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Mud, Sweat and Beers

How Rugby Changed My Life

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Mud, Sweat and Beers

By: Steven Gauge
Narrated by: Frazer Blaxland
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About this listen

Forget everything you think you know about rugby and join us on the touchline of Warlingham Rugby Club as Steven Gauge leads out the 4th XV. Welcome to the world of mud, sweat and beers…
Far away from the bright lights of international rugby, there is another version of the game played by ordinary blokes of all shapes, sizes and degrees of physical ability. Steven Gauge was the last person anyone would expect to find on a rugby field, being somewhat shorter than average, bespectacled and decidedly “unsporty”. But as a gentleman of a certain age when strange life choices are sometimes made, Steven chose to pick up a rugby ball and run with it. He discovered a hidden and hilarious world of convoluted nicknames, creative interpretations of the laws of the game and the inevitable, beer-related, post-match mayhem. But he also found a heartfelt sense of belonging and camaraderie of the kind that only a good, honest team sport can provide.
“funny yet so true” - RUGBY WORLD

“a ruck-load of laughs… one of those rarities in sports publishing: a humorous book which is genuinely funny… [Gauge] is able to recount in full, life in the casual nether reaches of British sport… made me laugh out loud.' - SPORTS JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION

©2021 Steven Gauge (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd Rugby Sports Funny Heartfelt Witty Game

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Critic reviews

"[F]unny yet so true." (Rugby World)

"[A] ruck-load of laughs...one of those rarities in sports publishing: a humorous book which is genuinely funny.... [Gauge] is able to recount in full, life in the casual nether reaches of British sport...made me laugh out loud." (Sports Journalists' Association)
All stars
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I only played rugby at university level and I was terrible then only making up the numbers out of desperation for 15 bodies on the pitch. It was the pinnacle of sporting enjoyment for me, but I believed there was no chance a normal team would want me after that. This book has made me realise I still have a chance to play. It truly encapsulated the joy of being rubbish at rugby, but loving it more than being a champion of other sports. This is a must read for men who believe their sporting years are behind them. Now where did I bury my boots??

Best motivational tool for fat, middle-aged men.

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I found this book to be both humourous and inspiring. Many of the stories were relatable and reminded me of days past. It has even got me looking into the local Vets teams. I to, may put on the old boots again thanks to this book.

Funny and inspiring

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Absolutely the best rugby book that I have listened too by far. Almost got me to put my boots back on and still might!

Best book of the year

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A lovely story that so many of us in with a similar story have sat
around a clubhouse somewhere and threatened to tell for years. Highly relatable (to a very specific demographic) however lovely and honest. Enjoyed every chapter, and inducing the memory of my own stories.

Honestly humble and heartwarming

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really enjoyed listening to this book. well written and funny, didn't want it to end. would highly recommend.

well written. funny. good insight into club rugby away from professional levels.

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