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Two games, 108 miles apart, a chairman's pride

Two games, 108 miles apart, a chairman's pride

Bobby Bridge6 Apr 2015 - 08:04
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THE chairman of Manor Park Nick Bishop has praised his side for fielding two teams more than 100 miles apart on Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Down were great hosts and they made us feel really welcome
- Nick Bishop, chairman


While the stay-at-homes were busy trouncing an under-strength Harbury 46-22 at the Griff and Coton, a touring team were defeated 45-36 by Ashley Down Old Boys in the heart of Bristol during the club’s Easter tour.

“To my knowledge we are the only senior team in the local area that has embarked on an end-of-season playing tour this year,” said Bishop.

“And that’s something we are very proud of. You can’t always get everybody to go along but it’s important that you keep the end-of-season tour going as it creates memories and helps us make friends with other clubs in other areas.
“It’s what rugby union is all about.”

The stay-at-homes faced up against fellow Midlands 3 West South rivals Harbury, who answered an eleventh-hour call to travel to Nuneaton after a late cancellation from the scheduled opponents.
Park loaned their visitors players to ensure a game could take place but clearly had more fire power at their disposal than their South Warwickshire opposition.

A scintillating score from Craig Ison was the highlight of the game, as tries flowed through veteran number eight Matt Marston grabbing a brace, Adam Brown scored the opening try and other scores game from Sean Haughey, Dave Hickey and Dan Green. Jon Marsh kicked 11 points to make the final score 46-22.

Meanwhile, 108 miles away the touring side were edged out 45-36 by hosts Ashley Down Old Boys, with tries coming from Dave Paterson, James Everaed, Liam Rose, Gaz Hammond and Adam Bennett.

Chairman Bishop, a non-playing tourist, added: “They (Ashley Down) were great hosts and they made us feel really welcome by giving us a crate of West Country cider as soon as we arrived, even if it did taste a little like petrol!

“The score rarely matters in tour games, as usual it was more about the fun afterwards and Ashley Down were great hosts, I’m sure it won’t be the last time our clubs meet.

“It’s fantastic that we were able to field two teams in two different regions of the country, it’s something we are certainly, and quite rightly, proud of.”

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