New Milton Rugby Club came together for an exhibition match to raise money for club stalwart David Gill, with the New Milton RFC Under-35s beating the Over-35s 81-43

More than 60 players turned out at New Milton Rugby Club for an exhibition game to raise money for club stalwart David Gill.

Hundreds watched what turned out to be a superb afternoon of rugby with some big hits and great tries, writes Ed Baker.

Gill, who has cancer and untreatable Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), was there to present the Daddy Gill Cup to the Under-35s skipper Dylan Colein-Gill.

While the youngsters ran away with it in the last quarter, the match was a close affair until then.

The Over-35s – which included some in their 60th year – rolled back the years and scored some spectacular tries, with James Poole, Sam Bew, Chris Conacher, Bryn Derbyshire, Tyrone Holden and Dan Oliver all crossing the line.

Club chairman Any Frend put in a decent shift at lock, scrum-half Matt Wale and his son Jack went head-to-head and several who hadn’t played for years dusted off their boots.

The youngsters – of whom there were many – scored tries through Ross Richardson, Christian Brown, Noah Miller, Dalton Thomas, Ben Field, Sam Farnden and Tom Wood.

Afterwards, a raffle and auction were held, BBQ ribs were gorged upon, and live music had the clubhouse dancing.

Club president Phil Hoyle said: “It was a fantastic day with so many players and supporters turning out for David.

“It just showed what love and respect there is for him. It also shows what rude health the club is in, and we are already looking ahead to the next season.”