|
In a quiet Cotswold Market town in 1982, a group of local
gentlemen decided that they needed a just reason to keep
The Ram in business, so they formed a rugby club and made
it their home.
The club has had its ups and downs, and currently remains
small with two teams regularly fielded. Mini's rugby
thrives at the club, however, with over 150 children on
the books, and parents running a touch rugby side playing
against local sides and in the occasional tournament.
Bursting through the gap between junior and senior rugby
in the late 1990s, the Ramlets grew as a colts side,
lasting two seasons before getting too old. The dream
lives on, however, with a Ramlets 7s side continuing to
promote the cause of Minchinhampton's less senior players.
As one of those founder Ramlets back in my School days,
I've been involved in Minchinhampton from a distance ever
since. An inspired gap year job - brought me to the door
of EGRFC, where I thoroughly enjoyed a season playing for
the Colts, at the end of which I discovered Sunshine
7s. As a direct result the Ramlets 7s side was formed, in
order to convene once a year to attend Sunshine 7s. If
memory serves me well this is our 6th visit.
We've had mixed success over the years, but now we return
to try and improve on our best result yet. In 2006 we
managed to drink both The Rose & Crown and The Sportsman
dry of gin; and we think we can go further this year if we
put our minds to it. The distinct team colours of Tweed
and Hawaiian are becoming a feature of late-April East
Grinstead, and we are proud of this association.
Last year we had to bow out to an overenthusiastic Surrey
Under 19s, but we have in the past made the quarter
finals, losing by a narrower margin to Voyagers than the
side they beat to make the final.
This years Ramlets side still fields three founder
members, and Jon Sparkhall keeps it real by actually
belonging to Minchinhampton Rugby Club. An invitational
aspect to the side has evolved over the years, and lovers
of gin have joined us from Plymouth, Cardiff, Bath and
Southend.
Look out for Rhodri Morris, the short hairy one. With a
spoonful of gin up each nostril he does real damage. And
as for John Isit's sidestep, you'll be in fits of
laughter!
On behalf of Minchinhampton Ramlets I wish you an
enjoyable day for a very worthy cause. How wonderful to
see rugby doing great things at the heart of the community
after fifty successful years. Long live Sunshine 7s!
|