Match Report; OE Stags v British and Irish Wooden Spoon Vets

Match report below from Ant Roberts (Wargrave 1995-2000), we would like to take this opportuniy again to thank Ant for all his help in making this match happen.

On a beautiful, sun-drenched Saturday on the Sunshine Coast, the stage was set for a group of Old Eastbournians—some of Eastbourne College’s finest alumni—gathering once again to pull on the famous squares. With the weather favouring open rugby, the anticipation was high as the OE Stags took on the British & Irish Wooden Spoon Vets in what would become a thrilling and hard-fought contest.

From the opening whistle, it was clear the Stags faced a stern challenge in the scrum. Within the first five minutes, six set pieces were called, with Gribble, Upton, and Keene standing tall, ensuring a fair contest against the powerful Spoons' front row. Despite their valiant efforts, the third scrum saw Keene lifted unusually high, an indication of the pressure from the opposition’s pack.

The Stags’ Number 8 role was initially marshalled by Tom Williams, who wreaked havoc in both tight and loose play, causing all sorts of problems for the opposition's defence. When Howard Jenkins took over, he seamlessly maintained control, continuing the pressure on the Spoons.

The Spoons struck first, with captain Andy Collings slicing through the defence to score under the posts. However, the Stags responded quickly, with Ben Starr to his own surprise breaching the Spoons defensive line and putting Russell Hill crashing over after a series of quick phases, levelling the score.

At halftime, the match was finely balanced at 14-14. Both teams introduced fresh legs, and what followed was a display of slick handling and nimble footwork, with Tom Mills, Chris Alldridge, Rob Meek, and Russell Hill linking beautifully to create numerous chances. Paul Fleming’s injection into the line added further options and confusion for the Spoons’ defence.

Scott Monk was omnipresent, making it to every breakdown, showcasing incredible fitness and leading by example. The line-outs were expertly managed by David Price, whose accurate throws ensured the Stags retained vital possession, helping them keep pressure on the Spoons throughout the game.

The Stags’ pack showed remarkable stamina, meeting every breakdown and ruck with full commitment. Matt Hine made a particularly memorable impact, charging into rucks with such force that, at one point, he collided with teammate Scott Monk, resulting in a brief injury break for stitches to his chin.

As the game progressed, it was the Spoons who nudged ahead, leading 21-19 after a tense back-and-forth. The game looked to be slipping away until Ben Pielow intercepted a pass on the Stags’ 22, with a wide-open field ahead. As he raced past halfway, misfortune struck—Pielow seemed to pull up with an injury, much to the disbelief of the crowd. Jack Roberts, ever-supportive, also fell victim to what can only be described as an unfortunate case of "sniper syndrome," leaving the Stags unable to capitalize on the break.

Despite these setbacks, the Stags displayed remarkable depth and resilience. Fred Cole, Jonny Rogerson, and Matt Cooke continued to pile the pressure on the Spoons, while Tom Sargent put his body on the line until forced to retire with an injury. Young blood from players like Joe McIntyre, Jack Pincus, Max Faulkner Bryant, and Joe Pratt ensured that the Stags didn’t lose momentum in the closing stages.

With just over five minutes remaining, the Stags found themselves camped on their own try line, facing wave after wave of Spoons' attacks. However, the Stags dug deep, fending off the onslaught and turning defence into attack. In a dramatic turnaround, the Stags managed to run in four late tries, sealing the game and putting the result beyond doubt.

In the end, the Stags emerged victorious, with a final score of 43-21. Special recognition went to Nick Pile and Tom Gribble, who shared the well-deserved joint Man of the Match award for their relentless efforts throughout the game, making ground, tackling hard, and leading from the front.

The match was well-controlled by referee Chris Roberts, who expertly managed the 40-somethings on the pitch, many of whom still played by the laws of rugby from the 1990s. While there were plenty of decisions questioned by the Stags, Roberts kept his cards in his pocket, though following a series of telling off’s, Tony Addison was strongly advised to take a five-minute breather to cool down.

Roberts was ably assisted by linesmen Mike Harrison and Olly Torri, whose professional officiating helped maintain the flow of the game.

A special mention goes to those who made considerable efforts to attend the match, including Chris Alldridge, who traveled from the British Virgin Islands, Tom Williams from Brooklyn, New York, Paul Fleming from Chicago, and Russ Hill from Edinburgh.

The match was played in the true spirit of rugby, with great sportsmanship on display. It was not just the players on the pitch who made the day special but also the many Old Eastbournians, their families, and friends who came to cheer from the sidelines. This was a game to remember, and for many, it was a day that will be cherished for years to come.