Brigadier Rolph James Memorial Game at London Welsh RFC

Welsh Exiles/Public School Wanderers U18 7 Welsh Charitables U18 71
by Peter Ebenezer

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A sunny afternoon at Old Deer Park, home of London Welsh RFC, saw a Memorial match played in respect of the late Brigadier Rolph James, a native of Fishguard Pembrokeshire in 1930’s. The match, between a combined Public School Wanderers /Welsh Exiles Under 18, and a Welsh Charitables RFC U18, playing their first ever game, was overseen under the management of Terry Cobner, the former Pontypool, Wales, and British Lion Player.

The first quarter saw both sides testing each other, the stalemate eventually broken with a close interchange between the Charitables forwards following a catch and drive on the 5mtr line, before leading to a try in corner by Jack Hopkins (Blues). A second quickly followed, courtesy of the exciting no 10 Swansea’s Ben Thomas (Ospreys), who shone as brightly as the afternoons spring sun. Definitely one to look out for in the future.

On the quarter hour mark, the Exiles missed a golden opportunity to get their first points on the board. Enjoying their longest period of pressure, the home side made their way up field courtesy of a series of penalties. Taking a quick penalty in the last 5 mtrs, the exiles drove hard for the line, only for the Charitables defence to hold firm. Moving the ball wide only served to aid the Charitables, the home side handing over scrum possession with a knock on out wide.

From the scrum, within their own 22, the Charitables broke again. Some neat interplay starting with a long pass from the scrum half into the hands of winger Jack Phillips (Blues). Covering half the length of the field, Phillips drew the cover releasing outside half Thomas, before recovering to receive a neat return pass in the 22, scoring the Charitables third try, Thomas converting.




































The Charitables never missed the opportunity to move the ball wide. Mainly down to the Charitables winger playing at 9 after losing their scrum half on 25 minutes with a leg injury, his pinpoint passing proving crucial time and time again.

Although this was the first time that this group of players had played together, it wasn’t immediately evident, the fluidity proving crucial as three further tries followed before the interval, Ben Thomas and Jack Williams crossing for further scores, some deft handling by all players involved instrumental in achieving a half time score of 36-0.

The crowd had barely time to take their seats before Phillips crossed again, less than 60 seconds of the restart, Thomas adding the spoils. The interval did little to break their stride as the visitors first try of the second half, was quickly followed by further crossings by Bradley Robinson (Dragons/Exiles) and another for Phillips, scoring his third, Thomas again adding the extras.

Welsh Exiles/Public School Wanderers could not be faulted for commitment and enthusiasm to the occasion, their determination eventually resulting in a converted try as they managed some fluidity putting some moves together during a sustained period of pressure at the turn of the final quarter.

After absorbing some Exiles pressure, pushing the ball through the centres, Charitables put winger Phillips into some space, and the winger didn’t fail, running the length of the field from his own 22, to score under the post for another converted try.

With Both sides continuing to move the ball, a steal from the Charitables no 7, working tirelessly on the ground, having been prominent throughout the game, put his colleague no.8 James Benjamin(Dragons) through, to complete a 7-71 drubbing for the young Welsh Charitables side, commemorations given to both sides for their conduct and behaviour throughout a well behaved battle of two Welsh sides.

Match Pictures will be available soon at www.markel-photography.co.uk