A lively crowd of more than 1,600 packed the stands at New Meadow, the home of Gloucester AFC on Sunday to watch a Rugby For Heroes side led by World Cup legend Mike Tindall take on a Gloucester AFC invitational side.
A goal free first quarter was played under a clear blue sky. Both sides were intent on playing attacking football, and the rugby players seemed to be getting to grips with the round ball game. The deadlock was broken after twenty minutes, and two more quick goals five minutes later meant that Tom Webb’s Gloucester Legends side was in control from that point.
Their defence restricted the Rugby For Heroes side to some ambitious long range strikes by Delon Armitage. The crowd also enjoyed a textbook tackle by Will Temperley – unfortunately it was taken from a rugby textbook, and the sides went in at half time with the footballers 3-0 up.
A fourth goal immediately after half time made things reasonably comfortable for the Legends, but Tindall’s team managed to rattle their crossbar on the hour mark and continued to press forward. They were rewarded with a penalty kick ten minutes later, and Delon Armitage’s cool finish deservedly put the rugby players on the scoreboard. Another couple of goals sent the Gloucester AFC faithful home happy, if a little chilled.
Rugby For Heroes would like to thank the staff at New Meadow, as well as the players and tremendous supporters who did so much to make it such an enjoyable day. We’ll keep working on that off side trap, and Ryan Lamb will keep working on his penalties.
