Saturday July 12th was the Annual Stockton Heath Walking Day, a day when the youth of Stockton Heath and the surrounding area usually spend their time in the local hostelries on extended drinking sessions. Unfortunately, the local pubs will have seen a marked drop in takings this year as around 70 potential customers, of various ages, decided to spend the afternoon taking part in a seven-a-side tournament at Broomfields Sporrts Centre.

The event was the brainchild of Tom Wood and its intention was to raise money for a new shirt strip. Consequently, each player paid a £10 entrance fee, resulting in £650 being raised!! And everybody had a great time to boot.

Some of the Rugby was sublime. Zak “Soft Hands” Lythgoe threw his signature dummies. The diminutive Keiron Hughes demonstrated his usual scintillating pace. A slimmed down Matt Rockey slipped through the occasional gap. And Andy Kellett showed that you never quite lose it (although some might ask if he ever had it)

Special mention must be given to props Gloucester John and Wardy, who are obviously trying to challenge for first team positions. Gloucester showed that he has shed a few pounds in his quest (although he seems to have generously donated these to Craig Byrne) and Wardy showed that he really does have talents outside of the scrummage.

The eventual winners of the tournament were the team of Saints’ galacticos assembled by Dan Abram and Matt Fleming but they were made to fight hard by Luke Wood’s gallant seven, in a final which was only resolved by a “golden” try in extra time. But really it was Warrington Rugby Union who were the real winners. As first team captain Duncan Rickard, said, “This was an afternoon which demonstrates the true spirit of the club. For 70 lads to pay to turn up on a Saturday afternoon in July to raise money to buy kit shows the level of commitment we have. It is this commitment which was the basis of our success, at all levels, last season. And it is this commitment which will help us to even greater success this season.”

Thank you and well done to everyone who took part and a special thanks to Paul Flannery, who managed to secure the free use of the all-weather pitch at Broomfields.

Check out the the pics from the through this link. 7s Fundraiser