A Trip Down Memory Lane
By Big-Al
December 29 2008
A Trip (Stumble) Down Memory Lane (or What to do when the lucky socks lose their magic.)
In my younger years I was a fan of the round ball, my team is Watford - as such it always brings back memories as I make my way to the Vicarage Road - as this is a rugby report, I should probably not list all my football memories -
December 29 2008
A Trip (Stumble) Down Memory Lane (or What to do when the lucky socks lose their magic.)
In my younger years I was a fan of the round ball, my team is Watford - as such it always brings back memories as I make my way to the Vicarage Road - as this is a rugby report, I should probably not list all my football memories -
but beating the then European Champions Nottingham Forest 4-1, a 7-1 victory over Southampton (to overturn a 4-0 defeat from the first leg), a 2-0 victory over Wrexham to gain promotion to the top flight for the first time, 3-0 against Kaiserslautern in Watford's first, and so far only, venture into Europe, all deserve a mention, and the list could go on.... the Vic holds many a memory for me.
If the editors use the picture I have include with this report - I am in the picture, although I have not managed to identify myself yet (pint of AG for the first person to spot the Big-Al)
In recent years my visits have been for rugby, and recent memories of the Vic are rugby ones - I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers Barry's last minute penalty after the ref has moved the kick forward 10m - and the Christmas match 3 years ago – and another last gasp penalty from Barry
In my football days I stood behind the goal at the Vicarage Road end, so it is fitting that as an away supporter I am sat at the other end in South Stand (or Rookery).
The Vic itself is much changed place - back in the mid 70s it was terracing on 3 1/2 sides, with a tatty old stand behind one of the terraces (now replaced by the Rous stand), the terracing at both the Vicarage Road and Rookery ends have been replaced by seats, even the Red Lion pub is no more - in fact the only part of the place that is unchanged is the East Stand (and that is now condemned).
So onto the match - preparation is everything - as I'm doing my first ever match report, then this should probably include reading a few recent reports, reading the guide to writing a match report, studying the team list … but my preparation is about ensuring I have all that I need in order to support the team - lucky socks, wig, tambourine (can I write notes and bang a tambourine at the same time - I'll soon find out - can men multi-task), large flag, selecting which shirt to wear…
I arrived in time to see Digger having a bit of a heated debate with a camel (not a real one), and to see the team arrive, my wig seemed to attract the attention of one of the Sky cameramen – I do not know if I appeared on TV or not.
About 10 minutes before kick off we had 2 camels (real ones) walking round the pitch – followed by Digger with bucket and shovel. And a few minutes later came the Sarries cheerleaders.
First half, Irish are playing from South to North, Sarries kick off. The first scoring opportunity was a penalty to Sarries after 4 minutes (not rolling away – I think), but Glen Jackson misses one that you would expect him to get. Our first opportunity was a penalty after 12 minutes (also I think for not rolling away) – but Peter’s kick from a difficult angle is wide – so still 0-0.
Another penalty to Sarries on 18 minutes (for something in the scrum) and this time Jackson is on target – Sarries 3-0 up. This seemed to wake us up, and what followed was the highlight of the game from our point of view. Tagi fields a kick on our 10m line and moves forward into the Sarries half, pass outside to Peter, a good run into the 22 and a pass inside for Declan to score. Peter adds the extras – 20 minutes and it is 7-3 to the Irish.
An exchange of penalties – first Jackson for Sarries (offside after we let the ball bounce) and then Peter (for something in the scrum) – and after 27 minutes it is 10-6 to the Irish.
The next score came from Sarries – following a 5m scrum after Dodge is forced over our try line - Moses Rauluni finds a gap and crosses our line and Jackson converts – 32 minutes and 13-10 to Sarries. The score remained the same to half time.
Certainly not our best half – but we all know we are better in the second half, so only 3 points down, it’s all to play for.
During half time the camels re-appeared as did the cheerleaders.
Second half – no changes at half time – Irish now playing towards the South kick off. My early thoughts on the half are that we making too many errors, passes not going to hand, a messed up line out, a dropped ball or 2, kicks straight to touch from outside the 22, a penalty not finding touch.
The first scoring opportunity of the half falls to Sarries after 45 minutes – not sure what the penalty was for. Jackson misses (hits the post) from a difficult angle.
After 49 minutes a long clearance from Peter and a mistake from Sarries – and we have possession in a good attacking position for the first time this half. Dodge picks up from the scrum and goes for the line – has he got the ball down – touch judge says not, (suggestion of a knock on?) but penalty to Irish for offside – Peter scores from in front of the posts and it is 13-13 after 53 minutes.
