Aylestone St James RFC

Upbeat Jimmies on brink of Hat-trick Sporting Green, 14th March 2008 Aylestone St James are two games away from their third promotion in as many seasons. They beat previous Midlands Four East (South) leaders Bedford Swifts 29 - 6 last Saturday to leapfrog them in the table and now sit joint top with Old Newtonians. They have a home league game against Stockwood Park and a trip to Peterborough Lions on the last day of the season. If they are still in the same position after those two games they will go up to Midlands Three following their promotion as champions of Midlands Six East (South) in 2005/6 and as runners up to Bedford Swifts in Midlands Five East (South) last season. "We need to win both games to ensure we get promoted for the third season in a row," said manager and centre Glenn Chapman, "but with our current form and confidence we feel it is within our capabilities. Hopefully, we can continue this recent resurgence and hold our own in Midlands Three if we manage to get up there" The Jimmies have lost five league games this season and two of those came at the start of the season when they lost 11 regular first-team players to serious injuries in the first three months. Chapman said "After a shaky start we have managed to find our feet in this higher league. "We lost two league games and got knocked out of the national cup by Grimsby during the injuries." Led by skipper and prop Ryan Taylor, Jimmies have come on in leaps and bounds and are now reaping the rewards for a deliberate youth policy. "Key players for us who have really stepped up to the mark, especially during those tough first few months, are guys like hooker Tom Ball, prop John Hickson, scrum-half Carl Pruce, fly-half Andy Angell and winger Jake Harmer" said Chapman. "All came through our junior set-up at various stages." "Of the first team selected for the game against Swifts on Saturday, no fewer than 13 players had come up through the junior ranks over the last 10 years or so" It is not just on the field, though, where Jimmies are flourishing, and Chapman paid tribute to the backroom staff. He said: "We feel really proud of the fact that our success over the last couple of years has been down to the hard work of people like Pete and John Chapman and Kingsley Harmer, who have continued to keep the flow of junior players at the Jimmies coming into the senior section. "Pete and John were the first two junior coaches at the Jimmies and founded the mini-junior section. "Pete is now coaching co-ordinator for the seniors and John is still an active junior coach as well as being chairman of the junior section. Kingsley is an ex-first team coach, was last year's colt's coach and still helps out with the senior training and coaching" It's not just in the league where Jimmies are chasing trophies. Tomorrow, they face a trip to Market Harborough in the County Vase. Chapman said: "We expect nothing less than a really tough game against a side we have come to enjoy playing against over the last few years."
Sweet Revenge Jimmies V Bedford Swifts 8th March 2008 The Jimmies get sweet revenge over old rivals Bedford Swifts! Jimmies put out their closest and strongest team to stand any chance of getting a win. The game started with Jimmies full of confidence attacking the visitors 22 and, after five minutes of pressure, fly half Andy Angell chipping over for Jake Harmer to score: 5-0. Swifts restarted but could not make the gain line, a fact that Jimmies took full advantage of and pressed forward. Swifts did respond with a couple of penalties but the home side were much too strong for them, relentless pressure resulted in Andy Angell and Glenn Chapman going in under the post with two spectacular tries, and ending with Man of the Match Arron Turner powering over to finish off the visitors. Jimmies proved that they can play 15 man Rugby against top opposition. With just two league games left to play, promotion is beckoning once again. Come on the jimmies! Final score 29 points to 6. Kev Ball - Club Spokesman PS - Thanks to the great support shown by all members, family and friends - keep it up
Must Win Game Jimmies V Bugbrooke 16th February 2008 This was a must win game for the Jimmies, to keep any hope of promotion alive!! Jimmies started the game off quite strong putting pressure on the visitors 22 ,and could have scored tries on a couple of occasions, but the opposition had other ideas, all credit to their defence with a strong back row and back line. The visitors were to draw first blood culminating in some poor defence from the Jimmies, which led to a 70mtr runaway try. Jimmies came back strong and started by playing to their strengths <pack> which was to prove the difference between two very close competitive teams, this resulted in Jamie (the wedge) Hargrave going over for his first try to level the scores at 5 each. The visitors soon replied with a penalty with some poor discipline from the Jimmies, to take the scores to 8 points to 5 at half time. The second half started much like the first with not much to separate the two sides, into the last quarter of the game the opposition took advantage from another penalty to stretch their lead to 11 points to 5. Jimmies knew all they needed was a converted try to snatch the game from the visitors and piled on the pressure, which eventually came with Hargrave getting his second try of the game. Blane Howe took over kicking duties to convert the try which took the scores to 12 points to 11 and win the game. Bugbrooke could have won with a penalty near the end but their kicker must have been thinking about the Soccer AM crossbar challenge and kicked the ball right on it . Well done the Jimmies for a very entertaining game of Rugby!!!!!!!!! Kev Ball, Club Spokesman
