Grassroots Stories – History Made As Three Sets Of Twins Take The Field For Bognor Purples
History was made as three sets of twins: Harvey and Oscar Henson, Sam and Jacob Towler and Stanley and Arthur Wright all played in the same team.
Woody Gilbert – Jones led the charge from 10 getting good ball via Chitty, out through the backs to one half of the Wright brothers Arthur, Good phase play saw us score out wide, missed conv. 0-5.
Although uncontested due to front row injuries, game play off the scrum was great from both sides, the Towler boys, Sam and Jacob rucked well and cleared out securing us great ball at the breakdown, Jack Trenam and Owen Thomas in the back row were never far away to lend a hand and a some support to the hard working pack. Both making great ground often securing possession for us when much needed.
Harry Smith at centre was dynamic and assisted all over the park, working hard for the team and shutting down the Havant runners attempting route 1 !! The Henson boys, Oscar and Harvey were a constant threat at second row, making barrelling runs through the Havant defence and enabling Thomas to secure lineout ball every time. Stand in prop Ben Brandon who is usually found a flanker did a fantastic job, out rucking his counterparts and often securing us turn over ball and winning penalties galore.
Half time saw Bognor Purples lead 0-5
After some half time encouragement from both teams’ coaching staff the 30 lads came out firing !!
This time after turning the ball over deep in Havant territory is was the other half of the Dynamic Duo, Stanley Wrights try time, powering over the line for Bognor’s second. This could only contribute to the day’s World Record attempt seeing 3 sets of twins playing for the Bognor Purples side with the Wrights earning a try a piece.
This fired the Havant boys up and in no time they were back in Bognor’s 22 and pushing hard, a well worked lineout from a penalty saw them score in the corner, game on at 5-10.
In an end to end game Bognor was soon retaliating , Great phase play saw James Billingham at centre supply Jack Robinson for a gazelle like sprint, the forwards worked hard securing essential rucks in what had become a real tough match between the two teams. Woody received quick ball from Chitty and managed to dance his way through the defence to score under the posts, easy conversion for Owen Henton who had been a saviour at Full Back throughout the match, attacking with as much ferocity as was his defence. 5-17 with 10 minutes to play.
With the weather having been scorching all morning the Bognor Purples lads were found napping and Havant were again on the charge. The heat of the day added to the heat of the game and in no time Havant were back in the game at 5-10, their conversion missed, bouncing off the post, which was later to cost the well drilled Havant team the win. With only minutes to play Havant exploited an over lap deftly spotted by their attacking backs to score tight in the corner.
A superb touchline kick from the newly signed Havant 10 saw the conversion good and the game to end 17-17
by Doug Millen
