RUGBY clubs played a match in memory of a mum of a player who lost her battle with cancer a year ago.

On Sunday, Mold RFC Minis, under 7-12, played Oswestry and Caldy rugby clubs to raise funds for Macmillan Nurses in memory of Paula Stobie, who passed away on October 24, 2017. Before the game all age groups and clubs gathered in a huge huddle followed by a minutes round of applause. The now annual event has been organised this year by the Under 10s parents, coaches and team manager Lisa Parry.

The game has been named the ‘Paula Stobie Memorial Match’ in honour of Paula, whose son Will plays for the Under 10s and who, alongside husband Stuart, are active members of Mold RFC.

Stuart Stobie said: ''Rugby is a proud sport for a good reason, it creates a sense of belonging, a community that wraps you up despite where you come from, your size or demeanour, or, more importantly, your colour, creed or culture.

''Mold RFC encapsulates all these values for which I am so proud that Will and I are members. Will lost his Mum, the person who always insisted that he takes on these values and despite the fact his Mum is no longer with us the coaches, team mates and parents have ensured he sticks to these guidelines in life.

''To all these people, I simply say thank you. I cannot say how much I appreciate every moment of support we have received. At our worst moments we were supported by Macmillan nurses. I could never purport to assume what philosophy the angels who are the Macmillan nurses live by, just that I could not have persevered without them.

''Unfortunately cancer is a pernicious disease and we will long require the Macmillan nurses to assist people so I ask you to give generously, for which I thank you.”

During the morning parents sold cakes, charity badges, raffle tickets for a week in Spain and donations from the Mold Senior Section games last weekend and both Caldy and Oswestry gave numerous cash donations to the event on the day.

A total of £2,132 was raised and all funds will go to Macmillan.

Chair for Mold Minis Section David O‘ Malley said: ''As a community based rugby club in Mold, we wanted to show our support to our members, Stuart and Will, who sadly lost their wife and mum to cancer last year. This event, organised by our under 10 parents, allowed the wider rugby family from Caldy and Oswestry to come together and celebrate Paula's life through a show of solidarity by taking part in a minute applause in front of our clubhouse.

''All the players from the three clubs took part in a great morning of competitive rugby and we raised over £2,100 for the MacMillan Cancer Support charity through the generosity of all those who attended.''

Mold Rugby Club has decided that this is to be the inaugural Paula Stobie Memorial Match and is to be repeated annually on the last Sunday in September with the Club’s Under 10s age group of that year organising the event and nominating the charity to benefit.