A RUGBY match in memory of a young player who died suddenly while on holiday has raised money to help other youngsters.

Tom Parsons, who was from West Heslerton near Malton, was on holiday with friends on the Greek island of Zante, when he died last August.

The 22-year-old had been a stalwart member of Malton and Norton RUFC and was a promising player.

Tom’s junior coach, Colin Owston, and fellow coach David Newman organised the memorial match as a celebration of his life - and raised £2,300 towards future tours.

Colin said: “The idea was to get all his family and friends to remember Tom who was such a great lad and a really good member of the club. Tom was always competitive and took on the role of captain for four or five years as the lads respected him so much.

“It was a fantastic night with lots of lads travelling from all over the country, as well as abroad to take part,” he said.