Reunion Dinner FOR THE 1ST XVS OF 1974-80 Saturday 3 October 2026 The Old School Room
Attendees
Graeme Alexander Robert Ambrose Mickel Bak Rupert Barrett Rory Bruce Justin Cobb David Dally Jenny Dally Jenny Davis Guy Deacon Ian Elliott Sheila Elliott Simon Ellyatt Justin Fish Rupert Garrett Tim Haley Bill Hamilton John Harden Simon Heard Jonathan Herring Nicholas Hewett Mercedes Emberger Guy Hockley
a 77 d 77 h 78 a 76 h 78 a 75 a 78
a 80
b 77 h 77 a 79 f 75 h 75 OSS Secretary Headmaster a 77 g 80 f 78
Nick Isaac Georgina Isaac Phil Jones Jane Jones James Kemp Brian Kenny Rob Kitson Anne Macfarlane Paul Madley Peter Marshall Lisa Marshall Richard Miller Christopher Samler Ziggy Samler Andrew Short Andrew Spink Andrew Stock Mike Taylor Peter Taylor Tom Taylor Mark Tomson Richard Waterfield
a 78
c 81 d 78 g 82 Alumni Officer a 77 h 75 f 80 a 75 a 77 a 80 b 78 f 78 f 81 Director of Sport h 79 d 74
SHERBORNE BOYS
Menu CONFIT CHICKEN TERRINE with a fennel and dill salad served with sourdough
TOMATO STUFFED WITH BUFFALO MOZZARELLA with a balsamic and pesto drizzle served with toasted sourdough v PAN ROASTED FILET OF SIRLOIN WITH BORDELAISE SAUCE Hasselback potato and sautéed asparagus CHARRED TERIYAKI OYSTER MUSHROOM SKEWER v served on a bed of rice with sautéed asparagus and spinach
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING with salted caramel sauce served with vanilla bean ice cream
Speeches PHIL JONES
ANDREW SHORT
MIKE TAYLOR
Captain 1977
Captain 1978
Foreword FROM PHIL JONES
Boys….year after year you allowed your community to share the excitement of anticipation, the exhilaration of execution and pride at the final whistle. Not many groups of young men can claim that, and for so long. I suspect Mike would agree with my adamant belief that you gave far more to us than we ever did to you. Thank you.
SHERBORNE BOYS
Memories FROM MILES HOCKLEY (F 74)
Great times and maybe pictures are better than words. Am looking forward to the 3rd. I’ll be on the coffee not beers though at that time of the morning on a Sunday!
SHERBORNE BOYS
The 1975 1st XV
FROM CHARLES CUTHBERT (B 75)
Travelling to sevens tournaments with Phil driving the minibus was often "interesting". We seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time going up and down the A303 which, in those days, was still single lane in each direction, with an additional "suicide" lane down the middle for overtaking. As I suffered from car sickness, I would often sit in the front row and be regaled with Phil's running commentary on whether the fully loaded minibus had sufficient speed and space to overtake the car in front. If it looked tight, he'd announce that there was a "HD" (for Hard Decision) coming up. With his deft hands on the steering wheel and gear stick and twinkling footwork we always made it through and, after a couple of years of white knuckles and closed eyes, I almost got used to it.
