RAF VULTURES VS OSD SPARTANS (STH WALES POLICE)

In perfect conditions the RAF Vultures stepped out onto the hallowed turf of Cardiff Arms Park to play the Operational Support Division of the south Wales Police in a Charity match for H4H. The Vultures give a first blooding at Veterans Rugby to five new players; Saville, Bowen, Uphill, French and Leonard in this high profile match. The Spartans team containing a number of players from clubs with experience of first class rugby lost the toss and decided to receive. The Vultures showed they were far from overawed by the event soon controlled the scrummage and took place into the Spartans half. A break from Si Cooper (Cosford) took play into the 22 where some slick handling from Dix (Cranwell) put Saville (Northolt) into the corner for his debut try. the resulting conversion was missed. This stung the OSD into action and some support play saw a try from Hutchins who burst through a number of tackles.

The Vultures responded with great vigour and some crunching tackles stopped the OSD players in their tracks. It was not until a blatant off side by the OSD ¾ line did they score again. The Vultures playing some very attractive rugby were suddenly getting turned over at the first phase; this led to another two tries. Undeterred, the Vultures continued to play their attractive style of rugby with sniping runs from Si Cooper one of which led to a disallowed try in the corner for Saville. The half time score was 27-5 to OSD. The 200 or so spectators in the crowd roused the Vultures into second half action, but an inability to retain the ball cost them dear with the OSD running in two more tries. The game become one of end to end rugby and it was not until the 60th minute did the Vultures cross the OSD line when after great forward pressure the ball was spun out to Dix who crossed near the post, Si Cooper converted. Both teams entered in to the spirit of the occasion and some champagne rugby was played. A local long term supporter of RAF Rugby commented that this was the finest game of RAF Rugby he had ever seen! To watch a side pay with such skill, spirit, pride and determination was a credit to the whole of the RAF. Sadly skill, spirit, pride and determination was not enough in the end as the OSD ran in two tries in the dying minutes to make the final score 12 points to 52 points. Thanks must go out not only to all the players but to Cardiff RFC for the use of their facilities, the RAF St Athan PEd Flight, the RAFRU Medical support team and the Sponsors Pure-Rugby without whose help the game of this magnitude could not have taken place.

The final sums of monies raised are not known at this time as pledges are still being retrieved.