HALF a century of a school rugby group will be celebrated this weekend.

Herefordshire Schools Rugby Union is marking its Golden Jubilee with a match between a President's XV against the Boys Clubs of Wales this Sunday (6th).

The group was formed in 1965 when a group of schoolmasters met in the library at Hereford Shirehall.

Fifty years on, 50 guests met at the Castle House Hotel in Hereford for a gourmet dinner to celebrate the anniversary.

Many of those present were schoolmasters past and present, while other guests included Peter Baines, the senior vice-president of the RFU, plus Stuart Potts and Steve Guy, two North Midlands representatives on the RFU council.

Guest speaker was Derek Bevan who refereed the World Cup final at Twickenham between England and Australia in 1991.

Rutland aside, Herefordshire is the smallest rugby playing county in England, selecting its side from just 15 schools.

John Escott, president of the Herefordshire Schools team, said: "We are therefore very proud of our 50-year-old history, during which time 11 boys played for England Schools at Under 16 level and one for Wales Schools, and five boys for England Schools Under 18s

"Six other boys played either for England A or Wales A at 16 level with another for England Schools Under 18 A. A remarkable record for such a small player base."

Escott added that this year has seen Bishop's pupil James Scott play for England Schools.

Boys who went on to become senior internationals were Paul Thorburn, who captained Wales, John Doubleday, for England Under 21s, and Adam Bilig and Scott Bemand, who played for England Students.

Escott said it is "almost impossible" to pick out the best side during the 50 years but he remembers the 1982-83 side as being particularly impressive, winning five matches and losing to Warwickshire by just one point when the Midlands county had 77 schools to pick from.

The President's XV against the Boys Clubs of Wales match takes place at Hereford Rugby Club's ground with a 2.30pm kick-off.

Last month, Escott selected the sides he thought were the best during 50 years of rugby at the Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School.