I’m Pip Shaw. I played hooker for the IV team from the mid 80’s to late 90’s. We were a group of lads that stuck together and we were a tough side to beat.

Team photo 1991 v Wharfedale, played on the Shand

Back row left to right.
Jerry Dewhirst John Mosby Phil Littlewood Chris Swales Bob Simpson Steve Coopey Carl Starling Andy Coltham
Front row left to right
Mick Dyson Richard Squires Steve Ackroyd Pip Shaw Paul Blackhurst Paul Atack James Barnett Jason Drury.

Season 1988-89 we played 31 games losing just three.
Between 1988-1991 we won 72 and lost 16.

Also early 90’s…Wakefield RUFC had a IV team that literally beat everybody they came up against. They had ex first teamers that included Micky Harrison who’d been England captain and various players that had played for Yorkshire - Angus Moran, Mark Rawnsley, Dave Heron, and other fellas that also had first team experience - the likes of Damian Edge. During those early 90’s they went on a 50 match unbeaten run - we stopped their impressive run in a hard fought encounter at their place on a wintry Saturday afternoon with a 12:0 win. Many of the lads in the photo played on that day. We of course had other fellas who played regularly for us but who are not in the photo - John Crabtree, Chris Moorhouse, Daz Reynolds, John Dawson, Mick Summerscales, Adrian Perry, Tony Murray, Steve Hodges, Pete Stephenson, Phil Wilkinson, Bob Dyson, Dougie Perea and Gordon Macgregor.
Paul Blackhurst was captain and did a marvellous job keeping us altogether and not allowing the other teams to cherry pick our players, and when he hung his boots up Richard Squires did the same valiant job.

Some of the chaps mentioned above are getting together on the 9th Nov to have a drink and watch the Firsts play Selby.
Thanks Pip - this is brilliant