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So delighted -- Ke$ha (The Joyful), 10:54:08 02/03/10 Wed

Grand Slam t-shirts being sold before the game
Scotland took the Championship off England
Lots of Henry and Ruperts in the Ground thinking the game was over after 2 minutes. Ha! How they were all fooled.

Arise Sir Scott and Arise Sir Neil, the Rose wilted, the Dragon roared.

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32-31 -- Mike Rayer Fan (Always Happy), 12:39:03 11/20/06 Mon

Getting more sensible as I got older decided to have a weekend in London with friends staying in Chiswick for a big piss up friday before a couple of beers on Saturday morning before driving home after game.

Went to Barley Mow in Baker Street for a beer with my 2 Welsh mates and loads of English ones who were really rubbing our noses in it, and to be honest we wernt that confident.

A good game and performance from Wales amd then......... THAT side step, THAT run, THAT SCORE. Was sitting on my own and went ballistic when we scored. Went on my knees to the amusement of some around saying I'd go to church on Sunday if Jenks kicked it. He did. What a noise.

Final Whistle. The noise! Just stood on my seat hugging and kissing anybody in a Welsh colour. Couldn't leave the ground just stood there cheering, hands in the air, and no other Welsh around could go either. The team responding to the noise came back out. MORE noise, cheering, clapping, waving arms. FANTASTIC.

Met up with mates outside, hugging, kissing great BUT English mates couldnt even talk to us they were so gutted. They were so out of order that they did penance for 2 years after (made them wear Welsh shirts for a season).

Me and Cardiff mate got train to Chiswick, in the car and home. The whole of the M4 was 3 lanes of traffic all going the same speed, with red and white scarfs hanging out window. No overtaking the whole length of motorway just 3 lanes of traffic going flat out.

Got back to pub in Cardiff where everone was plastered and joined in as if we'd bee there all day too.

Great.

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Wembley Magic -- Elder Exile, 15:03:22 11/18/06 Sat

I admit to being a coward where the REALLY important games are concerned. So I didn't tune-in my short-wave radio, and just tried to forget things. Okay, bit of background. I used to go to Ireland on business, and once told the blokes there this story. Years ago, as a callow youth, I made the mistake of saying that it would be great to beat England by 30 points. [In the days when a try was 3 points]. A gnarled old committee man told me I was very wrong--the best way to beat England was by a disputed penalty goal in the last minute of injury time. Preferably when they were in-line for the Triple Crown. Anyway, still not knowing the result, I went into work on Monday prepared for the worst. First e-mail on my computer was from a former captain of Cork Constitution.
"YOU REMEMBER THAT STORY YOU TOLD ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO BEAT ENGLAND?"--

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Wembley magic -- Roy, 01:53:06 02/05/05 Sat

The best trip ever bar none. Our coach set off at 7.30 and the trip down was amazing the lone arrogant englishman giving the rest of us the wanker signs all the way down can still see the expression on his face now, none of us thought Wales had a chance so we were all a little subdued.

I remember seeing the FACUP semi finals in Wembley first and my mate sausage (25 stone Blaina giant with sausages for fingers) won the raffle in the pub. Two minutes later we couldn't find him and he comes marching over the road with 3 bottles of wine tucked under his arm.

We were by now all massively pissed but we all dared him to down one of the bottles in one on the wall which he proceeded to do with the whole pub chanting SAUSAGE.... SAUSAGE.... SAUSAGE.

Several pukes later he was sat next to me for the game behind a row of english guys.... he really regressed during the game and when Gibbsy danced through we all flew over our chairs and landed on the english guys. I can remember looking up from this pile of red bodies on top of these english guys and seeing poor sausages expression on his face which will stay with me forever. Ohhh the pain, the blankness, the sick on his shirt and chin, he didn't have a clue we'd scored.

Every time I see him now he goes on about how we were there and remember when scotty danced through, and I am just thinking you didn't see a bloody thing...aaaaaaaahhhhh great days.

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Wembley -- Postie, 01:20:33 02/05/05 Sat

I was in the rugby club at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus! A fantastic collection of people from all the home nations assembled in a tin roofed shed that is any military rugby club! Day before had been the Army v RAF game and the hangovers were immense. I got a lift home from the aftermatch function with my CO in his staff car (top bloke from North Wales)My best mate is english and we agreed to have a two hour reverse truce ie I hated him for 2 hours and he hated me! I was also hosting the ref over for the inter service game. when gibbs went over I just looked around to see the the ref and my mate with their heads in their hands, crying like babies. All the Welsh, and Scots were bouncing around like bingo balls in that funny machine. I went to the bar and there was my CO, completely shitfaced. I went home about 2 hours later and put my welsh flag up over my bungalow! A Welsh enclave in Cyprus! Fantastic day! so I'm told!

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and they wonder why no other nation can stand them! -- speedy, 21:53:36 02/02/05 Wed

it never ceases to amaze me why the english wonder why the celts seem offended that we hate them so much, but you only have to look at the arrogance of woodward asking which way do his boys go up to get the trophy just before wales had the last lineout! but i wouldn`t swap it for the world! because its their very arrogance that makes victory over them even sweeter! the cycle of wins over england is due again i believe!

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these were posted on planet rugby's top 100 rugby moments -- ffantom, 07:21:01 01/23/02 Wed


Gibbs: Slam-busting moment popular with users.

"My best moments came back in the final two days of the 1999 Five Nations. The combined efforts of Scotland's five tries in the first half in Paris to demolish the French and then Scott Gibbs and Neil Jenkins ending England's hopes of a Championship win in the last-minute at Wembley Stadium the following day. What a weekend!"
- Martin Doig

"No contest - Wales centre Scott Gibbs' try at Wembley to beat England 32-31."
- Richard Beere

"Scott Gibbs features in both my great rugby mometns. Scoring the winning try for Wales against England in 1999 at Wembley and the dumping of giant Springbok prop Os du Randt in Lions colours on the 1997 tour."
- Andrew D'Abreu

"I remember going on to the C4 site in the summer to make my vote. They had already chosen the 100 for you and you had to nominate the 10 that you thought were the best. My favourite moment wasn't even on the list! It was Scott Gibbs' winning try against England at Wembley in 1999 Five Nations."
- Jude

"The Celtic Muggings - Wales vs England, Wembley, 5N, April 1999; Scotland v. England, Murrayfield, 6N, April 2 2000, Ireland v England, Lansdowne Road, 6N, October 20 2001. Collectively, no other rugby moments come close."
- Malcy

"Scott Gibbs dumping Os du Randt on his arse on the 1997 Lions tour The self same Scott Gibbs waltzing through the English defence to score the last Five Nations try in 1999, crush England's Grand Slam hopes, and hand the trophy to Scotland. And then Ieuan Evans doing his steam train impression to beat Rory Underwood to the line in 1993. Ah, happy days."
- Rhys Williams

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Replies:

[> Re: these were posted on planet rugby's top 100 rugby moments -- Guilherme, 14:36:15 06/26/03 Thu

