Whilst most of the country was lashed by rain and gales, the sun obviously shone on the righteous on Sunday as Bancroft Mini section visited Chosen Hill FP Rugby Club in Churchdown, Gloucestershire.

The weekend started early on Saturday morning with two coachloads of parents, players and coaches leaving Bancrofts and driving down to Cheltenham. Booking into the Queens hotel, the tour party then drove the short distance to Gloucester to watch the city side's convincing 29-3 win against Sale in the Aviva Premiership.

Evening festivities for both players and their parents saw a few tired eyes on Sunday morning for the early departure to the ground located midway between Cheltenham and Gloucester. Blue skies and a light breeze greeted the visitors as they disembarked and ran out onto a remarkably dry pitch given the recent downpours.

Games were played at U10s, U9s, a mixed U7s & 8s, and U6s.

The Under 6 team won their tag match 15-6.

Bancroft fielded two sides at under 7 & 8 although Chosen Hill had only one side at that level. The first two games were with the stronger of Bancroft's teams and the visitors drew one 5-5 and won the second 5-1.

Bancroft's other team then lost two games each 1-6 against the same CHFP side whose stamina in playing 4 games on the trot and winning the 3rd and 4th had to be admired.

Under 9s played two games, winning the first 12-3 and losing the second 5-6.

The under 10s won convincingly against Chosen Hill, with 'lots' of tries against 1 from the home team.

And so to the bar where the rugby tradition of the 'boat race' drinking game was re-enacted with a new twist: Under 10s and Blackcurrant squash.

Thanks must go to the coaches, parents and players for making the weekend so enjoyable, and especially to Matt Cole for administering it and keeping everyone on the right bus at the right time.
Thanks also to Chosen Hill FP for the fixtures and for making us so welcome.

As we drove out of the club gates, it began to rain again.