Rugby Programme 2009

Friday 4th September

6:30 pm. Ashford U17s Versus Thanet

Saturday 5th September

Veterans rugby tournament with at least 11 teams expected. First match kicks off at 11:00 am. Exact schedule of matches to be announced.

1st XV Squad match versus Maidstone Mustangs kicks off at 3pm. Many of the older lads from the youth section will also feature.

Sunday 6th September

10 am. Coaching masterclass led by Shaun Edwards, the Wasps, Wales and British & Irish Lions coach

From 10am. Kent Ladies Rugby Tournament with 3 sides expected.

Afternoon. A mini-tournament featuring several of the club's youth sides.

Veterans Rugby

Veterans rugby is for male players aged over 35. The tournament was first held in 2005 and was won by a stylish and well organised Tunbridge Wells side. 2005 also saw the first appearance of the Old Shootershillians. Who, in keeping with their name appeared to be the oldest side competing. Old Shoots seem to have little trouble enjoying the beer. Other vets sides have been near neighbours Canterbury, Gillingham Anchorians, Dover, Medway and New Ash Green. The 2006 tournament was won by Ashford "A" led by Simon Hall. Ashford defeated an extremely strong Maidstone side by just one try to nil in a closely fought final.

If you would like to enter a team please email Chris Akers.

Beer Festival Partners

Drinking Quotes

"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." Ernest Hemingway

Play Rugby at the 2009 Ashford Beer Festival

If you represent a team that's interested in playing rugby at the Ashford Beer Festival or would like to sponsor any part of the event, please contact Chris Akers.

Rugby 2009 - Veterans, Ladies, First Team and Youth

The Beer Festival features various forms of rugby - youth, ladies, veterans and, of course, the normal adult level. The rugby centre piece of this year's festival will be an appearance and coaching masterclass by Wasps, Wales and British & Irish Lions coach, Shaun Edwards. Shaun will be taking the Ashford U16s and U17s through a Shaun Edwards Rugby Coach

coaching session on Sunday morning. Shaun Edwards' appearance has been supported by RIFT.

Veterans rugby has been a core component of the rugby programme in previous festivals. In 2008 ten teams contested the most keenly fought competion to date. The deserved winners of the main competition were Essex side Romford and Gidea Park who defeated Uzes from France, 17-3 in the final.

Romford and Gidea Park Vets are shown above with the Luke Roberts Memorial Trophy. Not sure why they carry a wash basin with them!

Romford not only won the 2008 veteran's tournament but the their ladies side achieved the same feat in their competition. Defeating Ashford 19-5 and New Ash Green 5-0. The team are shown below with the Luke Roberts Trophy for the Ladies rugby tournament. Romford and Gidea Park Ladies 2008

Shown below are the Veterans competition runners up, Uzes, with the French Tricoleur.

Uzes France

The 2008 Plate competition winners were Gillingham Anchorians, who defeated Dover, 19-0 in the Plate Final.

Gillingham Anchorians - Plate Winners

2008 Plate runners up Dover.

Dover RFC

Winners of the 2007 Veterans tournament were Maidstone who outpointed Ashford Vets by 8 points to 7 in the Final. Maidstone RFC Veterans
Maidstone are shown above with the Luke Roberts Trophy. Below are perennial attendees Old Shooterhillians(below), who turned in their best ever performance in 2007 finishing third. Old Shootershillians RFC Veterans
The photo below shows Tunbridge Wells RFC, winners of the 2005 Veterans tournament. Tunbridge Wells Veterans 2005

Ashford Vets, Runners up 2005 and 2007, winners in 2006.

Ashford Beer Festival

Rugby - Ladies, 1st Team, Veterans, Youth