Cpl Thacker was tragically killed in Afghanistan in 2012 and the memorial event was set up in his honour by friend and colleague Corporal Dave Allison of the Royal Welsh Regiment. The Thacker family chose Scotty's Little Soldiers as the beneficiary of the event, they are a charity who specialise in putting a smile back on the faces of children who lose their parents in conflict and are one of the three charities Tamworth Rugby Club are supporting at their own charity event in the summer.

The Tamworth team arrived at the stadium with a fair amount of nervous energy as they watched the well drilled forces men warming up with their coach, none other than Leicester Tigers and ex England hooker George Chuter! The nerves were put to one side though and the town men enjoyed warming up in the sunshine in front of the large stadium crowd. The call had gone out some time ago for availability of players and an overwhelming number answered making selection very difficult but the match day squad was as follows;

1. Dan Boardman 2. Dougie Fraser 3. Dean Smith 4. Dan Wayne 5. John Smith 6. Stefan Rayworth 7. Brent Rikalans 8. Martin Dearne 9. Kieran Jackson 10. Chris Lakin 11. Tom Wayne 12. Danny Huntley 13. Kris Taft 14. Dave Goodwin 15. Danny Norton Replacements: Tom Scott, Phil Stevenson, Jason Norton, Dan Harling, Joe Madden, Jon Parkin, Sam Dearne.

Following an introduction by the event organiser Dave Allison and rapturous applause from the crowd the game started with Chris Lakin's kick off and almost immediately the nerves were forgotten and it was down to business for the Town side. A huge first hit from Martin Dearne demonstrated his commitment to the game and three phases later the very same man had turned the ball over. Solid pod work from the forward pack gave good field position for Town before an infringement at the ruck led to the first penalty. Despite the comedic boo's from the crowd Norton slotted the three points and Tamworth had laid down a big marker for the game in the opening minutes.

Several brutally physical phases of play followed with strong carries from both sides. The Scotty's number 8 was causing serious trouble for Tamworth in attack and likewise in defence the open side flanker was devastating. Play continued though with some fantastic rugby from both sides until Army Veteran Luke Simmonds crossed for Scotty's following a break down the blindside. The try was converted and the score 7-3.

Town found another gear after this and solid work from the back row combination of Rikalans, Rayworth and Dearne earned their team another penalty which Norton successfully converted.

Tamworth continued this rate of play with fantastic carries from Boardman, Smith and Dan Wayne who were supported superbly by Taft and Jackson. The interlink play was magic to watch and soon enough on the 22nd minute Kris Taft crossed over for Town's first try. Subtle hands from the half backs Jackson and Lakin had found Danny Norton in a little bit of space, he jinked one way then the other and finally released Taft who sprinted in from 30m for a stunning try, converted by Norton. 7-13.
Scotty's continued to defend in a gutsy, determined manner but again Tamworth had found themselves in space, this time it was Danny Norton who popped up on the blind side and simple hands from the half backs gave him a run-in for a converted try. With half an hour played the score was 7-20.

Tamworth really had the bit between their teeth now and a third try came just five minutes later. A solid platform was created by a pick and go from number 8 Martin Dearne, supported well by his back row colleagues. Further carries from Dan Wayne and club captain Dean Smith saw town in good field position. The ball was spun out the fly half Chris Lakin who showed sublime vision to nudge a cross field kick in behind the covering winger. The ball bounced once and was tapped back by chasing Danny Norton, straight into the hands of Kris Taft who ran in for his second try in the corner leaving the score 7-25.

It must be said that lesser teams may have crumbled at this point but the Scotty's team came together, driven and inspired by their friend for whom they played, and they came out fighting. Tireless work in defence, in particular their impressive Army back row led by open side Casey Shaw, led to turnover ball in the midfield. Fast hands from ex Army full back Ceri Cummings gave their Fijian winger chance to open his legs and that's exactly what he did. A sharp break down the near touch line bouncing off three defenders on his way led to a penalty which the Scotty's fly half slotted to go in at half time trailing 10-25.

Tamworth were under no illusions and knew that the Scotty's team would come out all guns blazing in the second half, led by inspiration and the sheer emotion of this special day. After a short break in the changing rooms the players re-emerged and it was immediately apparent that the Scotty's team were ready to do anything to get back into the game.

The game which had already been played at fast pace somehow managed to step up a level in intensity and physicality, possibly due to the introduction of some fresh legs. Sam Dearne replaced Dave Goodwin on the wing, Jason Norton and Phil Stevenson came into the front row and Joe Madden and Dan Harling replaced Stefan Rayworth and Brent Rikalans on the flanks.

