Have you ever heard about the try I scored at Derwent Park?
It was a touchdown in the corner at the town end of the ground on the grandstand side and was scored in the early 80’s.
No I didn’t think you would have, although it was recorded on video at the time!
Let me explain. Back then there was great camaraderie – and intense rivalry in sport – between the east and west offices of Cumbrian Newspapers.
We had met on the cricket field, at football and even had an indoor session of pool and darts. So why not a game of rugby league.
It was then agreed to play at Derwent Park on a Sunday (out of season for Town) and the challenge was taken up by the East, who probably didn’t have as many familiar with league as we did in the west.
With the old video now long lost the actual score has faded into the mists of time but we did win the game.
Our second row pair of editor Terry Kirton and circulation boss Dave Bowden (later a Town chairman) I recall being particularly effective.
My own highlight was scoring a try – going in from ten yards – when there were men in front of me but the tackling wasn’t as destructive as it should have been.
Unfortunately I had to retire at half-time when word came to the ground that a close family member had suffered a serious illness.
We did play a return game at Dalston and on this occasion I seem to recall the East side getting their revenge.
Those were great days, the kind of activities which strengthened working bonds and widened friendships.
My other memory as far as rugby was concerned happened at Cockermouth GS when we were playing Keswick School, who weren’t very good around that time.
It was rugby union and we won the game by 70 points. I had scored four tries and I was particularly chuffed because watching had been a girl I’d had a crush on for a while.
As we walked off she came towards me, smiling like a basket of chips. I remember thinking “I’ve cracked it here” when she walked straight past me and linked arms with our big prop forward who already had the makings of a cauliflower ear and a bent nose.
Talk about being deflated!
