Hendon RFC was founded in 1932 and has since 1944 played rugby on Copthall Playing Fields in Hendon. During this time it has provided rugby for all standards of players and continues to provide a welcome for those individuals who enjoy a good game and the social side of rugby. Our 1st XV play in Herts Middlesex League 2 and our 2nd XV play in the Herts Middlesex Merit Table. New players are always welcome and should contact our Director of Rugby Mick Harber on 07957 294767. For a brief history click on the News icon on the left and scroll down the stories.
The nearest Underground station is Hendon Central, on the Northern Line, and coming from the North we are easily accessible from the M1 with the entrance to Copthall being 500 yards on the left of the A1 from Junction 2 exit. From the South take the A41 to 5 Ways Corner and then turn right South onto the A1 and we are 1000 yards on the left .
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2007-2008?
Click on the News page icon and scroll down to see all the Club events and news for last season.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN 2008-2009?
FUND RAISING FOR THE CLUBHOUSE
All the work being undertaken on the Clubhouse is costing a lot of money - the showers have been completely refurbished but the budget was blown by the discovery of asbestos on the 50 year old hot water tank. This has had to be removed and replaced. Dave Connell our Treasurer has therefore launched an appeal for contributions from our Vice Presidents and other Club Supporters. A good start has already been made this year with another substantial donation from Geoff Cooper. But more is needed. So click on the News link and read the full details of the appeal.
PRE-SEASON TRAINING PAYS OFF
The first League game of the season brought a convincing 50 points to 8 victory over Uxbridge. Head Coach, Nick Lovett, was pleased that all the hard work during the Summer on fitness, understanding the new laws and playing style had paid off but said that this was just the start. We needed to keep up the intensity throughout the season if we are to achieve our aim of promotion. In the three League games since these words have proven to be true with a loss to Wasps Amateurs 31-19 in a game which we could have won if it were not for the penalties given away. However, this has been followed by two good wins against Royston 36-8 and Belsize Park 21-11, putting us top of the League Table on points difference.
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|
| |
| Hendon |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
126 |
58 |
68 |
6 |
0 |
| H.A.C. |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
100 |
57 |
43 |
6 |
0 |
| Old Haberdashers |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
92 |
63 |
29 |
6 |
0 |
| Wasps |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
82 |
58 |
24 |
6 |
0 |
| Thamesians |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
52 |
68 |
-16 |
6 |
0 |
| Old Grammarians |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
61 |
40 |
21 |
4 |
0 |
| Mill Hill |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
84 |
104 |
-20 |
2 |
0 |
| Royston |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
51 |
74 |
-23 |
2 |
0 |
| Belsize Park |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
26 |
85 |
-59 |
0 |
0 |
| Uxbridge |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
46 |
113 |
-67 |
0 |
0 |
|
| |
The Seconds lost narrowly in their first Merit Table game against Enfield Ignations, then beat Old Verulamians 2nds comprehensively 57-10 but lost to Table leaders OMT's 2nds 41-5. Their next game is away against St Albans 3rds on 18th October. In between these Merit Table games they have won handsomely in a couple of friendlies.
Herts/Middx Merit Table 4
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at 4th October 2008
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|
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PTS
|
|
|
|
CLUB
|
PLAYED
|
WON
|
DRAW
|
LOST
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
POINTS
|
DIFF
|
POS'N
|
Forfeit'd
|
|
OMT 2nd
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
110
|
37
|
15
|
73
|
1
|
0
|
|
Ruislip 3rd
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
97
|
22
|
13
|
75
|
2
|
0
|
|
Enfield Ignatians 4th
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
84
|
45
|
13
|
39
|
3
|
0
|
|
St Albans 3rd
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
77
|
51
|
13
|
26
|
4
|
1
|
|
Hendon 2nd
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
83
|
78
|
11
|
5
|
5
|
0
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|
Hertford 6th
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
51
|
97
|
11
|
-46
|
6
|
0
|
|
Verulamians 2nd
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
49
|
107
|
11
|
-58
|
7
|
0
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|
Barnet Eliz.3rd
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
31
|
70
|
8
|
-39
|
8
|
2
|
|
Training continues under coaches John Ryan, Paul Carroll and Nick Lovett, with Evan Hitchman helping the Seconds. we have the benefit of training under floodlights in the Copthall Stadium and we need to continue the high turn outs so that we maintian our fitness levels through the season. All are welcome to join. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm at Hendon Rugby Ground, Greenlands Lane - off the A1 next to Northway Tyres.
FIXTURES FOR 2008-9
Click on the Events icon and then Events list to view the First XV league fixture list for the coming season.
