On a bitter Saturday afternoon on The Common Marlborough Rugby 1st XV put the new digital scoreboard to good use so for the first time – possibly ever – the crowd watching the intense and competitive game taking place out on the pitch were in the full knowledge of what the score actually was.
OK, the first ‘twirl’ of the numbers came up on the ‘Away’ side when Shipston-on-Stour were the side that christened the scoreboard in the very early minutes, playing down the slope with the fierce wind to their backs – they scored the game’s opening try.
But that didn’t last long and Marlborough ran out winners of an excellent and keenly fought match with a score of 39-17 (see below). Report and match pics will follow.
The new scoreboard is thanks to Gigaclear, one of the two companies bringing ultrafast full fibre broadband to Marlborough. Gigaclear are also supporting the flourishing younger sides as well, sponsoring the Rugby Minis and Juniors.
Gigaclear and the other broadband provider, Giganet might have been the subject of many choice words of late whilst their contractors have been busily engaged digging up much of the town, particularly roads and pavements but that part of the project is (thankfully) nearing a conclusion and the new ultra high speed connection for internet and everything online that full fibre (optical glass transmitting a light signal rather than traditional copper passing an electrical signal) can provide.
This according to Gigaclear means that there will be a full fibre broadband network on offer to more than 4,400 homes and businesses in the town. This should enable connections of up about 900 megabits per second whereas until now the maximum available speed has been well under 100mbps. So potentially a service up to ten times as fast.
Amanda Palmer, Youth Chair at Marlborough Rugby, welcomed Gigaclear’s support of the club with the new scoreboard and help for the Minis and Juniors.
She said: “It’s been a great season so far for Marlborough Rugby with the first team posting some very impressive scores that can only serve to inspire and motivate our younger members . Gigaclear’s sponsorship of our fun challenges will undoubtedly encourage them further. We recognise the importance of fast and reliable broadband for many homeowners and businesses these days and therefore we welcome the company’s efforts to extend its full fibre network in the town.”
Gigaclear’s Head of Marketing Andy Brotherton said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support Marlborough Rugby and am sure it is just the start of a long and fruitful relationship. We recognise the valuable role the rugby club plays at the heart of the wider Marlborough community, and we are keen to support the club’s efforts.”
The ’18 : 71′ in the two upper pics refers to the date (actually 26 January 1871) of when the first incarnation of Marlborough Rugby – the Marlborough Nomads – sat down in the Pall Mall restaurant in London’s Regent Street and all agreed to form a body for English Rugby. That was the start of the Rugby Football Union. The Marlborough club was there…….
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