Thousands of pounds were raised for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation when the Bath & District Combination representative side played Bradford-on-Avon in the Lewis Moody charity match on Sunday 22nd February.
Walcot will travel here to Swanage & Wareham’s Bestwall ground on Saturday 28th February, looking to retain top spot in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South | Photo © Richard Briggs
Moody, a former England captain who played for Bath and Leicester Tigers, revealed in October 2025 that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
And last weekend’s game at Ashley Lane raised more than £2,500 for motor neurone disease charity the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, with cash donations and proceeds from an auction yet to be added.
A hard-fought match saw the Combination beat Bradford 33-22, having led 21-17 at the turnaround.
One of the winners’ joint coaches was Combe Down head coach Jimmy Rees.
And the Combination squad included Echo-area players Tom Carey (Old Sulians), Joe Childs (Oldfield Old Boys), Rhys Davies (Old Sulians), Charlie Fallows (Avonvale), Andy Hakes (Combe Down), Ed Harris (Walcot), Elis Jones (Combe Down), Robbie Lawrence (Bath Saracens), Iain Parris (Avon) and Jake Penrose (Avonvale).
The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was founded by former Scotland and Newcastle player Doddie Weir following his motor neurone disease diagnosis in 2017.
The Combination is aiming to raise £5,000 for the charity and has a Just Giving page for anyone wanting to donate.
You can pledge your support here.
Avon finally beat the weather and got onto the pitch on Saturday 21st February – but their first match in five weeks was abandoned because of an injury.
A series of weather-related call-offs had left the side from Hicks Field concerned about a mounting fixture backlog in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset.
And that backlog worsened when their clash with guests Imperial last weekend was brought to a halt after only 10 minutes’ play.
The game started promisingly for the hosts, who took the lead through a Rob Fitch penalty in the seventh minute.
But shortly afterwards, one of the Imperial second rows landed awkwardly from a line-out jump and suffered a serious injury to an ankle.
A long wait for an ambulance to arrive gave the referee no alternative but to abandon the game.
An Avon spokesman said: “Whilst we are obviously frustrated to miss another match, our first thoughts are to hope that the Imperial player recovers well and can resume his rugby career next season.”
Combe Down 2nd XV earned their third victory of the Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central campaign when they destroyed hosts Melksham 3rd XV – who have won only once – 75-0 on Saturday 21st February.
Steve Aust scored his first try for the Black & Amber, who named Jacob Moon their star performer.
The game also saw Combe full-back TJ Rosevear take his points tally for the season to 100.
Bath Ladies were beaten 29-12 when they visited high-flying Exeter University in Women’s Championship South 1 on Sunday 22nd February.
The Blue, Black & White trailed 26-7 at the break.
But Bath Ladies United went back to the top of Women’s NC 1 South West (East) when they overcame hosts Hucclecote 57-5 the same afternoon.
The visitors now have a three-point lead over North Bristol 2nd XV, both sides having played 11 matches.
The big fixture next weekend is the Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South clash at Bestwall, Wareham, on Saturday 28th February.
This will pit leaders Walcot against fourth-placed Swanage & Wareham, who are previous table-toppers.
Only four points separate the three premier sides – and second-placed Sherborne and third-placed Salisbury, who will lock horns in Wiltshire on the same afternoon, will be hoping the Swans can upset Lansdown-based Walcot.
Local results for Saturday 21st February:
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon v Imperial – abandoned, Keynsham 2nd XV v Oldfield Old Boys – postponed.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Melksham 3rd XV 0 Combe Down 2nd XV 75.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Redcliffians 3rd XV 19 Old Sulians 25.
Local results for Sunday 22nd February:
Women’s Championship South 1: Exeter University 29 Bath 12.
Women’s NC 1 South West (East): Hucclecote 5 Bath United 57.
Lewis Moody charity match: Bradford-on-Avon 22 Bath & District Combination 33.
Local fixtures for Saturday 28th February:
Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Swanage & Wareham v Walcot.
Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon v Burnham-on-Sea, Chew Valley 2nd XV v Oldfield Old Boys.
Counties 2 Tribute Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down v Calne.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Avonvale v Frome 2nd XV, Melksham 3rd XV v Bath Saracens.
Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Bristol Telephone Area v Old Sulians.
Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Cheddar Valley v Walcot 2nd XV, Oldfield Old Boys 2nd XV v Chew Valley 3rd XV.
