This book commemorates one of the top ten greatest rugby moments ever, a match on 31 October 1972. The teams and score: Llanelli 9 New Zealand 3. The day’s events are recalled by those who were there
This book commemorates one of the top ten greatest rugby moments ever, a match on 31 October 1972. The teams and score: Llanelli 9 New Zealand 3. The day's events are recalled by those who were there.
~Publisher: Y Lolfa
This book is a must-read for any Llanelli Scarlets rugby fan as it charters that famous day, a date etched in history – 31 October 1972, when the mighty All Blacks, one of the most famous rugby sides in the world, were beaten at Llanelli.
In his book Alun Gibbard highlights his own experience as a 12-year-old on his way to the biggest match in his history and watching his heroes playing the New Zealand All Blacks. The excitement and the joy as the final whistle was blown, with the scoreboard showing Llanelli 9 All Blacks 3, is vividly portrayed.
He then goes on to interview many of the famous players who wore the red jersey that day, hearing their tales and learning how Delme Thomas, the captain, gave an inspired speech that lifted the team's spirits. The only player not available for interview was Ray Gravell, who has sadly passed away, and he was one of the key inspirations for the Scarlets.
The book also gives the fans’ view of their unique day and you would have thought there were over 100,000 at the game and not the 20,000 who were actually present, as everyone of a certain generation in Wales seems to exclaim, ‘I was there’. Needless to say, the pubs ran dry in many a watering hole in Llanelli that night!
What the book highlights, in this modern world of excessive salaries for sportsmen and women, is the loyalty and pride shown by the fifteen heroes and their great coach Carwyn James for the Scarlets and the sense of unity that secured their defeat of probably the greatest team in world rugby.
An enjoyable and nostalgic read for all Scarlets fans and a well-written and warm reminiscence of that historic event of 31 October 1972.
~Clive Davies @ www.gwales.com
Related Books
Please note that ePub files can now be opened on Kindle.
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. For more information on how you can disable them, visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.