The usual large crowd for the Memorial Day

_A whole day of rugby was held at Handsworth's Birmingham Road ground on Sunday with the annual Keith Hamner/Charles Lewis Memorial games taking place. 

Young and old welcome as usual at Handsworth.

A "Veteran's" match was organised for 1.00 pm which featured a mixed bag of players pulled from all corners of the rugby globe. A fine blend of veterans, retired players, and current club members all joined together for the first of 3 exhibition matches planned for that day.

The Vet's game, or Beauties vs Beasts as it is often called, was split into 4x20 minute quarters so that replacements, oxygen masks and medicinal beer could be brought on as and when required. The likes of Alan Drummond played against his youngest son, Carl who has only just started playing for the club alongside brother, Ian, and the three of them on the pitch couldn't help themselves but monkey around.

Andy 'Massive' Padmore was in fine form despite not playing for two years since shattering his ankle on the day he helped his beloved Handsworth gain promotion. The big man was as inspirational as ever even though he's lost a touch of fitness and gained a couple of pounds. 

The match was an enjoyable affair and although it was light-hearted it was played with as much passion as the Leicester-Llanelli cup final, but obviously with more skill. 

Some enjoyed the alternatives to rugby better!

Handsworth Under 13's 14-34 Walsall Under 13's

The whole experience of playing in front of a large crowd proved too much for the Handsworth lads who started the game very slowly, a fact that the experienced Walsall team quickly exploited. Walsall took a very quick 20 - 0 lead without Handsworth really getting into the game. However, our heroes soon realised that if they followed their training they would soon be back into the game. The forwards, took the game to Walsall, driving them back in both scrum and maul, allowing the backs to attack at pace.

Under 13's prior to the Walsall game.

Two tries were scored through this forward domination, unfortunately your reporter has not been able to discover who actually scored, lots of  "it was me!!!" but no honest answers. Walsall finnished the day with two late tries.

Referee Liddel looking for the ball.

Despite the result, the performance by Handsworth was superb and shows the continued improvement of the team. It bodes well for next season, and I'm sure the encounters with Walsall and other clubs will grow keener and keener.    

 

Not me sir!!

The coaches have some work to do on the scrum this season.

The Tag Match about to start

Action from the Tag Match

Handsworth 1xv 20-40 Invitation xv 
 

_It's been a long while since the Invitation XV have beaten a Handsworth side, but his year one of the strongest guest sides for many a year took on Handsworth who were without a number of regular players through injury or other commitments, which has been the story of Handsworth's failings throughout the 2001/02 season. 

Dicky Bird winning more lineout ball.

With the slope against them Handsworth received the kick-off and it was evident from the way that the visiting forwards his the evergreen Dickie Bird, that they weren't just here to make up the numbers.  

The game was a tough one in every area of the park but Handsworth came through to score an early try as full-back, Billy Jordan, polished of some fine handling play to score the first try of the afternoon. Fly-half, Matt Draper, who's kicking usually impeccable did a rugby version of Wursel Gummidge and forgot to put his kicking feet on before he took the field. His precision kicks were unfortunately not on show on Sunday and long afternoons kicking at goal during the closed season will be on the cards for The Welsh Wizard. 

The Invitation XV hit back with a couple of tries before some flowing rugby from Handsworth saw winger, Dave Butcher, strolled home to score Handsworth's second in the right-hand corner after Dave Slack drew his men towards him to release the pacy number 11. 

The second half saw a slump in Handsworth's form as the visitors began to take control and Handsworth saw them selves down by 13 points to 26. Handsworth looked towards their three-quarters to pull them back into the game once more and their wishes were granted as winger, Jon Mills, did what he was promising all afternoon by scorching past his opposite number, former Handsworth skipper, Dean Hughes, to score in the corner. 

With the scores now at 20-26 Handsworth sensed that a late recovery could be on the cards and a converted try could win them the game. Their hopes were dashed, however, as the Invitation XV bagged another couple of tries to seal the game. 

The Presidents side