Lymington Mariners was started in April 2009 by Jason Ludlow, Rob Douthwaite and Iain Wood who set out to create a social veterans rugby team in Lymington in the New Forest.
After a summer of training at Woodside Park the team started to come together. The council marked our pitch, kit and equipment where acquired and our first game was upon us. We played Camberley on a beautiful sunny afternoon in October, supported by several hundred people and opened by the Mayor. After a nervous start we took control of the game and eventually won 22-19, it was apparent after this fixture we had a wide spread of ages and abilities and became more of a thirds team than a vets.. Our next game was against Fawley and this was a convincing 39-0. As we lost the light we started training on a Sunday morning at Woodside Park and occasional evenings at Lymington Leisure Centre.
Following the successes of the club’s first season, the Mariners joined the Hampshire Merit 2 league for the 2010/11 season. Their first league fixture of the season was played on the 25th September, away to Southampton, which the Mariners won 28-3. The Club had a fantastic season, finishing 2nd in Hampshire Merit 2, winning 19 and losing 3. During the season as a whole the club won 24 out of 28 games played, and scored 992 points. The Mariners ended the season by putting out 2 teams on the same day for the first time ever. The Vets XV beating Southsea Nomads II 51-17 and the 1st XV beating Ryde 61-5 at Woodside Park.
For the Mariners 3rd Season 2011/12, they will be running 3 teams. The 1st XV moving up to Hampshire 2, the 2nd XV will be entering Hampshire Merit 3 and the Vets XV will be entering the Hampshire Veterans Cup.
The club has also been fortunate enough to receive the generosity of two new sponsors this year. Sponsoring the league team’s home shirt and club shorts is Lymington’s favourite Indian restaurant Rivaaz. Sponsoring the Veteran/away team shirt is another local business www.plumbingtrader.co.uk
A big thank you to Shahin Malek and James Metcalf the company owners respectively, from all the players.
Finally, anyone interested in playing for the Lymington Mariners, young or veteran, experienced or new to the game, should call Lee Thomas, club secretary on 07917 556 863. The team currently trains at 7.00pm on Monday & Wednesday evenings at Woodside Park, Lymington.
Click on the link below to access & download the club membership forms:
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