Watching Rugby Special's coverage of the Preston tournament

Following the success of the reunion last September - now fondly known as 'Ackerman Day' - it was decided to hold a supper at Christ College on the eve of the Llandovery match to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Preston Grasshoppers Sword win in 1979.

Players from the 1976-1979 teams, as well as those who were on the Preston trip joined fellow OBs of the era for a truly nostalgic evening.

The evening started off in the Boar's Head where a few Old Breconians diplomatically chatted without letting on that some of them didn't recognise each other after meeting for the first time in nearly 30 years.  Awkward moments aside, no time was wasted in catching up and rekindling old friendships.

Watching the 1978 Llandovery match

At 7.00pm the 'boys' arrived at Henry's Coffee Shop (former Masters' Common Room) where a bar awaited.  Showing on the wide screen TV was the Rugby Special programme from 1979 which covered the Preston Grasshoppers competition.  Also on view was the Brecon v Llandovery match from 1978 which Brecon won 30 - 0.

A dinner followed in the Dining Hall at 7.30pm during which the Old Breconian Association Rugby Club was officially launched. Jon Williams (ex-staff and Manager of the OB Rugby Sevens team) had been invited to become the inaugural President and Adrian Whittall (parent) as Treasurer.  Dave (DMA) Evans, who was Captain of the 1979 Preston side, welcomed everyone to the dinner and launch of the OBA Rugby Club.  The guest speaker for the evening,

Brynmor in full flow

British Lions and Wales Scrum Half Brynmor Williams, kept the audience in fits of laughter all evening.  Brynmor was also at the dinner as a guest of the school in his capacity as one of the company directors of Thomas, Carroll PLC who have recently struck up a major sponsorship deal with Christ College sponsoring the 1st and 2nd XV rugby.  The 1st XV rugby team joined the dinner in order to present copies of the DVD of the Preston Grasshoppers tournament to those who had played. It was also an opportunity for the OBs in attendance to wish them well for the Llandovery match the following day.

The evening finished up over at the Boar's Head where, over several pints of beer, many more trips were taken back down memory lane...