Mike Penning, MP for the Hemel Hempstead, was named “Man of the Match” at the Commons & Lords rugby team’s annual charity match at Twickenham Stadium on Tuesday 17th April.

The Commons & Lords team were up against a combined team from Cannock and Rugeley rugby clubs organised by Aidan Burley, MP for Cannock Chase, and scrum half for the Commons & Lords. The Staffordshire team dubbed themselves ‘Chase Coalition’ and ran out 13-7 winners, scoring two tries to one.

The match raised £10,900 for first-time beneficiaries, the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

John Owen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RFU Injured Players Foundation, and RFU Past President, received the cheque. He said:
“Fund-raising days like this are so important to enable us to care for the clients of the RFU Injured Players Foundation.”

The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) supports people who sustain a catastrophic injury while playing rugby. The charity, which has more than 130 clients currently, provides help and support for players and their families, in the early months after the injury and in the long term.

The match began with a try for the Chase Coalition by Dave Gregory, but the Commons & Lords led when Mike Penning caught a lineout and the ball was moved expertly for Jug Johal to score a try converted by James Faiers.

A penalty goal squeezed over by Tom Impallomeni with eight minutes remaining edged the combined Cannock and Rugeley side back in front, and delighted prop Tommy Wilson celebrated a once-in-a-lifetime try at Twickenham from a rolling maul to finish the scoring.

Martin de Ridder, Rugeley RUFC director of rugby, said: “This has been a fantastic day for everyone involved.

“Catastrophic injury in rugby is very rare, thankfully, but it is great to know that if the worst does happen there is an organisation like the IPF there to help.”

Man of the match Mike Penning was presented with a bottle of champagne by Eliott Ray of the RFU Wine Club.

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