LEDBURY Rugby Club are to celebrate a bizarre weekend in their history when they were involved in one of only two games to take place in the country.

In the worst of weekend of sport since 1963, Ledbury visited North Shields in a Pilkington Shield tie on Sunday, January 28, 1996.

And, despite being greeted with atrocious conditions, the game went ahead and North Shields won 5-0.

The occasion is to be remembered with a dinner taking place on Sunday, January 3, when players, old and new, can watch footage of the match for the first time.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but in looking back, what we should have done at that point, was to have issued gloves to both wingers, thermal vests to the three quarters and snow boots to the whole team," said Ledbury coach Wynne Rogers.

Dom Shaw, who was captain of the team, said the 1995/96 season was 'three years in the making'.

"A combination of immense commitment from the whole squad of players, an unheard of degree of professionalism from the coaching staff and fantastic support from partners, family and friends, had produced a side that had grown in skill and confidence year on year, resulting in us easily winning all of our friendly fixtures and topping the league at the Christmas break," said Shaw.

“In the Pilkington Shield, though our round four (Old Ashbeians) and round five (Berkswell & Balsall) opponents gave us the toughest matches we’d played that season, we’d come through on top and were relishing our chance to play North Shields, the 94/95 semi-finalists."

The rules of the competition meant that the visiting side would be provided with overnight accommodation and coach travel to games exceeding four hours.

So after being drawing against North Shields, Ledbury decided to fill their coach with supporters and stay at a hotel near Darlington.

The snow was nearly a foot deep, but Ledbury were informed on the morning of the match that the pitch was fine due to it being close to the sea, so would not freeze.

Officials desperately tried to clear the touch lines of snow, but their efforts were disappearing in seconds due to the blizzard conditions.

Ultimately, sea sand was found to mark the pitch and get the game on.

Ledbury played with a gale behind them in the first half but were not able to capitalise due toe powerful scrummaging of the home pack.

An altercation between the front rows proved to be a distraction because North Shields were able to find a way the Ledbury defence.

However, despite the proximity of the posts, the coversion was missed because the ball, once airborne, sailed back over the head of the kicker.

Ledbury left the ground at around 6pm and arrived back in Ledbury at 2am the following morning.

“Few in Ledbury believed that the match had been played, and when Rugby Special was broadcast on Sunday afternoon, it brought home how appalling the weather had been," added Ledbury vice-captain Martin Williams.

Ledbury supporter Dr Robert Scholefield filmed the game, which has never been seen by any of the players.

However, it will be shown at the dinner, with presentations by Shaw, Rogers and Williams.

No injuries were sustained in the game, but supporter Ollie Scholefield did break his collarbone during a snowball fight.

Tickets are £16 and can be booked by called Gini Chapman on 01531 631788 or 07775 667852.

Alternatively, email enquire@thepavilionromms.co.uk