5th XV News Archive
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Tuesday 30th September 2003: The team for Saturday is shaping up nicely, although at this stage details must remain confidential. All that can be confirmed is that a former 5th XV captain will be making his seasonal debut. The venue has also been changed to Cherryvale, meet at 1.30pm for a 2.30pm kick-off.
Thursday 25th September 2003: The C & M Lifts trophy is now triumphantly on display behind the bar at Deramore. Thanks must go to Stevie Uprichard for his free-form inscription with the aid of a rusty nail at 3.30am on the morning after the tournament. Click on Stevie waving the trophy (above) to view the match report.
Wednesday 24th September 2003: More interesting statistics have been added for season 2001/02 to the Archives section when the 5's made their second appearance in the semi-finals of the Forster Cup. Maybe this year is the year....
Monday 22nd September 2003: More interesting statistics have been added to the Archives section detailing the inaugral season of Belfast Harlequins 5th XV from 1999 to 2000. A reasonably average league campaign was overshadowed by a semi-final appearance in the Forster Cup which was unfortunately lost to Bangor (Dream Team apparently) 3rd XV which boasted such stalwarts as Don Whittle and another ex-Ulster star who's name escapes me!
Sunday 21st September 2003: Information has been added to the player profiles section on each player. Obviously whilst informative and concise certain liberties have been taken. Anyone who feels their profile to be unrepresentative or in any way unfair should tell someone.
Wednesday 17th September 2003: The match report from last Saturday's opening league victory at Coleraine has now been added to the Match Reports section.
Tuesday 16th September 2003: A Points Scored page has been added, with Pat Miscampbell nosing ahead.
Monday 15th September 2003: 12.30pm - It can now be confirmed that Barney Leitch was awarded man-of-the-match for a fantastic defensive display as well as setting Pat Miscampbell up for his try. As usual dick-of-the-day was much more difficult to award with Spam McGrath finally receiving the award for popping-up on the wing and with the line at his mercy deciding to kick for the corner. Props being props this effort obviously went dead much to the amusement of all who witnessed it! The report on the game will follow on Wednesday morning all being well...
9.00am - The 5's won their first game of the season away to Coleraine 26-10 on Saturday smashing yet another record along the way as this is the first time the 5's have EVER won their first game of the season. Congratulations lads! A match report will follow shortly.
| Position |
Player |
Scorer |
| 1 |
Neil McGrath |
|
| 2 |
Stephen Uprichard |
|
| 3 |
James Graham |
|
| 4 |
Pete Stewart |
1 try |
| 5 |
Niall Bryson |
|
| 6 |
Chick Chalmers |
|
| 7 |
Stephen Weatherup |
|
| 8 |
John Heuston |
|
| 9 |
Chris Magowan |
1 try |
| 10 |
Marcus Cummings |
|
| 11 |
Paddy Miscampbell |
1 try, 3 conv |
| 12 |
Rob Calvert (C) |
1 try |
| 13 |
Barney Leitch |
|
| 14 |
Scott Thompson |
|
| 15 |
Roger Gilpin |
|
Friday 12th September 2003: Afternoon - A slight change to the team tomorrow sees Niall Bryson replace Coops in the second row. The Wolverine will now be travelling to Enniskillen with the 4th XV and was delighted when informed.
Morning - The 5's open their league campaign away to Coleraine on the back of last week's fantastic display at YMCA. After a few problems with teams higher up the club "poaching" the All-star 5's, a winning team has been assembled with just one or two details to be ironed out. Rumour has it that the 1sts are trying to negotiate an AIL contract with Marcus. Enough rambling though. The team for tomorrow currently stands as follows; Neil McGrath, Stephen Uprichard, James Graham, Pete Stewart, Richard Cooper, Chick Chalmers, Stephen Weatherup, John Heuston, Chris Magowan, Marcus Cummings, Paddy Miscampbell, Rob Calvert (C), Barney Leitch, Scott Thompson, Roger Gilpin. Meet at 12 noon at Deramore.
Thursday 11th September 2003: A team roster has been added to the Archives section for season 2000/01.
Wednesday 10th September 2003: Afternoon - New pictures have been added to the Photos section.
Morning - For anyone who wants a professional opinion of Saturday's fantastic display check out Richard Mulligan's review on page 37 of today's Newsletter which can be viewed in full below. Unlucky Ally.
Belfast Harlequins fifths were deserved winners of the fifth annual Belfast YMCA 15-a-side C & M Lifts Challenge Cup.
