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Matthew Beesley (born 3 April 1992) is an English rugby union player who played for Northampton Saints. He joined the team at the start of the 2016–17 season, after previously spending two seasons at National League 1 side Wharfedale. He can play as a prop or a hooker.

Rugby career

Early career

Beesley was born in Sandbach, Cheshire in 1992 and he started his playing days at his local club, Sandbach RUFC. He went to the Leeds Beckett University to study for a Sport Science degree and played rugby for the university's first team. He helped the side reach the 2014 BUCS Championship Final, which they lost 24–28 to Hartpury College at Twickenham on 28 March 2014. During his time in Leeds, Beesley was also a member of Championship side Yorkshire Carnegie's academy training squad.

Wharfedale

After making two appearances for National League 1 side Wharfedale in the 2013–14 season, he joined them on a full-time basis for the 2014–15 season. He played in the third tier of English rugby for two full seasons; his side finished in 11th position in his first season, but a poor 2015–16 season saw the team finish in 14th position on the table, resulting in a relegation to the National League 2 North for 2016–17.

Northampton Saints

Despite being a member of the Wharfedale team that got relegated, Beesley's performances did not go unnoticed and he was invited to Premiership side Northampton Saints for a trial. He trained with the Saints for a number of weeks in March 2016, where he also played for the Saints' second team, the Northampton Wanderers, in the Aviva A League. On 31 March, the Saints announced that they agreed terms with Beesley to join them on a full-time basis.

Ampthill

Beesley made a quick return to the National League 1, however, as he signed with Ampthill on a dual-registration basis.

Ealing Trailfinders

On 16 April 2018, Beesley left Northampton and Ampthill to sign for RFU Championship side Ealing Trailfinders from the 2018–19 season.

Representative rugby

Beesley represented both Cheshire Under-20s and Cheshire at county level, and was also selected for England Counties XV and England Students.

References

1. ^ "Matt Beesley – Northampton Saints". Northampton Saints. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
2. "All time stats Matthew Beesley". StatBunker. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
3. "New boy Beesley "over the moon" with rapid rise". Northampton Saints. 14 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
4. "BUCScore – BUCS Rugby Union 2013–2014 – Championship – Men's". British Universities and Colleges Sport. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
5. ^ "New contracts announced at Saints". Northampton Saints (Press release). 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
6. "Matthew Beesley Record by competition National One 13/14". StatBunker. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
7. "Rugby: Mark Lavery looking forward to Ampthill's clash with 'club of great tradition'". Bedfordshire On Sunday. 30 September 2016. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
8. "Matt Beesley to join Ealing Trailfinders from Northampton Saints". Ultimate Rugby. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
9. "England recognition for Carnegie Academy players". Yorkshire Carnegie (Press release). 6 March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

• 1992 births
• Living people
• Rugby union props
• Rugby union hookers
• English rugby union players
• Sportspeople from Sandbach
• Wharfedale R.U.F.C. players
• Northampton Saints players