The Moss Goode 15-a-side Tournament
On August 15th, the 35th annual pre-season tournament takes place at Tilehouse Lane. A number of invited teams take part in what has become probably the best preparation for the coming season with players hoping to impress their coaches, and coaches trying to impress their committees etc.
The origins of this event go back to 1980 when a young prop by the name of Bert thought it might be a good idea. 35 years on I guess he was probably correct.
The first tournament, as I am sure that you already know, was won by the Yards in a pulsating final with a 3-0 thrashing of the then very strong Dixonians, thanks to a penalty by the teenage centre Dave Adams. Now here comes the interesting bit. How many of the winning team do you remember? Tony Pemberton, Tex Wales, Hilton Smith, Mick Bloxham,Al Harrison, Chris Watts, Bill Burrows, Steve Price, Jan Ullah,Tom Power, Tom Guise, Dave Adams, John Littleford, Roy Pugsley and Brian Wood.
Not quite the 'Invincibles' but not bad. Come along this time and watch a bit of rugby, recall the good old days and enjoy a drink or two.
Old Yards Charity Quiz Evening
Come along and enjoy a quiz evening at the club on Wednesday 5th August, bar open from 7.00 with the quiz from 7.30
Bring a team or just come along and join up with others. The highlight of the evening could be the fish and chip supper cooked and delivered to our door by the Station Fish Bar. The favourites at the moment are Aussie John's world wide collection, but rumours of Robin Sadler bringing a team might just change that.
Memory Lane
I was invited last weekend to the wedding in Essex, of Brendan Fahy's son Eamonn to Jessica. Brendan had a few tales to tell about his days as a mercurial winger and I suspect quite a few of you remember him well. On his final game he made the error of telling the team that it was his farewell match. He was never a bloke to worry too much about clothes so when he was guided off the bus out in the countryside, a pair of shoes and a dustbin liner were probably sufficient. What a great bloke.