THE day may have ended in disappointment for English rugby fans.

But the 400 people who took part in the Slough Rugby Club's Megafest on Saturday (3/10) still took away happy memories.

Festivities at the club on Tamblyn Fields, Upton Court Park began at 2pm with a chance for visitors to 'give rugby a try' with activities run by the club's 1st XV.

England legend Lee Mears brought star presence to the day, answering questions and signing autographs before settling down with the visitors in the newly redecorated clubhouse to watch England play Australia.

Slough Rugby Club chairman Matt Harris admitted that what followed was disappointing.

But he said: "It did not detract from what the day was all about. We wanted to get into the community - new people came down to see us and that is what the purpose was.

"Slough is not really a rugby town. But we wanted people to see what it is all about.

" New people took out social membership on the night because they were so pleased with the welcome they got."

Slough Rugby Club was one of only six nationally to be awarded the ultimate club experience after making a bid to NatWest.

NatWest through its agency M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment then worked with the club, helping bring a 'bit of old Twickenham' to Saturday's Megafest.

The club is newly redecorated and will be showing all the World Cup Rugby games.