THE curtain was brought down on Salisbury RFC’s season with a fitting tribute to a selfless community hero.

The first team and the Colts went head-to-head in memory of Joe Osmond, who died in 1997.

Osmond was a well-regarded individual at the club he worked tirelessly for, with particular emphasis on the roving youth section. For the ex-Colts, the games give them is a chance to renew old friendships on and off the field and test their fitness and guile against the speed and enthusiasm of the younger ones.

Afterwards, team captains Zach Green (Colts) and Don Parsons (ex-colts) were presented with the trophy - a replica of Osmond’s sought-after walking stick - by brother Bill Osmond.

The original walking stick is already framed in pride of place in the clubhouse.

Organiser Marcus Olsen, a former Colt who benefitted from Osmond’s support, said: “Joe was a wonderful, genuine man who will always be in the memory of the ex-Colts. Joe believed in the true ethos of the game.”

Salisbury RFC chairman Simon Hedges said: Our Colts are undoubtedly our future as the players look forward to striding onto the stage of senior rugby.”

n Twickenham beckons for Dorset and Wilts after they shrugged off Hampshire 29-11 in RFU County Shield Pool 3 and will now head to Leicestershire for the semi-final.

“It wasn’t pretty and we have played better, but we deserved to win, the lads worked hard in training. Now we must focus on the Leicestershire match next week,” said boss Matt Pallas.