Will anchors rugby visit (From Gazette Series)

Will anchors rugby visit

ROYAL Navy officer Will Jerrold has just returned to sea following an eventful weekend involving a rugby tour in and around Gloucestershire with a team of fellow officers.

Jerrold, who hails from Wotton-under-Edge, is an engineering officer on the HMS Gloucester and arranged for a rugby team representing the ship to visit Gloucestershire for a weekend of rugby-related activities.

The ship has recently returned from a successful deployment to the South Atlantic, including a trip to the Falkland Islands, and no sooner had it come to shore than several of her crew were visiting the city she was named after.

Jerrold, 26, was the chief organiser of the event and was keen to emphasise that the principal objectives of the visit were to promote sporting links between the HMS Gloucester and her home town, and to help develop sport within the Royal Navy.

The programme for the visit featured a list of rugby-based activities. It all began on Friday with a match between the ship's team and Gordon League RFC at Hempsted Village.

On the Saturday, the party went to watch the Gloucester versus Saracens clash at Kingsholm, which the Cherry and Whites lost 14-13.

During this game, the HMS Gloucester's Commanding Officer, Commander Russ Tuppen, was hosted by the Gloucester Committee.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, there was a real memorable occasion for the team as they took on The Cherry Pickers, a renowned veterans side made up of former Gloucester stars, in a match played at Gordon League RFC.

Jerrold told the Gazette: "It was brilliant. It all started on the Thursday, we played a game on the Friday against Gordon League and then watched the Saracens match on the Saturday.

"Then, playing The Cherry Pickers on Sunday was fantastic. There were ten ex-international players on the pitch and their team was made up of former Gloucester and England players.

"Probably the most famous player on the team was Dave Simms, who played for Gloucester and England. It's not every day you play on the same pitch as these players!"

"We had a great tour but were beaten in both matches."