Kilburn Cosmos RFC Old Boys XV v Tauranga Truss RFC 1st XV
Auckland, New Zealand, 2 August 2008
A group of Kilburn Cosmos RFC ex-players got together last month in New Zealand to stage the first reunion game for the club's fledgling "Old Boys" team. At windswept Suburbs RFC, Auckland, the Cosmos Old Boys XV took on the Tauranga Truss 1XV with a line up that included some great names from the 12 year history of Kilburn Rugby, including Owen and Charlie Sanders, Damien Kaukau, Ryan Perkins and former club Chairman Jim Greetham.
The well matched veteran teams started at a strong pace, with scrumhalf Ian Stewart and fly half Todd Williams feeding the ball down the line to Brendon Dwyer and Brook Grimwood in the centres. They unleashed the recent returnee Lyndon White on the wing who touched down for the opening try early in the game. Tauranga replied with a score of their own but Kilburn were soon infront again when a Williams chip kick was scooped up on the line by Hayden Wilson and planted for another try. Andrew Drake and John Worne in the forwards were in the thick of the action but the home side scored again and kept it even, and eventually slipped ahead by one try at halftime. The second half saw the Old Boys go down by two rapid tries from the Home team, but they kept firing, with Ryan Perkins on the wing and Anthony Bowron both nearly crossing the line to reply. Lineout ball was easy picking for Kilburn with leaping Andrew Whitburn and Andrew Drake dominating in the last quarter and setting up a last gasp try for Bowron in the corner to make the final score 30-25.
Commenting, Cosmos Chairman Phil Morgan said: "Its great to hear of so many Kilburn Old Boys getting together in the southern hemisphere and keeping the traditions of the club alive. hearing that so many old faces were on the pitch will inspire the new generation of Cosmos to get that promotion to London regional rugby this year!"
