The final day of a fantastic tour, accompanying St Davids College, Llandudno on their groundbreaking visit to Georgia.
The final day of our fascinating tour was upon us and just one more game for the young St Davids College team, to be played at the Shevardani Rugby Base which had been our home for the past six days.
What a glorious morning and whilst the St Davids team had a gentle run out on the 4G pitch I took the opportunity to observe the Georgian National squad being put through their paces by Milton Haig and Brad Harris on the adjoining pitch. Must at this point say another big thank you to these coaches for allowing us to just roll up and engage them in chat whilst their attention should have been on their charges. Can’t thank them enough.
A light lunch followed (just the four courses) before it was time to prepare for the challenge of Khvlami Academy. Pre-match the press and media were out in force and Dan Lycett, Head of PE and Harri Mostyn-Jones, team captain, both gave sterling performances in their numerous interviews.
With the crowd building and the tension rising, the next visitors were the Georgian Minister for Sport and the President of the Georgian Rugby Union, both of whom met the teams prior to kick off, evidence of the importance that Georgia were placing on this first tour to their country by a UK College/School.
The teams came out to a tremendous cheer and it was obvious straight away that the Georgian boys were far bigger than the young Gogs. Although St Davids tackled like demons it was the hosts who ran in a couple of tries in the first half.
Undeterred, the St David’s boys were determined to finish this tour with a flourish and when man of the match and team captain, Harri Mostyn-Jones, crossed for a try the whole stadium erupted. In fact, I’m pretty sure I saw the Minister for Sport and the President of Georgian RU giving themselves a high five. With a new zest, St Davids upped the pace and were rewarded with their second try which was again cheered to the rafters.
The Georgian boys decided things were getting a bit close, stuck the ball up their jumpers again and their forwards touched down for a couple more tries to thwart any hint of a comeback.
Despite two defeats against very good Georgian sides, the boys of St Davids can hold their heads up after their never-say-die performances which impressed everybody who saw the games and they were given a standing ovation when the referee blew the final whistle.
After the presentations and team pictures, it was sadly time to say goodbye to some of those who had gone out of their way to make this such an enjoyable tour, way beyond what I suspect any of us expected. We talk a lot about the #RugbyFamily – well mine has grown considerably in the last week and now has a Georgian contingent!
And so, the final item on the itinerary, the Gala Dinner. Fair play, the boys scrub up pretty well when they want to. Not sure how many of the ties Mr Lycett had to put on for them but they certainly looked the part.
A lovely trip on the bus followed to the restaurant which was high above Tiblisi and gave some great views of the city. Another sumptuous meal in great company which culminated in the awards presentation and the swapping of gifts. The whole party were presented with presents from our Georgian hosts, something that I, and am certain everybody else, will greatly treasure.
To finish the evening, the boys gave another rendition of ‘Bread of Heaven’ which drew great applause from all the locals who were probably out for a quiet night!
A bit of a hair-raising journey back down the mountain on the way back to base. Thought I’d sit in the front seat next to the driver and take a few pictures of this lovely city as we descended. Suddenly saw the driver ‘crossing’ himself five times every time we passed a church and there were a lot of them… so, we’re going around hairpin bends, big drop to the left of us, the driver crossing himself every couple of minutes and driving one handed! Must admit I was doing more ‘crossing’ than the driver when we finally reached base.
Time for a couple of hours ‘shut-eye’ before leaving at 2.30am for the airport. This was time for the final goodbye to some of our hosts and new-found friends who had hung around to see us off. With hindsight I should have rung the wife and asked if it was OK to invite them all to stay with us in November when Georgia come to play Wales but, you know what it’s like, emotion gets the better of you sometimes...
Bleary eyed bunch when we arrived at Manchester and time for me to leave the group. A group who, I must say, were exceptionally well behaved and a credit to the College and Wales. Thanks to them all for putting up with me snapping away when I’m sure on occasions they’d have preferred some space.
Others who may follow the road to Georgia have a tough act to follow. St Davids have set the standard.
To the three teachers who accompanied the team, they have my complete admiration. The rapport between them and the boys was a joy to witness and they were fantastic company.
Anthony Lynn, like myself a ‘guest’ on this tour and a regular visitor to Georgia, helped make this trip special with his meticulous attention to detail, inside knowledge of the country and his friendship with the hosts and a big vote of thanks go to 'Ant'.
