THE lack of public response to efforts of In2Touch Thames Valley to establish a touch rugby summer league in Basingstoke has resulted in the postponement of its launch.

In2Touch organiser Paul Farrington has arranged a link-up with Basingstoke RFC to hold an eight-week mixed league on Thursday nights at Down Grange.

It was due to begin on May 11 but a lack of interest has forced Farrington to halt the league plan for the time being.

However, he is optimistic that there are people in Basingstoke who will still come forward to register a team and help get a league set-up in place.

He said: "It's been a struggle as there hasn't been the interest we'd hoped for - we only have four teams and really need eight to make the league work, so we've postponed it for the moment.

"But there are still people coming down on Thursday nights for training sessions and to play games, and that will continue.

"I am still hiring the pitches and Basingstoke clubhouse to provide its facilities, so I am hopeful the league can still happen, even if it's a shorter six-week league."

Farrington revealed the proposed league has secured the backing of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's recreation and leisure department because it meets its criteria for getting adults and people of both sexes involved in sport.

He added: "These things don't happen overnight, as we found when we set up the leagues in Reading and Windsor. It was a slow start.

"You need to generate interest, as people don't really know much about touch rugby, but now the lighter, summer evenings are here, it is an ideal sport to play, especially because it's a mixed sport men and women can enjoy.

"We are quite close to getting it going and I hope a couple of potential teams from Basingstoke RFC get involved.

"Even if it doesn't quite take off as we hope this time, I will be persevering, as I hope to get a bit more corporate and company interest, in places like Hook, in the future."

In the meantime, however, Farrington is appealing for anyone interested in registering a team for this summer's league to contact him on 07919 075627 or e-mail thamesvalley @in2touch.com