Aldershot & Fleet Rugby Club, recently securing a major sponsorship from Butlin Property Developments, The Barbeque Shop of Farnham and Teletronics, completed their fifth annual Summer Touch League on Tuesday night, with the finals, presentation and a BBQ & drinks to celebrate.

The Touch League has been running for nine weeks every Tuesday throughout May & June in an effort to keep the club together through the summer months encourage new players, juniors and partners to take part in a fun non contact version of the sport. The league is completely mixed in terms of age, gender and ability and was designed as a fun league that gives everyone something to do. The first year saw about 5 teams taking part which has increased each year up to the 12 teams that competed each week this year

Each week saw the grounds covered with over 150 participants ranging from 13 years old up to over 50 both male and female. Not only has it been a very enjoyable league for all who took part the club has managed to raise over £ 800 (from the league and the BBQ) for themselves as well as donating £ 350 to the local charity Parkside, based near the grounds in Guildford Road, Aldershot.

Each team paid £100 to enter, with the profits being put back into the club for new equipment, facilities or anything the club needs both Senior & Junio0r level.

Each team played each other twice during the weeks to determine the league standings, with the Butcher Boys, led by local business man Paul Turner, coming out on top being undefeated throughout all matches.

After the league the top four teams played in the Cup Competition, the next four in the Jug and the four remaining played in the Plate.

Head of Coaching Barry Warner led “Bosh’s Bitches” to victory in the Plate Competition whilst also having one of their juniors Ryan Waters nominated as joint player of the league. The team made up of all juniors, except the team manager, Anthony Sweeney, aptly named Youth & Beauty stormed to victory in the Jug competition being teams full of adults and experience players.

The Cup Final saw the league winning Butcher Boys face off against a team from Qinetiq called The Sharks. After a very hard fought game in which The Sharks were the better side and out scored the Butcher Boys on tries, it was thanks to the bonus point system for playing ladies and juniors that the Butcher Boys hung on to win the match by 2 points and take the Cup title.

The Jammy Do’Nuts who are a mixture of mainly juniors coaches and players were awarded the honour of being the team that played in the best spirit and most joined in with the fun attitude that the league was meant to uphold. Graham “Buttons” Love, was also awarded the joint player of the league award not only for his ability on the pitch whilst playing but also for helping other teams and refereeing senior sides despite being a junior himself at the age of 15.
The moaners of the league was a joint decision being awarded to The Pink Ladies, from Guildford Rugby Club and The Ginger Ninjas, captain by Carl Battersby but awarded thanks to Simon “Blobby” Goddard.

League Standings:

Cup Competition:
1st Place – Butcher Boys
2nd Place – The Sharks
3rd Place – Pink Ladies
4th Place – BBQ Bunch

Jug Competition:
1st Place – Youth & Beauty
2nd Place – Late Entries
3rd Place – Easy Targets
4th Place – Ginger Ninjas

Plate Competition:
1st Place – Bosh’s Bitches
2nd Place – Jammy Dodgers
3rd Place – Barr’s Barrians
4th Place –Jammie Do’Nuts

If you want more information or would be interested in joining in next year’s event, please click here

To download a copy of the Touch Rugby rules, please click here.

Touch Rugby - action photo: Gina on the attack for the Butcher Boys in the final against The Sharks