Programme Notes

Saturday 8th November 2003: v Northampton Saints

A big welcome to the players, management and supporters of Northampton Saints. I hope that today’s game is slightly less dramatic than Saints’ last game! For those of us who journeyed north last Friday week to Leeds Tykes is was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. A win on the road is always worth celebrating especially as we had lost at the death last year. The journey was very fraught for some, six hours on the M1 isn’t the best start to a weekend! Isn’t it about time that these long distance Friday night games were knocked on the head?

It’s been a big couple of week for Quinssa. Last week we had a good turnout for the Academy evening where Tony Russ and Colin Osborne along with two of the young tyros Tom Allen and a slightly Welsh Ben Thompson gave us an informative and entertaining insight into the whole Academy structure. A big thank you to all four.

You also probably noticed the spectacular release of all those balloons at half time in the Sale game. Quinssa released four hundred helium filled balloons (all of them eventually went on their way) and we now have an anxious wait to see whose balloon gets the furthest. At least one has already been returned from France. All proceeds from selling the balloons will be going to Quins’ nominated charity, the BPA. So if you bought a balloon or two, then thanks, every little bit helps.

Quinssa will also have details of their 2004 plus calendar on the Quinssa stall before the game. So come along and place your orders, there’s a limited print run, so, as they say, when they’re gone they’re gone! Some of the proceeds are also going to the BPA and some to Quinssa.

Quinssa will also be announcing some other events quite soon, including yet another cultural event that has absolutely nothing to do with rugby. So don’t let me hear any more waffle about us being only a travel club! Incidentally I’m still taking bookings for the trip down to Gloucester on December 27th and ask me also about Bath details on November 22nd. Contact me on will@quinssa.org.uk.

The photo, I hear you ask? It’s a soft one this week! Ben Willis our young number 9 asked me to take it as the three ex-Leinster lads who are also house mates, started together for the first time in Quins’ colours.

Poppy Day or Remembrance Sunday will soon be here again. I was pleased to see from the TV pictures from Franklin’s Gardens that they have a permanent memorial at their ground. The money raised for poppy Day only meets half the bill required to carry out a range of worthy jobs, so fund raising goes on all year. So when you buy your poppy, please give generously and spare a thought in your busy lives for those that didn’t return and those that were left behind.

Back to the game. Enjoy it, stay to the end, respect the kickers and raise the roof!

Will Warner
Quinssa Chairman