50th Anniversary Match v Houses of Commons and Lords
31 May 2009, Twickenham
As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations the club accepted the invitation to play the Houses of Commons and Lords under “Golden Oldies” rules. Many Penguins travelled from around the world to attend the 50th Anniversary Grand Reunion and Dinner, and stayed on to play in the historic match.
Officials at Twickenham, lead by Nick Bunting, put on a splendid day, with sunny, cloud-free conditions overhead. The Penguin team were given the away dressing room, and Nick and his team provided as much big match atmosphere as they could.
The Penguin team was ably coordinated and managed by David Harris, and Andy Reed managing the Parliamentarians.
The day's rugby was split into the over 55s and the over 35s, with a gentler style of play adopted for the over 55s game. Both captains agreed the various rules to apply in each game with uncontested scrums throughout.
Alan Wright, Penguin President, led the team onto the hallowed turf, making his return to play on the famous Twickenham ground 42 years after his last appreance.
Penguin Team
Back Row: Neil Young (Redcar), Stu Eru (Cambridge University), Bill Calcraft (Manly, NSW, Australia), Brian Cusack (Lansdowne, Ireland A), Tony Neary (England, The British Lions), Keith Knowles (***), Flo Rossigneux (Racing Metro, Wasps), Stuart Buchanan-Smith (London Scottish, Scottish Schools), Sandy Flockhart (Watsonians), Derek Wyatt (Oxford University, England), Vincent Bramhall (HKFC), Scott Wacker (****),Darragh McElligot (Clontarf), Gordon Dickson (Watsonians)
Middle Row: Arwell Thomas (Swansea, Wales), Julian Lamden (***),Paul Heber (****), Chris Horder (****), John McKittrick (Tokoroa), John Zimnock (Toronto Nomads), James Stewart (***),John Kerr (Watsonians FC, Scotland A, Scotland 7s), Keith Wallace (Haddington), Brian Stevenson (***),Hamish Keith (***, Scotland)
Front Row: Jamie Baron (Furness), Ben Breeze (Newport, Wales 7s), Iain Sinclair (Watsonians, Scotland A), Fergus Henderson (Watsonians), Pete Gallagher (Watsonians), Dave Cockburn (Boroughmuir, Scotland B), Peter Sutherland (***, Landsdowne), Alan Wright (Sidcup – Captain), Tom Wacker (****, HKFC), Craig Brown (Watsonians, Waikato, NZ Maori - Captain), Jim Stevenson (Cambuslang), Antonio da Cunha (Belenesse, Portugal 7s, Portugal), David Harris (Watsonians)
Inset: Andrew Thornhill ??
Photos
Alan Wright runs back on to Twickenham after his last match on the famous ground in 1967
Pre-match warm-up
Alan Wright with Chris Horder
The Match Officials
The Penguin team warm-up
Alan Wright leads the Penguins out
Match action - a line out in the corner
Scrum time
The Penguin reserves watch the action
3 cheers and the traditional tunnel at the end of the match
Another team photo
Both teams at the conclusion
And then the speeches followed at the after match function
Andy Reed MP, with our host Nick Bunting
Craig Brown, Penguin team captain
Derek Wyatt MP
