Programme Notes
Sunday 2nd May 2004: v Bath
“Enjoying the Quins experience and raising the roof in support of our gallant lads!”
Today we welcome the fans, management and players of Bath to the Stoop for a vital ZP league game. There is much to play for in these last two rounds of the Premiership, with 1st and 2nd still to be decided and much jostling behind them for a home berth in the wildcard. Bath have already secured Heineken Cup rugby for next season, we congratulate them on that, for us it still is the number one target for the coming weeks.
Our European dreams are still alive after an emotional roller coaster of a game last Sunday at the Sportsground in Galway. Everyone by now will know the details of a dramatic game. I can’t be alone in thinking that there were a few moments when 23 – 10 down, and four behind on aggregate that perhaps it wasn’t to be this year. But an astonishingly gutsy last quarter saw Quins finish the stronger and earn a final place against Montferrand, conquerors of Bath the previous day, in our lucky city of Reading. When was the last time we lost at the Madstad? You’ll have to go back several years after two league draws and wins in the league and the Shield final in the last three years.
Montferrand will be tough opponents and probably start as slight favourites. They blew Bath away in the first half of the semi and also have won this competition before. Back in 1999 they beat Bourgoin 35 -16. After four years of French wins this competition has been won by English sides for the last three years. The winner this year will be the first to have one it twice.
Back to Galway for a moment, it was great to see so many Quins fans out there. Probably something in the range of 450. That might not seem that many to some sides but to us that’s definitely a leap in the right direction. A couple of the players even commented that they could hear us! Heaven forbid, I expect they’ll be a few letters to the Times! Quay Street on the Saturday night was awash with Quins fans adorning every item sold in the shop for the last couple of years. But has anyone else noticed that some the replica shirts seem to add forty pounds to the midriff of middle aged fans? Well I’m pleased some of you did, I was beginning to think it was just me!
A mention must be made of the Connacht fans. What a bunch. They were sporting, generous and very gracious in defeat. It was the largest crowd ever for a rugby game at Connacht, this was amazing considering there were local big semis in both Gaelic football and the other football as well as the distraction of another game in Dublin.
We went into Sunday’s game not knowing how many games were left in the season. It could have been anything from three to six. We now know we have a European cup final to contest and a win today could mean two more games as well. Today more than ever we need to get behind our team and turn the crowd into an extra man.
For Quinssa there’s still a lot going on. If you haven’t already renewed your membership or want to join then come to the desk in the East stand bar before the game. You can also find out what else is going on and payment can be made for the Northampton coach.
So have a great day, enjoy the Quins experience and raise the roof in support of our gallant lads.
Will Warner
Quinssa Chairman (will@quinssa.org.uk)
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