Jerry Guscott Invitation Team - Pete Blackett (Bath); Rory Underwood (England); Jerry Guscott (England & Lions); Clive Book (Bath); Ieuan Evans (Wales & Lions); Stuart Barnes (England & Lions); Richard Hill (England); Jeff Probyn (England); Graham Dawe (England); Mark Crane (Bath); Damien Cronin (Scotland & Lions); Martyn Bayfield (England); Andy Robinson (England & Lions); Mike Teague (England); Jon Hall (England); Nick Maslen (Bath); Steve Knight (Bath); John Baker (Avon)

Avon All Stars - Eddie Howells; Paul Rogers; Barry Trevaskis; Martin Watson; Dave Loader; Vince Crooks; Paul Bird; Vince Demiceli; Shaun Reynolds; Kev Dyer; Trevor Howell; Kevin Newton; Simon Manister; Rod Evans; Paul Knight; Mike Mallon; Chris Derrick; Darren Hitchings; Robbie Lye

The arrangements were planned over several months with publicity posters plastered across Bath advertising the “Jerry Guscott Invitation XV versus the Avon All Stars.” The match was being sponsored by the Bath Spa Hotel who provided two special sets of shirts for the occasion and a challenge cup. The day also included two warm up matches between the Under 8s and Under 15s sides from Bath Rugby and from Avon, a Tai Kwan Do exhibition, a marching band, plus a BBQ, hog roast, ice creams and other refreshments, bouncy castle, bar, buffet and a live band. The pitch was lovingly prepared by John Holbrook for months beforehand, a marque was erected outside the clubhouse, programmes were printed, adverts had been placed, and a crowd of several thousand was anticipated.

But, at the last minute, it almost never happened as Avon almost fell foul of the RFU as this Chronicle report describes:

“Avon have been rapped by the Rugby Football Union for failing to get permission for tomorrow’s out-of-season match against a Jerry Guscott international team. The game’s governing body has ordered Avon to mix the two sides together and instructed that the occasion be called an ‘exhibition of rugby’ – as opposed to a match – so as not to infringe rugby’s amateur code.

In a further and separate move, the RFU have also barred 15-year-old Andrew Bailey from making his Avon debut because of the threat of physical injury. Under the laws, rugby matches by or between clubs are forbidden during the period May 1st and August 31st. Special permission may be sought for games outside these boundaries but only if all the proceeds are devoted entirely to an organised charity.

Avon, who are donating only a share of tomorrow’s receipts to the charity CLIC, were denied permission in February to stage the game right after the end of the season. Life Member and ex-Chairman, Steve Bird, said today that Avon believed that verbal consent was later given for the game to go ahead in August – a claim refuted by the RFU who on Thursday threatened to pull the plug on Avon’s clubhouse celebrations altogether. However, the despatching yesterday of coaches Trevor Howell and Robbie Lye to London averted a ban, with the blending of the two teams satisfying the RFU that no ‘club’ team will be taking part.

Said Bird ‘We were very, very low because if the game had been called off, it would have financially crippled us. But Robbie and Trevor had an amicable meeting with RFU Secretary Dudley Wood and now we’ve come up with the ideal solution’. Wood said it is now standard practice for the RFU to refuse permission for any out-of-season game. ‘If we let these games go on, rugby would be played every day of the year and we have an 8-month season already. In the same way, we would never allow a 15-year-old to play with fully grown men. I’m very sorry for the lad but, if he were to get injured, nobody would have a leg to stand on.’

Bird regretted the veto on Culverhay pupil Bailey whose selection contravenes guidelines (but not laws) that players of 16 and under should not play against players of 19 or over. ‘The purpose of playing Andy was to show other youngsters that this is what can happen to a young lad. I’m disappointed for him – it would have been the day of his life’ he said.

Thankfully, the ‘exhibition of rugby’ went ahead on 23rd August 1992 and was a tremendous success, despite the rain which failed to dampen the enthusiasm and performance of the players. Ivor Atkins recorded the day’s events in a series of photos in a special album and one of his photos showing the mixed-up teams after the match hangs proudly in the clubhouse today. As this was classified as an exhibition, no result was allowed but there was a host of tries in a feast of open, running rugby, excellently refereed by Tony Spreadbury who entered into the spirit of the occasion in his inimitable style. All the Avon players revelled in the buzz of the occasion as some of these comments reveal, whilst the rugby superstars were also fulsome in their praise of Avon:

• Player/Secretary Kevin Newton, proud of his successful lineout steal against 6ft 10ins England lock Martin Bayfield, said “It was incredible – a privilege and an education. The first 20 minutes were like a bat out of hell. Normally I’ll stay the pace with anyone but we all struggled to play at that speed.”

• Hooker and captain Shaun Reynolds, who revelled in his personal duel with Bath and England veteran Graham Dawe, was sent equally dizzy: “Even at half pace those international players are very, very quick. None of us are going to play against their like again so it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.”

• No one was more star-struck than Avon newcomer Martin Watson to play with one of his Welsh idols, Ieuan Evans. “Absolutely on cloud nine” was his response after his try – the last of the day – earned the Avon based All Stars the Bath Spa Cup.

• Jerry Guscott joined in the chorus of approval: “When I popped down in the morning, it was clear that the pitch was as good as any first division club. I have come to expect this from Avon because their whole set up here is first class. Even the internationals said the pitch was in great condition and commented on the set up.”

• Northampton lock Martin Bayfield was delighted to be part of Avon’s celebrations, saying “It’s great to support any club that is looking to progress. I enjoyed testing out my early season fitness and also playing for the first time under the new laws.”

As well as commemorating the magnificent achievement in extending the clubhouse, building new changing rooms, showers, referees’ quarters, installing new floodlights, refurbishing the lounge and upgrading the bar and kitchen, the event also gave Avon’s finances a much-needed boost with a profit of around £3,000 from the day. It also raised the Club’s profile in the local community and there was a sense of anticipation that this could augur well for a successful season on the pitch to match the off-field facilities.