Programme Notes
Saturday 24th January 2004: v Brive
A team (and supporters) well traveled!
After so long away we have two European games at home on the trot. Today sees Brive visit the Stoop a side we last met on the way to winning the European Shield (same competition, different name) a couple of years ago. Much has changed at Quins since then, with few of the playing staff the same. We home that the players, supporters and management enjoy their time with London’s only top flight rugby team. Much is at stake today, not least a handy lead for the second leg and a Heineken place for the eventual cup winners.
Our trip to Montauban was largely uneventful. Estimates of our away support in France put the numbers at around two hundred, made up of families, dads and sons, many European first timers and the usual bunch of geographically challenged Quins supporters. The team produced a very impressive display in appalling weather conditions. Montauban made a better fight of it last week but were overwhelmed early in the second half with some crisp fast rugby. The strength in depth in the squad is beginning to show now, can anybody actually name our first choice team?
The biggest event of the week gone by was the launch of the Olympic bid for London in 2012 (www.london2012.org.uk). Let’s not forget that it’s a combined bid for the Paralympics as well, which nicely brings us onto Quins’ and Quinssa’s big fund raising cause for this season and next, the BPA. We have two athletes representing Quinssa in the London marathon and raising funds for the BPA, you can keep track of the progress of Steve and Matt through their diaries on the Quinssa web site (www.quinssa.org.uk). So far we have raised approaching £2,000 which is about a third of the global total from the club. Today will probably be your last chance to buy a Quinssa callender. Melvin, the housewives’ favourite, will be mingling with the East stand crowd before the game trying to sell the last few remaining copies. Remember they are really good and when they are gone, well, they are gone!
Our next away coach will be Wasps on 22nd February. For the first time we will be offering a combined package of coach seat and match ticket. Although it’s going to be a funny one as the game is live on Sky and there’s a 6pm ko. If you want more details then contact me on will@quinssa.org.uk or see me in the East stand bar before the game. After that, play offs and Europe aside, we will probably only be running coaches to the London Irish and Northampton games.
By now all our members would have received detailed travel guidance for Brive. It’s a tough one as most who trek over there will need to take the Monday off work. But even a few other there will make a difference.
So have a great day, cheer on the lads and enjoy the experience.
Will Warner
Quinssa chairman
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