WEYMOUTH Rugby Club chairman Glyn Arnold hailed the opening of the Seasiders’ refurbished pitches as a “momentous day”.

Work at the club’s Monmouth Avenue home, together with construction of the relief road, saw the Seasiders’ teams forced to play their fixtures at Wey Valley School.

However, normal service resumed for the first team’s local derby with Puddletown and after the official opening, carried out by Weymouth & Portland deputy mayor Coun Paul Kimber, the return to Monmouth Avenue was capped off with a fine 45-6 win for the hosts.

Arnold said: “It was a momentous day at Monmouth Avenue and the club was privileged for the opening to be conducted by Coun Paul Kimber, who ironically was present at the official opening of the pitches in 1987.

“Around 150 invited guests enjoyed a pre-match buffet lunch, which was prepared by Weymouth Deli, before watching Weymouth beat Puddletown 45-6.

“The return of playing facilities at Monmouth Avenue allows much needed community sport and open green space to the borough.

“WRFC has worked hard with Dorset Works Organisation to get the playing area ready, and we were delighted that the day could go ahead, when many clubs had abandoned matches due to waterlogged grounds.

“The club would like to thank Wey Valley School, who have been providing training and playing facilities at the school since the beginning of May.

“We look forward to be playing on our re-instated playing fields to the north of the club for season 2010/11.”