RUGBY balls, not pumpkins were the order of the evening, at a sporting supper in the Pavilion Rooms of Ledbury Rugby Club.

With not one hint of trick or treating, a total of 150 club members and guests assembled on Thursday, October 30 for an evening of good food, convivial chat, lubrication and fond reminiscing of past glories, - including a talk from international Rugby Union referee, Nigel Owens.

Mr Owens, who was born in Carmarthenshire, is an international and Heineken Cup referee and he also was a referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, and also at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Club spokesman, Roger Bateson said: "By the end of the evening we had a good insight into the pressures, both on and off the pitch, in how to adjudicate the game of rugby at the highest level. "With a mix of mirth and serious observation the whole perspective of coping with thirty supercharged athletes seemed to be something we could all handle, - just by listening to an absolute master! Fat chance!"

He added: To top it all off we were regaled with a stunning solo rendition of Myfanwy by Mr Owens. The room was hushed throughout and surely this was an insight to the possible career change when he finally hangs up his boots and whistle. It was magnificent."

There then followed an auction and raffle to boost club funds.