Once again it is my unpleasant duty to be the bearer of bad news. After a five year battle with cancer, Peter Duke passed away this evening of Thursday 24th September. Peter was a fine player at our club, a centre with rare pace and power. His major asset in my mind however was his tackle, words like ten, ton and truck spring to mind to put it mildly. This did not go unnoticed by our county for whom Peter played as a teenager. Once Peter had hung up his boots he became a regular supporter on the touchline at Thorne where I was a frequent recipient of his views on what we were doing wrong on the field. These were delivered in his forthright but not unpleasant manner and from the mouth of the man who was always the best dressed supporter on the terrace by some considerable margin. Peter always cut a fine figure at the club.

Over the last few years Peter became very supportive of the club in other ways. He always had a table at our league lunches, and was recently instrumental in setting up an extremely successful Northern Soul night at the club.

Our thoughts at the moment lie with Peter's wife Coral, his daughter Melissa and son Ryan along with his grandchildren. We are very sorry for their loss and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that if there is anything the club can do in these trying times, please ask. Rugby is nothing if it is not family.

It remains for me to say simply goodbye Peter, and thanks for the memories.

Kevin Jones
Hon Secretary
Thornensians RUFC