>
>Gibbs: Slam-busting moment popular with users.
>
>"My best moments came back in the final two days of
>the 1999 Five Nations. The combined efforts of
>Scotland's five tries in the first half in Paris to
>demolish the French and then Scott Gibbs and Neil
>Jenkins ending England's hopes of a Championship win
>in the last-minute at Wembley Stadium the following
>day. What a weekend!"
>- Martin Doig
>
>"No contest - Wales centre Scott Gibbs' try at Wembley
>to beat England 32-31."
>- Richard Beere
>
>"Scott Gibbs features in both my great rugby mometns.
>Scoring the winning try for Wales against England in
>1999 at Wembley and the dumping of giant Springbok
>prop Os du Randt in Lions colours on the 1997 tour."
>- Andrew D'Abreu
>
>"I remember going on to the C4 site in the summer to
>make my vote. They had already chosen the 100 for you
>and you had to nominate the 10 that you thought were
>the best. My favourite moment wasn't even on the list!
>It was Scott Gibbs' winning try against England at
>Wembley in 1999 Five Nations."
>- Jude
>
>"The Celtic Muggings - Wales vs England, Wembley, 5N,
>April 1999; Scotland v. England, Murrayfield, 6N,
>April 2 2000, Ireland v England, Lansdowne Road, 6N,
>October 20 2001. Collectively, no other rugby moments
>come close."
>- Malcy
>
>"Scott Gibbs dumping Os du Randt on his arse on the
>1997 Lions tour The self same Scott Gibbs waltzing
>through the English defence to score the last Five
>Nations try in 1999, crush England's Grand Slam hopes,
>and hand the trophy to Scotland. And then Ieuan Evans
>doing his steam train impression to beat Rory
>Underwood to the line in 1993. Ah, happy days."
>- Rhys Williams

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[> [> Re: these were posted on planet rugby's top 100 rugby moments -- Benski, 11:00:50 12/03/03 Wed

Oh well all those lost grand slams in the past, let's look in the Welsh Trophy cabinet over the last few years. I bet the Welsh would love to even get in the frame for a grand slam nowadays wouldn't you lads. Stop living in the 70's and get a life!!
>>
>>Gibbs: Slam-busting moment popular with users.
>>
>>"My best moments came back in the final two days of
>>the 1999 Five Nations. The combined efforts of
>>Scotland's five tries in the first half in Paris to
>>demolish the French and then Scott Gibbs and Neil
>>Jenkins ending England's hopes of a Championship win
>>in the last-minute at Wembley Stadium the following
>>day. What a weekend!"
>>- Martin Doig
>>
>>"No contest - Wales centre Scott Gibbs' try at Wembley
>>to beat England 32-31."
>>- Richard Beere
>>
>>"Scott Gibbs features in both my great rugby mometns.
>>Scoring the winning try for Wales against England in
>>1999 at Wembley and the dumping of giant Springbok
>>prop Os du Randt in Lions colours on the 1997 tour."
>>- Andrew D'Abreu
>>
>>"I remember going on to the C4 site in the summer to
>>make my vote. They had already chosen the 100 for you
>>and you had to nominate the 10 that you thought were
>>the best. My favourite moment wasn't even on the list!
>>It was Scott Gibbs' winning try against England at
>>Wembley in 1999 Five Nations."
>>- Jude
>>
>>"The Celtic Muggings - Wales vs England, Wembley, 5N,
>>April 1999; Scotland v. England, Murrayfield, 6N,
>>April 2 2000, Ireland v England, Lansdowne Road, 6N,
>>October 20 2001. Collectively, no other rugby moments
>>come close."
>>- Malcy
>>
>>"Scott Gibbs dumping Os du Randt on his arse on the
>>1997 Lions tour The self same Scott Gibbs waltzing
>>through the English defence to score the last Five
>>Nations try in 1999, crush England's Grand Slam hopes,
>>and hand the trophy to Scotland. And then Ieuan Evans
>>doing his steam train impression to beat Rory
>>Underwood to the line in 1993. Ah, happy days."
>>- Rhys Williams

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Well done Englad -- Neil, 09:09:33 03/30/03 Sun

Congratulations England on a fabulous win against Ireland.
This must rate as one of the saddest sites ever.
I fully expect you to delete this message.
Perhaps you should concentrate on Association football these days!

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Replies:

[> Re: Well done Englad -- bern, 13:26:21 03/31/03 Mon

No deleting by me
Its just a flavour of what that day means
Yeh congrats, but this should have been no 5
Why didn't you leave your e mail

Its not a go at the English per say
more of having a crack at the media who if you are not english is painful to read, so much underserved hype, when you than fall flat on your arse its great
the nicest thing about 32-31 was waking up with a mother and father of a hangover and reading "Yesterdays" observer

joy sweet joy

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[> [> Re: Well done Englad -- bern, 13:29:03 03/31/03 Mon

>No deleting by me
>Its just a flavour of what that day means
>Yeh congrats, but this should have been no 5
>Why didn't you leave your e mail
>
>Its not a go at the English per say
>more of having a crack at the media who if you are not
>english is painful to read, so much underserved hype,
>when you than fall flat on your arse its great
>the nicest thing about 32-31 was waking up with a
>mother and father of a hangover and reading
>"Yesterdays" observer
>
>joy sweet joy

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Top forum mun! -- Ron Mure, 14:14:34 11/22/02 Fri

Class.

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the day of the game -- matt elias, 13:19:44 11/02/02 Sat

had sex in the morning, sex in the afternoon, gibbs scored, more sex!

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words of Morgan the moon by Max Boyce -- Dai Evans, 11:32:32 10/12/02 Sat

please try the words to this one others to thanks David

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CYMRU v ENGLAND (WOODWARD'S WOBBLE) -- James Hill, 04:32:41 09/27/02 Fri


I was there in 1999 at Wembley Stadium to witness the most memorable time in Welsh rugby for years!! It was a bright spring afternoon and the match was close until England have a penalty awarded in an inviting position for Wilkinson. I said to my English pal, "well that's game, set and match"!! Instead, the cockiness of the English captain was to be his downfall and the decision will always come back to haunt his dreams. Into injury time, a neat line-out, a little fumble (I mean juggle) by Quinnell and Gibbsy found the one gap he had been threatening all afternoon.... wonderful!! English fans gobsmacked and me jumping on top of someone I didn't even know!!!

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That Win -- SHUNKO, 06:48:49 09/24/02 Tue

I was in Lanzarote , my wife booked the holiday not realising the significance of the date. Disconsolate & sadly wandering in my red shirt i tried to find a friendly bar.I settled on a bar & Huw i were instant brothers in arms,2 against the Saes!. White shirts abounded & the staff sounded klaxons & land of hope & glory rang out each time the Saes scored. We were being unmercifully wound up!-then the penalty,the lineout & that sublime Gibbs try!.Staggering back later we congratulated every Scott we met on their victory ,even mrs Shunko was'nt annoyed at the fact that i could no longer stand up!.

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A Happy Day In Bosnia -- Richard Jones, 20:06:59 09/12/02 Thu

I was sat on a bunk bed in Bosnia watching the game. When Gibbs crossed I jumped up and banged my head on the roof of the container. In another room my boss said to his mate,"that bastard Taff will be round now" and so I was just to rub those English bastards face in it. Six month tour of Bosnia but that 80 minutes of rugby was worth it.

