NOW in its sixth year the annual Armed Forces Day at Crosfield’s Rugby League Club in memory of former soldier Tom Sephton was a huge success.
Now the biggest amateur Rugby League event in the UK, The Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy involved a free day of fun for the whole family involving three games of Armed Forces Rugby League held on Armed Forces Day at Crosfields Rugby League Club in Warrington.
The three games were the Hilary Steel Plate involving Crosfields Ladies Rugby League taking on the the Army Rugby League Women, The Tom Coleridge Cup, involving The 1st Battalion, the Mercian Regiment (1 MERCIAN) and the 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 LANCS) and finally the main event, the Tom Septhon memorial Trophy involving a Crosfields ARLFC Select XIII taking on The Royal Logistic Corps Rugby League.
Tom Sephton
The event was held in memory of Private Tom Sephton, a Soldier from Warrington who served in the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (1 MERCIAN).
In 2010 Tom deployed on operations to Afghanistan and was seriously wounded on patrol and succumbed to his injuries the following day.
For many years Tom played Rugby League for Crosfields Rugby League Club, and it was Tom’s ex-team mates who came up with the original idea for a charity fund raising Rugby League match to be held in memory of their friend.
With the help of Tom’s family, his friends, his comrades in 1 MERCIAN and the Army Rugby League the match became a reality and has gone from strength to each year.
For the fourth year running there was also a game in honour of former Warrington soldier Tom Coleridge, who was seriously injured in Afghanistan but has rebuilt his life working for local charity Warrington Disability Partnership.
Tom had his life torn apart at 18 when he was serving with the Duke Of Lancaster regiment in Afghanistan and his patrol was ambushed, leaving him with a ruptured spleen and paralysed. But now aged 24, holds down a full time job with Warrington Disability Partnership
Tom Coleridge and family
Kingsman Tom Coleridge with winners of his cup, The Duke of lancs Reg
Mayor presents medals to runners up The Mercian Regiment.
Mayor presents medals to The Duke Of Lancaster Regiment.
The Mercian Regiment.
The Sappers
Both teams with Tom Coleridge
Lt. Col. Paddy Ginn presents the man of the match award
