Newark Rugby Club welcome RAF to Kelham Road for memorial game for George Crawford, a former Newark and RAF player, who died in 1985 after a road accident in Germany

A memorial weekend was played between two clubs to commemorate a joint former player which saw the RAF welcomed as opposition.

Newark Rugby Club hosted RAF teams in pre-season friendlies ahead of the new season on September 2.

The opening match of the day saw the RAF bombard the try line as they won the victory by 47-7.

Sam Dobson contributed the home team’s only try which was converted by Olly Gelsthorpe.

The main match saw Newark redeem themselves with some excellent attacking rugby that brought about a 31-14 win.

The match was staged in memory of George Crawford, a former Newark and RAF player, who died in 1985 after a road accident in Germany when he was among 19 RAF personnel killed.

His family were among the spectators who saw Newark race into a 19-0 lead by half-time on Saturday.

The first-half tries came from Nathan Leeson, Josh Ashe, and Matt Walton.

The second-half proved to be more competitive but tries from Tommy Williams and Jack Drabble kept Newark ahead.

Josh Archdale added three conversions with the boot.

Newark’s planned pre-season training match against Boston, due to be held tonight (August 24), was cancelled by the Lincolnshire team.

The season opener will be played at Kelham Road against Sutton Coldfield on Saturday, September 2.

There will be free entry, and the club said that all are welcome.