By Falcon1 (25/02/03)
February 25 2003

How does one choose one's favourite game? There are obvious criteria that can be used to select contenders. A great victory, such as when the Falcons won the Tetley Bitter Cup on that wonderful day in February 2001. Or a game that tests the nerves, when the result is in doubt deep into added time and so much depends on the outcome, such as the game away to Leeds in February 2003 when defeat would have spelt certain relegation.

But the choice of a favourite game can also hinge on an ensemble of memories, often unrelated to the game itself, coming together to create a special moment in time. So it is for me, with my favourite game being...

London Wasps versus Newcastle Falcons, 11 November 2001

The record books show that coming into this game the Falcons were comfortably placed fourth in the table, whilst Wasps were languishing in bottom place. They also show that the outcome was a (surprisingly close) win for the Falcons by 33 - 30. What the record books do not show is that this was victory snatched from the jaws of defeat, by a piece of magic woven by one of the old guard combing with two of the young guns, after an incredible comeback performance by the Wasps. And the record books do not show any of the other factors that give this game an indelible place in my memory.

The previous day England had played Australia at Twickenham, and I was fortunate to be there to witness England achieve a significant result in the campaign to assert their right to a place at the top table of international rugby in the professional era.

In the corresponding fixture in 2000 England had claimed the Cook Cup in the dying moments of the game thanks to a try from Dan Luger that meant England won 22 - 19. However memorable that game was, the 2001 result was perhaps a more important result. England took the scalp of the world champions despite a number of obstacles that might previously have been used to justify a defeat. Lacking the leadership, experience and power of Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio, facing wide-spread pre-match criticism for the selection of Jason Robinson at full-back for his fifth cap, against a full-strength Australian team, who chose to use 'professional tactics', including a blatant obstruction of defenders to claim their first try, England were victorious. Yet even victory was not good enough for some - they rounded on Woodward for the fact that England failed to score a try. In response Woodward was unequivocal, with a remark that encapsulated the new attitude that he was promoting: "The game's about winning and we won".

So if England failed to score a try, how did they win? Well, look no further than the boy-wonder - Jonny Wilkinson. He kicked five penalties and, not one, but two drop goals, to claim all of England’s points. Imagine how it felt to be a Falcons supporter that Saturday afternoon at Twickenham.

The following day was Remembrance Day. After a leisurely breakfast reading the newspapers, we found our way to the heart of London. In a world threatened by terrorism, security was intense and a number of times we had to pass through security checks that seemed strangely at odds with the calm, peace of a sunny Autumn morning.

To stand near Parliament, to hear the reminiscences of frail old men, some perhaps making a pilgrimage for the last time, and to witness a procession in which political and military pomp, however much vaunted, failed to dislodge the moving tribute of a nation to those who died in conflicts now consigned to the pages of history books or the flickering images of documentary television, was a truly humbling experience. It was particularly ironic, after the passion and emotion of the previous day, to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with citizens, young and old, of Australia, united by a common respect for the sacrifice made by our forefathers.

So onwards through the London traffic to Loftus Road, Wasps's temporary home that season, for the 3.00pm kick-off.

Strange places football grounds. We entered and in our usual fashion at rugby matches sought out the bar to refresh the vocal chords before the game. The girl behind the counter hesitated in response to my enquiry as to whether I might take the drinks to my seat. She turned to her supervisor, who assured her that this was indeed permitted, after all, as she explained, "It's the rugby lot today"!

The match-day programme stated, 'Youth is very much the key word at Kingston Park', and this was reflected in the team that played that afternoon: Richardson, Stephenson, Noon, May, Botham (on the wing), Walder (in place of Jonny), Charlton (pictured) - the whole back-line that day was comprised of the 'young guns'. The forwards showed more experience, but even here there were some relatively young players - Ward, Makin, Taione and Grimes balancing the experience of Hurter, Weir, Arnold and Lam. The six Falcons players with international honours faced a Wasps team that even without Dallalgio boasted nine internationals and included names such as Phil Greening, Simon Shaw, Ian Jones, Alex King, Paul Sampson and Martin Offiah.

The first half was nothing memorable. Both sides were nervous and there were too many mistakes made for anything to develop. Instead Alex King and Dave Walder exchanged penalties. At half-time the score was 12-12, with King and Walder each having kicked four penalties.

Following another King penalty early in the second half, Falcons scored the first try of the game. After an Wasps' attempted clearance went wrong, there was a scramble for the ball from which Weir emerged to crash over for a try, duly converted by Walder. Shortly after the Falcons extended their lead. Ian Jones was sin binned, Wasps expected Walder to kick for goal from the penalty, but instead he scrambled over for a try, which he then converted to leave the Falcons with a comfortable 26 - 15 lead with 20 minutes to go.

Then the Wasps fight-back commenced. Two penalties from King reduced the deficit to five points. The home crowd, which had been strangely quiet most of the game, began to encourage their team and Wasps responded by sweeping downfield with a seemingly irresistible momentum. The result was another two penalties from King and Wasps had a 27 - 26 lead with just two minutes of normal time left. A noisy and happy home crowd now surrounded the small band of Falcons supporters. The Falcons had scored two converted tries and four penalties but were behind to nine penalties from the boot of Alex King. To compound the home crowd joy, Paul Sampson chose the eightieth minute of the game to kick a monster drop goal from 50 metres. At 30 - 26, the game was surely over?

Instead there followed the magic that made this game special. The Falcons kept the ball alive for three minutes of added time, through seven phases of play. Whilst watching the play unfold, I happened to glance at Pat Lam (pictured) and saw him motion Jamie Noon to stick with him. It was as if he knew exactly what needed to be done and how he was going to do it.

Time seemed to slow down as I watched Tom May release the ball to Lam who burst down the right wing, with Noon in close pursuit, until Lam had corralled-in the Wasps defence. He then passed the ball gently inside into the grateful but sure hands of Noon who had a clear run towards the posts to touch down and snatch victory from defeat amidst a stunned home crowd. It was a formality for Walder to convert the try and leave the Falcons 33 - 30 victors.

I shall never forget that moment when I glanced at Lam and saw that something special was about to happen. It rounded off a great weekend and was the highlight of the season for me.

As I said at the beginning, a person's choice of a favourite game can hinge on a mixture of things. My choice reflects a weekend of emotions. At the heart of it, though, is a piece of magic created by some players that may sometimes frustrate me, and themselves, but who are to be forgiven for delivering moments such as that last few minutes at Loftus Road in November 2001.

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