IN 2011 the entire rugby world was saddened by the death of Peter Trunkfield, a past president of the Rugby Football Union [RFU] and past president, chairman and honourary secretary of Bucks County RFU.

Trunkfield worked tirelessly in support of the game he loved and the people in it, and his efforts were not diminished by the obstacles that he encountered.

The combination of his quiet but persuasive manner and persistence almost inevitably delivered positive results.

In many respects, Trunkfield had become the father of rugby in Bucks and the county suffered a great loss with his passing.

In 2006, Trunkfield was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bucks New University in recognition of his services to rugby union.

Following his passing, the Peter Trunkfield Cup was introduced in his memory. Each season it is awarded to a club by the current president of Bucks County RFU, and last year Chris Smith presented it to Phoenix.

Smith said: “The Peter Trunkfield Cup goes to a club that is, in word and deed, what Peter would have called ‘a proper rugby club.

“It’s awarded at least as much for what a club does off the field as what it does on it.

“In my visits to Phoenix I’ve been impressed by the warmth with which visitors are welcomed and treated, and by the continuing respect for the game’s traditions, including inviting me and other visitors to join in with the after-match singing in the clubhouse.

Gwyn Stone, president of Bucks County RFU this season, said: “It’s a great pleasure and honour for me to re-present the Peter Trunkfield Cup to Phoenix on one of the big days of its season[after the match against rivals Slough].

“I understand why Chris, my predecessor, chose to award the cup to Phoenix last season, and I congratulate the club on its achievement.”