Bedfordshire’s newest rugby venture powered on last week, as the Bedfordshire Barbarian Super Vets embarked on their last charity mission in an exhibition match against their Middlesex counterparts.
Raising money for Spectrum Community Arts on this occasion, the Bedfordshire side narrowly lost 43-39 – their first loss since forming – but the camaraderie on show was the main talking point as the gentlemen of rugby’s days gone by showed they were not quite done yet.
An additional £340 was raised for men’s suicide prevention charity, AndysManClub thanks to the sale of the playing polo shirts.
Bedfordshire Barbarians SuperVets have been formed from the previous Bedfordshire County side, continuing to encourage men of 50 years and older to get back involved in rugby union, all while raising money for charity.
The exhibition side is the brain child of a number of former players associated with clubs around Bedfordshire, and they have now played a total of five games, with participation increasing all the time.
The encounter against Middlesex was their final exhibition match of the season, as the players and organisers enjoy a well deserved summer of rest.
Read: Bedfordshire Super Vets out in (gale) force for latest charity rugby match
Middlesex break winning streak
The game started brightly, with both teams exchanging possession of the ball regularly in what was an equally matched event, however Andy Copley (usually of Bedford Swifts), scooped up a loose ball and set off uphill, dodging a number of defenders to score the game’s first try.
Middlesex responded with their own try as one of their locks burst through the line. After a large amount of broken play, and once again lots of exchanging of possession, Middlesex added three more quick tries to go 19-5 up.
Down but certainly not out, Barbarian, Steve McDade decided to take matters into his own hands as he promptly sidestepped two unsuspecting opponents to score under the posts.
Stockwood’s, Paul Harman added the extras.
Not to be done by his colleague, full back George Maluga powered over for his first try of the afternoon, which Harman converted. A loose ball near the Barbarians’ line gifted Middlesex another score soon after, sending everyone off at half time with Middlesex leading 19–26.
Taking to the field for the second half, the Bedfordshire Barbarians gained the slope which resulted in two quick tries; Paul Harman going over the oppositions try line, followed by Maluga bagging his second.
Brett Antill added a third in the corner.
However, Middlesex refused to lie down and added a try and a penalty to edge back in front.
Then came a highlight, as birthday boy Virgil Ferguson (also of Bedford Swifts) surged down the wing scoring to score another try to edge Bedfordshire 39-38 in front.
However, a last-gasp score by the visitors snatched the game 39-43, leaving the Barbarians stunned, exhausted, and reaching for ice packs.
How to get involved
“We are very proud to have raised over £2,000 for charity while proving that rugby isn’t just for the 20-somethings!”, said one of Bedfordshire’s organisers, Scott Mineikis.
“It’s also for those who need a good 48 hours to recover afterwards!” he added.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our main sponsors, Lagan Homes as well as JLC Safety (shorts sponsor) and photography company, TwistedWorldStudios for their support getting this group of old men off their chairs and back onto the rugby field”, said Scott.
“It would have been a lot harder without you.”
If you are over 50, enjoy rugby to any level, and want to get back on the field again, Bedfordshire Barbarians Super Vets are always on the lookout for new players.
Those interested can email bedssupervets@gmail.com for more information.
