Kingsclere scrum down in memory of Chris
The Old Boys v Youngsters game celebrated the contribution made to the club by Chris Smith until his death earlier this
year.
The club’s formation stemmed from a conversation between Chris and two friends in The Crown in 1975 and the inaugural match was played later that year and for the next 27 years Chris was an integral part of the running of the club until a stroke in 2002.
He continued to support the club, often watching games from his wheelchair and in 2003 Chris was presented with the RFU’s VIP award for his services to community rugby.
The memorial match began after a minute’s round of applause and with so many turning out, the match was played in four quarters with regular swap so everyone could get a run out.
Youngsters Chris Clements, Steve Edgerley, Chris Guyat (2), John Pywell and Liam Noonan all scored tries and for the Old Boys, Mike Amor and Ian Curtis touched down. But the biggest cheer of the day went to Chris’s close friend and club chairman Dilwyn Patterson, who scored a try in the final play of a memorable that saw the Youngsters score a 36-25 win.
The match and a race night held that evening raised more than £1,000 to be shared with Chris’s chosen charity, Hants Air Ambulance.
Pictured, players al all ages combine for Saturday’s game.