Finally (is that cheering I hear), to the people of Georgia, our hosts who made our trip special and the Georgian Rugby Union, a massive thank you and may you go from strength to strength. I want you in the Six Nations because, as that famous fella once said – ‘I’ll be back!’
Thank you St Davids College and Thank You Georgia.
To view a picture album from the final game, please click here
To view a picture album from the Presentation Dinner please click here
If you missed the earlier blogs, please read on:
Midnight plane to Georgia - blog number one with Llandudno's St Davids College
A long time getting here to Tbilisi but a cracking, action-packed rugby weekend awaits. Please follow the daily blogs.
Wow, Friday morning as I tap this out, sun beating through the window here in Tbilisi and I can't believe that we've only been gone a day. Mind you, it was a 5am start for me from Welshpool on Thursday and 5am Friday arriving here at the Fabrika Hostel in the capital.
Meeting the team at Manchester airport went OK, however five minutes after meeting up with a 24-strong party, I lost them! The boys must have been thinking that Mr Lycett had taken me with them as part of a 'care in the community' project.
The plane ride was a great satisfaction to me, my 2017 diet had paid off, I could actually get the tray table down to where it's supposed to be when the meals were served and not have it on an angle with everything sliding off and even more satisfying, I could get the St Davids College hoodie on which I was kindly provided with (probably so that I wouldn't get lost again!).
First stop Munich and an eight hour wait before our connecting flight to Georgia. What can you do with a group like this for that amount of time you may well wonder. Easy really, you jump on a bus to the nearest town from the airport, Friesing, find a public park and have a game of rugby (after all, that's why we're here).
Not sure what some of the young German ladies on the bus thought of being serenaded by a group of North Walians in full song but it was all taken in good humour. Yet again, the myth that all Welshmen are fantastic singers was dispelled...
The German sunshine had those of us with the fairer skin wishing we could get hold of our Factor 50 which was stashed away in our suitcases somewhere in Munich airport.
Our stay in Munich was ended with that great German dish, a lamb kebab, in the airport before our four hour flight to the Georgian capital.
From the bus window at night I must say that Tblisi looked spectacular with majestic castles and monuments lit up and I can't wait for our sightseeing tour later today (Friday).
I got a bit worried when I found out that we were stopping in a hostel on the first night, having never done this sort of thing before (what a snob I hear you shout!). Very pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn't just a hostel, this was a boutique hostel and the best in the city. Nothing but the best for this travelling band of merry Gogs.
Friday morning up like a lark, sun shining, showered, covered in Johnson's baby powder and breakfast on the horizon before a guided tour of the city. Not a bad way to spend a few days off work.
Must say that the boys have been very courteous to me considering I'm a total stranger in their midst snapping away with the camera at their every move.
Appears that we have Denver Rugby Club staying here as well. Spotted the tour shirts at breakfast and had a very pleasant chat with a few of the team. Their team looked a bit more refreshed than some of the St Davids boys who have just arrived for brekkie.
Today (Friday) looks like being a leisurely day with sightseeing and an early night. We have an 11am kick-off tomorrow (Saturday) and then off to see a European Challenge game between a Russian side and a Romanian side, which everybody's getting a bit excited about. Seems that the officials for this game are all Irish and I managed to have a chat with the World Rugby observer (also Irish) at the airport last night and hopefully going to meet him again at the stadium. The TMO is Welsh so, fingers crossed, I'm going to get to see inside the TMO office/caravan or wherever they put the TMO over here in this part of the world.
Enough for me for today, onwards and upwards. Factor 50 at the ready, camera in hand and ready to have a look at this historic city.
Bye for now.
To view a photo album from day one please click here
Oh Tbilisi you wonderful city - day 2 of the St Davids tour to Georgia
A fantastic day in Tbilisi and suntans for all! Part 2 of the Oval Zone blog.
To view an album of 96 pictures from Day 2 please click here
What a fantastic Friday and a big thanks to Giogi, our guide, who gave us some fascinating details about Tblisis and its history. Our group certainly drew a few stares as we snaked around the main thoroughfares and back alleys of this lovely city.
The fella in the currency exchange booth must have thought he'd won the lottery when he saw the queue in front of him all bearing Sterling, Euros and American Dollars to exchange for the Georgian Lari, which incidentally I still haven't spent any of.
We had our first training session of the day walking up to the top of the hill overlooking the city and were rewarded with some excellent photo opportunities (hope you like them).
