On the 15th July thirteen intrepid Pioneers played in “The big walking rugby festival” hosted by Kingswood walking Rugby. There were 30 teams playing drawn from far and wide ranging from London to West Wales and down to South Devon in addition to many teams from the Bristol area.

We entered one team and having thirteen players enabled us to freshen up the team at half-time. We acquitted ourselves well against opposition that were often bigger, younger and faster than us.

We played six matches and athough the format of the festival was not to keep scores and have a winner, we won two matches, drew one and lost three.

Highlights of the day included a first half hat trick by our winger who scorched down the touch line each time, a tropical downpour during our first match and our trusty old gazebo buckling under the strength of the strong winds.

Everybody who attended thoroughly enjoyed the day, especially the friendly atmosphere at the event, and went away with a smile on their face.

Simon Jeffries