Pirates Holiday XV 54 Brooksy's Barbarians 12
26th Dec 2009

This annual fixture once again provided excellent Boxing Day entertainment for a good-sized crowd gathered at the Mennaye Field.

The Barbarians side featured several former Pirates stars in their ranks, mixed with a number of gifted youngsters. However, the Holiday XV proved just a little too strong on the day, outscoring their opponents by 10 tries to two, including a hat-trick for lock Charlie Armstrong, who is presently studying at Nottingham University..

The first half was pretty even, it a period when the Barbarians scored their two tries through Peter White and Jack Hoare, one of which Mark George converted. The scoreline actually read 24-12 at the break, and it was still a contest, but in the second half it was one-way traffic with the Holiday XV dominant.

Craig Blewett, home on holiday for Christmas, played in the same pack as his brother Mark, whilst in Nicky Brooks' 'Brooksy's Barbarians' side Peter Lugg had the opportunity to play alongside sons Daniel and Jack for a short period of the game.

Former Pirates Keith Terry and Anthony Stevenson played well, brothers Mitch and Dan Holmes played alongside each other for the first time, Nicky Brooks and son Ben had a spell together playing at half-back, and Sam Stevens, son of 'Stack', was outstanding at scrum-half in the first half.

Local postman and swimmer, Keith Hollis, also took to the field for the first time in 17 years.

The game was well refereed by Darren Curry, with match organisers Nicky Brooks and Scott Dugdale also expressing appreciation to all the players and helpers for what was a “a great day.” The sum of £300 was also raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Pirates Holiday XV:
R. Cutter, D. Hewett, J. Oliver, M. Westren, E. Skewes, A. Snell, T. Dugdale, T. Ball (capt),
G. Pye, W. Baker, C. Armstrong, C. Blewett, M. Blewett, R. Stanley, M. Nicholas.

Replacements (all used):
S. Dugdale, E. Quick, K. Walsh, M. Hanley, S. Richards, C. Hosking, S. Bryant, H. Biljon.

Brooksy's Barbarians:
Players used – M. George, J. Hoare, W. Banks, J. Nowell, K. Terry, D. Holmes, M. Holmes
S. Stevens, A. Stevenson, R. Sharp, P. Bache, M. Nissen, P. White, Z. Scott, D. Bateman,
D. Lugg, P. Lugg, J. Lugg, N. Eddy, K. Hollis, H. Pettit, K. Moyle, D. Toolan, N. Brooks, B. Brooks.

Scorers:-

Pirates Holiday XV – tries: Armstrong (3), C. Blewett, Westren, Oliver, S. Dugdale, Stanley, Walsh, Biljon; cons: Westren (2).

Brooksy's Barbarians – tries: White, Hoare; con: George.

Referee: Darren Curry