The first of many substitutions – Alex replaces Tonga and Roche is on for Hudson.
54 minutes – Irish pen – just inside Sarries half – we go for touch – after a few phases another Irish pen in a kickable position – but Peter misses – still 13-13.
59 minutes – while playing advantage a Sarries kick through towards the corner is chased and dived on – doesn’t look like a try but it goes to the TMO – no try – but a Sarries penalty in front of the posts – Jackson is on target – 16-13 to Sarries after 60 minutes.
Mike Catt replaces Tagi – looks like this is due to injury rather then tactical – let hope it is nothing serious. Coetzee is on for Paice and Murphy for Dermody.
We seem to be having more possession – but the errors are still there and we are not looking like creating anything – one or 2 half breaks – but then either an error or we get turned over. Further changes – Alfredo is on for Dodge and Thorpe for Hala’ufia
76 minutes – another Irish penalty – but again it is a difficult angle – and Peter’s kick is wide.
79 minutes – Irish scrum – last chance to create something – but a knock-on from a poor pass gives Sarries a scrum with 10 seconds on the clock. Clock runs down – scrum is reset, and again – Sarries pen for offside. Sarries win 16-13.
Sarries played better then we did, we had little possession, did not do enough with what we had and we made too many errors. How much of this was due to us playing poorly or Sarries playing well, I will leave that debate to those with more knowledge of the game than I have.
SARACENS: A Goode; K Ratluvoa, K Sorrell, A Powell, N Cato; G Jackson, M Rauluni; N Lloyd, F Ongaro, C Johnston, S Borthwick, C Jack, W van Heerden, A Saull, M Owen Replacements: Skirving for Saull (73mins); Farrell for Powell (75mins); Visagie for Johnston (77mins)
LONDON IRISH: P Hewat; T Ojo, E Seveali’i, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau, S Geraghty, P Hodgson, C Dermody, D Paice, T Lea’aetoa, J Hudson, B Casey, D Danaher, S Armitage, C Hala’ufia Replacements: Corbisiero for Lea’aetoa (53mins); Roche for Hudson (53mins); Catt for Tagicakibau (61mins); Murphy for Dermody (63mins); Cotezee for Paice (63mins); Lalanne for Hodgson (73mins); Thorpe for Hala’ufia (75mins)
SCORES: Jackson - pen (18mins) 3-0; Danaher - try, Hewat - con (20mins) 3-7; Jackson - pen (24mins) 6-7; Hewat - pen (6-10); Rauluni – try, Jackson – con (32 mins) 13-10; Half time 13-10. Hewat – pen (63mins) 13-13; Jackson – pen (70mins) 16-13.
So this was my first match report – and our first defeat since early October. Am I jinxed, should I never do another match report?
And to answer my question from earlier in this report – yes I can bang a tambourine and take notes (although I did drop my notepad a few times) – but I will let the readership decide on the quality of the notes (and those sat near me in the South Stand can comment on the quality of my tambourine banging).
But what about my lucky socks – has the magic worn off, or will a warm wash with some fabric softener restore their magic powers? Now this is important – should I wear my lucky socks next week?
To end on a positive note, we have lost 3 games in the GP this season and have 3 losing BPs, so we still have points from every game. Winning runs will always come to an end – what is important now is how we react to losing. If we react as I think we will, next weekend will not be good for Newcastle (and if Leicester can do us a favour we could be back on top of the GP).
Finally well done to Sarries – not the greatest of games, but they were the better team on the day and deserved the victory.
If the editors use the picture I have include with this report - I am in the picture, although I have not managed to identify myself yet (pint of AG for the first person to spot the Big-Al)
In recent years my visits have been for rugby, and recent memories of the Vic are rugby ones - I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers Barry's last minute penalty after the ref has moved the kick forward 10m - and the Christmas match 3 years ago – and another last gasp penalty from Barry
In my football days I stood behind the goal at the Vicarage Road end, so it is fitting that as an away supporter I am sat at the other end in South Stand (or Rookery).
The Vic itself is much changed place - back in the mid 70s it was terracing on 3 1/2 sides, with a tatty old stand behind one of the terraces (now replaced by the Rous stand), the terracing at both the Vicarage Road and Rookery ends have been replaced by seats, even the Red Lion pub is no more - in fact the only part of the place that is unchanged is the East Stand (and that is now condemned).
