To acknowledge and thank the nine centurions for their contribution to Thanmes Valley Rugby

On September 18th, 1962, Thames Valley defeated the touring Australian rugby team 16 – 14. This has gone down as the greatest game in Thames Valley’s history. In the 6th minute of the match, winger J Mita had to retire with a broken collarbone. No reserves were allowed in those days, so Thames Valley played 74 minutes with 14 men. They were down 14-3 with thirty minutes left and came back to win. Nine players in the Wallaby team played the test at Auckland so it was not a second-string Australian team. This reunion of the players saw each presented with a medal engraved with the players’ unique historical number. Sadly, with the passing of time not all of the players were able to attend, however each family had a representative present to receive the medal.

This beautifully written and well-illustrated history records the most successful coaches for the Thames Valley Rugby Team. The union was formed in 1922 and the period up to 1950 is covered briefly before the first of the most successful coaches were appointed – these being Bill Smith and Wally Knight, from 1951 – 1954. Then follows Norm McMillan who coached from 1960-64 and 1968-70 and finishes with the successful 2025 coaches Joe Murray, David Harrison and Matt Bartleet. The book also includes the highlights from the over 100 years of Thames Valley rugby. Well researched and referenced, it is another lovely book from Thames Valley Rugby Historian, Kelly Plummer