Aidan had promised to play a fixture for the club when he was a last minute invite to the club’s annual dinner last May, just days after he was elected as the MP for the Cannock Chase constituency. He went on to wear a Rugeley Rugby Club tie when he was sworn in to Parliament the following month.

Aidan who is the Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Rugby Union Group had not played a rugby match for over 8 years.

The team started brightly with Aidan playing a scrum half. He got an early reminder from the Birmingham Barbarians scrum half of the physical nature of the game with a crunching tackle from the base of the scrum. The Barbarians quickly raced into a three try lead before Rugeley woke up and tried to work their way back into the game.

Aidan who had managed to win his seat with an unlikely 14 point swing at the last election was hoping for a similar turnaround in Rugeley’s benefit. He was unlucky not to score when he crossed the try line following a quick tap penalty. Unfortunately the referee decided he had not taken the penalty from the right spot and called him back. With newly found confidence Aidan tried a box kick from the base of a ruck which the Birmingham full back was able to field. Rugeley eventually scored with a powerful run from returning prop Samuel Elwell.

Rugeley tried valiantly but were unable to mount a comeback against a strong running Birmingham team despite tries from Carl Johnson, Matthew Williscroft and Jack Richards.

Aidan’s rugby experience continued with a few post match drinks with the opposition in the Vine Pub and a few more in the Plaza and Glassworks pubs before the night ended with a post-match curry at the Raj Bari.

Aidan has invited Rugeley to take on the Parliament team next season.

Club Secretary Martin de Ridder said,

“we were delighted that Aidan honoured his promise to play a match for us. He seemed to enjoy himself and intends to play a few more next season. We were pleasantly surprised by how good he was. Our first team could do with a decent scrum half. Perhaps we can sign him up for next season.”

Rugeley Rugby Club

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