CHILL-OUT SUNDAY THE ELLIS RUGBY WELSH RUGBY GRAND SLAM – RUGBY ANNUAL BOOK PREVIEW

Welsh Rugby Grand Slam. The Rugby Annual for Wales 1976-77 is a rare book. And it was a special Grand Slam edition. Following is the introduction exert from the book, written by the Editor Arwyn Owen.

Welsh Rugby Grand Slam Season

The great Grand Slam season was tinged with sadness when we learned how cruelly Mervyn Davies. The Welsh team captain had been struck down by the effects of a brain haemorrhage while playing for his club. It is fitting however that he should be honoured again as the Rugby Annual for Wales Player of the Year. And be awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his great services to Rugby. Merv the Swerve has ended his career in the game right at the top. Though we would all have been delighted to have seen him as captain of the British Lions in New Zealand in 1977. As, undoubtedly, he would have been.

The outstanding Phil Bennett won the Welsh Rugby Lloyd Lewis Memorial Award

Records tumbled as Wales raced to a record aggregate of 102 championship points. Gareth Edwards and Phil Bennett. Also, J. P. R. Williams and Mervyn Davies were the record breakers. And their exploits are detailed within the pages of this, the eighth edition of the Rugby Annual for Wales. Phil Bennett, of course, retained the Lloyd Lewis Memorial Award. As the outstanding player of the WRU Cup Final, which Llanelli, inevitably, won. For the fourth successive year. What glory awaits the team to topple these Super Scarlets in the Cup!

Pontypridd Winners of the Western Mail Shield Welsh Rugby

Our congratulations also go to Pontypridd. Winners of the Western Mail Shield as the champion club of Wales. Appropriately, this was accomplished in the club’s 100th season. And Bob Penberthy and his team were extremely popular “champs”.

WRU Challenge Cup dispute

The only cloud on the horizon during a truly unforgettable season of Rugby triumph at national and club level. Was the WRU Challenge Cup dispute. Also, with the majority of the major clubs seeking automatic seeding through to the first round proper. We hope this problem will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. And the Cup will go on as one of the most colourful features of Welsh Rugby.

Welsh Rugby Grand Slam winners to host Argentina Rugby Tourists

Last winter we had the Wallabies with us. And they provided some stirring games, notably the 28-all draw with Llanelli. We welcome the Argentinians during 1976-77. In addition we wish Aberavon and Cardiff happy centenary celebrations.

Where to Buy?

The excellent Rugby Replay specialise in vintage rugby literature. Check out their website. Also, we celebrate the Welsh Rugby Grand Slam of 1976 with our Wales Rugby Shirt 1976 Grand Slam.