What seemed like chaos was actually organised chaos.

A route was drawn up (eventually). The race started in the Ship Inn car park. On the signal to go, everyone charged to a table lined with glasses of beer. The intention was for all to 'down' their drinks before setting off. However, in the ensuing rush the table went over and only one drink was consumed. One lonely competitor was seen drinking his pint while the others were negotiating the tricky bend out of the Ship and crossing the river bridge. Our heroes sped up the High Street past crowds in the Square and onwards to turn left into Broadway and so to the Priory for liquid refreshment. They then proceeded along the Fosse and down Cold Bath Road. After completing a lap of the Common they turned left past the Town Hall and right into Backhall Street. A right turn led them back into the Square via Cross Street and so to the finish in the Bull car park.

There is some doubt about the complete accuracy of this description of the route. Things become even more uncertain when we come to the rules...

Each team consisted of a charioteer with four pullers and four standard bearers. These could be swapped as and when required, though it seems some teams had reserve pullers waiting at strategic points around the course.

In order to create more of a challenge (and spectacle) Cleo's Asps were recruited to hamper the progress of the charioteers. These ladies were armed with flour bombs concocted with wallpaper paste, clothes dyes, flour, and other secret ingredients. The ammunition was stashed at locations around the route. Residents were invited to participate in this important aspect of the event - which speeded the clear-up afterwards. (We did say this was organised chaos.)

Now, Cleo's Asps were under orders to hinder all teams equally. Immaculately dressed in white (before the start) they are easy to identify on the photographs. One particular charioteer, who shall remain nameless (for the moment), enrolled his own team of saboteurs. These were dressed in black, their role was to impede the progress of all teams other than his own.

Our heroes were not racing solely for glory and honour. A fine cup was promised. Strangely, through a course of events far too complicated to detail here, two cups turned up; the cup for first place being a rather modest plastic affair, while the second place cup was a truly grand thing. Not all the competitors knew this, those who were 'in the know' were out for second place!

Harry Polloway, master of ceremonies, provided the commentary which also went out live on Radio Wales. First place went to the Rugby Club; the Village Bakery team took the highly sought after cup for second place. A free disco in the Bull rounded off the day.

PHOTOS:

Cleo's Asps
Bakery team with their own saboteurs
The teams line up for the start
The rush for the drinks table
The Priory team with their ornamental shield wheels
The leading teams exit the Ship and approach Caerleon Bridge
The Rugby Club team after crossing the bridge
The Bakery team
The Bull team
The Goldcroft team
The Goldcroft team cross the square
Cleo's Asps do some serious menacing on the Fosse
The Goldcroft team try to slip past the Bakery team on the Fosse
Superfruit cross the Square heading for the finish
The Magic Lantern team enter the Bull car park
Prize-giving

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