Dr Parkins remembers a particular tale from his playing career for Bletchley RUFC.
“Bletchley Rugby Union FC invited members by card (sent by post or hand delivered) to take part in games and the Club usually fielded only a First XV. During the 1952/53 season, when Dr Parkins was around 20 years of age, so many positive returns were received for this particular match away at Northampton that a second team match was also arranged, but this was to take place at a separate venue to that of the first match. The players were sorted into their respective teams on the coach going across and at the arrival to the first venue the appropriate players disembarked to play their match. Dr Parkins was one of the players who remained on the coach travelling to the second venue, once there the players disembarked, changed into their kit and went out to play. 15minutes into the match the Ref ordered a scrum, behind which was a scene of some confusion. The Captain, Jack Simmons (aged around 40years old), eventually went up to the Ref and apologised as unbeknownst to all, Bletchley RUFC had in fact been playing with 16 men on the pitch. All the players roared with laughter and parity was resumed when Bletchley loaned a player to the Northampton side for the teams to finish the match with 16 men on each side.
“Bletchley Rugby Union FC invited members by card (sent by post or hand delivered) to take part in games and the Club usually fielded only a First XV. During the 1952/53 season, when Dr Parkins was around 20 years of age, so many positive returns were received for this particular match away at Northampton that a second team match was also arranged, but this was to take place at a separate venue to that of the first match. The players were sorted into their respective teams on the coach going across and at the arrival to the first venue the appropriate players disembarked to play their match. Dr Parkins was one of the players who remained on the coach travelling to the second venue, once there the players disembarked, changed into their kit and went out to play. 15minutes into the match the Ref ordered a scrum, behind which was a scene of some confusion. The Captain, Jack Simmons (aged around 40years old), eventually went up to the Ref and apologised as unbeknownst to all, Bletchley RUFC had in fact been playing with 16 men on the pitch. All the players roared with laughter and parity was resumed when Bletchley loaned a player to the Northampton side for the teams to finish the match with 16 men on each side.