Tag rugby fans get 'fancy' for charity

A very successful fancy dress night was held Thursday last at Mullingar Rugby Club. This was part of the Lane Club Tag Rugby tournament which runs until the end of July. The teams had to play their games dressed in their chosen fancy dress attire. This can be difficult depending on the outfit.From French maids to clowns and tennis players there was a great selection of inventive outfits. Some noses, wigs, tails and moustaches fell-off during play but luckily no-one was injured by them. The teams competed in a round-robin blitz with each team playing games of 10 minutes in length.The winning fancy dress team were 'Get Rucked' who were eloquently dressed as Avatar from the movie and they definitely scared off the competition with their fierce battles on the field. Mr Blobby played a blinder on the night turning up on all pitches to steal the ball and cause general mayhem. He was awarded a special prize for his efforts and for having stayed in costume which must have been somewhat difficult.A BBQ followed the event in the clubhouse with the well-dressed tag players staying in their costumes for the night and many hitting the Lane Club for some dancing afterwards.Although the night was great fun there was a worthwhile motive behind the event. €900 was raised for the Westmeath Hospice. Despite the recession, the tag rugby players remain generous and almost doubled the figure raised from fancy dress last year. The Hospice is close to a lot of people's hearts and people were happy to reach in their pockets for a good cause.The North Westmeath Hospice team deliver quality end of life care to patients where a cure is not attainable. They also support and assist their families and other professional carers. The service is funded by voluntary donations to the North Westmeath Hospice through cheques, gifts and fundraising events. Mullingar Tag rugby Club would like to thank all their members who contributed generously towards on the night.There are only four weeks of the Tag rugby tournament left and more details will follow on other social events and the finals night. Thursday July15th the club will host a family night with a bouncy castle and face painting etc for the kids. Thursday July 29th will be the finals night. With all to play for this season this will promise to be an eventful night with prize-giving and entertainment. All are welcome and the Club encourages everyone to come to and enjoy any of the social events.