PLAYERS from decades gone by celebrated Chosen Hill Rugby Club's 40th year at the weekend.
As the first 15 ran out to play Sidmouth, a game which they won on Saturday, club legends watched on from the sidelines.

The club was founded in 1971 and the congregation at the weekend's game included players from that era and every decade since.

Chairman Phil King said the day was a huge success.
He said: "It was an amazing day, really good fun.
"Most of the ex players still live in the area so we stay in contact with a lot of them, but others did come from quite far away.

"Some of the ex-players who turned up were here when this club started so it was great to see them.

"It wasn't just ex players either, we had the former club chairman too.

"It was a really good day."

While Saturday was not a formal celebration, Mr King felt it was important to invite the former players back to see how the club had progressed.

He said: "It was just a casual, social day.

"We watched Gloucester beat Bath in the early afternoon, and then came back to the club to watch the first team play against Sidmouth.

"It's all about the enjoyment of playing rugby here and it was good for some of the younger players to meet these guys too, and I think they enjoyed it."

Four decades on and the club is in good shape.

Mr King believes the future is a bright one for Chosen Hill.
He said: "We put three senior sides out on a Saturday and we have junior teams right from Under 7's to Under 17's.

"The support is there too so we are looking forward to a positive future.

"We are playing against big teams now, we've come a long way."