What a beautiful day for a wonderful event. The sun shone down on two teams who provided a real feast of tries for a huge crowd as The George took on a Vigo XV in aid of two wonderful charities - Air Ambulance and the Ellenor Hospice. It should have been Vigo’s victorious veterans to take the field but being Easter and only a week after their strenuous triumph of last week, the old bodies couldn’t take a match so soon, so skipper Robbie Hayes had to call on some of the younger Vigo members, none younger than 9 year old Theo Carleton who trotted on to take the conversions for BOTH sides. For each successful conversion, he earned £5 from his grandfather to be paid to the charities. Mind you, even for such a worthy cause, Alan must have been thinking ‘’Miss it’’ as Theo kicked one after another conversions – seven in total . No-one practises harder than young Theo and he is definitely a bright prospect.
But back to the game. The George fielded some very good players; Cliffe and Gravesend strongly represented, but being a scratch team, they tended to make a few mistakes, the intended recipient of a pass not always where the passer thought they would be, and Vigo ruthlessly exploited any mistake. Adam Fitzgerald, desperate to show he should deserve a place in next season’s 1st XV, was full of pace and power, cruising over for tries in the first twenty minutes, sandwiching an effort by Danny Baker. Young Theo converted the first to great delight from the generous crowd. The George had actually started well, more than competitive in the opening stages, Vigo being made aware that there would be no charity in this match. When Marcus Hunt stretched the lead after half an hour, closely followed by a typical poachers try by Liam Evans, there were some dark mutterings by the George as to the make up of the Vigo team, but in fact, the George were not overwhelmed as such, it was just Vigo tending to punish mistakes. Winger Will Wilson made a superb break down the left wing only to be stopped just short by an equally superb cover tackle by George Harrison. Ben Daniels brought off a magnificent try-saving tackle on Marcus Hunt as the Vigo youngster went through the gears to break out as The George began to get their act together. It was obvious that given a few more training sessions to get to know each other that the composite team would be a real test. In fact, I would dare to suggest that Vigo’s Vets would have really struggled.
The ultra-competitive Matt Hayward demonstrated the potential of the side with a try just before half time, running a great line straight through a startled Vigo defence. Paul Pierce, the Cliffe Crusader, had been showing glimpses of power, whilst Jake Bennett had also been keeping Vigo’s defence honest, as the George fought hard. It might have been for charity but when rugby players meet on the field, their instinct is to compete, and there were enough signs to show that the competitive streak in any rugby player were on view.
So, the teams turned round, Vigo holding a handy 29-5 lead, and the replacement bench – hordes of replacements , in fact – a maelstrom of players wanting to take part in a marvellous day. Will Wilson opened up down the wing with a terrific break but was too quick for his support and Vigo were able to scramble back to prevent the try. The crowd were kept fully entertained, especially when tempers became a tad heated. Liam Byrne-Stevens came off the bench to cruise through in typical fashion, but only after the George had coughed up the ball after a sustained bout of pressure. Liam then offered to switch allegiance to the George to bolster their attack, which they accepted (eventually) and that certainly gave them a real cutting edge. Adam Fitzgerald completed his hat-trick with a storming run, as tries were coming at a dizzying pace.
The George struck back after great work by Carlos Cleal from a line out gave The George impetus. Jake Bennett spotted a tiny gap and streaked through to touch down under the posts. Theo Carleton added the extras, the first points from his boot for the George to great joy from the marvellous George supporters, who were being well lubricated by Vigo’s hard working bar staff – and fed by the Youth section by the way – a big shout out for both teams – Bar and Kitchen.
Back to the match.
Liam Wiltshire screamed through for a superb try, showing the sort of pace that he demonstrated on the wing before re-inventing himself as a second row to bring up Vigo’s half century, before The George took over the match. There had been signs that they were getting their act together most of the second half. Momentary acts of individual excellence had been also apparent in the first half, Hayward and Wilson especially catching the eye, but as I said before, they tended to come to nought as team cohesion, understandably let down the ambitions. But as the team gelled, especially with Andy Hall pulling the strings and LBS leaving vapour trails round the pitch, then Vigo were made to toil. LBS went off on a typical run, Vigo’s would be defenders dizzied in his slip-stream, but eventually managing to gang bang the flyer a few yards short. But the George re-cycled the ball quickly and fed the imposing Paul Pierce standing in splendid isolation out wide. He finished easily. Enthused and encouraged, The George really began to turn it on, especially in the tight. Their scrum came to life and rather rudely shoved the Vigo’s eight back and the pressure mounted.
Vigo were falling back under the pressure, coughing up a series of penalties and again Paul Pierce converted the pressure into points, smashing through after a series of pick and drives rather denuded the Vigo defence. Now the George crowd were buzzing as their heroes threw everything at Vigo. Wilson, once more, showed great pace as he hared down the wing only for a tremendous crashing tackle by Adam Fitzgerald halted his progress, an event which both supporters and players alike celebrated. As Wilkson gingerly picked himself upon off the turf, counting his limbs, he was able to view the back of Pierce finishing off his work completing his hat-trick. Theo Carleton appropriately rounded off a brilliant day with the conversion, Dr. John Milledge blowing the whistle to signal full time.
The George certainly won the second half 21-24, greatly pleasing their marvellous supporters.
Sadly, your correspondent is too long in tooth and limb, to indulge in discotheques, but apparently the celebrations went on into the night, two great charities benefitting.
Much praise to Malcolm Skinner and his team of willing helpers in organising the event, to two teams of excellent players for providing the spectacle, to Vigo’s bar and kitchen staff who worked so hard. This is a terrific event, that everyone hopes will carry on long into the future. Every player from the George – and their supporters – are always welcome at Swanswood as the brotherhood of rugby supersedes any local rivalries, especially when they come together to help those in need.
Scorers: Vigo: Tries: Fitzgerald (10’,23’, 46’), Baker (20’), Hunt (32’)Liam Evans (35’), Byrne-Stevens (44’), Wiltshire (55’). Cons. T.Carleton (5). The George : Tries: Hayward (38’), Bennett (50’), Pierce (58’, 66’,78’). Cons: Carleton (2)

MVP’s - Fitzgerald (Vigo) and Pierce (The George)