Walking Rugby Results 8th October 2022

The Walking Rugby squad put out two teams on Saturday to entertain Trowbridge and Gosport & Fareham.

Salisbury entertained visitors from Trowbridge and Gosport & Fareham for their first Saturday fixture, fielding 2 teams under the Spitfire (Blue) and Bustard (Green) banners.

The outstanding achievement of the day - we actually recorded the scores (thank-you David Murley and Jane Brown).

Trowbridge had been training for a year, but this represented their first competitive matches, whilst G&F were well known having won our own Festival back in March.

First up were Simon Hedges Spitfires to play Trowbridge. Things clicked pretty well and we were soon up with tries from debutante Rub Curson (2) and Pete Rattue. But Trowbridge were slowly improving and crossed once before Rattue's second made it safe for a 4:2 win. The Bustards under Graham Hillier were next out against G&F , but despite 2 excellent tries from Chairman Jugg the defence couldn't keep out the team from Hampshire who triumphed 4:2.

Then it was the Battle of Salisbury (think School House Match). It was a bit cagey and scrappy, but the Spitfires tries from Emily Webb, Tim Gault and Richard Lloyd (2) eased them past the Bustards, despite scores from Del Gurney and Jugg.

The surprise of the day was Trowbridge's 4:2 win over G&F, setting up the last 2 games very nicely.

In a very well matched game, the Spitfires had to defend for long periods against a well organised G&F, and might have been guilty of trying too hard in attack. But it was a fair result with honours even. Scores from Rattue and Lloyd being cancelled out by 2 from the Hampshire side.

The final game allowed The Bustards to get back on their bike, which they did in style against Trowbridge. Another debutante, 'Ted' Smith (2 tries) formed a great partnership with Bill Wilson (1 try) before Mo Cooper completed the scoring (stopping just before the car park !) to complete a 4: 1 victory.

Thanks to David Murley and Bob Carr for refereeing.

We have two more Saturday fixtures on 19th November (ahead of England v NZ in the Autumn Internationals) and 25th February 2023 (England v Wales in the 6 Nations).

Bustards Squad

Jane Brown, Russell Jugg, Mo Cooper, Del Gurney, Graham Hillier, Adrian 'Ted' Smith, Andrew Reed, Bill Wilson

Spitfires Squad

Elly Cooper, Rob Curson, Tim Gault, Simon Hedges, David Humphreys, Eddie Large, Richard Lloyd, Joanna Pearson, Peter Rattue, Emily Webb.