The game consisted of his ex-Highcliffe school team mates take on second and third team players from New Milton RFC (his old junior club) in a fascinating game at New Milton Rugby Club.
The Highcliffe team was made up of 8 players who have continued playing since leaving school 6 years ago and an equal number who have been less active on the field in recent years. Their determination was obvious from the start with some ferocious defence from the first whistle. It didn’t take long for defence to turn into attack and quick ball from the pack sent Tom Riley into space up the pitch who hurdled his way through New Milton defenders to sprint 50 yards up the pitch under the posts for the first score of the match. He converted his own try to make it 7-0.
New Milton came back strongly with some solid attacks being met by eager and strong defence from the Highcliffe team. The intense pressure led to a number of penalties and eventually saw a New Milton forward crashing over near the touchline to put them on the scoreboard.
Both teams invested the game with the intensity of a cup final rather than charity game. New Milton winger Lewis Thompson experienced a tough day being put into touch numerous times thanks to big hits from Lloyd Gough and Andy Doyle. Sam Tresman put Highcliffe further ahead with a run through a gaping hole in the New Milton defence. This was also converted by Tom Riley.
New Milton came quickly back piling on the pressure and a rare lapse in concentration gave New Milton another try. That aside the Highcliffe defence was exceptional with the more inexperienced team defending for the majority game but putting their bodies on the line in each tackle and ensuring they were to give away no easy ground.
When they received the ball they were dangerous in attack with James Cracknell rampaging up the pitch slickly offloading to the Highcliffe backline who eventually released Joe Liddicoat some 70 yards from Cracknell’s first run to dive under the posts against New Milton tacklers only for the referee to rule out a scintillating try. Soon after this Oli Riley intercepted the ball on the half way line to emulate his brother and race under the posts for another converted try. At this stage Highcliffe looked home and dry.
New Milton had other ideas and some fresh replacements and some favourable calls helped them storm up the pitch twice in the last quarter and score two tries through their energised backs. These were both unconverted though to leave the game at 21-20 with 3 minutes remaining and Highcliffe had a chance to end the game with kicker Ben Berry just needing to kick the dead from his penalty to end the game, his kick was scuffed and allowed one last gasp chance for New Milton to attack but as ever brave defending turned the ball over to seal a epic victory in honour of their school mate.
The day was watched by many and thanks to the support of spectators, friends and family the event managed to raise an outstanding £1223.71 for Sarcoma UK and is sure to be an annual event in honour of the brave ex Highcliffe student William Carling.
If you would like to donate to the Will Carling Charity you can do so by: www.justgiving.com/willcarling
Danny Atkins is also running the London Marathon in memory of Will and his just giving page is – www.justgiving.com/Danny-Atkins
Many thanks to all members of the Highcliffe Old Boy Team: James Walls, Pete Lincoln, Seb Bush-Hipwood, James Cracknell, Ben Berry, Andy Doyle, Toby Hill-Cousins, Danny Atkins, Sam Linford, Joe Liddicoat, Oli Riley, Charles Sugden, Lloyd Gough, Tom Riley, Sam Tresman, George Knight, Adam Pulfer.
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