Top Of The Props

As everyone knows, nobody on a rugby league field can do anything without the contribution of a prop forward. That's what makes the annual PFU award for the best prop in the game the most prestigious of all.

It's been a long year, a tough year, and congratulations must go to all our members for their hard work. Your efforts are not unnoticed through the year. Even Dane Tilse's. Even Grant Millington, whose spell at scrum-half funded the union throughout much of the year.

First to the Young Prop of the Year.
There was plenty of mention for the young lad at Hull KR who debuted at the back end of the season, but it turns out that James Peacock is actually 38 and therefore ineligible. Young in terms of prop means 25 or under, as everyone knows we don't peak until at least 28. There was an impressive crop this year, but our panel went for

SCOTT TAYLOR of Hull FC.

He's been improving year on year for some time now, but really hit his straps this year in an outstanding pack effort as the KC Stadium outfit ended the Wembley hoodoo and made the Super League semi-finals.
Many congratulations to him.

And so to the big vote. Our shortlist comprises:
Chris Hill
Scott Taylor
Liam Watts

What more can be said of Comrade Hill? A dogged and tireless worker, uncomplaining and uncompromising. People hate playing against him simply because he never, ever stops. And he capped his year with a galloping 35-metre try.
Comrade Taylor's continual improvement has seen him become one of the most devastating ball runners in the game. And at only 25 has a decade ahead of him as he aims up to becoming an international-class pack leader.
Hull's forward dominance is reflected in the nomination of fellow black-and-white front-rower Comrade Watts. Another one to cross the Rubicon River Hull to the KC, his game is developing into a true all-rounder's. A heavy-hitter in attack and defence.

So get voting. You have one week.

Prop Of The Year

PRESS RELEASE: Props prepare for nuddy run

PRESS RELEASE

The Prop Forwards Union brings attention to those members facing the annual ritual of the nuddy run for not scoring a try.

Members identified are as follows:

• Lee Jewitt
• Romain Navarette
• Josh Johnson
• Daniel Smith
• Iafeta Palea'aesina
• Dane Tilse*
• Olsi Krasniqi*
• Lama Tasi
• Chris Annakin
• Anthony Walker
• Anthony England
• Jordan Cox
• Mitchell Dodds
• Ryan Bailey
• Jack Buchanan
• Jay Chapelhow
• Alex Gerrard
• Manase Manuakafoa
• Joe Bretherton
• Frank-Paul Nuuausala

(* - still have a game remaining)

Members have until 5pm on Friday September 30 to appeal with supporting evidence.

The Union reminds members to consider public decency when undertaking their punishment and also that warm weather enhances everything.

ENDS

New inductees to the Hall Of Fame

The back end of the season always sees a raft of retirements. Sad, but time catches up with us all eventually. Two of the big names hanging up the boots this time have spent far longer in the game than anyone could reasonably expect aged 38 and 37 respectively. Young man's game? Maybe not any more.

Brothers Morley and Peacock have given years of service to the game and to this union since promotion from the back row to the front. Standard-bearers both, stalwarts, decent blokes - that's the example we want senior members to set for the younger element. Both these chaps are worthy of their place among the glitterati of the Hall Of Fame and will surely continue to play a role in the promotion of prop-forwardry in the future.

By way of tribute to their glittering careers, here's one of Comrade Morley's big hits:



and about a dozen of Comrade Peacock's:

Statement Regarding Weekend Incident

After the coming together between two centres at the Tetley's Challenge Cup tie on Saturday, the PFU chastises all members for their lack of involvement in the aftermath. The fact no member has been seen to swing a punch in this mêleé is a disgrace to the good name of this Union.

There is a serious culture problem within the Huddersfield chapter, this is the second time in two weeks that a mêleé has been unattended by members and the shop steward has been called to answer the questions of the committee with a view to stopping this disgraceful behaviour.

Furthermore, the Prop Forward's Union congratulate all 8 clubs who have progressed to the Quarter Final of the Tetley's Challenge Cup.

Retro Richard Moore - D'ya know

Richard Moore, d'ya know, before he started down the path of darkness d'ya know, (white boots, d'ya know, Westwood bag, d'ya know, etc etc) with a classic TV interview, d'ya know, with the nice man from SKY with the fizz, d'ya know, and a hundred quid, d'ya know.



