Donnas €10, Dogs free
By Falc Dancer
December 18 2013
When I say Donnas, I don't mean kebabs.The Falcons came to Italy knowing a victory with a bonus point would put them top of the group but fell just short in a comfortable 25-10 win in sunny Calvisano.
An away trip to Italy just before Christmas seemed too attractive an opportunity to turn down. Flying from Newcastle to Paris, Paris to Verona, the trip nearly go off to an unpleasant start as we nearly didn't land in Italy due to "excessive fog" as Mark Smith will testify, but were a little luckier after twenty minutes circling the airport.
We arrived in Calvisano on matchday via a train that wouldn't look out of place in the 70s but it got us there well within time. So well in fact we thought we would pop in to a local bar pre-match. In the company of Mr and Mrs Barbancet, we sampled some Italian hospitality, little did we know that this would be the tip of the iceberg.
After meeting some familiar faces at the ground we set about watching a game of rugby under a blue sunny sky. At this point I will explain the title. Strangely, women's tickets were €5 cheaper than men's and dogs were free - there were at least half a dozen dogs at pitchside. The game started in unfamiliar fashion. After four minutes of possession we scored our first try thoguh Zach Kibirige. The Falcons, resisted the temptation to kick the ball away, went through an unbelievable amount of phases before the ball was spun wide to Zach who sped past his marker and beat the oncoming full back to touch down in the corner with ease. Boy, this lad has gas!
The teams then exchanged penalties with Calvisano missing one, both home kicks due to the Falcons being unable to deal with the restart. Rory Clegg replaced the injured Phil Godman midway through the first half and it was Clegg that scored the Falcons' next try, darting though a gap and under the sticks for an easy conversion. The half time score being 20-3 after a Clegg penalty on the stroke of the whistle.
The Falcons were reduced to fourteen men on two occasions, Scott Lawson receiving his ten minutes rest for an indiscretion on the floor. The referee signalled punching but to be honest I couldn't really see what went on. Looked like six of one and half a dozen of the other. Fraser McKenzie also received his marching orders for a penalty at a line-out. This was very unpopular as Calvisano had committed the exact same offence on three occasions with being penalised.
The Falcons moved to within one try of the bonus point early in the second half through Zach Kibirige again, the winger showing his finishing prowess from close range after good midfield work. Clegg unable to add the conversion. Unfortunately though that was to be the last try of the game for the Falcons. Calvisano managed a close range consolation try much to the delight of the home support, including Francesco. You may know him better as the Calvisano fan who made himself heard throughout the meeting of the two teams at Kingston Park the week before.
The game itself was enjoyable. It made a massive difference on the eye watching the Falcons play with little kicking and being more intent on running the ball and going through the phases. There were several strong performances - the two Scotts, Lawson and Wilson, were industrious, Andy Saull got another game under his belt after injury and Zach again showed that he could be a flyer for years to come but overall you couldn't say that anyone had a bad game.
Post-match, we were treated to some unbelievable hospitality. We were looked after like royalty. Firstly we toasted the match with Francesco and his friends with a rose wine and then we were presented with a meat platter, bread and pack of Heineken because the local Peroni wasnt up to scratch according to the locals, although their description only contained four letters.
All in all a fantastic trip, well worth the travel. Italy is a beautiful place and I would recommend a trip to Verona and Lake Garda to anyone. Now it's on to Wasps at KP on 27th December. The club are making efforts to attract a big crowd, lets hope we get a decent turn-out and a late christmas present from the lads.
Merry Christmas, FD
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Monkey - thank you for your comments
Great game & company. Didn't need to buy food on Saturday after the Italian hospitality. Francesco's salami was a work of art. I have pics, but I suspect Monkey1 may have to make some editorial decisions
One of the best I've been on.
Good write up FD. That hit by Andy Saull on their dreadlocked second row is my moment of the season.....so far.
.....but what do I know? I'm not an Australian TMO.