By Isle of Wight Observer
The Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes Vets, led by their skipper, Greg Dean, on his final game of rugby, played at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday at the prestigious England RFU veterans’ rugby day.
The day of rugby was preceded by a massive fund-raising campaign by the playing squad and rugby club, with six invited teams competing, in aid of the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF).
The (IPF) provides support to any rugby player who sustains a life-changing spinal cord or brain injury while playing the game, and also funds injury prevention research to keep everyone safer on the field.
Greg said: “The IPF has supported one of our own, Luke Orton, who suffered a life changing and traumatic injury in 2022, and it was a privilege for our lads to be able to take to the field in the honour of Luke.
“Thanks to the efforts of the squad, club, Island community and wider contacts, SSRFC were the top fund-raising club raising a record breaking £42,000 of the total £100,000 raised becoming the highest fund-raising team in the history of the competition by over £11,000! The playing squad were rewarded for their efforts with the use of the England changing room for the day.”
On the pitch, the vets team won both their group matches, firstly in a tight game against Stratford Upon Avon RFC, followed by a comfortable win against Cobham RFC with a couple of wonder tries!
Sadly, in the final, the Hurricanes fell slightly short against a select Midlands Barbarians team made up of National 1 and championship former and current players.
Six Hurricanes also represented the club in the Super Vets (over-50s) match, which was also tightly contested.
The squad was joined by over 300 travelling Hurricanes supporters who cheered the boys on.
Greg added: “The day was a once in a life time experience for the players and supporters for an amazing cause.”
The team also thanked businesses and individuals who supported the fundraising efforts.
