Campion vets amassed for the first time in two years at Brentwood on a glorious November Saturday. The pack and particularly the front row, in the formidable size of Liddle, Lynch and Midson, were looking to make it a long afternoon for their opposition. The lack of Ian McCall and Jim Williams to hook gave Pat Cussen the chance to throw in, well lob it. There were many complementary comments about how the players have maintained their fantastic fitness and muscular physiques the pick of which was Maguire stating to Paul Larner ‘I thought it was your Mrs that was pregnant.’

From the start Campion were on the front foot, playing up the slope and into the sun their early pressure resulted in Stephen Hoare side stepping his way to the line after some fine work in the forwards. With Phil Friel's conversion the score was 7-0. This however, was after Dan McCarthy seemed certain to score and somehow contrived not to in the left hand corner much to Tucker’s delight!

Brentwood then had their best spell of the game. Pressure resulted in Friel trying to explain the laws to the official, the official then explained it was a penalty and Brentwood, in the true spirit of a vets friendly, took the three points. They were then quickly on the front foot again and Friel was quick with his tongue again, the result Martin Gaghan, at the behest of the ref, was subbed into scrum half. Gagsy's presence seemed enough for Campion to press home their advantage. A quick penalty led to a second butchered opportunity in the left corner before former Romford and Gidea Park second row Richard Tucker dropped over for a score.

Both teams broke for a much needed half time rest. Curley's wise words were to make tackles and hit rucks. Friel apologetically begged for a second chance from the ref, he agreed.

The second half started with a red and black onslaught. Midson, Liddle and Lynch were starting to get a real squeeze on in the scrum with big Pete seemingly getting under the skin of the opposition. A great counter attack resulted in Tucker junior Pat Cussen falling on the line for a third try. Friel's kicking boots had clearly been left in the car as he missed again. Brentwood were now stuck in their own half playing up the slope and the old boys pressed for another score. It was to come in the form of arguably he slowest dummy in the history of rugby as Tucker of the yard went over for his second and Campion’s bonus point try.

The vets old boys were in full flow, Nick Walsh and then Gagsy were side stepping on the left wing one of which led to a break by John Arnone and a pass to Kyle Brazier seemed to set up the youngest of this vets side to score, however despite the highly accurate pass from Arnone, Brazier contrived to drop the ball with the line in sight.

The official, who seemed concerned that the players were not fit enough to continue, decided it was best to blow his whistle at 10 second intervals, as a result the game stopped and started for long spells. In between those gaps the red and blacks grabbed the final score of the game. With 20 minutes to go the try of the game came and it was worth it's weight (correct use of weight). As Brentwood pressed to score Richard Walsh intercepted on his own 22. He proceeded to jog and as he looked for support he was to realise that there was none coming. He had to travel the length of the pitch on his own. Even the opposition wanted him to do it as they half-heartedly gave chase. The prop like centre was required to sprint the final 15m as the defenders closed in. He collapsed on the line whilst his team mates collapsed with laughter. The run took so long it became the last play of the game. Obviously Friel missed the conversion.

The full time whistle sounded and order was restored, Campion had triumphed and the celebrating could commence. It had been an eventful 60 minutes; Pat Cussen had set a record for the most not straight throws in a game, Brazier dropping more than he caught and Rich Walsh had run further than anyone thought he was capable of. The vets will reconvene in the new year where Rugby will be the winner again, well rugby and Campion.