As expected Scotty's threw the kitchen sink at Town and it was clear from the look in their eyes that they wanted this game so badly. The determination and teamwork shown in defence was very impressive and two minutes into the half they earned a penalty. No kicking to touch now, this was a serious game and the three points were well converted by the trusty boot of the Royal Welsh Regiment fly-half.
Tamworth were then hit with a whirlwind by the Scotty's team. The momentum had clearly swung in their favour and they attacked from all angles with Ceri Cummings leading the back line charge and their Royal Welsh Regiment number 8 leading the pack. It wasn't long before they crossed with a break from Cummings leading to a converted score.

On the 65th minute Scotty's went over again to level the score at 25-25. Luckily at this point calm leadership from Dean and John Smith ensured the Tamworth players kept their cool and managed the game correctly. The defence of the Tamworth team, although it had been breached twice, was mightily impressive. Scotty's could well have gone over for three of four tries in that twenty minute spell but it seemed that they were not the only team who had taken some inspiration and emotion from the day.

The momentum finally slowed down when superb defensive work from Dan Boardman led to a penalty in the Scotty's 22 which Norton, who was having a fine day with the boot, converted again. The score sat at 25-28 in Town's favour with five minutes to play.

As if it was scripted, the Scotty's team managed to secure turnover ball in the midfield and a break from vice-captain Luke Simmonds led to another penalty. The Scotty's fly-half held his nerve and slotted from 40m to level the scores. In any other charity or exhibition game, a team may well have kicked to the corner at that point but this game now meant so much to both sides the sensible option had to be taken.

After a nervy final few minutes and a game saving tackle from Kieran Jackson, the whistle blew for the end of 80 minutes with the scores tied at 28 all.

28 all going into extra time in front of a stadium crowd was starting to feel like a cup final to both teams and the support from the crowd and the travelling Tamworth fans was superb, the effort and work rate from the two teams as well as the respect given to each other and the event was well appreciated by all in the ground. Respect is a funny thing in our sport though and it is given to an opposition team by playing your heart out in trying to beat them. The Town men are proud men and clearly wanted to do this fantastic event justice by playing to the very best of their abilities.

And so twenty minutes of extra time began with a big hit from flanker Joe Madden on the Scotty's receiver, followed by an even bigger hit by his back row compadre Brent Rikalans on his own opposite number. This was going to be a fiery period of rugby!
It was Scotty's who broke the deadlock with a penalty five minutes in. The absolute determination in every player was playing a huge part and work at the breakdown from the Scotty's back row earned them their shot at goal.

Town were equal in every area though including guts and determination and superb powerful running from the pack led to good field position. The ball was spun wide and a show and go from Danny Huntley down the blind side of the scrum, gave him enough space to release winger Dave Goodwin for a try. It was clear then how much it meant to the Tamworth side as they raced in to congratulate their team mate. Half time in extra time and the score was 38-31.

The second half of extra time definitely went in favour of Scotty's with them having the bulk of possession and Tamworth defending like a pack of dogs at times. After almost 100 minutes of rugby it's fair to say that both sets of players were running on sheer desire to win and the commitment shown at this point by all players was simply inspiring.

After solid defence for nearly 8 minutes, Town's wall finally cracked and it was the powerful number 8 who crossed. The reliable fly half again nailed a nervy conversion and would you believe it, the scores were still level after 100 minutes of competitive rugby.

After an hour and forty minutes of bruising, hard fought rugby it was going to be decided by a drop goal shootout. All players at this point were exhausted but were being cheered on by the ever supportive crowd. It was flanker Joe Madden who stepped up first and despite his nerves nailed a fairly sweet drop goal. A miss from the Scotty's Army and Twickenham star Ceri Cummings may have given Town chance to pinch it but nerves got the better of Wayne and our own superstar fullback Norton who both hit the post. One more successful kick from non other than the Scotty's prop forward and it came down to last years Captain and close friend of Cpl Mike Thacker, Luke Simmonds to win the game for the Scotty's side. He calmly set himself up and, fuelled by pure emotion and desire, slotted his goal straight between the posts to win an incredible game of rugby.

Applause from the spectators was a fitting tribute to the work rate and commitment shown by both sets of players, as well as the respect given to the event and to each other. Really the result could not have been any better, with an almost fairytale ending.

After an emotional presentation by event organiser Dave Allison the appreciation was once again shown by the supporters to both sets of players as they received their medals. Following this the very special Lee Scott Man of The Match trophy was awarded to Tamworth's second row Danny Wayne who had worked tirelessly for the full 100 minutes.

It was then time for the Scotty's skipper to receive the Cpl Mike Thacker Trophy in front of a standing ovation from the crowd. A fitting was to end this incredible game of rugby that Tamworth Rugby Club had been absolutely privileged to be involved in.
Following some photos it was into the bar for both sets of players who, in true rugby tradition, enjoyed a few beers together. Tamworth have now been invited to attend this event annually and so we look forward to playing our new friends again in 12 months time.

Final Score 38-38
Tries;
Norton
Goodwin
Taft x 2
Pens;
Norton x 4
Conversions;
Norton x 3
MOTM: Danny Wayne