HISTORY

ORIGINS

Once upon a time there was a barren land in the East. One day a shining star appeared and he was called Piper. At a stroke he charmed the people of the land with his wit, style and natural good grace. He persuaded the townspeople that he was the man to solve all of their problems, no more would they suffer from an infestation of poor bidding and overly active defence!

His word spread like wildfire and before too long men and women bearing his flag were holding their heads high in the Great League, and even winning its Cups. These folk came to be known as the Pied Pipers.

Time passed, and life was good. The Piper continued to spread his magic spell until another naturally stylish group of townspeople banded together to follow in the footsteps of the Pied ones, in search of the Great League, and the Cups. The new arrivals were greeted with awe and shock throughout the land, for they were known as the Rats! They duly set off on the rampage on the trail of the Pied Pipers. The rest of the tale must be viewed through a glass. Quiet please at the back.

RAT FACT

Die Ratten is German for The Rats! There were some other famous Rats in history who lived in Hamelin (in Germany) and they too followed the Pied Piper. In case you're still missing the point ...

Also ignore at your peril that Rats are naturally cunning and intelligent and much revered throughout the world (OK, mainly the East! But this is the SBU East after all!).

YEAR BY YEAR

2009-2010

Team members: Norma, Fiona, Alan, Jeff, Linda, Bob, Judy, Maurice, Gerry, Margaret, Don.
Finished 4th of 10 in Division 4
Won 4, 1WD, 2LD and Lost 3
16 points (max 30, 53.33%), +1 AMP
Total league point balance: 125,560 v 125,510 (+50.0%)
Best season yet, but promotion slipped through our fingers!

Semi finalists in the Cup, losing in agonising fashion by 170 to Waverley.

2008-2009

Team members: Norma, Fiona, Alan, Jeff, Linda, Bob, Judy, Maurice, Gerry, Margaret, Don.
Division 5 Champions
Won 7, 1 WD, Lost 1.
23 points (max 27, 85%), +44 AMPs.
Total League Point Balance: 122,140 v 104,730 (+16.6%)
Season Aim: ACHIEVED!

Knocked out in the 1st round of the Cup by Dunbar (home)

2007-2008

Team members: Norma, Fiona, Alan, Jeff, Martine, Linda, Bob, Judy, Maurice, Gerry, Margaret, Isobel, Janette, Don.
Division 4
Finished 10th of 10 in Division 4
Won 0, Lost 10.
0 points (max 27, 0.0%), -79 AMPs.
Total League Point Balance: 107,640 v 136,630 (-11.9%)

Knocked out in the 2nd round of the Cup by Dunfermline "A" (away)

2006-2007

Team members: Norma, Fiona, Alan, Jeff, Martine, Linda, Bob, Judy, Maurice, Gerry, Margaret, Isobel, Janette, Anthony.
Division 5
League Champions
Won 7, Lost 1.
21 points (max 24, 87.5%), +44 AMPs.
Total League Point Balance: 116,590 v 98,000 (+18.9%)

Knocked out in the 2nd round of the Cup by Royal Scots "B" (away)
Season aim: Div 5 Title - ACHIEVED!

2005-2006

Team members: Norma, Fiona, Alan, Jeff, Martine, Linda, Bob, Judy, Maurice, Gerry, Margaret, Isobel, Janette, Peter.
Division 5
Finished 3rd of 10 in Division 5
Won 6, Lost 3.
18 points (max 27, 67%), +28 AMPs.
Total League Point Balance: 127,680 v 112,100 (+6.5%)

Knocked out in the 1st round of the Cup by Carlton Connection (home)
Season aim: promotion not achieved

2004-2005

Team members: Norma, Fiona, Alan, Jeff, Linda, Bob, Graham, Judy, Maurice, Gerry, Margaret, Isobel, Janette, Peter, (supersub: Martine).
Finished 6th of 10 in Division 5
Won 3, 2 LD, 4 defeats.
11 points (max 27, 41%), +10 AMPs.
Total League Point Balance: 120,360 v 114,920 (+2.31%)

Knocked out in the 3rd round of the Cup by Royal Scots "B" (home)
Beat the Pied Pipers (Div.2) to win the Piper Challenge.
Season aim of promotion was not met (but we did improve our league position and AMP haul ... and dished out a couple of real hidings!).

2003-2004

Team members: Norma, Fiona, Alan, Jeff, Linda, Bob, Graham, Judy, Maurice, Margaret, Tom, Isobel, Janette, Peter.
Finished 7th of 11 in Division 5
Won 3, 1 WD, 2 LD, 4 defeats. 13 points (max 30, 43%), -6 AMPs.
Total League Point Balance: 147,790 v 149,600 (-0.61%)

Knocked out in the 2nd round of the Cup by Royal Scots "B" (away)
Lost to the Pied Pipers (Div.3, promoted) in the inaugural annual Piper Challenge.
Season aim of having fun while learning the ropes was achieved.