Programme Notes 2007/8

Gloucester Rugby

Last week I started off this page by saying I was finding it hard to get going this season. Not only am I now mobile, but I’m bouncing around like a little Labrador puppy! The England result in Paris confirmed that God is definitely a native of these shores and the correct order of things is as it should be, but the Quins performances have finally reaped their rewards. Even to us without an RFU Coaching Badge it is clear that we have played to a different style in recent weeks; our young team is playing a faster, ball-in-hand, type of game that exploits the strengths within the team.

The victory over Worcester brought our drought to an end, although it was still expected by many based on our respective league positions. What tickled me, however, was the fact that a final score of 36-15 was not due to Quins scoring 5 tries, but, as the reports coming out of the Worcester camp would have it, was the consequence of their poor little mites not understanding the Laws relating to “offside”. It wasn’t the fact that they were clearly under pressure in their own 22. Oh no, it must have been because they hadn’t changed the Laws overnight and they should have been explicitly told they hadn’t changed. I do hope they were told that it was still not possible to throw the ball forward, before they played their next match! 

Last Sunday’s result at Saracens really showed what our young players are capable of, and no doubt would have silenced the noisy minority of doomsayers in the Stands who enjoy calling for heads to roll. Maybe these are the same people who disgracefully jeered Adrian Jarvis as he went through a nightmare period of place kicking against Worcester. Adrian really showed his mettle with two fine kicks before the end and is possibly playing the best rugby I’ve seen from him.

I believe the second half performance said more about the team, generally, and players, individually, than the first. I read some comments from supporters claiming we deliberately changed tactics after half time, but does anyone really believe that a team of Saracen’s undoubted experience did not have a say in it? Do they really believe a scenario of Alan Gaffney telling Chris Jack and Richard Hill to play in exactly the same way after the break, despite the pouring rain, heavy conditions and a monster pack? The drummer boys and girls paradiddled their little mitts to shreds and the “men in black” huffed and puffed, but still the Quins’ defensive lines couldn’t get blown down. With 70% possession, they still only scored 3 points in 40 minutes and we looked more likely to scoring a try in the last ten of them! The first half might have shown what Quins can do to win a game with ball in hand, but the second showed how defence brings ultimate victory.

I truly believe that today will also be our day, but why not share your own thoughts with us in the Etihad Stand. Quinssa are working hard alongside Etihad to help supporters, and every member who holds membership for the 2008/9 season on 16th March will be eligible for the next Etihad draw for a pair of tickets to the Newcastle game on 29th March. Also please put the following dates in your diary; the Video Analysis Evening, on 19th March, and the “More Affordable Do”, on the 24th April. Go to our website for details.

Cliff Funnell

Cliff@quinssa.org.uk

Programme Note Archive