| Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins
The Anti-Assassins Rugby Union Football Club (A-As) was founded in 1950 when three Old Sedberghians, Stewart Faulds, Geoff and Arthur Kenyon, were invited to pick a Northern team to play against the masters and Old Boys (The Assassins) of Sedbergh School, Cumbria. This invitation team carried on playing a variety of fixtures, mainly in the North, raising money for established charities, celebrating special club occasions and helping to develop rugby football at leading schools. Semper Mores Boni, (Good behaviour always), is the motto of the club!!
One of the main priorities of the A-As committee, led by Monsieur le President Stewart Faulds, was to arrange tours to rugby playing locations all over the world. The A-As have over the years visited Australia, Canada, Dubai, East Africa, South Africa, USA and Trinidad for the Caribbean Sevens. More local destinations over the water include Galway, Isle of Man, Jersey and Ulster. Tours have also been undertaken to continental countries such as France, Holland, Italy and Spain.
The famous Anti-Assassins teamed up with Wooden Spoon in 2004 to help them to further promote their charitable work. The partnership is proving to be a great success providing a playing platform for occasional players, whilst communicating the work of Spoon through the rugby playing community. Each fixture helps with fundraising, increases the profile of Wooden Spoon and encourages new membership. Players, past players, administrators and all rugby people are able to harmonize their love of the Game and help those who are not so fortunate. It is thanks to this kind of support, and also that of its members, sponsors and the many thousands of participants in its fundraising events, that Wooden Spoon can continue to have a positive impact on disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK and Ireland. As a result of the association, this formidable membership now embraces rugby people in many different countries.
The Wooden Spoon A-As’ rugby team continues to play a mixture of traditional fixtures with matches against the Old Boys teams from Sedbergh, Kirkham, Giggleswick and Stonyhurst. Special matches against clubs in the North and other parts of the country are arranged to celebrate Anniversaries and openings etc. Last season the team also travelled to Cambridge University and Richmond. Gogledd Cymru (North Wales) at Birkenhead Park is a new fixture this season. The team plays in a variety of tournaments and will be returning to Carrickfergus in Ulster for the Sevens and to Stockholm to defend the Tens title which they won last season.
An invitation to represent the A-As, and now Wooden Spoon A-As, has delighted many players, be they just good club members or seasoned Internationals, over the last six decades. Amongst the legion of distinguished players to wear the jersey are the likes of John Spencer and Peter Winterbottom, (England); Ian McGeechan and Peter Stagg, (Scotland); John O’Driscoll, (Ireland) and Bill Calcraft and Mark Ella, (Australia). The most recent International is David Strettle who first played for England against Ireland at Croke Park in 2007, having been a member of the A-As’ squad that played in the Caribbean Sevens in 2001.
The Wooden Spoon A-As’ membership now includes over 100 internationals and four Past Presidents of the RFU. Bill Beaumont, the Lions Manager in New Zealand in 2005 and the current Vice Chairman of the iRB is one of our members. Malcolm Phillips, President of the RFU in 2005-2006, is the Wooden Spoon A-As President.
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OBITUARY – JOAN FAULDS
Joan died in July this year, aged 87 years. She was well-known for her voluntary work in Bury, serving as a senior Magistrate, and as a member of the Red Cross and Leonard Cheshire Foundation committees. Joan also worked with her husband Stewart, founder of the Anti-Assassins RUFC in 1950 as they pioneered overseas Rugby tours to Kenya, Canada, South Africa and Australia, helping the Club to achieve international recognition. At the same time the teams played against schools and other clubs to celebrate special occasions.
Joan joined the Women’s Royal Air Force in 1940 and worked on the installation of radio in different types of war planes. She met Stewart on his return from North Africa and Italy with the 8th Army in 1945. They married in 1947 in her home town of Southport.
At different times both Joan and Stewart became Captain of Bolton Golf Club. They were ardent bridge players and Joan continued to play with her many friends until a few weeks before her death.
A celebration of Joan’s life was held at Overdale Crematorium and later at Bolton Golf Club on 1 August. She is survived by her daughter Ann and son Andrew and five grandchildren. A minute’s silence was held for this very special lady prior to the kick-off of the annual Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins’ match against Old Sedberghians, for the Stewart Faulds Cup, on Sunday 7 September at Sedbergh School.
