News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Ian Lockett – Adrian “Slammer” Taylor Memorial Match

Ian Lockett – Adrian “Slammer” Taylor Memorial Match

Roger Berry5 Dec 2017 - 08:53
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.camberleyrugbyclub

After many months of planning, Camberley RFC were delighted to do their part for European relations and host De Wrotters RFC of the Netherlands.

After a big day out with the Dads and Coaches at the England v Samoa game, De Wrotters saw the glittering sights of Camberley High St, including various pubs and a late night out in Tru!!
Come Sunday, the tourists arrived at Camberley, suitably dressed as clowns and wearing the traditional dutch clogs.
Once the Under 15’s made way from their game with Battersea Ironsides, a decent crowd remained to see what the dutch tourists had to offer. Well, two lady players for a start, who performed admirably and more than held their own in the presence of the male players.
The match was in fact held in memory of two of Camberley RFC’s dearest members. Ian Lockett and Adrian Taylor who both died within days of each other in 2016 had been long serving team mates in the Camberley 3rd team of the 2000’s. Both had toured Holland together on various occasions including Amsterdam, Middelburg and Eindhoven.
So it was fitting that the match was referreed by Scott Moxham, another former player from that generation and now an excellent ref with the London Society.
Camberley were made up primarily of players from this same generation, some of whom had donned their boots for the first time in years. It was great to see Graham Kingston, Andy Ford, Arwel Hughes, Lofty, Nick Johnson and JLS among others all turn out in the memory of their old friends. A few old faces watched on with interest from the touchline.
The match was a classic of its kind, narrowly won by Camberley by 49points to 48 with De Wrotters in the ascendant at the end of the game. A cracking match with some good skills on show by both teams and played in a great spirit. De Wrotters are certainly a good rugby team and know their stuff.
Engraved Trophies were awarded to both teams and will serve the memory of Ian and Slammer well in both Camberley and De Wrotters.
Later in the bar, in time honoured tradition, the Dutch showed themselves to be full of the spirit of rugby and treated us to singing, bar games, an un-equal exchange of gifts in which Camberley received various Shields, Ties, beautifully painted clogs etc. Camberley will be proud to mount De Wrotters club badge in the bar along with so may others and hope to make a return trip to Gorredijk some day.
Many thanks go to Gareth and Lydia Rise for their help and hospitality, Dave Harris and Rich Hoare for organising the trip to Twickenham.
Our new friends were waived off in suitable style by Harry Fish and others courtesy of a few pints in Camberley, an evening Ian Lockett and Adrian “Slammer” Taylor would both have approved of.
Justin Lovell Smith
Further reading