THE first quiz held by a rugby club produced a winning result for a charity with more than £1,250 raised.

Teams from sponsors of Basingstoke Rugby Football Club (RFC) Charity Quiz took part in the inaugural quiz at the club’s Down Grange headquarters in aid of Ark Cancer Centre Charity which is the charity of the year of Basingstoke RFC president Dr Steve Tristram.

In a close-fought contest, the PDCM team, led by Basingstoke RFC vice-chairman Dave Cook, pipped a team from Lamb Brooks Solicitors to first place after a tie-break.

Andy Jackson, from Ark supporter and main Basingstoke RFC sponsor Champion Group, was the quizmaster, and Mark Dolby, from fellow Ark supporter and Basingstoke RFC sponsor Beaufort Financial, drew the winning raffle tickets and updated everyone on the 2018 fundraising plans of the Arkriders group.

Mark Jones, director of fundraising and communications for Ark Cancer Centre Charity, said: “The inaugural Basingstoke RFC Charity Quiz was another great show of support for Ark Cancer Centre Charity, and the charity is grateful to everyone who was involved in organising, and who supported, the evening, which raised a total of £1,259.

“Ark is proud to be the charity of the year of Basingstoke RFC’s President, and to have such great backing from everyone at this community-focused sports club as well as our other wonderful Our Partner corporate supporters, many of whom came along to the quiz night.”

The £5m that Ark Cancer Centre Charity is raising will ensure a range of support services and complementary therapies are available alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at a site likely to be built on the existing Basingstoke hospital site.