This year marked the 30th Anniversary of the bombing so there was an extra poignancy about the occasion.
The day started with the Service of Commemoration at the garden of Remembrance. This was attended by Our President Dave Rose who laid a reef on the clubs behalf and other club officials and members.
The Club televised the England vs Tonga RWC game in the morning
Deal Brass Academy entertained the crowds pre-match.

The Game

A number of our junior players created a tunnel for the players to run through out onto the pitch. The two teams lined up along the 5 metre line and along with the spectators listened in silence to the RMBS Core of Drums. The existing Shield for which the teams play for was retired from Service and presented to Dave Rose Snr by Rear Admiral John Weale of the Royal Navy and President of the RMBS Rugby. It was also fitting that John was a former Deal Wanderer.

Captain Andy Gregory ,Director of Music RM Band Portsmouth, unveiled a new shield. The shield design replicated the shape of the Deal memorial Bandstand, with twelve sides and a plaque mounted on 11 sides of the shield with the names of each of the bandsmen killed. Both the Lions and the RMBS Rugby Section logos were embossed on a piece of wood taken from a tree that originally grew on the Deal Barracks.
Dave Rose then read out a poem written by Sheila Bamford around the time of the bombing as follows

Eleven (The Number Of Remembrance)

There is Silence
It is the silence that follows a shattering noise
And in that whistling, unbelieving moment – nothing can make sense

Then, sight and sound intensified, every sense is focused on this Part
A moment of sensation, of awful realisation, a wound struck at the heart
Instinct, yet still disciplined, dictates what men must do
As clouds of dust, rising, close the skies
And shattered walls trap now unseeing eyes
Comrades claw at rubble to reach their fallen few

A helmet, stained and dirty, lies dented on the ground
Torn and muted metal shall no more fill the sound
Yet no foul act of treason can ever cause to fall
Traditions of Britannia –rich seams on which to call

Eleven spaces in the ranks – Defiance marches out
Eleven silent instruments to drown all evils shout
Eleven stolen Souls still honoured to this day
Eleven names upon the stand where still musicians play
The town of Deal remembers well the scar that cut you through
These men –Musicians of Marines- were rightly our sons too.

Captain Andy Gregory then led the remembrance followed by the Last post played by the RMBS Buglers and a minute’s silence.The players took their positions ready for kick off. The game being refereed by Deal & Bettes RFC’s Phil Chatterton.

Although this was staged as a 2nd XV fixture for the Lions the first ten minutes saw a number of “vintage” players on both sides battle it out. These players have been part of this fixture from the beginning and it was fitting that they played a part in this game.
The game kicked off and the spoils were even. There was nothing to separate the teams after 10 minutes with the score remaining at 0-0. The vintage players made way for the younger players.

The game ebbed and flowed with both teams making good breaks but the defence play on both sides thwarting any scoring potential. It was the Lions who scored first with a converted try.

The Lions were to go further in the lead with another converted try. 14-0. Both sides were committing offences at the breakdown. The scrums and Line outs were evenly matched.
The RMBS put their first points on the board with an unconverted try-14-5 to the Lions. There was to be no further score in the first half.

The second half kicked off. As the half continued The Lions were guilty of not committing the right amount of bodies to the ruck which meant a lot of ball was being turned over by the RMBS. It is safe to say even though the RMBS frequency of playing rugby is to a lesser degree than the Lions they are well drilled and by default have a high level of fitness. Both sides were make rolling substitutions.

The RMBS continued to play strong attacking rugby and used the pick up and drive set piece very effectively. They were next to score with a converted try. 14-12. If it wasn’t for the defence by the Lions, at times scrambled, holding up, the RMBS would have put further scores on the board.

The Lions scored next with a converted try. 19-12 to the Lions. The tension mounted as the game went on. The RMBS scored next with a converted try. 19-19. there was nothing to indicate who would be victorious as the game went on.

With only 10 minutes of the game remaining the RMBS were awarded a penalty close to the posts. 22-19 to the RMBS. Was this the final blow? Would it be the RMBS first on the new shield? Fortunately for the Lions it wasn’t. The Lions pressed for another score and after winning a scrum in the RMBS half, the Lions got the ball out wide and managed to go over for a try. The conversion was missed. 24-22 to the Lions with only 5 minutes to play.

The RMBS heads didn’t drop and again the Lions had to repel wave after wave of attack. With The RMBS deep in the Lions half an attempt at a drop goal was missed. The clock wound down with the lions managing to kick to touch bringing the game to an end. It couldn’t have been closer and the spirit of every player was clear to see.

The new Shield would stay in Deal. The shield was presented to Dave Rose and the Lions captain by Rear Admiral John Weale. Presentations were made soon after the game. The “Macmillan” man of match from both sides was presented by Wendy Macmillan, wife of David Macmillan who was one of the bandsmen killed in the bombing. There was the customary **** of the day award from both sides as well.

Entertainment kicked off with a surprise treat for all attending. The RMBS dance band wowed the audience with a number of sets and a guest vocal appearance by our very own Russel English. It was a true party atmosphere.

Deal & Betteshanger RFC Director Steve Castle, on behalf of the club, presented Captain Andy Gregory a special framed version of the 30th Anniversary Commemorative polo shirt, designed especially for the day. The club was a blaze with many players and supporters wearing it.
Each of the players received a medallion to commemorate their participation in the day.
The hospitality went on late into the night with both old acquaintances reliving days gone by and new friendships made.

Special thanks go to the following

The Bar Staff for putting in an almighty shift and keeping all attending well watered.
The kitchen staff for keeping all present fed
Alison Squire, Michael Parker along with for RMBS for all the organisational requirements of the day
Vicky White for being the clubs “official” photographer. (Photos uploaded to the website).

All agreed it was a fitting day to mark the 30th Anniversary and a proud day for Deal & Betteshanger RFC and the Royal Marines Band Service.

Next years Fixture will be on the 11th October.

“Lest we Forget”