The Terenure Ten kickstart walking rugby in Ireland
Through an Esher Bishops player’s family connections in Dublin, it was highlighted that walking rugby was not well known in Dublin, and in Ireland as a whole.
Top Dublin club Terenure College RFC was very interested in giving walking rugby a rugby, so a weekend in Dublin enjoying Irish hospitality was never going to be a difficult sell to our Esher Bishops and soon it was a touring party of ten signed up.
On Friday 15th November the Esher Bishops set off to Dublin with the objective - to kick start walking rugby in Ireland. The next day in a curtain raiser to Terenure College’s All Ireland Division 1A match against Garryowen.
Any illusions the Esher Bishops had harboured about this being a doddle against inexperienced opposition were soon shattered, as Tenerure fielded a squad with four former first team players, and packed with great passing, handling and positional skills. Esher Bishops countered with greater specific WR experience, and the net result was a fast, thrilling , and high-quality draw ending with two tries each. A highlight was a Murphy on Murphy match up in midfield, as theirs met ours in an involuntary midfield cuddle.
Terenure were magnificent hosts, and Esher Bishops were treated to a post-match case of their own branded beer in the changing room and a bottle of Irish single malt, a table of honour at the pre-match lunch, and a mention in the official match day program.
A formal exchange of gifts was made during the pre-match lunch, and an Esher shield will feature on Terenure’s trophy wall from now on.
In boozy post-match bonding, both sides agreed this was to be an annual event, that Terenure would come to Molesey Road next year, and that they’d organise their own Dublin WR festival next year with Esher Bishops assistance.
The RFU were unavailable for comment as to whether this first Anglo-Irish WR match were to be given a capped international status, but the Esher Bishops can dream.
Job done, objectives met, and ten Esher Bishops happy but shattered back home.
