THE Plymouth rugby community once again turned out in force for the annual Paul Lethbridge Memorial Day at the Parkway.
This year’s event was raising money for Solving Kids Cancer, a charity that has been supporting young local rugby player George Thompson and his family over the last few years.
The centre piece of this year’s charity day was a veterans match between a Tamar Saracens XV and an Old Techs XV. Teams were made up of players who were over-35 and who had known Paul, who sadly died in 2013. Old Techs triumphed 36-20 in an entertaining game.
Before that match, Tamar Saracens’ first team played OPMs in a pre-season game that the hosts won 21-10.
Sarries had gone 14-0 with two tries in the first seven minutes courtesy of Josh Heath and Fraser Tatchell, which Tommy Pullinger converted.
Callum Morgan quickly pulled a try back for OPMs, who then had a really good spell of territory without scoring to go in at the break 14-5 down.
Scotty Sheldon added a third after the interval for Sarries but just before the end, Jake Aquilina scored from a catch-and-drive move for OPMs, who were without a host of their regular players.
“We had a real mish-mash of a side, including a couple of guest players and boys playing out of position, but I thought we played really, really well,” said OPMs coach Rick Orkney.
“We were strong up front – we scrummaged very well and scored a catch-and-drive line-out try and made it very difficult for them, who are a good side.
“We were reasonably good with the ball, but we are rusty. It was a second pre-season game under our belts and we are really glad we have done it, otherwise next week would have been very difficult.”
Tamar Saracens coach Davy McGregor said: “It was very positive. It was the first time we have played a team at our level and it was nice that we dominated in most areas.
“I just think the lads maybe need to be more ruthless, but overall they seem to be enjoying what we are trying to achieve and obviously it is always nice to get a win.”
Gallery from the Tamar Saracens v OPMs vets game
Gallery of Tamar Saracens v OPMs
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