Exeter Chiefs
After the party was over...
3Wheels
By 3WheelsOnMyWaggon
March 28 2011
3 Wheels reviews a memorable weekend at the MadStad
The London Irish Review
Where do you start to sum things up after a St Paddy’s experience in Reading??
Well it all started with a relaxing Friday evening with fellow Tribe members, a few Guinness’s, lagers, bitters and bottles of Rosé to wash away the dust from the long ride up from out west. The first one slid down in no time at all followed by a few more. Then we had to hit the trail in search of a buffalo or two, but, not being very successful we visited some of our Indian cousins, who served up a very warming platter down beside the great river at Caversham Bridge. After a grand feast we retraced our steps towards our temporary encampment on the river plain, taking a slight detour to our previous watering hole.
With the sun rising in the sky we met up with a few stragglers and headed towards the great fortress, calling in at the Hope Tap for breakfast and liquid refreshments, it was good to see so many pubs decked out in Exiles regalia and flags, many crammed with supporters at mid-morning. This is something the hostelries of Exeter could learn from, make your premises stand out so that it acts as a focal point for both home and away support, or drag the supporters in and make them welcome, they might even come back, you’d be amazed, we even talk to each other.
At midday we headed towards the 3 Guineas, but with it crammed to the rafters and further, we decided to catch one of the many buses to the Madejski to join the Craic.
Wow! The car park and stadium concourse was crammed with odd people wearing green and black Guinness hats and other crazy outfits with their flags aloft. Had to get our priorities right, first port of call, one of the bars, as we were so thirsty from our weary journey, then to meet up with the main Raiding party, weaving their way through the madding crowd, howling to the great gods, waiving their tomahawks and playing their drums. No war here today, just a gathering of like-minded people coming together to support their local heroes, have a good time, enjoy the music, swap a few stories and sample some fire water.
With the bars beginning to dry out, it was time to enter the main arena to watch the main entertainment.
Well most of you know the outcome and have read the numerous opinions, so I won’t dwell too much on it, except, that in my opinion and having seen the photographic evidence, Mr Garner you should wear glasses, preferably your own or have the courage of your own convictions, don’t put your hand in the air and then put it down again like a nervous school boy. Other than that we were well beaten, the guys played hard but really need to put in tackles early and decisively, and use their arms, pulled themselves back into the game, but let it slip too far away.
It was a good display from the Exiles, with the ground nearly full, it was a great atmosphere, and whilst the home fans flooded the stadium with noise, the Tribe still managed to make themselves heard.
Back outside the party continued, the beer continued to flow and souvenirs were exchanged, the bulk of the raiding party headed back west, before we drifted back into town for some well-deserved liquid refreshment, having joined with the exiles in a very melodic sing song on the bus. Good wishes also continued throughout the night, even from the little Nino who owns the Italian restaurant by the same name in the market place, although his geography is a little rusty, Exeter is definitely not in Wales!!
The Exiles continued partying into the night, trying to tempt us into the Gateway, the majority of us resisted temptation, but some…….well!
Great game, Great Craic, you’re right guys, we’ll be back next year, hopefully for another Paddy’s day.
Tony Rowe, I’m sure the Paddy’s day experience is an idea we can build on, get your thinking cap on.
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28/03/2011 22:18
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:28:22:19:41 by Moorsman.
any offers for the Leeds Preview? 
The "decked-out" pubs are a new initiative by LI - London irish Official Pubs. I don't think it's been running long enough to know whether it is a success (I think this was our second home-game since the launch). It's certainly nice to have a few pubs in town acknowledging the existence of LI (Reading's a bit of a footy town). I'm sure if someone at Exeter wanted to give Felicity a shout she'd fill them in on what works and what doesn't so far.
The "big day" experience is certainly one worth looking into - Quins "borrowed" the idea with their Christmas Big Match and Wasps are now appropriating St George's Day for their Twickenham bash. It not only gives you a big pay-day but it allows you an occasion where you can market your club to a load a new faces. I doubt many of the "Paddies Day" crowd pick us up on a more regular basis but I bet we do get a few each year. When you've got a half-empty stadium to fill anything helps.
Sorry, I've gone-on (I do tend to). Finally a massive thanks to all the travellers who got into the spirit and looked to be having fun. A massive thanks to the Exeter team who came to play rugby and played their part in a great game. Too many teams come to kill the ball and you end-up grinding out dull, lifeless rugby. With a numpty like Mr Garner "in-charge" your lads could quite easily have throttled every ruck and stopped any chance of running rugby - the eejit with the whistle certainly wouldn't have noticed.
See y'all next year!
