Around 300 people came through the gates at Yeovil Rugby Club for The Big Game on Saturday 22nd August, enjoying an action-packed day of rugby, food, fundraising and live entertainment – with circa £4,000 raised for two fantastic Armed Forces charities.
What began as an idea from Paul McHugh and Andy Hoggarth became a fantastic celebration of rugby, friendship and community at Church Lane.
With the Coldstream Guards making the trip to Yeovil, both the women’s and men’s sections taking to the field, a packed raffle and auction, food from The Little Green Horsebox and live music from Michael Mochan to finish the evening, there was something happening from start to finish.
Most importantly, the day had a purpose beyond rugby, raising an incredible circa £4,000, to be split equally between The Bridge for Heroes and The Coldstream Guards Charity.
Yeovil Women Show What They Can Bring to the New Season
The afternoon’s rugby began with the Yeovil Women and, following a change to the originally planned fixture, supporters were treated to Yeovil v Yeovil.
It may have been teammates facing one another, but nobody appeared to have told the players it was supposed to be friendly!
The game provided the perfect opportunity for the squad to showcase what supporters can expect when the new league campaign gets underway.
There were big carries, powerful runs, physical contests and some excellent attacking rugby, with plenty of competition across the squad.
More importantly, there was a real sense of intent.
Yeovil Women have enjoyed considerable success and continue to develop a reputation as a side that opponents cannot take lightly. Saturday suggested they have every intention of continuing along that path.
There is strength throughout the squad, but also pace and a willingness to carry hard and take the game to the opposition.
A New Chapter Under Simon Jenkins
There was also an opportunity to see the influence of new coach Simon Jenkins, who is beginning to put his own mark on the team.
Taking over a successful and ambitious group brings its own challenge, but the early signs are extremely positive.
The talent is already there. Now it is about continuing to develop the squad, building combinations and preparing the women for the different challenges the league season will bring.
Saturday was only pre-season, but the performance gave everyone at Church Lane plenty to be excited about.
The Yeovil Women look strong, determined and ready to compete.
If they can carry Saturday’s physicality and attacking ambition into their league fixtures, another exciting season could lie ahead.
The Main Event: Yeovil Men v The Coldstream Guards
Attention then turned to the main event as Yeovil Men welcomed the Coldstream Guards to Church Lane.
And this was a proper pre-season test.
The Guards brought a big, fit, physical and highly competitive squad to Yeovil, with some extremely hard players among their ranks.
They provided exactly the sort of opposition that exposes where a team is in pre-season – and exactly the sort of challenge from which Yeovil can learn.
It was hard-going rugby, but Yeovil refused to shy away from the physical battle.
Despite coming up against a bigger and fitter opposition, the home side continued to work, tackle and compete, producing some excellent passages of rugby and several standout individual performances.
There were undoubtedly lessons to take away, but there were also plenty of positives.
A Team Growing Together
Perhaps one of the most encouraging things about this Yeovil men’s squad is the progress being made as a group.
There is a growing team spirit and togetherness, and that is beginning to translate onto the pitch.
Players are learning one another’s games, combinations are developing and the squad is beginning to settle.
That doesn’t happen overnight.
Pre-season isn’t simply about winning games. It’s about finding out what works, discovering what needs improvement and giving players the opportunity to test themselves when they’re tired and under pressure.
The Coldstream Guards certainly provided that pressure.
But Yeovil continued to compete.
There were moments of real quality in attack, some committed defensive work and individual performances that demonstrated just how much potential there is within this group.
The team is growing and improving, and as that team spirit continues to strengthen, there is plenty to be optimistic about heading into the season.
Sponsored Men of the Match
Two players in particular were recognised following their performances.
Harry McHugh, sponsored by RSC, produced an excellent performance on his return to the fold.
It was particularly good to see Harry back involved and making his presence felt in such a physical fixture. His performance was a reminder of what he can bring to the Yeovil squad as he settles back into the group.
Alongside him, Oli, sponsored by H&C Coach Builders of Yeovil, was also recognised for a standout performance.
Congratulations to both players.
It is also fantastic to see the club’s growing player sponsorship programme represented on days like this.
More and more local businesses are getting behind individual Yeovil players this season, helping support their rugby while building stronger relationships between our senior teams and the local business community.
A huge thank you to RSC and H&C Coach Builders for their support.
Circa £4,000 Raised for Two Fantastic Armed Forces Charities
While there was plenty to celebrate on the pitch, one of the biggest achievements of The Big Game happened away from it.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who attended, donated prizes, purchased raffle tickets, placed bids in the auction or simply made a donation, circa £4,000 was raised for charity.
The money raised will be divided equally between two fantastic causes:
50% – The Bridge for Heroes
50% – The Coldstream Guards Charity
The Bridge for Heroes
The Bridge for Heroes provides support to the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans and their families.
The charity provides a welcoming environment alongside practical support, companionship and opportunities for social connection. Its work helps people facing a wide range of challenges, including loneliness and isolation, wellbeing concerns and the difficulties that can sometimes accompany the transition from military to civilian life.
The sense of camaraderie, friendship and looking after one another at the heart of its work made it a particularly fitting charity for The Big Game.
