We'll be holding our festival of touch rugby and real ale at the Raymond Brown Memorial Ground again on Good Friday, which this year is on 29 March and are hoping for fine weather.

The event is one of the town’s largest annual events after the Ringwood Carnival and 24 touch rugby teams from across three counties will be competing in the day long tournament, cheered on by those attending the real ale festival.

Club President and tournament organiser Steve Benson said:

‘As well as being an amazing showcase for the sport, it’s a great community event for the town. It’s also a riot of colour, with players dressing up and teams return year after year just to enjoy the atmosphere.

Entry to the ground is free for spectators and there are refreshments on offer including an impressive selection of real ale and cider to quench the thirst.’

He added, ‘Thanks must go to all our volunteers and the generous sponsorship from many supporters and local businesses. All proceeds are ploughed back into the club, helping to fund our activities promoting community sport in the town’.

The first games kick off at 10.30am, with the last game scheduled to end at 4pm.

As can be seen from the first photo, the event is always a festival of colour, with the Lycra clad teams dressed in anything from Lego characters to Vikings or Cops and Robbers.