Once again it's here, Tenby United' Past v Present Boxing Day rugby match. Last year saw the hugely successful return of this festive fixture, with some fun and exciting rugby being played by a host of players from the current 1st and 2nd XVs and players from Tenby teams of yesteryear. The event also raised in excess of £2,000 for the Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund. This year, the event has picked up a sponsor, Matthew Evans, of Coastal Cottages. The organisers are hoping that this year's game will be even bigger and better, with the outcome being to raise even more money for the Trust Fund set up for Gareth, a local boy and ex-player of the club who currently suffers from Motor Neurone Disease. Kick-off is at 1.30 pm at Heywood Lane, so don't end your Boxing Day after the swim, go straight up to Heywood Lane rugby ground and watch the fun continue. Ben Childs, Gavin Scotcher, Dean Bowen, Gethin Evans, Neil Truman, Goofy, club chairman Mike Evans and Johnny Richards are just a few of the 'old' names who have already pledged their support to this much-awaited match. Earlier this week we spoke with Chris Brace (Niffy), Past XV, and Craig Hamilton (Hammy), Present XV, just two of the numerous people who are helping to organise the event, to find out more about this forthcoming fixture. Tenby Observer: Why do you think last year's game was such a success? Hammy: Tenby had missed out on festive rugby for almost 15 years until last year's game was reinstated into the club's calendar. The people of Tenby really do enjoy two things; a good day out and an exciting rugby match. This fixture provides both and ensures a fun and friendly atmosphere, as well many laughs that will be relived long into the future. Last year's game produced some fine running rugby, with the Past XV backline stringing together some excellent passes and some fine runs. One move of note was when the likes of Ben Childs, Neil Truman, Gavin Scotcher, Chris and Mike Evans all linked in an awe-inspriring move that nearly ended in a try. I am particularly looking forward to seeing Niffy and his two brothers competing on the same team this year. If Nez and Peter have any of Niffy's talents, then I am sure we will see a great deal of post-leaning and bootlace tying throughout the match! Tenby Observer: What is the Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund all about? Niffy: Gareth is a popular and well-known local lad and ex-player of Tenby United. In recent years he has unfortunately been diagnosed with motor neurones disease and to assist him, a group of friends and family have formed the Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund to raise money to ensure that Gareth and his family receive the very best possible care available. The money raised from the entrance fee, which is only £1 for adults and free to children, will go towards the fund, along with generous donations that have been pledged. Last year's match saw many people disregard the £1 entry fee, opting instead to throw upwards of £5 into the collecting buckets at the entrance gate. I hope that this generosity continues again this year. Tenby Observer: After the match, what will be happening back at the clubhouse? Hammy: We have a wide range of entertainment and fun planned for all ages. Straight after the match there will be free pop and crisps given to the kids as they come in while their parents relax with a drink in the bar and talk over the game and many old matches confined to history. There will be a raffle, also to raise funds for our charity, and already many local businesses and individuals have been very generous in donating prizes and supporting this event. Niffy: We will also be showing a re-run of the match so that the players and supporters can pick over any contentious incidents and moments of sheer brilliance that I am sure will have occurred during the game. Since last year's match, there have been many personal wars of words taking place between many of the Past and Present XVs; some scores look to be settled on the pitch on Boxing Day, I am certain, but all in good fun. At one point last year, there were as many as 27 players a side on the field of play and I am sure that referee Mr. Steve Williams will have his work cut out ensuring order and a clean and flowing game is produced. Once again there will be some family match-ups in the game, with Jeff Martin Jnr going up against his father Jeff Snr and number eight Sam Smith taking on his father and 1st team manager, Inspector Russ Smith. Another big draw are the Brace brothers, who will be playing together for the first time ever. Niffy is being joined by his younger brother Gerald (Nez) and his very much older, fossil-like creature of a brother Peter Brace, all playing for the Past team. The Rossiter brothers will also be turning out to support the match, with Jeremy and Simon, both of whom are enjoying fine seasons with the current 2nd XV, qualifying for the Past XV due to their increasing years and receding hairlines, while younger brothers, Julian, Jason and Richard, will all be snapping at their heals in the Present XV, despite similar receding hairlines... must be a family gene or something! Mark Heywood is looking forward to squaring up to his father and boss, Paul Heywood, and Mark stated that once he had finished his fake tanning session and swallowed his latest power shake, that he was going to show old man, balding Heywood who was the new boss of Heywood Lane. This year's two captains are Gavin Brace, for the Present XV, and Gavin Scotcher, for the Past XV, and the fur has started to fly, with Brace calling Scotcher a wrinkly, skinny lightweight, who is too feeble to kick a ball, and Scotcher calling Brace a boy band wannabe, who couldn't even get onto an episode of X-Factor, let alone win a rugby match. Hammy: I am aware that many of the Past XV boys have been working hard on their fitness levels in recent weeks, as Tenby Leisure Centre has reported record numbers attending its aqua-fit and post- natal tummy tuck sessions! Some have even headed to London for some cosmetic treatments under the watchful eye of Harley Street dentist Steve Sharma -keep an eye out for some interesting dental features amongst the Past XV players. It is all building up once again to be quite an occasion and I urge all those with an interest in Tenby United RFC and rugby football in general to come along and witness what will be a memorable and worthwhile game of rugby. Niffy and Hammy would both like to thank all the people involved in helping organise the event and the people who are helping on the day. Special thanks must go to Matthew Evans, of Coastal Cottages, for their valued sponsorship of this event and they hope that this continues long into the future of this game. Thanks also are extended to all the individuals and local businesses who are donating goods, gifts or raffle prizes for the event. They look forward to seeing you ALL at Heywood Land on Boxing Day. Don't forget kick-off at 1.30 pm and make sure you are there early to get a good spot. If you are interested in playing in this fixture, please call Chris Brace (Niffy), Past XV, on 07844491727, or Craig Hamilton (Hammy), Present XV, on 07779149932.