Find out more here:
https://www.thebridgeforheroes.org/
The Coldstream Guards Charity
The other 50% of the money raised will go to The Coldstream Guards Charity, supporting members of the wider Coldstream Guards family.
The charity provides assistance to serving and former Coldstream Guardsmen and their families, helping members of the Regimental family who may find themselves in need and supporting the welfare and traditions of the Regiment.
With the Coldstream Guards travelling to Church Lane to take on Yeovil and with Paul McHugh and Andy Hoggarth both former Guards themselves, supporting the charity gave the occasion an even greater personal significance.
Two Charities – One Fantastic Result
To raise circa £4,000 from the day is an achievement everyone involved should be extremely proud of.
That means approximately £2,000 will benefit The Bridge for Heroes and £2,000 The Coldstream Guards Charity, subject to the final fundraising total.
The raffle and auction played a huge part in reaching that figure, and we cannot thank the businesses and individuals who donated prizes and auction lots enough.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came along and put their hands in their pockets.
Every raffle ticket purchased, every auction bid and every donation helped.
One rugby club, one Armed Forces community and two fantastic charities benefiting from a brilliant day at Church Lane.
Around 300 People Join Us at Church Lane
Approximately 300 people attended across the day, creating a brilliant atmosphere around the ground and clubhouse.
It was exactly what we hoped The Big Game would become.
There were regular Yeovil supporters alongside families, friends, visitors, former players and members of the Armed Forces community.
Some came primarily for the rugby. Others came to support the charities.
Plenty came for both – and stayed for everything else!
Having that many people together at Church Lane for a pre-season event was a fantastic way to begin another year of rugby at Yeovil.
Food, Drinks and a Fantastic Social
The rugby may have been the centrepiece, but there was much more happening throughout the day.
The Little Green Horsebox joined us to keep everyone fed, serving up loaded hotdogs, nachos and other treats throughout the event.
The club bar was busy and there was a fantastic social atmosphere as the afternoon progressed.
Once the rugby finished, nobody needed to rush home either.
Michael Mochan Live at YRC
The evening entertainment came courtesy of Michael Mochan, who performed live at the club from 7pm.
It was the perfect way to bring the day to a close.
After two rugby matches and an afternoon of fundraising, players, supporters and guests were able to relax, enjoy a drink and stay together for an evening of live music.
You can follow Michael and check out more of his music here:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelmochanmusic?igsh=Zzkwb2o1ZGozNHRn
A huge thank you to Michael for being part of the occasion.
Thank You, Coldstream Guards
We would also like to extend a huge thank you to the Coldstream Guards for making the journey to Yeovil and playing such a significant part in the occasion.
They were formidable opposition on the pitch and fantastic guests off it.
The connection between rugby and the Armed Forces runs much deeper than a single match.
Both are built around teamwork, camaraderie, resilience and looking after the person standing beside you.
Those values were evident throughout Saturday.
It was a privilege to welcome the Guards to Church Lane and we hope this won’t be the last time our paths cross.
A Special Thank You to Paul and Andy
Finally, we need to recognise the two people who put so much into making The Big Game happen.
Paul McHugh and Andy Hoggarth – thank you.
What supporters see on the day is the finished event.
What they don’t always see are the weeks and months behind it: the telephone calls, messages, meetings, organising, arranging, chasing, finding prizes, coordinating people and dealing with all the little details required to turn an idea into reality.
Paul and Andy put an enormous amount of work in behind the scenes to bring this day to Yeovil Rugby Club.
Their connection with the Guards gave the occasion its roots, but they turned that connection into something that benefited the whole club and, importantly, two Armed Forces charities.
Around 300 people through the gates and circa £4,000 raised for charity is something they should both be extremely proud of.
From everyone at Yeovil Rugby Club – thank you, Paul and Andy.
What a Start to Pre-Season
When everything is taken together, The Big Game was a pretty special way to begin our pre-season.
Yeovil Women gave supporters a taste of the power, pace and ambition they intend to take into their new league campaign.
Yeovil Men tested themselves against a big, fit and competitive Coldstream Guards side and demonstrated character, individual quality and an increasingly strong team spirit.
Harry McHugh and Oli produced standout performances and represented two of the local businesses now supporting our players.
Around 300 people came through the gates.
The raffle and auction received phenomenal support.
Circa £4,000 was raised, split equally between The Bridge for Heroes and The Coldstream Guards Charity.
And once the rugby was finished, the clubhouse remained alive with food, drinks, friendship and live music.
It was rugby, community and charity all rolled into one fantastic day.
To every player, coach, volunteer, member of staff, sponsor, prize donor, supporter and visitor who played a part – thank you.
And to the Coldstream Guards, thank you for coming to Yeovil and helping make the occasion what it was.
The Big Game certainly lived up to its name.
After such a brilliant first event, we’re already looking forward to what comes next.
Here’s to the next one.
Full gallary available here :
rugby yeovil memorial match – Dropbox
Yeovil Men V Coldstream Guards 22/08/2026 - Google Drive
With special thanks to Lauren McClelland Photography for her time and for providing photos of the day.