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Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins 2008/2009
| DATE |
FIXTURE |
OFFICER OF DAY |
MATCH MANAGER |
| Sept Sun 7th |
Old Sedberghians at Sedbergh School
Stewart Faulds Cup Kick off 2.30 pm |
Ken Woolley
01995 61785 |
Dave Muckalt
07958 574047
John Young
07843 358938 |
| Oct Sun 19th |
Old Giggleswickians at Giggleswick School
Kick off 2.30 pm |
John Aikman
07870 162454 |
Dan Eddie
078996 426482
Tim Fourie
07970 680309 |
| Nov Wed 12th |
Royal Navy at US Portsmouth
Kick off 7.30 pm |
John Gardiner
0161 440 8293 |
Peter Kennedy
07799 772048
Simon Hodgkinson
07831 885933 |
| Jan Wed 14th |
Gogledd Cymru (North Wales) at Birkenhead Park
Kick off 7.15 pm |
Graeme Marrs
0151 652 1536 |
Phil Mahon
01200 443849 |
| Feb Sun 8th |
Richmond President’s XV at Richmond
Kick off 1.00 pm |
Peter Hughes
07771 711405 |
Steve Ravenscroft
07855 760244
Rowan Fuller
07747 036770 |
| Feb Wed 25th |
Cambridge University RFC at Grange Rd
Kick off 7.15 pm |
Peter Hughes
07771 711405 |
Simon Hodgkinson
07831 885933 |
May Sat 2nd
Sun 3rd |
Carrickfergus Sevens, Ulster
|
John Dewhurst
07860 602667 |
Dave Muckalt
07958 574047 |
August Sat1st
Sun 2nd |
Stockholm Tens |
John Gardiner
0161 440 8293 |
Jon Eagle
07802 155206
Jon Howells
07976 566352
|
A-A Internationals
|
G J
|
Adey
|
E
|
Leicester
|
1976
|
|
A A
|
Ashcroft
|
E
|
Waterloo
|
1956-59
|
|
S
|
Bainbridge
|
E
|
Gosforth
|
1982-87
|
|
B
|
Barley
|
E
|
Wakefield
|
1984-88
|
|
W B
|
Beaumont
|
E
|
Fylde
|
1975-82
|
|
M A
|
Biggar
|
S
|
London Scottish
|
1975-80
|
|
A M
|
Bond
|
E
|
Sale
|
1978-82
|
|
B
|
Braithwaite-Exley
|
E
|
Headingley
|
1949
|
|
R W
|
Breakey
|
S
|
Gosforth
|
1978
|
|
T J
|
Brophy
|
E
|
Liverpool
|
1964-66
|
|
W J
|
Calcraft
|
A
|
New South Wales
|
1985-86
|
|
D W N
|
Caplan
|
E
|
Headingley
|
1978
|
|
R M
|
Cardus
|
E
|
Roundhay
|
1979
|
|
S J S
|
Clarke
|
E
|
Blackheath
|
1963-65
|
|
H C
|
Condon
|
I
|
London Irish
|
1984
|
|
M J
|
Cooper
|
E
|
Moseley
|
1973-77
|
|
R N
|
Creed
|
E
|
Coventry
|
1971
|
|
B M
|
Cronin
|
I
|
Garryowen
|
1995-1997
|
|
J D
|
Currie
|
E
|
Harlequins
|
1956-62
|
|
D A
|
Cusani
|
E
|
Orrell
|
1987
|
|
L
|
Cusworth
|
E
|
Leicester
|
1979-88
|
|
G H
|
Davies
|
E
|
Wasps
|
1981-86
|
|
J M
|
Dee
|
E
|
Hartlepool R
|
1962-63
|
|
P J
|
Dixon
|
E
|
Gosforth
|
1971-78
|
|
W A
|
Dooley
|
E
|
Preston G
|
1985 –93
|
|
M
|
Ella
|
A
|
New South Wales
|
1980-84
|
|
C D
|
Fisher
|
S
|
Waterloo
|
1975-76
|
|
M
|
Giacheri
|
It
|
New South Wales
|
1992-03
|
|
R P
|
Godfrey
|
I
|
UC Dublin
|
1954
|
|
P J
|
Grayson
|
E
|
Northampton
|
1995-04
|
|
W J H
|
Greenwood
|
E
|
Leicester
|
1997-04
|
|
J R H
|
Greenwood
|
E
|
Waterloo
|
1966-69
|
|
E O
|
Halvey
|
I
|
Shannon
|
1995-97
|
|
S M
|
Hanley
|
E
|
Sale
|
1999
|
|
R M
|
Harding
|
E
|
Bristol
|
1985-88
|
|
A T
|
Harriman
|
E
|
Harlequins
|
1988
|
|
M
|
Harrison
|
E
|
Wakefield
|
1985-88
|
|
J A
|
Hay
|
S
|
Hawick
|
1995
|
|
A S
|
Healey
|
E
|
Leicester
|
1997-03
|
|
J
|
Heaton
|
E
|
Waterloo
|
1935-47
|
|
N J
|
Heslop
|
E
|
Orrell
|
1990-92
|
|
S D
|
Hodgkinson
|
E
|
Nottingham
|
1989-91
|
|
B J
|
Holmes
|
S
|
London Scottish
|
1998
|
|
K
|
