The third annual Thomas Froggatt Memorial match at Egremont’s Bleach Green resulted in an exciting 38-31 win for the hosts against an ex-St Bees XV.

With a crisp pitch, cold and sunny weather, a good-size crowd, and two large and eager playing squads, it is fair to say the match did not disappoint.

The St Beghians took the game to their hosts from the outset, surprising everyone with the quality of their teamwork, given they had only assembled an hour or so prior to the kick-off.

Their sharp start was rewarded with the first converted try of the game for a well-deserved 7-0 lead, as they bid to record their first win of the ongoing series of matches.

However, the experienced Egremont XV shook off the early cobwebs and rallied strongly to dominate much of the next 20 minutes of play.

The hosts drew level after a series of powerful forward drives and then added two further tries to their tally to take a firm grip on the game. Or so we thought.

Back came the Ex-St Bees side with a further try of their own to leave the game finely balanced at half-time.

The match was played in four 20 minute quarters in order to take account of seasonal excesses.

The second half of the game produced further highly entertaining rugby as both squads tired and mistakes increased. The St Bees side clawed their way back into the match to draw level at 31-31 with minutes remaining.

However, Egremont refused to accept the prospect of a tie and one final attack produced the game-clinching try, bringing delight and disappointment in to the absorbed crowd.

A final score of 38-31 to Egremont left both sides feeling that they had fully earned their after-match refreshments, having produced the most enjoyable and well-balanced game of the series so far.

Most importantly, it should be noted the nominated charity of Nick and Maggie Froggatt, the Calvert Trust, benefited from another superb fund-raising effort by all who attended the match.

The combined total of the pitchside collection, raffle, and the first-ever auction was £1,100, resulting in a very fitting tribute to the memory of Thomas.

The game is played in memory of Thomas Froggatt, who died tragically early of an incurable brain disease.

He was a multi-talented sportsman, who played football for St Bees village, rugby for Egremont and the full range of sports at St Bees School.

The Calvert Trust Centre in Keswick was opened in 1978 and its vision is to enable people with disabilities to benefit from outdoor activities in the countryside. Thomas spent some time at the centre during the course of his illness.