Murrayfield and Twickenham will feature prominently this Saturday in the minds of friends and colleagues of Craig Hodgkinson, the former Glasgow Hawks player, who tragically died in Plymouth last November, from cardiac arrest, while playing for the Royal Navy.

The Hawks will face Edinburgh Accies in the Scottish Cup Final at Murrayfield on Saturday 5th May where they won the trophy in 2004 with ‘Hodgie’ playing a prominent part in the Glasgow club’s victory that year.

And Twickenham is the venue on Saturday for the annual clash between the Royal Navy and the Army – a match where the Royal Marine would have made his first appearance.

Chairman of Navy Rugby, Commodore Jim Patrick confirmed that the Scot would have made his Twickenham debut.

He said:

“Craig was a Royal Marine of the highest calibre and a superb rugby player. He quickly established himself as a key member of the navy side and would have been wearing the number 10 shirt for us on Saturday.

“Shortly before his death we travelled to Cape Town where we won the Commonwealth Cup competing against the Navies of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Craig was our ‘Man of the Tournament’.

He epitomised the work hard play hard ethos of the sport and is sorely missed by all his friends in the Service. He will be in our thoughts when we take the field on Saturday.

“We are looking forward to visiting Glasgow to play the Hawks in a Memorial Match for Craig on Friday 18th May”.

Craig’s parents, Di and John Hodgkinson, have created the Craig Hodgkinson Trust which will provide cardiac equipment to sports clubs in Scotland.

John, former High School and Glasgow full-back, outlined the aims of the Trust.

John said;

“Following Craig’s death we became aware of the number of healthy young people who die from cardiac-related problems each year in the UK - as many as 6 per week.

“We intend to provide sports venues with defibrillators which may save the lives of sports men and women who suffer an attack similar to that which took Craig.

“We wanted to celebrate Craig’s life and felt that the best way was to bring his rugby colleagues together to remember him – on the rugby field.

“I am delighted the Royal Navy team is coming to Old Anniesland on 18th May. I hope we can welcome them as Scottish Cup winners”.

The Craig Hodgkinson Memorial Match, featuring Glasgow Hawks and the Royal navy, will kick-off at 7.30pm on Friday 18th May.

The occasion will offer plenty of entertainment with the appearance of the world-famous Regimental Band of the Royal Marines supported by the High School of Glasgow Pipe Band.

Bars and barbecues, an abseiling tower and rides in a flight simulator will add to the fun – and the Marines are promising an unusual way to deliver the match ball.

Action starts at 6 o’clock, 90 minutes before the match kick-off. Admission id £10 for adults and £5 for children with all proceeds going to the Craig Hodgkinson Trust to purchase cardiac equipment.

This article was posted on 1-May-2007, 21:59 by Hugh Barrow.