THE 5th Annual Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy takes place on Saturday for Armed Forces Day at Crosfields ARLFC in memory of Private Thomas Sephton.

It will see the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment play the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and is free of entry for all.

Tom was a soldier from Warrington who served in the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (1 MERCIAN).

In 2010 Tom was deployed on operations to Afghanistan. On July 4, Tom was seriously wounded in an explosion whilst on patrol.

After emergency treatment he was flown to the UK for further medical care, and there with great sadness Tom tragically succumbed to his injuries the following day.

For many years Tom played Rugby League for Crosfields Amateur Rugby League Club.

It was Tom's fellow team mates who came up with the original idea for a charity fund raising Rugby League match against a military team to be held in memory of their friend. With the help of Tom's family, his friends, his 1 MERCIAN comrades and the Army Rugby League, the match became a reality.

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ellwood MBE said: “The Mercian Regiment is very proud to be able to support the Tom Sephton Trophy. Tom was a great soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving his country alongside his friends. He is fondly remembered in the Regiment as a brave and highly professional soldier, and a very good rugby player. We are therefore very pleased to have the opportunity for our rugby team to play the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund.”

A team from Tom’s regiment, The 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, will play the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment for the Coleridge Cup. Crosfields ARLFC XIII will play The Royal Logistics Corps, who are 2013 Army Rugby League Champions in the main event.

The Coleridge Cup is named after the 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment soldier Tom Coleridge who suffered life-changing injuries serving his country just days after Tom’s death in 2010.

Commanding Officer, Mark Ellwood said: “The soldiers competing for the Coleridge Cup will not only be representing two prestigious Regiments, but two great friends and former Crossfields rugby league players who both sacrificed so much alongside one another in the service of their country.

“Regimental pride will no doubt ensure a hard fought contest, but our shared experience of recent operations has forged a bond of friendship that I am certain will endure beyond the final whistle, and for many years to come.”

Spectators to the all-day free event will also witness Crosfields Ladies ARLFC compete against Army Rugby League Ladies.

For more information on the event, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sephtonmemorialtrophy.