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more than just the game. -- iolo, 13:19:49 09/09/02 Mon

I watched the game at the club just like 1000s of others. Yes we were worried, yes the beer flowed and when Gibbs went over we suddenly appeared on top of the chairs with beer all over the cieling, but it was more than that. Kyran Bracken tie all skwiff and Jon Davies just grinning. Scrum V when eddie and jon just waited for all the players to come out and none of the sais could say a word. But what about the next day. I work in a day centre for people with learning difficulties, one of our clientts had learnt a new word:Jenkins, and repeated it all day much to the annoance of our en**ish boss who just couldn't beleive it (arrogant sod). Everyone wanted to tell everyone else where they were where they had been etc etc. Top story though was from Furnace RFC, they had played a side on tour from england who with 5 minutes to go had all stood on the seats and sung swing low.... the 1st time i heard My Dilallio, the t-shirts that started to appear, the fhm interview where Kyran said the nearest he'd come to a fight was with Jon Davies on Granstand that day, and EVERY time they show that try you just have to grin and shout GO ON!!!!

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Perfect Day -- Morgan The Moon, 07:05:46 06/22/02 Sat

The day started in Cardiff at work, where 8 of us from work had hired a white stretch limo for the day at a cost of 40 quid each (same price as the train!) one of the boys had his wife do a batch of sandwiches, another sorted the beer and wine, another brought his max tape for the stereo, I brought the grand slam video and we stopped 15 times between neath and bridgend and were still in glamorgan at 11 ! there we were sat in the back of the limo, drinking and watching grand slam on the telly and listening to max on the stereo and on our way to London in style!. As we crossed the severn bridge the driver opened the back sunroof with some sort of magic button up front and out of it unfurled a large welsh flag on a stick! Croeso I Lloegr!
and over the bridge we went like royalty.......mog was going up the escalators backwards in his boxer shorts and red blanket on telly and we were quietly getting pissed with both our hearts and max telling us we were going to deafeat england in a fast and open game! c'mon wales!!

next at 90mph somewhere past swindon we spotted stuart davies and some other swansea players in the car overtaking us and someone shouted...its stuart davies mun! stu wanna can or wha?! craig hanging out the window and felin foel being passed to the boys in the fast lane...want some sandwiches as well stu?!!, nice cut of ham by all accounts.

the humour and drunken stupidity carried on into the services where our limo with blacked out windows and welsh flag pulled into a group of 20 screaming teenage girls who had come running across from their bus wanting the our autographs. Craig who looks like a bouncer had led them believe we were in fact the stereomanics!!!

Finally wembley approached and by now the whole of the north london circular knew who we were. We parked in Wembley next to the other limo's and got to our seats. I can remember thinking for most of the game I need a piss. Why is it always the same? I also remember trying to convince myself that by now I could of pissed, got a burger and a can and been back in my seat by now if i wasnt still pondering over going for a piss!! it is always the same.

then as the game dragged on deep into the second half, the beer wearing off and deja vu setting in nicely I convinced myself and god that i would in fact go to church the following sunday if he could just for once weave some magic and let us win!! its always the same isnt it.

then bang out of nowhere we get a penalty...YES!
YES good solid lineout...catch this one now please.c'mon
and as my eyes decieve me in midfield gibbs comes from nowhere and is cutting back in, it happened so fast right in front of us, I still remember him dancing, I was convinced he'd beaten about 40 english players so long did it seem to last, it seemed to go on forever, PUT THE BALL DOWN...YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

at this point even though I knew Jenks wouldn't miss , I was absolutley petrified...some english bloke in front of me turned around and assured me that he wouldnt miss. And then as It went over I started to cry, after the final whistle I cried more, and I dont think I've cried like that scince I was a baby!

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My day at Wembley. -- Ponty Williams, 07:47:32 12/23/01 Sun

My day started with a quiet air of anticipation. I knew I had a ticket through a mate who works for Pontypridd Mini & Junior Rugby. I duly arrived at Sardis Road to find myself not on the main bus, but on a backup minibus with two families on board- none of which I knew. I opened my mouth to say something near to London, which was greeted by the astonished cry of "HE CAN TALK!"
I remember driving up to the ground, having cracked off a few terrible jokes, to see Country Gents and Ladies in their wax jackets busily setting up Champagne and Orange Juice breakfasts for themselves from the rear of their Range Rovers.
We made our way to the ground, at which point I became totally seperated from my adopted families, I knew I was slightly late, because Tom had already started, I made my way to my seat, only to find that I was about three blocks over from where I should have been. Each time I re-entered the arena (I cocked up three times!) I'd just hear another blast of "Why, why, why, Delilah?" before making my way back down the steps, having all but missed the second most famous Ponty boy of all time. I settled into my seat, programme in hand, and commenced watching the most electrifying rugby spectacle in recent times, all orchestrated superbly by the most famous Ponty boy of all time- the Ginger Monster.
I don't really recall much until roughly the 75th minute, when the guy sitting in front of me, a Birmingham based Rugby player turned to me and said "You'll never beat us now!" At which point Scott Quinnell juggled and passed to put Scott Gibbs over the line. Needless to say, the Brum Bum went completely gray! I was leaping about like a demented salmon, hugging all and sundry, and then Brummie uttered his famous (last) words, "Yeah, but Jenkins will never kick this!" Oh, but if he only had the knowledge of Saturday afternoons at Sardis Road, with Jinxy's monotonous boot pummelling the ball home with unnering accuracy and regularity, he would never have said a word.
Needless to say, we all know what happened next, and as the screaming, jumping, hugging and festivities died down, I screamed at Brummie "YOU SHOULD COME TO EVERY MATCH, BUTT!" He didn't look too delighted with my bear hug!

When the joyful crying subsided I made my way to the minibus, clambered up on top, and did my unaccompanied, and slightly adapted rendition of Stereophonics' "We DID beat the English!"
It was unabashed, untethered joy, not only to win, but to beat the Saeson... bastards.

-----------------------------------------

www.brettdavey.com

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Replies:

[> Wales 32-31 england -- Tom, 02:56:29 03/05/02 Tue

Sat at home in surrey, where no-one knows what rugby is except when Wales lose to england (notice who I respect more). Me and my Dad watching the ginger one kicking goals the w**ker wilkinson could only dream of, getting steadily more wasted. At half time, heard bracken and inverdale giving it some about the scum, but I tend not to listen. Second half, Howarth's try gets us back in it. Then the tackle that broke Charvis' jaw means we get a penalty, with the clock showing 80 minutes and us 6 points down. Naturally, Jenks puts it deep into england territory. "That man Wyatt again", says Bill McLaren as our trusty lock wins yet another lineout. Howley, gives it to God, and he threads the needle to Gibbs. How did he get through that gap. YES! Elation as I run into the kitchen knocking over my mother on the way shoputing "WE'VE WON IT, WE'VE WON IT". The ginger one never misses, so I was confident. Engalnd k-o, they try a drop goal. Howarth calmly collects it under his own posts and marks. Surely it must be over now. He finds touch, and Bill McLaren (as well as the rest of the Celtic nations) goes cock-a-hoop. I still claim drinks from all my Scottish friends for April '99, without doubt the greatest month of my life.

