Sad to hear of the passing of Andy Bryant who joined Combe Down from Old Sulians in 1984. An all round sportsman, who played football & cricket for Combe Down, and also played golf.
But of course it was rugby where he excelled, a very pacy, old fashioned jinking type of winger, able to beat players at will. He would be the first to admit defence was not his favorite part of the game. Well known for some spectacular interceptions over the years and it won us a few games at Combe Down. Andy was still turning out for the 2XV only a couple of years ago, still full of tricks.
But of course it was rugby where he excelled, a very pacy, old fashioned jinking type of winger, able to beat players at will. He would be the first to admit defence was not his favorite part of the game. Well known for some spectacular interceptions over the years and it won us a few games at Combe Down. Andy was still turning out for the 2XV only a couple of years ago, still full of tricks.
Some of us, of a certain age, will remember that game on the Rec against Frome in the Combination Cup final, where we witnessed what must have been one of the longest tries seen on the Rec, or any other rugby field for that matter.
Andy proceeded to run across the field from our 22, slowly making ground backwards, forwards, sideways, no one had a clue where he was going, baffling the opposition and team mates alike, before eventually to loud cheering scoring!
EXHAUSTING for everyone.
Only the other week whilst talking to Andy, reminding him of it, and asked him what were you thinking of? Classic Andy reply, looking for space to avoid some big forwards tackling me. That was Andy as a rugby player, brains not brawn, space not collision.
From all of us who played with him, even if we didn't know what tricks he had up his sleeve, it was a pleasure RIP Andy!
Condolences to Andy's family from all at Combe Down where he will be missed.
Thanks to Paul Ashman and Tony Davies for additional information.
Wyn Bailey
