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30th anniversary: pre-season curry night, Friday 11 April 2008
Venue: Balti Empire, after a pre-match warm-up at The Claude
For "the camera never lies" gallery, click
here
Disclaimer: The House of Suka wishes to make clear that Panda is NOT
modelling our sweaters - we can only suggest you ask Mrs Panda's aunty
where it came from ...
The "Players"
Steve Roake,
C-i-C
Nigel Adams, C-i-C
Andrew Steadman
Mark Twaits (debutant)
Jonathan Davies
Jason Duffy
Glenn Chapman
Ross Bowen
Jonathan Thomas
Warwick Armstrong
Glyn Poulsom
Dave Parsons
Huw Parsons
Martin Buckle
Geoff Lewis
Wyn Pritchard
Matt Thomas
Kiran Ridley (debutant)
The night started in the lounge bar of the Claude pub. As I arrived at the bar
at 7pm peering across at me from the more trendy side of The Claude (if such a
thing is possible) was Glenn, clearly not accustomed to the unique two bar
layout The Claude has to offer. After soon reconvening in the side of the bar
more suited to the Cavaliers and securing some large tables, further Cavaliers
began to arrive, some clearly inspired by Grizz's rallying call of the
pervious night's net session to wear tie and smoking jacket, while others opted
for a more (Cardiff) casuals approach, with the end result too close to call.
Beer and ale was drunk, some of the Scarlets-Blues rugby sneekily enjoyed, but
no sooner had everybody arrived and it was time to make the short walk to the
Balti Empire curry house for our 8.30 reservation. We arrived to see the alcove
area of the restaurant reserved for the Cavaliers as planned, with the tables
laid out in a grandiose horseshoe banquet table, and candles lit for added
ambience. Not wanting to spoil the mood the Cavaliers promptly ordered 20 large
bottles of Cobra and what must have been close to 50 (not out) poppadums.
The poppadums arrived shortly after, but the main course took longer to arrive.
While some lesser gentlemen could have complained, the Cavaliers in attendance
took the opportunity of the delay to socialise - catching up with those not seen
for some time, drinking a few beers, and greeting new members who had been brave
enough to venture along to the night, before even playing a game.
The main courses when they arrived were excellent, with a wide variety of
curries, naans and rice spread across the table, with very few plates anything
less than empty at the end of the night.
More chatting and drinking followed, the bill was paid and then one of the
Cavaliers-in-Charge (C-i-C) Grizz, made a short speech thanking everybody for
their attendance on what was a fine and enjoyable evening.
A few brave Cavaliers attempted to continue the night at a variety of local
establishments but were to find that there was no room at the inn, with the
later licensing laws clearly not yet extending to Albany Road.
However, despite this the night was enjoyed by all, and was a good way to kick
off this important milestone year in the club's history.
[Thanks to Grizz & Papa for getting the 30th anniversary
celebrations underway in such great style - a 'naan'-believable start to the
year of events ...]
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