It wasn't like that, it was like this...
Rugby is about the only thing that gets my family as eager as this to communicate. I give you Andrew's version. He was, after all, the man in the 10 shirt...
JMD’s account of JPR and me is only partially accurate. I confess I had forgotten the scissors bit. But here is the additional info. This was the only time in my life when I played rugby when I was drunk! I was still slightly tipsy from the previous night when some of us prefects had been out for some kind of celebration; end of term or something like that. During the course of the evening we met up with some of the St Mary's College boys who told us JPR was going to be playing and I think they said he would be playing flanker. When I woke up the next morning, I was still drunk.This state of affairs continued, unusually, throughout the day and when we took the field of play I was still woosie and a hangover had not yet set in.
The incident happened as brother Julian described it - but I did not pass to the wing - I kicked (probably to get rid of the ball one way or another!?). I was most definitely aware of JPR closing down behind me - you get to know these things; instinct? fear? Not sure which. I think I just kicked it anywhere to be spared a fate worse than death. By the grace of God, the ball made its way just over the St Mary's try line in the corner and our winger - a Canadian who had only just begun to learn the rules of rugby but who was quite quick - made it there first before the opposition cover and, as Julian rightly recorded, a try was scored. I think that was the only try we scored that day...
There was a much bigger crowd watching than usual as news had got round Brecon town that JPR was playing.
The other incident I remember in the match was St Mary's were awarded a 5 yard scrum from our line. They won it - who picked up the ball from the back of the scrum? None other than JPR of course - who proceeded to charge directly at me. Not being famous for courage but under the influence I met him head on and knocked him back two or three yards and winded him - the game stopped and everybody was worried as JPR was due to play for Wales later that week - but he recovered ok - he now knew not to mess with the opposition fly half for the rest of the game...Lies of course! - JPR broke round the back of the scrum and crashed over for a try with me clinging on to him - not to stop him but for dear life.
I remember, too, JPR took the conversions that day; one of his kicks was an absolutely pathetic effort - the ball tricked along the ground. Not terrible in and of itself but, that very Saturday, JPR was the place kicker for Wales. He did that now and again but he was not up to much - compared to the hours and hours of practice place kickers put in nowadays at international level - shows how much attitudes in rugby have changed since then.
Ah well - memories !
ALlD
There we have it; see, Gav, rugby players were going out on the lash before big games then as now, no worries, tiger!