Quiz nights to help fund for injured players

RUGBY clubs across Scotland are being challenged to put their brains rather than their brawn to the test and help injured players in a series of quizzes, with over £2,000 in prize-money at stake.

Hearts and Balls, the injured rugby players' charity, have organised a series of quiz nights during September, starting at Glasgow Accies rugby club and taking in nine further clubs in the north and south, east and west, before culminating in a grand finals night at the Radisson Hotel in Glasgow on 21 October.

These events are open to all quiz sides, not just rugby clubs, and give teams a chance to win 250 on the night, and to then go on to the final to represent their chosen club, where there is the possibility of winning a further 2,000 for the club.

The events are being held to raise money for the Hearts and Balls charity, which has raised over 200,000 over the past decade to fund specialist equipment for rugby players who have suffered serious injury, including paralysis from spinal damage, so entry is 50 per team of five people.

Malcolm Gillies, a Hearts and Balls director, said: "We are looking forward to running these events around the country, and while the prize of 250 on the night is attractive, there is the added incentive for every team participating to aim for the finals night where they can win 2000 for their club and at the same time know they are raising money to help injured players.

"This is the first of what we intend to be an annual event, and to become a staple on the rugby calendar. We are having each night hosted by a rugby personality, and the final by Ian McLauchlan, the SRU president. While the quiz is the serious business of the night, there will also be a chance to enjoy good company, meet a few personalities, have a bit of fun and raise money for a good cause."

Further details about the events are available from John Thorburn at [email protected] (07929 655132), Jim Taylor at [email protected] (0141 942 0178), or at the website www.heartsandballs.org.uk

Hearts and Balls quiz dates:

Wed 1 Sept - Glasgow Accies RFC

Mon 6 Sept - Howe of Fife RFC, Cupar, and Dumfries RFC

Wed 8 Sept- Jed-Forest RFC and North Berwick RFC

Mon 13 Sept - Highland RFC and Stirling County RFC

Wed 15 Sept - Aberdeen GSFP and Whitecraigs RFC

Thur 21 Oct - Final at Radisson Hotel, Glasgow.

lGareth Thomas will miss the rest of the season with Crusaders after undergoing groin surgery earlier today but still hopes to win his first rugby league cap for Wales in the autumn. The 36-year-old has been struggling with a groin problem since June and was forced off during his comeback match last month.