It was to be, we were told, a match between two teams of great achievement on the rugby pitch to honour two of the greatest practitioners of the game. Well certainly the teams were full of excellent International players. Jason had prevailed upon Andre Vos, Paul Burke, and Bill Davidson from Harlequins, Trevor Leota, Kenny Logan, Nick Beal as well as Neil Back, Dorian West, Jon Sleightholme, Matt Perry, Nick Greenstock and Epi Taione all appeared in his team. Jenkins had similarly prevailed upon, among others, Scott Gibbs, Scott Quinnell, Robert Howley, Justin Thomas, Emyr Lewis and Brett Sinkinson.

Even the managements were class. Jenkins recruited Alan Davies and Gareth Jenkins as coaches and Bob Norster as team manager. Their opponents had Roger Uttley as coach and no lesser master of management than one Mike Scott.

It was soon clear that this was to be a game of sevens rugby played with fifteen on each side. Scrums were uncontested and forward passes and knock-ons almost totally disregarded. Nevertheless, it was vastly entertaining with some 24 tries being scored. The referee was clearly under instructions to manufacture a draw and so it proved to be in the end with a score of 80 points each and a conversion to be kicked to give Leonard’s XV a two point win. It was not surprising that a draw resulted when Jason, exercising a captain’s privilege, stepped up to take the kick and missed.

Harlequins past and present acquitted themselves splendidly. Paul Burke kicked ten conversions and presented two tries with pinpoint crossfield kicks. Quins will come to rue his departure to Munster. Vos scored an excellent try and Jason almost did so twice.

So we marked the passing of an era in both English and Welsh Rugby. It will be a long time before the game produces two such players of such high quality again.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes