FIREFIGHTERS and the forces scrummed down to break the Guinness World Record for playing the world’s longest game of rugby.
Two squads of 23 tackled the challenge for more than 30 hours of non-stop rugby at Sixways Stadium from 10am on Friday, May 12 in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
The epic feat, which saw the firefighters win by 1,603 points to 1,483, raised more than £50,000 for the charities. They had set a target of £46,000.
The two-day event also included family fun activities around the stadium and an evening ceremony.
The Fire Fighters Charity skipper Dan Evans said: “Despite having played rugby for 20 years, playing rugby for 30 hours was easily the hardest thing I’ve ever put myself through.
“There was a point at around 2am with 12 hours to go where it was raining, cold, dark, there was no music playing, and I’d just been woken from a 20-minute nap.
“It was a very dark time for the players on the pitch as we were all in pain and had a lifeless expression on our faces.
“I began to wonder what I got myself into and if we were actually going to finish it.
“But a group hug between the two teams and some motivational words from the guys meant those thoughts soon passed and we were focused on making it to sunrise.
“There were tears in our eyes when we’d realised we’d done it. I’d never met any of these lads before the game, but after two days, they felt like my best mates.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers skipper Chris Harris said: “The award ceremony was a proud moment where all the players shared some celebratory bottles of bubbly and a few snaps together.
“Despite hardly being able to walk in the evening, sharing drinks with the other guys was priceless. It’s not just a world record, it’s the difference we’ve made for the children and their parents.”
Visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk or www.scottyslittle soldiers.co.uk for more information on the charities.
