LEDBURY Rugby Club will be recounting a remarkable weekend from 1996 when they played North Shields in the quarter-finals of a national competition.

They were among only two matches in the country that survived the bad weather in the worst weekend for sport since 1963.

Ledbury lost the Pilkington Shield clash 5-0 on a snow-battered, frozen pitch and got a mention on BBC Two’s iconic Rugby Special programme.

They will host a dinner on Sunday, January 3, when current and former players from that match will recall the bizarre tale.

Ledbury supporter Dr Robert Scholefield filmed the game and it will be broadcast for the first time along with presentations from then-skipper Dom Shaw, Wynne Rogers and Martin Williams.

Williams, the vice-captain, recalled: “Few in Ledbury believed the match had been played and, when Rugby Special was broadcast on the Sunday afternoon, it brought home how appalling the weather had been.”

Ledbury arrived at North Shields’ ground to find a snow-covered pitch with officials trying to clear the touchlines with brooms.

However, their efforts were hampered due to blizzard-like conditions and sea sand was found to mark the pitch.

Snow fell heavily throughout the country in the week before the game but the home officials assured Ledbury their pitch was fit.

Ledbury officials and supporters left the clubhouse after midday on the Friday and arrived at their hotel near Darlington early evening to find 12 inches of snow.

On the morning of the match, Ledbury were told the pitch had not frozen because it was close to the sea.

Rogers, who coached Ledbury, said: “We should have issued gloves to both wingers, thermal vests to the three quarters and snow boots to the whole team.”

In the first half, Ledbury played with a gale behind them but were kept at bay by the powerful scrummaging of the home pack.

North Shields found a way through for a try but the conversion attempt sailed back over the head of the kicker.

Ledbury almost replied but winger Jon Nutt dropped a scoring pass. The second half was a war of attrition for Ledbury but North Shields could not score again.

Tickets for the celebratory event cost £16 and are available from Gini Chapman on 01531 631788, 07775 667852 or by e-mailing enquire@thepavilionrooms.co.uk.