A BOXING Day rugby game held in memory of former Salisbury player Rory Walworth has raised around £1,200 for the club's youth teams.

Rory was a former Bishops Wordsworth's School pupil who turned out for Salisbury Rugby Club's first team before he died in a cycling accident in September 2009.

Within a few weeks, his cousin Nico Flanaghan started planning the first memorial match, which has been held on every Boxing Day since, except 2020 and 2021.

Around 50 players signed up to take part in this year's fixture, backed by a large crowd as they competed in good spirits to lift the ‘Rory’s Boots’ trophy.

As usual, the game saw The Tanks (green and white kits) take on The Rozzas and was officiated by Adam Wookey, Rory's friend and a referee in the professional game.

Nico Flanaghan breaks through The Rozzas' defence to score a try (Image: John Palmer) Bucket collections at the annual match have now raised more than £6,000 in total.

The money has been used to help fund a scrummage machine for the club's Juniors and Colts and contribute to Project All Change and new Players' Player shields.

After the game, Rory's mum Lynn said the memorial match has continued to grow over the years, thanks in part to younger players getting involved.

Players respected a minute's silence before kick-off (Image: John Palmer) “We've found this new generation of players wanted to play,” she said.

“That's what we're really pleased about.

“There's this new generation of people who have emerged, and it's become a rugby event. That's the beauty of it. They all muck in and people are very generous.”

She said Nico – who scored a try on Thursday – remains the driving force behind the game, helped by others such as Josh Green, Iain Miller and Paddy Flood.

The family welcomed spectators to the ground in the matchday programme.

“We remain grateful for the inspiration, support and energy that Nico has contributed over the years in memory of Rory,” they wrote.

“Year after year, the club has provided stalwart support: hosting the match, loaning kit and providing a willing and supportive staff who give up their bank holiday to man the clubhouse and provide the facilities for us to get together and enjoy the match, the camaraderie, the beer and the opportunity to remember the passion, energy and commitment that Rory had for his rugby both at Salisbury RFC and Bishop Wordsworth’s School.

“As a family, we are thrilled to see that – after the years of watching teammates and contemporaries of Nico, Rosie (Rory’s little sister) and Thomas (Rory’s older brother) play – that we now witness a new age of players signing up who may not have known anything about Rory before.

“Through this, we will continue to remember Rory, who would have loved to join everyone for a pint at the clubhouse after a big game.

“This event extends far beyond anything we ever imagined.”