REMEMBRANCE DAY RUGBY MATCH - 11th November 2008

Following our last league match at Aylesford I was delighted to be asked to this event by Andy Smith, Honorary President of Aylesford Bulls RFC.  This is particularly so given my passion for history and interest in the Great War and the western front and in the knowledge that this was the 90th anniversary of the Armistice.

This was the second time that Andy had invited a President's XV to represent the club against a XV representing their closest neighbours, The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and most appropriately this match for 2008 fell on Armistice Day itself.

Last year's match raised over £1,000 for the Poppy Appeal and this year both sides were playing for the Shell Case Trophy in the hope that this occasion will survive in years to come.

The British Legion squad included servicemen from 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery, the Welsh Guards, the Irish Guards, Territorial Army and the Royal Engineers as well as ex-servicemen also from the RE as well as 3 Royal Green Jackets and the Royal Navy.  Tony Merlini, well known to us as the skipper of Aylesford IIIs was included in the team.

They were skippered by Ben Butler of 7 Para RHA who returned from service in Afghanistan a month ago.  He has also seen service in Cyprus, Bosnia, Macedonia, Iraq and served as a detachment commander on a 'Green Goddess' back home.  He has been part of a team winning an Army Cup final and represented both the Army and Combined Services U21s as well as the Gunners and the British Army 1st XV.

The President's XV contained a representative from East Peckham RFC in Matt Rix at centre.  He joined players from Aylesford Bulls (including former Villager Danny Baker), Sheppey, Erith, Maidstone (represented by former Villager Andy Bacon), Dover, Lordswood (whose Chairman, another ex-Villager Tony Gue was also present), Deal & Betteshanger and Tunbridge Wells RFCs. 

They were skippered by Max Melville Brown who has played over 100 first XV games for Aylesford and last year captained the 2nd XV to 'Team of the Year'.

The result was largely irrelevant but for the record the President's men won and Matt scored a try.  The other Villagers (because in their hearts so they are) acquitted themselves well with Streaky wining his lineout ball and Danny surprising everyone with a dummy and shimmy from a front row forward.  Amongst the spectators were a number of club Presidents and County Committee men and overall it was a moment of great pride.  Pride for me in seeing people I have been privileged to play with and against participating in a good quality match and doing well.  Pride for Aylesford in hosting such a splendid event, raising monies for such a good cause and enabling the right perspective to come into play between a game for life and the game of life.

Congratulations and thanks to all involved.  I will be there next year and I very much hope that others will join me.