On Sunday, December 28th, a gloriously sunny winter's afternoon on what has now become a tradition of Midsomer Norton Rugby Club, the annual game between Hibbard's Heroes and a select Midsomer Norton team took place.
The result, a win for the Heroes 38–20, was somewhat irrelevant. This was a victory for the rugby community.
Mike Hibbard was a stalwart of the club, who was much loved by the junior section of boys that played for him over ten years ago. These boys got
together again last year and although the majority of them had played little or no rugby since his untimely death, they put up a very good performance against a club fifteen. This year, they went one step further and achieved a great win against a MNRC team.
After the game, a packed clubhouse raised a glass to Mike and his widow, Elaine, who was presented with a framed commemorative Hibbard's Heroes shirt.
For the record, the Norton tries were scored by Withers, Rideout, Withers and Williams, with the Heroes' tries scored by Jack Packer (3), Pete Hall, Mike
Blackmore, Tom Snelling and Mike Hibbard's son, James.