As there seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the Memorial match this year I thought it wise to post this note to provide clarity.

Following last years match the family expressed their thanks for continuing to end our season with a memorial game. However they also stated that they would like to see the event develop.After discussing various options it was unanimously agreed that a match would be put on aimed specifically at entertaining the family, all those that wished to pay their respects to the family and anyone else that just wanted to enjoy watching a game of rugby.The club will field two sides comprising of existing members of the club including of course a mix of current and past players. These sides are being compiled, weighing up the mix of skills, age and fitness and the players concerned are being personally invited.

Anyone who knew Nick and would like to come along is welcome to join the throng on the sidelines to see what promises to be a very entertaining match. Similarly anyone that can spare a couple of hours and would like to watch a game is of course welcome. There will be refreshments available after the match in the Pavillion and all donations to the Memorial Fund will be warmly received.

This event is all about rememberance and although these games were originally started to remember Nick we should also remember Keith Hesketh and Lou Sapherson and we can all take this opportunity to remember those friends and family that are no longer with us. In this way it is hoped that this annual event will become increasingly important to all that attend thereby ensuring it's success for many years to come.

Above all else our aim is to ensure the families enjoy the afternoon and everyone attending can help in this regard by using a little decorum particularly on the sidelines as there will be both ladies and children  present many of whom are not used to the rumbustious nature of intra-club matches. If you feel unable to comply please either use the far touchline away from the ladies and children or as a last resort do not attend.Any member who would like to contiribute in some way to the success of the event please let me know as additional help is always welcome and appreciated.
Alan Rex
Chairman
Verwood RUFC

Kingsclere
Verwood finished their season with a flourish beating promotion hopefuls Kingsclere 6-8 on Saturday 12th April
Paxton Pumas
Verwood beat Paxton Pumas 19-18 on Saturday 1st March  See Match Pictures  &  Match Report
Swanage & Wareham
Verwood beat Swanage & Wareham III 48-5 on 23rd February. See Match Pictures
Touchline
The latest edition of the RFU's on-line magazine can be found at http://www.rfutouchline.com/
Havant
Disappointingly, Havant have cried off at the eleventh hour to play the fixture on Saturday 16th February
Alresford
Verwood lost away to Alresford 7-26 on Saturday 9th February.Verwood's only score came early in the first half. Quick ball from the back of the scrum saw Dan Moore feed fly-half Charlie Cockram who dummied his opposite number and went through the gap. The Alresford defence could not catch him for pace and he placed the ball between the posts. Paul McGuffie converted. See Alresford's Match Report
Dorset & Wilts Plate Semi-Final
Verwood were at home to Marlborough who were just too strong in all departments losing convincingly 51-0. Nevertheless, this was a very successful cup run for Verwood.
This from our touch-line reporter, Robin Peirce:
"A brave Verwood side battled to the last against a very strong Marlborough side 3 divisions above them. The old saying a good big ‘un will always beat a good little ‘un was true this Saturday but it was only in the last quarter that Verwood were overcome when Marlborough scored five unanswered  tries as Verwood tried to cross their opponents line to give the score a respectability that their efforts deserved".
Marlborough can now look forward to the final against Swindon College Old Boys, scheduled for 23rd February. See  Marlborough's Match Report
See  Match Pictures
Overton
Verwood lost 15-44 to Hampshire Division 3 leaders Overton on Saturday 26th January. See  Pictures  &  Match Report
Kingsclere
Verwood's onward climb up Division 3 continues with a convincing 24-0 win over Kingsclereon 19th January. See  Pictures  &  Match Report
Southampton Vets
Verwood home match against Southampton Vets on Saturday 12th January was cancelled by the Vets.
Dorset & Wilts Plate Semi Final
Verwood 's semi-final match will be against Marlborough after the Wiltshire side beat Lytchett Minster 24-10. The match is now scheduled to be played at home on 2nd February.
RFU Grand Draw 2008
Rugby Union clubs across the country can expect a welcome boost to their funds to launch 2008 in positive fashion if they support an annual New Year initiative from the RFU. The Rugby Football Union’s Grand Draw kicks off in January, so those clubs who have not been able to put in place all the logistics for a successful Christmas raffle of their own can join an initiative that has already raised over £1 million for participating clubs. Key to success for clubs, who can enter free of charge and free from any organisational activity in terms of setting up the draw, is that all the hard work is done by the RFU organising committee, but clubs receive 90% of the revenue they generate through ticket sales as a tax-free donation from the Rugby Football Union Draw Society. In the four years the Draw has been running, the sum received by the clubs who have participated has reached £1,002,000, with last year’s Draw raising over £385,000 and providing over £346,000 to share between 673 clubs. Lucky for some, 13 clubs raised £2,500 or more and another 92 over £1,000. The highest amount raised was £7,550! Some clubs organise their own draws and raffles at Christmas, putting together a prize list and printing and paying for tickets. This is not the case with the RFU Grand Draw - everything is provided free and even the postage is pre-paid. A superb prize list is being put together with over 40 prizes and a total value of over £40,000.All clubs need to do is organise to sell the £1 tickets - a task made very easy with such a superb prize list. All clubs in membership of the RFU will automatically be sent details by post during the week starting January 14, 2008 and there are four months to sell the tickets before the Draw takes place in mid-May 2008.
Neil Scarisbrick
Neil has been in touch over Christmas. See his message to everyone -   Neil Scarisbrick
Stoneham Park
Verwood were away to Stoneham Park on Saturday 5th January 2008 winning 52-0. See  Match Report
Darshan Cowles - who?
What would you expect the most watched try of all time to be displayed on YouTube - the internet's video clip site? Scott Gibbs try against England (99 Ken & Robin were there); Gareth Edwards for the Barbas '72 (saw it on the box) or JW's drop goal in the World Cup Final (saw it in the Swans)? Well, I do know which try is second with over 10,000 viewings - Darshan Cowles. Who? There might be a Verwood connection. Great commentary. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejtq04dUZxc