The second RFU IPF Veterans Rugby Day was held at Twickenham on Saturday 11th September 2021. This eventwass organised as a fund raising event for the IPF. Like the inaugural IPF Veterans Day in 2018 this event was a huge success and raised an incredible £115,000.

The six Vets teams who played were split into 2 groups

1. Hammersmith & Fulham, Wimbledon, Rams
2. Ealing Evergreens, Chiswick, Silhilians

Each team plays two 15-minute games to decide the group positions and then an additional game 3rd v 3rd, 2nd v 2nd, 1st v 1st to decide final standings

First up for Ealing were Silhillians from Solihull. Receiving the kick-off, an uncharacteristic knock on from John Worthington gave Silhillians an early attacking scrum. A theme throughout the day was Ealing’s ability to defend and turn over ball.

After several minutes of strong defence, a penalty turnover, Ealing worked their way up the pitch, initially from an old school outside arc from Kenny Sykes and then through some great forward off-loading, another theme of the day. Multiple phases, where every player was involved, a final pass to Paul Jackson who, continued his rich vein of IPF Vets Rugby form, ghosted under the posts for the first score; a repeat of his efforts in 2018.

Conversion by Joe Price, Ealing 7 to the good.

The remainder of the half was played out, with good running and strong defence from both sides.

The second half continued in much the same vein, but Silhillians gained some field position, and after several phases with pick and goes, Ealing’s defence parted. An unsuccessful drop kick conversion left it Ealing 7 – 5 Silhillians.

For the remainder of the half, Ealing applied pressure and a golden opportunity went begging when Lee Starling, with the line at his mercy, off loaded to Ryan Gregory, but the pass went behind Ryan and the opportunity was lost. Was this a Ben Kay moment? debate will rage on for some time yet

The game ended with Ealing defending high up the pitch.

A very competitive and close game that all the days matches would have in common.

Any cobwebs, or distant rugby playing memories had been replaced with a very useful team who were “back in the game”

FT Ealing Evergreens 7-5 Silhillians

With a now fully cooked squad, next up was Chiswick, who took to the field for the first time With a game under our belts, this proved to be difference.

For the first 5 minutes, Chiswick had all the territory and most possession. Sungo Kuwana, Tom Lockwood, Luke Engmann, John Worthington and Noah Moran, put in a huge shift in defence.

Eventually Ealing worked their way up the pitch, with some strong runs from Liam Burns, Kenny Sykes and Lee Starling with Chiswick conceding penalties on the way. Joe Price popped over from short range and converted his own try.

Ealing Evergreens 7 – 0 Chiswick.

Ealing then produced their try of their tournament. Lee Starling picked up from the base of the scrum on the half-way. He was over the 22 by the time he was bought down. With great support from back row, some great off loads, the ball found its way to James McWilliam who passed to his fellow Tring resident who went over in the newly named “David Robertson corner”

Sadly, Lee Starling got injured during this try and would miss the last game.

FT Ealing Evergreens 12-0 Chiswick. Evergreens top the group

The final game in the group saw Chiswick and Silhillians play out an entertaining draw

Final

The final would be contested between Ealing Evergreens and Hammersmith & Fulham, over 20 minutes, changing ends after 10.

The final started the with an Ealing kick off. Ealing got hold of the ball early and spent what seemed an age going through the phases, Jez Inson, Joe Price and Kenny Sykes all going close, but H&F always found another defender. The ball popped out from another close-range ruck. H&F were first to react, 2 passes a kick ahead and they were under the posts. H&F 7 to the good

The next score came from a sustained period of pressure from Ealing. A number of penalty infringements close to the line, Olly Miller took another quick tap, H&F infringed once again and the ref finally lost patience and ran under the post for a penalty try, which Olly has subsequently claimed as his own

Ealing Evergreens 7 – 7 H&F

Ealing were always looking to attack wide, which was working well, but a stray pass on our 10m line went astray and H&F picked up to score a converted try.

HT Ealing Evergreens 7 – 14 H&F

The second half with Ash Spencer and Tim Sudworth rolling back the years with some bullocking runs, the team, couldn’t get close to the H&F line as they played a great territorial game with a strong defence

FT Ealing Evergreens 7-14 H&F

Declan Cronin played every minute including the IPF Barbarians game and was awarded Ealing player of the tournament by Jacko.

All the players will have their own memories of the day, and some will dine out on them for some time to come

Thanks to our sponsors Flynn, Ambit and all those who supported the day.

Steve Weekes
Chairman Ealing Trailfinders 1871