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A Fitting Tribute
Pirates Amateurs RFC 38 Coldstream Guards 10
Friday June 11th 2010
This was a truly special evening, the 'Darren Hick's Memorial Match' provided a worthy tribute to Lance Corporal Darren, a former Pirates youth section and 'Amateurs' player, who was sadly killed by an explosion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, last February.
Darren loved his job, his rugby, and his family meant more to him than anything else. The presence of 1500 people showed the huge level of respect held by individuals towards him.
Our recent thoughts have been with our service personnel and those close to them, and besides a welcome given Darren's family, there was also a heartfelt welcome for the family of Sergeant Paul Fox from St. Ives, who was also killed in Helmand Province at the end of February.
Community responds when need demands, and the arrangements made for last Friday night's game provided yet another example. Everyone involved – the players, officials and all who stepped forward to lend their support - deserved applause for their efforts.
The gates opened early for a BBQ and pre-match entertainment. The atmosphere built steadily as the crowd grew and grew. Team photos were taken, and captain of the Coldstream Guards team, Sgt Alex Hutchens, presented gifts to Darren's two young children, Daisy and Henry.
'Land of hope and glory' was played over the PA as the teams ran out from the tunnel, before lining up to face a packed main grandstand.
PA announcer Phil Westren asked everyone to stand, following with the words: “Ladies, gentlemen and children, we are gathered this evening to honour the courage shown by the men and women in our services.
We are humbled by their efforts, and sacrifices made should never be forgotten. Remembering Darren especially, and also Paul, we pay our immense respect to all of our service personnel.” An emotional minute's applause followed,
The match was kicked off by Darren's daughter Daisy, with a little help from Andrew Snell, and the game that followed was committed and entertaining throughout.
Playing towards Newlyn, the Amateurs built up a 12-0 lead at the break thanks to tries scored by scrum-half Sam Stevens and flanker Danny Toolan, one of which was converted by No. 8 Scott Powell.
During the half-time period Sgt Andy Browell, looking splendid in his uniform, and mascot Captain Benbow accompanied David May who made the draw for the raffle.
The winning tickets were pink, 261 to 265, but nobody claimed the prize. If anyone has these tickets then the prize of a basket of bottles (wines etc) donated by Penwithian Wholesalers Ltd, plus a £30 voucher from the Newlyn Meadery, can still be claimed by contacting Scott Dugdale on 07745 189 922.
Back to the rugby, with both sides showing numerous changes for the second forty, and Darren's brother Chris Hicks leading out the Pirates Amateurs, it was not long before Coldstream Guards centre Joe Arnold scored an early try at the Newlyn gate corner.
At 12-5, it looked as if the outcome could be close, but the Amateurs responded with tries scored by centre James Jeffery, flanker Sam Heath, and centre Murray Westren, who also added two conversions.
The competitive edge in the match never let up, and when when scrum-half Storm Green scored a try for the Guards at the Newlyn posts, it was a fully deserved effort by a player who was perpetual motion all evening.
To end the game, Westren was given space to breeze down the left wing and then take the ball to the posts for a try that he also converted.
At the final whistle the large crowd gave both teams a rapturous and deserved applause, it not long before everyone then gathered into a packed 'Westholme' clubhouse.
Singing was started up by the Cadgwith Singers, and an auction followed run by by Robin Turner and Nick George. Of items donated, a stay at the Star Castle Hotel on the Isles of Scilly, with return tickets aboard the 'Scillonian', went for £600, a John Piper painting raised £580, and a Samsung TV provided by Microcomms brought in £380.
Other items included a British Lions shirt signed by Phil Vickery, a British Army shirt donated by Rugby Tackle, a Cornish Pirates 'EDF Energy National Trophy' final shirt given by Noel Green, and a brand new snowboard donated and signed by Cornish Pirates player Blair Cowan.
Scott Dugdale, along with Paul Greaves, Andrew Snell, Rastus Williams and many others, had put an immense amount of effort into making the whole evening a success. They were keen to provide a fitting tribute to Darren, and to offer comfort to his family and friends.
It was an important fundraiser in support of the Coldstream Guards serving in Afghanistan, and for the Amateurs. Scott was keen to thank everyone and was taken aback by the support given and hoped that over £12,000 will have been raised.
As mentioned, when need demands, community responds, and on a wonderful evening we had seen just that. A fitting tribute to Darren from people who knew him closely, and ordinary members of the public. For the Amateurs, it will hopefully build extra interest ahead of next season, their first in the Cornwall league. Darren would certainly have hoped so.
Pirates Amateurs RFC:
R. Cutter, S. Kent, E. Skewes, D. Hewett, C. Hosking, C. Hicks, B. Prowse, K. Moyle
S. Walsh, J. Oliver, A. Snell, J. Jeffery, M. Westren, L. Kearey, J. Nowell, K. James
S. Stevens, J. Trezise, S. Powell, T. Ball (2nd half capt), M. Pascoe, D. Toolan, S. Heath
S. Dugdale, D. Lawrence, D. Law, R. Davies, J. Barrett, M. Osborne, D. Lugg
J. Gwennap, M. Blewett, M. Nicholas, D. Clackworthy, T. Williams
A. Gwennap (1st half capt), R. Stanley, J. Nicholls, J. Lugg, C. Butler.
Coldstream Guards:
L/Cpl Evans, Gdsm Wybrow, L/Cpl Read, Gdsm Powell, Sgt Gent, Lt Philp
Gdsm Dutton, Gdsm Arnold, Gdsm Bailiraulu, Gdsm Willis, Sgt Amis, Gdsm Kennedy
Capt Green, Lt Rutt, Gdsm Suggitt, Sgt McGowan, Gdsm Gotaschalk, Sgt Nichols
Capt Powell, Sgt Pates, C/Sgt Walker, Gdsm Russell, C/Sgt Jackson, L/Cpl Bowyer
L/Sgt French, L/Sgt Richardson, Gdsm Vanyard, L/Cpl Shaw, Gdsm Haigh, L/Sgt Cochran
L/Sgt Mitchell, Sgt Alex Hutchens (capt), C/Sgt Paul McHugh.
Scorers:-
Pirates Amateurs
Tries: Westren (2), Stevens, Toolan, Jeffery, Heath
Cons: Westren (3), Powell.
Coldstream Guards
Ties: Arnold, Green.
Referee: David May
Assistants: Des Thomas & Peter Lugg
Attendance: 1500
Match Ball sponsored by: The Coldstreamer Inn, Gulval
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