Tblisi is a city which is the middle of change, lots of new build amongst buildings which quite literally were being propped up to prevent them collapsing. I get the feeling that if we came back to this city in about ten years time there would be vast differences as new buildings continue to replace old.
One thing you do notice is, I guess much like most of the world, that there are a lot of 'haves' and 'have nots', either you have a top of the range Merc or a vehicle which certainly wouldn't pass an MOT back home so not sure how they manage over here. Also loads of people setting up refreshment stalls from their back of their cars. It all added up to a capitvating heady mixture of old and new which was truly fascinating.
Yet again the boys didn't let us down and when appropriate, engaged with the locals, many of whom gave nods and smiles when they heard that we were over to play rugby.
Lunch was an experience in itself - a fantastic restaurant reserved just for us and joined by David from the Georgian RU, Zura the Rhino Rugby Director in Georgia as well as coach of the Georgian Academy and his wife Pam, Director of the English Language Schools in Tblisi. Wonderful company and all rugby-mad!
The food was something else. Just when you thought you'd finished, out popped another course and, being a bunch of growing young men (not me, the rest of the party), all was received and partaken of, with relish. Bit of a worry as we tried to lift ourselves off our seats was that our evening meal was only a few short hours away. Bang goes the diet for today...
The excitement was mounting as we got back on to our bus for the short drive to our home for the the next five nights - the Shevardani Rugby base. After a great welcome and being shown to our accommodation (thankfully for the other adults in our group we had a room each so no problem in me tapping away in the wee small hours of the morning).
To top it all, there was a game on one of the pitches and, with it being a youth game between Armazi and Khvamli, a chance for our boys to see what sort of standard the rugby is that they might have to face. Pretty alarming to be honest looking at the size of these Georgian boys but the young Gogs didn't seem particularly bothered and looked to be relishing the challenge.
After tea, a team talk and the chance to outline the itinerary for the next couple of days and then all sent to bed for an early night... some chance!
Another superb day on this groundbreaking tour and can't wait until tomorrow!
'Size does matter' - match day blog from the St Davids College tour to Georgia
Worryingly these Georgian youngsters are very skilful as well as being big...
Saturday morning and it's game day for the young men from St Davids College with the East Division of the Georgian Rugby Academy as their opponents. Didn't see many jitters from the boys though as they tucked in to a healthy breakfast.
With a bit of forward planning, the management had decided that the boys needed to have something a bit 'Welsh' in reserve in case of being given a 'challenge' by their hosts, thus it was decided that a blast of 'Bread of Heaven' would be appropriate so, what better way to trial this than on the steps of Shevardani as we headed to the coach. Fair play, considering there was a teeny weeny bit of reluctance amongst the boys, they did really well and you can have a listen by clicking here.
A nice touch by some Georgian players who were also at the base was when they clapped our boys on to the bus ready for our journey to Martkopi Rugby Ground, about forty minutes from the centre of Tblisi. And what a ground this is, you turn up to what appears to be a small village and they have this magnificent looking stadium with fantastic facilities. We found out that we were playing on the 4G pitch next to the main pitch. It's amazing to see the facilities in this country for rugby, no wonder they're advancing so rapidly on the world stage.
And so to the match, incidentally watched by a good crowd in pretty cold and miserable conditions, some even wearing Welsh shirts and daffodil hats.
In case you ever wondered about the question 'does size matter?', I can tell you that it does as the Georgian team were huge in comparison to our boys. Worryingly, they're also very skilful!
St Davids battled manfully and never gave up for the whole eighty minutes but the constant tackling took its toll as the hosts ran out comfortable winners. Nevertheless, this was a fantastic experience for the team and they were applauded at the end by a very appreciative home crowd.
Back on to the bus with a packed lunch and a drive to Rustavi to watch a European Challenge Cup game between Krasni Yar and Timsoara Saracens, a Russian and Romanian team. This was a Russian home game but because it was -30 degrees at their ground they switched it to Georgia. Good move I reckon as the sun had come through for a glorious afternoon.
Smartly decked out in their St Davids gear, the boys attracted quite a bit of attention at this game and I imagine that pictures are winging their way around the world as I tap this out.
One thing that I have noticed is that in three of games I've watched already on this tour is that we have had one female referee and three female assistants so obviously girls are definitely being pushed to take up the whistle over here at a relatively young age.
