Marlborough Rugby

Marlborough RFC 1967

The History of rugby at Marlborough has been a chequered one since the game was first played in the 19th century, but with the reforming in 1967 of an organised set-up known as the Marlborough Rugby Union Football Club, the sport has been established on a firm footing in the town.

The revived club was started as result of the enthusiasm of Bill Bingham  and Martin Trigg, who were determined to see Rugby again on the common after the demise at the out break of the Second World War.

The 1930’s team was made up of ex-pupils and masters of the schools of Marlborough. There were several ex- servicemen playing for the team in that first season.Their base was  also the Sun Inn. they played on a field at the top of Savernake Hill, and showered at the Sun Inn.

They wore Royal Blue jerseys and white shorts.

The team moved on to the common in 1933/34.

In 1967 the revived team played their first fixture against customers of the Sun Inn. The Sun Inn being represented by the “Sun Downers”. It was a close match resulting in a 3-0 victory.A penalty was given to M.R.F.C. after a crooked feed by scrum half Roger Swanton.

The Match was designed to be a prelude to the 1967 season, and sought to generate support in the Town.Following this match a fund raising event of cheese and wine was held in the Town Hall.

Here is a photograph of that team.

Back Row

Dick Anglis, Elved Phillips, JohnWalton, John and Richard Acheson, Tom Seamen, Peter Lovatt, John Bullen, Owen Martin, Dick Norcross.

Front Row

P. Brain,Graham Light, Martin Kit-Son Trigg, Chris Beasant, Chris Naish.

To launch MRFC 1967, a match as described in earlier texts in this column was to gage interest in Rugby in the town and raise funds for the embryonic club.

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The above report prompted one of the team to get in touch - Elved Phillips - who recalls the team and some early memories of the club's restart:

"I have my records at home but from memory only; from the back left to right you have Dick Anglis army flyhalf/centre, myself wing/centre, John Walton full back a farmer from Baydon, then the two Acheson twins Richard and Robert both played either scrum half/fly half or centre ( as was probably the case with Dick Angliss at outside half this time). Behind them is Tom Seaman a farmer from Mildenhall second row, Pete Lovett flanker, John Bullen  army who could play prop, flanker, Owen Martin second row, Dick Hillier as he was then, but later changed his surname to Norcross winger, front row you have Dick Still number eight, not sure about the next chap but he played hooker could be Graham Light, Martin Trigg prop, next man first name was Tim I think ( or maybe he was Andy Timmer?) the last man is my dear old best friend Chris  Naish he played prop, and sadly died in 1998. He like me played in the very first game that Marlborough had in May of 1967, when we beat Vickers Supermarine at Swindon 17-3! I have another photo of most of the players who were in that game with me. We were involved from the first meetings in the Sun Inn, with Bill Bingham. I am interested in history; so retained information about the first 4/5 years of the clubs existence, photos, fixture lists .Although I worked away a lot  I played on and off into the early eighties, 1^st,2nds,3rds. There was one period when under the captaincy of Ian Clements a number of us being ex first team elected to play together in the 3^rd team, and would probably have beaten the second team!"

If any information above is incorrect please contact the club and inform us of any mis information.