Welsh Rugby in the 1970s - Tapa dura

The argument over Waless national game persists unabated, with rugby and soccer aficionados jealously and defiantly defending their corners. During one specific decade, however, rugby really ruled over all, and this assumption is central to this evocative and celebratory volume. Carolyn Hitt in her Western Mail columns is often mischievously controversial but always intelligent and, in this instance, spot on in her claim that our 1970s rugby defined Wales. The introduction itself in a few hundred words recreates the decade that provided us with cheesecloth attire and Curly Wurlies, watchable sitcoms and punk and glam rock, Bagpuss and the Clangers all peppered with social problems such as redundancies, power cuts and uncollected and rotting bin bags. Central to it all was rugby, a golden age never witnessed before or since. Not only did we think that Wales was the best rugby side in the world, we damn well knew it. As we are reminded, it was the decade of Grand Slams, of Gareth and Barry, Gerald and Phil, Mervyn and JPR, and the Pontypool Front Row. How we crowed, and rightly so. They are all here in fulsome and glorious prose and explosively colourful illustrations. The book is aptly described as being fun-packed and bumper-size, like those much loved annuals of the 1970s. To those of us who were young back then and who were THERE with Max Boyce, it is unashamedly nostalgic and romantic, a jubilant romp rather than a stroll down memory lane. To those of you unborn back then, it will turn you green with envy. But believe me, this is what it was like. To quote Wordsworth, Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very heaven! Within its 100 or so pages there are profiles of players and fans, of teams and sports media people, of Gren and Grogs and our lovable rugby poet laureate from Glynneath. There is, rightly, a chapter on Grand Slam: the Movie, in itself still a classic caricature. It ends with the authors self-confession to an obsession that began when she was only nine. The above quote from Wordsworth described the poets joy in witnessing the French Revolution of the 1790s. It is just as apt in describing Carolyns reflected joy in witnessing the magical rugby of the Welsh Revelation of the 1970s, perfectly captured in this rip-roaring kaleidoscope of words and images of celebration. Read and rejoice! Lyn Ebenezer It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council

A volume celebrating the golden era of Welsh Rugby in the 1970s, full of entertaining snippets and photographs galore reflecting the success of the Welsh rugby team during a decade which saw players such as Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Phil Bennett, Mervyn Davies, JPR and many more becoming international superstars.