The competitive league season has finished and with the weather set to continue to make the grounds rock solid, it has not come a moment too soon.

Only the hardy souls with wrought iron knees and elbows step onto the playing fields across the county, with Ellingham & Ringwood hosting a rugby triple at their Picket Post home today.

Surrey Division 1 outfit Old Freemens are the visitors for their annual Bournemouth area Easter Tour for the first of the three at 1.30pm before the recently-crowned National Womens Challenge Shield (South) champions take on Hampshire's finest at 3pm.

Eagerly-awaited fixtures between former clubmates Saturday's highlights, with a Fareham Heathens XV taking on Paxton Pumas, the team created predominantly from a disgruntled set of players at Cams Alders some four years ago.

It is always a keenly contested fixture with bragging rights on offer. The two have patched up their differences since and enjoy each other's company afterwards - but only afterwards!

A mixed Southampton A XV are scheduled to meet Portcastrians while Sandown & Shanklin host two sets of tourists, including French side Caen (kick-off 6pm at The Fairway). Ampthill (Bedfordshire) are the earlier visitors.

Fordingbridge make the long journey around the M27 to tackle Havant III, while their second XV pay host to Tiernan Simmons's Stoneham Park team.

Elsewhere, it is inter-club fun at Hampshire Division 1 champions Romsey where Bob Broomhall leads a Presidents' XV against David Creal's select Chairman's XV for the Abbey Cup, while Tottonians host their day-long Social Sevens.

It will be sentimental farewell to Overton Rugby Club's Old Cricket Ground home as the North Hampshiremen host their three-day rugby and beer festival for the last time before moving to their new Berrydown Stadium.

A resolute celebration of the game starts with the men's international competition, sides from Scotland, France, Holland and Isle of Wight joining the hosts and London Scottish for the festivities.

This is followed by a local schools tournament before standing aside on Sunday for a spectacular mini-festival in the morning and a tour match in the afternoon.

Monday is another massive day with two matches, concluding with Frenchmen Neuvic tackling the home side.

Members and friends of Gosport & Fareham Rugby Club are walking the length of the A32 for charity on Sunday in their Easter Parade, which commences at 10am at the Town Hall in Fareham.