Leicester Phoenix join the Jimmies 15th February 2008 Aylestone St James has agreed with Leicester Phoenix RLFC to host them for 2008. Throughout the summer, they will be training and playing their home games at Covert Lane. If you want to get involved, they are holding a player registration evening on Weds 27th February at Time Bar on London Road, Leicester (next to the train station) at 7.30pm. For more info click here
Shop online and support the Jimmies 8th February 2008 There’s now a new and easy way for you to help us raise funds for the Jimmies - simply by shopping online! easyfundraising is a shopping directory that features some of your favourite online stores, including Amazon, Next, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys R Us, HMV, Tesco and over 500 others. All you have to do is use the links on the easyfundraising site whenever you shop online and, at no extra cost to you, we'll receive a free donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make. It really is that simple! It’s completely FREE to register and use and you still shop with each retailer in exactly the same way. Many retailers even offer additional discounts and money saving e-Vouchers when you shop using easyfundraising. If you shop online anyway then why not raise valuable extra funds for us by using this fantastic scheme. All you need to do is visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/aylestonestjamesrfc and when you register, select Aylestone St James RFC as the organisation you wish to support.
Draw for round 1 of the EDF Senior Vase announced RFU.com, 13th July 2007 Aylestone St James have been drawn against Boston in the first round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase, which will take place at Covert Lane on 1st September. Like the Jimmies, Boston were promoted last season after finishing second place in Midlands 5 East (North).
Defeated Jimmies still make impact Sporting Green, 9th March 2007 Aylestone St James suffered a cruel defeat in the EDF Energy Junior Vase, but they added to their growing reputation on a wider scale. Their quarter-final tie against Yorkshire club Baildon - who play two leagues higher than the Jimmies - ended in a 20-18 loss settled by the final move of the match. But the Jimmies were warmly acclaimed by their hosts at the club near Bradford after giving a further indication that they can perform at a higher level. The Scraptoft club are locked in a battle for supremacy with Bedford Swifts at the top of Midlands Five East (South). But the cup competition has proved to be a welcome distraction as they made terrific progress to the last eight of the national competition. "We lost the tie at the death but we've done ourselves no harm at all," said Jimmies spokesman Kev Ball. "It's really helped to put us on the map and I think it's another indication that we can compete at a higher level." Jimmies were 18-15 with a minute to go after tries from Matt McIlgrew and Steve Howe and two penalties and a conversion from Glenn Chapman. "I think right at the death we showed a bit of naivety. We were awarded a penalty but didn't take the right option and ended up knocking on. They went down the other end and scored which was really disappointing. I really thought we had done enough to win, but we'll bounce back because we still have a lot to play for in the league." Swifts hold a two point advantage, but Jimmies have a game in hand, which they play against St Ives tomorrow. The division is all set for a shuddering conclusion when Jimmies face Swifts at home on the final day of the season.
On-a-roll Jimmies chasing derby success Sporting Green, 23rd February 2007 Aylestone St James face a fierce local derby trip tomorrow - a few hundred yards up the road. The Jimmies will be looking to cement their position in the top two of Midlands Five East (South) when they face Stoneygate at Covert Lane where both clubs play. Jimmies' spokesman Kev Ball said: "Stoneygate are doing well this season and they are just a place behind us, although we are seven points better off." Aylestone won 13-6 in their home fixture in October - and would take a similar scoreline tomorrow. "It's going to be another tough clash - they always are with Stoneygate and I don't expect tomorrow's game to be any different." Jimmies are also making significant progress in a major cup competition. They are through to the quarter-finals of the EDF Energy Junior Vase and face a trip to Bradford club Baildon in the Midlands/North section of the competition. "It looks like we'll play them next weekend, although we don't know too much about them," said Ball. "However they've reached this far so they are not going to be mugs, that's for sure." As far as their league campaign goes, Jimmies are level on points with Bedford Swifts. Jimmies kept up their promotion challenge last week with a 32-0 win over Kempston, the team promoted with them last season from Midlands Six. "It was a strange game as it took us 32 minutes to nail a score and we ended up scoring 32 points," said Ball. Blane Howe scored a hat-trick of tries - and Ball said the former St Andrews and County under-18 footballer had made a hugely successful switch of codes. "He used soccer skills to complete two of his tries and he has been a real success for us this season. I think he was a bit disillusioned with the football and their loss is our gain. He's been one of our best players."
