Many former Bury and A-As' players were most generously entertained to lunch by the club before the match. I am confident that, in the presence of Shirley his widow and members of his family, we paid tribute to one of our founders, a Past President of the A-As and a true Rugby gentleman in a most appropriate way. It was also fitting that we could remember another A-A stalwart and regular tourist in Brian Fryer. Arthur and Brian would have definitely enjoyed the occasion.
The match was most competitive and produced some good periods of Rugby, in spite of the attrocious weather. Sadly it was not the day for total running Rugby and the 22-3 victory was achieved with a couple of 'forward drive' tries, ably marshalled by the former Tim Fourie, the Eastern Province, Sedgeley Park and Lancashire stalwart. The third score followed a burst through the middle by the new-found centre Jason Ashcroft, the former Waterloo and Lancashire player back row forward. The match was refereed with empathy by Andy Rawson, the young Manchester Society official, and was played in an excellent spirit which would have delighted our founders. The high esteem in which Arthur was held can be reflected by the fact that players travelled from places as far away as Cheltenham and Solihull.
Members of the Bury RUFC Colts team braved the conditions and did very well by selling the programmes and raising funds for Wooden Spoon.
TRIBUTE TO A FOUNDER MEMBER OF THE ANTI-ASSASSINS ARTHUR KENYON 1928 - 2007
Spoon is saddened to announce Arthur’s death on 10 December 2007. With Stewart Faulds and his brother Geoff he founded the
Anti-Assassins in 1950 for a match against Sedbergh School and as an invitation side the A-As went on to play schools, old boys teams and
clubs throughout the UK and in many countries overseas.
He followed Stewart as President of the A-As for three years and for thirty years was their representative on the Lancashire County Rugby Union. Sadly Arthur suffered poor health in the last few years but still he followed closely the Club’s tie-in three years ago with Wooden Spoon, now playing as Wooden Spoon A-As.
As a past 1st XV Captain, Chairman and President, he had a lifetime’s involvement with Bury RUFC and for many years produced the Club’s match reports. A real gentleman with a keen sense of humour, he will be much missed by his many friends in the rugby world.
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