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Matson captain John Hennessy targeting Twickenham glory in the RFU Intermediate Cup

All Areas > Sport > Rugby Union

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Tuesday, 19th February 2019, 09:00

John Hennessy. Picture, Shaun Lafferty John Hennessy. Picture, Shaun Lafferty

John Hennessy would like nothing more than to sign off after 12 years as captain of Matson by leading his team out in a showpiece final at Twickenham.

And that’s something that is still very much on the cards because the Gloucester club are going strong in this season’s RFU Intermediate Cup.

They head to Devon on Saturday for the South West Counties final against Kingsbridge, and even without home advantage they will be going there full of confidence.

That’s because while they have been going well in Western Counties North – they cemented their place in the top three with a win at fourth-placed Stroud on Saturday – Kingsbridge have been toiling in the bottom half of Western Counties West with just six league wins all season.

“The Intermediate Cup has been our priority all season,” said 30-year-old Hennessy. “That’s what we’ve been targeting.

“We’ve gone close before – we lost to Tunbridge Wells in the semi-finals a few years ago – and to go one better this time would mean everything.”

If Matson get past Kingsbridge they would play Marlow or Sherborne in the South West Division final on 16th March, and if they win that they’d be in the semi-finals proper before the final in May.

“We’re just a council estate team,” added Hennessy, “and we’re going to all these towns and cities to play other clubs.”

And Hennessy, one of the main men in the second row for so many years, will be centre stage as the club look to realise their Twickenham dream.

So why is he standing down as captain?

“I think it’s time for someone else,” he said. “I’ve done it a long time,” before adding, “but I would carry on if no one else wants to do it.”

And whatever happens he’s definitely going to carry on playing.

“Of course I am,” he said.

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