throughout the season will be at their most inspired for Sunday's eighth annual Denton Hurdle Memorial match at National Sports Club (3 p.m.).

The contest features Teachers against a pick of the rest of the clubs that make up rugby union in Bermuda, champions Renegades, Police and Mariners.

For The Rest, the day begins with the put-in kick but Teachers will start with a memorial service in honour of their long-time stalwart who passed away after a short illness. The players and club members will meet at Bright Temple AME Church at 11 a.m.

Teachers president Brian Toms vividly remembers the mercurial Denton Hurdle, who along with older brother Derek made up a fearsome partnership in the great Teachers teams of the late 1970s and early '80s.

"It is a very emotional game for those who know him. Denton was and still is an inspirational leader to many of the Teachers players,'' said Toms. "He was one of the very few players on the Island that was admired by everyone.

Everybody liked him.

"At his funeral many of the players from other clubs paid their last respects.

"Denton gave Teachers tremendous value in his playing days and his older brother Derek carries that on even though he is not playing that much.'' What was, and is still is, painful for Toms and other long-time Teachers members was how suddenly Hurdle, who would have been 36 on February 10, passed.

The team last saw him on the eve of a tour to Wales and France. Hurdle, who missed the tour because of health reasons, was passing out club sweaters and ties.

"We did not think it was serious and even Derek joined the tour,'' Toms said.

"But there were problems and we found out that Denton had open heart surgery in Halifax and died a few days later. The last night of our tour we were in London and Derek got a call from his wife.'' The next year the first Denton Hurdle Memorial game was played and Teachers won. There are six remaining players in Sunday's team for Teachers -- Scott and Andrew Correia, Alvin Harvey, Peter Simons, Ron Hook and Richard Raistrick. Pat Jones remains from The Rest players who featured in the inaugural match-up.

Harvey is now the current Teachers captain and he views the fixture as vital in the club's programme.

"It is the biggest game on the club calendar,'' he said. "Denton was someone all the players respected and looked up to and he was a good role model.

"It is out of respect that we get worked up for this game. We have a week of intense training...it is very tense.'' Harvey concurs with Toms' view that many past Teachers players clamour to get into the Denton Hurdle Memorial.

"It is usually a coming together,'' added Harvey, "and it is difficult for selectors because everyone wants to play.

"Now we have a good set of forwards who are mobile and fit and that is where it will be hard to pick. The team we put out will be one of the strongest in previous years and should do well.'' The importance of the fixture is further confirmed by the return from school of rising star Butch Robinson who should start for the red and blacks.

Teachers squad: Andre Simons, Sal Cantarella, Mike Montgomery, Alvin Harvey, Scott Correia, Andrew Correia, Billy McNiven, David Cook, Peter Simons, Ashley Redmond, Richard Raistrick, Ron Hook, Anthony Cupidor, Terry Walsh, Patrick Cooper, Butch Robinson, Tim White, Pat McHugh, Henry Adderley, Jamie Morrison, Roman Romeo.

All proceeds and donations from the match will go to the Denton Hurdle Memorial Fund, which is used to send a Bermudian student to Dalhousie University in Canada on a Physical Education scholarship.

MEMORIES -- Alvin Harvey (left) in action with Denton Hurdle.