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George The Barbarian
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| Combined Services |
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25 |
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33 |
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Barbarians |
| 14th November 2006 -
Newbury RFC, Monks Lane, Newbury |
A large contingent of Aberavon supporters journeyed into unfamiliar territory as they made their presence felt at Newbury RFC as the Wizards’ immensely popular number eight Richard Morris made his debut for the Barbarians – a fitting reward for a player who is now in his twelfth season with the Wizards.
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Despite the cold, damp conditions a crowd of 2500 gathered for this tenth annual Remembrance Match, but the most vociferous amongst that throng were the 100-strong group from Aberavon, who had travelled by coach, minibus and car to show their appreciation of a player whose unstinting loyalty to his club stands as an example in the modern game.
The first quarter passed without any score, as defences stood firm, but that implies no lack of entertainment. Both teams showed plenty of enterprise, with runners such as Irish international and Lion Tyrone Howe and Army centre Peceli Nacamavuto showing their paces. After twenty minutes it was a run down the right-hand touchline from Howe that paved the way for the opening
score. Recycled possession was moved into midfield, and to the
delight of his followers Morris burst through to claim an unconverted try. |
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It was a short-lived lead, however, as Combined Services struck back to level the scores through flanker Mark Lee. That set the pattern as the score followed a “tit-for-tat” pattern for much of the remaining play, making for an absorbing and thoroughly entertaining contest. Great play from the Barbarians sent wing Kenny Bingham, playing on his home ground, over for a try which was converted by full back Neil Hallet, but Combined Services struck back when hooker George Kemble was driven over. Royal Navy full back Rob Lloyd failed with the conversion, but a 40th minute penalty gave his side a 13-12 going in at the interval.
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| The match continued in similar vein after the break. A charged-down
clearance yielded a try for Barbarians lock Mark Cornwell (Pertemps Bees)
to which Hallett added the extras, then Combined Services threatened to take control as first flanker Ledua Jope then wing Greg Barden touched down, with Lloyd converting the second. 25-19 ahead going into the final quarter, Combined Services now looked likely winners, but the Barbarians looked to their big pack to turn things around, and after three successive rolling mauls were pulled down close to the try line they were awarded a penalty try which Hallett converted to give them a one-point lead. |
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The game reached a thrilling climax as Combined Services desperately tried to break out under immense pressure from the Barbarians pack. It was still anyone’s game until, in the fifth minute of injury time, the Barbarians were awarded an attacking scrum close to the line. With the bulk of the Aberavon contingent gathered near that particular corner of the pitch urging him on, Morris picked up and drove forward to set up a ruck. Two phases later he was on hand to take a reverse-pass from replacement scrum-half Dave Scully (Doncaster) and power through three tackles to touch down near the left-hand corner. Cambridge-based Welshman Dafydd Lewis, a 65th minute replacement for Neath fly-half Arwel Thomas, added the extras and the final whistle sounded to bring down the curtain on a thoroughly entertaining encounter. |
From an Aberavon viewpoint it was storybook stuff. Since making his club debut at Newport in September 1995, Morris has virtually been a permanent fixture in the Aberavon line-up, well respected by team-mates and opponents alike, and enormously popular with supporters both on and off the field. Club Chairman Andrew John said, “Richard’s selection for the Barbarians is a fitting reward for his service to Aberavon. It is a great honour for him and also for the club, and I am delighted for him at the way it went, and also to see so many of his friends from Aberavon here to share it with him.”
Report by Paul Williams
Barbarians: Neil R Hallett (Esher); *Tyrone G Howe (Banbridge & Ireland), Albert B Finney (Banbridge), Jonathan C Bell (Dungannon & Ireland), Kenny R J Bingham (Newbury); Arwel C Thomas (Neath & Wales), Greg D Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby); *Tom A Davies (Doncaster), Andy J Dalgleish (Newbury - captain), *Cai L Griffiths (Ospreys), *Mark J Cornwell (Pertemps Bees), *Arthur L Brenton (Bedford Blues), *Iain M Dick (Cardiff), Jonathan M Edwards (Llanelli), *Richard R Morris (Aberavon)
Replacements: S M Pope (Blackheath) for Davies (65); Chris C G Ritchie (London Welsh) for Bingham (72); Brett G Luxton (Launceston) for Dick (h/t); Dave A Scully (Doncaster) for Laidlaw (68); Dafydd G Lewis (Cambridge City) for Thomas (65); Chris G Malherbe (Wharfedale) for Bell (46)
(* - denotes new Barbarian)
Scorers: Tries - Morris 2 (20, 80+5), Bingham (29), Cornwell (42), penalty try (64); Cons - Hallett 3 (29, 42, 64), Lewis (80+5)
Combined Services (Army unless stated): Rob Lloyd (Royal Navy); Greg Barden (Royal Navy), Peceli Macamavuto, Andrew Parkinson, Martin Lacey; Mal Roberts (captain), Gareth Slade-Jones; Chris Budgen, George Kemble, Ryan Grant, Ben Hughes, Lee Soper, Ledua Jope, Mark Lee, Isoa Damudamu.
Replacements: Eugene Viljoen for Lacey (78), Dave Pascoe (Royal Navy) for Slade-Jones (79), Dan Parkes (Royal Navy) for Budgen (65), Andrew Tibbatts (RAF) for Jope (62-65), Tibbatts for Damudamu (77)
Scorers: Tries - Lee (25), Kemble (33), Jope (50), Barden (55); Con - Lloyd (55); Pen - Lloyd (40)
Referee: Dai Williams (Wales)
Attendance: 2,500
For report of George's second match for the
Barbarians, please click HERE.
For Chris O'Callaghan's match programme article about Richard Morris please CLICK
HERE.
For a list of all of Aberavon's Barbarians please CLICK
HERE.
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