It’s quarter to five, it’s Saturday, 3 February 2024, and I have just watched the kick-off in the third Six Nations championship of the weekend as my beloved Wales host my second favourite XV, Scotland.
I have supported Wales as far back as I can remember and often sat with my father in our lounge at 14 Water Street, Rhyl urging on Barry and JPR, JJ and Gareth, heroes every one.
I am not going to kid you and claim I remember those early matches, and even the scorers. I do know now that the last match of the 1955 season, the year we moved to Rhyl from Chesham was on 26 March and it was between Wales and France.
By the time of that final match of the season France was unbeaten and the game was in Paris. France were expected to win both game and Grand Slam. Wales had other ideas and won the match making them equal champions with France.
I would have loved to have been at that game.
As it happens the first half of today’s match has just ended.
It hurts me to say that it is 0 -20 to Scotland.
I am not going to make excuses and say they are a young team who have much to learn. This is the team Warren Gatland has chosen and they are from the squad he has selected for this season
I am sure Warren will have words in the dressing room but I think those words will be inspiring. I can only hope they will come out for the second half and catch their opponents out.
Meanwhile, back in my past, when I got to Rhyl Grammar School rugby was one of the main sports and I threw myself into it. I also had hockey to enjoy, another game in which I was inspired by my father.
He used to play hockey during the 39-45 war when he was posted in the Middle East. I remember him telling me that the old hands, he had been out there from 1941 to 1945, had soon got acclimatised and they felt cold when the weather turned.
He loved to see the faces of the newly-arrived troops when they went to see a hockey match attired in shorts and vests only to see the players arrive in greatcoats and even when they took those off they still had long-sleeved khaki shirts and long shorts.
One sport that was my own choice for participation was the javelin. I might not have been a county champion but I could have done well as a Roman soldier, When I threw my javelin in my mind’s eye I saw the enemy.
In later years I dropped from javelin to darts.
Rugby has been my passion for nearly 70 years.
It has been a while since I have watched my beloved Wales live but I have many happy memories of games in Cardiff against Scotland, England, Ireland and even the All Blacks.
At times I travelled to South Wales with my good friend Roger Steele and I can remember games against Scotland and Wales when after, on the streets of Cardiff, all rivalry was forgotten as fans mingled and drank together having watched a good game.
My son David and I have been to Cardiff together as well and enjoyed being there, even if at times the view was blocked.
Well, now the game is over.
Warren had new young blood in the side and in the first half it looked bad. Scotland was taking full advantage of their experience against a raw side leaving us 20-0 down at the half. A score which initially went to 27-0.
Gatland must have had some good words for them (not necessarily nice ones) because after the half they came storming back.
We may have lost, 27-26 but we got a bonus point for the four tries and as second bonus for being within seven points of the winner at the whistle.
For a young team I reckon earning two bonus points is good going.
Now for England.
Robin's Nest 