Your first Warriors Match
By Powick Eastander
January 14 2009
I am going to admit to being a bit of a ‘Jonny come lately’ as my first match at Sixways was Worcester Warriors V Manchester on Saturday 7th February 2004As we all seem to be in a in a post Christmas malaise I thought I would try and get us all to reflect on why we are Warriors supporters, getting you to think and write about your memories of your first Worcester Warriors game.
in the last season of Div 1. Jen, my daughter, always enjoyed watching rugby on the telly but had never been to a game. I had always assumed that getting tickets for a rugby match would much like soccer in that only regulars get tickets, so when I rang the Warriors ticket office on the off chance, I was pleasantly surprised to find out how easy it was to get tickets for the East Stand.
As it was our first match we were not quite sure what to expect. The pre-match atmosphere was really buoyant, so much so it was evident to a newcomer. Bradders intro for the team was much the same as it is now and long may it be so. The cheering of each players name and the same delivery afforded to the opposition team list to allow travelling fans to do the same (I have since been more than irritated the partisan announcers in other grounds) followed by the cheering as the Warriors ran out. I think that was the moment when I was hooked. Not sure about Jen, you will have to ask her.
The game was a bit one sided to say the least but none the less enjoyable. The score line 74 - 8 reflected both teams’ respective league positions. I still have the program and there are a couple of players who are still Warriors now, Craig Gillies and Matt Powell and the legend that is Reg.
As an added bonus the Webb Ellis Trophy was on show at Sixways that afternoon and I didn’t have my camera!!
So what are your first match memories, some will be from before the Warriors came into existence and some will be quite recent, but please when ever they are from please share….
WN match report
Program
Team Sheet
PE.
Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Comeonyouwarriors.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2009 20:15
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:27:20:32:07 by Powick Eastander!.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:27:20:32:07 by Powick Eastander!.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Veston Pants (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2009 23:13
My first game at Sixways was towards the end of the 2001-2002 season and was also against Manchester. The former Mrs Pants and I had recently moved into the area and as a big Rugby League fan I was keen to sample what the 'Rah Rah's' game had to offer.
I wasn't to be disappointed. Although the attendance wasn't huge, the atmosphere in the south stand was warm and welcoming. The rugby was pretty good and bore little resemblance to the stodgy fare I'd seen from the national side on the telly. The amount of back play was a pleasant surprise. Worcester won the game fairly comfortably (I can't remember the score) and I'd seen enough to make me attend another game (a thumping of Orrell) before the end of the season.
The following season I became a regular, walking down the canal path with drinking mates from the local in Tibberton, and staggering back again after the game - and a few lotions in the old marquee bar.
Good company and good rugby. What more can you ask for on a Saturday afternoon?
I wasn't to be disappointed. Although the attendance wasn't huge, the atmosphere in the south stand was warm and welcoming. The rugby was pretty good and bore little resemblance to the stodgy fare I'd seen from the national side on the telly. The amount of back play was a pleasant surprise. Worcester won the game fairly comfortably (I can't remember the score) and I'd seen enough to make me attend another game (a thumping of Orrell) before the end of the season.
The following season I became a regular, walking down the canal path with drinking mates from the local in Tibberton, and staggering back again after the game - and a few lotions in the old marquee bar.
Good company and good rugby. What more can you ask for on a Saturday afternoon?
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: AL FRESCO (IP Logged)
Date: 14/01/2009 23:21
Worcester V Leeds sept 2000 my first shift behind the bar in te south stand. worcester won 40-13, although it was the A team that was called the warriors then
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Scunny Rob (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 01:09
Worcester Vs Rugby Lions, in December 2001. Worcester won, but I have to admit that I can't remeber the score. I was living in Leeds at the time, so didn't get down to Worcester often, but always tried to make a couple of games a season from that point onwards - and I'm now a season ticket holder!
*After a bit of research, I've seen that Worcester won 30-5, although it stated that Worcester 'struggled to overturn one of the league's bottom clubs' - sounds familiar!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:15:13:12:57 by Scunny Rob.
*After a bit of research, I've seen that Worcester won 30-5, although it stated that Worcester 'struggled to overturn one of the league's bottom clubs' - sounds familiar!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:15:13:12:57 by Scunny Rob.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Gillies 4 England (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 08:58
April 12, 2003.
Worcester 9 Rotherham 21
Maybe next year!
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G4E
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Worcester 9 Rotherham 21
Maybe next year!
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G4E
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Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Hywel (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 10:28
First Worcester game - now there's a thing!
They weren't the Warriors then but the game was a pre-season friendly against Wasps, can't remember the date but it would have been the summer of 1999 as Sean was just 2 at the time. The South Stand had just been finished but wasn't open to sit in at that point.
