1980 RUGBY WORLD TOUR REUNION
It had been over 40 years since many of us last saw each other , but when we gathered at Foxhills Country Club in November for our Rugby World Tour Reunion , it was like we had entered a time warp . The friendship and camaraderie during our 30,000-mile tour as Sevenoaks School RFC for six weeks in July 1980 had been enduring .
Twenty of the original 26 boys attended the reunion , along with tour organiser and leader , the indefatigable Mike Williams , supported by Malcom Priestley and Ashby Merson-Davies . Despite Mike sadly suffering from the onset of Alzheimer ’ s disease , the spark and smile were still in his eyes , and our love and gratitude for his contribution to us as players and individuals was reflected throughout the day .
The reunion deliberately coincided with the England vs All Blacks International . Our opening match in 1980 against a Fijian U19 side in Suva , in front of 20,000 spectators , was a curtain-raiser to the All Blacks vs Fiji
International . We narrowly lost that match but went on to play in New Zealand , Hong Kong and Oman .
As with many aspects in life , it is only when you look back on experiences you truly realise their impact . The tour was undoubtably a life-affirming experience that left an indelible imprint on us as individuals and as a team . We developed as rugby players and grew as individuals with the responsibility of representing our school and the wider community , and it had a profound impact on how we matured and developed . The following year we enjoyed an unbeaten season culminating in winning the prestigious Rosslyn Park Sevens competition .
We might be 40 years older but judging by the conversations , antics and fun you would have thought we were all still teenagers – well , at least in our minds !
Mike Williams organised a remarkable seven international tours and the school hosted visiting rugby sides from Australia , New Zealand , Canada , Argentina and Brazil .
Mark Doorbar ( OS 1980 )
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