Rugby spectating rules – The Powick Eastander version!
By Powick Eastander
January 8 2016
The Dos and Donts when watching rugby!
Please take all that follows with a pinch of salt… or as written, tongue in cheek!
1) Standing up! Yes we all want to see the try being scored in the South East corner but if you stand up then those who are Old, Young or infirm (like those with crap knees like me) can’t see! So don’t bob up and down like a yo-yo during the game please! Quite apart from the fact all that movement seems to have a detrimental effect on the capacity of ones bladder!
2) Swearing! (this rule may not be so tongue in cheek) No situation on a rugby pitch should provoke the bellowing of profanities, there is no excuse. If you hear it, report it to a steward or even take the person to task. (If you’re feeling brave!) Rugby is a family game so keep your expletives to the sort a mate of mine uses; Muppet, Doughnut and Spoon are their favourite to hurl at Refs and if all are used during the game the ref has been really bad! Refs be warned if you hear the word spoon, you are not up to the task in hand!
3) Bladder relief.. I wish there was a "rule" like at the cricket where you are asked to leave or return to your seat ONLY between overs.. Not practical at a rugby game I know, but having had my 1st International experience at HQ almost ruined by a group of pea bladdered chaps who were drinking like fish and needed to pump ship rather too regularly, having to get past my seat to get to the loos, this is one of my pet hates. Please drink responsibly! As in only intake as much as you can put out around half time and once per half health issues aside! Cheers!
4) Late arrivals.. Jeeze how hard is it to get to the game on time?? If your ticket says 3pm kick off get to your seat at 2:55…. latest! If you want drink and food before the game get to the ground early enough. If you arrive 15mins before the game, common sense would lead you to the conclusion that getting grub and pint before 2:55 is going to be tricky!
5) Library escapees … Now I know I am loud! But to object to folks who are vocal in their support is, to my mind, churlish. As a very quiet and mild mannered colleague of mine said "But surely noise is expected at a game of Rugby!" you’d think! From "They can’t here you, you know" (Beg to differ) to tutting and having heads on string (Snapping round of heads to find the source of the loudness) and the old infant bursting into tears (sorry about that), sometimes I think I have accidently gone to the local library not a sports stadium!
6) Early Leavers. Two things… If you have paid all that money for a ticket, why leave 10 mins before the end? If you have double booked yourself then get better organised. Most grounds have an issue with queues of traffic at the end of a game so leaving early might seem a really sensible thing to do. But in reality you are just annoying the heck out of those who are still watching the game. Particularly those early leavers who walk to the furthest exit so they can still watching the action, blocking the view of those sat in the first couple of rows! How Rude! If you HAVE to go, then go by the nearest exit and not ruin it for others.
7) Keyboard Warriors! (Not a reference to Worcester Warriors at all!) So many feel the need to vent their frustrations after a loss by posting on the internet somewhere where fellow fans, players or officials can see. The best thing if you have had a couple at the games is to step away from the keyboard until your head is clear.. Having seen twitter abuse of players it doesn’t fail to shock me that some can be so rude to their "heroes". If you do feel that strongly then couch your venom in more palatable language..
Huumm may not be sooo tongue in cheek as I intended … Oooops!
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:03:10:12:18:40 by Powick Eastander.
1) All referees are not only incompetent but also biased towards the opposition
2) All opposing teams are cheats
3) All opposition supporter's chants are dire
This is on the highest authority from those around me in the East stand.
Are you referring to Glawwwwsssterrr, Tiiiiiigggerrrsss or Sarrrrries here patgadd?
Another few points:
1- Do not attempt to sing anything that is sung to a tune stolen from football.... (but we let the horns and the COYW song go)
2- Do not have any fun whatsoever. In fact you must sit silently in your seat the whole game and not move a muscle.
3- After an exciting try is scored and it is natural for a crowd to be at its most boisterous, loud and supportive it is common practise at English rugby grounds to kill any atmosphere that may be built up as quickly as possible. This is usually done by the club telling people to be completely silent for the kicker. It works brilliantly as we do not want there to be any sort of atmosphere at our grounds.
Ban the practice, roller coaster style seat restraints to be fitted.
WEAK BLADDERED BAR FREQUENTERS.......
There's no obligation to jump up instantly on their approach, most usually get the message eventually.
OVER-EXCITABLE-WOULD-BE-CHANTERS.......
Feel free to make as much noise as you want, I don't mind. Ignore those who do. Accept that if people don't join in with you then you are in a minority. Learn to live with it, there's nothing wrong with a solo performance.
BIG PLAY STAND-UPPERS.......
If, when you jump up, significant numbers around you are shouting "sit down", you may want to take a moment to consider if you're blocking their view.
If so, sit down.
If not, continue to jump up.
Not everyone will have read the rules of being a spectator nor the laws of rugby.
Do not be alarmed if a lady shouts ‘come on you Worcester boys’ and a section of the crowd responds with ‘shut up.’ This is a Sixways tradition.
Sometimes, a gentleman at the back of the East Stand will try a solo shout of ‘come on you rip roaring try scoring Warriors’. He probably won’t get to the end without going hoarse but deserves to be encouraged not derided.
Within the first few moments of play of play, the opposition will be adjudged to have infringed in some way and someone will shout ‘every time ref, every time’. This person is blessed with foresight and has relatives making the same call at most grounds.
You may be sitting close to someone who is listening to the radio commentary on the match. Hopefully they will be using ear buds though you may still be able to hear the broadcast. From time to time they will offer valuable insights into what is going on as the commentator will be in the West stand with a different view of events from your own. However, they may also comment on items which have been clearly observed by those who watch the match live.
NEVER, EVER, no matter how tempting it may, no matter the reaction your action will draw, under ANY circumstances should you even think about participating in a Mexican wave. Never!
It goes without saying (or should) that if you are considering starting one, give yourself a good hard slap!