D'ya know, belting bit of footage and a worthy cause as well.

Kicking Around

Now then

Much to report after a busy couple of weeks for the membership.

We start in the Championship where Steven Pickersgill was severely reprimanded after a Grade 2 "kicking the football" offence in the recent fixture against Toulouse. Look lad, you can't go round doing stuff like that if you want your chance with the bigger lads next year in Super Duper League and with TV cameras present as well

If it weren't bad enough for Craig Huby and his broken kneecap, he wasn't over impressed being hauled up to PFU Towers to explain the arrival of a white booted Martin Aspinwall sticking his melon in the front row of the scrum during the recent game against Leeds. Huby, god bless him, twanged the heart strings of a few of the committee members by tipping up with his less than three week old son with him to the meeting, claiming the wife was busy entertaining his daughter and he was a "modern parent". A clever ploy by Mr Huby but the Chairman still has his heart of stone and a reprimand was issued to the club as a whole.


Big Eorl at Huddersfield caused consternation t'other day by posting his new boots on his twitter account for one and all to see.

These boots are not acceptable lad. Bring tha cheque book, oh and a pen as well.

We also apologise for printing this picture and we acknowledge the author of this picture and his intellectual (er) rights

And, to boot we also think you should volunteer to be the new Back to Black ambassador as a punishment

Richard Moore heaps more disgrace on himself and the good folk of North Wales after his disgraceful antics at Headingley t'other Saturday Not satisfied after getting a ban after being clouted by some full back t'other Monday his left footed bomb and subsequent chase were clearly seen by one and all on NATIONAL FREE TO AIR Television. What the hell are you thinking lad?

Down in sunny Wakefield, with the antics of Kyle Amor running across the line, showing and going and running through gaps to score has gone down like the proverbial lead balloon. Granted it was against lower clash opposition but Mr Amor has been sent a warning letter reminding him of his duties towards the Union and we expect his conduct to improve in the near future.

The committee were saddened by the decision to charge Nathan Brown over comments made after the Leeds v Huddersfield game with regards to letting his big blokes look after the little ones. The prospect of seeing members going mano a mano on the meadow have now been dashed for some time to come.

We were saddened to hear the news from Australia about former member Sam Burgess being knocked out for the rest of the year with a bad injury and the committee would like to wish the lad a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back on the paddock soon rather than filling up the twitter feed of the Chairman. Maybe he can remind his younger brother, Thomas, about this try scoring lark and maybe look to the effort of Frank Watene as inspiration.

Now we like Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, despite him being a Southerner and all that. He needs to clean up his act big time, the language he uses on his twitter account made the Hon Secretary's eyes water so much there's a kleenex shortage at the Towers. He needs to learn the act of banter as well, because at the moment he's an expert in shanter. (thanks @GavWilson ) He also needs to learn not to mess with Nicholas Scruton, who put him quickly back in his place with an eloquent put down.

The PFU advice line somehow opened via our twitter account this week, we had an enquiry from @Craig311981

"I need help, my son isn't a prop, he is 7, I've just bought him blue and white boots, with pink stripes, where do I pay the fine"

Apparently this @craig311981 is a prop forward encouraging his lad not to follow union guidelines. He was taking liberties until he explained that his offspring was happy hiding in the back. Toughen the lad up and make sure he follows in your boots.

We're more than happy to help anyone who gets in touch on the twitter, just don't be offended by the reply.

Thanks again to this weeks dobbers and dabbers, @Kevbateman, @MatthewAHorton @petevickers @atomictrain @jourdmart @RobNixon586 @neilbarraclough @andywiz @garrylad

Oh, and we'd like to plug the fund raising barbecue at Odsal on't 3rd July for the Floods and Earthquake victims. ISC have sponsored it and there is a Barby, beer and some Touch Rugby competition. To get a team in that, contact friend of the Union Ricky Wilby on 07598 564996 or follow him on twitter at @RickyWilby or @scratchingshed2 for more information about the do,

WARNING!

This has been brought to our attention, it is one of THE darkest days of our fine Union in recent years.



We do not expect any of our members to repeat this!!!!