This match was held as part of the celebrations associated with the opening of the “Aths” new club house.
5 September 1970 was the date when the club finally moved forward into the next phase of its existence. It was on this day that following many years of hard work the new clubhouse was opened by former England captain Ron Jacobs. Also present were the Mayor of Bedford, Alderman Ronald Whittingham and his wife together with three founder members who helped form the club in 1908.
The opening was commemorated by a match between Bedford Athletic and the Penguins, an invitational side who included five full internationals. These were A. Hurst (Wasps & England); G Windsor-Lewis (Oxford University & Wales); C. Ashby (Wasps & England); W. Treadwell (Wasps & England) and P. Yarranton (Wasps & England). The Penguins won by 32 points to 9, the Ath scores coming from tries by Steve Foley and Ian Frost (2).
Thanks to Jeremy Tyrrell for providing this report on the day.
The two teams follow.
| Bedford Athletic | Penguins | |
|---|---|---|
| R Adair |
15 | J Wright (Harlequins and Herts) |
| S Foley | 14 | A Hurst (Wasps and England) |
| M Robinson (Captain) | 13 | F Hawkins (Wasps and England trial) |
| I Frost | 12 | P Stafford (Rosslyn Park and Oxford Blue) |
| B Neal |
11 | T Powell (Sidcup and Kent) |
| R Timothy | 10 | G Windsor-Lewis (Oxford and Wales) |
| A Harvey | 19 | C Ashby (Wasps and England) |
| G Richards |
1 | J Turner (Blackheath and Kent) |
| M Cooper |
2 | W Treadwell (Wasps and England) |
| C Reynolds | 3 | S Corstorphine (London Scottish and Hampshire) |
| P Wheeler | 4 | P Yarranton (Wasps and England) |
| A Lewis |
5 | K Jones (Harelquins and Surrey) |
| D Lukes | 6 | A Hendrickse (Rosslyn Park and England trail - Captain) |
| J Summerfield | 8 | W Petch (Harlequins and Middlesex) |
| A Arnold | 7 | C Bale (Harlequins and Surrey) |
Referee - Mr C.J. Wright (East Midlands Society)
Penguin International Rugby Charity
The Penguin International Rugby Football Trust is
registered with the UK Charity Commission under Charity No 1081047.
