Tie Collection
A collection of ties from other
clubs was started in cabinets placed above the bar in the clubhouse. There are
now over three hundred on display. Letters to various countries asking for their
international tie initially seemed doomed, especially since the first in
alphabetical order was Argentina after the Falklands incident, but then ties
arrived from the All Blacks, Australia, France and many others. Wade Dooley
generously gave us his tie from the centennial international between England and
Ireland. The cabinet containing the thirty-six English Referees Society ties was
one short for many years but thanks to our friend Roger Rees, the tie for East
Midlands Society has now been added.
The Pilkington Cup
Reaching the final of the North
Midlands Cup the previous year had given us entry into the prestigious 1990
Pilkington Cup. We were drawn away to Hartlepool Rovers. Travelling up by coach
both players and supporters had a great day despite losing to the more
experienced side 29 -3. The Hartlepool lads had a good time too and paid us a
return visit for a weekend of football, cricket and games the following summer.
A Second Chance at the
Reddings.
We finished in seventh place in
the League and had another blistering run in the North Midlands Cup with wins
over Dudley Kingswinford and Evesham. Defeat of Veseyans in the semi-final on
the windy heights of Barr Beacon gave us another final at the Reddings this time
to face the mighty Hereford. We took an early lead when Club Captain Shannon
Killarneys quick line-out throw allowed Darren Collingwood to sprint over for a
try. Tom Power converted and added a second half penalty. Unfortunately, this
was not enough Hereford finished strongly to win 22-9.
Another Sad Loss
Billy Davis passed away in 1990,
at a relatively young age. Suffering with heart problems in his latter years he
had never played rugby at club level, but he was an ardent supporter of Wales,
the country of his ancestors and the OYs whom he had supported since leaving
school.
Gas Main Installed.
The same year a long held dream
was achieved when six showers were installed in the bath area. Bob Parfitt laid
a gas main to the clubhouse enabling the purchase of a gas boiler to run the
heating system and provide hot water to the showers.
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