The Men's Rugby section of Valley RFC was obviously the pioneering section and one can only imagine, back in 1976, that a healthy amount of debauchery and heavy-handedness was the order of the day. One can imagine barrel-chested men with unkempt beards that housed half eaten kebabs and Guinness sediment, staggering around Wanchai at 5am on a Sunday morning, still carting their kit bags around and picking fights with US Navy boys. The sound of glass jugs being smashed and bar stools splintering to pieces off the wall and men on crutches dancing in the streets with torn ligaments and snapped tendons and glazed eyes. The absence of mobile phones meant that rugby blokes could concentrate on serious boozing while women folk and bosses pondered where there husband or staff might be on a Thursday morning.

The rugby reached a pinnacle of strength in the mid 90's during the "professional era" when the "arms race" was full on and each Hong Kong club had the money to bring half a team of players. The strength of Hong Kong rugby was way out of control and rugby fans really had some sublime talent on their back door step.

Well, it's 2006 and the season has just finished with Valley crowned first division grand champions for the first time in three seasons.

Next season Valley RFC will field four to five mens teams. There's a wealth of playing talent in all four teams and some serious training avoidance from players in all teams also. Valley has been the standard-setter in the First Division over the past 14 seasons having won the league 9 times in that period. The first team has also claimed the Asian Dragons Inter City Series (ADICS) title in both seasons of the competition. This tournament usually features teams from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Taipei and is one* of the HKRFU's finest moments.

Each team will usually get themselves out of town for a tour of some sort and next year we have the Tours to Phuket, Bali and Manila - all the powerhouse tournaments

This season has new challenges and, as always, many new faces in the club. Players of all levels of ability and commitment are welcome at Valley RFC so if you're new in town, or haven't played for a while or just fancy a change then get yourself along to a training on a Tuesday or Thursday night at the only rugby field inside the Happy Valley race course. We start at 7.30pm and are in the pub by 9.00pm. So if you love rugby and you love a good laugh (they go hand in hand really) - we'll see you soon.

We have a number of touch rugby teams running over the summer contact Juddy (juddertiche@hotmail.com) for details. Come down for a run and a coldy afterwards.

Grant "Boozer" Beuzeval
Men's Rugby Convenor