Hughes
|
W
|
London Welsh
|
1970-74
|
|
R P
|
Huntsman
|
E
|
Headingley
|
1985
|
|
A C B
|
Hurst
|
E
|
Wasps
|
1962
|
|
B S
|
Jackson
|
E
|
Broughton Park
|
1970
|
|
C R
|
Jennins
|
E
|
Waterloo
|
1967
|
|
A
|
Jorden
|
E
|
Bedford
|
1970-75
|
|
M S
|
Lampkowski
|
E
|
Headingley
|
1976
|
|
M M
|
Leadbetter
|
E
|
Broughton Park
|
1970
|
|
R A P
|
Lozowski
|
E
|
Wasps
|
1984
|
|
C
|
Mallinder
|
E
|
Sale
|
1997
|
|
D R
|
McAleese
|
I
|
Ballymena
|
1992
|
|
C W
|
McFadyean
|
E
|
Moseley
|
1966-68
|
|
I R
|
McGeechan
|
S
|
Headingley
|
1972-79
|
|
S
|
McIvor
|
I
|
Garryowen
|
1996-97
|
|
K D
|
McKenzie
|
S
|
Stirling County
|
1994-98
|
|
F M
|
McLoughlin
|
I
|
Northern
|
1976
|
|
N D
|
Melville
|
E
|
Wasps
|
1984-88
|
|
W D G
|
Morgan
|
E
|
Medicals
|
1960-61
|
|
W M F
|
Moylett
|
I
|
Shannon
|
1988
|
|
K J
|
Murphy
|
I
|
Cork Constitution
|
1990-92
|
|
J
|
Mycock
|
E
|
Sale
|
1947-48
|
|
A
|
Neary
|
E
|
Broughton Park
|
1971-80
|
|
K
|
O’Brien
|
I
|
Broughton Park
|
1980-82
|
|
J
|
O’Driscoll
|
I
|
Manchester
|
1971
|
|
J B
|
O’Driscoll
|
I
|
Manchester
|
1978-84
|
|
A G B
|
Old
|
E
|
Middlesboro
|
1972-78
|
|
C J
|
Olver
|
E
|
Northampton
|
1990-92
|
|
J J
|
Page
|
E
|
Northampton
|
1971-75
|
|
W M
|
Patterson
|
E
|
Sale
|
1961
|
|
T G A
|
Peart
|
E
|
Hartlepool Rovers
|
1964
|
|
M S
|
Phillips
|
E
|
Fylde
|
1958-64
|
|
R D A
|
Pickering
|
E
|
Bradford
|
1967-68
|
|
S J
|
Purdy
|
E
|
Rugby
|
1962
|
|
C
|
Raducanu
|
R
|
Headingley
|
1985-89
|
|
W K L
|
Ralph
|
S
|
Stewarts Coll FP
|
1955
|
|
J M
|
Ranson
|
E
|
Rosslyn Pk
|
1963-64
|
|
S D
|
Ravenscroft
|
E
|
Saracens
|
1998
|
|
J
|
Roberts
|
E
|
Sale
|
1960-64
|
|
D P
|
Rogers
|
E
|
Bedford
|
1961-69
|
|
D W A
|
Rosser
|
E
|
Wasps
|
1965-66
|
|
D P
|
Roughley
|
E
|
Liverpool
|
1973-74
|
|
R E
|
Rowell
|
E
|
Leicester
|
1964-65
|
|
S C W
|
Sampson
|
E
|
Wasps
|
1998-01
|
|
P
|
Sanderson
|
E
|
Sale
|
1998-06
|
|
C
|
Saverimutto
|
I
|
Sale
|
1995-96
|
|
H
|
Scott
|
E
|
Manchester
|
1955
|
|
I R
|
Shackleton
|
E
|
Cambridge University
|
1969-70
|
|
M H
|
Shimanga
|
SA
|
Free State
|
2004-06
|
|
K G
|
Simms
|
E
|
Liverpool
|
1985-88
|
|
S J
|
Smith
|
E
|
Sale
|
1973-83
|
|
J S
|
Spencer
|
E
|
Cambridge University
|
1969-71
|
|
P J
|
Squires
|
E
|
Harrogate
|
1973-79
|
|
P K
|
Stagg
|
S
|
Sale
|
1965-70
|
|
D
|
Strettle
|
E
|
Harlequins
|
2007
|
|
A
|
Swift
|
E
|
Swansea
|
1981-84
|
|
P H
|
Thompson
|
E
|
Headingley
|
1956-59
|
|
P
|
Turner
|
W
|
Newbridge
|
1989
|
|
M T U
|
Umaga
|
WS
|
Coventry
|
1994-99
|
|
R
|
Uren
|
E
|
Waterloo
|
1948-50
|
|
P S
|
Wallace
|
I
|
Blackrock
|
1995-02
|
|
M P
|
Weston
|
E
|
Richmond
|
1960-68
|
|
R
|
Wilkinson
|
E
|
Bedford
|
1975-76
|
|
J G
|
Willcox
|
E
|
Harlequins
|
1961-64
|
|
JE
|
Williams
|
E
|
Old Millhillians
|
1954-65
|
|
P N
|
Williams
|
E
|
Orrell
|
1987
|
|
P J
|
Winterbottom
|
E
|
Headingley
|
1982-93
|
|
I
|
Wright
|
E
|
Northampton
|
1971
|
|
D M
|
Wyatt
|
E
|
Bedford
|
1976
|
|
M
|
Young
|
E
|
Gosforth
|
1977-79
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England E, Ireland I, Scotland S, Wales W, Australia A, Italy It, Rumania R, South Africa SA, Western Samoa WS
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