Pond trawled for rugby cup

The trophy was lost as the players toasted victory

A pond is being trawled in a search for a rugby trophy thrown into its waters during boozy celebrations 36 years ago.

The Samovar Cup was lost by members of the Old Yardleians Rugby Football Club, who were drinking to a victory over a West Midlands rival in 1967.

Severn Trent workers are donning waders and using waterproof metal detectors for the search by the team's ground in Tilehouse Lane, Shirley, Solihull.

It is part of a project to clean up the pond, which had become overgrown with nettles.

Carried away

Club spokeswoman Caroline Hosie told BBC News Online that the players might have had one too many pints when they lost the trophy all those years ago.

"They had a rugby match and during the drunken celebrations got a bit carried away and threw the trophy in the pond.

"It's still a real talking point at the club."

She added that the search for the trophy was the result of a more worthwhile project.

"The main aim is to revamp the wildlife area of the pond."

Asked why none of the club's players had been brave enough to get into the pond to search for the cup themselves, Ms Hosie said it had not been possible until the recent clean-up.

"No-one's gone in before because they couldn't get to it.

"It was covered in brambles - no-one dared to."