There is a saying that in rugby, you are never too old to lose the esteemed privilege of being knocked down repeatedly and dragged through the mud until you are utterly knackered.

Squads of grizzled veterans from St Albans and Verulamians rugby clubs, as well as a few guests, proved that to be the case when Friday night lights returned to Boggymead.

The sides, made up of players aged 35 and over, gave a treat to the watching crowd with Vees eventually winning 28-5.

The game was a battle between the forward dominance of Saints and the speed of Verulamians' backs.

The latter proved to be decisive although Andy Weldon of St Albans bagged the last score of the evening.

Organiser Mick O'Shea said: "Thank you to everyone who turned up. Organising this sort of stuff is my bread and butter but people actually turning up is the reward and we were packed out for a Friday.

"Then it was beers and slapping each other's backs and just enjoying competitive rugby again.

"It means so much mentally and physically to the older gentleman."

More games are planned including a charity match at Vees on December 27 and February 4 against a touring Welsh side.

Most of the younger generation of stars were in action less than 24 hours later.

London Scottish Lions claimed a walkover win against St Albans in Counties Two Herts Middlesex, but Tabard won 32-6 at home to Wasps in the same division.

Tabard are now fifth with Saints down to eighth.

Verulamians meanwhile are enjoying a wonderful season so far in Counties Three Herts Middlesex and that continued with a 29-25 success over Uxbridge making it six wins from six games and leaving them top of the division.

Tries from Charlie Reynolds-West and Sione Funaki, the latter converted by Luke Boynes, wasn't enough to move Harpenden's winning streak on to four as they lost 24-12 at Tunbridge Wells.

They sit ninth after 10 games in Regional One South East.

Old Albanian are fourth in National Two East after a 54-20 success over Rochford Hundred.

Nathan Michelow led the way with two tries while there was one each for Sebastien Mummery, Elliott McPhun, Wilson Ijeh, Michael Bond and Ben Alexander, as well as a penalty try.

Alex Noot kicked six conversions.

Grassroots rugby takes a week off now as attention focus on Twickenham and England's game with New Zealand.