Not only has the hot weather played havoc with the start of Vandals’ Regional Two South Central season, but there has been a significant knock-on effect with the Minis section.

Chair Aaron Collins and his team welcome more than 60 teams to Desborough Island from London Irish, Old Cranleighans, Farnham and Wimbledon for the ever-popular Autumn Festival on Sunday, which kicks off at 9:30am and is expected to run through to 1:30pm.

The Minis got their season up and running at Camberley on Sept 27, but the hard ground meant all sides could only play touch rugby at Watchetts Recreation Ground much to the frustration of coaches and players alike.

The weather, coupled with the timing of the upcoming two-week half-term, has seen a host of early season festivals rescheduled for this weekend meaning there are four other similar events taking place across Surrey on the same day.

Cooking up a storm: The Braai Boys and their Front of House team in action at last year's Spring Festival

And with the autumn festival being a key fundraiser generating thousands for the club coffers, Collins and minis fixture Secretary Mark Ball have been left tearing their hair out with late withdrawals due to clashes elsewhere.

A shortage of pitches suitable for contact rugby, which means there will be a later finish for some age groups.

"It has all been taken out of our hands and have had to roll with the punches on this one, despite our best efforts,” said Aaron this week.

To lift spirits the senior section’s Braai Boys will have the BBQ fired up throughout with the President’s Burger and Chairman’s Burger topping the menu, while there will be the usual good banter in the hospitality village, so please pop along and watch the next generation of Vandals in action.

Volunteers are still required to help with event parking, the cake stall and BBQ service, so if you can spare an hour or two to land a hand in any way, you assistance would be hugely appreciated. Please contact Aaron via the 'We Are Vandals' WhatsApp community.