FOLLOWING the second annual charity rugby match between the Wayne Barnes XV and a Bream Invitational side almost £5,000 has already been raised for the Debbie Broderick Pink Ribbon Tribute Fund.

The match, organised by Debbie's son-in-law, international referee Wayne Barnes, featured several ex-international players from Bath, Gloucester and Wales, was accompanied by a cider festival and was followed by live music.

Speaking to the Review from a Rugby World Cup officials' training trip to Bordeaux, France, Wayne said: "It was a great day, and there is still quite a bit of money left to collect. People were so generous, and the match was held in great spirit.

"It was all a great success, except that, unfortunately, my team lost to the Bream side, 33 - 35, which was due, in my opinion, to the fact that we were a, shall we say, more mature side, and we ran out of steam after about 60 minutes!

"After the match there was chance to sit out on the grass and enjoy both the great weather and some of the products from the cider festival – while listening to the live music into the evening, and proving that rugby in the Forest isn't just a game, but has a great social side to it as well.

"We also auctioned three signed rugby shirts on the day, that we had been given, from Bath, Gloucester and England – and they helped to raise money too."

He added: "We are already planning next year's event, and hope to help it to grow again."

Wayne will be in action in August, refereeing the Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand, before the Rugby World Cup in the autumn.

To find out more details about the Debbie Broderick Pink Ribbon Tribute Fund, visit: www.

tribute.breastcancercampaign.org/debbie-broderick

•See this week's Review for more photographs.