WITH HMS Protector moored at Ipswich Docks, Ipswich Rugby Club welcomed the crew of the Royal Navy Antarctic patrol vessel for a friendly match at Humber Doucy Lane.
A combined XV of first and second-teamers and under-18s took the score past three figures against the HMS Protector XV before officials “lost count”.
Ipswich team manager Paul Tildsley said: “All the Protector lads stayed for the BBQ after the game and went into town after with a few of our lads.
“We loaned them a couple of our players for the game but it wasn’t taken very seriously, it was a bit of fun and the chance to bond with the crew.
“The captain of the ship, Peter Sparkes, was talking about coming back next June.
“It depends on where they are in the world, but we are hoping we can make it an annual event.”
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