HENDON HIPPOS RELIVE THEIR PAST AGAINST THE HAMPSTEAD HOGGS
To commemorate the 1st Anniversary of Mike Flynn's departure from the rugby field, a memorial game dedicated to Flynn took place at the club on Saturday 4th October. In the tradition of previous encounters between Flynn and the rest of the known rugby world the two teams played under Golden Oldies Rugby Laws and the result was an honourable draw meaning that the Hoggs kept hold of the famous HIPPOPOT,which will still be displayed at the Hendon clubhouse.
Lonsdale Flynn kicked off and the Hoggs were captained by Bruce, Flynn's son. A few glasses of bubbly, port and beer were sunk by all those who played and supported the game and £150 was raised for the Stuart Mangan Appeal, which supports a Hammersmith & Fulham player who was catasprothically injured and is in Stanmore Orthopaedic Hospital.
RECRUITMENT
The Middlesex Recruitment Bus had its first outing at Hendon on the day of the AGM with many members joining the bus for stops at strategic recruitment spots - the Bodhran, Hendon Central and The Kings Arms, Colindale.
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New members of all standards are always welcome. The Club, on the back of the success laid down by the "Super 2's" hopes to form a 3rd XV this season. We are continuing to hold a number of social events to further recruitment and to increase awareness of the club in the area. For information contact Danny Hayes on 07739906097 or Evan Hitchman at evanhitchman@hotmail.com. Come and join us for a drink and then enjoy your rugby with us in 2008-9.
The 3rd team will provide an opportunity for those older players in the club who are itching for an occasional game or the player who is not able to attend training or commit on a regular basis. Our members should contact their friends, relatives and colleagues who may be interested in a game, or any people who you think would be able to make a contribution to the club be it in the kitchen, helping behind the bar, running the touch or just supporting us on the sideline.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008
This was held at the Clubhouse on Saturday 14th June at 1300. The Minutes are posted on the News page. Click on the News icon on the left to access.
OUR CAPTAINS FOR THE YEAR
Chris Towndrow was elected 1st XV Captain. JP Shanahan will take charge of the 2nds
SUBSCRIPTIONS 2008-9
Life Vice President one off payment £350.
Vice President £30 p.a.
Senior Player - £40 Under 18's - £20 Non-Playing Member - £10.
These subscriptions help cover the cost competition entry fees, insurance, maintenance of the clubhouse and utilities as well as kit and equipment to ensure we are able to run out on a Saturday and enjoy our game of rugby.
Match Fees will be £10 one off at the beginning of the season and then £6 per player, per game. These fees help the club to cover the cost of referees, the physio, beer kitty and match day meals.
OUR COMMITTEE FOR 2008-9
The rogues gallery that follows are the key Committee men
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David Gershlick President .jpg)
Laurence Lennon Deputy President
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Mick Harber Director of Rugby .jpg)
Malcolm Watts Chairman
Evan Hitchman 2nd XV Coach 
Tom Brownsell Secretary
and Membership Secretary
Dave Connell Treasurer
Danny Hayes Recruitment & Social Secretary
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Eric Butler - Clubhouse Secretary
THE BODHRAN OUR SPONSORS
A warm welcome will be given to anyone connected with Hendon Rugby Club
A WEEK IN EDINBURGH WITH THE OLD VULGARIANS
The Old Vulgarians RFC are a club well known on the Golden Oldies rugby circuit and has always had its home and heart at Hendon, through the involvement of Dave Gershlick, our President and many other members over the years. It has participated in Golden Oldies tournaments across the world every other season since 1985 and in September they were off again - this time to Edinburgh. The Hendon participants were Dave Gershlick, Tom Brownsell, Malcolm Watts, Keith Gent, Kiwi Rankin and their wives plus Dougie Cowie and Paul Farmer - the baby of the tour at 44 years old. They were joined by players from Beaconsfield, Spain, Australia, USA and New Zealand and managed to come through three games of so called rugby without irreparable harm to life or limb.
It was a great week of excercise, drinking, eating and fun with over 2,700 participants from all over the world enjoying post match entertainment, days out and a Grand Final sit down dinner in the Highland Hall. Gavin Hastings was the official Scottish host and he did a fantastic job of making everyone welcome whilst handing out free drams of Bells Scotch.
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Dougie explains how DG dropped a pass and qualified for the T shirt
Malcolm feels that his shorts are more fashionable than Tom's but check out Tom's new boots!!
Some of the vulgar birds - the Mrs Rankin, Gershlick & Brownsell. DG has a cunning plan for the next game - Paul Farmer and Keith Gent can't wait!!!
The next tour is to Sydney Australia in October 2010 - put it in your diary.
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