Can't beat a good day out at the rugby

[User]

 

[upsidedown]

Sounds great apart from the rugby bit.

 

[Lardyboy]

I was ensconed in a crowded pub this afternoon (Cabbage Patch in Twickenham) with my 7 and 9 year old drinking my first pint of the afternoon.

Then walked to Twickenham and drunk another two (ok three) pints of beer over the course of two hours, with 80,000 other people. It was the Harlequins (home) game against Wasps.

Kids got given free Harlequin flags to wave and take home, fireworks, big stadium atmosphere, loads of chats with various strangers (one mum to my sons, "you can't support Harlequins, surely you have higher standards then that"), civil behaviour from everyone around me at the seats even though most were tanked up by that stage, day for the kids to remember.

Good trick by Harlequins - they have another two young kids (only £5 a junior ticket) hooked for life now.

Only if the game hadn't been such a big pile of poo. Too many dropped catches, easy kicks missed and final passes mislaid at the crucial moment.

Sackey is a tough character though. He took a big hit and stood back up. Cipriani (poseur) did put a good kick over.

Eat in pizza on the way home until the crowds (sort of) cleared.

I was given some concessionary leaflet to go and see Harlequin Rugby League play and will do that next...

Ah the joys of the Guinness Premiership.

But as you've said C of G no better sport to bring the kids to see a fantastic atmosphere.

 

[Greedo]

Sounds great apart from the rugby bit.

You have typed exactly what I was going to say.

 

[darkstar]

Had a season ticket for Northampton saints since I was 11, witnessed the winning the heiniken cup, their demise and recent return to form. They are now a formidable team(especially at home) and play exciting rugby. Watched the quins match on tv today, not the best of games but the size of the crowd was a great boost for the league. Quins are also recovering from the blood gate scandle, still cheats in the team. Glad sarries list today, they play boring rugby and have ridden their luck for too long. As for people who don't enjor rugby, go to a live club game and witness the friendly, yet competative atmosphere. If you still don't enjoy it, go to the football and be charged £6 per pint! (this post was writen on my phone so sorry for mistakes)

 

[Aperitif]

76.700 attendance! Good for you to take the kids along Gersh but don't get 'ensconed' too often - you'll be eaten alive! (Or at least be in a bit of a jam...)

 

[BrumJim]

Ahh, more catching the Rugby bug.

I went to the equivalent game last season - Harlequins against Leicester. Went with my father-in-law.

However 'Quins got it into their head that just because I bought a pair of tickets from them, there is a chance I might become a regular fan. NO WAY. I bleed red, green and white.

Not as anti-Quins as I used to be - they have been through some testing times (relegation, blood-gate) and have come out with a strong fan-base, so good on them. Wasps on the other hand, cancelling games 'cos they don't like mud, worst offenders in front row players splitting their finger nails and having to go off, forcing un-contested scrums, just 'cos they are getting pushed around the park, and calling themselves LONDON Wasps, despite having a home ground in High Wycombe, so far out of London that even Ryanair wouldn't dare to call it "London", and home to that over-hyped press-comment-junky that is Cipriani.

Decided on your allegiance yet?

 

[Aperitif]

I flirted with the idea of supporting London Irish.

They have a good community set up and a decent team.

And their back, Paul Hodgson (England 7s and England U-21s) coaches the Kingston Rugby Team on cold windswept Tuesday evening. I attended a few sessions and he's a really down-to-earth, unpretentious, inclusive bloke. I was impresssed.

But at the end of the day, I just couldn't seem myself as a London Irish supporter. Would have been too plastic paddy of me.

Bob Casey would be proud of you Crock...

 

[yello]

I switched from football to rugby as a spectator sport many years ago. I'd go to watch London Welsh a few times a year and really enjoy the game, a couple of pints and a pie, and the real 'club house' feel of it all.

I eventually lost faith in football; feeling like I was being taken for a mug week in week out.

 

[Norm]

[QUOTE 901549"] Harlequins vs London Irish today. Our first trip out-side since 17 December! 5 trips to the local Broadway to buy sundries does not count. [/quote]Bugger, I had intended to go to that with one of the girls I work with. She's a 'quins season ticket holder, whereas the Exiles are my locals.

 

[fossyant]

Great........

Northener here........... done a fair few of the Superleague finals with my family - had a blast........you can't do that with football...........

 

[darkstar]

Crock, do you go to other games, other than the big Twickers game? The sides need some of the people who are attracted to these big events to keep interest and head to more home games! Crowds have been slightly lower for most clubs this season, which is a concern.

 

[Jerry Atrik]

Get down to Salcombe RFC . Great club , bar overlooks the pitch and London Pride at under £2 a pint .

 

[darkstar]

[QUOTE 901556"]
The odd Harlequins RL game. I will try and go a bit more.


Budget was a bit tight last year. And if I take the kids to games regularly, they'll want the tops/or hat/or scarf etc.

I changed their minis' rugby club this season and that cost me £425 alone. For two kids - insurance, membership, socks, shorts, shirt, body vest with armour, club Winter waterproof top, end-of-season tour!

I'm not tight but...


[/quote]
Good that they're playing, thats far more important than watching. I'm not sure what Quins offer in terms of kids tickets, but when I was younger, my season tickets cost £50!

 

[BrumJim]

So then:

This Saturday. Top of the Table clash. Both sides on a roll.
Predictions?