Deal Memorial Rugby Match 2024

It was that time of year again when ranks of the Royal Marines Band Service came together as the RMBS RFC to face Deal & Betteshanger RFC in the Annual Memorial Match, now in its 35th year. This is an important fixture for both clubs, as part of the annual remembrance of those who lost their lives in an IRA bombing on that fateful day in 1989.

This year’s match saw the RMBS travel away to Deal, led by team captain LCpl Harry Yarnell who had assembled a small but hungry squad of players keen to ensure the fixture was a success.

More than just a rugby match, the day was also a chance to remember and honour those no longer with us, Major Sam Hairsine conducted a pre match memorial service, enhanced by the presence of the RM Band Collingwood’s Corps of Drums. With a crowd of over 300 in attendance the pre match commemorations certainly fuelled an emotional and electrified atmosphere at the South Barracks ground.

As the game started, the Band made a strong start, almost punishing a mistake from a Deal line out, leading to Cpl Fraser Wilkes breaking through and going close, a certain try but for a quick recovery from the home defence.

The extremely large crowd were vocal in their support of both sides, clearly enjoying the strong start from the RMBS, although it didn’t take Deal long to regain their composure scoring the first try on 5 minutes after capitalising on an RMBS error. A spirited RMBS side showed great character and committed defence against a well drilled Deal side, but another try shortly followed, the combinations and level of the Deal side becoming apparent when there was space to exploit. Both tries were converted, but the RMBS didn’t withdraw from the contest, as strong carries from Bug Horn and the forwards quickly led to the Band's first try, scored by the captain of course, after a training pitch move from the backs created an open lane for him to run through and score.

The Deal side showed their class as they capitalised on any error the RMBS made, turning their opportunities into points, something the RMBS just didn’t manage to do.

Some highlights of the match were a rib cracking tackle on his opposite number from RMBS outside centre Andy Steele, this even drew applause from the Deal players and the supporters, cutting down a promising Deal move in midfield and stopping a try scoring opportunity. LCpl Harry Yarnell’s try which started from a move in his own 22 was certainly a strong moment for the RMBS, he showed good feet as he rounded several defenders to score under the posts.

The game ended in a 46 - 16 win to Deal & Betteshanger with the shield being presented to the victorious team to look after until the return match at Portsmouth in next year’s fixture.

Big thank-yous must go to the town of Deal for welcoming us warmly once again, for putting together a strong squad who truly understood why the day was so important, and to all those who were there supporting our commemorations and remembrance of absent friends no longer with us.

At Deal and Betteshanger, a tribute stood,
A rugby match for the brave and good,
Marking thirty-five years since the Deal blast,
In memory's light, we honoured the past.

First, the young, under sixteen bold,
Faced Canterbury in a battle cold,
A victory sealed in a narrow fight,
Thirty to twenty-eight, they took flight.

At three, the senior squads took the field,
With strength and honour, none would yield,
Deal prevailed as the day was won,
But the memory of sacrifice had just begun.

They shall grow not old, as we are left to grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.

We remember: Mark Petch 24, Robert Simmonds 34, Timothy John Reeves 24, Dean Pavey 31, David McMillan 26, Richard Jones 27, Richard Fice 22, Trevor Davis 39, John A Cleatheroe 25, Michael Ball 24, Christopher Robert Nolan 21.

Words by Musn Ed Griffin