30th Anniversary Reunion of the 1st XV Rugby Tour to Barcelona
On the 14th November 2015, there was a reunion lunch for those OMTs who were part of the 1986 touring party to Barcelona. This touring side achieved a ‘grand slam’ of wins, during their tour of Barcelona in 1986. The reunion did include some other players who were part of the ’85-’86 1st XV, that had not attended the tour.
William Cook and Danny Cohen, worked hard in helping the Development Office locate and gather so many of the touring party to this event. John Pallant and Dr Ken Dore were also invited as the touring master and doctor, respectively.
During a wonderful lunch at the OMT Club House, a great deal of reminiscing occurred. Memories of the fun fair atop Mount Tibidabo and the monopolising of the Go Kart track came flooding back and the final ''Grand Prix race''. The trip to Sitges, which was at the time the Gay Capital of Europe, playing bare chested American football on the beach in early January, which had the ‘locals’ somewhat bemused, to the outstanding Catalan lunch followed by an outdoor sing song at the Sitges railway station with a local ‘guitar wielding cowboy’ on our return journey!
The most memorable moment of all, was the visit to a local Vaudeville Theatre on our penultimate evening, to watch the ‘Bibi Anderson Spectacular’ an infamous ‘drag act’, sadly hardly any of the party spotted the female impersonator and Danny Cohen has yet to be convinced that is was actually a man!
Much of the conversation during lunch concerned whether or not the 1985 1st XV had been the best ever under John Pallant’s lengthy coaching career, sadly the facts show that they came in a very, very close second to the Nigel Smith team of 1979/80.
Nigel Smith’s XV - Played 12, Won 10, Lost 2
Miles McGrath’s XV - Played 12, Won 9, Lost 3
After lunch those in attendance, watched the current Taylors’ 1st XV play Bloxham. Regrettably few managed to hear the final whistle, having retired early to continue reminiscing.
If any more teams - touring or otherwise - would like to organise a reunion, then please do contact events@mtsn.org.uk for help and assistance.
Back to list of previous events.