CLACTON Rugby Club played their first pre-season fixture on Saturday when Wymondham made the trip to Vista Road.

Both teams used a number of players over the course of the afternoon and contributed to an entertaining game of 11 tries. The final outcome was a 38-34 win for the visitors, as they edged the try tally by six to five.

The Seasiders have another home game this Saturday, against South Woodham Ferrers.

Kick-off is at the early time of 1.30pm, at the request of the visitors.

However, events at the club have been overshadowed by the untimely death of president Tony Cook, on August 21, aged just 60.

Cookie, as he was known to everyone, had been involved with Clacton Rugby Club since he was 16 and done just about every job within the organisation.

He was elected chairman in 1987 and, after ten years in that post, became president in 1997.

He continued to referee youth fixtures until a couple of years ago and many of the current players will have known him through that.

He died in hospital, surrounded by his family, and the club’s thoughts are with them at this time.

His funeral is tomorrow at Colchester Crematorium, starting at 11.45am, before mourners make their way back to the rugby clubhouse.