Got me hooked on the set up at Sixways and we became South Standers thereafter.
They weren't the Warriors then but the game was a pre-season friendly against Wasps, can't remember the date but it would have been the summer of 1999 as Sean was just 2 at the time. The South Stand had just been finished but wasn't open to sit in at that point.
Got me hooked on the set up at Sixways and we became South Standers thereafter.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Drutz (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 10:41
For me was the last game at Sixways in the 2001-02 season. Came with friends after I had stopped playing rugby a while before, not sure why I am playing again now mind you, and we played Exeter.
Players included Jim Jenner, Ben Hinshelwood and Ducan Roke amoungst others. Was a great game as Worcester won 41-17 and have been coming ever since and plan on keep coming far into the future.
Forced to retire by the RFU
Players included Jim Jenner, Ben Hinshelwood and Ducan Roke amoungst others. Was a great game as Worcester won 41-17 and have been coming ever since and plan on keep coming far into the future.
Forced to retire by the RFU
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Hooky (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 13:33
We're part of the Johnny come lately crowd as well.
It was v. Bristol the day we assured Promotion to the Prem. Finished 63-10 I think???. We scored 10 tries but only converted 9. Sat in the temporary east stand that was erected for the later end of the season.
Got hooked immediately and signed up for a season ticket as soon as possible.
It was v. Bristol the day we assured Promotion to the Prem. Finished 63-10 I think???. We scored 10 tries but only converted 9. Sat in the temporary east stand that was erected for the later end of the season.
Got hooked immediately and signed up for a season ticket as soon as possible.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: That Councillor! (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 15:44
My first game was in the mid 1990's and was against Stoke on the old first team pitch. There were no seats and everyone either stood against the rail around the pitch or in the covered shelter. There must have been around 500 spectators, an excellent number for that level, and the matchday programme had 8 pages (I think) and printed in blue. I remember Nick Baxter was playing and Les Cusworth was the coach. It's amazing how much the club have grown since then!
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Hurricane Run (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 15:55
Can someone please advise when we played Liverpool St Helens,I think it was a cup match around 1997 / 1998 ish.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:15:15:56:44 by Hurricane Run.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:15:15:56:44 by Hurricane Run.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: oxford wuss (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 16:36
Well I'm more of a "Johnny Cum Lately" than the rest of you but I shall always remember my first match. It was the 1st season in the premiership at home to Quins and our first league win. As we won Pete has allowed me to accompany him to each match!
(Unfortunately it doesnt mean we win every time we attend)
(Unfortunately it doesnt mean we win every time we attend)Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: TVM (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 16:46
I would like to put a big ol' ditto under oxford wuss's post.
Except for the bit about Pete...I don't know Pete
Dare we hope? We dare.
Can we hope? We can.
Should we hope? We must.
Except for the bit about Pete...I don't know Pete
Dare we hope? We dare.
Can we hope? We can.
Should we hope? We must.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Powick Eastander (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 18:31
TVM you have sat next to Oxford Wuss and Pete is her other half and was sitting next to her!!!
Warriors Rugby Supporters Club
Warriors Rugby Supporters Club Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: MagicJ_ (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 18:45
I have had a beer or three since my first game so have not got the foggiest who it was against. Perhaps one of my teetotal friends could enlghten me :-)
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Butthead (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 21:16
Can I claim the Jonny Cum Lately award for coming latest? (go on, who's gonna do that joke?)
I'm afraid I am really a complete rugby Jonny Cum Lately having only watched my first match in November 2004, England vs South Africa on a work related prawn sandwich jolly, got hooked after that.
First Worcester match was January 1st 2005. Beat London Irish 16-6, it was cold and pouring with rain, we (me, Dad and Beav1s) sat in the end of the East Stand and got soaked, despite the free Sky Sports poncho, What a great day out!
I'm afraid I am really a complete rugby Jonny Cum Lately having only watched my first match in November 2004, England vs South Africa on a work related prawn sandwich jolly, got hooked after that.
First Worcester match was January 1st 2005. Beat London Irish 16-6, it was cold and pouring with rain, we (me, Dad and Beav1s) sat in the end of the East Stand and got soaked, despite the free Sky Sports poncho, What a great day out!
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: lbf (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2009 14:50
I'm with Magic J on this one!!!
I know my first live Match was watching England A v NZ A @ Ashton Gate, Briz in 1997. Watching Wuss not long after!!! but many pints of Guinness have gone my way since!!!
