On a brilliant warm and sunny day, Havant Hobblers were the hosts to a Touring Team from Thatcham Rugby Club and a visiting team from our old friends from Gosport & Fareham, with whom we have had some close but losing encounters!

The format for the day comprised three warm up games to make sure that all three teams understood the rules of the competition and got to know Pincher the Havant referee.

The formal tournament followed with a reduced playing time of 7 minutes each way not the usual 10 minutes. Whilst those who do not play walking rugby mistakenly believe it is a sedate game of touch rugby, the reality is very intense and the hot, sunny conditions would have been a challenge for 10-minute halves!

The first match was Hobblers against Thatcham, which was level at half time but the Hobblers fitness and well organised defence saw them to a comfortable 5 tries to 2 tries win.

The second match saw Gosport and Fareham against Thatcham in a very competitive game which saw Gosport and Fareham win with 2 tries to 1 try.

The final match was Hobblers against Gosport & Fareham. The Hobblers have played G&F twice already this season, back in September at Hook’s Lane and in January at Gosport Park. All games have been close, but G&F just managed to win at both outings, albeit there was a disputed disallowed try for Havant which Pincher, the referee did later acknowledge may have been an error on his part, not that we have ever held that against him and rarely does it get mentioned.

This final match was the opportunity to see how far the Hobblers have progressed, if the many hours of training and playing on Thursday nights would bring some success. It was a very competitive game, the Hobblers training seemed to be working, and they put in an extremely effective defensive shift to be leading by one try with 5 seconds to go. As they have done before, Gosport and Fareham scored a last gasp try to get the draw. The Hobblers best result against them.

Overall, Havant Hobblers came out top of the table, with 1 win and 1 draw, but with a better try difference over Gosport and Fareham, and Thatcham.
Team Tries for Tries against Difference
Hobblers 6 3 +3
G&F 3 2 +1
Thatcham 3 7 -4

There followed some time for socialising with some food and a few beverages. The rugby was very good, and the social aspect was excellent. The tourists were in great form and finally left the club to travel back to their hotel in Portsmouth and on to sample the delights of Pompey night life. Our thanks to Ruth, the Thatcham team manager for bringing her team to Hook’s Lane. It was the first Mixed Team to play Walking Rugby at Hooks Lane, hopefully it may encourage a few of Havant Women to come and join us. We meet on Thursday nights, at 18;00 for an hour of training and playing, all are welcome.

The next outing for the Hobblers is away at the East Sussex Festival on Saturday 24th, at Burgess Hill Rugby Club.
On June 14th they are playing at the Gosport and Fareham Walking Rugby Festival. Another chance to lock horns with G&F again and some new teams!