It was 10:30am and the congregation had started to gather at GreenAcres Kemnal Park for the funeral of our Pauline. The numbers in attendance were significant and an orderly queue had started to form in readiness for the service. There was the usual pleasant and polite chitchat with friends and colleagues that you hadn’t seen for a while. The smokers headed off for a quick cheeky cigarette, as they do. Whilst the mums were trying to bribe the young children with sweets in the hope that they wouldn’t shout something out at an inopportune moment.

As the hearse approached the chapel, a silence fell over GreenAcres and you could hear a pin drop aside from the football that was going on over at Cray Wanders. Matthew, Mark and Luke walked behind the hearse only to look up to briefly acknowledge those that were offering support. The time was near to say goodbye.

We all filed into the chapel. Those that needed a seat, got one. Otherwise it was standing room only.

The pallbearers, Luke and Matt Boyns, Ross McManus, Dave Parris, and John Beith were stoic as they brought the coffin into the chapel to the sound of ‘Unchained Melody’ by Il Divo.

It was a beautiful and emotional service where many a grown, rugby hardened, man was reduced to tears. Luke and Matt reflected on their time growing up and how Pauline always worked hard and made sure that they didn’t go without even though she was a single parent. There were poignant poems read by Amanda Parris, (a friend of Pauline’s close to 60 years) and celebrant Kate Georgiev (on behalf of Pauline’s sister, Jackie). Whilst Sarah Boyns (Luke’s wife) had penned her own tribute entitle ‘Pauline has three sons’ where she also made fond references to Pauline’s surrogate daughters Rachel and Rebecca Parris, John Beith and Ross McManus - who from this day forward shall be known as ‘God’. Kate Georgiev delivered a wonderful eulogy. The story about Matt getting the blame and a clip around the for ear for Luke and Mark having a ‘discussion’ in the bedroom was quite funny.

The emotion was still clear to see as we exited the chapel and headed back to the clubhouse.

The kick off for our match against Ashford was at 2pm. It was the family wish that people watched the match before celebrating Pauline’s life.

The players had gone through a shortened pre-match routine and were ready. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Luke Boyns bounded onto the pitch in readiness for the main event. He was up for it, you could tell. There was a minutes silence followed by a minutes applause in memory of his mum. When the referee blew his whistle, it was game on.

Andy Miller wrote.
‘Hat Tricks for Jake Conway and Dan Jones, interspersed with 3 others shared amongst man of the match Luke Boyns, Barry O' Keeffe and the impressive Jude Corcos gave Park a substantial and much needed victory over fellow strugglers Ashford.

In front of a large crowd, Park hit their straps from the off, and following a good early scrum a pick and driver from No8 Boyns delivered the first (unconverted) try of the game. 2 quick tries. one from Dan Jones, then from the evergreen Barry O Keeffe, meant that after a quarter of the match Park were 15 points to the good. A second for Jones soon followed after an audacious chip and chase by Mr Knuckey resulted in a scrum. The ball was moved wide through crisp hands for Jones to finish in the corner. Bonus Point secured!

A brace tries for Conway just before half time, meant that, with 2 of the tries converted the score at the break was 34-0.The score reflected the dominance the home team who were playing with pace and accuracy which belied their league position.

The second half took a little longer to get going for Park, with Ashford scoring a try of their own on the hour mark after pouncing on a loose ball. Some great pressuring by Conway gave him a try after hack through and chase, and despite another Ashford 7 pointer, Park scored 2 scintillating tries, after long bouts of pressure, by Jones and a final try by the deserving Jude Corcos.With 2 further conversions by Ross Sidebottom the Final Score was Charlton Park 53 Ashford 14

Park were fully deserving of their victory, playing with a vigour and accuracy rarely seen this this season.’

On such an important day for the club, we have received many comments and compliments on the way the day went. The catering and bar staff went over and above of what was expected and the committee would like to thank them all for helping to make the day a success.

For the catering:
Kelly, Dawn and Jayne

On the bar:
Debbie, Claire, Tanya, Sarah, Jodie, Alex and Sherrie

Just to finish, Matt posted on his Facebook page ..

‘Yesterday we said goodbye to my mum Pauline. Thank you to everyone that attended or watched online and thanks to those that had mum in their thoughts. It was a wonderful celebration of her life. A special thank you to all at Charlton Park Rfc for putting on a wonderful day. All of the guys working did an exceptional job. I couldn't be prouder of my old rugby club.’

Matt, Mark and Luke, it was a pleasure to host and we’re so pleased it went so well. It’s what we do! You are all part of the Charlton Park family, as was your mum. As Lou Reed might have said ‘Just a perfect day’ and we’re glad that we spent it with you.

If you would like to make a donation in the memory of Pauline, the chosen charity is the London Air Ambulance and they can be found on the Just Giving website

Deeds Not Words