European Shield: Worcester V Rovigo

Arrivederci Rovigo!

Blue sky, warm sunshine and suntanned players; Pellegrini, Pavanello and Bisconti on the field; scarlet and sky blue kit.  Was this really Sixways in December?  Indeed it was and it seemed that even the weather was determined to welcome our first European opponents with a bit of Mediterranean cheer.

The marketing promotion of “Buy one get one free” had ensured a reasonable crowd.  It was good to see a sizeable contingent of children who provided a lively soundtrack with their “Bam-Bams”.  Let’s hope these catch on; they are surprisingly effective in sufficient numbers.  There was, however, a noticeably male bias to the crowd due, I am sure, to the date.  A woman’s work, as we all know, is never done: especially when it comes to preparing for Christmas.  In compensation, there was a significant number of new visitors to Sixways.  If they enjoyed their day, Santa Claus might bring them season tickets for our remaining games.

The club shop offered a good opportunity for Christmas shopping.  From new tops featuring the Warriors logo to calendars featuring photographs of flesh and blood Warriors, there is something for all pockets and all ages.  If you haven’t visited lately, it is definitely worth a look – and on Saturdays you will have the pleasure of meeting Milly again.  She is helping out and has lost none of her joie de vivre.  Be warned! You’ll find it hard to resist her salesmanship.

The match itself was not going to be a classic, but Dave Bradley set the tone of entente cordiale by passing on friendly greetings from the “Goons” to the supporters.  In this season of goodwill, hatchets should be buried! When kick-off arrived, the fans cheered in the knowledge that they were not going to feel sick with anxiety for the next 80 minutes.  In fact, the game recalled some of the dancing moments of last season, as our backs were at last able to show their pace.  Running in tries boosts confidence, whoever the opposition and the crowd certainly enjoyed seeing both old and new favourites on the score sheet.  It was particularly encouraging to see the young Uche D’Ouza have a good game, as well as welcoming James Brown back from injury.

Let us hope that Rovigo went home to Italy with pleasant memories of their trip to Worcester.  It is to their credit that they played with commitment and enthusiasm despite the problems which currently beset their club.  Andy Keast has called for an overhaul of European competitions to eliminate the expensive meaninglessness of the Shield.  Reading the match programme, it seems that winning the Shield gives automatic seeding for the Challenge Cup.  In practice, this is hardly a prize unless, of course, the Shield winners are relegated to Division One.  Then, by winning the Challenge Cup next year, a Division One club could find itself playing in the Heineken!  Hardly a realistic or motivating scenario.

Back to to-day.  Rugby World magazine regularly invites readers to send in “fantasy” teams of non-rugby “players”.  Given that Worcester has now had a TASTE of foreign fixtures and that Sixways had a European FLAVOUR this afternoon, we put our mind to creating an Italian culinary fifteen.  Perhaps other supporters would like to take up the idea and come up with some alternative squads.

The Trattoria Squad

In the dark and smelly world of the front row, we have the “big cheeses”

1. Gorgonzola – an ugly, mature and unbeatable monster

2. Dolce Latte – mild-mannered but strong

3. Parmesan – gratingly hard

In the second row we find the big boys with bulk

4. Osso buco

5. Gnocchi

The back row boys are long and lanky. Best served “al dente”

6. Cannelloni

7. Tagliatelle  - presents local TV sport

8. Macaroni – has a Scottish grandmother

The half-backs are a pair of “sweeties”, though both offer surprises at times

9. Tiramisu

10. Cassata

The flying wingers are very fluid and used sparingly to start and finish moves. Both have bite.

11. Fernet Branca

14. Cinzano

The centres have a lot of bottle, but are both concerned with their looks

12. Valpolicella

13. Soave

Bringing up the rear is the General.  Always in control, with a dangerous finish

15. Garibaldi

Coaches: former Internationals – Chianti & Spaghetti Bolognaise

Defence coach: Antipasto

Physio: pretty little Mozzarella

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Arrivederci Rovigo!  Bienvenuto Leonessa! 

Brush up your Italian, your skiing and your Welsh ~ Leonessa is coached by Lyn Howells, ex- Cardiff, Celtic Warriors and Pontypridd.

But before then it’s another kind of Celtic warrior and another kind of cup.  Tickets are going fast.  Make sure that you’re there next week to cheer on:

Worcester Warriors v London Irish!