RUGBY can be a great spectator sport but it was just as well that there were only a handful of spectators to witness what could at best be termed coarse rugby on the River Pitch.

Ledbury III 10pts, LONDON CIVIL SERVICE VETERANS (FEZ) 13pts

The home side average was in fact somewhat older than the official veteran side on the day. The home pack quietly gained the upper hand in the set piece, but were regularly turned over by the voracious attacking of the visitors' back row. However, the FEZ backs were having a nightmare, dropping everything in sight and missing vital tackles.

Attacking from the halfway line, Ollie Schofield made a superb break and Jason Pritchard was in support to dart over for a try. Schofield converted.

Both sides were spending too much time infringing, but Ledbury were usually caught most and Martin Wallace slotted a penalty to keep FEZ in the hunt. Wallace was also having a bad day kicking, missing two sitters in front of the posts.

In the second half, FEZ adopted some bizarre tactics, swapping the second row with the centres in the hope of blasting their way through the home defence. Schofield put Ledbury further ahead from a penalty in front of the posts.

FEZ however had no need of special tactics, as Ledbury managed to gift them with a gem of try. Ledbury fly half Keith Watkins had been instructed to go for a long drop-out, which was picked up by FEZ full back Corbett, who linked up with his centre to go over for a great try. Wallace converted.

The last 10 minutes saw both sides fitfully struggling to deny each other victory, but it was Ledbury who allowed Wallace to redeem himself from 30 metres out, having conceded another penalty from an infringement.

Not the most memorable game, but great improvement shown by Ledbury Thirds.