Back to the bus again after a fantastic afternoon out and time for the boys (they never stop!) to have a bit of touch rugby before dinner.
After dinner, the match debrief. Quite rightly the staff told these boys what a tremendous performance they had put up against a very powerful and strong Georgian Academy side and, even after defeat, the boys can't wait to get out on the field again for the next game.
As an 'observer' on the rugby tour with the College, I must say that I am so impressed by the amount of detail that those staff members on tour have put in to ensure that this is one fantastic experience for all.
For myself, visiting Georgia has been an eye-opener. Firstly, these people are so friendly and can't do enough to help you. Then the rugby, pleased be assured this is a rugby-mad country and I expect them to continue this rise on the world stage. The facilities are fantastic and if you're looking for a new country to take your team on tour I'd certainly point you in this direction.
OK, as you drive around, there are some areas that look pretty depressing but this is a country which is changing. It is fascinating to be driving along a state-of-the-art new motorway and suddenly find yourself going over a ramp on to a single-track uneven road with farmers selling sheep on the side of it. Some of the boys said it was a bit like home!
There is a lot of history attached to this country and I'm pretty sure that I speak for all on this tour in saying that we can't wait to see more.
Tomorrow I think is Sunday and it's a trip to the Ethnographic Museum before lunch and then off to watch a Georgian Didi 10 match. This tour gets better by the minute!
To view photo albums from the match day please click on the following links:
Match day pics by Gary Williams
Georgia Academy v St Davids College by Gogita, GRU photographer
'Rainy Day in Georgia' - Day 4 (Sunday) blog on tour in Georgia with St Davids College
Another great day in what has quickly become my second favourite country....
To view a picture album from Day 4 (Sunday) please click here
Sunday morning up like a lark and some weather to remind us of home, it's raining...
But undeterred, after breakfast we were off to the Ethnographic Museum in Tblisi, the Georgian equivalent to our St Fagans I'd describe it as.
Ably led by our fantastic guide who, I must say, just oozes Georgian pride and why not, the group were led around the outdoor museum and given a fascinating insight in what life was like in Georgia hundreds of years ago. You might think that it would be hard for a guide to keep the attention of a group of 25 but this was so engrossing that the boys hung on to his every word.
It was a shame about the rain, but as most of us on the tour are Welsh, it was just brushed aside as a usual inconvenience.
Unfortunately, time prevented us giving this museum the day-long visit it needed but all left with a lot more knowledge about Georgia and its customs.
Lunch followed in a glorious restaurant overlooking Tblisi and now, with a little bit of knowledge of how the menu works in Georgia, we didn't eat up everything that was laid out on the tables in a feeding frenzy, but waited for the inevitable further five or six courses. What do many courses make, big props of course!
It's a rugby tour so our Sunday afternoon treat was to be a trip to Gori to watch a Didi 10 (Super 10) game, between leaders Gori and Lelo Saracens.
Gori's about an hours drive from Tblisi so it gave us some time for a snooze after a five or six course lunch, well certainly the older ones amongst us...
What a surprise! Another super stadium with a 4G pitch alongside the grass pitch. I might be sounding like a broken record, but you would be amazed at the facilities. Apparently, and this might need confirming, there is a billionaire who lives in Tblisi who has funded at least ten of the stadiums (and adjoining 4G pitches) so that rugby in Georgia can move up the ladder and get close to the top of the world game.
There was a crowd of perhaps 300-400 at this game but the noise from these fanatics was amazing with flags waving which created a real 'cup tie' atmosphere. Gogita (fingers crossed that I'm spelling his name right), the Georgian RU photographer, was there and gave me the thumbs up, well I think it was his thumb...
The game was just as we thought it would be, twenty-plus stone missiles called rugby players, launching themselves in to their opposite numbers with an evil smile on their face. Welcome to Georgian rugby! But, as mentioned in an earlier blog from this tour, there is now finesse as well as brawn and this is what makes Georgia such a threat. Take them lightly at your peril...
You can hear the bone-crunching tackles quite clearly from the stand, but when Gogita invited me down to step inside the cage at half-time and get right close to the action, some of the hits were pretty frightening. The cage... one thing we have noticed is that all these new stadia have a wire fence around them and only the players, referee and assistants and perhaps a TV camera man at either end of the ground, plus one photographer are allowed inside. The subs and coaches etc have to sit outside the 'cage' and are only allowed on when there's an injury or substitution etc.