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[> [> Re: Wales 32-31 england -- stuart henderson, 07:30:32 06/12/02 Wed

>Sat at home in surrey, where no-one knows what rugby
>is except when Wales lose to england (notice who I
>respect more). Me and my Dad watching the ginger one
>kicking goals the w**ker wilkinson could only dream
>of, getting steadily more wasted. At half time, heard
>bracken and inverdale giving it some about the scum,
>but I tend not to listen. Second half, Howarth's try
>gets us back in it. Then the tackle that broke
>Charvis' jaw means we get a penalty, with the clock
>showing 80 minutes and us 6 points down. Naturally,
>Jenks puts it deep into england territory. "That man
>Wyatt again", says Bill McLaren as our trusty lock
>wins yet another lineout. Howley, gives it to God, and
>he threads the needle to Gibbs. How did he get through
>that gap. YES! Elation as I run into the kitchen
>knocking over my mother on the way shoputing "WE'VE
>WON IT, WE'VE WON IT". The ginger one never misses, so
>I was confident. Engalnd k-o, they try a drop goal.
>Howarth calmly collects it under his own posts and
>marks. Surely it must be over now. He finds touch, and
>Bill McLaren (as well as the rest of the Celtic
>nations) goes cock-a-hoop. I still claim drinks from
>all my Scottish friends for April '99, without doubt
>the greatest month of my life.

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At home celebrating -- Sian, 05:29:22 03/21/02 Thu

My dad had a chance for tickets but we didn't take them as I was quite ill in the run up to the match. I actually missed the majority of the first half, sick in bed and made to feel worse when I heard my dad and sister scream "OH NO!" very early on into the match. Ah. England have scored I realised. The pull of the match was too much and I stumbled downstairs to watch the rest of the match, feeling pretty terrible.
As soon as I walked into the room I saw the score-line wasn't 100-0 as it had sounded like from the yells of anguish that I had heard. Jenkins kicked a penalty and it was half time. I heard Inverdale say "Can Wales score a try?" to which he was answered very shortly later when Neil Back knocked on from no pressure and Howarth scored from the resulting scrum. In my ill health I still managed a cheer.
The match went on, and somehow we stayed in touch. I remember thinking we had done well to keep the score as it was. As we had that last penalty from Rodber's high challenge, I turned to my dad and said "This is our last chance." The clock went onto 80 minutes as Garin was running up to collect the ball for that lineout.
Like most people, what happened next seemed like slow-motion. Wyatt got the ball, Howley to Quinnell...the ball is fumbled, England pause for a split second and the next thing we knew Gibbs was smashing through. As soon as he got the ball I had this feeling he was through. It was a wonderful try, Gibbs seemed to beat half the English team and to this day I don't know how he managed it. As he was running, I leapt up and yelled along with everyone else and when the players were celebrating I slumped back down feeling ill as in my yelling I had somehow forgotten to breathe! I turned around and saw that my dad had fallen up the stairs, and my sister was leaping around like a loon. My dad locked himself in the toilet when Jenkins took the kick but I knew he'd get it.
Those last few moments were awful - I kept praying and praying that the ref would blow full time.
Eventually he did and we cried for joy. Everyone was on the phone and we were all ecstatic.
These memories are why we follow sport, because for all the doom and gloom, one of these moments is worth it.

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Arrest me I don't care -- Abertawe Exile, 04:31:53 03/15/02 Fri

Nearly didn't get to see THE game. The return journey on the ski train after 10 days in the alps had been delayed, then the ferry was late, then the car had a puncture in Dover Seaport which made diving into the first available pub in Dover the only option to see the game.

The abuse handed out by the completely English audinece was worth enduring. We were dead and buried and I was looking forlornly into my Diet Coke (designated driver see). The line-out formed, "a try here and we could win it" I joked. The rest as they say is history, looking back it seemed like Scott Gibbs danced through the English defence. The jeering as Jenks lined the kick up was unbelievable inside the pub, but then there was silence except for me dancing and singing.

The drive home round the M25 was entertaining, me and 3 English mates, all being very quiet while I sang my head off. Rugby shirt was jammed in the sun roof and flapped behind us until PC Jobsworth pulled me over just before the Guildford junction and I was lucky not to get booked, not that I would have cared.

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1999 -- mOnKeY bOy, 07:35:51 01/21/02 Mon

Sat in a pub in Roath, Cardiff. A typically Studenty pub, and so a fairly even mix of Welsh and English. I got the Manager to play the Stereophonics 'as long as we beat the English' a few times, then the Chariots started swinging low, and were promptly stuck back up their @rses, as is the current trend.

Prior to the match one particularly objectionable English bloke stood on his chair and started chanting obscenities towards the Welsh fans. Not banter, or in anyway good natured, as it had been up to that point, but things far too offensve to post here. He was obviously a 'football head' and was intent on causing trouble. It went on for a number of minutes, and the mood was changing... people were starting to get angry, and it was about to get violent, when huge lump of a bristolian, decked out in an England top, jumped up, picked the guy off his feet, and told him in no uncertain terms that if he didn't shut up, that he, and his English mates were going to prevent him from being able to say anything for a few weeks - ah the good old spirit de rugby..

The game appeared to be going down the usual route, but the ginger fella kept us in the frame. By the second half I had become quite distracted by the girl sat next to me who, in a sudden moment of excitement, had jumped up out of her seat, exposing her breast, and sat back down, breast still al-fresco. this proved to be a constant distraction for the majority of the second half, but what could you do? Tell her and embarras her? Pop it back in for her to save her blushes?

Then came that moment, the lineout, last gasp attempt... could they do it? The lineout was one, the pass out ...Oh no he's fumbled ... no he going ... gibbsy, gibbsy,yyyeeeesssss!!! Beer everywhere, (hugged the girl ;O) ). All that was left was the kick, the pub (50% at least) were sat in silent prayer... and over it went.

Needless to say every Welsh person in the building went and congratulated the football head, with great aplomb. He left the pub about half an hour later, thanks to the Big Brizzle boy...

After that, its all a bit of a blurrrrr

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1999 -- edward longshanks, 05:35:50 01/18/02 Fri

Slowly got pissed and depressed at home as game went on, kept getting phone calls form gloating arse english,my young boy looking as sad as me, 2 miutes into injury time scraeming penalty at the TV,Taxi takes it at waltzes like a stolen bridgend cab over the line scream even louder and start the baby crying, phone up arse Enlsh mates to gloat and laugh

what a good day

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April 99 -- what i did on my holidays..., 03:53:11 01/18/02 Fri

On a rugby tour in the Isle of Man, 16 English birds, one Irish and me. I had played no rugby due to injury (sustained falling down the stairs in a club on the first night of tour) and was demoted to official photographer. Got chatting to the Welsh barman at the rugby club, who generously agreed to open the club for us the next day.
So well rolled up about three seconds before kick-off, desperately hung over, and the English contingent took the piss liberally for 75 minutes. Then suddenly me, the barman and the Irish girl were the only people smiling!

I got more drunk that night than I ever have in my life and got back to the b & b by a mix of crawling and being carried. The only thing that marred the experience was the 6am ferry to Liverpool the next day... I spent four hours curled up under a table trying not to be sick.

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Wembleee!! -- Johni ten fingers, 03:41:33 01/18/02 Fri

April 1999 found me home from uni in Tenby. I was working for meagre wages in an attempt to support the lifestyle of booze and loose women that passes for higher education. The biggest day of the rugby calendar and I had the misfortune to be stuck behind the till in one of those shite gift shops that Tenby specialises in. Fortunately my boss took pity on me, partially because he wanted to see the game too, and closed the shop early. Come the national anthems (having missed Tom and Max)I was safely in the pub and tucking into my 2nd pint. A severe lack of red shirts and a loud monotonous rendition of G.S.T.Q, followed by a torrent of piss taking as I stood on my chair to sing "Hen wlad fy'n nhadau" confirmed my worst fears that I was virtually the only Welshman in the pub, in what passed for my hometown! But that's Tenby for you. Then they scored a try and I decided to seek more hospitable company else where.
Having found my mates in a much more suitable venue, the drink flowed and the game went on, desperately hanging in the balance. Maybe it was the drink, but by about 70 minutes I had had a guts-full. The Saes were on top and after what had happened in Twickenham the year before, I couldn't stomach another loss. I drunkenly declared to me mates that I couldn't take losing to THEM again, so despite abuse from the boys, I set off to walk the 5 miles home.

