Welsh Guards in Baa-Baas front row
Bedford Blues (50) v Barbarians (14)
2 Mar 10
Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson
Melvyn Lewis and Matt
Dwyer of the Welsh Guards, Army and Combined
Services stuck another feather in their caps when
they represented the illustrious Barbarians in
the 83rd Mobbs Memorial Match on 2 March 2010.
The Baa-Baas were somewhat swamped in the final quarter by a very adventurous and well groomed Bedford Blues side but both Welsh Guards players acquitted themselves very well in a powerful front row. Mel Lewis even scored the Baa-Baas opening try, which was not there for the taking.
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Melvyn Lewis and Matt Dwyer Proud to be a Baa-Baa |
Mel offered himself off the breakdown on the '22' and, legs pumping, thundered Route1 through about six or seven defenders to bisect the posts. We have seen him do it before but against this level of professional defence it was spectacular.
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Mel Lewis scores a spectacular try |
Matt Dywer prepares a throw-in |
| Matt, the cornerstone of a strong scrummaging
performance, had a great time in the tight and loose
and although not called upon for a show of fireworks
was always on hand to link within the Baa-Baas attacking
framework.
 Feel the power Both players played the full 80 minutes - a record for an invitational front row? Although it was 14 pts all at the break, the Blues went on to total 50 pts at the final whistle.
Posted: 7 Mar 10
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Welsh Guards play for the Barbarians
Two Welsh Guards players will be in the front row when
the world's most famous rugby club, the Barbarians,
take on Bedford Blues in the 83rd Mobbs Memorial match
on 2nd March 2010. |
 Matt Dwyer |
The match, first played in 1921, is the Barbarians
longest standing fixture and commemorates the life and
achievements of Northampton and England international
Lt Col Edgar Mobbs DSO who died a hero
at Zillebeke during the Third Battle of Ypres, while
attacking a machine gun post in July 1917.
Lance Corporals Melvyn Lewis, who
plays prop, and hooker Mathew Dwyer
are both seasoned Army players who formerly represented
the Combined Services against the Barbarians
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 Melvyn Lewis |
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Melvyn played Welsh Premiership for Pontypool and now
turns out for Builth Wells RFC. Mathew
also played at Pontypool and is currently preparing
for greater accolades under the eagle eye of former
Wales coach Mike Ruddock at Worcester
Warriors.
Army coach WO 2 Andy Price, also of
the Welsh Guards, said "This is a classic example
of the Army's ethos to work hard and play hard. It is
a fantastic honour for the Welsh Guards and the Army.
Both Melvyn and Mathew had great operational tours and
returned to play extremely well against the Baa-Baas
in November. They clearly drew the attention of the
Barbarians Committee at that point ".
 Lt Col Edgar Roberts "Mobbsy" Mobbs DSO (1882 - 1917) (Photo: Trevor McBride)
Read more about Lt Col Edgar Roberts "Mobbsy" Mobbs
DSO (1882 - 1917)
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