I Was There! Alan Standish

well, you can imagine the scene, thousands of supporters making their way to Stradey, not enough tickets to go round, and a fantastic match where the scarlets won 9 – 3.
It was my first time to Stradey – being a young whites supporter and what a memory to have – only 2 teams beat the mighty All Blacks that tour, Munster and Llanelli.Now if that weren’t the sign of things to come, a few weeks later I made my way to the Arms Park to watch the Baa Baas play the All Blacks in that fantastic game.
I well recall Phil Bennett, starting off that great move, but as I was in the south stand, I remember Gareth Edwards bursting onto the ball, before heading over in the corner.
Now as we were in line with Edwards we thought that the ball was slightly forward .. but the referee “who is always right” had a different opinion.
I still have the programmes from 1972 and my only regret is that I was unable to obtain any autographs on that day.
UNTIL NOW — this year, Phil Bennett is the guest speaker at our village cricket club dinner, here in Daventry, Northamptonshire.
I have dug out those programmes, and will be hot footing for that autograph despite being in mid 40’s
Recently I introduced my own children to Welsh rugby having travelled down to the Autumn internationals in 2000 and 2001, but this year was their 1st 6 nations match—yep France—and what a match for them to remember.
So, the tradition continues, my boys now hunt down the autographs of the present and past welsh team;they came up with Ray Gravell, Jonathan Davies, Graham Henry, Clive Griffiths and to those current internationals who take time out to sign a few programmes before the match – -a very big thank you indeed.
Good luck wales, i hope to get tickets for Scotland match, if not will be there for Baa baas in May.
Thank you alan and family