Father and son duo Jerry and Ollie Phillips make Bridgwater and Albion history
Father and son duo Jerry and Ollie Phillips made Bridgwater and Albion history when they both came on as replacements to make their first team debuts in the Somerset Cup semi final match against Hornets at Weston super Mare RFC recently.
Ollie who is 19 years old, is a promising scrum half and came off the replacements bench after half an hour, while his father Jerry, who is a loose head prop and has just celebrated his 48th birthday joined the fray for the final 10 minutes of the match.
Jerry, who works for Screwfix in Yeovil, initially played for the Albion back in the 1990’s but because he had a young family moved to play closer to his home at Somerton RFC where he became considerably involved serving at one time as Club Chairman.
Ollie who works for Taunton Deane BC grew up playing his rugby for Somerton where he started this season before very recently switching to join the Albion.
“I did a lot at Somerton, but guess Id fallen out of love with the game a little bit. I went back to Bridgwater in pre-season just to get involved in the game again and do some fitness training really. However I then played a few games for the Third XV in early season and then got called up for the Second XV,” said Jerry.
“It makes you feel very proud to be playing alongside your son in the same team especially for the First XV and hopefully there will be some more- although they may be for the Seconds.”
Bridgwater head coach Simon Morrell said: “It’s awesome to have a father and son playing together in the same team and certainly I have never known it in teams that I have played in.
“Jerry has been playing rugby in a fairly tough position for 30 years and fully deserved his opportunity on the back of his training. Ollie is a young lad and looked very sharp. He is just what we are looking for at Bridgy- keen and enthusiastic with loads of potential and I’m sure in years to come there will be many more first team appearances.”
The head coach added: “They were both picked on merit and what a fitting way to get the chance to play together in the same team than in a Bridgwater and Albion Somerset Cup game.”
Category: 1st XV News
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