LAST Saturday afternoon I went along to Dorchester watch my first local rugby game in over 18 months. Rightly described by your Tim Beavis as the Ridgeway Rumble between local rivals Dorchester and Weymouth, it was an occasion to savour. In bright sunshine a good crowd of families, youngsters and supporters from both sides enjoyed an afternoon of pleasant rugby.

A little bit of rustiness showed with some spilled passes and tiredness towards the end, but the game flowed due in no small part to the referee, who controlled the action with firmness and precision.

It was lovely to be back watching two sides playing their hearts out, and to meet old friends last seen a long time ago. Some with sadly tragic news, some with happier stories but all revelling in the atmosphere of amateur sport played just for the love of it.

We have missed such a lot, but things are hopefully changing for the better now.

Chris Hubbard

Weymouth