Horsham Rugby Club

We had a fantastic turn out again for the 6th Annual Horsham Touch Tournament at Coolhurst. The sun shone, the bar was busy and Nick Swan saw his kitchen sell out of food due to such popularity, even with last minute extra purchases. This year saw some new additions to the tournament with a very welcomed ladies tent, selling Pimms and Cocktails and offering beauty treatments which was taken up by many. Also, the club arranged a fun arena for Sumo enthusiasts and those who enjoy putting on a giant chicken suit and competing in a safe and adrenaline fuelled wrestling game, which proved great for rivals. Organised by Richard Brock.

One of the reasons for getting the players playing on this day, alongside creating a fantastic atmosphere at the club for all to enjoy yet another fun filled afternoon in the sun, socialising and utilising the lovely playing pitches of Horsham Rugby Club, was to raise money for a fantastic charity in the name of Wooden Spoon supporting disadvantaged children - www.woodenspoon.com. We were lucky enough to have the Chairman of Wooden Spoon Bob Rogers attend the event and hand out all the days prizes and trophies. Bob had attended the event for the second time and is a very welcome figure at Horsham Rugby Club. We thank Bob and Wooden Spoon for supporting our day and providing raffle prizes, banners and Bob's time to support the event.

When it came to the playing side of things the club had organised two separate Touch Tournaments, one for the M&Js with 5 teams playing and the adults who had 16 teams competing. The M&Js had a wonderful turn out, which included the deserved finalists who had played some superb rugby to reach a very memorable head to head closing match of the M&Js tournament, with the outstanding trophy eventually being offered to the USA who narrowly beat Germany to become the outright winners.

The adults tournament saw a Nigerian Swimming team, grannies dressed as rugby players and co-organisor Mark Ross making his male friends look a little bit like a Female Weight Lifting Olympic team - weird, but with oddly attractive results in one or two cases. A great mention must go the Horsham Colts who played under the name of 'Usain Colts', one of the youngest teams by far in what was their first ever appearance, as out of nowhere they stormed the league stages, quarters and semi finals to go up against the semi-professional Wooden Spoon team who were captain by Liam Yeates, Horsham first XV star player. Before the final however, Tom Wright had pulled together a some what scratch side that wowed the crowds during the days events by screaming through to the Plate Final, narrowly winning just one pool game only (enough to get in the plate) and then beating the U16's in a thrilling 1-0 victory in the Plate Semi Final. Despite their outstanding form in the build up to the Plate Final, and having brought in over 10 ringers to the final game, against the wishes of competing brother Doug Wright from the opposition, Tom's team 'Touch my Torch' were convincingly beaten by a classier and much fitter team made up of many veteran first team players playing as 'Old Hoys'. Rob Plinston, captain of the winning team in the Plate Final said "We took one look at the opposition and nearly went within ourselves due the quality on display" - after a quick team talk and some inspiring words from Doug Wright again, pointing out the flaws of some of the opposite sides abilities, the Old Hoys claimed an easy victory and became 2012 Plate Winners in a one sided 8-2 win. Well done Old Hoys. Back in the main cup final, despite some valiant efforts made by the young Usain Colts squad to compete against what was ultimately the outstanding team of the tournament, they had to hand over the main Cup Trophy to Liam's Wooden Spoon team who scored some tries of brilliance. Liam graciously thanked everyone who took part in the day, in what can only be described as an emotional speech by the winning captain during the trophy ceremony, he not only won the hearts of the crowd but the respect of his peers on the day. Well done to the Wooden Spoon team. Thank you to all that took part in the day!!!!!

The organising team wants to thank each and everyone of you that made the day possible.....

Ali Mac – setting up and lending Gazebo
Nick Swan – setting up / buying BBQ food etc. / managing the BBQ
Jonny Goode – setting up
Alan Lord – cashing up
Kim Platfoot - pitches
Richard Brock – buying goods / sweets tent / face painting / chicken wrestling
Doug Wright – programmes / clearing up (Sunday!!!)
Rob Wright – setting up / clearing up (Sunday!!!) / MCing / managing scores
John O’Sullivan – Raffle
Sam Rice – setting up / beers / bikes from pavilions
Matt Brown – socks / wooden spoon / BBQ / setting up / reffing
Rob GH – setting up / clearing up (Sunday) / Marquee
Mark Ross – planning / accounts / teams / schedule / activities / chasing / setting up / clearing up (Sunday!!!)
John Riley – M&Js management
Becky Jaggers – planning / Ladies tent / cupcakes / clearing up (Sunday!!)
Marc Gumbrill - Organising & reffing
Billy Morton – reffing
Tim Smith – bar
Will Morton - bar
Unknown ladies - BBQ
Gavin Rixon - reffing
Tony Parsons - reffing
Adie Lewis - reffing
Pirty – setting up
Rob Hoskins – setting up
Hendo – lots of setting up
Arizona – setting up
James Passfield – setting up / clearing up (Sunday morning too xxx)
Jonathon Gibson – BBQ / clear up
Jack Boorman – BBQ / clear up

HRUFC Touch Team