A bunch of rugby friends from the Creighton club in Carlisle stepped-out at Twickenham on Friday, still pinching themselves.

It was all down to he fact that a weekend away at Whitley Bay in Northumberland could become the vehicle for an outing on the most hallowed turf in the rugby world.

When Paul Norman and his pals set off for the north east back in August, their plan involved enjoying a few beers on the Saturday night and a run round in the guise of the Strongbow Sevens at the O2 Scrum on the Beach Festival at Tynemouth.

They duly accorded the rugby part of the weekend due deference by taking an Hawaiian outfit with them to add a spot of festive colour to their involvement and while they did not win the tournament, they certainly made an impact.

Each of the eight O2 beach rugby events produced a winner in a competition where a distinctive 'style', as nominated by England wingman and O2 ambassador Paul Sackey, was the main criterium.

"We had a bit of banter with the referees and also with Paul and generally had a great day out," says Norman, one of the few players in the group who still plays an occasional 'social' game when invitations arrive.

"We had three lads with some experience, but half the team had never played the game before.

"When I got the call inviting us to Twickenham I thought it was a wind up, I thought the caller was taking the mickey.

"But we were all able to make the trip. I’d been to Twickenham loads of times, but never been on the pitch.

"The boys at Creighton all think it's great, although some are a bit peeved that they didn't come with us to Tynemouth.

"I think we'll have two or three teams involved next year. It's a good day out and getting to Twickenham was a marvellous bonus."

Emphasis at the Twickenham event was purely on having fun. Each team played six matches at five-a-side tag rugby.

The teams comprised a mixture of men, ladies, boys and girls on three pitches across the main Twickenham playing area.

The day had begun with a welcome from Austin Healy. He was MC for the day and was excellent for the event which lasted a full five hours.

Refreshments were available all day and the players and their families had the run of the whole stadium and pitch. Paul Sackey (Wasps and England) also joined in while Healy joined Creighton for a game.

In the picture at the top  Paul Dobie is the man at the back while the middle row comprises: Seamus O’Hara, Austin Healy, Paul Norman, Mike Craig, Dan Dudley, Karen Dudley. In the front are: Andrew Irving, George Dudley, Kevin Platt.

The other pictures features Healy in action for Creighton on he hallowed Twickenham turf.

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