Top referee Nigel Owens meets his adoring public at The Victoria

The crowd around the entire floor space of the Victoria Book Shop in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest for almost 90 minutes was positive proof of the popularity of top rugby referee Nigel Owens as he autographed his new book which he co-wrote with another famous former Welsh whistler in Derek Bevan.

Entitled 'Two Heads. One Tale', it details lots of information and Owens, rightly regarded as the world's current top referee, and fellow Welsh man Bevan, who was also held in similar esteem in his hey-day, have an added thread that they are the only Welshmen who have officiated at a World Cup Final and Bevan (who hails from Clydach), has been a mentor to Owens, as well as taking the role of Television Match Official at a number of Owen's top games.

Brilliant public response

Small wonder then that Marley Davies, the proprietor of Victoria Book Shop, was delighted because he had worked hard to get Owens in his shop to autograph the book, very cheaply priced at £7.90, and to make sure that there were sufficient copies by travelling to Cardigan to pick up extra stock only minutes prior to Owen's visit, which was followed by a second duty as the man from Mynyddcerrig was also guest speaker at Milford Haven School's annual sixth form presentation evening.

"It was easily one of our best book signing sessions ever," Marley told us, "with over 150 autographed books sold and now just a few available copies as post-New Year gifts."

The book opens with a conversation between the two referees regarding their approach to being the man in the middle and information galore for followers of the oval ball game regarding Bevan's key appointment for his World Cup Final appearance in 1991, where he took charge of the match between England and Australia, whilst Owens enjoyed his final between New Zealand and Australia in 2015.

Fascinating insight

Other chapters deal with a range of topics from views of other officials, homophobia and lots of humour!

It all adds up to a fascinating insight in what makes them tick and our advice would be to contact Victoria Book Shop as soon as possible to place an order for one of the few books left!

Owens was brilliant with his customers, who ranged from a little boy of ten who was buying it for his rugby-playing dad to pensioners simply looking for a good read - which we can vouch for since we have already finished 'Two Heads. One Tale' over the Christmas period!

PHOTOS
Nigel Owens sandwiched between Marley Davies and Bill Carne
Nigel Owens' latest book, in which he shared memories with Derek Bevan