Sarrie soldier remembers the fallen heroes

SIMON Wright-Hider, awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for saving several lives when he stormed a Taliban machine-gun post in broad day light, featured in the BBC-televised Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Royal Marine, who played for Clifton at both junior and senior levels and now appears for Bristol Saracens when on leave, was interviewed for the programme.

And he also carried the book of remembrance to the drumhead altar for the closing stages of the evening.

Ben Smith, who was a gap year student at Colston's in 2004-05 and appeared for Old Colstonians, was among New Zealand's try scorers in their 51-22 defeat of Scotland at Murrayfield.

And there was special delight at the Thornbury club when former junior Mako Vunipola came off the bench to make his England debut in the comfortable win over Fiji.

Tries from Matt Bowden (2), Rob Collins (2), Alex Featherstone, Ashley Milburn and Marc Tudor helped North Bristol 3rds to a 41-12 home friendly victory against Bristol Barbarians 2nds, Milburn also adding three conversions.

North supplied four players to assist the BaaBaas, including Paul Thomas who crossed for a touchdown converted by North club-mate Mark Smith.

Lock Nige Brentnall grabbed two tries for Aretians who went down 33-20 in a friendly against Barton Hill. Nick Atkins also struck with a five-pointer for the Little Stoke-based club.

Hornets moved up to second in Somerset Two North with a 34-5 victory at bottom side Avon.

Try scorers included Simon Owens (2), Scott Burrell and Brad Ashfield.

Gordano were handed a free passage into the quarter-finals of the Somerset Vase when scheduled opponents Old Sulians scratched because of the lack of a front row.

Bristol Telephones' decision to drop out of the RFU Leagues and instead combine fixtures in South Four of the Gloucester Reserve competition with a comprehensive list of friendlies is paying a rich dividend.

The Stockwood-based club dominated BAC 2nds 27-10 to make it ten in a row, finishing strongly with two late tries.

Andy Francombe caught Derek Hearn's kick-off and made ground to feed Dave Button who battered his way over for his second score of the afternoon. And young No 8 Callum Dicker forced his way over from a scrum, also for his second try, to wrap up the win.

Number 8 Craig Bryson touched down twice with full-back Paul Smart, centre James Barr and, for the second successive week, prop Sam Fripp also crossing in St Bernadettes 2nds ' 25-0 defeat of Kingswood.