Deacon's School players return to remember '˜Eggy'

Tony McClure on the attack for the Juggers against Old Deaconians.

For several years, players who represented the big Peterborough rugby school between 1981 and 1997 have been getting together to chat over old times.

This year, instead of talking a good game, they decided to play one.

“Because we lost one of our own this year, Anthony Eggleston, we decided it would be fitting to play our last game in remembrance of ‘Eggy’ and pull on the Deacon’s 1st XV colours one last time,” said match organiser Paul Stimpson.

Old Deaconians have possession against the Juggers.

Following a minute’s silence prior to the game a substantial crowd were treated to an open and competitive match between Old Deaconians and Peterborough Juggers and a 5-5 draw was a fitting result given the occasion.

Skipper Tony McClure scored the Juggers try with former Borough first team star Pete Brudnell equalising.

Stimpson added: “It was a fantastic day for all involved. There were many highlights throughout the game, which was excellently refereed by Andy Croson, but seeing the smile on Harry Facer’s face when he came on for his scrum was a stand-out moment. Eggy would have loved it.”

Harry, the Deacon’s captain in the 1985/86 season, has been battling Motor Neurone Disease for 10 years but was determined to get in on the action.

And also in attendance was Franco Antonelli, the ex-Deacon’s School star who became paralysed from the shoulders down in 1986 at the age of 18 after breaking his neck while playing for Borough Colts.