A FANTASTIC Gala dinner was held at Monmouth Boys school sports Pavilion on Saturday 24th January, to raise funds to support their planned summer tour to South Africa.

The evening was compered by Scrum V broadcaster, Phil Steele and included anecdotes and interviews with three ex-Wales Rugby Captains – Eddie Butler, Colin Charvis and Kingsley Jones. Through auctions, games and ticket sales the evening raised more than £10,000, a massive step toward the target of £40,000.

The highlight of the evening was each of the boys receiving their tour shirt from the Welsh legends.

Phil Steele said: "This tour will live long in the memories of the boys, establishing life-long friendships amongst the squad, but importantly they will make new friends too as strangers are only friends we have not yet met."

Crusaders' manager and head coach Chris Webley closed the formal part of the evening by thanking all those attending for making the evening a real success, particularly the players parents who he said, "have been so supportive of the team and the journey over so many years".

The tour is centred on Cape Town, where the squad will play mainly school teams, but vitally a match versus a township side is also planned.

The Crusaders will donate as much rugby kit as possible to encourage the development of the game in the township.