Former BBC rugby league commentator Ray French MBE was the guest of honour at Douglas RUFC’s end of season lunch on Saturday [April 22nd]. The event, hosted by Old Mutual International which is the club’s main sponsor, was held before the 1st XV’s final league match of the season.
 
Club officials, sponsors and guests gave a warm welcome to the man who was the BBC’s voice of rugby league for more than a quarter of a century, before retiring in 2013. As a player, Ray achieved the rare distinction of representing his country in both league and union. He was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to rugby league.
 
Gareth Hooson-Owen, Douglas RUFC President, and Peter Kenny, Managing Director of Old Mutual International, acted as MCs for the lunch which was held at the club’s Port-E-Chee ground near to Quarterbridge. The 1st XV provided the perfect finale to the afternoon by beating Liverpool St Helens 91-12. The win secured second place for Douglas in the South Lancs/Cheshire Division 1, and earned them a promotion play-off at Port-E-Chee on May 6th against Salford-based side De La Salle. The winners will be promoted to the North 1 West division.
 
This weekend, Douglas RUFC hosts another big event, this time with the focus on encouraging youth participation in rugby union. The Old Mutual International Junior Rugby Festival takes place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April, featuring age group matches from under 7s up to under 16s, with up to five matches being played each day, and lots of sideshows and other entertainment for all the family. 

Photo - Former BBC rugby league commentator Ray French MBE speaking at the Douglas RUFC end of season lunch.