Historic Rugby Photo - Duckett Memorial Trophy

This photograph made history for what it was used for, rather than for the match being played. We asked if you could tell us when it was taken, which teams are playing, who are the players, and what is the special historical significance of the photo?

Rugby match at Nationals Sports Club between Police and Teachers 1972

Believed to be the first game of the season, with Police winning 25-9

Players (l-r) Teachers in stripes - Derek Hurdle, Bobby Moulder, Glen George,

Colin Davies, John Morbey, Geoff Bentley, Vaughan Evans*, and Harry Patchett.
Police players - Bill (Butcher) Nixon, Ron Beech, John Van De Weg, Colin Mackenzie, Norman(Raj) Rennie.

*John Morbey believes that the player Jeff identified as Vaughan Evans may be Eric Jones

As you may have gathered from some of the comments below, there is a connection between this photo and the Duckett Trophy. Anyone who was involved with rugby in the early 1970's will know that the Late Commissioner George Duckett, along with his wife, was an avid rugby fan and an ardent supporter of the Police rugby team. Jeff Baker recalled that Commissioner Duckett was murdered on Saturday 9th September 1972, and shortly afterwards it was decided that a trophy should be created in memory of Commissioner Duckett, to be played for annually between the Police rugby team and The Rest of Bermuda.

Several members of the Police team, including Colin Macdonald and David "Dai" Thomas, helped to organise fund raising and Colin and Dai were also involved in negotiations with Crisson's to design a silver plaque to be mounted on a cedar shield. The cedar shield was, of course, made by Malcy Smith, and our photograph (see below) was provided to Crisson's as a suitable illustration for the engraving by Jim Kempe although it has to be said that Mr Kempe also used a little artistic licence!

The following photo shows Colin MacDonald officially receiving the completed trophy on behalf of the Police from Jim Kempe of Crisson's.

Colin Macdonald receives the just completed Duckett Memorial

trophy from Jim Kempe who engraved the plaque

And here is the official programme for the first Duckett Memorial match played at the National Sports Club on Sunday 4th February 1973. Although we don't have the exact score we understand that "The Rest" won that first match in a closely fought encounter after a penalty try was awarded in the dying moments of the game.

Sincere thanks to Dai Thomas for providing this information and the photos.

The Duckett Memorial Trophy

Those with eagle eyes may notice that the trophy was originally a shield with a limited number

of small plaques for the annual winning team. This photo was taken on 30th March 2015

at the Police Recreation Club and the original cedar shield has obviously been replaced

with a larger cedar plaque to provide more space for the winners.

If anyone has any personal recollections of this or any other Duckett Memorial trophy matches, including photos, please send them to us and we would be happy to publish them with this article. I had hoped that we could post a few photos of the Duckett Trophy winning teams but unfortunately all but one of our photos appear to be of Nichol Shield winners. Can anyone assist in this regard? The one exception is a photo provided to us by Keith Cassidy below which we believe was the team competing for the Duckett Memorial trophy in 1975 -1976 season. We do have a list of the players and officials but we encourage our rugby players and enthusiasts to see if you can identify them. Below the photo you will find two blow-ups to assist you

Duckett Memorial Team 1975-1976 season

Blow-up 1

Blow-up 2

John Price 8 years 1 month

Yes, can confirm Jay Hooper-nice guy. Whatever happened to him?Editors note - I believe Jay moved to Chester in Nova Scotia some years ago. He also suffered a stroke whilst competing in the May 24th Half Marathon as he was running along Montpelier Road heading for the finish line in the National Stadium, but he recovered well and later settled in Chester. Jay currently spends much of his time in Bermuda where he is very involved with his grandchildren.

Davie Kerr 8 years 2 months

Looking at the programmes, I see the last Police reserve is one J Hooper: would that possibly be Jay Hooper of Hooper Sails fame? I honestly can't remember any other Hooper with any Police connection.Editors note - Davie, I'm sure you are correct. That has to be Jay Hooper. I seem to recall that he and his wife used to own Buckingham in Southampton where Dai and Chris Thomas used to rent his cottage.

Jeff 8 years 2 months

1975-76. Duckett TeamBack row: Tommy Gallagher, Barry Higham, Nick de Chenu, Dave Pantry, Phil Every, Ivan Davies, Peter Stubbs, Dave Lunn, Paul Field, Keith Cassidy, Dave Wheddon, John Price, Ron Beech, John Williams.Front row:Ray Needham, Paul Davis, Pat O'Riordan, Moby Pett, Bill Butterworth, John Wright, Eric Boardman Micky Tagg, Bob Borland.Editors note - Full marks Jeff. Well done. The only things I can add are that Tom Gallagher was the coach, Peter Stubbs was President, Johnny Williams was Secretary, and Bill Butterworth was Captain.

Well done John P for your ID's: the only minor correction I'd offer is that I think it's Ray Needham rather than Barry Needham.

John Price 8 years 2 months

Just got it-John Wright! It has been bothering me all day

Top photo, Back row:Tommy Gallagher, Barry Higham, Nick de Chenu, Dave Pantry, Phil Every, Ivan Davies, Peter Stubbs, Dave Lunn, Paul Field, Keith Cassidy, Dave Wheddon, John Price, Ron Beech, John Williams.Front row: Barry Needham, Paul Davis, Pat O'Riordan, Moby Pett, Bill Butterworth, John?(a tyke as I remember), Micky Tagg, Paul Nethery, Bob Borland.Editors note - Excellent memory John. John? is John Wright. Not sure if you have Boardman and Tagg correctly. Can anyone else assist?

Roger. Good one.Never thought about it before but the photo of Colin Mackenzie kicking the ball I believe is used for the centre embossment of the Duckett trophy. Had it in my hands a few times. I hope I am correct this time.Editors note - BINGO Jeff. Yes, the photo was provided to the engraver when he was designing the silver plaque for the Duckett Memorial trophy, although on checking the trophy itself I see that the engraver decided to make the design more "rugby-like" and had the player carrying the ball and about to be tackled. Many thanks for everyone's input.

Jeff Baker 8 years 2 months

Roger.I am 100% sure of the players names but Davie Kerr is correct other than Mulder is the welsh spelling for Moulder(joke) This photo was taken by Paul Farrell. Now that you have narrowed the reason it has to do with the Commissioner George Duckett. He was murdered on Sat 9th Sept 1972.Ist team games were played on Sundays so possibly this was played the day after, as The Commissioner was a great fan of rugby and a staunch supporter of the Police team, and possibly allowed to be played in his commemoration. This game was the first of the season so would have been about this time. The Duckett trophy is played between Police and the Rest of Bermuda so it is not about the trophy. I played in the game but memories fade.Editors note - You are definitely getting warmer Jeff, but this was, of course, not a Duckett trophy match. Ironically, you have mentioned the connection, but for the wrong reason. It IS about the trophy! Will explain tomorrow,

Terry 8 years 2 months

Editors note - For a non-rugby player you're getting warm Terry. Almost got it!Wow!!!Catch yourself Roger.I Played Hooker for the Police Rugby Team in 1968.Fond memories of getting my skinny ass crushed.I was a Cadet.I was disposable.Get it?Memories. :PEditors note - Okay Terry. Now you've really impressed me. Never thought you were THAT crazy! You are also the closest so far to the question about the significance of this photo.

Probably the Hurdle Memorial or Duckett or related.Editors note - For a non-rugby player you're getting warm Terry. Almost got it!