It was a successful day at Lagan Meadows and epitomised what junior rugby is about with hard competitive play on the field and a lively social gathering afterward.
Having drawn with previous two season winners, Grosvenor, in their first match 5-5, Quins defeated the hosts 17-0 and then saw off Belfast High School Former Pupils 15-0.
It would have been a 100 per cent record had winger Ally McCulloch not forgot to stop before the dead-ball line in the dying seconds of the match. Never mind Ally, it is only the start of the season!
Grosvenor finished runners-up and captain, Andrew Gibson was named as player of the tournament, as decided by the referees.
While Quins returned to Deramore with the trophy, other winners on the day were Cancer Research Northern Ireland, who received a cheque for £200.
YMCA president, Mervyn Torrens, thanked those who took part and after the event teams were suitably entertained in Madison’s Hotel, club sponsors.
Results: Belfast Harlequins 5, Grosvenor 5; YMCA 24, BHSFP 12; BHSFP 12, Grosvenor 10; YMCA 0, Belfast Harlequins 17; Belfast Harlequins 15, BHSFP 0; YMCA 5, Grosvenor 17.
Player profiles have now been added.
Tuesday 9th September 2003: The match report for the triumphant victory on Saturday is now available.
Monday 8th September 2003: On Saturday the 5th XV stunned the rugby playing world by winning the annual YMCA 15-aside tournament at Lagan Meadows winning 2 games and drawing one to secure the trophy. A match report will follow but needless to say by 3am on Sunday morning the competition had been won in great style with a promise of a league and cup treble to follow this season from the celebrating squad. To everyone's great surprise on Sunday morning only two Harlequins player's (congratulations to Bestie and Doakie) had made the Irish World Cup squad and they didn't even take part in the tournament.
At this stage it would probably be prudent to apologise to any 1st XV players who made the mistake of venturing within 50 yards of the triumphant squad members and any offers of positions within the team as water-bottle and in particular kicking-tee carriers (as everyone knows the 5's don't bother with place kicks unless Gav McLaughlin is playing) were meant purely in jest. Apologises also to the ladies 1st XI for any comments that may have been made by 5's players in pointing out that they had not won any silverware this season so far!
Friday 5th September 2003: Don't forget to come along and support the 5th XV as they go in search for their first ever piece of silverware at YMCA, Knightsbrdge Park tomorrow from 1pm. Then it is on to Madison's on Botanic for some much needed refreshements washed down with a belly full of lager.
5th XV points scorers for season 2000/01 have now been added to the Archives section.
Hot news - Chris Magowan has confirmed for Saturday therefore providing a much needed scrum-half to the squad.
Thursday 4th September 2003: The 5th XV squad for Saturday's tournament at YMCA has been more or less finalised and only needs a bit of tweaking to create the ultimate Dream Team. As of lunch time today the following players have confirmed;
Forwards: Jamsie Graham, Darren McCartney, Steve Uprichard, Niall Westland, Jody Wylie, David Boyd, Eddie Wilson, Chick Chalmers, Stevie Weatherup, Jonathon Smith.
Backs: Ronan O'Gilpin, Rob Calvert, Barney Leitch, Craig Henderson, Ally McCulloch, Barry Dowling, Rick Harwood, Rob Hillis, Phil Wilson & his mate.
Hopefully a few more players will confirm before the weekend. If anyone is interested in attending who has not been spoken too please contact either Rob, Chick or Eddie as per the Contacts page.
Wednesday 3rd September 2003: The Archives section has been updated to include last season's league table.
Tuesday 2nd September 2003: Following some serious "soul-searching" regarding a number of issues prevalent within the club at present it has been decided that for now this does not overly affect the 5th XV and our section of the site. Therefore for the time being at least, this section will continue to be updated as normal. Anyway, enough club politics!
This Saturday sees the 5's first competitive day of the season with our debut appearance at the annual YMCA 15-aside tournament being held just across the Lagan Meadows at Knightsbridge Park. This stands to be an excellent opener to the season and should help to shake off the summer cobwebs in preparation for our opening league game away to Coleraine the following week. Anyone that has nothing better to do on Saturday should come down and lend their support from 1pm onwards as it promises to be an entertaining day out for all concerned followed by late night revelry at Madison's on Botanic Avenue courtesy of our hosts at YMCA. No doubt the usual support of 'nil' will be present.
