Green Island Rugby Club division 1 players lined up wearing specially themed jerseys for their ‘‘Battle of the Saddle’’ clash against the Taieri division 1 team at Miller Park on Anzac Day.
Adding to the traditional green, gold and black of Green Island, the unique strips featured a silhouette of a World War 1 soldier, as well as a cross and a line of poppies. Members of the club served in both world wars. Before kick-off, the rival sides gathered for a solemn moment of reflection to honour fallen soldiers and veterans.
The Ode of Remembrance from Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen was read out and the Last Post was played.
Following the match, the commemorative gear was auctioned off, raising about $20,000 for the Mosgiel RSA as well as for the club. Taieri won the match 40-24.\
