The winner of Exeter Chief player, Phil Dollman's, Cookie Club auction competition, Christine Hardy, last week joined Phil and members of the Cookie Club team to get busy baking in the the kitchen. 

In celebration of Dollman's testimonial year, Phil, with support from the testimonial committee, launched an August competition inviting fans to share their inspired cookie recipe with a bid for the fourteenth page in the soon-to-be-launched recipe book.

Christine's generous bid and her rugby-inspired 'Chocolate Rugby Ball' bakes won the hearts - and stomachs - of judges and she, her husband, friend and her niece, joined team members in the kitchen last week to rustle up her bake alongside the players. 

I was thrilled to win the Cookie Club competition,' says Christine. 'As a keen Exeter Chiefs supporter, what could be better than an afternoon with the Cookie Club and their assistant photographer, Olly! Meeting Phil Dollman was really lovely; he’s very friendly and one look from those gorgeous blue eyes made everything alright!

Don Armand, Moray Low, Ben Moon, Gareth Stevenson,
Luke Cowan-Dickie (behind), Phill, Dave Ewers, Olly Devoto

DAAT's Fundraising Manager, Tracy Owen, joined the bustling kitchen team to see how everyone was getting on and to admire the culinary delights that emerged from each of the 14 bakers.

It was a great afternoon,' says Tracy. 'The recipe book is sure to be a winner and it was wonderful to be able to capture all of this activity in a professional photoshoot. We're looking forward to seeing all this creativity in print! We're so grateful to Christine for being such a good sport and for supporting our competition - she's a wonderful winner!'

For Christine the afternoon was not just about the baking...

It was a whirlwind of Chiefs, cakes, photos and laughter, and it was made special knowing our efforts were in aid of Devon Air Ambulance,' she says. 'I’m not a confident cake maker, but my Chocolate Rugby Balls seemed to go down well! Everyone, from the Chiefs, Dolly’s Testimonial team, The Room Works, Mad Cakes to DAAT, made me feel very at ease - especially when I was wearing a rugby player size chef’s top, so not looking too glamorous! Thanks everyone, it was a blast!

Watch this space for more news about the forthcoming Cookie Club Cookbook, which you might want to get for a lucky Chiefs fan for Christmas. Monies raised from the sale of the recipe book will go to Devon Air Ambulance. 

For the latest competitions and news visit our news page.

Christine's Chocolate Rugby Ball cookies - a delight to all

Above Banner picture: Ben Moon, Tracy Owem, Phil Dollman, winner - Christine and Dave Ewers.