Scores of people lined the touchline to watch 50 players battle it out on the field, in a game which included seasoned amateurs and first-time rugby novices.
A fully-qualified Rugby Union referee was on-hand to ensure the event (which was a four x 20-minute quarter format) was as firm, but fair as possible.
The match was the brainchild of Paul Kirkwood from VINCI Construction UK and Ben Hayek from Bidwells, who conjured up the idea while watching England vs Wales in the Six Nations last year.
Paul Kirkwood, Captain of the Contractors' Team said: "When we first came up with the idea for the game we had no idea how much interest it would generate – from people wanting to play, through to those wanting to support from the safety of the stands! It’s absolutely fantastic that the construction industry can come together like this for a local worthy cause. This year we threw together a most disparate group of construction professionals to play rugby on the hallowed Grange Road turf, with the sole intention of raising awareness and money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Each year it brings with it beefier blokes in to the mix – and I have the happy curse of stepping up and being part of a game I love, respect, but can’t actually play that well – all for charity. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Ben Hayek, Captain of the Consultants' Team, said: "We are delighted that so many fellow professionals signed up to support this event and put themselves forward as players too. There was a great mix of current players, ex-players, and guys who've never played before, and all the training sessions have really paid off in putting together a close match that we hope everyone enjoyed. I hope we'll do it again next year, but for now, I just need a couple of weeks to recover!”
As well as raising money on the day through ticket sales, some amazing raffle prizes were also generously donated to help raise money for the charity.
Prizes included seven nights in Spain’s Costa Blanca (accommodation only), an iPad Air, iPad Mini, a Leicester Tigers history book, four tickets to England vs Wales at Twickenham, four VIP Cambridge United tickets and a £100 voucher at Cambridge’s own Architect pub.
Philip Grant, an Alzheimer’s Research UK Champion, attended the match and carried out the coin toss and also gave a short speech explaining how the donated money would be used by the charity.
Philip became involved in the charity after his wife Liza was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2011, aged just 53.
Jessica Hiscocks, Regional Fundraising Officer from Alzheimer's Research UK said: "We are delighted and hugely grateful to Bidwells and VINCI Construction UK who organised such a fantastic rugby match in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK; what a great day!
“The money raised will help to bring our scientists closer to finding treatments that will change the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. There are 850,000 people across the UK living with dementia today, including more than 8,000 in Cambridgeshire. Research has the power to defeat dementia and Alzheimer’s Research UK is leading the charge. We rely on public donations and it’s thanks to generous businesses like Bidwells and VINCI Construction UK that we can provide crucial resources for our scientists and fund world-class research, driving the next breakthrough.”
Although the charity was the real winner on the day, the final score was: Contractors 7 vs Consultants 17.
You can still show your support for Alzheimer's Research UK and this great event by donating online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/rugby2016
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