“We are truly inspired by Jack’s memory in everything that we do,” explains Min-Kyoo Kim, president of the All Greys, Cambridge’s mature student rugby club. Earlier, Min’s side had clashed against the Old Greys – an invitational XV – in a fundraising match at Grange Road.

Ending 33-33, the sides were eventually separated by a rugby shoot-out, with the returning alumni triumphing. Yet 1,700 was the number most vital to the day’s outcome, as the total amount raised in pounds for Break, a charity caring for young people leaving care in East Anglia.

Amongst a flurry of Cuppers finales and Varsity clashes, nestled away at the start of Easter term was perhaps the most powerful sporting fixture of the season. The All Greys Jack Merritt Memorial Match, kicking off on an overcast April Saturday, celebrated the life of Hughes Hall graduate Jack, who tragically lost his life in a London terror attack in November 2019. As well as reporting on this celebration of sport’s power to unite and honour, I was also afforded the privilege to talk through the day’s proceedings with Jack’s father, Dave.

“Overwhelmingly it’s a reminder that there are a lot of good people”

Having studied at Manchester at undergraduate level, Dave told me that nobody in his son’s flat could believe it when Jack graduated with a first class degree in Law. “They were all amazed, saying that he never went to the library!” Jack’s decision to undertake a Masters at Cambridge soon followed, and despite living locally, Jack wanted to do the “whole bit”. Choosing to live in halls and throw himself into university life, Jack rediscovered his love for rugby at Hughes, a sport he hadn’t played since school. Forming friendships while tackling teammates, Jack’s experience with the All Greys mirrored the phenomenal time he enjoyed while studying at Cambridge.

It is this joy that keeps alumni alike coming back year on year to honour Merritt’s legacy. The memorial fixture has taken place for half a decade, yet to Jack’s father’s surprise, it seems to get bigger every year. Seeing the game’s success grow, Dave tells me that “there is a bit of sadness there, of course, but overwhelmingly it’s a reminder that there are a lot of good people”.

From groups of Jack’s school pals, to current Hughes members, and even a group behind me that were watching their first ever rugby match, the turnout was impressively strong. Fans were treated to a cracking game of rugby amidst the fundraising festivities, and, with a tie in the balance at 26-26, one All Grey came off and exclaimed to the sideline that this was “probably the most fun game” he had ever played in. After a colossal late push from the All Greys, the final score hung in the balance at 33-33. Penalty kicks were duly chosen as the decider, with the invitational XV holding their nerve and emerging the victors.

Post-match, Dave Merritt gushed over “the most entertaining game we’ve had. I’ve never seen a penalty shoot-out in rugby before – it was gripping!” He then cheekily added to the clubhouse that he was, of course, glad to see the Old Greys triumph.

“Music fans will remember Dave’s Brits performance in 2020 where he honoured Merritt”

The announcement of the funds raised for Break drew well-earned cheers in the post-game celebrations. As Dave explains: “Jack was very committed socially, and worked for a project which did education in prisons”. This project – the now defunct Learning Together – was a scheme focussing on prisoner rehabilitation and freedoms.

According to Dave: “They were doing really good work in prison. It was helping to change lives.” The decision to support Break seemed to be a natural progression from Jack’s admirable social conscience: “Break have these art trails, and get organisations to decorate an animal.” The charity’s work includes decorated giraffes which popped up around Cambridge last year.

He continued: “Jack was working in a prison in Suffolk, working with prisoners on the design for a cow at the time he was killed. Break supports young people who are in care, and those who are leaving care. A lot of people in prison have been in care. Most people in care don’t end up in prison, but a lot of people in prison have been in care. That was the link, and I know that [Jack] would’ve approved of it.”

Jack’s work led him to cross paths with an enriching variety of people. Dave tells me that his son was a big fan of rap music, and befriended Rosca Onya, then in the midst of an indefinite sentence after being charged with possession of a loaded gun. Jack supported Rosca through the Learning Together scheme, eventually helping to successfully advocate for his release. Upon Jack’s death, Rosca led lyrical tributes to his mentor with his rapping talent.

Jack’s involvement in the prison system also brought him into contact with rapper Santan Dave’s brother, Chris Omoregie, currently in prison on a joint enterprise murder conviction. Music fans will remember Dave’s Brits performance in 2020, where he honoured Jack as part of an extraordinary rendition of the song, ‘Black’. With the Merritt family in attendance, this was yet another reminder of the positive mark their son had left on others.

Nowadays, the Memorial Match enjoys representation from various former teammates of Jack’s, but also those in the Cambridge city circuit, such as Shelford rugby players. As the All Greys president explains: “I truly believe that Jack’s memory informs all that we do in our fundraising.” As one of the most charitable clubs in the wider Cambridge community, the All Greys certainly continue to do Jack’s legacy justice.

Unsurprisingly, a 33-33 rugby union thriller took a backseat on a day where the celebration of legacy, family, and friendship rose to the forefront. Congratulations are due to the Old Greys on a nail-biting penalty-shoutout triumph, yet an even bigger congratulations to the entire club for organising such a welcoming and life-affirming event.