International rugby stars joined players from Blackheath and Westcombe Park to play in a charity match at Alyesford to mark the turning on of the club's new floodlights.
Thirteen full internationals, including Peter Winterbottom, David Pears, Jim Staples, Simon Geoghegan, Nial Woods, Kieron Dawson and Gary Halpin, plus a host of top local players like Blackheath's Jon Griffin, Harvey Biljon and Dave Fitzgerald, along with Westcombe Park's Mick Harris, Hayden O'Neil and Ben Thomas were in action.
The match attracted more than 1,000 fans and raised more than £10,000 for the Richard Langhorn Trust, a star player with Harlequins who tragically died while undergoing a routine back operation seven years ago. The trust provides sporting facilities for underprivileged and disabled children, including sailing, rugby, skiing and basketball.
Richard's mother Monique collected a cheque from Aylesford's Rugby Club's sponsor Pat Gallagher, club president Jack Wlliams, Blackheath's Mickey Skinner and legendary Irish international and British Lion Fergus Slattery.
Blackheath spokesman Jack Kay said: "The Irish bands and the odd gallon or two of the black stuff ensured the celebrations went on well into the night!"
The match provided a feast of attacking rugby, with the Aylesford XV beaing the Irish International Select XV 57-31.
November 6, 2001 10:23
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