The first rugby game since the lockdown has taken place, and it’s fair to say it was an absolute classic as Baa-Baa RFC took on The Lambs at Brecon rugby club.
Club chairman Paul Amphlett has found a novel way to tend to his flock, raise some money for the NHS and get back to work as a paramedic thanks to the green, green grass at Parc de Pugh.
The home ground of Brecon RFC, one of the founding members of the Welsh Rugby Union back in 1881, is now home to 73 sheep, allowing Amphlett to go back into service as a paramedic with the Welsh Ambulance Service.
The solution is benefitting all parties and Amphlett has even found a way to raise money for the NHS through his cunning plan.
“I didn’t want to let my training as a Paramedic go to waste in these difficult times and the club needed to find a way to make and save some money during lockdown,” said Amphlett.
“I said I’d pay rent if they let me graze my sheep on the pitch. This in turn allowed us to keep our 73-year-old groundsman safely tucked away and also saved us some money on fertiliser.
“Then I had the idea to try to raise some money for the NHS by inviting people to name one of the ewes for a £30 minimum sponsorship. So far we’ve raised more than £3,000 and 35 have been named.
“We’re going to give away two of the sheep at the end – one to the highest bidder and one in a raffle of everyone who has taken out sponsorship.
If you would like to sponsor one of the sheep, go to BreconRFC.co.uk for more details and to download a sponsor form. All monies raised will be donated directly to the NHS.
Rugby Partners | Who are stars quarantining with?
The partners of rugby players in the UK are having to spend a lot more time with their other halfs due to the current lockdown.
Here we get to know the people behind the England, Scotland and Wales stars.
1. ANNABEL FIELD (HUW JONES)
Scotland centre Huw Jones is unafraid to show his love for girlfriend Annabel Field, describing the diminutive beauty as ‘his everything’ in an Instagram post. The couple are thought to have met in Glasgow but spend their time criss-crossing the globe – racking up visits to Monaco, Barcelona and the Bahamas in 2019 alone.
