Archive - Tuesday, 13 April 2004


Find by date

Other ways to search

Also look for

Never miss anything again. Sign up for our RSS news feeds and Newsletters.

Rugby clubs' cup of cheer

LOCAL rugby clubs in and around Swindon are hoping to benefit from their own 'World Cup bounce' after the visit of the Webb Ellis Trophy to the town on Saturday.

England's victory in Australia last November raised the profile of rugby throughout the country, a feeling the sport's authorities are aiming to capitalise on by sending a trophy on a nationwide 'Sweet Chariot' tour.

Hundreds packed into the Brunel Centre on Saturday to see the gold trophy, with clubs such as Swindon, Cricklade and Wootton Bassett all sending youngsters and officials.

Cricklade spokesman John Abbott said: "We had about a dozen or so guys down there and, of course, there were loads of children and it was great for them to get photos with the trophy.''

Clubs have already seen huge rises in the number of youngsters wanting to take up the game and hope to build on that in the wake of England's success.

The cup was also taken to Chippenham Rugby Club later in the afternoon, where an estimated 1,000 people turned up to see it.