HM Prison Service Rugby Football Team

-v-

Metropolitan Police

After a successful trial held at Broad Street Rugby Club in early September a squad of 30 players were selected for this season and our first fixture took place on Wednesday 24 September at the Metropolitan Police sports ground Esher, Kingston upon Thames.

Prior to kick off the National Prison Team was presented with a new kit that was purchased for the team by G4S; great thanks go to the management team at HMP Parc and in particular Sara Webber for their continual support of Prison Service Rugby.

The match got under way with the home side putting lots of pressure on the Prison team and some excellent defence stopped the powerful Police pack from scoring on numerous occasions. The Police team also missed a couple of kickable penalties before the Prison side finally found their way into the game.

Midway through the first half the Prison team went 6 points ahead with two penalty kicks converted by Gareth John. Just before half time after some sustained pressure by the away side Chris Alderman capitalised on a defensive error by the Police and scored a well earned try for the Prison Service, the try was then converted by Gareth John.

 

In the second half the Prison Service Team made 8 changes introducing newly selected squad players on to the field for their first game. The next twenty minutes saw the best Rugby of the match as the Prison team dominated the game with some fast, exciting Rugby, a try by debutant Rob Jeffery and further points from the boot of Gareth John put the Prison side into an unassailable lead. In the last fifteen minutes the Police mounted a late comeback by scoring two tries but this was thwarted by further points by the Prison team, a try by Dylan Griffiths and more points from Gareth John.

Final Score

HM Prison Service RFC 39 ~ Metropolitan Police 12

If you are a Prison Service employee and play club Rugby at a good level and would like to play for our national team (including Vets Rugby over 35’s) please contact Bob Davies bob.davies@hmps.gsi.gov.uk