DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 7618--------------------------------------------------
Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: Admin
Date: October 1, 2018, 3:05 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
by Never Sleep
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com/gallery/comeallwithin/1-011018205232-45219.jpeg
I was on the supporters coach to Bristol and the experience with
Zeelo was less than perfect and I was therefore pleasantly
surprised when I received an email from Barney at Zeelo
offering a free seat on the coach to Kingsholm. I had not been
to Kingsholm before and I thought that this would an ideal time
to do my first visit.
I really didn't have high hopes for a win, but I was really
hoping that we could eek out a losing bonus point. My
prediction on Superbru was for a hammering. Gloucester have
looked pretty good so far (excepting the Sarries game).
However, I did feel a little more positive when I saw that Big
Kev, Brownie and Visser were back. I am a big fan of Mike Brown
and I think that we are generally a better team all with him on
the pitch.
So, I made my way down to the Stoop on Saturday morning with a
rather heavy back pack. Last week, we ran out of beer on the
way to Bristol and had to buy the expensive stuff at M&S on the
way. This time I had Tesco's Premium lager (and no, I hadn’t
won the Euro-millions on Friday night). The weather was
gorgeous.
The coach was on time and there were a few familiar faces even
though there were not many of us waiting. On the stop off at
Bracknell, we picked up a few more (who only made it by the
skins of their teeth).
The trip this week was eventless and on time – which was nice.
We arrived at the stadium with plenty of time and went to the
Kingholm Inn for a few pre-takeoffs. At this stage, we decided
to switch to cider. A word of caution for those visiting this
pub. The gents on the right hand side of the bar does not have
an inside door handle and you need someone to let you out. You
have been warned. For people who want to do some sight-seeing
while in Gloucester, you can actually see the cathedral from the
windows of the pub.
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com/gallery/comeallwithin/1-011018205231-42860.jpeg
I asked some Gloucester supporters where the stadium was and
they suggested turning left on existing the pub and walking
approximately two miles. Imagine my surprise when I discovered
that they were incorrect and the stadium was actually over the
road.
We went to the Stowford Press stand to find our seats. It is
basically their version of the South Stand. Underneath the
stand are a number of bars. The Stowford Press bar was selling
Rhubarb Cider (in 2 pint buckets), When in Rome . . .
I tried to teach the Gloucester supporter in the stand how to
sing “Come all without” – but they really were not getting it.
So, kickoff happened. They scored a try. We matched it. Then
we scored again pretty soon after (although I thought that the
Marchant pass may have been a bit forward). We went through the
normal thing of giving away loads of penalties and getting
another yellow card for our collection.
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com/gallery/comeallwithin/1-011018205232-462331.jpeg
Forward? Never!
There was some confusion as they reported that it was Big Kev
sent off – but I think it was actually Symonds. We had a period
when we had a player down with what looked like a dislocated
finger and Sharples scored a try when we were basically down to
13 men. We came back at the end of the half with a penalty and
half time was 18-15 to them. It felt like a fair result. Some
Gloucester fans explained the rule behind when you can shout
Eyeore and when you shouldn’t – but, I can’t remember them.
During the second half, the sun swung round a bit and I was
sitting in full sunshine – it was lovely. However, we did need
to salute the players during the entire second half.
Quins upped the intensity in the second 40. We played virtually
the whole half down at the other end. We scored a few penalties
and butchered a couple of try scoring opportunities. Eventually
we had managed to get 6 points in front – but then Gloucester
scored a try (which I feared was going to be a killer blow).
However, we managed to get another penalty. Smith unfortunately
hit the uprights. But we still carried on pushing for a win.
Late on, we bought on loads of replacements and we smashed a
Gloucester scrum and Smith kicked the resulting penalty to put
us back in front. (I may have my sequence of events wrong).
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com/gallery/comeallwithin/1-011018205232-472337.jpeg
We then just had to hang on for a few minutes. The ball came
down our end and went out of play when the clock appeared to be
dead. But, for some reason, they restarted with a Gloucester
scrum. We defended heroically and managed to get the ball out
of play and therefore chalked up our first away win for a long
time.
After the game we went to applaud the players. I asked Boyce if
had actually been on the pitch – even though he was apparently
part of the front row that smashed their scrum. (Sorry Lewis!)
Then the comedy moment. I leaned on the barrier fence to find
that the barriers are only Velcro-ed on. As a result, I fell on
the pitch and did a tortoise impression.
We went back to the bar – but, they had run out of Rhubarb cider
– so I ordered a bucket of some sort of berry cider.
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com/gallery/comeallwithin/1-011018205232-44179.jpeg
Then back to the coach for a jolly good sing-song and some more
beer. Apparently, we all have brand new combine harvesters.
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com/gallery/comeallwithin/1-011018205624.jpeg
All that is left to say is that I am really very sorry.
#Post#: 7627--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: Comet
Date: October 1, 2018, 4:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Ha ha! Very good!
#Post#: 7631--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: Rocker
Date: October 1, 2018, 5:14 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Sounds like a fun day out!
#Post#: 7633--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: never sleep
Date: October 1, 2018, 5:33 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Saturday was great fun. Sunday morning was less enjoyable.
#Post#: 7650--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: October 2, 2018, 4:00 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Sympathetic laugh out loud from Zummerzet. :)
#Post#: 7660--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: Chipstead Quin
Date: October 2, 2018, 4:35 am
---------------------------------------------------------
fun report .. well written , would never have guessed alcohol
was involved if you hadn't mentioned it ! thanks Never Sleep .
#Post#: 7687--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: DOK
Date: October 2, 2018, 10:45 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It's a great example of when I say "it doesn't have to be about
the rugby". We can get the passes, the scores and the stats from
the papers. There was stuff in that report that you're never
going to get from some reporter . I really enjoyed reading it.
#Post#: 7698--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: Robertquin
Date: October 3, 2018, 2:51 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Great report and very enjoyable to read.
#Post#: 7702--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: never sleep
Date: October 3, 2018, 3:50 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I hadn't planned to do a
report (or even go to the game). I penned the report on Monday
morning while looking at the random photos I took and seeing
DOK's plea.
But, one thing that worked well this time was the coach. I know
that we had a few issues with the Bristol coach - but this coach
worked fine. clean (when we found it), comfortable and on-time.
Also, other people on the coach had good words to say for the
coaches generally. So, I think that if you were put off after
the Bristol experience, I would consider giving them a second
chance. The only improvement to the coach service would be if
they could park closer to the ground.
#Post#: 7721--------------------------------------------------
Re: Match Report: Gloucester vs Harlequins
DIR By: InsertQuinsPunHere
Date: October 3, 2018, 8:06 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Great read, thank you... very humerous. I especially appreciated
the tips on sight-seeing!
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 2
DIR Next Page