Bedfordshire Barbarians Supervets is born

Buckinghamshire Supervets hosted Bedfordshire Barbarians Supervets at a rather blustery High Wycombe RFC, a great little community club set in a wind tunnel.

As your Barbarians were deciding to go out and get warmed up the weather turned for the worse, so the wizened team decided it was probably better to stay in the warmth of the changing rooms inhaling the various liniments, oils and creams that go with this age grade rugby of players over 50.

The game started with the wind behind the hosts backs and very physically as a dominant Buckinghamshire side came out the blocks firing on all cylinders with great carries from the forwards and strong running by their centre duo, it felt this was going to be a hard day at the office as echoes of the Buckinghamshire Captain enthusiastically directing his kickers to use the wind, thankfully they declined!

Captain Charlie Nissen (Dunstablians RFC) opened the Barbarians account with a well worked try only for Buckinghamshire to come back moments later with a try of their own as one of their centres succeeded in ending one of his scything lines over the visitors try line – even stevens. The following passage of play saw both teams attacking and defending hard until Virgil Ferguson (Bedford Swifts RFC) cut an amazing line of his own, arced out wide only to out fox his defender by slight of foot and darting back inside to canter over the line, Bedfordshire Barbarians nosed ahead 5-12.

New boys Buckinghamshire still attacking and defending like the Colts they once were (in days of sepia tone) continued to cause your Barbarians a headache, thankfully we stood strong soaking up what seemed like a continuous barrage of heavy attacks across the field only to be unpicked by a bullocking run from one of the Buckinghamshire forwards to crash over the line 12-12.

Bedfordshire now concerned that they may have met the nemesis who would halt their unbeaten record had to do something quickly to put the pressure back onto home team, thankfully we had a Damon Blakey (Ampthill RFC) in the armoury who zipped through the field to bag himself the first of his brace of tries. A messy period ended the half, this said it was just what Ace McDade (Leighton Buzzard RFC) wanted as he added his own try before the break taking the score to 12-19.

Taking the re-start Buckinghamshire were now kicking into the wind, with a wicked and some may say the hand of someone greater than ourselves almost swatting the ball half way back from where it should have landed to be ‘gathered’ by Ian Course (Kempston RFC) who deftly passed out to one of the ‘speedier’ players to score under the sticks. Although the play remained tight with Buckinghamshire scoring one more try Bedfordshire Barbarians manged to breach the Buckinghamshire line with a couple of tries from Karl Belmar (Stockwood RFC) and Andy Copley (Bedford Swifts RFC) to take the final score to 17-41 with Paul Harman (Stockwood RFC) on kicking duty for conversions.

As one would expect post-game, the clubhouse was alight with great tales and slightly blurred memories of the last 80 minutes as we welcomed Buckinghamshire RFC to the Supervets fold, they should do well.

Bedfordshire Barbarians Supervets continue their commitment to donating to the host club’s named charity by handing over £290 to High Wycombe RFC’s named charity, Alzheimer’s where one of their younger players Mark will be running a marathon to raise funds, good luck Mark!

Bedfordshire Barbarians Supervets have been formed from the previous Bedfordshire County Supervets side as we stride out independently. We continue to welcome and encourage men of 50+ and all standards to come out onto the field with us. This initiative is about getting chaps back on the field whilst creating a supportive and caring network of friends over 50 years of age, not forgetting raising funds for grass roots rugby clubs and charity.

Bedfordshire Barbarians Supervets would like to thank all our sponsors and benefactors to date for their support in assisting the set up of the team, it would not be possible without you.

Lagan Homes
JLC Safety
P. Baines
P. Boyd
M. Maynard
Twisted World Studios (photography)

Should you want to help support or sponsor this initiative please feel free to email [email protected].
Our next game is on April 18 vs. Middlesex Supervets, hosted by Leighton Buzzard RFC