So onto the match - preparation is everything - as I'm doing my first ever match report, then this should probably include reading a few recent reports, reading the guide to writing a match report, studying the team list … but my preparation is about ensuring I have all that I need in order to support the team - lucky socks, wig, tambourine (can I write notes and bang a tambourine at the same time - I'll soon find out - can men multi-task), large flag, selecting which shirt to wear…
I arrived in time to see Digger having a bit of a heated debate with a camel (not a real one), and to see the team arrive, my wig seemed to attract the attention of one of the Sky cameramen – I do not know if I appeared on TV or not.
About 10 minutes before kick off we had 2 camels (real ones) walking round the pitch – followed by Digger with bucket and shovel. And a few minutes later came the Sarries cheerleaders.
First half, Irish are playing from South to North, Sarries kick off. The first scoring opportunity was a penalty to Sarries after 4 minutes (not rolling away – I think), but Glen Jackson misses one that you would expect him to get. Our first opportunity was a penalty after 12 minutes (also I think for not rolling away) – but Peter’s kick from a difficult angle is wide – so still 0-0.
Another penalty to Sarries on 18 minutes (for something in the scrum) and this time Jackson is on target – Sarries 3-0 up. This seemed to wake us up, and what followed was the highlight of the game from our point of view. Tagi fields a kick on our 10m line and moves forward into the Sarries half, pass outside to Peter, a good run into the 22 and a pass inside for Declan to score. Peter adds the extras – 20 minutes and it is 7-3 to the Irish.
An exchange of penalties – first Jackson for Sarries (offside after we let the ball bounce) and then Peter (for something in the scrum) – and after 27 minutes it is 10-6 to the Irish.
The next score came from Sarries – following a 5m scrum after Dodge is forced over our try line - Moses Rauluni finds a gap and crosses our line and Jackson converts – 32 minutes and 13-10 to Sarries. The score remained the same to half time.
Certainly not our best half – but we all know we are better in the second half, so only 3 points down, it’s all to play for.
During half time the camels re-appeared as did the cheerleaders.
Second half – no changes at half time – Irish now playing towards the South kick off. My early thoughts on the half are that we making too many errors, passes not going to hand, a messed up line out, a dropped ball or 2, kicks straight to touch from outside the 22, a penalty not finding touch.
The first scoring opportunity of the half falls to Sarries after 45 minutes – not sure what the penalty was for. Jackson misses (hits the post) from a difficult angle.
After 49 minutes a long clearance from Peter and a mistake from Sarries – and we have possession in a good attacking position for the first time this half. Dodge picks up from the scrum and goes for the line – has he got the ball down – touch judge says not, (suggestion of a knock on?) but penalty to Irish for offside – Peter scores from in front of the posts and it is 13-13 after 53 minutes.
The first of many substitutions – Alex replaces Tonga and Roche is on for Hudson.
54 minutes – Irish pen – just inside Sarries half – we go for touch – after a few phases another Irish pen in a kickable position – but Peter misses – still 13-13.
59 minutes – while playing advantage a Sarries kick through towards the corner is chased and dived on – doesn’t look like a try but it goes to the TMO – no try – but a Sarries penalty in front of the posts – Jackson is on target – 16-13 to Sarries after 60 minutes.
Mike Catt replaces Tagi – looks like this is due to injury rather then tactical – let hope it is nothing serious. Coetzee is on for Paice and Murphy for Dermody.
We seem to be having more possession – but the errors are still there and we are not looking like creating anything – one or 2 half breaks – but then either an error or we get turned over. Further changes – Alfredo is on for Dodge and Thorpe for Hala’ufia
76 minutes – another Irish penalty – but again it is a difficult angle – and Peter’s kick is wide.
79 minutes – Irish scrum – last chance to create something – but a knock-on from a poor pass gives Sarries a scrum with 10 seconds on the clock. Clock runs down – scrum is reset, and again – Sarries pen for offside. Sarries win 16-13.
Sarries played better then we did, we had little possession, did not do enough with what we had and we made too many errors. How much of this was due to us playing poorly or Sarries playing well, I will leave that debate to those with more knowledge of the game than I have.
SARACENS: A Goode; K Ratluvoa, K Sorrell, A Powell, N Cato; G Jackson, M Rauluni; N Lloyd, F Ongaro, C Johnston, S Borthwick, C Jack, W van Heerden, A Saull, M Owen Replacements: Skirving for Saull (73mins); Farrell for Powell (75mins); Visagie for Johnston (77mins)
LONDON IRISH: P Hewat; T Ojo, E Seveali’i, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau, S Geraghty, P Hodgson, C Dermody, D Paice, T Lea’aetoa, J Hudson, B Casey, D Danaher, S Armitage, C Hala’ufia Replacements: Corbisiero for Lea’aetoa (53mins); Roche for Hudson (53mins); Catt for Tagicakibau (61mins); Murphy for Dermody (63mins); Cotezee for Paice (63mins); Lalanne for Hodgson (73mins); Thorpe for Hala’ufia (75mins)
SCORES: Jackson - pen (18mins) 3-0; Danaher - try, Hewat - con (20mins) 3-7; Jackson - pen (24mins) 6-7; Hewat - pen (6-10); Rauluni – try, Jackson – con (32 mins) 13-10; Half time 13-10. Hewat – pen (63mins) 13-13; Jackson – pen (70mins) 16-13.
