Retford Rugby Club Easter Tour

East Retford Rugby Club ventured out on their bi annual Easter Tour this year it was down to Gloucester over the Easter weekend.  Adorned in their outfits of sou’wester, stethoscopes and bouncing toys full of breakfast the tourists boarded the bus heading for Cheltenham and Gloucester for an adventurous tour.

The first day was one of rest and recuperation getting ready for their first fixture against Hucklecote.    The fixture went well with all who were able to play doing so on the day.

It was champagne rugby from the off with free flowing moves and passes a plenty soon saw the dominance of the tourists.  They ran in two tries before half time both of which were unconverted.

The second half saw much of the same with a slight interruption by the hosts when they posted their one and only try but this was soon rectified when Retford upped the anti and scored two more tries non of which were converted which gave the result of twenty points to five and a grand start for the touring side.

The entertainment went on into the night with most of the lads enjoying the camaraderie and bonding of a touring side.

Sunday was a day to rest those weary limbs and take a visit around Gloucester some even found the Mike Teague bar to savour the atmosphere and look at his many England collectables.  Then it was back to base to the Cheltenham Regency Hotel for more R and R before an early night in preparation for the following days match against Chosen Hill.

The match got underway eventually with one of the home sides coaches standing in for the lack of an official referee.  This was however no detriment to the game with the tourists drawing lots for their allotted positions some very interesting particularly the back line.  With a prop on the wing a backrow on the other wing and a lumbering second row at centre and fullback Retford looked like they would be facing an uphill battle.

However the match was pretty even with both sides cancelling each others tries out three each in the first half but Chosen Hill having the spoils having converted two, half time nineteen points to fifteen.  Second half got underway with both sides playing open rugby in quite blustery conditions and when Retford’s hooker took over the refereeing so the Chosen Hill coach could have a run in the hosts side all looked lost for the tourists. 

Chosen Hill extended their lead with two more tries but a late rally saw the resurgent tourists storm back with two converted tries bringing the scores level at twenty nine a piece.  This was an excellent touring match with both sides enjoying the match and the eventual result.  Further libation was taken before Retford headed their weary way home reflecting on a once again successful tour with yet again more friends made.