Saturday 28th March. Newbury walking rugby team's inaugural match against Witney Wizards in that delightful Cotswolds town. A game for the ages, or should I say a game for all ages. It would have been good had it been a game for the ages, but as it was the team were content with a steady performance and a win in three of the ten minute quarters and a draw in one of the ten minute sessions. Blues were scheduled to play Witney later in the afternoon and a number of Blues players came to support us walkers. One of the Blues players was overheard to say something about the surprisingly good ball skills on display and the consensus was Blues walkers were good value for the victory. Roll on, roll off replacements helped both teams and even though there were seven or eight players a side on the pitch at any one time, we used all thirteen members of the squad judiciously. Afterwards Witney provided a meal for the walkers and some free drinks and the comaraderie and welcome, reflective of rugby clubs, was in abundance throughout the afternoon and the early evening before the bus the walkers shared with Blues returned home. For ten of the walkers it was a debut performance in a Newbury jersey, something very few of us would have dreamed of a couple of years ago. Noisy bus journey home, couple of drinks in Kickers and then a few more in Delphic and for the more hardy members of the group a curry to end the night. A proper rugby day. And here's to many more. There is now talk of a tour or at least a day at a tournament. A trip to Bristol or Gosport is something being considered so watch this space for more information as it becomes available and for anyone wishing to join our expanding group of walkers, we play every Tuesday night at the club from 7.00 for an hour then an hour or so socialising in Kickers. Everyone is welcome at our walking touch rugby sessions, age and gender irrelevant. If you're not quite sure come up and take a look one Tuesday evening, particularly as the days are getting longer. We play all year round.

We're still scrabbling round for a name to call ourselves. Suggestions are welcome for consideration!

Brian Lee