My first chance of driving a bus came on the Easter tour of 1961 Baa Baas V Cardiff. After the match we were all in the bus waiting for the driver to drive back to Penarth. I was the last one in. Having an inquisitive mind, I got up into the driver's seat "fiddled about" with the controls - started it up - shouts came from the back - "Lets go for a drive Dave" so off we went, up the main street, luckily there was a big round about at the top - and back to where we started.
My next chance came in South Africa on the 1962 Lions tour. I had one or two supervised lessons with the official coach driver. My last chance before being caught out was the 1964 Baa Baas v Canada, County Ground Gosforth Saturday 17th Nov. After the game, filthy cold wet day 3-3, we had all gone back to the Hotel at Whitley Bay to change for the dinner - Gosforth.
The team and officials (Hughie, Herbert and Luckie) KJF Scotland, AR Smith, MS Phillips, MP Weston, JM Dee, RAW Sharp, JAY Rodd, DWD Rollo, Sam Hodgeson, CR Jacobs (Capt), MJ Campbell-Lammerton, B Price, DC Manly, D Colley, PGD Robbins. We all got into the bus, ready to take off, no driver - "Prince" you drive. Off we went - at roundabout had to stop and ask which road to take.
Given right directions by a Policeman we headed towards Gosforth - next thing a flashing blue light appears - "Police Car" - stop bus quickly get out of driver's seat and into passenger's seat. Police come onto bus, there was no driver - "Who was driving?", no answer. The bus had been reported stolen. No-one spoke. You will all have to come down with me to the Police station. At this point I got up and admitted I was the driver. Micky (Hon Sec) and I were taken to the Police Station (missed dinner) I was charged with taking the bus without consent. By this time Baa Baas officials Hughie and Herbert had set the ball rolling, trying to get the offence squashed.
Lawrie Edwards, chairman of Gosforth and top advocate reckoned that if I made a personal appearance in court (which was a few weeks later), He would be able to get me off lightly. He didn't. To cut a long story short. I was fined £65 and disqualified for 6 months. PS - When leaving the bus with Police, Ron 'Badger' Jacobs and other Baa Baas shouted "Dave we will help pay the fine" never heard anymore!!! With inflation 28 years - I reckon £850 to be collected for Baa Baa's funds.