So this was my first match report – and our first defeat since early October. Am I jinxed, should I never do another match report?
And to answer my question from earlier in this report – yes I can bang a tambourine and take notes (although I did drop my notepad a few times) – but I will let the readership decide on the quality of the notes (and those sat near me in the South Stand can comment on the quality of my tambourine banging).
But what about my lucky socks – has the magic worn off, or will a warm wash with some fabric softener restore their magic powers? Now this is important – should I wear my lucky socks next week?
To end on a positive note, we have lost 3 games in the GP this season and have 3 losing BPs, so we still have points from every game. Winning runs will always come to an end – what is important now is how we react to losing. If we react as I think we will, next weekend will not be good for Newcastle (and if Leicester can do us a favour we could be back on top of the GP).
Finally well done to Sarries – not the greatest of games, but they were the better team on the day and deserved the victory.
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Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 08:53
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: Props are not stupid (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 10:18
Don't worry Alex, we won't blame you for losing. I am sure you will be talking about an Irish win on your next match report. Apart from writing notes and playing your tambourine, did you take any pictures? That's what I call multitasking.
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: b.q.f.m (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 10:34
Al- like you it seems my lucky socks did not do what they should!!!! What ,however, is more worrying is that "THE LUCKY GRANDMA" did not seem to work either.Do you think we should give her a warm wash and some fabric softener too?!!!!!
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: MadMonk (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 10:49
Luck Mitre doesn't work either, but at least if you are sitting behind me you can't see us lose ;>
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: Jon_r43 (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 10:50
That's my Mum your planning to wash BQFM!
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: b.q.f.m (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 11:00
Yes Jon, but I would use top quality fabric softener!!!!
Something needs to be done before she attends another match, her reputation is at stake here.
Something needs to be done before she attends another match, her reputation is at stake here.
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: Jon_r43 (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 11:06
Maybe it needs both her and me for the luck to work.
I've missed 2 premiership games this season and we'velost both of them.
The only loss i saw was Leicester and we should have won that!
I've missed 2 premiership games this season and we'velost both of them.
The only loss i saw was Leicester and we should have won that!
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: LKR (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 11:15
Well done on the report Al - hope it wasn't as bad as you thought to re-live it all. At least you could re-live it in the warm!
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: hamma (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 16:03
oh right so for us getting beaten on Saturday we have to blame you then Jon for not being there
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: 'Big-Al' (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 21:15
PANS - no I didn't take any pictures - 2 things at once is my limit (well actually 2 above my usual limit).
B.Q.F.M / Jon_r43 / MadMonk - I'm going to Sainsburys tomorrow - I'll make sure I get enough fabric softener for the various lucky items that need to be re-freshed - although I'm not sure which wash cycle to use for the Lucky Grandma.
MadMonk - as the only one to have had a go so far, you are currently winning the "spot the Big-Al" competition.
B.Q.F.M / Jon_r43 / MadMonk - I'm going to Sainsburys tomorrow - I'll make sure I get enough fabric softener for the various lucky items that need to be re-freshed - although I'm not sure which wash cycle to use for the Lucky Grandma.
MadMonk - as the only one to have had a go so far, you are currently winning the "spot the Big-Al" competition.
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: mackemII (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2008 22:57
Big-Al, slightly off-topic but I used to frequent VR when stationed at Northwood between 1980 and 1983. I was at the Watford v Forest game so a pint for you if you can remember the song sung by the Rookery End prior to the announcement that the first choice Forest goalkeeper would not be playing.
Oh, and another popular chant was "Don't bend down, when Elton's around ...." but that's enough of that, thank you!
Oh, and another popular chant was "Don't bend down, when Elton's around ...." but that's enough of that, thank you!
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: 'Big-Al' (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2008 13:04
MackemII - no I do not remember the song - you'll have to remind me.
Re: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Posted by: mackemII (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2008 13:28
Al, (to the tune of Bread of Heaven), it was "Peter Shilton, Peter Shilton, does ya missus know you're here, does ya missus know you're here?" It was the week after the famous incident, Cloughie knew he'd get some stick so he didn't play him.
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