IT WAS the moment a volcano of emotion erupted around Wales.

The referee's whistle went and fans leapt to their feet in celebration at the Millennium Stadium, in pubs and clubs and in their homes. Wales had beaten England at home for the first time in 12 years.

From the rousing rendition of Land of My Fathers, by Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins and Aled Jones, to the silver boots of Gavin Henson, Saturday proved to be a dream for Wales fans.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions - the torrid start to the match, the crowd's anger over Grewcock's strafing of Dwayne Peel's head, the suspense of waiting for cool-as-a-cucumber Henson's kick to go between the posts.

And nowhere was the tension more keenly felt than in Blaina, home town of Wales coach Mike Ruddock.

Fans hailed the local boy as a hero in his Six Nations coaching debut.

The former Ebbw Vale and Newport Gwent Dragons coach has already received the highest honour his home town can offer - the Honorary Freedom of Nantyglo and Blaina, but at Blaina Rugby Club yesterday no honour other than knighthood would have been appropriate for him.

Mark Haile, 44, from Blaina, who played rugby with Mike Ruddock at Nantyglo, watched the match at Blaina Rugby Club, and said the match was fantastic.

He said: "Everyone was in town watching the rugby. The atmosphere was amazing, the match was beautiful.

"The club was packed and it was electric for a small club, everybody was shouting. You couldn't hear yourself for about half an hour after the whistle went.

"It certainly put the pride back into Welsh rugby. Players are now playing for what is on their backs and not for the money. Blaina was together as a community on Saturday for the match, and it was great.

"Mike really deserves this win. He is a great guy and has never forgotten his roots, and he will always be a legend after this win."

Mr Haile believes that Wales can now go on and win the championship.

He said: "That was the hardest game for them. They have proved they can do it and they can go all the way. I think this is their year and will be a real boost for Welsh rugby.

"Children will hopefully now come back to rugby and start playing again, and this has give the team confidence."

Fourteen-year-old Kurtis Haile watched the match with his father, and for him it was his first experience of watching Wales beat England.

He said: "It was great, the win was immense. Everybody was running round and jumping up and down celebrating.

"It was especially important here in Blaina because of Mike Ruddock. He is a hero and a champion."

Philip Moon, 46, from Abertillery, said: "It was a great win and great for Mike, the team are now playing with commitment and pride.

"They should give him a knighthood after this.

"He has helped put Blaina on the map. No-one knew where Blaina was, but now they do. He has helped put pride back in the jersey again."

Evelyn Thomas, steward at the club, said: "It was amazing after all these years, it was an unbelievable win."

Joanne Belcher, 39, from Llanmartin, Newport, was wearing her Wales jersey.

She watched the match at home, and said it was tense, but a great result. She said yesterday: "I was jumping up and down, it was great. I am wearing the shirt with pride and I will probably wear it into work tomorrow."