YESTERDAYS 1987

RUGBY star John Scott, pictured, has a special shield to add to his collection of trophies – a Good Citizen Award for tackling a violent criminal.

The former Cardiff and England captain trapped the would-be car thief by squashing him under his 16-stone bulk until police came to help. A WELSH vicar who discovered a medieval mosaic in his church which is expected to fetch more than £250,000 at auction is hoping it will come back to Wales.

But the 11th century Byzantine fragment which went unnoticed for 100 years in St Anne’s Church, Talygarn, near Pontyclun, has caused such a stir in the international art market that bidders from all over the world will be at the Sotheby’s sale and the price could be pushed over the £1m mark.

Newly-appointed vicar of the parish of Pontyclun, the Rev Martin Reynolds, who spotted the ancient mosaic in the vestry, hopes it will either come back to Wales or, failing that, go to Italy where it originally came from. ROCK on, Cardiff – that was the message after more than 50,000 fans packed into the first concert at the National Ground.

Police praised the “excellent behaviour” of the crowd who watched the superstar David Bowie, below, perform the biggest show staged in Wales.

And the signs were clear that the city will become a regular venue for the massive summertime concerts by top bands on world tours.

Last night’s capacity crowd was seen as a test to make the stadium a major rock venue.

Six people were taken to hospital for minor injuries in the crush at the front of the massive crowd

Groundsmen started clearing up the mountain of debris at 3am and were checking the state of the pitch under the black tarpaulin that covered the turf. SOUTH Wales villagers threw a party at the weekend to say a fond farewell to local cowboys before they rode off into the sunset.

But the sorrow was mixed with anger – as the furious residents of Blaenrhondda reacted to television comments by the man behind the Wild West theme park, Mr Brian Hughes.

The venture collapsed with debts of £500,000 and Mr Hughes said in an interview: “I brought something different to Rhondda, and Rhondda people have taken it away.” A TIRED but happy Welsh rugby team arrived back at the National Ground after their long return flight from New Zealand.

Third in the inaugural World Cup represents a job well done by a squad which lasted the distance superbly and saved its best performance for last when they beat Australia 22-21 in that unforgettable 3rd/4th play-off. A YOUNG Italian soprano became the 1987 Cardiff Singer of the World over the weekend in a final in which a West German artist came within an ace of beating her at the post with a barn-storming performance.

Naples-born Valeria Esposito, just 26 and brimming over with style and presence, received the Cardiff Crystal, cash prize of £5,000 and, best of all, the chance of massive international television exposure.

At the end, the emotion of the occasion was too much for her, and tearfully she revealed that she had been invited to sing at her native La Scala – although in what role, she had no idea. MANAGERS and company executives in Wales have drinking problems just as serious as the long-term unemployed, it has been claimed by health campaigners.

Poor decision-making, lateness and absenteeism are the hallmarks of too much alcohol, which is costing Wales millions of pounds in lost production.