Bunnet-wearing octogenarian Alastair Urquhart kicked off the eighth Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Festival in Forfar on Saturday.
Mr Urquhart, who is 87, also took part in a few games at the festival which was jointly organised by Strathmore RFC and Brechin Bruce over the two pitches.
Growing in popularity by the year, the Scottish Golden Oldies festival has rapidly become the must-attend rugby weekend for over-35 veteran players.
The event attracted over 250 players from as far afield as Hong Kong and Singapore with a total of 30 games played over two seven minute halves at Strathmore RFC’s Inchmacoble Park.
A guest team of ex-military personnel featuring some seven-a-side players from Fiji also made the trip from down south to take part in the good-natured exhibition.
Dave McDonald, Scottish and European Golden Oldies president, said: “All the players taking part are over the age of 35 and Mr Urquhart is the oldest at 87.
“I’m delighted that it’s getting bigger every year because there are thousands of golden oldies playing regularly – in fact, some clubs couldn’t field their first 15 for their league games if they didn’t have over-35s playing every week.
“The difference with golden oldies is that it is a festival not a tournament.
“It is played in the interests of fun, friendship and fraternity.
“There are no points for winning and no trophies for winning.
“Generally, the normal laws or rules of the game apply, with some minor alterations.
“Age is shown by the colour of shorts being worn and over 60s cannot be tackled.
“There is shorter playing times and unlimited substitutions – which means someone can go on for five minutes, score a try then come off, have a dram, then go back on again!”
A large crowd of supporters and spectators enjoyed all the games and also the various displays by HedzUp Racing and Monte Carlo or Bust which were the festival’s supported charities.
The exhibitions began in 2009 and the eighth instalment closed with a social event in the Strathmore RFC clubhouse with live music from local band Restless Natives.
Mr McDonald said there have been a lot of lasting friendships made over the years, describing it as “a great sport for that kind of cameraderie”.
Mr Urquhart, of Brechin Bruce, achieved mini celebrity status two years ago after his heroics on the pitch in a friendly match against Italian side Reggio Emilia.
