Participants in the Denton Hurdle Memorial rugby matches played on North Field, National Sports Centre on Sunday have been commended for displaying good sportsmanship.

Three fixtures took place as Teachers Rugby Club remembered Hurdle and other former players that have passed over the years.

In the first match, Teachers women defeated Police 17-12 in a rescheduled league match. That was followed by a mixed game of touch before Teachers overpowered the Rest 34-15 in the men’s game.

David Cooke, one of the three former team-mates of Hurdle who played, summed up the men’s encounter.

“It was played in the right spirit, we all had a good time,” the 63-year-old told The Royal Gazette.

“It was a great atmosphere, I think it’s what Denton would have wanted. I plan to continue playing in this match until I can’t, all in his memory.

“I was a youngster when he played rugby. To think that he’s no longer with us but we still celebrate him is very important.”

Alvin Harvey, who also played for with Hurdle for Teachers, spoke of the sadness he feels whenever he plays in memory of his departed team-mate.

“It’s the one game I don’t want to play because it reminds me that Denton’s no longer with us,” the former Bermuda captain said.

“Denton was someone I looked up to and he taught me a lot. I used to play as an outside centre or wing, so I used to receive a lot of passes from him.”

Teachers president Gillian Cross, the scorer of the match-winning try in the women’s encounter, extended her appreciation to those who made the day a success.

“A big thanks to all that came out to make this day a special one,” she said.

“As many of you know, Teachers is a family club and we’re going strong despite the challenges that we face everyday.

“I appreciate the opposition for coming out and the community for supporting us in making sure that this happens every year.

“We’re hoping to continue with our strategy in growing Teachers, to make rugby a sport that you can invite others to come to.”

Heidi Groves, the Teachers women’s captain, felt that the fans played a huge role in her team winning.

“We thrived off the support from the spectators on the side and were inspired to get the result for the club in the Denton Hurdle Memorial, which means so much to us,” she said.

“We are appreciative of the opposition, the Police women’s team, for keeping us on our toes throughout the match, which was a close game. We are thrilled that our super-sub, Gillian Cross, who is also our club president, scored a try on our special day.

Teachers men’s captain Hadleigh Tucker, who appeared for both teams on the day, enjoyed playing in the annual fixture.

“When we remember Denton and the other players we used to have at Teachers, we want to have fun,” Tucker said.

“Even though we may have been short on numbers for the opposition, it was more special with Teachers players on both sides.”

A trip to the island for his grandmother’s funeral allowed British-based Tashon DeSilva to play in the annual fixture. Just to show how much it meant to him, the 40-year-old played in the three 25-minute quarters a few hours after landing.

“It was an honour coming back to play, despite what I came home for,” the former Bermuda sevens captain said.

“It just happened that it all aligned with me coming back. I got in touch with the coach and he told me that it's the Denton Hurdle Memorial weekend, so I got off the flight, went home then came to play.

“Teachers always have the best turnout with the Old Boys coming through. I enjoyed myself playing on the winning side and the losing side.

“It was all about making sure that everyone has fun without a lot of bickering. Even though rugby numbers are dwindling on the island, I believe the sport will rise again.”

In November, DeSilva saw his coming out of retirement not going according to plan. Travel issues saw the forward miss the first two days of action at the Rugby Americans North Sevens in Trinidad & Tobago.

While he eventually made it for the final day, the former team leader could not feature since Bermuda had already called up Aiden Kendall to replace him. It appears he still wants to continue playing in both formats of the game internationally for the island.

“I told the coach already that I've changed my mind,’’ DeSilva added.

“I’m not retiring, I’m going to be forced out by a younger or better player. I’ll be ready whenever they need me, whether fifteens or sevens, I’ll be available.”

The Teachers family also bade farewell to Old Boy Mark Stephenson, who is leaving Bermuda.