WESTBURY Rugby Club held a pre-match meal on Saturday 7th November to say thank you to those who have supported the club.
The club thanked the 36 local businesses that have purchased pitch side advertising space this season and also took the opportunity to thank the club’s vice-presidents for their support.
After the meal the club chairman Gareth Vaughan thanked all of the guests before handing over to Paul Couzens who gave a short talk about the history of the group of the club supporters, The Coffin Dodgers.
Paul said, “The Coffin Dodgers came from an idea from former player, the late Max Bignall, whilst on tour to Ireland in 1997. Max had noted that some of the older members of the tour party were struggling to keep up with a few of the social events that happen on rugby tours and started the name Coffin Dodgers.
“Over the years this group of supporters increased and eventually morphed into The Coffin Dodgers who have their own club tie and shirt and are very much an integral part of the club’s support.”
This season the Dodgers have raised enough funds to supply the club with an away strip for the club in alternative colours, which proudly bear the ‘Coffin Dodgers’ logo. Plus on the sleeves are the initials M.B for Max Bignall and M.K, for the late Mark Knott the club’s founder. Paul was joined by Christian, Mark’s son, to present the shirts to the club.
This was followed by Shaun May, of Transcar Ltd. 2nd XV sponsor, presenting new shirts to the seconds. The members and guests then watched Westbury 1st XV play Sutton Benger in a hard fought match, winning 18 – 0.
Derek Hulin of Carpleton Ltd, the First XV sponsor presented the man of the match award to Westbury scrum half Mathew Inseal.
