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Walking Rugby festival of 2023
Anthony Buckley9 Jul 2023 - 17:03
Gosport & Fareham walking rugby “march” slowly on. 10th June 2023
On a very warm Saturday (10th June) Gosport & Fareham rugby club hosted their second annual walking rugby festival on the south coast. Teams from Kingswood, Esher, Amesbury, Reading, Trojans, Salisbury, Guildfordians & Burgess Hill rocked up early for bacon sandwiches and the hunt for shade. All gazebo’s were up well before 10:45am and the proceedings commenced. Our MC for the day, Martyn Webb, briefed all coaches, captains and referees before an all team photograph.
So the games started. We had prepared 4 pitches for this two group Festival. Early showing was Gosport Gold from Group A and Burgess Hill and Salisbury in Group B. A special mention to Trojans who came with two teams in their first ever competitive Festival. After three matches we all had a short break for food, fluids and a well-deserved rest. The day was taking its toll on us all. Well most of us are well north of 50!!! It was a great spectacle for the Club to host the Hampshire Walking Rugby Festival. This sport is really going places and is recognised by the RFU. Those who have never played should give it a go, you’ll be surprised how you will benefit both mentally and physically.
So after the feed and top up of fluids the second half of the league stages were back in full swing. Yes in 25C temperatures with a gentle breeze coming in from the east. There was clear winner in Group A, the home Gold team, with Kingswood in second place. It was a tighter affair in Group B with Burgess Hill coming out on top with Salisbury second. A massive well done to all teams competing as it was in the end survival of the fittest.
Throughout the day both Andy and Alison (A&S Motors), our principle sponsor, endured the sun and humidity and watched the whole Festival.
So as it went to the knock out stage the heat still was ramping up and legs were beginning to feel very heavy. Those in group A had already played five games against those in group B four. So Kingswood beat Burgess Hill in a very tight game and Gosport & Fareham Gold hung onto a tight win against a very good Salisbury team.
So the final was set – Gosport & Fareham Gold v Kingswood. The game was very tense and refereed kindly by Guildfordians (he loves a “Pedigree”). The Gold team held out for a hard fought 1-0 win. Everyone was shattered and were quickly clapping participants off the pitch. Rugby was a famous winner today. The trophy was presented by Andy Hewett and the celebrations began. In closing we must thank A&S Motors, Hampshire RFU, Byron Lewis (who was on a cruise with his wife), The Anglesey Hotel, the bar and catering staff, the volunteers in the control tent (including Jack the hooter man), our first aiders Rachel and Emily, our MC Martyn, the home team who donated raffle prizes, those who refereed (big thanks – its not easy) and to ALL the participants. Rest up those weary bodies. We’ll see you again in 2024 (June 15th)
Those who want to give it a go – we train summer time, Tuesday (6.30 pm) winter times on Monday (6.30 pm) & Saturday (10am) down at Gosport Park. Bring suitable footwear and plenty of fluids.
Chris Davis (Co Lead of Gosport & Fareham Walking Rugby)
So the games started. We had prepared 4 pitches for this two group Festival. Early showing was Gosport Gold from Group A and Burgess Hill and Salisbury in Group B. A special mention to Trojans who came with two teams in their first ever competitive Festival. After three matches we all had a short break for food, fluids and a well-deserved rest. The day was taking its toll on us all. Well most of us are well north of 50!!! It was a great spectacle for the Club to host the Hampshire Walking Rugby Festival. This sport is really going places and is recognised by the RFU. Those who have never played should give it a go, you’ll be surprised how you will benefit both mentally and physically.
So after the feed and top up of fluids the second half of the league stages were back in full swing. Yes in 25C temperatures with a gentle breeze coming in from the east. There was clear winner in Group A, the home Gold team, with Kingswood in second place. It was a tighter affair in Group B with Burgess Hill coming out on top with Salisbury second. A massive well done to all teams competing as it was in the end survival of the fittest.
Throughout the day both Andy and Alison (A&S Motors), our principle sponsor, endured the sun and humidity and watched the whole Festival.
So as it went to the knock out stage the heat still was ramping up and legs were beginning to feel very heavy. Those in group A had already played five games against those in group B four. So Kingswood beat Burgess Hill in a very tight game and Gosport & Fareham Gold hung onto a tight win against a very good Salisbury team.
So the final was set – Gosport & Fareham Gold v Kingswood. The game was very tense and refereed kindly by Guildfordians (he loves a “Pedigree”). The Gold team held out for a hard fought 1-0 win. Everyone was shattered and were quickly clapping participants off the pitch. Rugby was a famous winner today. The trophy was presented by Andy Hewett and the celebrations began. In closing we must thank A&S Motors, Hampshire RFU, Byron Lewis (who was on a cruise with his wife), The Anglesey Hotel, the bar and catering staff, the volunteers in the control tent (including Jack the hooter man), our first aiders Rachel and Emily, our MC Martyn, the home team who donated raffle prizes, those who refereed (big thanks – its not easy) and to ALL the participants. Rest up those weary bodies. We’ll see you again in 2024 (June 15th)
Those who want to give it a go – we train summer time, Tuesday (6.30 pm) winter times on Monday (6.30 pm) & Saturday (10am) down at Gosport Park. Bring suitable footwear and plenty of fluids.
Chris Davis (Co Lead of Gosport & Fareham Walking Rugby)
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