Activity: Easter Egg Challenge Walk

Date: Saturday, 3 April 2021

Meet Time: 10.30am

Meet Location: The Boathouse, Victoria Rd, Saltaire, Shipley BD18 3LA

Start Time: 10.45am onwards

Equipment Needed: Trainers & waterproofs (depending on the weather)

Food/Refreshment Needed/Info: Bring snack or lunch and drink (no alcohol and smoking during the walk!)

Toilet Facilities: No toilet facilities available

Expected Walk Time/Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles, 1-1.5 hours (depending on participants/weather)

Route of Walk: Challenge around Roberts Park & Saltaire – route will be supplied

Other Information: Prizes will be handed out after the walk. Participation required by Thursday (so prizes can be purchased)

Travel Information: Make your own way to The BoatHouse. Bus details: 626 from Bradford Interchange Stand B at 10am / Shipley Market Sq Stop S7 at 10.20am / Arrives at Roberts Park 10.30am  | 622 from Keighley or Bradford at 10am (buses every 10 minutes) and get off at top of Victoria Road, Saltaire (by Car Wash) and walk down to The Boathouse (10 mins walk) https://bustimes.org/services/656-bradford-baildon?date= | Train: From Skipton, Bradford or Leeds and get off at Saltaire and walk down to The Boathouse (2 mins) https://www.thetrainline.com/

Walk Lead Contact Info: Dan Cookson (07716 657933), Ahsan Sakandar (07527 197442) or Julie Wilson

Safeguarding/First Aid: Dan Cookson / Phil WIlson

Several facilitators met up with players and went on a couple of different walks this weekend, with some taking a more leisurely stroll up onto Baildon Moors and along the golf course and others taking a more energetic route over the top of the moors onto Shipley Glen.

The forecast early in the week hadn’t looked favourable but on Saturday morning the sun peeped out from the clouds and the weather was perfect for walking. The ground underfoot was boggy in places but the players had come prepared, due to the excellent organisation by Ahsan, and a good mornings trek was had by all.

It was great to see Gideon and Big Michael again after so long, and both made easy work of the longer, more challenging route over the moors – well done.

Next week we’ll be out and about again – doing an ‘Easter Egg Challenge’ in Saltaire and Roberts Park – all information will be released soon, watch this space!

Activity: Baildon Moors Walk

Date: Saturday, 27 March 2021

Meet Time: 10.30am

Meet Location: Baildon Rugby Club BD17 6RS

Start Time: 10.45am

Equipment Needed: Strong shoes for walking in (change of shoes in case needed)

Food/Refreshments Needed/Info: Bring snack or lunch and drink

Toilet Facilities: No toilet facilities on the walk. Rugby club toilets will be open at the start of the walk

Expected Walk Time/Distance:  Approximately 2-3 miles, 1-1.5 hours (depending on participants/weather)

Route of Walk: From rugby club onto Baildon Moors on a circular walk

Other Information: Alternative routes can be provided for faster walkers, depending on facilitators available. Walking Poles can be supplied

Travel Information: Make your own way to Baildon Rugby Club. Bus details: 656 from Bradford Interchange Stand D at 9.50am / Shipley Market Sq Stop S7 at 10.10am / Arrives Heygate Lane (by entrance to club at 10.20am  |  https://bustimes.org/services/656-bradford-baildon?date=

Walk Lead Contact Info: Dan Cookson (07716 657933) & Ahsan Sakandar (07527 197442)

Safeguarding/First Aid:  Dan Cookson / Phil Wilson

Some of the Bumbles were out and about again this week, for another short walk preparing for the 3 Peaks. Ahsan joined the walkers and said “can we do this every week please!”.

Dan Cookson & Julie Wilson took a small group of Bumble Bees RUFC players for their first ‘walking club’ today…

“It was great to get out and about, with a stroll along the canal from Bees Rugby Club, Wagon Lane to The Boat House, Saltaire and back. More, regular walks to follow, building up to the Three Peaks walk when we can all get together and complete it.”

ALAN CRAUGHWELL was in a physio’s room in Cork when he picked up the May 2012 edition of Rugby World. As he read the story of the Bumble Bees, at the time England’s only mixed ability rugby team, his eyes widened and his head whirred.

Click here to read more

Both teams had large squads with an amazing 28 players for Bumbles Bees, especially considering the number of player unavailabilities. A huge thanks to new players Andy Fradgley (RFU RDO), Callum Harris, Paul MacNamara and Jolly Dobbs (West Yorkshire Society Referee) – we hope you enjoyed the experience and will be back for more.

The first half started at an impressive pace with both teams attacking between the 22s. After 15 minutes Stephen (Rhino) Rhodes made the breakthrough with an impressive break and long run to touch down (5-0).

After the first score Darren made yards down the wing, with the forwards making strides up the middle including the mighty BIG Lee but handling errors handed the ball back to the opposition, who came back with intent. Another attack from deep inside Bumble’s half led to another Rhino try finishing at pace, from distance (10-0).

Halifax came back into the match with two short range tries and a conversion to take a lead (10-12) into half time.

At the break, Bumble Bees made multiple changes to ensure everybody had half a game. Although many changes were made it didn’t seem to affect the home team’s attacking prowess, with great hands and support play leading to multiple opportunities. Unfortunately, BIG Lee missed a try scoring opportunity when running the ball dead and several other attacks were contained by impressive defence by the Magpies. Another attack from broken play led to another long range score for the in-form Rhino, who converted his own try to enable the Bumble’s to take the lead into the last quarter (17-12).

The Magpie showed great fitness, teamwork and commitment to enable them to score 3 great tries to take the lead coming into the last 5 minutes (17-27).

The Bumble’s weren’t going to allow Magpie’s to win by a 10 point margin, and a perfect scrum attack led to Jack Thornber scoring a spectacular try in the corner with 1 minute remaining – even more impressive was his ‘Ronaldo’ celebration and dance (22-27).

With the restart being the last play, Bumble’s tried to get a winning try but just couldn’t break through a solid and committed Magpie’s defence.

The Magpie’s celebrated the win in a very close match and all players look forward to the next encounter.

Final Score:
Bumble Bees (22) – Halifax Magpies (27)

Tries: Rhino (3); Jack (1)
Conversion: Rhino (1)

Finally, a hugs thanks to all the supporters and to Tom Massey for refereeing – he did a great job to keep the match flowing and everyone smiling.

Note: Photos from Mick Massey to follow.

An brilliant night, full of fun and friendship with the bumbles ‘family’ have an extra special celebration for this amazing, inclusive, mixed ability rugby club. Over 150 guests chatted, laughed and danced the night away whilst raising over £3,000 for the charity. A huge thanks to everyone involved in making it such a successful evening – well done all.

Photo booth pictures