My path took my past the pub I had been been in earlier, and as I walked past I heard shouts and screams coming from inside. Must be the end of the game I thought, and stumbled over to the window just in time to see the replay of a stocky figure in a Red jersey dancing past what seemed like the whole Saes defence to score, and the piss takers with their heads in their hands. I banged on the window winked give them the tow finger salute and ran like a whippet back to where my mates were, thinking you can do it Jenks you can do it! I bulled my way in through the pub door just in time to see the ginja ninja slot over the conversion.YYYYEESSSSSSS!!
Well the rest is hazy, the missed drop goal, Howarth taking that mark, cheers and tears at the final whistle, drinking, having crockery thrown at me by a girl who claimed to be Scott Gibbs' cousin, more drinking and that special atmosphere that means you feel the need to start conversations with complete strangers.
They don't happen all that often but days like that are why we turn up for the boys whatever happens and reward for the black days that have happened before and and since. Thank you for letting me share it with you.

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Perfect Day -- Backbiter, 14:53:34 01/17/02 Thu

I couldn't go to Wembley as I'd organised a school ski trip to france 18 months earlier, in the days when you only played 5 nations matches in April if there'd been a postponement due to snow or ice, so I had an excuse really.
There we were, 2000 metres up on the French- Italian border, in a cheap hotel staffed by English reps. 60 kids from Cardiff and 7 teachers. And a crate of stella. We supervised the kids vigilantly, of course.
Gibbs's try. One of the best sporting moments ever.
I can still see the throng of kids behind me as the grown-ups went beserk. They were celebrating wildly too but they were also amused and amazed to see us going so mad.
The thing is, though, it wasn't just the try. Within five minutes we had three moments of ecstasy of the sort that come around just once or twice in a decade. The try ....then the match-winning conversion.....then a gut wrenching few minutes of injury time, some cheating by Dawson and an English scrum, an attempted drop goal, a kick to touch... then the whistle to give us the win to end all wins.
That night, in high spirits, one of the kids pushed me over on the ice rink and I cracked my ribs. It hurt like hell, but so what? I still went to bed feeling on top of the world. As we reflected on an unforgettable day over some medicinal irish whiskey,one of the teachers turned to me and said: 'A perfect day', which ended up as the caption on some celebration T-shirts produced by some cheapskate profiteers (not you bern). The thrill of the day was added to by the joy of reading the papers, both the Saturdays and Sundays which previewed the game, and the match reports. Believe me, there was material for another slambusters shirt as the journos made arses of themselves(Quick sample, from Cleary in the Telegraph: 'England will beat Wales tomorrow and will claim the Grand Slam'. No doubt whatsoever. No 'probably'. We had no chance. It was hilarious.
This board is pure Gwlad: sentimental,nostalgic, misty eyed, Welsh to the core.

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Replies:

[> I want the scots and Irish to contribute about their wins as well -- bern, 01:27:32 01/18/02 Fri


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Sunday Afternoon in April -- Private Eye, 01:06:38 01/18/02 Fri

Me? I'm one of those old fashioned Welshmen, who learnt to sing the hymns (with the right words) in Chapel. Didn't get much choice in that, with a dad and grandad of the cloth. But then my Tadcu was also born opposite the Brewery Field and had Bridgend RFC in his blood, and I was the nipper who sat him next to Unlce Mac in the stand, and stood with my distant cousin on the touchline.

So when the minister asked whether I was free to play the organ that Sunday evening, I had a dilemma. He knew I wasn't going up to London ('O ye of little faith') but he probably also knew that I would be watching the game in the Wig and Pen (St Helens Rd, Swansea). The thing is, the match would be over by 6.30 pm wouldn't it? No conflict in terms of timing at all. But then, when was the last time I played Cwm Rhondda after 8 or 9 pints? Probably at a wedding.....

Sinner that I am, I declined the invitation to the evening hour of worship. I was convinced that I would be punished for my sin, and most of Wales with me, after all, how many of us honestly thought we had a chance of winning?

But then we had the build up - Max Boyce, Tom Jones, singing that they've not heard in my Chapel since Tescos opened its doors on the Sabbath. And the beer started to flow - out of bottles in the end because the dishwasher couldn't keep up (God, I hate Newkie Brown Ale). Jenks the boot kept us in it the first half and we went into the interval in touch. We couldn't really hear the commentry, but you could tell what Inverdale and Bracken were saying just from the look on their faces. England had the Grand Slam wrapped up, they would cut out the indiscipline, and Wales would be buried.

And so we went into the last 5 minutes just 6 points down, and friends turned to me and said "you're religious, time to get on the phone to God" Tim Rodber offended, and I said my first little prayer "O God, if we're meant to win this one, was that a sign? Let us win the lineout ball at least"

I wasn't the only one in the pub thanking God when St Scott sidestepped the English bishops. I wasn't the only one praying when St Neil prepared to win the game for us. It crossed my mind that there may have been some English praying for him to miss, but surely God, in this hour of all, was Welsh. And so it proved.

As it happens, I was still in the pub when the church door closed at 7.30. But I need not have worried. I ordered 24 t-shirts from Bern, and the minister bought one.

Private Eye

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Wembley -- GW, 12:15:12 01/17/02 Thu

I debated in my mind whether I would go or not, for months before hand, internationals against the English had usually left me a gibbering wreck and usually a depressed one. Welsh flag coyly wrapped around me and Western Mail clenched in hand I made the train trek from N Wales down to London where my friends were waiting for me. In the two hours or so to Birmingham, the only other rugby supporters were English, as I had taken a few cans with me I responded to their unintelligable gibes with broken Welsh phrases like 'un dau tri banana' and 'bore da mrs lloyd' the only Welsh I could remember from school, but it confused them and made me feel superior anyway. Surprisingly, in Birmingham it was like Cardiff Central and it wasn't long before I was wedged between Welsh rugby supporters from all over Wales - the singing had already started and we laughed with derision at the nasal strains of 'swing low sweet chariot'. It all gets quite hazy from there. The singing in the stadium was superb, I don't know where my mate had got the tickets from though because we were surrounded by Saes. Despite feeling awkward, we were the noisiest annoying Welsh bastards for about 10 pews. I remember saying 'we're never going to get this' near the end and a blonde geezer in front turns around and says 'you better believe it' to howls of laughter from the people with him. We had the last laugh though. From what I remember there was a penalty which the English fluffed and the hope came back a little. I was not expecting what came next however, I just remember making bizarre howls that seem to emanate from my soul itself. Gibbs had gone over! We were literally climbing all over each other, for about 5 minutes we were literally lying sprawled over the seats bouncing up and down on top of each other. I didn't realise Jinks needed to kick at first, it felt like the match was over. 'They' haven't won yet' someone intentionally over-uttered. I swear my heart didn't beat during the next few moments. I was seriously convinced I was going to die right there because I just couldn't breath, even when the kick went over I just sat there. My chest was tight and honestly, despite being only 21, I thought I was going to meet my maker (who I assume looks remarkably like Graham Henry). I must have said 'I can't believe this' about a hundred times. How much of the match was left after that? I can never remember - I remember people leaving; looking at us in disgust - we were acting like animals, which I was a bit embarrassed about at first. Later that night I didn't give a damn, I must have hugged half of London � I told numerous large/small/bearded/bald/dodgy looking people who looked remotely Welsh that I loved them and I to be honest I think I did. Wales have performed appallingly since, but all those men who played that day will forever be remembered for that performance: I can forgive them all else.

