No doubt the conditions contributed to the dismal fayre offered on field but even allowing for that it was a singularly uninspired performance by both teams.

For me things were bright enough before the game started. This was my first trip to the Madejski since early October, it was a real joy to be back after such a long gap. The usual convivial gathering in the hotel bar, an opportunity to meet with friends old and new, was punctuated with a trip to see the official opening of the new LISC marquee "In honour of Pat Coyne".

I also made a foray into the shop. Perhaps it is because I had been absent for so long that it really struck me just how much the shop has improved. The range of items offered has grown, the layout and number of staff on hand is much improved. Fully credit to Pat, Ann and all those who have contributed to these improvements down the months. It is working and it is appreciated.

My St Patrick's day shirt ordered I made my way, as usual, to the Eastie gallery. Here the newly purchased, and very loud, drums were getting their first airing. For those who haven't seen them they are Lambeg style drums similar to those used by the Orange Order. Methinks bowler hats and sashes may now be in order for the drummers. To mark the occasion a few of the directors actually made a foray up to the gallery. Without wishing to get too controversial, it struck me at the time as a strange juxtaposition that the very same people that wish to encourage the drummers are those who appear to be supporting the move to reserved seating in the East stand. Ho hum!

The warm up was, as we have become used to under this regime, a long one. The whole team first warming up together, then splitting into forwards and backs for a while before a final joint session. It was only four minutes before KO time that the team headed towards the training room. Newcastle had disappeared down the tunnel some five minutes beforehand all that is bar a certain Mr. Wilkinson whose pre-match practice kick was expertly mimicked by that auld dog Digger. It was the only time we would see JW that day.

The game itself was dire, the highlights few. We had the first real opportunity to put points on the board seven minutes into the game. A delightful grubber kick by Catty put Newcastle under pressure. Newcastle won their own lineout but didn't really clear their lines, we came back at them in a storm. About 20m out and just to the left of the posts we were awarded a very kickable penalty. For reasons that I still can't fathom, particularly given the conditions, Riki chose to run with the ball rather than take the pretty well certain points. We spilled the ball forward and lost the opportunity.

One feature of the afternoon was how relatively poor our lineout was. We lost several against the head, the first one on 10 minutes gave the Falcons their first scoring opportunity. Fortunately for us Dave Walder missed the long penalty opportunity. It was however at this stage that Newcastle started to dominate the game. Dodge saved what looked to be a certain try. When Danie Coetzee was pinged for offside on 18 mins and Walder duly slotted the penalty we could consider ourselves fortunate to be only 3 points down.

The rest of the half was, to put it mildly, pretty dull. We clawed three points back courtesy of a Catty penalty on 31 minutes. Riki had by this stage gone off injured. Dave Walder missed an opportunity from 45 meters out and Newcastle also looked like scoring a try just before half time but were pinged for holding on. The teams went in at half time 3 - 3.

The tone for our second half was set by the restart. Ross, now on for Riki, kicked the ball out on the full. Some 6 minutes later we swapped penalties. We were pinged for not releasing, Walder duly converted. Newcastle were penalised for offside, Ross had a good go but missed the long, difficult attempt. The third quarter was probably the poorest of what was a poor game. Just when you thought someone, from either team, was going to break out there was an error and another set piece.

We did have a good opportunity to draw level on 62 mins. Our best period of pressure was rewarded with a penalty 25m out to the left of the field. Ross's kick bounced off the post. The crowd tried to get going, we had our first rendition of the fields but it was to no avail. At this point in my match report I have written in big letters the word TURGID!

The last quarter started badly for us. We quickly gave away two penalties for offside the second of which was converted to bring the score to 3 - 9 on 71 minutes. It was only then that we started to put any real semblance of play and sense of urgency into the game. We threw everything at them but fair play to their defence it was solid. It also has to be said that we didn't help ourselves by letting a number of clear overlaps go begging.

A 40m penalty on 75 minutes brought the score to 6 - 9. There were some around who felt the decision not to go to the corner was wrong. At the time and even now I felt it was the right call. Hard though we pressed the time then slipped away from us. We didn't even attempt a drop goal in that last 5 minutes, that did mystify me somewhat. The match ended with Newcastle the victors.

On balance I have to say that the score is a fair reflection of the game. Newcastle had the edge in a scrappy, poor quality, encounter. We could have won this but, frankly, didn't deserve to. The referee, Martin Fox, came in for a fair amount of stick from those around me for his decision making. Whilst he did make mistakes, on both sides, I don't think he had a bad game all in all.

Just a bad day at the office? I hope so. After the improvements we have seen this season it hurt to see such a poor performance. Had this team gone to Gloucester a fortnight ago it would have been well beaten. Perhaps we were guilty of complacency. Pretty well everyone I spoke to before the game thought we would win. Anyhar, it's a lesson learned and perhaps a somewhat needed reality check.

After this game I don't see us finishing in the top four of the Premiership. It looks like we are set to end up mid table. There is certainly a lot of work to do before we secure a Heineken Cup place. We could have a bumpy ride ahead.

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