Ago? Murrayfield was unforgettable score
facing uncertainty and other industries feeling the pinch. Yet thousands of people had somehow found the money to travel all that way up to Scotland to support the national team.
“I remember telling the other players: ‘We can’t let these fans down’. It was great we were able to win the Triple Crown for them. And for us to come up with that team try, well, it rounded it off, really.” ‘STEVIE’S PASS WAS JUST MAGIC’ What are his memories of the score?
“When Andy Irvine had the ball 40 metres out in broken play I was concerned because I knew what a brilliant runner he was,” said Bennett.
“But he kicked the ball to JPR and then everything just unfolded.
“Stevie Fenwick worked the ball out to Gerald, who danced past a couple of defenders before handing another off, and I sent the ball out to David Burcher.
“Stevie’s pass inside to me was just magic. It left me facing my old Lions team-mate Ian McLauchlan. My first thought was along the lines of: ‘What the hell is he doing there?’ I knew he could scrummage but, as a fly-half, you’d expect to beat a prop and so it was that I was able to get past him.
“I went over under the posts and put my chin on the ball. It was just utter relief. We had claimed another Triple Crown and I looked over to where a huge bank of Welsh supporters were and was just so pleased we had been able to win it for them.” ‘A SCORE THAT HAS GIVEN PEOPLE SO MANY FOND MEMORIES’ Bennett added: “It isn’t for me to say where the try ranks.
“We are in a different era today and players are fitter, stronger and faster. Defences are better organised and there isn’t much space.
“But it was great to be part of a score that has given people so many fond memories.
“The Barbarians try Gareth Edwards scored is the most talked about and there have been other great tries as well.
“It’s about enjoying what happens at the time and savouring the memories. That’s what makes sport so special.”