Belgrave
first played the Leicester "Tigers" in 1881, the result then was 1 goal and 2 tries to nil in favour of the "Tigers". It has taken a long time to re arrange this fixture and on this our 125th anniversary year, this was it. The game was played in the manner one would expect between these two special teams. With a squad of approximately 25 men per team, players were allowed to roll on and off at regular intervals.
Recruited from the past for this fixture were three ex Belgrave players, all of whom played in the Belgrave Centenary Match in 1984. These three players, Bob Kyle, Steve Dudman and John Muggleston along with Belgrave's other ageing players, Paul Coupland, Brian Sibley, Dave Kyle and Dick Mason, all played as though they had never been away.
Younger players like Dave Lamb, Greg Garner, Nev Walker and Dave Towl helped stabilize the ream and it seemed to have the right blend of players to make for an excellent game.
The Droglites, led by Oscar Winningham, played with the professionalism we all know they posses and although they won convincingly (15 - 52) the game was an open and exciting affair with both teams running the ball at every possible opportunity.
The game wasn't about winning though, it was about the success, progress and longevity of Belgrave RFC and the three chosen charities supported on the day (The East Midlands Air Ambulance Service, The Motor Neurone Disease Association) and for the Droglites (The Whittam Riding School For The Disabled).
The day was made complete by the unique standard of rugby and the excellent after match hospitality (Belgrave Ladies for the Food and the Belgrave Men for the Bar).
Thanks must also be given to the three match officials
(Mark Elliot - Referee, Andy Sewell, Cliff Hawkins - Linesmen) and to the two team managers Angus Collington (Droglites) and Bob Kyle (Belgrave). This day, as part of our 125 year anniversary celebrations, was a complete success.
Keith McNulty.
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