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Wembley in 1999 (Scotty's boots story) -- Damian McCarthy, 09:33:12 01/17/02 Thu

Got to Wembley with my Dad having heard bragging of an English win (and gradslam) for weeks (since I live in London). I sat down with my big Welsh flag to which a posh English bloke behind me announed loudly "He won't have much of a chance a wave that will he". We kept touch with England throughout the first half and I was constantly standing on my seat waving my flag.

Second half - Howarth's try. Nearing the end of the game English behind me were winding me up. Scotty's try !!!!!! Yeeeessss!!! Jumped up on my seat waved my flag so much I broke the flag pole, fell off my seat onto one of the Enlish blokes and bust my mobile phone (and his jaw - with my elbow).

After the game I met an English girl and chanted Wales, Wales as I gave her one !!!! To remind me of one of the best days of my life I bought Scotty's boots in an auction (�1000 - which I think is a bargain). I now have them signed with a certificate in a glass case at home.

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99/00 -- Mike Howard, 16:03:52 01/11/02 Fri

A 7am start from Crosshands - my mate Keith saying I was insane for predicting a win - both of us confident of getting rid of 2 spares (yes- I know it sounds unbelievable)
Being photographed by japanese tourists outside the posh hotel on sunday morning in silly hat guise - ecstasy at finding a western mail in a local newsagents - Keith still believing I had lost the plot with seemingly seconds to go - the loudest sound I have ever heard as my faith was proven by Gibbs and Jenks - turning to the England fan next to me and without the slightest trace of irony say "it's only a game" The most incredible journey home ever
Dublin '00 Masses of us mostly hungover from the previous day - crammed into a pub in temple bar - a handful of england supporters turned up for the walkover at murrayfield - Green and red ecstasy in unison and a night almost to equal the previous one - followed by the epic journey home -dublin to rosslare to dublin to holyhead (failed to dock ) to fishguard - a Tuesday to tuasday trip that we will never forget!!!!!!!!

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HMS CARDIFF, alongside Liverpool Docks 1999 -- Dave, Gareth & Jonesy, 06:33:56 01/09/02 Wed

HMS CARDIFF, alongside in Liverpool dock. Had my leave stopped for a bit of an indiscretion. Sat in a mess full of English officers. A Welsh Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant and Midshipman, having been subjected to nearly a full day of mindless wax jacket & green welly snobbery. Turned round to get the beers in, jokingly stating, "You watch Gibbsy pull it out the bag". Big Cheer on telly, 3 delirious junior officers, beer on the wardroom ceiling, much digit based gesturing, song,and shore leave denied for a further, now indefinate period!

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3 Taffs and an(overconfident)Englishman.Wembley !! -- Niff, 11:20:18 01/05/02 Sat

We were at my place in Pencoed with the TV on and several crates of stella at our feet.
Me, my 2 mates and my English housemate.

Our English friend began taking the piss when England looked like hammering us, he was a bit worried by our lack of laughter.
After 15 mins he had totaly clammed up as we screamed, swore and jumped about whilst following the game.-He said after that he thought we were'f**cking barmy.

75mins-
We were glum and depressed and it looked as if we were in for a depressing night drowning our sorrows.

As jinks kicked for touch after that dodgy penalty, I turned and said to the boys,"The one thing we've done all season is score tries, we can still win this".-My English friend snorted in derision (The 1st sound we'd heard from him in some time)

and the rest is history.

As Gibbs dived over we were literally jumping up and down hugging like loonies, our English friend was shaking his head and giving us funny looks.

I have the video of that match, and the night before every Wales game I take it out and watch the last 10 mins - I still jump out of my seat and punch the air every time I watch it.

My greatest Rugby moment.

?If only the boys could rediscover that spirit.

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WEMBLEY & A YAPPY DOG. -- (not so) angry exile, 08:18:11 01/04/02 Fri

Back then I was working down in Colchester & watching the game on my own apart from a yappy little dog that my landlord was minding. As the game progressed I started to sense a ribbing on Monday. Then it happened, Gibbs seemed to skip to a stop & set off again baffling the Saes defence, by the time he raised his hand I was screaming (with joy). If your life depended on a conversion you�d want Jenks to take it, but this was more important than that. Meantime the dog was milling about after he came in to see what the fuss was. As the flags went up I screamed again causing the dog to piss himself. Superb. I laughed �till I cried & then phoned every Saes I knew.

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Lansdowne Road 20/10/01 -- paddy69, 23:24:56 12/23/01 Sun

From Woody's try to that magic moment when Johnson appeared on the big screen (and TV, I understand) receiving the Championship trophy, through to leaving the Bray pub at 1 am, WHAT A DAY!!

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Captain Cymru and the Trimsaran nutter -- Ga Griff, 05:21:39 12/23/01 Sun

The match at Wembley was the first that I had ever had the good luck to get tickets to- I went with an English friend, Kevin Jaggs, an extraordinarily hirsute English lad. We met up for a pint at The Greyhound near the ground- and bumped into some mates from Llanelli, all of us agreeing to meet at that pub just across the road from Paddington station after the game.

Anyway, we all know the result. Tears were shed, etc., stayed back in Wembley for the obligatory hour after the game, and on the way back from the ground to the tube station I had the good fortune to walk past two English boys who were desperately trying to get over the match:

"Still, at the end of the day, it was an away game, wasn't it?"

I pissed myself at that, and made my way back to the pub we we were all going to meet up at.

So I met Kev back there, downcast but gracious, and beginning to drink very heavily. We're sitting in the pub there, and suddenly this guy bursts into the pub with a skintight red suit, singing 'Land of my Fathers'. He has green underpants on over the lycra and a green swimming cap on his head. There is a tiara over the swimming cap. He has a cape on too: in actual fact a large Wales flag tied around his neck. He announces loudly to the bar, 'Greetings! I am Captain Cymru!'.

He gets bought many, many drinks over the next hour or so.

It then comes to our attention that he is not the only strangely dressed one in the bar. What I first took to be a lady in our traditional dress drinking at the bar does, on closer inspection, have hairy arms. I then notice that she's drinking a pint of 'bow: still, I thought, its she's probably from Ely or something. Then, she starts singing in a bass tenor voice. Perhaps she was from Trimsaran, then? As she stumbled past my back I decided to say Hi. I was right. Turns out that she's from Trimsaran, but that she's a he- got off the train that morning all dolled up with hat, lace, tied boots, the lot, stumbled pissed literally just across the road from the station, and stayed in this God-awful rathole in traditional Welsh women's clothing to watch the game with the fly-by-nights and rapists who live in that neck of the woods! Wound up one lad in the place so much he had a knife pulled on him! Still, he looked as happy as Larry and at around 7 left to go back to Llanelli on the train, barely able to walk across the road to the station...