Friday 22nd August 2003: The trip to Murloch bay has been cancelled due to lack of interest which is a real disappointment since last year turned into a great day (and night for many). Junior Touch rugby continues however at 7pm on Wednesdays and numbers have been very good over that past few weeks. In particular if any 5th XV (or prospective 5th XV) players could make an effort to turn out over the next few weeks in the run up to the season kick-off in the "YMCA Invitational Challenge Cup" on September 6th we can hit the ground running this season instead of our usual mess.
Thursday 14th August 2003: The new site went 'live' yesterday and will be updated as often as is humanly possible. These pages are only possible because of all the hard work and dedication put in throughout the existence of our old mother site and thanks go to all who contributed and to the webmaster, who happens to be a world class outside-half in his spare time. However, even though we all know that there is little point in interesting yourselves in any other team within Belfast Harlequins please take time to get involved and help make this site a success.
Wednesday 6th August 2003: The Junior & Minor League teams' training programme for August has been announced and is outlined below. All are welcome to attend and no doubt we will see the usual faces at these sessions. However, as always the club is keen to recruit new players and all levels of ability are catered for somewhere within our 7 teams. So if you know of someone who is considering playing a game or two, please bring them along and introduce them to either Jacko or Mad Dog.
Touch Rugby continues - Wednesdays in August 1900hrs - Deramore Park
R.F.C. TRAINING - 4XV-7XV Training commences Monday 1st & Wednesday 3rd September @ 1830hrs
Saturday 9th August - Training Deramore Park (Deramore 1400hrs)
Saturday 16th August - Training Deramore Park (Deramore 1400hrs)
Saturday 23rd August - Training Murlough Bay (Deramore 1300hrs). Coach to & from the beach via scenic route
Saturday 30th August - Practice Match v Donaghadee (Deramore 1300hrs) 3 x 20 minute periods after match BBQ
Saturday 6th September - Training Deramore Park (Deramore 1300hrs) 1XV v Portadown Ulster League k.o. 1430hrs
Wednesday 6th August 2003: Player appearances have now been added to the Archives section.
Friday 1st August 2003: 5th XV Contacts page has been added.
Thursday 31st July 2003: Exciting stats have been added to the Archives section.
Tuesday 29th July 2003: Wally and Rozie's wedding seemed to go well last Friday, certainly the 5XV lads who turned up claimed to have had an outstanding time. The happy couple are now due to spend the next fortnight or so in South Africa followed by somewhere else hot (Mauritius possibly?). Undoubtably Stevie will return well rested and fighting fit in time for next season!
Thursday 24th July 2003: Archives section has now been updated to include last years Match Reports.
Wednesday 23rd July 2003: The Opponents section has been updated.
The summer transfer market again took another twist. Becks goes to Madrid, Ronaldinho to Barcelona........now Johnny Gilmartin has gone to CIYMS!!!! The flame haired midfield maestro has opted to join CI on a "playing" basis and will retain his membership at Quins. However, since giving up the journalism and having only played a handful of games games in the last four years (one for us against Veysians in April when he strangely spent most of the time in the changing room without telling anyone he'd even left the pitch) it seems that joining CI on a playing only basis should mean we'll see a lot more of him at Deramore this year. Its very charitable of him to help achieve CI's subscription secretary's targets though.
Thursday 17th July 2003: Past skipper and 5th XV stalwart, Stephen "Wally" Weatherup will be marrying his fiancée Rozie next week, and openly invites all 5th XV, tourists, and friends at Belfast Harlequins to their evening reception at Malone House on Friday 25th July 2003 at 8.15 pm.
Best of luck Wally!
Tuesday 24th June 2003: Opponent news has revealed that our Cooke-squatting Seahorse Fetish foes actually "volunteered" to be relegated from our league for next season. Is this for real? Have Instonians had a loss of confidence? After being destroyed by us (and quite a few others last year) is their yellow streak bigger than we thought?
Thursday 19th June 2003: It has emerged that one of our star players, Stephen Uprichard, has been 'tapped' by the Cavaliers - AKA 7th XV, Viagra XV or old farts depending on who you talk to. The Cavaliers were not given permission for this approach and they therefore broke the conventions surrounding player transfers. Is the reign of Clint as Cavalier captain going to continue in such confrontational manner? Bring back Mucker! Stephen Uprichard had the season of his life last year, he was only pipped to the Player of the Season award by a rejuvenated and outstanding Pete Stewart, he quite possibly overtook Wally in the tackle count, and he scored a superb breakaway try with an amazing burst of pace that even left a load of students from London Hospitals flat footed. That was not the mark of a Cavalier and clearly he is not ready to hang up his Junior League boots. A campaign will be mounted to retain the services of Stephen with immediate effect.