Terrific twin target is in Jimmies' Sights Sporting Green, 16th February 2007 Mark Sloan tries to run past West Leeds' No.8 Christopher Jewell during Ayelstone St James' win Aylestone St James sit proudly joint-top of Midlands Five East (South) - and are just two games away from a date with destiny at Twickenham. But club spokesman Kevin Ball insists: "There's better to come." The Jimmies, who were promoted from East Midlands South / Leics last season with an unbeaten record, have taken to their new level with some ease. They have lost only one league game, to third-placed Bedford Queens 14-0, and have progressed through five rounds of the Junior Vase. They actually lost one game in that run, to St Leonard's, who were subsequently kicked out of the competition for fielding and ineligible player. Jimmies were re-instated and last week took a giant leap towards Twickenham with a 29-13 win over Yorkshire Three side West Leeds. "It would be tempting fate to talk of Twickenham," said Ball. "But we feel we have as good a chance as anyone. All the clubs are level nine or below." In the meantime, Jimmies are looking for a second successive promotion, lying joint-top with Bedford Swifts, whom they beat 22-6 earlier in the season. "I think Division Four would be our level," added Ball. "We're probably not ready for Division Three yet, although we did beat Belgrave 12-10 in the County Bowl. But Division Three rugby week in week out would probably be too much for us at the moment." Ball said that a culmination of things have kept Jimmies bubbling this season. "Firstly, we have Chris Gent coaching us. He has been with Hinckley and Market Bosworth and has worked on our tactical play. He's definitely improved our game. Another important factor has been our crop of youngsters maturing and becoming better players. They have grown up together and are not afraid to play anyone. "They're a good bunch of lads who play for the fun of it and play with a lot of confidence. They go out to win every game and feel they can win every game. "We also have a well-balanced side and across the board a good squad. When people are injured or cry off, there's always someone to take their place. The average age of the side is 24-25 so they have a lot more time together yet. And we have more youngsters coming through and we're not afraid to play them." Ball admits that Jimmies have not always been on top of their game this season and added: "We won some games ugly and I feel there is better to come." Jimmies have six league games to seal promotion and, if their defensive record is any yardstick, they have every chance. They have conceded only 84 points in 12 games while Bedford Swifts have conceded 119 - and that might tip the balance. They also have half an eye on Twickenham, of course, having despatched Stoke Old Boys 28-10, Whittington 38-3, Worksop 16-15 and now West Leeds 29-13. None of these teams, however, will know of Jimmies' match-day secret. "It's chairman David French's famous brunch," said Ball. "A full English breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages, fried bread.....the lot. How many more teams would have a meal like that before a game? But it seems to have done the trick so far."
Jimmies' Matt McIlgrew and Philip Thompson	Jacob Harmer on a run for the Jimmies

Jimmies smash big title rivals Sporting Green, 8th December 2006 Aylestone St James backed up their claim that they can win the Midlands Five East (South) title with an emphatic 22-5 win over Bedford Swifts, their closest promotion rivals. Both sides had unblemished 100 per cent records going into the clash at Covert Lane, but it was the Jimmies who took the honours. "It was a terrific performance, and supported our claim that we are good enough to go up into Midlands Four" said Jimmies spokesman Kev Ball. "We scored three tries without reply and I thought our forwards were awesome. We really smashed them up." Jimmies' tries came from Lewis Ball, Carl Price and Lawrence Phillips, with Andy Angel scoring a drop goal and Glenn Chapman kicking two conversions. "It will be interesting to see how Swifts react to this defeat, and I have a feeling that Stoneygate and Market Harborough could upset them further and that would give our title hopes another boost," added Ball. Jimmies face Worksop in round four of the EDF Energy Junior Vase tomorrow.
Jimmies are the League Champions After a fantastic season Jimmies became league champions after beating there closest rivals Kempston in the last game of the season, dropping only one point on the way. Jimmies had the least points scored against them across all the Leicestershire league teams! (Match report to follow) Well done lads!! The Jimmies are looking forward to another great season in 2006/2007.
Pitches Drained for 2005-2006 season During the close season the 'Jimmies' pitches have been drained and new posts erected along with additional floodlighting to aid training during the longer winter nights. The club is looking forward to a great season and welcomes back many old faces. However, as always the Jimmies welcome new players of all ages.

'Way Ahead' Document For all members & supporters of Aylestone St. James RFC By Richard Hickson - Chairman & Pete Chapman - President elect
This document can be viewed as a Word document here (64KB) or right click on link & download to save.