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Former players roll back the years in Denton Hurdle Memorial

Honouring a departed legend: Teachers Rugby Club will take to the field to celebrate the 38th anniversary of Denton Hurdle’s death (Photograph by Mehluli Sibanda)

Former team-mates of one of Bermuda’s finest sportsmen, Denton Hurdle, will roll back the years when Teachers Rugby Club compete in a memorial tournament in his honour at North Field, National Sports Centre, on Sunday.

The matches will mark the 38th anniversary since the death of Hurdle, a talented sportsman who played rugby, football, cricket and volleyball.

In addition to his sporting achievements, Denton was a physical education teacher at Warwick Academy. He died in 1985, because of medical complications following surgery to correct his enlarged heart, at the age of 28.

Since then, Teachers, his former rugby team, has organised the Denton Hurdle Memorial matches on an annual basis. Also being celebrated on Sunday are other departed former Teachers players, Robert Trott, Devrae Noel-Simmons and Stephen Edwards.

Proceedings start at Denton’s former church, Bright Temple Church, at 9.30am. Teachers women will be the first to take to the field at 1.30pm, followed by the men an hour later, with a pitch side presentation to take place at the end of the action.

Denton’s older brother Derek, a former captain of Bermuda and Teachers, will be present at Sunday’s festivities.

In keeping with tradition, Chris Naylor, the Teachers men’s coach, will give a run out to Hurdle’s former colleagues.

“We pride ourselves on being a family club and you’re going to see that in selection on Sunday,’’ Naylor said. “We’re playing three 25-minute periods and the first 25 minutes will be made up of Old Boys, people who played alongside Denton.

“We've got some proper Old Boys who are in their early sixties playing. I'm also going to put my boots on for the first time this year, and get out there and play.

“We also have some father-son combinations. We do have a couple of youngsters in the starting team who’re going to be playing with their fathers.

“It’s a big day for Teachers Rugby Club and quite a big day for Bermuda rugby.”

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Published February 09, 2024 at 6:34 pm (Updated February 10, 2024 at 8:28 am)

Former players roll back the years in Denton Hurdle Memorial

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