After the short delay to the season due to the extraordinary hot temperatures that plunged over 70% of the British Isles into an official drought, Water Lane is priming itself for rugby once more and it is in no small measure down to some considerable hard work behind the scenes.

Our pre-season programme closes with an exciting home double-header against Gloucestershire-based side Longlevens next weekend (19th September) – the 2nd XV kicking off at 2pm before the 1st XV get going at 4pm – with a pre-match lunch and a live band following the games as the 2026/27 rugby season finally going in earnest at Tottonians.

UPCOMING FIXTURES
Saturday 19th September – 2nd XV HOME v Longlevens II (2pm kickoff) and 1st XV HOME v Longlevens (4pm kickoff), 3rd/4th XV away at Eastleigh II (3pm kickoff)
Saturday 26th September (3pm kickoff) – 1st XV away v Twickenham, 2nd XV HOME v Guernsey II, 3rd XV away v US Portsmouth.

Also on Saturday 26th September, our new Ladies XV take on a Tottonians Club XV in a touch rugby game kicking off at 1.45pm ahead of the 2nd XVs Counties 2 Hampshire opener against Guernsey – so plenty of rugby coming up this month as the long wait for rugby finally ends.

However, this return to play has been down to a lot of work behind the scenes, turning the pitches from burnt beige at the start of August to the lush green that will greet the players and spectators on Saturday.

THE DIFFERENCE – TOP PICTURE from SATURDAY to BOTTOM PICTURE on 17th AUGUST

Daily irrigation of the main pitch has been taking place with head groundsman Jeff Rawlins leading a small band of volunteers, including Martin Dolbear, Fraser Wiles, Rich Buck, Mike Searle and Rhys Bowen in putting multiple litres of water onto the ground.

Former club President Ray Hall has also been assisting with the upkeep of the general areas and their vast amount of hard work is much appreciated to get rugby back on the ground this coming Saturday.

“We are very grateful to everyone who has put in the time and effort in getting the pitches back to a playable state after the extensive heatwave that saw the season pushed back a fortnight,” a club spokesman said.

“We look forward to welcoming Longlevens to Water Lane on Saturday and finally getting our league season off and running the following weekend.  It’s an exciting season ahead.”