The Bulls Head, Shrewsbury

Biggish pub vaguely U shaped with a pool table at the back on one side. Fair amount of Victoriana in the fittings, mostly doubtful. Four pulls of Marstons stable beers, my first was so obviously a barrel end it was changed without a murmur, the replacement being fine; usual keg tosh around the central square servery. Live music when I arrived late Friday.

It was lively but with a friendly atmosphere when we called in here after the match at Water Meadows Stadium on Saturday, when quite a few people were watching the rugby on the TV, though luckily not as many as in the Castle Vaults next door (more screens = more people watching). We found a place to stand and got involved in a conversation about the relative merits of rugby union and the proper version of the game, rugby league. One commented that league is a game for 13 three-quarters; I acknowledged that union may well be played by specialists in each position, and it's good to see that each team has room for several people who are not even athletes. This seemed to go down well. There were three hand pumps on the bar, with Hobgoblin, Bombardier and a very good Marstons Amber, which was just £2.50 a pint. I would be happy to call in again.

I called in for a quick Chesney before the train after a "Shrewsbury Camra" meeting in the town earlier. At 10pm on a Wednesday there was only one other customer talking to the barmaid. Fortunately, neither of these two looked like they wanted a boxing match or a Wild West bar brawl as in previous reviews. My half of Banks's Amber was fine enough but there is not much else going for this basic pub that is likely to attract me back. For a quick one before the train, the Vaults next door is a better bet (or hopefully the Station Hotel across the road when it reopens!).