Razcal's weekly gossip column.

By razcal
November 23 2002

That was the week that was. Another chance for those who have been busy to catch up on this week in one easy go. I hope someone reads it to make all the effort worthwhile!

Well what a contrast from last week. In the run up to the Gloucester game this site hummed and every other post leaked subconscious anxiety at the threat to our home record posed by the visit of a Gloucester side leading the league and much less depleted than Tigers. This week has been much quieter, all the posts fitting on 2 pages.

Last weekend and the the early part of the week saw the site basking in the warm afterglow of a fantastic performance against Gloucester. Forget the 20-15 scoreline. Gloucester scored with their three opportunities and needed a telescope to see our posts for most of the game. Josh, Cozza and Deacon put in outstanding performances but, in truth, it was one of those days when everyone in red white and green was a hero including the capacity crowd. You could feel the collective will, both on and off the pitch, from long before KO that "No Passran" was the order of the day. It was a very special night. DenIse came up with a word which was new to many of us,"Wantage." Not some obscure benighted place where people have never heard of Welford Road but a noun to describe the mood of the Tigers in wanting victory more than Gloucester.

This week most attention has been on the unfair treatment of various people with Tiger connections starting with Stimmo. With James Simpson-Daniels unfit for the South Africa game it was widely assumed on this site that either Rich W would at last get his perceptive way and see Billy Whizz move to 11 and Stimmo start or that Oz would get his 50th cap as a starter. Neither happened with ex-Tiger Christophers getting the 11 shirt. And to add insult to injury Rich W now finds himself in the same camp as Mr. Blobby. 4 Tigers start however, and we wonder whether madeye canimprove on his last 2 outstanding performances.

Then a large number of posters provided an indignant thread on the disappearance of Ian C's fan's eye's view from the match day programme. Ian is probably paying the price for writing clearly and sensibly and for portraying all shades of opinion not just his own.

DenIse began the week by asking for peoples funniest recollections of incidents at Tigers games then put up an article containing her own personal reminicences.

Following the birth of twin pebles recently further good news followed with the birth of a son to Mr and Mrs Cockerill. The choice of name, Stan Jacques caused some wry comments which were hastily withdrawn when "Cocker" posted himself to thank us for all our good wishes. I e-mailed CW to let him know that Cocky now knows how to use a computer.

Tigerstart put up a monster article, covered in saliva, about the members evening with Ollie and GG It is well worth a read.

Attention has sort of turned towards the LI game away on Sunday. However, this correspondant is worried that after last weeks performance we may be taking this game for granted. Even if Stimmo and the world's greatest living Irishman stay benched on Saturday, thus being able to turn out for us on Sunday, Tigers will be much more depleted than LI and playing away from home. Make no mistake, this is a tough game.

Thats it for another week, except to remind people that our favourite member of the non playing part of the club is one year older on Sunday. Now what is the only present he could wish for? Cheers OB. Have a good one.