On Boxing Day Salisbury Rugby Club was in celebratory mood for the annual match played in the memory of Rory Walworth.
Rory was a young player at Bishop Wordsworth’s School and the club who died in 2009 in a cycling accident.
Rory’s cousin Nico Flanaghan organised the first game, in 2009.
The club hosts the match every Boxing Day with help and support from the school.
It has become an important occasion for old friends to gather, to play a game, and to celebrate Rory’s memory.
It is always well supported, and this year 60 players signed up within 48 hours of the invitations being sent out. As always there was a large crowd of spectators who enjoyed a very energetic and competitive game played in good spirits.
Referee Adam Wookey was in charge as usual.
Adam was a friend of Rory’s and now referees at a high level. He said afterwards that taking charge of such a good-natured match had done a lot to re-ignite his own enthusiasm for the game.
There is a bucket collection every year to raise funds for facilities for young players at the club. The collections have raised more than £5,000 since 2009, and have funded a new scrummaging machine and other equipment for the players.
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