Wasps kick off v. Stade Fr. with Duncombe Raffle

Muddy raising funds
By Sparkie (filed 22/8/2003)
August 24 2003

London Wasps get down to business in Sunday's Zurich Challenge match against our old friends, Stade Francais. While the English ann French national champions get to grips with each other on the field, supporters can make a contribution to a deserving cause: The Nick Duncombe Memorial Fund...

You have the chance to win three prizes in a raffle being held at the game ( details on the official London Wasps website ). Tickets cost just £1 each. The draw will take place in the Vere Suite after the game. If you can't stay, leave your telephone number on the counterfoil. Tickets will be on sale from 12.30pm before the match.

A collection in aid of the Fund was taken at the final home league fixture last season against Harlequins. This raised over £3,000, if my memory serves me well. Why another fund raising event? Apart from helping a worthy cause, the idea for the raffle came about because of an embarrassing "misunderstanding" ( see related link ) at the end of an auction. To remedy this wrongdoing, the "raffle" idea was hatched and it has been brought to fruition by Barney Burnham in conjunction with London Wasps RFC.

There will also be a separate draw at our first away match at Harlequins on September 13, so there are two opportunities to buy raffle tickets and raise money for the Fund. If you are unable to attend either match please get a friend to buy a ticket for you or:

to make a monetary donation, please send in a cheque (made payable to Harlequin FC Ltd., with NICK DUNCOMBE MEMORIAL FUND on the reverse) to the Stoop Memorial Ground at the address below:

Nick Duncombe Memorial Fund
c/o Harlequin Football Club Limited
Stoop Memorial Ground
Langhorn Drive
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 7SX

The fund already stands at over £30,000 -- let's add to it.

Zurich Challenge

As for the Zurich Challenge, both Wasps and Stade Français are affected by losing players to the national teams as the rugby world cup looms. It gives our squad players a chance to impress before the new season kicks off. To add to the excitement Brian Campsall will be on hand as the fourth official -- the first time a domestic fixture will have had a Tele Match Official or TMO for short.

Rob Howley has failed fitness on Saturday and sits this one out. We have this match and a visit to Worcester to prepare the squad for a stern test while seven or more players are away at the World Cup in Australia. We did not shine during the last RWC in 1999. Although the new playoff format aids late starters (e.g. ourselves last season), we need to develop a winning habit this time.

London Wasps:

15 Tom Voyce; 14 Shane Roiser, 13 Ayoola Erinle, 12 Mark Denney, 11 John Rudd; 10 Mark Van Gisbergen, 9 Peter Richards; 1 Tim Payne, 2 Phil Greening, 3 Sean Phillips, 4 Martin Purdy, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Ian Clarke, 7 Jonny O Connor, 8 Mark Lock.

Replacements: 16 Harvey Biljon, 17 Fraser Waters, 18 Jonny Barrett, 19 Tom French, 20 Paul Volley, 21 George Skivington, 22 Peter Scrivener.

Stade Francais (squad):

Mathieu Blin, Guilain Mololo, Basthien Siepielski, Eric Michaud, Hervé Chaffardon, Régis Sigoire, Arnaud Marchois, Christophe Moni, Rémy Martin, Pierre Rabadan, Raphael Jechoux, Ian Vass, Mahé, David Skrela, Thomas Lombard, Knell, Franck Comba, Rivier, Thomas Mège, Artur Gomes, Morgan Souply, Foal, James Carroll.