Naturally, Kev and I got absolutely w*nkered, ending up back at the pub next to my flat in Deptford, South London. Pints with the Irish who run the place- 100% record for us after attending a Wales-England game live, what a way to end the drought- and a great day all round!

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didi it really happen? -- chief M, 11:42:02 12/21/01 Fri

Very surreal day! it was all over so quickly. I remember that the severn tunnel was closed off that day so the trains were taking 3 hours and more to get to London and back. It never crossed my mind that we might lose all day untill rob howley kicked a ball out on the full in desperation afer about 76 mins. then i thought oh Sh@t! 3 hours home on the train after weve lost would be a f@ckin nightmare! but then we got that penalty and as we prepared to take the lineout everybody around us in the stands was saying "last chance this, Last chance." I was saying it myself over and over "last chance saloon" and i was up the opposite end to the try so i saw gibbsy just run into a crowd of english players and disapeer. i assumed he had been tackled like the 40 previous charges he had made but no! a roar from the other end of the stafdium! i was struggling to see and then i saw the number 12 jersey step out to the right raise his arm and dive over the line. I just didnt know what the F@ck to do with myself i just couldnt believe what was happening so i just jumped up and down hysterically and after the conversion went over i noticed the row of english fans who had been chopsin throughout the match had disapeered off the face of the earth! strange that. i then met gareth edwards himself comin out of wembley with the biggest grin on his mug that i have ever seen. atmosphere on the way back was fantastic and then the next morning i woke up at home (dont know how i got there) and it was freakin snowing! from the glorious sunshine at wembley to snowing back at home! I then went and bought every newspaper in the shop.

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Wembley 13th April 1999 -- Terry, 07:14:27 12/21/01 Fri

Two abiding memories from that day.

Firstly arriving to the game extremely pissed, chuffed at having got excellent seats from Rob Cole. We sat down and my mate Gav gets talking to an English guy next to him, during the conversation Gav says "Do your mates ever take the piss cos you look like that twat from Sky TV".

The English guy responds "I am that twat from Sky TV"

Take a bow please Mr Durden-Smith.

Secondly (of course) Gibbsy's try.

Mayhem had broken out and I'd ended up some 4 rows further forward from where my seat was. As Jinx lined up the conversion, a Welsh woman in front of me couldn't bear to look so turned round and buried her head in my jersey.

The kick (of course) goes over, and overcome by emotion she wraps her arms around me and plants a huge lingering kiss. As I looked down there was her extremely pissed off looking husband/partner, wearing an England jersey.

having taken almighty amounts of stick for being the only two taffs on the train down from Birmingham earlier that morning, needless to say we paid it back with interest on the return journey.

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Wembley -- Alan Gilbert (Big Al) from sunny Bournemouth, 06:47:56 12/21/01 Fri

We went up from sunny Bournemouth, usual share driving arrangement, I drove up, Linda, my wife, driving back. We arrived at Wembley parked the car in a shoppers car park behind the shops opposite "The Old Post Office" pub. We were in the Old Post Office until the appointed time when we made our way to Wembley. we were sat in the corner looking down on where Scotty was destined to go for glory.

We were surrounded by english supporters bedecked in their best white rags, it was the time for the anthems we stood and sang the anthem. Now Linda is english and a Bournemouth girl, and she's never been that good on the pronunciation of the anthem, so on the odd occasions she comes to an international I give her a tiny slip of paper with a phonetic version. In her red jersey supporting the right team she's made a reasonable job of the anthem.

After the anthems we sit down and this rag bag bunch of white dishcloths have spotted that she's got a crib sheet and start giving her earache about her not knowing the anthem, I point out that she is in fact english but has decided to support a decent team.

Well lets be fair until the last minutes the english were getting there and this lot around us were giving us some real stick, then Scotty gets it, he's dancing through and over the line, bang him and the ball hit the ground then Wingnut drops the ball over the bar and for the first time for 90 minutes our surrounding bunch of hoorah henriettas are silent, we, on the other hand are ecstatic, there are two or three other red shirts in the vicinity and we are all hugging, crying, all getting a bit emotional. A couple of the less sad white shirts did shake hands and wish us well.

Anyway it's back to the Old Post Office for more cider and eventually back to the car for the drive home, going through Wembley High Street we are stuck in traffic. The car is decorated with Red Dragon flag the sunroof is open and somebody approaches the car. I assume a fellow red shirted drunk, but then something falls into the car through the open sunroof, it's my wallet, in my somewhat inebriated state I'd left it on the roof of the car.

So thanks to you whoever you were !

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Best day of my life and I missed the Howarth Try!! -- Jules, 05:55:10 12/18/01 Tue

Left from the local pub to go to Wembley on that beautiful day back in 1999, had a few beers in the pub before leaving, a few more on the way and a few more on the walk to Wembley. Eventually, we got there, missed the national anthem and sat down just to the left of the posts (when facing the pitch) in what turned out to be a rather pleasant (understatement of the year) spot to be seated!!!

The first half went ok, the two young children sitting in front of me and my mate Gareth were very entertained by the rugby and us, and every time Jenks kicked a penalty they went up in the air and were caught with a little less safety than Howarth could manage!!!

Half time came and it was my turn to get the beer, off I trundle only to find a queue that can only be described as as a 179 man scrum. Eventually, after using all my experience from playing in the back row (I am a centre by the way!!!) I get to the front and buy four beers (two each for those who can't count - sorry Swansea!) and as I turn to return to my seat I hear an almighty roar!!! I have missed the Howarth try!!! My friend has covered the front 5 rows in front of him with beer in a beer shower, the kids in the seats in front of us are drunk from drinking the spray, and I MISSED IT. So, I get back in time for the conversion....it goes over, the crowd go wild, the atmosphere is electric...and I missed the first try! Oh well, on with the game. Wales start to play some rugby now, England are now longer whipping our asses, then all I hear is.."Julian, Julian"...12 seats away in the same row low and behold MY BROTHER is sitting there!!!! It is amazing. Nearly 80,000 people in the stadium and he is there, 12 seats from me. The atmosphere build, injury time comes, the lineout goes Wales's way after what must have been the dodgiest penalty decision in history, but without a doubt the sweetest tasting! The ball is thrown in, off the lineout it comes then....BANG....where the hell did Gibbsy come from, oh my god....he is nearly there....what a sidestep and then.....HE'S OVER!!!!!!! OH MY GOD, Wembley explodes, the crowd go wild...in fact wild is an understatement. Then silence, we realise we are still a point behind, I can't watch. My head is in my hands, looking down, my mate watched with arms raised, then the kick comes, Jenks boot connects sweetly and through it goes!!!! Crazed welshmen sing every song they know and I am nearly in tears (joyous ones!)!!! After a scary few more minutes the full time whistle blows, I step on about 10 people and throw my little (he's a winger!) brother in the air, beer is being sprayed everywhere in celebration, again, wild is an understatement. We get more drunk, leave London and get back to the pub for an all night party behind locked doors!!! What a day.

In the centre pages of the Wales on Sunday, My mate Gareth with arms raised aloft in the centre of the crowd with me with my head in my hands unable to watch!!! GUTTED!!!

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murryfield -- sim, 14:14:58 12/17/01 Mon

freezing wind and rain but i wouldnt hesitate to sit through it again to see he smug look from dawsons face wipe so quickly as the scots partyed

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Wales and Scotland -- Dutch Gareth, 07:15:33 12/10/01 Mon

White Rose, Mumbles, April 1999.