So, to have the official invite from Gogita and Dave, a representative of the GRU who has been absolutely superb, like everybody else we've met, to step inside the cage to take some pictures was a great honour for me. However, it does have it's downside... to be looking through the lens at these man mountains coming right towards you at great speed can be pretty frightening. On at least two occasions I was tempted to drop the camera and make a run for it as they were getting a bit close!
Gori narrowly won a pulsating game and to be up close to the celebrations was fascinating. Some of those hugs and back slapping would have most of us mere mortals flat on our back writhing in pain. One tradition I did notice, and I suspect there's one or two referees back home (you know who you are) who would like this, is that the players kissed the referee at the end of the match.
Just when we thought our day couldn't get any better we were informed that we were going to meet the President of the Georgian Rugby Union and also the Mayor of Gori and have pictures taken with them on the pitch. Two very passionate speakers and I only wish I'd recorded fully what they said.
The President of the GRU explained how Georgian rugby was progressing and stressed that it was tours like this that St Davids College are on, that would assist Georgian rugby and he thanked the College for being the first to tour his country.
The Mayor, whilst also thanking us for watching the game and coming over to play rugby in his country, brought home the struggle that Georgia has had in recent years when he pointed at the hills in the distance and reminded us all that Russian soldiers were still camped there since the 2008 invasion. This, and further local history, that the Mayor told us, confirmed to us all what a proud, passionate people the Georgians are. This was a speech from the heart and we were all moved by what we heard.
After the usual bear hugs it was time to head back to our home at the Shevardani rugby base and reflect on what had a fantastic day with fantastic people.
Thank you Georgia once again.
'Show us how it's done Milt' - Day 5 (Monday) of the St Davids College tour to Georgia
Another fantastic rugby day as the young men from North Wales are put through their paces by Georgian National coach.
Monday morning and supposedly a fairly quiet day ahead in comparison to the jam-packed first few days of this tour. Heard that one before!
A great honour for the boys scheduled this morning as they are going to be taken on a coaching session by Milton Haig, Georgian Head Coach and Brad Harris, Georgian forwards coach. Not too much of a language problem as one is from New Zealand and one from Australia.
Milton and Brad (note the first name terms) were magnificent with the boys who I am sure must have come away from the session both elated and tired (the boys I mean). A big thanks to the Georgian Rugby Union for sanctioning this, it really was a special treat.
You can view pictures from this session by clicking here.
After the training session, it was a quick change and a drive to the Rheas Café, which is a social café which helps, and has working for them, disabled people with a great connection to rugby. It was also to be here that we met the UK Ambassador in Georgia, Mr Justin McKenzies Smith. Monday was certainly turning in to a day of meeting the Tblisi famous!
As we found every day on this tour, the welcome and hospitality was superb and once lunch was partaken of, it was time for some welcomes and speeches.
I tell you now, the lady in charge of the Rheas gave such a powerful welcoming speech that you would have to be very hard not to have had a tear in your eye. She emphasised what rugby was doing for Georgia and how touring teams like ours would benefit the country greatly before telling us the reason why Rheas Café is in existence, to help the disabled in the city.
I felt a bit for Justin (might as well carry on the first name terms), the Ambassador, who had to follow that welcome. However, he rose to the challenge perfectly and was a joy to listen to, explaining some of the Georgian history and why Britain and Georgia have such a strong bond. It was great to see him chatting to the boys and answering all their questions.
You can view a picture album from the Rheas visit by clicking here
And a special treat for us adults, a bottle of red wine to bring home, specially prepared for the tour with a St Davids College label. I'd like to say it will remain intact in my house when I get back for ever, but you know what it's like...
This past couple of hours was one of the occasions which pull on your heartstrings, listening to the magnificent work that is being done at Rheas and I urge you all, if you make the trip to Tblisi, please make this one of your stopping off points.
After giving the Ambassador and all the staff at Rheas some bear hugs as we parted (not sure if that's the correct etiquette for saying goodbye to an ambassador but what the heck) it was time to head to the Georgian rugby shop and snap up a few bargains before heading back to base at Shevardani for a bit of free time before dinner.
There was a great cultural evening lined up as some of the local teenagers joined our party for a quiz evening and a get-together. It was a joy to behold watching them all mingle and I'm sure that at the end of the evening, all would have known much more about the other's country.
And here we now find ourselves, just one more day to go and another big game.
There are no events to show yet.