THE annual Nick Carlyon memorial game – staged by Ellingham & Ringwood – was also an occasion to remember the club's young prop forward Freddie Dibben, who tragically passed away earlier in the season.
The game, which started with a moving tribute to both former players with a two-minute silence, was played on a beautiful spring afternoon with great support from both Nick and Freddie's families and from the whole club.
It was the Nick Carlyon memorial side, made up of Nick's former Verwood team-mates, that took a well-deserved lead and their forwards were able to dominate the early exchanges.
The hot weather then began to take its toll and it was the younger Ellingham backs that went on to dominate the game and were eventually comfortable 90-49 winners, although the result flattered the home side as the scores were close until late in the game.
Both sides played some attractive exhibition rugby that was enjoyed by the big crowd before retiring to the bar to share stories of their two former players with their families.
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