Salisbury RFC’s walking rugby squad welcomed Old Leamingtonians from Warwickshire for an afternoon of friendly competition. Four teams took to the pitch ahead of the club’s first XV fixture against Trowbridge and its Oktoberfest celebrations, giving the Salisbury players another chance to broaden their experience in one of rugby’s fastest-growing formats.

The match followed a full summer of fixtures. A highlight was the squad’s visit to Bristol on 11 July for the Kingswood RFC Walking Rugby Festival. Believed to be the world’s largest event of its kind, it brought together 52 teams from England and Wales across 12 pitches. Salisbury played a full programme of matches, renewed old friendships and made new ones in a welcoming festival atmosphere.

The Walkers also took part in the Dorset and Wiltshire Festival in Devizes, along with club competitions at Exeter Saracens, Topsham and Old Guildfordians. They also won the Gosport tournament but everyone is a winner in Walking Rugby! The busy programme has been made possible by the squad’s strength and growing numbers, and by the hard work of Richard Lloyd.

Walking rugby keeps the skills and teamwork of the game while making it accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds. Salisbury RFC welcomes women and men, whether they are returning to rugby or trying it for the first time.