East Retford 1^st XV      44 Pts

V

Presidents XV              49 Pts

Having expected rather more inclement weather according to the accuracy of our prolific weather forecasters the annual match between the first fifteen and the Presidents select side was one of pure entertainment and superb running rugby.

The weather apart from the odd shower was very kind not only to the players but to the hundred or so spectators.  The Presidents side was made up of the forwards all from Market Rasen a side which at the present time are in a higher league and the back line which was made up of North Derbyshire players from the same league as Retford.

The Presidents side got off to a flying start catching the home side rather cold scoring two converted tries.  The club side was under the cosh somewhat but were looking to counter attack at every opportunity and that they did when Ben Agar broke free to score a try in the corner.  This only served to fire the opposition up and they replied almost straight away with another try but the Retford heads did not drop.  They finshed off the half with an excellent move with both forwards and backs alike getting involved and resulted in James Warwick-Adkins scoring under the posts converted by Richard Henderson half time score twelve points to nineteen.

All the first teams substitutes were used as the changes were rung at half time and this injection of youth and pace saw Retford run in six tries during the half but still ran out second best.  The first was an excellent move rounded off by Wayne Franks who scored in the corner but as the trend had been set in the first half the Presidents men replied with a try of their own.  It was truly end-to-end stuff as Rich South scored backing up as Warwick-Adkins who was stopped just short closing the score to a two-point deficit.  Then the Presidents men scored again then it was Simon Phillips who rounded the defence closing the gap once more.

The Presidents men then opened up a small gap scoring two more tries and it looked like the match was all but over but a great break by South passing on to Ben Silcock saw the young man scamper away to score.  Then Ben Agar came to the fore as he had come back on to the field he made a break from inside his own half but was chased all the way as his lungs just held out to score a superb individual try Simon Phillips adding the extra points with a drop goal.

In the dieing minutes of the game the Presidents men scored again twice but the final say was from fullback Chris Trenham whose mazy run ended with a try.  The entertainment had been none stop but time just ran out for the first fifteen the Men of the match were not awarded as it had been such a hard fought game with everyone playing their part but special mention must go to Dave Howard in the forwards who was just every where making numerous tackles and Richard South in the backs playing in many positions and setting tries as well as scoring himself.

The annual match was played in fine spirit with the tenner actually being handed over to the President for the first time in many years although it was cruelly given as small change.

Just a note to all members the Funeral of James Bunning is Friday 2^nd May meet at 10 o clock at the junction of Spital Hill and Lidget Lane opposite Alma Road.