April 26 down the years
Send for the police ... but on second thoughts
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Former South Africa international Naas Botha, 1982
Boks great Naas Botha made his international debut on this day in 1980 © Getty Images
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1991
Don't call the police … a rugby side was in hot water after what was described as a "loutish rampage" at a Staffordshire pub during which food and property were stolen. The problem was, the team was a police XV from Merseyside. Although the side went on to Bournemouth the next morning, their match against Dorset Police was cancelled when news of the incident came to light.

1980
Naas Botha made his debut for South Africa in a match against the South American Jaguars that carried full Test status. The 22-year-old fly-half scored a dozen points in the Springboks' 24-9 win in Johannesburg.

1986
The New Zealand Cavaliers team touring South Africa won their second match by the narrowest of margins. Two Kieran Crowley penalties fired them to a 10-9 win against Northern Transvaal in Pretoria.

1953
France wound up their Test season with a comfortable 22-8 victory against Italy in Lyon. Olympic sprinter Alain Porthault scored two of the French tries.

1958
Ebbw Vale beat Newport 8-5 to win the Final of the Welsh Sevens, thanks to a last-minute try by their skipper Graham Powell.

1972
Barry John's Welsh XV were too strong for Carwyn James's International XV, winning 32-28 in a breathtaking charity match played at Cardiff Arms Park.

1975
Llanelli celebrated their third successive Welsh Rugby Union Cup triumph, beating Aberavon 15-6 at Cardiff.

1947
Lancashire became county champions. In a replay, they beat Gloucestershire 14-3 at Kingsholm having drawn 8-all at Blundellsands a fortnight earlier.

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