Wednesday 18th June 2003: Touch rugby will take place tonight at Deramore at 7.00 pm. Bring your mouldy boots or trainers. Touch will also continue throughout the summer.
Monday 9th June 2003: Tomorrow night at Deramore, starting around 7.00 pm there is an interview and photo shoot of the finalists for this year's Miss Northern Ireland event. Presumably Johnny Moore has already booked a front row position at this, but there is still probably enough room to chat up or simply drool over some of our country's finest, whilst listening to them talk about world peace and helping sick children. On a more mundane, but more important note the AGM is tonight at 7.30 pm. See you at both events?
Thursday 5th June 2003: The AGM for the Rugby Section will take place in the Pavillion on Monday 9th June 2003 at 7.30 pm. A full attendance of members has been requested. So make room in your diary's and turn up, as its a good opportunity to question the elected officers and air your views, never mind to decide who runs the club next year. I presume our very own rabid Anglophobe is up for election again?
Monday 2nd June 2003: A worrying happening at the club BBQ occurred on Friday, when the incoming team captain asked who next year's captain was going to be, despite having been invited on three separate occasions and having accepted the captaincy all three times. Either our new skipper has appalling amnesia or he had consumed more liquor than had been realised each time. More sober discussions have also taken place with a potential new manager to step into the void left by the Anglophobic, stout drinking Mad Dog. We can confirm that the self-styled Supreme Commander has agreed to become the manager for 2003-4. The management team will be as follows:
Captain - Rob "Bitches" Calvert; Vice-captain - Graham "Chick" Chalmers; Manager - Eddie "Supreme Commander" Wilson.
Tuesday 27th May 2003: At the Players' Dinner on Friday it was announced that Pete Stewart was voted as the 5th XV Players' Player of the Season. The result was very close but Pete had a great season, was the worthy winner and deserved the recognition. The Players' Dick of the Season was not announced as the (unanimously voted) Dick was not in attendance (I wonder why?). Well done to all players on a memorable season, yet again the crack was 90.
It should be a good season next year with us being well positioned with a strong squad and camaraderie to make a serious assault on both the league and cup. The Captain next year will be Robert Calvert, ably assisted by Chick Chalmers as vice-Captain. Fixtures will be arranged on Thursday of this week and will be announced ASAP.
Don't forget the club BBQ this Friday. You can get a ticket from Roger or the club office. Priced at only a tenner, its good value and should be well worth it.
Monday 19th May 2003: Bad news lads. Not only will we not be playing our Nordic neighbours from Daddy W*nkers Lane next season but Cooke's Tenants have been relegated. No season without a bash at the Master Race!!!
As reliably informed by our oracle on Ulster rugby (Ken Graham) we are again in Junior League 4. The team list is as follows:
Belfast Harlequins 5; Ballyclare 4; Banbridge 4; Coleraine 4; Holywood 2; Lisburn 2; Portadown 4; Queens 3; Rainey 3; Randalstown 2; Shorts.
This means that there is a shortened programme for us, as the league has gone from 13 to 11 teams within 3 years. It seems Cooke 2s must have been promoted along with Hinch and amazingly Monaghan. If we had finished our fixtures it appears we would / could have been promoted too.
Notice also we no longer have any long trips now that Monaghan and Omagh have departed Junior 4 with only a wee jaunt up the M2 to Coleraine being the furthest afield that we need to go. This should leave Raven with no excuses to be available for fixtures next year. Next season we are also due to play Dromore 3 in the Forster Cup and if we win then against Rainey 3 in the next round.
The 6s and 7s remain in their usual leagues but the both the 4s and 3s are now playing in Junior Division 1 and 2 respectively.
Friday 16th May 2003: The Belfast Harlequins (all sections) Barbeque has been confirmed and will take place at Deramore on Friday 30th May. Starting at 7.30pm (bar opens every Friday at 5.00 pm) it is sponsored by C&C, and has a Hawaiian theme to include beach games loads of free Malibu cocktails, and prizes. There is also a live band starting at about 9 o'clock. Included in the price is also your meal and a free pint. At £10 per person its not bad at all. Its an all ticket affair and tickets can be purchased at the club office or by contacting any team captain.
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