PENNS Place played host to part of the England Rugby London and South East Universities Merit Festival Series last Wednesday.

It was the third time in as many years that the event has taken place at Petersfield Rugby Club.

The festival series, established by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), seeks to provide lower tier university squads across the country with the opportunity for some games.

For many universities, only the first and second teams can get fixtures in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Leagues, leaving those below the unenviable task of either scratching around for fixtures or, as is more likely, limiting the numbers of young adults able to play.

The event at Petersfield was supported by eight men’s teams from across the South East.

Portsmouth had two teams, their fifth and sixth teams, Bournemouth and Southampton Solent sent their second teams, Chichester their third team, Reading and Surrey their fourth teams and Kent sent their fifth team. Three women’s teams had been scheduled to play but late drop outs meant that only Solent’s turned up for what in effect became a training session.

Bournemouth ran out overall winners but, as organiser and RFU regional development officer Nick Parker explained: “There is no cup or keeping of results really, the focus is just on the students getting out and having a run around and being retained in the game.”

It is hoped that the festival series will continue to grow the numbers of teams playing at university level, a goal that Petersfield Rugby Club chairman Stuart Barden is keen to keep supporting.

Barden said: “We are currently celebrating our 90th anniversary and throughout this time we have always had community at the heart of the club. Whether it be our local community or the wider rugby/sport community, we will always offer our support to ventures such as this festival series.”

Petersfield will be back on community duty again on Tuesday, December 12, when the club hosts the popular annual charity match between a Petersfield Rugby Club XV and a Royal Navy President’s XV.

Proceeds, from the supper to be held before kick-off and collections during the game, will be going to a number of charities, including The Rosemary Foundation.