Chard RFC youngster given Twickenham opportunity

A 16-year-old from Chard RFC will be given the work experience opportunity of a life-time next weekend when he gets to grip with the hallowed turf of Twickenham Stadium.

Jamie Pike from Somerset will assist the Rugby Football Union's Head Groundsman Keith Kent as he and his team prepare and maintain the pitch during a busy weekend of rugby.

With the Guinness Premiership Final on Saturday May 31^st and the England versus Barbarians clash on Sunday June 1st, which will also see the climax of the County Championship competitions, Pike will certainly be enjoying a baptism of fire.

The Chard youngster, whose father is an agricultural contractor, has taken on the maintenance of the Chard RFC grounds and met Kent after the Twickenham Groundsman visited the club to review the pitches and provide a report and guidance on how to improve it.

Pike is looking for a career in horticulture and certainly an opportunity like this will give him an invaluable insight into the work that goes into preparing a pitch for international and domestic match days.

Kent said: "I think that the young lad deserves some reward as he has done a tremendous job at Chard RFC. For me, it is very rewarding knowing that what we preach when we visit clubs is being put into practice. The pitch at Chard is a very much over used pitch, like most rugby clubs, and Jamie has his work cut out keeping it in shape. He is a credit to himself, his parents and his club."

Philip Cook, Chard RFC Chairman, added: "This is a great opportunity and I am so pleased we have been able to facilitate Jamie with the support of Keith. It is something he has earned and deserves and I am sure he'll do himself and Chard RFC proud."

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