2010 ISTANBUL

The Rhino 25th Anniversary Tour – The Turkish Delight Tour - was a momentous affair. Istanbul was the chosen tour destination for a number of very good reasons. Firstly Istanbul, being the only capital city in the world that is located in two continents, Asia and Europe, made it an obvious choice. Secondly the city itself overlooks the Golden Horn of Asia - what could be more fitting for a landmark Rhinos tour!

A total of 42 Rhinos made the anniversary tour a blast, as did our splendid hosts the Ottomans RFC, Turkey’s oldest rugby club. Records tumbled left, right and centre on this tour - both on and off the field of play. Led by skipper Ollie the Rhinos scored a record 13 tries in the tour match whilst notching up our highest points score in one game in our 25 year history, a whopping 81.

Other records fell too. The Rhinos fielded a 171-year-old front row for part of the match, Howard (66), Edwards (53) and Emery (52), and two of them scored – points!! The game was referred by a Frenchman, and Jay, who was a ‘referee’s assistant’ spent the whole match speaking to him in English but in a French accent. ‘So that he would understand me better,’ Jay was later to explain.

A visit to a local orphanage was arranged by Vinno, where the kids and staff were very appreciative of the visit and Rhinos give-aways.

On the social side the Turkish bath houses proved popular – Stitch was actually offered a job in one! ‘Not the usual job I am offered in a massage establishment’ he was later heard to say. The boys also attended a fashion show on tour, another first. It featured that international female catwalk model Timmy Davis. Meanwhile Doggy was purchasing a very smart orange leather jacket in order to ensure that the squad were permitted to leave alive.

Radisson Blu was the tour hotel. Situated on the banks of the mighty Bosphorus it proved to be an excellent spot for early evening Golden Horn sharpeners. Although a very picturesque hotel, it looked a lot better once covered in Rhinos stickers.

Turkish Efes Beer proved very popular with all tourists, but Raki didn’t. Or rather it did, but not by choice. There was lots of Frommeling. It began on the bus back from the game when Aaron defeated the man himself with a splendid display. However during the main event, at the after-match gala dinner, Ron put the young pretender in his place with a sparkling display of vintage Frommeling. Upon hearing this news the Mongolian government re-erected Ron’s statue in Sukbatter Square, Ulaan Bataar (see 2005 tour).

The after-match bus journey back to the hotel was indeed an eventful trip. After a customary piss stop on a busy Istanbul motorway the bus was pulled over by a police squad car. This had nothing to do with the sight of 20 Rhinos urinating in full view of the general public, but did have something to do with Rhys and Fabio mooning the passing cars. Again, the squad escaped with their lives, and none were required to do time in a Turkish jail.

SS Rhino arrived from Cambodia in shipshape fashion and the most colourful Sunday in Rhino history began. Fabio won the Paul Hoban award, whilst the Chairman woke up in Cardiff and missed the AGM. He was later stoned to death (with fruit) at court and given the lifetime fine – assuming the role of Rhys adopted father.

One of the biggest tours in the club’s 25 year history.

Captain: Ollie Jones
Touring party: Babis Damian, Bateson David, Bird Les, Cameron Aaron, Chalon Russell, Cowie Alasdair, Crotty Philip, Davis Timothy, Doherty Chris, Douglas Paul, Edwards John, Emery Peter, Hampson Gareth, Hewitson Rob, Hewlett Jason, Hornabrook Chris, Howard Jim, Hutton Peter, Jones Brendon, Jones Oliver, Kerr Rod, Knowles Ben, Lamb Mark, McDowell Andrew, McRobbie Andrew, Mills Robert, Morrison Bevan, Nelson Dean, O'Callaghan Chris, Parfitt James, Pendergast Rhys, Perkins Richard, Philips Ant, Prichard Jon, Rouse Richard, Russell Giles, Rutland Ron, Savage James, Stephens Robin, Swift Vincent, Wilkins Robbie, Wright David.

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