“It’s a huge part of rugby life in Gloucester.”

Those are the words of Andy Payne, who for the past 10 years has organised the end-of-season North Gloucestershire Combination cup competitions.

He’s also treasurer of the North Gloucestershire Combination so he’s going to have plenty on his plate after the clocks go forward at the end of March because the lighter nights mean the cup games begin.

“The cup games are always played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings,” said Payne. “That’s the tradition, cup games in the week and league games at the weekend.”

This year’s finals day is on Sunday 3rd May when Kingsholm will play host to the Senior Cup, the Junior Cup and the Glanville Cup.

“That’s what makes these competitions so special,” said Payne. “Everybody wants to play at Kingsholm. It’s one of the great rugby grounds, anyone who knows anything about rugby has heard of Kingsholm.”

Old Centralians are defending all three cups after their clean sweep last season and all the action kicks off with five Senior Cup first-round ties on Tuesday 31st March.

Senior Cup first round draw:

Widden OB v Old Richians
Old Cents v Hucclecote Old Boys
Chosen Hill FP v Old Cryptians
Brockworth v Spartans
Longlevens v Matson.

Ties to be played Tuesday 31st March.

Byes: Coney Hill, Gordon League, Gloucester Old Boys.

Junior Cup first round draw:
Longlevens v Old Cryptians
Spartans v Hucclecote OB
Old Cents v Old Richians.
Ties to be played Wednesday 1st April.

Byes: Matson, Chosen Hill, Widden, Gordon League, Gloucester Old Boys.

Glanville Cup first round draw:
Widden OB v Spartans.

Tie to be played Thursday 2nd April.

Quarter-final draw:
Old Cents v Chosen Hill
Old Cryptians v Matson
Allied Rapid Reaction Corps v Gordon League
Widden or Spartans v Gloucester All Blues

Ties to be played Thursday 9th April.

Quarter-final dates:
Senior Cup Tuesday 7th April
Junior Cup Wednesday 8th April
Glanville Cup Thursday 9th April