playing pitch, adjacent to our clubhouse. This will obviously enhance further the fabulous facilities our members already enjoy. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The clubhouse also caters for outside bodies who wish to use its facilities on various other evenings.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We are currently doing well in the upper quarter of Herts./Middx division 4 (North) and with 3 plus the occasional Vets sides playing enjoy a lively post-match social life.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We have recently had several South African players ( </B><A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The SA Lads"><U><B>See Gallery</B></U></A><B> ) join our club enjoy "teaching them how to play".  We have enjoyed their input and welcome players from all oversea countries.</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>