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The Reduced History of Rugby: The Oval-shaped Story of the Union Game Squeezed into 80 Minutes ISBN: 0233001220 ISBN13: 9780233001227 The Reduced History of Rugby: The Oval-shaped Story of the Union Game Squeezed into 80 Minutes By: Iain Spragg : Illustrated by Tony Husband Publisher: Andre Deutsch Ltd Format: Hardback Our Price: 6.38 Discount: 29% RRP: 8.99

A lot of rucking and mauling has gone on since William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball and ran, but this doughty little book heroically manages to capture the true essence of the daddy of all oval ball games in just 80 minutes (plus 20 minutes of overtime). This is the story of rugby as never been told before: a jinking, weaving compilation of surreal match reports, spoof correspondence and quirky cartoons. From the playing fields of Edwardian England's public schools to the canopied splendour of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the game's towering achievements, hilarious happenings and ludicrous coincidences are entertainingly recalled.


Contents:

William Webb Ellis
- * Spreading the word
- * A gentleman's game
- * The great schism
- * The All Backs
- * The Invicibles
- * Four Nations become Five
- * Varsity glory
- * Barry John
- * Gareth Edwards' try
- * The Lions win in South Africa
- * The truth about 99
- * Erica Roe
- * The Wallabies
- * Ban the Boks
- * The Pontypool front row
- * Dr JPR Williams, physician treat thyself
- * The World Cup
- * England drink Paris dry of champagne so drink after shave
- * the battered Calcutta Cup
- * Wales' new home: Wembley
- * Lawrence Dallaglio and the honey trap
- * Jonny Wilkinson.


Brief Description:

Captures the essence of William Webb Ellis, the daddy of oval ball games, in 80 minutes. This is the story of rugby - a compilation of match reports, spoof correspondence and cartoons. From the playing fields of Edwardian England's public schools to the splendour of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the game's achievements and happenings are recalled.

For Pricing and Availability Click Here