FROM GRAEME ALEXANDER (A 77)
I remember vividly walking to The Upper with some of the School House members of the 1975 XV, for a match against Millfield. Justin (Cobb) had his usual long raincoat on over bare legs; Boris (Samler) was wearing his desert boots (or what Peter Boissier used to call “Brothel Creepers”) probably without laces, pale top and dark trousers; and Pete (Lane) had equally mixed attire. When we arrived at The Upper, the Millfield team were getting off their bus. They were all wearing matching tracksuit tops and bottoms with their Millfield on the back. I had only ever seen that at an Olympic Games before so I was pretty surprised. The good news was that Sherborne won the match (obviously!) and it taught me a good lesson of knowing that Style cannot better Substance. We may not have looked like an elite outfit en route to the match, but as soon as the white line was crossed, it was a different story! Sherborne – Understated - which is what distinguishes us from others in so many ways !! Phil determinedly driving us up in a minibus along the M5/M4 and over the Bridge to our half term fixtures with Llandovery and Christ's College Brecon - a proud Welshman but he still wanted us to win on our first trip to his motherland..... one match won, one match lost-honours even but we were all disappointed as the loss was our first loss of the season. I still have a match list of the team to play against Taunton away from 1976. It is in Tim Edwards’ handwriting and shows - Touch Judge (Reserve) at the bottom. This was him clearly making mischief at my expense, as he knew the flag was my limit, and that me having playing would have not been good for anyone.
SHERBORNE BOYS
Chris Samler v Blundells
FROM
FROM
SIMON SMALL (B 78)
JONATHAN KITTOW (D 79)
I think what I remember most fondly is the sense of being part of something special, the camaraderie, the fun and the joint effort with a group of people who had a unified sense of purpose. That special “something” did not just emerge - it was created; and the architects of its creation were Mike Davis and Phil Jones. They created the atmosphere and the environment that allowed those of us that were lucky enough to be involved with the team to flourish and play some decent rugby. There are many memories that I could mention – the “Mike Taylor Kick” (those who know – know!) for example but I would like to mention two others that I remember particularly. The first is Phil Jones saying at the beginning of a new season “the King is Dead, Long Live the King!”. It was pithy and it was wise – and curiously liberating! The second is a training session where Mike Davis was drilling the “Steam Pigs” and trying to
get them to ruck more aggressively. Those of us in the “Airy Fairies” watched with some horror as Mike lay on the ground and told the pack to run over him. Given that the pack were wearing their studded boots they rather gingerly ran over him – almost tip toeing their way past. Mike was having none of that! He jumped up and told the pack to do it again – and he wanted to “feel those studs”! (this is also one of Bruce William’s abiding memories). I am sorry that I cannot be with everyone for the dinner (New Zealand is a long way away!) but a huge thank you to Mike and Phil – and to my teammates for giving me such special memories. Mike will no doubt be looking down on the dinner from on high and I hope that someone will shake Phil’s hand on my behalf. It was a genuine privilege to be involved with such a great group of people.
One of my favourites was a saying we coined for Alex James (hooker)…which is now horribly dated but made us laugh at the time….” Only Alex strikes faster than British Leyland” Mike Davis’ calm authority, poignant observations and constructive criticism, with humour, never sarcasm, will be a lasting memory, as Phil and Mike built an incredible team spirit and ‘all for one and one for all” mentality that has seldom been experienced since, in my experience…a true legacy…but maybe I peaked too soon?!!
SHERBORNE BOYS
Invitational Team v Dorset and Wilts 1975
FROM MARK TOMSON (H 79)
Certainly the best memory I had was the midweek game against Christ College Brecon — away. When we arrived, I remember seeing all these 12-13 yr olds spin passing rugby balls — It was a religion there!! We kind of knew if we won that won, we should be unbeaten as we only had Radley and Canford left (If I remember correctly). As it was mid week - Mike Davis was able to attend (he missed most of the Saturday games due to international work).
Phil was running up and down the touch line getting animated and Mike was just there with his dictaphone just making comments. The lead changed 5 times We were 12-10 down with 10 minutes to go and were awarded a penalty. Cool as always Mike Taylor slotted it home and the last 10 minutes were frantic — defending for our lives. Their team was full of lads with Welsh caps and included Rob Ackerman who went on to play for the Lions.
CARMEN SAECULARE Olim fuit monachorum Schola nostra sedes; Puer regius illorum Fecit nos heredes; Hoc in posteros amoris Grande dedit signum; Sonet ergo Fundatoris Nomen laude dignum; Vivat Rex Eduardus Sextus! Vivat!