Stalwart of Winchester Rugby Club to be remembered at pre-match lunch

The men in yellow and black are back at Nuns Road on Saturday, January 14 for their first home match after the Christmas break with a local derby against Fareham & Gosport RFC, kick off at 2pm.

Prior to the match, the club is dedicating the pre-match lunch in the memory of Jed James, an absolute stalwart of the club who passed away very unexpectedly in the latter part of 2022.

Club chairman Steve Barrow said: "Jed’s commitment to Winchester Rugby Club was unprecedented, not only is he still the most capped player in Winchester’s history, playing 608 games, he also represented the club as club captain and as chairman with great vision.

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"On the pitch at 6’ 7” and size 16 boot, he occupied the scrum and the line out with ease, not a player to run marauding with the ball under his arm, but in the tight he knew exactly what to do and when, he was a real old school second rower.  

"Apart from his natural ability as a rugby player, Jed would often be heard to say 'It’s the people and camaraderie at this rugby club that helps keeps me breaking records… but my body often tells me otherwise!'

"If anyone would like to come along and remember Jed with like minded people, all that is required is to visit the club website and in the news item about Jed’s memorial lunch, then simply follow the link to make your booking.”

The lunch is £20 for a two-course lunch followed by cheese and biscuits and coffee,  prepared by the club's in-house catering team, led by head chef and general manager Jim Yeoman.