It’s often said that a league table doesn’t lie and while that may be correct to a large degree, it doesn’t always tell the whole truth.

A quick look at Gloucester Three finds Cainscross Rugby Club stuck in the bottom half having lost a lot more than they have won this season.

And while they would have liked the figure in the ‘W’ column to be slightly higher, the club that celebrate their 125th anniversary next year are, nevertheless, in pretty good shape.

So says long-serving player Rob Hale, who also does more than his fair share off the field to ensure that the club continue to thrive in the 21st century.

The 38-year-old prop first started playing for Cainscross 22 years ago and enjoys running out in the club’s amber and blue as much now as he did in the mid-90s.

“It’s a great club,” said Hale. “The ethos is outstanding and we all look after each other. It’s the same on and off the pitch – we’ve got a good, solid bunch of boys.

“We’re not looking to be the best team but we want to be the most enjoyable. We’re not delusional, we know we’re not going to play in Gloucester Premier, but win, lose or draw, we want to enjoy the after-match party that is a big part of rugby and that is something that we’ve managed to maintain.”

Hale has played a big part in that, of course. He also doubles up as the club’s fixture secretary and referee contact, and until recently was the treasurer as well.

Not that he’s the only one pouring his heart and soul into the club.

“There are so many of us,” he said. “Rich Stonebridge is our coach and chairman as well as a player. He’s a serious stalwart of the club and puts a lot of hours in. He’s a hooker but if you ask him he’ll play anywhere.”

Adam Carter and Max King are pretty versatile players too. They share the captaincy duties, with Carter able to play anywhere in the backs and King comfortable in the second row or back row.

There’s also a strong team off the pitch led by Mick Minnett. “He’s been president for several years,” said Hale. “He was a player as well – he was a prop – and played until he was 50-plus. He’s a pleasure to have around the club.

“Then there’s our secretary Luke Russell. He played in the second row and was a serious player before injury forced him to stop.”

Others name-checked by Hale are ex-captain Gareth Ponsford and Tom Mills who both do an awful lot around the club, as well as running around the pitch on a Saturday afternoon.

There are others who have done loads for the club over the years as well.

“Nick Tagg, Dougal Elliott, Dave Roberts, Tat Blick and Doug Millin,” said Hale. “Most of them are still involved in the club one way or another. There are more people than I could mention involved with the club past and present and all are gratefully appreciated.”

Cainscross run just the one team most weekends but the ambition is to get a regular 2nd XV up and running some time soon.

Hale added: “We put out a 2nd team three or four times a season but we need them to be playing a lot more games because you need strength in depth if we are to get into Gloucester Two.”

That’s the level that Hale believes Cainscross should aspire to. They’ve played a division higher in the past but Hale knows it will be tough to win just one promotion, let alone two.

“There’s a vast difference between each division,” said Hale. “Gloucester Three is a decent division and it’s the most competitive it’s been for a number of years.”

That is due in part to Painswick’s relegation last season and dad-of-two Hale, a former Marling School pupil who is married to Fiona, has relished locking horns with their close rivals this term.

It’s a proper derby fixture and has added meaning for Hale because he played for Painswick’s under-13s and under-14s before switching to Cainscross, a move he has never regretted for a moment.

So how long does he intend to keep on playing?

“Ask my wife,” he laughed. “I suppose I want to keep on playing for as long as my body will let me.”

That’s good news for Cainscross and it’s good news for grassroots rugby because people like Hale are clearly very good for the game.

And as if he needed to show that ongoing commitment, Hale added: “Could you say that training takes place on Tuesdays at 7pm at Victory Park and games are played on a Saturday afternoon. If anyone would like to join us for a game or just for training, please give Adam a call on 07585 006442.”