Portal:1971 Spring Men/Memorable Events
The Diamond Bar, Per Jim Russell: After one Coors Cup Final won by AFA, maybe Fall 1991, all the ruggers retired to a Capitol Hill, Denver dive bar called the Diamond, at 13th and Pearl, a very nasty part of town then; it was sometimes called the Red Diamond, because the neon diamond on the sign was surrounded by red lights. Anyway, it was a bar normally habituated by Native Americans, and they didn’t take too kindly to all these white American ruggers taking over their bar for the afternoon. Beer and drinks were flowing and things got a bit tense, with the Native Americans muttering, “You stole our land.” AFA’s English coach, Tony Mason, stepped right up to them and, in his very proper and very English accent, said, “I know exactly what you mean. They did it to us too.” The Indians paused to figure that one out, Tony bought all beers, and peace was restored. See Here for Tony Mason's recount: Tony Mason memories
UK TRIP: I remember the UK trip and we did win both the after parties. The night before our departure after beating Cranwell we had a great formal dinner We tied our cloth napkins together under the table and then tied the end to the head table and.commenced to pull in unison the head table away from its rather snooty occupants. After dinner we had a great time and showed our host just how carrier landings are done on beer soaked tables. Songs were sung and rugger dances done. I woke up the next morning with a RAF mess dress jacket and a very nice set of RAF wings. I still have those wings today. Memorable trip. (T. Grayson)
Per Tony Mason (later, Air Vice Marshall Mason) "Memories - the elation (and guilty loyalties on beating the team I had coached three years previously) and then disappointment at losing in the last minute to Sandhurst . But, as I dimly recall we won both parties despite being depleted by the mysterious absence from the Cranwell bar of some nameless members who were snared by young ladies from the local Teacher Training College, thoughtfully invited by our Cranwell hosts."
Top Try scorer - Miller (8)
Top Penalty Kicks - Olin (8)
Top Conversions - Grayson (9)
Five players selected to take part in Colorado North South game: MacDougall, Edris, Stanberry and Yaniglos for South; Priddy for North
