I WAS delighted to find a whole page devoted to rugby union and particularly because it highlighted my club Lymm with pictures of our Beechwood ground and reports of our victorious first and second teams playing strong opponents from Billingham and Blackburn respectively (Warrington Guardian, January 23).

Our first team is in the Northern Premier League, the fifth tier in the union game’s league structure and are entirely amateur usually facing teams of semi professionals.

I understand fully why reporting the union version of rugby gets squeezed in the Guardian by Wolves and local league rugby reports. It cannot be disputed that league is an asset that makes the town famous and is a source of identity for many.

Additionally this national and international attention helps to generate commercial and other investment in the town.

Lymm has a world rugby compliant artificial grass pitch (AGP) which is an investment by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) reflecting their belief that the game has a secure future at our club.

The RFU’s theme for the AGP is RUGBY 365, meaning all day any day regardless of weather.

It is expected to be well used, accommodating three senior teams and a 400-plus junior section with age group teams at senior Colts ( U18) through to U6s. Expansion into girls’ and women’s rugby is anticipated.

The RFU also hope and expect other RU clubs and schools will book the AGP for training and games. The AGP is available for rugby league and also has netted goals for football.

I don’t want to set off a league v union argument. I am familiar with both codes and and can easily reminisce about Wilderspool and Brian Bevan or discuss the merits and deficiencies of both codes.

Now league is mostly played in the summer why not come and check out a match some Saturday at Beechwood, lots of parking space, pitch side refreshments and a welcoming clubhouse after the match.

It’s all rugby so what’s not to like.

JIM KNOWLES Lymm RFC Honorary Life President