A SIDE made up of former and current Basingstoke RFC players proved too strong for the England Fire Service team in a fundraising game held at Down Grange.

Current ’Stoke stars Steve Hicks, Jamie Fish and Karl Buttle joined forces with ex-players including Dan Rees, Ross Stirling, Simon Buckland and Mike Goodall for the Christy White Memorial Match.

The England Fire Service team provided the opposition but they could not live with the Christy White XV, who won the game 51-17 in front of around 150 people at Down Grange.

The match was played in memory of former Basingstoke player White, who passed away at the age of 27 after becoming impaled on a tree in Basingstoke town centre.

Since his tragic death four years ago, White’s friends at ’Stoke have played an annual match in his memory, with the money raised used to benefit the club.

This year’s edition raised £600, though it is yet to be decided what the money will be used for.

Steve Appleby, who helped to organise the event, said: “Everyone really enjoyed the day. It’s a really good way to remember Christy and the boys love getting back together for a game.

“This year was the fourth time we have done it and we will keep going as long as the guys remain willing to come back and play.

“When those boys get back together, they just seem to be able to turn it on straight away. They only had a couple of hours practice but performed really well.”