MAY I wish you all a very happy and enjoyable Easter whatever you are doing or wherever you might be going.

It is, of course, a weekend off for all of our local sides, and used to be a time when clubs went touring but, since the advent of leagues, there doesn’t seem to be much of that going on these days. It is a bit of a shame really because they were always great fun and almost certain to become part of club folklore.

Unfortunately, last Saturday three out of the five Reading-based clubs lost with only Berkshire Shire Hall and London Irish managing wins – and what victories they were too Shire Hall’s opponents Littlemore arrived as promoted BB&O Championship table-toppers and unbeaten in all of their previous 19 games, only for Hall to sort them out and sneak home narrow winners.

Meanwhile, Irish turned on the style to run in 12 tries in a destruction of Rotherham.

Redingensians Rams were very unlucky and certainly gave the promoted National Two South leaders Bishop's Stortford a run for their money before going down narrowly, while my boys Reading suffered our heaviest ever league defeat to county rivals Newbury Blues.

On the other side of town, Reading Abbey lost out at home to league leaders Maidenhead, which also confirms they will be dropping down with us.

Finally, what’s your best line-up for the British Lions squad that tours New Zealand in June?

All will be revealed when Warren Gatland names his squad next Wednesday. I am sure you will have your own opinions, but I think this is our best chance for years to take a side down there and come back with a series win, as the wealth of quality players has never been so good.

All the matches will be shown on Sky Sports, and I am sure most local clubs – as we are at Reading – will be showing the games live.

We are doing a breakfast for members to help lure them out of their beds, so do try and support your own club and watch it there.

And, for those of you lucky enough to be going out there, I’m sure you will enjoy the trip and bring back many happy memories. A few of us from Reading are going over, so we might see you in New Zealand.