The efforts made by the committee and players of Halstead Templars Rugby Club have been recognised by their selection as hosts for a prestigious annual charity match.

The fixture was between the Essex Bishops and the Essex Wooden Spoon – both of which draw players aged over 35 from across the county – and was played to raise funds for the Wooden Spoon, a charity which helps children with physical, mental and social problems in their lives.

The Wooden Spoon side was led by Templars’ skipper Adi Illingworth and included Rhys Williams, Paul Blud, Ashley Mead and Roger Wills while the Bishops’ full-back was Halstead’s Ed Merry.

The Templars were chosen as location for the match, which has previously been played at more established rugby clubs such as Brentwood, Chelmsford and Braintree, in recognition for the efforts made by Halstead in setting up and developing a thriving and successful rugby team.

It is an indication of the standing in which the club is held in the county. Nick Eva, from the Eastern Counties Wooden Spoon, said:”By allowing us the use of their pitch and facilities, Halstead Templars have shown themselves to be a true community rugby club.

“And the funds raised by this game will go a long way to improving the lives of young people in Essex in the club’s name.”

Stephen Douglass, captain of the Bishops, added: “It is great to see the work which has been done in Halstead to start a club like this and to see the way in which it has been embraced by the local community.”

Illingworth and Merry are both regular members of the Bishops side and were involved in their Ruggerthon in 2013 when the side toured the country playing 26 fixtures in four days.

Players from nineteen different Essex clubs lined up against each other for the match in front of a large crowd.

The action itself was a little one-sided, with the Bishops taking the lead early on and extending it up until half-time, with hat-trick hero Merry deservedly being named the side’s man-of-the-match.

In a bizarre twist, he then played for the Wooden Spoon in the second half, scored again and secured himself the honour of being man-of-the-match for both teams.

The Spoons looked as if their dominance in the scrum might finally pave the way for a hard-fought comeback but the experience and guile of the Bishops and some hard and strong running from their half-backs proved just too much.

The Bishops ran out deserved winners in a 54-12 victory, with Merry scoring 15 points for the Bishops and 12 for Wooden Spoon and the Spoon’s other five points coming from a powerful two-yard drive from Illingworth.