Market Square scrum down as Hill brings the World Cup home (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Market Square scrum down as Hill brings the World Cup home

Hero's arrival: Richard Hill makes his way through the crowds to the Market Square, where the Webb Ellis Trophy was displayed.RUGBY fever gripped Salisbury when homecoming hero Richard Hill brought the World Cup to the city where his love of the sport was born.

As crowds waited patiently for the Sweet Chariot Tour to sweep into the Market Square with its glittering prize, wannabe heroes of the future, mostly clad in Salisbury Rugby Club's green and white hooped shirts, roared up and down catching and passing the miniature rugby balls, upon which they hoped to obtain their idol's autograph.

The youngsters darted in and out of groups of workers in suits and ties, who were taking a very long lunch break to share in the magic of the Webb Ellis Cup, and whole families clad in England rugby shirts, eager to get close to the famous golden trophy and capture a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the family album.

Grown-up members of Salisbury Rugby Club and the Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew were out in force, both to shake the hand of a world-beater and to publicise their clubs, keeping an eye out for new recruits who might be wooed by England's inspirational triumph down under.

As the moment drew near, clusters of faces appeared in the windows above the square, jostling for the perfect vantage point.

The buzz of anticipation intensified as two jeeps rolled into view and from them emerged the all-important cup and Richard Hill, the modest Saracens star seeming genuinely taken aback by the warm cheer which greeted him.

Once the priceless cup was safely installed under glass, gleaming in the sun, the fans were finally able to surge forward and meet their hero.

Those unable to reach the front of the queue, pressed the luckier ones into service, passing mementoes above the heads of the crowd to be signed then duly passed from hand to hand back to their owners.

Smilingly, Hill chatted and posed for photograph after photograph.

He lined up with young players and, at their urging, signed the shirts on their backs. Many Salisbury mums will never be allowed to wash their proud offsprings' kit again.

Speakers pumped out suitably stirring music - Swing Low Sweet Chariot and The World in Union - and images of England's historic victory in Australia flashed across a TV screen in the RFU's World Cup exhibition trailer.

As city dignitaries, rugby officials and Hill's proud family and friends began to gather for a formal reception in the Guildhall, the signing session was brought to an end.

But as the hero made his way across the square, a swarm of fans followed his every step. Ever-patient, Hill posed one more time among the scrummage as admirers seized their final chance to be pictured with the World Cup winner.