The last match played by Cleobury Mortimer RFC, was an away 31-14 victory over Handsworth RFC on 7th March 2020. There was no Rugby played, trained or practiced from that date until summer 2021.

During lockdown-1 from end of March 2020 until early July there was plenty of player support and fun quizzes for the players, with challenges and ‘fun-stuff’. With no liabilities and no income, the Rugby Club was in virtual hibernation for the remainder of the 2019/20 season. We were allowed a tentative return to action in ‘Covid-secure bubbles’ during the summer months to ensure team moral and fitness. However, once it became obvious that the 2020/21 season would not be starting and possibly not allow for any play even after March 2021 the training ceased, and players found their own amusements and social life outside the Club environment.

During lockdown-2 during in November 2020 there was no activity in the Rugby Club and with 100-Club monthly payments deposited, these draws did continue, but with no expenditure, hibernation continued for the whole of the 2020/21 season. Lockdown-3 came in February and March of 2021 and quelled any thoughts of a return to training and playing anytime soon and hibernation continued again.

Once restrictions were lifted in April and May 2021 there was much enthusiasm for a return to training for a few weeks, so much so on the first session, that 32-people attended. I think news got round that without the Sports & Social Club able to open, the Club Chair offered to buy a can of beer to every attendant. Though numbers dropped off in subsequent weeks, there was sufficient interest for a friendly match v Tenbury RFC on 29th May 2021 and after a hard-fought quality match, we managed to turn around 0-14 half time deficit to a 26-14 victory. The match was interesting under Covid-rules with tap-penalties instead of scrums and no mauls, it took a bit of getting used to. Other matches were suggested, but in a crowded summer and the future playing rules uncertain, the players decided to rest for the summer months and return to pre-season as usual in July.