Yarn from
Sibes of Hull
Year of Story 1996/7
Submitted 17/08/2005
A MEETING WITH KEVIN TAMATI
To add my very special memory of
this fine man.
In 1996/97 I was playing for Hull Dockers ARLFC and found
ourselves
drawn away to Lancashire Lynx in the opening rounds of the
Silk Cut
Challenge Cup. Their coach at the time was Kevin Tamati. On
the long drive
over we kept ouselves occupied with a recording of Tamati/Dowling
going
for it!
As we pulled into the ground several players began to turn
pale at the
news that Des Drummond was turning out on the wing. Personally
I
couldn't wait to see how many of us he could still manage
to knock out.
Anyway the main part of the story took place in the bar,
post game. All
the lads put me up to call Kevin over for a chat and sting
him with a
line.
He came over to a group of around 10 players where I (for
a laugh) said
"Kevin can you help us all out with a name? We were watching
an old
Aus/Nz video on the bus and can't remember what the guy who
battered you
up and down the tunnel was called!"
At that point K.T put down his drink, looked me straight
in the eyes
and began to lift me off the floor by my collar and tie. (buttons
popping
under the strain) "Why don't we act it out for your little
friends
right now and see if that helps them remember" his reply.
After a few
seconds that seemed to last a lifetime, his face changed from
a chilling
stone cold stare into a fantastic ear to ear grin. He then
over a beer and
a torn shirt told me on a one to one the full story of that
fight. A
story that included history between Dowling and Kevin over
that full
series.
A personal memory of an all time great I'll take to the grave.
We went in at half time 2 / 4 to the good (I banged over
two
penalties)Great as amatures to be beating pro's at any stage
in the game. Went on
to lose 26 / 4. Drummond didn't play but met him in the bar.
I went on
to sign for Hull KR that season and missed out on making the
Challenge
Cup Plate Final squad for Rovers against Hunslet due to playing
in this
game. (cup tied!)
Happy Days!!
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