Talking Rugby
OLD ACTONIANS ON THE BALL
When Jonny Morris, Old Actonian Chairman for the last two years, married Lisa Fountain at St Mary’s Church, Henley in early September he decided to give part of his day a rugby theme. His many rugby friends present both from his own club and from Chinnor, Aylesbury, Gosforth, KCS Old Boys, Chichester and the Royal Navy formed a wedding arch with rugby balls as the bride and groom left the church. The balls were supplied for the purpose by Rhino Rugby, close neighbours and suppliers of Old Actonians.
Why Not Play in Prague?
Old Boys Praha have issued an invitation to the second Old-Prague Ham International Veteran Games taking place from June 25 to 27 2010 in Prague. This is a standard XVs event with the usual veterans modifications and meant for the over 40s. Prague is a beautiful city to visit and the event is sure to be fun so for further information visit www.oldboys.rugby.cz/en/invitationå
the end of rugby as we know it?
An open letter from Bob Babbington, founder of sim rugby
Don’t get me wrong. I am a great fan of everything rugby, up to and including the classic inflated pig-skin. But even the best things in life can be improved. And there’s no doubt that the latest incarnation of rugby has taken the game to a whole new level. I’m referring, of course, to sim rugby. Let me explain. In 2008 I had a dream. Not the sort of dream you get from eating too much cheese. More like Martin Luther King’s dream. A dream that was a vision of the future. My dream was this: why not replace the rugby ball in rugby with a sim? You know, that little bit of plastic in your phone. Think I’m crazy? Well, I’m sure that’s what people said about the first man to inflate a pigskin and kick it around the village. And history will surely vindicate me, too. Already, the game of sim rugby is being played by literally several people across the country, including the finest players of the England rugby squad themselves. Yes, the England squad. As a modest man, I won’t tell you that this is the most significant step in sporting history – I’ll let you come to that conclusion for yourself. So, is this the end of rugby with the ball? Absolutely not. I am no prophet of doom. I don’t believe this spells the end of ball rugby, any more than television spelled the end of radio – even though it was clearly better. Like TV and radio, I believe sim rugby and ball rugby can happily co-exist alongside each other. So if you want some excitement, follow the new game on my website – I guarantee, you have never seen anything like it. Well, it’s quite like normal rugby, but you know what I mean. So visit simrugby.co.uk – and see the future.
