Image by eymon
Some time between toast and poached eggs, we learned that our hotel proprietor, Dave Davies, is an ex-rugby player. And not just some "I play on weekends with the chaps" variety. A genunie, bonafide rugby player who, as he himself claims, would be a millionaire if he had been playing today.
But he wasn't. Instead, he represented the London Welsh Rugby Club in the 1970s, back when they were still decent. More than decent, actually. One of the top teams, that had developed an innovative new play strategy. So how does a team innovate? In Britain it seems to revolve around alcohol.
You see, back in the days when everyone simply kicked the ball (and for those of you who aren't up on rugby rules, don't worry - neither are we), the captain challenged his teammates to run the ball in. Whoever failed to do so would be buying pints for the rest of the team. Pints costing what they did, and rugby players drinking as they did, this was quite a costly proposition. As no one wanted to be left footing the bill, the team pulled together, running the ball. Which proved quite successful.
And thus, a team strategy was born. The London Welsh went on to some quite successful seasons. Back when they were decent. In the good old days.
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