SOUTH OF ENGLAND vs. NORTH OF ENGLAND ALL-STAR CHALLENGE MATCH

October 1991

During the 1991 season, it was announced that there was to be an All-Star challenge match between players from the North of England and players from the South of England.

A South of England squad was announced, and the Raiders had 6 players selected for the trials that were held at Basildon. The six selected were:

Mark Elliott
Steve Shergold
Matt Heasman
Rich Cleveland
Stuart Winship
Bradley Smith.

It was no coincidence that the coaches of the South of England were from Basildon and Crawley, and the majority of the players selected were from those clubs, despite Basildon not winning a game and pulling out half way through the season!

Once the first training session began it became apparent that the Bournemouth Raiders players selected would have little playing time when it actually came round to the game.

When it actually came to the game Rich Cleveland, Matt Heasman and Stuart Winship pulled out due to other commitments, and Simon Osborn and Alex Moland replaced them.

The game was held at Chelmsford Leisure Centre, and the Bournemouth players did indeed get little playing time. Simon Osborn started on defense, and Alex Moland got some playing time on the offensive line. In the 3rd quarter, after Mark Elliott had ripped off one of the North's turbans and gave away a 15 yard penalty, Bradley Smith came on at QB and was promptly sacked for a safety and saw no game time after that. Mark Elliott patiently awaited his turn, and when he was finally given the call in the 4th quarter he more than doubled the South's total yardage with his first carry before being knocked out of bounds by the safety. The crowd were singing his name, "Bernard, Bernard!!!!!!!!" He carried the ball again for a few yards after that, but the game was already lost.

Also there must be a mention for the 15 yard penalty given against the South after a player on the sidelines shouted,

"How much are they paying you ref ?" The culprit was never found, despite the fact he was 6"4 and sporting a crop of dark black hair, with possibly one grey hair!

The North ran out 28-0 winners, but the South won the punch up at the end!