NBFC(RU) TOUR OF CZECH REPUBLIC 2002

Despite the late arrival of the itinery notes (unofficially ":Proceed to Stanstead and await instructions") we got off on time and with everyone present. We were met at Prague airport by our tour agent (John the Spy) who launched into rapid welsh speak about the difficulties of getting accomodation due to overbooking etc. etc. and how he had overcome them. This amounted to mattresses on the floor, and windowsills, I am told. Colin Richardson had booked a single room - he slept in the kitchen!!

Noisy games and steady drinking commenced forth-with and it was not long before the police threw the revellers out. (" They just don't understand"). Re-entry to the hotel, at intervals, was achieved by hammering on the door. Nobody had explained the purpose of the bell push.

The following day(s) brought some sightseeing (and some sorry sights). Colin had his wallet stolen, security chain included, which put a damper on the day. However, the game against Prague Dragons went ahead with a comfortable win for New Brighton which, considering the rivers of ale that had been drunk , was remarkable. Lol Connor was awesome. " how does he do it?" was on everyones lips. Also prominent was Phil Buckley at openside who was everywhere with great running. Fortunately for us the second half was curtailed because the referee tweaked his achile's tendon, so the shirts were packed away and the festivities recommenced.

That night, I think, Rhys was reported to be full of complaints about being left lying on the ground. This was denied as he was laid out on the floor outside his room allegedly, while a search for his key ensued. (It was later found stuck in his door)

The coach trip to Brno was pleasantly uneventful apart from the coach driver slamming my head in the luggage compartment. In Brno, after a communal meal, various groups wandered around the town doing their own (usual) thing. In the case of messrs Emrys, Marko and Bucks this meant all night (again!!) and it was interesting to study them as they came in off the street at 8 a.m. Emrys was completely wrecked and slumped over the breakfast table. He was eventually lead away by Bucks who showed absolutely no sign whatsoever of having a single drink and Marko, perhaps a shade more deliberate in his walk, was, never the less, seen to pass along the breakfast bar four times.

Next day we played the locals. Unfortunately, the dirty sweaty jerseys had been festering in the holdall since the previous game. One or two of the more fastidious players waved their jerseys in the fresh air a time or two and New Brighton once more played an exhibition match. (in both senses of the word). Lol Connor was the leading try scorer, Bretty kicked like a dream and Phil Buckley again caught the eye. In fact everybody had a good game (surprisingly).

Next day, back to Prague again where demands for better accomodation had been met.("We want legs on the beds.") and some players opted for an early night. (Bucks turned in at 8.30 p.m.)

At one stage, I am not exactly sure when, Emrys stole a monkey from a night club. Lol can tell you more about it. Next day Bucks was loudly regreting his early night , claiming that he felt like SH**E and would have been better carrying on as usual.

Saturday saw the usual " Dinner and Drinks", the main contingent returning at 3.00 a.m. approx. Someone, Emrys I think, found out that the Lewis/Tyson fight was on at 5.00 a.m. " So it was hardly worth going to bed, was it?" Co-incidently, someones burglar alarm was ringing denying the early to bed lot their sleep, but the loudest complaints came from the boxing fans -"How do you expect us to sleep through that ******* noise?"

And so back to Stanstead and the coach home, which nearly crashed due to a brake failure.

All in all a pretty standard tour and the amazing Blues are still undefeated in Europe!!

See you next year, Bob Bishop.