Ings Lane in Bolton-upon-Dearne is now a home to rugby all-year-around after the formation of a rugby union team.
Throughout the summer months it’s the headquarters of burgeoning rugby league club Dearne Valley Bulldogs but it is not laying dormant in the winter months any longer with Dearne Valley RUFC now based there in what is their maiden season.
It has started, in the Yorkshire Merit South League, well. The club have five wins from their five matches so far.
It’s the same level as neighbouring Wath’s 2nd XV.
Player and coach Ash Horrobin, from Darfield, explains the club’s origins.
“We are a group of players who used to play years ago but for one reason or another fell out with the game,” he said.
“We wanted to start playing again as a group and not go off in different directions. So forming a new club was the best way to go about it. We have got 40 registered players.
“They are predominantly from this sort of area (the Dearne Valley) so we identified Ings Lane as being ideal.
“We are sitting pretty at the minute. Our plan is to keep growing the club and setting up a second team in the years to come. A lot of our players are in their mid to late 40s. It’s good to get them back into the game.”
The club has also benefited from drafting in rugby league players from the Bulldogs.
Their more direct running style has resulted in them being useful in the 15-man game as either centres or wingers.
Bulldogs’ president Duncan Henderson sees the relationship as being mutually beneficial.
“They approached us and it made a lot of sense,” he said.
“I cannot see why it can’t work. They are obviously two different games but the coaches on both sides can work together.”