Went for a piss when England got that penalty 10 mins from time. expected to return having conceded another 3 points. Amazing they didn't kick the points. 10 minutes later everyone was shaking their heads and laughing that we could be out of the game for so long and still win it. Disbelief. Mobile was ringing constantly, and drove into work in Guildford the following day with a Welsh flag hanging out of the back window of the car. About time we'd had something to shout about. Work was great. They were all sooooo gutted - as I'd have been had the shoe beeen on the other foot!

Sports Bar, Temple Bar Dublin, April 2000

Better than Wales beating Ireland in Dublin? Well, not quite, but certainly capped our weekend. I felt sorry for a couple of the English guys, who were so well out numbered by Irish and Welsh. There was one though, who suddenly lost his tongue and started feeling foolish having been so load mouthed before the game began. He left pretty sharpish at the final whistle ;-)

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32-31 -- the omnipotent norman, 06:05:41 12/10/01 Mon

One of the few Welsh home games I have missed in 20 years, due to a family party.

At the final whistle I walked through my front door in a leafy suburb of Cardiff laughing hysterically. I looked down my road and every other house had neighbours and their friends walking out into the street, all laughing and shaking their heads. There are 100 or so properties on my road. At least 80 opened their door at exactly the same moment and had its occupants with exactly the same emotional response. I suppose the other 20 actually went to the game.

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Murrayfield - April 2001 -- Malky, 04:31:21 12/10/01 Mon

Beat the English, don't remember much else!!!!!!

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Murrayfield - 2 April 2000 -- Alison Halley, 15:49:59 12/09/01 Sun

The weather got colder and wetter. The huge English support became quieter and quieter...the chariot swung to a halt.

Hodgie's try brought great cheers and delight, as did his spot-on conversion into the wind and rain. Then there was the endless injury time with the white shirts waking up to the probable loss and pressing desperately for the converted try. Our nerves were unbearable, willing our team on. But we needn't have worried. The dark blue shirts were everywhere in defence - even the hooker making a great tackle to bring down a player pounding towards the try line.

At the final whistle the elation was tangible. Normally reticent Scots hugged the people next to them - then waited for the trophies to be presented. Andy Nicol collected the Calcutta Cup - but where were the winners of the Championship trophy? They never appeared!

My abiding memory, though, was of an elderly man we saw as we left the North Stand. He was slight and stooped and on his own. But his face held an expression of beatific delight - as if reliving the magic moments. Just reward for the many times the stadium had been left to the hurt of defeat by the 'Auld Enemy'.

The rain was turning sleety as we walked away, our saltires drooping - quite unlike our spirits. Miracles do happen!

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That day...... -- Scrumdown, 03:18:42 12/09/01 Sun

I was sat up behinf the posts just looking down on that "TRY" The legion of English lawyers sat next to us couldn't belive it! They just stuffed their hip flasks back inside their waxed jackets and left.

Most surreal moment of the day was when we got back on the tube. The train pulled up and doors opened and sat in the carriage was one old lady she must have been thinking oh no - but instead she was treated to the most fantastic singing session I have every been part of. When she went to get off the train the crowds parted like the red sea. As she stepped out on to the platform she turned around and thanked us for beiong so polite and helping her off the train - she then asked had we won!!!!

Strangest moment of the day seeing a women with waterproof trousers and wellingtons on inside wembley! - I know that the toilets were bad but.....

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Those quotes. These were on the back of the 32-31 t shirt -- bern, 13:39:40 12/08/01 Sat

QUOTES
SUNDAY 11 APRIL 1999 : WEMBLEY STADIUM
Successful rugby is not about scoring tries or involving 15 men in fluid, interactive, integrated attacking style. It is about finishing one point ahead on the scoreboard at the end of the match (Paul Ackford Telegraph 31 March 1999 when "boring, boring England" beat Ireland���.by one point)
The headlong rush into professionalism has carried England so far ahead of the Celtic nations that we are disappearing over the horizon. (Mick Dennis, March 1999 )
Anyone who thinks changing the Welsh coach will make any difference is living in
cloud-cuckoo-land. WRU development director (Jeff Evans, April 1998)
The Welsh haven't had a decent team since Max Boyce thought he was funny. (Mick Dennis )(London Evening Standard, March 1999 )
When we beat Wales this weekend I don't want any excuses from the Welsh. (Micky Skinner)
England or France will put 100 points on a Celtic Nation before the end of the century (Paul Ackford, March 1999)
There's no way Wales will score a try. (Kyran Bracken - Grandstand half time analysis)
WALES 32 ENGLAND 31
I thought it was close to the post, to be honest, but I felt comfortable all day. I am really chuffed for the boys. If I would have missed it the crowd would have lynched me (Neil Jenkins)
If the posts would have been 2 feet apart instead of 10 yards he still would have kicked the goals. (Graham Henry)
It was the most nerve wracking experience of my life, we had done all we could and I was just praying for Wales (Kenny Logan)
England didn't respect us as much as they should have done but they will respect us now. (Graham Henry)
I am disappointed if Graham said that. This job is hard enough without coaches having a go at each other.(Clive Woodward)
Can you really see England losing this (John Inverdale)
��But Catt is no Jenkins. He sliced his opportunity and knew instantly that he would not be granted a second chance ( Chris Hewitt, Independent)
Celebrate! You are damn right. I'll have a bucket of chicken. Scotties eaten all the pies.(Craig Quinnell)
It was tremendous, unbelievable, the sun is shining in my house ( Jim Telfer- from a rainy Galasheilds)
Well done Wales. You played well. The best side won (Richard Cockeral)(NOT!)
Every day I wake up I thank the Lord I am Welsh (Shane Howarth)
Fi Fi Fo Fum. I smell the blood of an Englishman (Scott Gibbs)
Kyran was laughing (ha ha ha ha ha). Then Scotty danced over the line and he laughed no more (Tom
Jones)
Where are those horrible people saying one should place ones chariots (The Queen)
Where are those horrible people saying one should place ones chariots (The Queen)
He's like a buffalo leading a stampede (Bill Maclaren commentating on Scott Gibbs' try)
England must now be firm favourites for the World Cup. (Eddie Butler on the BBC commentary with 5 minutes left )
MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH ... humble pie, tastes a bit like Welsh cakes.( Skinner after the game)
At the end they were so tired they were blowing out their arse. (Garin Jenkins, after game, about the England front row)
It is a pleasure and honour to coach a team with that sort of character (Graham Henry)
As long as we beat the English, we don't care (The Stereophonics)
Wales Defeated England in a fast and open game (Max Boyce)
The roar which drowned the final whistle was loud enough to shake the Severn Bridge. (Frank Malley, Sporting Life)
I never believed we would going to lose the game and I won't really believe it until I wake up. I am really mad about that (Clive Woodward)

It's in the bag for England. Barring some unforeseen catastrophe, Woodward's men look to have a certain Grand slam today. (Observer)

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Slambusters -- bern, 12:57:16 12/08/01 Sat

Welcome to slambuster stories.

My day at Wembley in April 99 was unbelievable. A georgeously sunny day. So convinced we would get stuffed I took the car, Game won i had to fight the traffic. First pint was about 9. Slept that night just knowing "they" couldn't take it awy from us.

(although they did try about 2 years later by banning 1/5 of our side cos they were kiwi's

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