I know my first live Match was watching England A v NZ A @ Ashton Gate, Briz in 1997. Watching Wuss not long after!!! but many pints of Guinness have gone my way since!!!
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Drahm for England (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2009 15:23
Brive in the ECC or whatever it was called, October 2004, we drove up while living is Sussex, arrived after kick off and got soaked standing in the barstanders area, later sneaking into the north stand! Still remember Raz's try that day,awesome and got me hooked,hence I drove up from Bognor to get tickets for the crunch game vs Saints and missed out in the queue by about 10 people grrr!
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Faithful_City (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2009 16:08
My first games was shortly after getting posted to Norton Barracks in July 1971 which happened to be Worcester's Centenary Year!
Went down on a training night met Dave Robbins, a very special guy call Neville South and a few others who are now even older and more wrinkly than I am (Mr Cummins), played the following weekend and the rest is history so they say.
Stayed around for 6 years and then moved off working for the Queen only to return like a bad penny in 1992 and started supporting again at that point.
JP
Went down on a training night met Dave Robbins, a very special guy call Neville South and a few others who are now even older and more wrinkly than I am (Mr Cummins), played the following weekend and the rest is history so they say.
Stayed around for 6 years and then moved off working for the Queen only to return like a bad penny in 1992 and started supporting again at that point.
JP
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Midge Severe (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2009 17:04
I am with Hywel. Having worked at Wasps prio r to moving to worcester in 1997, I was thrilled to see Wasps come to town. Been a warriors fan ever since.
Date Sat 28th August 1999
1 Tony Window
2 James Richards
3 Neil Lyman
4 Chris Raymond
5 Dave Sims
6 James Cockle
7 Nathan Carter
8 Jim Jenner
9 Bruce Fenley
10 Tony Yapp
11 Nick Baxter
12 Ali McLaughlin
13 Andrew Higgins
14 Mat Walker
15 Duncan Hughes
Wasps had amongst others
Josh Lewsey
simon Shaw
Joe Worsley
Date Sat 28th August 1999
1 Tony Window
2 James Richards
3 Neil Lyman
4 Chris Raymond
5 Dave Sims
6 James Cockle
7 Nathan Carter
8 Jim Jenner
9 Bruce Fenley
10 Tony Yapp
11 Nick Baxter
12 Ali McLaughlin
13 Andrew Higgins
14 Mat Walker
15 Duncan Hughes
Wasps had amongst others
Josh Lewsey
simon Shaw
Joe Worsley
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Pompey Warrior (IP Logged)
Date: 16/01/2009 20:50
I can't remember which season...but it was against London Welsh at Sixways and we lost (although I can't remember the score), think it was in 1996/7. I was sat in an uncovered temporary East stand, it was soon(ish) after the West stand was built I think.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: lbf (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2009 22:11
Midge,
that 'line up' has just brought so many memories back, James Cockle, Jimmy Richards, Sim's, oh how i feel old now looking back!!! I was a giggly school girl back then!!!
that 'line up' has just brought so many memories back, James Cockle, Jimmy Richards, Sim's, oh how i feel old now looking back!!! I was a giggly school girl back then!!!
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Midge Severe (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2009 21:08
I had to think hard myself. then I remembered where i put the programme.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Teme Dream (IP Logged)
Date: 19/01/2009 15:40
Hooky - we share first games! I moved to Worcestershire in Feb 2004 and my wife got me tickets for the Bristol game as a birthday present. It ended 68-15. I remember Gary Trueman played well. I was still playing then but got a "half-season" ticket the following year.
Match report from the Torygraph
Match report from the Torygraph
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: wusstawizard (IP Logged)
Date: 20/01/2009 10:21
Mine was in the 2001-02 season with my Uncle, Dad and Brother, a match against Orrell. I can remember going 32-7 up, and then they fought back to 32-29, it was so exciting. All the Orrell fans were seated in the North Stand, when it had no roof, and were chanting "Orrell Orrell" incessantly throughout the match. I can also remember instantly falling in love with "Goldie and Bluey," the two mascots, and my two favourite players were Nick Baxter and Tony Yapp.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: TVM (IP Logged)
Date: 21/01/2009 13:59
Quote:Powick Eastander!
TVM you have sat next to Oxford Wuss and Pete is her other half and was sitting next to her!!!
Ah...so i DO know Pete. That's the problem with all of this skullduggery and pseudonyms....I think Hywel has it right
Dare we hope? We dare.
Can we hope? We can.
Should we hope? We must.
Re: Your first Warriors Match
Posted by: Old Bury Warrior (IP Logged)
Date: 21/01/2009 22:34
I think I might win the johnny-come-lately award... friendly vs LI, August or September 2007!
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