Rugger

I played a lot of rugby.  I started in 1959 when it seemed a very rough game at Grammar School.  I finished in 1986 when my body was protesting lots.

After leaving school  I played at junior clubs in the West Midlands and Kent and Hertfordshire. Each had five or six sides and each team played with 15 men. Occasionally someone was injured so the team played on with 14 men.

Now spring forward to the 21st century and rarely do we see junior rugby clubs with several sides suiting all abilities of player.

The 1st XV now with a full set of substitutes so has seven or eight able-bodied people standing on the touchline for 60 minutes. At the magic hour mark they all trot on to replace the tiring starters who have given their all - just like the professionals do on TV.

The result in this part of the country is a significant increase in the number of clubs but a reduction in the total number of people playing. Also, many of those playing often only get 20 minutes per week on the field.  Progress?  I don't think so.

This development leads to players, unhappy with being dropped to go to another club rather than fight their way back to the main team by good performances in the 2nd XV.

Without its funnel to promote good players and beginners up through the sides amateur rugby clubs have lost a major strength. And without the diversity of good players and poor mixing side by side in the bar late on a Saturday the social side seems to be on the wane.

Mr W Carling would probably call me "AN OLD FART".