RT's Latest Rendition on our Visit to The Stoop

Warriors Stoop to Conquer

On Wednesday, the Supporters’ Club welcomed former Wales International Graham Price to Sixways.  As a member of the legendary Pontypool Front Row, he recalled the way in which his club achieved success by grinding out victories week in - week out.  Each one was a display of forward-based “10 man” rugby: games of attrition, not very pretty but resulting in consistent wins.  Four days later, an army of Worcester supporters set out for an historic destination, unaware that they were about to see the Warriors achieve a patient forward-based victory of which Graham Price would be proud.

Saturday was sunny and bitingly cold with a fierce, unpredictable wind.  Four full coaches left Sixways at 10am and scores of other fans made their own way to London.  As we approached Twickenham, blue and gold thronged the pavements.  The impressive bulk of the International stadium raised the heart-beat and the blood-pressure.  Once more that “New Kids on the Block” feeling clutched at the pit of the stomach.  Were we really here, challenging one of the most famous clubs in the world on equal terms?

Despite the traffic congestion and the building work, the approach to the Stoop was orderly and efficient.  Helpful stewards directed the coach drivers to a convenient parking place after the fans had been dropped off opposite the turnstiles.  What service!

The Stoop is currently undergoing major redevelopment, which gives it a rather one-sided appearance and places considerable strain on the remaining facilities.  The main bar reminded me of Saturday night in the Students’ Union – apart from the age-range and the over-priced, watery London beer. “You’ll need your elbows in there,” joked a steward as we went in.  The mobile food outlets were, as we were warned by Quins supporters on the message board, nothing to write home about.  However, everyone we met was good-humoured and helpful, the programme provided good reading and the jester pin-badge added a touch of class to my hat!

Worcester supporters were mainly seated behind the goals in the North and South Stands.  We were near the top of the temporary, uncovered South Stand.  Looking down at the ground through the gap between the rows induced feelings of vertigo, while looking out across the pitch revealed the lofty terraces of “HQ”.  Over our heads, a steady procession of aircraft made their dignified progress towards Heathrow.  The wind was blowing from the North – the Arctic Circle by the feel of it – and I offered up a small prayer of thanks for thermal underwear and the Sixways Store’s range of fleece garments.

Our team ran on to the pitch to resounding chants of “Warriors” from both ends of the ground.  Pale blue kit once more replaced blue and gold.  It reflected the colour of the sky, but also matched the knees, fingers and noses exposed to the merciless wind.

The Warriors had to face the wind and the up-hill slope for the first half.  Defend, defend, defend as the Quins backs tried to breach the thin blue line, but in the line-out and the scrum there was evidence of significant supremacy.  “This wind could be worth 9 points,” said Don James behind us.  “Let’s hope we can hang on until half-time.”  And hang on we did.

During the lengthy interval, scrummaging continued in the loos – another facility under pressure during re-development.  For the teams, too, there was little convenience.  “And the players are now approaching the mini-roundabout,” announced the PA system.  “They’ll soon be back on the pitch.”  What was going on?  Had they taken a quick trip to Twickers?  No, just to the local leisure centre which is providing changing-rooms during re-building work.

In the second half, the Warriors had the slope and the wind.  Gradually, they started to grind out a famous victory.  Power, possession, penalties and poise:  forget about being pretty.  James Brown showed that he could cope with pressure on a windy Twickenham pitch and kept stroking the ball over the cross-bar despite the best efforts of the distracting sea-gulls.  (Perhaps the conspiracy-theorists should take a look at these avian activities!)

As the score ticked on, chants of “Warriors” continued to ring out, but there was little answer from the home crowd.  Indeed, well before the end, disconsolate Quins supporters started trickling out of the ground.  In contrast, when the final whistle went, Worcester supporters cheered and clapped and chanted. Our delight was shared with the players who remained on the pitch to acknowledge the applause. (We do appreciate a bit of bonding lads!)  Our only concern was for the knocks received by Tim Collier, André Van Niekerk and Chris Horsman.  Let’s hope the magic sponge will soon put them right.

The first homeward coach left the Stoop shortly after the match.  As it inched its way through the traffic leaving the ground, we spotted Andy Keast making his way to the clubhouse.  “Open the door,” the cry went up.  “Give him a cheer!”  As a rather startled AK raised his hand in recognition, a distant song was borne aloft on the wind.  The coach travellers grinned from ear-to-ear at the sound of well-oiled Worcester supporters singing their hearts out inside the stadium:

Oh, We’d rather be a Warrior than a Quin!

RT