Times Past: Bedford Modern School’s first XV 1961 reunion
BEDFORD’S unbeatables are shown in this photo - the first XV from Bedford Modern School who went a full season undefeated against any other school in the area.
The 1961 side were the last to earn the unbeaten sobriquet, and a reunion is now being organised by the team’s wing three-quarter Oliver Sanders.
Nine of the team have been located, but Mr Sanders is keen to find the final six.
He remembered: “We were a good team, but we didn’t have any outstanding individuals. It was more about how we played together. Nobody went on to any great sporting accomplishments.
“We were also lucky to have a settled team. There were no significant injuries, so only two others got into the team that year.
“We had nine matches against other schools and won every one.”
The two games the side did lose were both narrow defeats against senior sides.
The OBMs side edged one match 6-3, and in the other Bedford Wanderers, then the town’s second biggest team, won 13-6.
Mr Sanders said: “We weren’t bad at all, and we were leading against the Wanderers with 10 minutes to go.
“But they were a senior team and we were schoolboys. I think we just ran out of puff.”
The final game that gave the team their perfect record generated a lot of excitement, but was a close-run thing as the side only won with their narrowest margin of the season.
Mr Sanders said: “That’s the game I remember the most clearly. It was against Oakham in Rutland and we took three coachloads of supporters with us - and they all had to pay!
“We won 6-5 and I got our try.”
The team reunion will take place on Saturday, September 8.
For more information call Oliver Sanders on 01372 273319 or call Sarah Turnham at Bedford Modern School on 01234 332654.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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