A WARM WELCOME TO BURY ST EDMUNDS RFC
Second XV matches generate an affinity between clubs, even though the respective First XVs do not compete against each other. Up to now, this has been the case with regard to contact between ourselves and Bury St Edmunds RFC. Our Twos have travelled the distance to north Suffolk on several occasions and enjoyed some cracking games at that level. On the other hand, as far as I can figure out, until now the Suffolk contingent has not ventured south to us. So today we are delighted to welcome Bury’s first team to Knole Paddock for the first time.
Our two clubs enjoy the same inauguration year of 1925 so, if we are contesting in the same division in three years’ time, we’ll have a couple of good parties.
Culford School, situated about four miles north of the town, was the central point for senior rugby for Bury’s formative years until the move to their present Southgate Street home in 1963, by which time four sides were sent out every Saturday.
Then tragedy struck in 1974. On their return flight from Paris after attending the 5 Nations international, seventeen of the club’s 1st XV were killed in the then world’s biggest ever commercial airline disaster. As one would expect, it took both the rugby club and the town itself a number of years to recover. However building on the community spirit following such a catastrophe, and thanks to the hard work and dedication of its members, a larger new clubhouse was built and then extended in the late 1980s which allowed everyone involved to move forward with optimism.
Mini and youth rugby were introduced and, of course, leagues rugby began in 1987. The fruits of this new mini and youth structure began to be seen ten or so years later. Bury’s first promotion was achieved in 2001, the Suffolk Cup was won five times in ten years from 2004, and four further promotions were forthcoming, resulting in National League rugby in 2015. They have been a major force in Level 4 ever since.
Our away match earlier this season was a tight game played on a lovely sunny October afternoon. The Bury crowd proved to be the extra man as they ran out 29-24 winners. We can’t guarantee a sunny day in the Garden of England today, but we are certain our followers will give The Oaks the same lift as the home support did four months ago. Another intriguing tussle is anticipated.
Howard Pearl
Other London & South East Premier Division matches being played today:
Barnes v Tonbridge Juddian Blackheath v Henley
Dorking v Old Albanian Rochford Hundred v Canterbury
Westcliff v North Walsham Worthing v Guernsey