RAF Vultures Vs The Troughton's Trotters 20th Anniversary Match

The RAF ‘Vultures’ Veterans Rugby team returned to its roots, RAFC Cranwell, to play a 20th Anniversary match against the College on Saturday 22nd November 2008. This was the first match between the teams since the game on 18 November 1988 when as ‘Troughton’s Trotters’ they played a competitive College team.

On a bitterly cold day, the match played in four quarters, saw the College team take an early lead through a few minor indiscretions by the older Vultures. Whilst the Vultures, with an average age of 51, dominated the forward battle silly penalties cost them dearly.

The younger College side sprung into action and some attractive attacking rugby saw them score another try and kick a penalty. This stung the Vultures into responding and a bout of inter-passing between backs and forwards saw skipper Copper Keen with a dazzling side-step waltz over to score a try in the corner, this was converted by Dom Magenty. An unconverted try by prop Snorbs Boyd gave the Vultures a half time lead.

Early in the second half the College scored a converted try to reduce the lead to two points. The play switched from end to end with both side missing scoring chances and it was not until the final quarter when an interception try by centre Norm Patterson converted by Magenty extended the Vultures lead.

The College continued to throw everything into attack and it took dogged Vultures defence to stop them from scoring. Into the final quarter where a Vultures side took the opportunity to introduce a number of retired vultures ensuring that everybody who attended actually got some game time. It was not until the closing period that two tries from the College pulled themselves back into the game.

The Vultures took the game to the opposition and a try from that evergreen flanker Si Hill left the Vultures one point behind The Vultures with their tails up, put the College line under siege and despite a penalty in the dying minutes of the game they failed to convert pressure into points.

The final whistle saw the RAF C emerge winners by 25 points to 24 points. The past and current Vultures, along with members of the RAFC College (all future Vultures) then retired for an Anniversary Dinner at which Professor Graham Lee spoke on the history of Royal Air Force Veterans Rugby which included details of the IS Championships, which has been won by the RAFRU Vultures five times in its 12 year history, the ethos and culture of Vultures rugby, this was rounded off with a toast to Veterans rugby everywhere.