Hammers Vets celebrate Twickenham try
Give veteran rugby players a chance to compete on Twickenham’s hallowed turf and they are suddenly transformed into Colts, running tries from behind their own line.
That was certainly the case when 180 grassroots veterans from six clubs dusted off their boots ready for action, in the process raising no less than £115,000 for the RFU’s Injured Players Foundation.
Chris Hunt from competing club Hammersmith & Fulham who created the inaugural event in 2018, said of the try of the tournament in the final against old rivals Ealing: “Players were comparing it to the famous end to end Ashton try against Australia in 2010, but this was better, as it was a team effort.”
It was certainly the try of the tournament. Ealing had been camped on the Hammers’ line for several minutes, when valiant tackling by Arthur Woodward and others, held them off and Jack Sargent saw an opportunity. Crossing from the right wing, he created an overlap in the in-goal space, passing to Cillian Bane on the wing.
The two combined to thwart the Ealing defence and ate up 70 meters, leaving Bane to perfect a slice kick landing just in front of the posts, for Will North to pick up and score. Hammersmith & Fulham went on to win 14 -7 and lift the RFU IPF Veterans Challenge Shield.
Players are hoping to make this second IPF Vets Tournament a regular event, to showcase veterans’ grassroots rugby and to raise serious funds for the RFU IPF. The recent tournament included: Ealing, Silhillians, Reading Rams, Chiswick, Hammersmith & Fulham and Wimbledon Rugby Football Clubs.
The big screen displayed the players bios, and champagne rugby was attempted by both the vets and the super vets (the over 50s). A lunch and auction were held for the IPF charity in the Spirit of Rugby.
The IPF were grateful for the significant funds raised by the event which took place as a thank you to veteran teams, who have supported the charity strongly over the years.
For more information visit RFUIPF page.
