Fixture

Caerphilly RFC | 3rd Team 19 - 22 Barbarian Vets | Senior Men

Match Report
24 April 2018 / Team News

Vets Produce a Thriller

In a hastily arranged fundraising event at the Vetro Recruitment Stadium, former players from the Caerphilly borough and surrounding clubs, arranged by former Caerphilly player Grant Pritchard and Alun Ford, the latter currently coaching with his original club Senghenydd, formed 2 veteran sides pitching against each other. As the sun shone throughout the country, so did the rugby played from years past.

A good crowd in excess of 500 enjoyed a memorable game, played of 3x 20 minute spells, the players claiming that the body and legs “Weren’t what they used to be” to avoid fatigue. No fewer than 70 players turned up for the Caerphilly Veteran Side playing against the Barbarian Veterans consisting of players from Senghenydd, Machen and Blackwood, primarily.

With many players having not played for so long the first third was spent evaluating each other, and although played at a high tempo no score was made. Steffan Sankala opened the scoring within minutes of the restart completing a text book move as he had through the years, the pace still there to score down the wing. Michael Hunt missing the conversion. This was quickly followed with a try from Caerphilly flanker Lee Williams, converted by Luke Williams.

The final third was entered with the Caerphilly side 7-5 to the good, but the lead was quickly removed as Gareth Miles broke through to score. Hywel Walker crossed to leave the score evenly poised at 12-12, but it was the Barbarians that broke a way with some quick direct running against tired legs, Hunt and Egar crossing from converted tries, Tommy guy crossing with the last play to kame for an even score, the barbarians running out 19-22 winners.

A big thankyou went out to all the players and supporters that supported the event. The tie has invigorated veterans rugby and the clubs are hopefully going to put together some lasting teams to continue the tradition of Veterans rugby in the future.

Players Fixture player info not published.
|