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CROYDON ARNHEM Easter Tour Report
CROYDON RFC
HONOURS EVEN IN ARNHEM
In cold wintry conditions Croydon played two matches against Arnhem Pigs Rugby club, one match between two veterans sides and one between two under 40s sides. Arnhem triumphed in the former, Croydon vets finding the match a “game too far” after an evening in Harwich to build up Dutch courage before crossing a storm lashed North Sea by ferry to Hook of Holland. Croydon however won the second match so that the honours on the playing field were shared. The Croydon Arnhem Rugby Cup was presented by Croydon Chairman John Cox to the victorious Arnhem Vets thus reversing the result when Arnhem visited Croydon in November 2006.Both games were played in finger numbing conditions and all players deserved credit for providing two entertaining matches to warm the hearts of the spectators.
At the presentation ceremony after the matches Croydon were presented with one of only two pre-world war two Arnhem city signs. The Arnhem Chairman said “I believe this provides tangible evidence of the link between our two communities, with one sign in the Arnhem Museum and the other now residing in Croydon”. Two Croydon Under 21 players, Freddie King and Christopher Elmes, are pictured holding the sign, acknowledging the sacrifices made by some 1,750 brave soldiers many of whom were their age, a fact reinforced by the visit to the war Graves on Sunday.
Tour organiser Geraint Pugh thanked the hosts for their hospitality after the match combining a memorable evening in Arnhem’s clubhouse and an introduction by the host club’s players and officials to Arnhem’s historic city centre. 45 Croydon members returned home on Easter Monday having enjoyed a lot of fun with their Arnhem hosts combined with a better understanding of the reasons for the Croydon Arnhem link.
24 March 2008
