Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Another £250 000 Crossbar Challenge winner at Wembley

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Another £250 000 Crossbar Challenge winner at Wembley

Just over a year ago we watched in amazement as Stuart Tinner became an overnight legend when he won the inaugural Crossbar Challenge at Wembley. Saracens hosted the event once again, on Boxing Day, and this time it was Matthew Rouse who struck gold.

The Domino’s Crossbar Challenge took place at halftime of the Saracens vs Wasps clash on Boxing Day, and it was 33 year old Rouse who replicated what Tinner did by hitting the crossbar with one kick. Over 38 000 fans witnessed the moment Rouse won himself a cool £250 000 at Wembley.

"I haven’t played rugby since school and even then I used to warm the replacements bench, so all I could think about when I got out there was to try and make a good contact with the ball and try not to embarrass myself.

"I had visions of me scuffing the ball and it going straight along the ground. So I just concentrated on at least trying to get it up in the air and as soon as I kicked it, it felt like a clean connection and nobody was more surprised than me in the ground when it hit the crossbar," Rouse said.

He entered via text message before the game and was one of the three lucky participants who were chosen to take part in the contest.

"I joked to the family before I left for the game that I’d enter the competition and try to come home with the cheque, but this is like a dream.

"I’ve no idea what we will spend the money on. My wife will decide that, but we certainly will be looking to have a fantastic holiday with the children. It’s been a special day and one I will never forget," he added.

As this is the first post of the year here on Rugbydump, let’s hope Matt's great win is a good omen for a positive twelve months of rugby ahead. Congratulations to him and his family.

Time: 03:15

I regret to inform the you that Matthew was involved in a car crash while he was traveling to visit his parents in Northampton on 28th December. Unfortunately, Matthew did not survive the crash and was announced dead at the scene. His wife, Sarah, and two children Anna and Shane were in the car with him at the time. Sarah remains in critical condition in Northampton State Hospital. Anna and Shane were treated in hospital in shock but are now staying with their grandparents. I can only offer my deepest sympathies to the children and Sarah. You shall be in my prayers. Please everyone, pray for Matthew's family. RIP.

Yours regretfully,
Paul Rees.

By Paul Rees, at January 02, 2011 8:22 pm
Paul. Are you fucking around. That's not funny...can't find anything on web about the story

James Jackson(SA)

By Anonymous, at January 02, 2011 8:31 pm
damn. i heard about this on the radio. R.I.P. Matthew. seemed like a very nice guy. my best wishes are with his family.

By Anonymous, at January 02, 2011 8:31 pm
Paul, if that's true, please send me an email with more information. I too haven't heard about that, and can't find any info online.

Thanks

By GMC, at January 02, 2011 8:38 pm
rip my man

By Anonymous, at January 02, 2011 8:51 pm
If that is true it's one of the saddest stories ever. Ugh....RIP.

By JPM, at January 02, 2011 9:04 pm
I was there and met him after the game, seemed like a really good family kind of guy. Such a sad sad news. Prayers to the family.

By H, at January 02, 2011 9:37 pm
terrible news

By Anonymous, at January 02, 2011 10:22 pm
Can someone confirm that he died? I can't find anything on the internet about it.

By 10pin, at January 03, 2011 12:46 am
Didn't think they put car crashes on the news too much , maybe the local radio..?

By Anonymous, at January 03, 2011 2:22 am
if this story is false, permaban.

FFS are your crossbars magnetic or something? wow.

By Stubby, at January 03, 2011 4:08 am
Strange story. There's nothing about it on the Saracens site or anywhere else on the internet.
I sincerely hope this is not true.

By dutchrugbyplayer, at January 03, 2011 9:09 am
I hope its not true - "Northampton State Hospital" doesnt sound UK. Googling it produces results for a defunct lunatic asylum in the US.

Could be an honest naming error, or a wind up merchant.

Cant see any news reports of northampton accident.

By jmark, at January 03, 2011 10:54 am
It's not true, it's one of those sick death "hoaxes".

Northampton State Hospital is in the US.

By Anonymous, at January 03, 2011 12:05 pm
Does it not have to be a dropkick any more?

By JK, at January 03, 2011 12:55 pm
some unbelievable tekkers were just shown there. Just went on the northampton Chronicle website. Only 25 people died in accidents in northamptonshire last year. none over the christmas break. Paul Rees, you are truly a liar.

By cory, at January 03, 2011 1:35 pm
FUCK PAUL REES!

By Anonymous, at January 03, 2011 1:54 pm
I don't think the guy who posted that was actually called Paul Reese. But That's ridiculous, who was do something like that. Also the guy who said,

"damn. i heard about this on the radio. R.I.P. Matthew. seemed like a very nice guy. my best wishes are with his family."

is most likely the same person who called themselves Paul Reese. Wish I could find out who they actually are.

Anyway the actual video is amazing. Is this two years in a row. Good on the guy.

By Joony, at January 03, 2011 2:57 pm
there was a death hoax about avril lavigne the other day aswell this guy is obviously just copying the trend...dick

By Anonymous, at January 03, 2011 4:03 pm
RD - Is there anyway you could get Paul Rees' domain number and then you could report the man involved. You'll be able to get his proper name anyhow and i could include it in the news papers and also news websites like skynews.

By outside centre, at January 03, 2011 4:18 pm
I think we should get cautious before commenting on this dreadful event.

With all my hart, I hope this is untrue.

By Flipje, at January 03, 2011 4:33 pm
i vote we burn paul reese and all his family then throw a spaer into his gay heart

By Anonymous, at January 03, 2011 7:50 pm
I live in Northampton (COYS) and haven't heard nor seen any mention of this in the local media. Fingers crossed it's as it appears - a nasty hoax.

(And the hospital in town is indeed Northampton General, not Northampton State.)

By Matthew, at January 03, 2011 10:18 pm
Just returned from a sarries game where I saw the man himself interviewed along with Stuart tinner. I can confim to everyone they were both alive and kicking. Benson

By Anonymous, at January 09, 2011 6:18 pm