Celebrate the Pingvins RFC 50th Anniversary
28th June to 5th July 2012, Sweden

Back in 1959 the Penguins embarked on their first tour. At that time neither Tony Mason nor Alan Wright knew where the journey would take them. On that first journey they ventured to Sweden and played a match in Malmö in Sweden. One of the opposition players against the Penguins that day was Wolfgang Osterling, who on his return to Trelleborg, decided it was time to start a club in his town. The Pingvins were born in 1962 and the Pingvins Rugby Club website confirms where the name Pingvins comes from. Two reasons - The Penguin Rugby Club from England and the presence of Penguins in Trelleborg Bay. Since the first tour back in 1959 Wolfgang has remained a close friend of the Penguin Club and his contribution to rugby has been recognised through his election as an Honorary Vice President of the Penguin International RFC.

The Penguin International RFC was delighted to accept the invitation from the Pingvin RFC to tour and play a couple of matches to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club. Thanks to Brian Mansell, Steve Hill, and Tim Stevens for all their work behind the scenes to make the anniversary weekend, and the tour, a great success.

The HSBC Penguin Coaching Academy was also active during the tour. Hugh Campbell and Neil Young ran 4 sessions for local youth, the local ladies' team and senior players. Further details on the coaching will be found in the coaching academy section.

Tour Party

Back row: John Kerr (Watsonians, Scotland 7s & A)*, John McKittrick (Coach - North Harbour, PIRFC NZ representative), Vincent Bramhall (Secretary – Penguins IRFC), Tim Stevens (Team Manager – Oxford University), Daniel Moussa (Watsonians), Salvador Pahla (Desportiva, Portugal), Hugh Hogan (St Mary’s, Ireland Amateurs), Tom George (Richmond), James Doherty (Esher), Tim Little (Oxford University), Caine Elisara (Heidelberg, Netherlands), Tom Evans (Oxford University), Sam Glasson (Canterbury), James Gregg (Richmond), Aaron Johnston (Currie), Mark Sexton (St Mary’s), Steve Hill (Coach – Richmond, PIRFC Director of Coaching), Craig Brown (Chief Executive – Penguins IRFC)*

Front row: James Phipps (Richmond), Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution), Don Blake (Cambridge University), Mohd Syahir Asyraf (COBRA, Malaysia), Rhodri James (Streatham & Croydon), Liam Bebo (Connacht), Paul Nash (Richmond), Martin Nutt (Henley Hawks), Tom Gregory (Richmond), Jaryd Robinson (Havant), James Ferguson (Haddington), Cal Davies (Haddington), Torgny Farm (Physio)

* John Kerr and Craig Brown were the only two members of the Penguin party returning to Trelleborg. Both were members of the Penguin team in 1994. Craig Brown captained the team against Trelleborg in 1994.

Match One Report - Penguin International RFC v Pingvins RFC – Saturday 30th June 2012

The match to was arranged as part of the 50th anniversary of the Pingvins Rugby Club at Trelleborg in the south of Sweden. It was played under a beautiful clear sky, with a loud and partisan crowd ready to support the home team. As expected, from the kick-off, the Pingvins immediately tore into their guests, and some relish from the kick-off, but once this initial storm passed the superior quality of the Penguins team came to the fore. Playing in the tradition of Penguins teams of the past i.e. to move the ball at every opportunity, from wherever on the pitch, they broke down the committed home sides defence on numerous occasions and the tries started to flow regularly throughout the 80 minutes. The pace of the visitors back three proved too much for the home side and full-back Jaryd Robinson helped himself to four tries, but he was outshone by the young Scottish flyer on the right wing, James Ferguson who bagged five!

The remaining two Penguins tries came from Captain and No. 8, Hugh Hogan, and a penalty try. Five of the eleven tries were converted; fly-half Mark Sexton with one, and his replacement, Rhodri James, with four. The Pingvins never really came close to scoring a try but were rewarded for their commitment and endeavour with a penalty from their fly-half to ensure they did not record a zero against their name.

Half time score 27 – 0
Full-time score 65 – 3

Team

Match Two report - Penguin International RFC v Skane Region – Wednesday 4th July 2012

Game two of the Penguin tour to Sweden saw the opposition drawn from the Skane Region, but with Pingvins being the strongest club in the county, a number of guys who played on Saturday afternoon also appeared on Wednesday evening. Despite spending the previous three days since their victory over Pingvins enjoying the sights and sounds of Copenhagen and Trelleborg, the Penguins turned up in fine fettle, and produced a near faultless first half performance to post eleven tries in the first 40 minutes!

The coaches had, as is tradition, given the players freedom to express themselves – a luxury not usually given to them in the grind of league rugby – and they did not pass up this opportunity. Every player, from prop to full-back, joined in the spirit of running rugby. Despite the regional side putting up a spirited and physical performance, they were outgunned by the superior fitness and class of the Penguins. The first half was unfortunately a very one-sided affair with the visitors posting eleven tries. However, after the interval, the home side showed the spirit that is very evident in Swedish rugby, and restricted the Penguins to just 30 points. Full-back, Jaryd Robinson, repeated his try scoring exploits of Saturday, bagging four in the first half, before enjoying a well-earned rest for the second period. James Doherty enjoyed a strong match in the second row, scoring two tries before half-time, and completed his hat-trick midway through the second half. No 8, Caine Elisara, showing the ball handling skills and dexterity of a ‘mature’ Sonny Bills Williams, also scored twice before the break. Left wing, Martin Nutt, who was always off his wing looking for work, was rewarded with a try in each half. Replacement wing, James Ferguson, couldn’t quite manage to repeat his feats of Saturday, but still dotted down twice in the second half, taking his individual tally to seven. Hooker, Jason Phipps; centre, Mark Sexton, and scrum-half, Gerry Hurley, added one each, as did fly-half Rhodri James who also landed six conversions.

Half time score 69 – 0
Full-time score 99 – 0

Team

Photos