A match I'll never forget

By Graeme Bowers
July 15 2007

This article was first written for John Everton’s excellent “A Match I’ll Never Forget” section in the Sale Sharks programme for the Saracens game in September 2004. Whilst I am sure we shall see more detailed reviews of Jason’s illustrious career, I considered it worthwhile resurrecting this article. Thank you Jason for all the exciting moments over the past 7 years.

A MATCH I'LL NEVER FORGET

 

When I was asked to write about a game I'll never forget, I thought to myself, "I don't remember whole games, I only remember outstanding moments from games."

 

The types of incident I remember are that Wilkinson drop goal (where were you at the time?) and the Gareth Edwards try for the Barbarians in 1973. More recent and closer to home memories include the Chris Jones try for Sale against Leicester when he left Austin Healey for dead.

 

Of course, not all the memories are happy ones. I recall the nearly man of Sale (boo, hiss!!), Jannie De Beer, kicking England out of the World Cup with his drop goals for South Africa.

 

On a lighter note, I remember Erica Roe at Twickenham in 1982. I also remember Steve Smith's alleged comments at the time. It was reported that Steve turned to Bill Beaumont and said, "Hey Bill, some girl has run onto the pitch with your backside strapped to her chest".

 

Anyway, in the end I opted for a more recent game as a "match I'll never forget". There were a couple of reasons for this, not least was the fact that, as it was recent, I could remember most of it!! Also it featured our very own Billy Whizz, and was probably the game that brought his skills to the attention of the World at large.

 

Guessed it?  I am talking about the first Lions Test against Australia in 2001.

 

The tour was reported to be not the happiest there has ever been. There was the usual anti-British hype from the Australian camp and press. The Lions didn't help themselves with articles being ghosted by players including Matt Dawson and Austin Healey, not helping team spirit and firing up the Aussies.

 

In one of the warm-up matches against the NSW Waratahs there was the infamous incident where Duncan Macrae was sent off for his horrible and totally unjustified attack on Ronan O'Gara.

 

Anyway, onto the match. It was played at The Gabba in Brisbane, more famous as a cricket ground than a rugby ground. Indeed, on winning the toss, Martin Johnson said "We'll bat".

 

Three minutes into the game, our very own Jason Robinson  got the ball with little or no space to work in. Chris Latham, the Australian full back, showed him the outside very close to the touch line. Jason said thank you very much and went round him to score. What a way to start your first Lions Test and introduce yourself to the World stage.

 

With 30 minutes gone, the score was 5-3 to the Lions. Brian O'Driscoll worked his magic and who was on his shoulder but Billy!!. Jason accepted the pass, made ground and delivered the perfect pass to Daffyd James (I think) to score in the corner. Jonny Wilkinson converted to make the score 12-3, at which it remained until half-time.

 

Early in the second half, O'Driscoll worked his magic again. Wilkinson converted and the score was 19-3. After a Wilkinson penalty, Scott Quinnell went over for another try after good work by Rob Henderson. Wilkinson again converted and the score was 29-3 after 60 minutes.But the Australians never give up and launched a fight back. Walker scored a try for them after 65 minutes and Nathan Gray scored after 70 minutes to make the score 29-13.

 

This was the final score in a match I shall always remember as Billy's game. He seemed to revel in the intensity and emotion of playing in front of such a large crowd. What a credit he is to his country and to Sale Sharks.

 

Unfortunately, not least due to a terrible injury list, the Lions could not maintain their momentum. They lost the second Test at Melbourne's Colonial Stadium 35-14 with Jonny Wilkinson being carried off. They then lost a very close, very intense third Test at Sydney 29-23 to lose the series 2-1.

 

They did us proud, but to me the highlight was Jason blasting over for a try after only three minutes of his very first Test match. May there be many more.   

 

GRAEME BOWERS

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