The 1st Annual NRSA Touch Rugby Tournament

The Quins Team
By Will Warner
July 15 2002

Glorious warm weather greeted us as we arrived at Sunbury, still the spiritual home of London Irish, for the 1st Annual Touch Rugby Tournament run by The National Rugby Supporters Association. The NRSA have taken over the running of the competition from LI.

The first thing that greeted us were the coaches, including Bath’s first team coach, all neatly lined up. It was obvious that some teams had come from afar and a few took the day deadly seriously. We had hoped to field two sides but we had to settle for one, and we were low on numbers which meant a long hard day for our gutsy gang of seven.

The managers were called together to iron out a few problems, it was six a side, not seven, women didn’t count double (they just think they did), something about studs (it was all beyond me at this stage) and then someone was dispatched to explain the concept of touch rugby to Moseley.

Quins found themselves in a four team pool that also included, Bedford Blues, London Welsh and Bath. The other pool comprised Moseley, London Irish, Wasps and Northampton Saints.

The first game started badly and got worse. Our lack of numbers meant that we had only one sub to come on and replace tiring legs. The last quarter of the match was very hard and London Welsh ended up scoring a hatful. It has to be said that they were an impressive side. Our moral was lifted when we saw the other two teams in the pool play, the standard wasn’t that high and we thought that both teams were beatable. The time was used wisely waiting for our second game, Vicky, our captain, gave an inspirational talk, The Prof bought some more beers, Terry desperately tried to get his breathing rate down and Rob arrived to totally lower the tone. The highlight of the first game had been some passionate and witty support from the growing band of supporters. The grim fact was soon dawning on us though, we had more digital cameras present than rugby players.

Bedford Blues were next up. They looked an interesting bunch, well kitted out and with plenty of experience in their ranks. After close early exchange the scoring opened when Andy, a prop from the amateurs, burst through on the right wing pole axed Neil (by now an ex-prop) to touch down. Suddenly the birds were singing, summer had arrived and Quins were in front. The next ten minutes saw the best rugby Quins played all day as two more scores came, one from Kit, a Berkshire schools scrum half, and one from somebody else, bugger me I’ve forgotten! At three nil and with little time left tiredness started to creep in, so did the mistakes. Quins introduced another sub Sally, and changed other players to little effect as Bedford crept back into the match. Two tries came quickly and Bedford’s pressure told for an equalising score. Could Quins hang on for a memorable draw? No! Summer had just ended, the birds were no longer singing as Bedford scored the winning try with only seconds remaining. 4 -3 to Bedford. A valiant effort from the Quins gang.

Only pride remained for our third and final game. It was very close all the way through as Bath matched us move for move. Both sides were well organised and had sorted our their marking. The deadlock was broken by a typical burst from Andy through the centre to score. It was at about this time that it became apparent that the ref not only lacked a sense of humour, unlike the others we had encountered, but he took a strong dislike to the comments being voiced in his direction from the large band of Quins of supporters. Bath equalised with a controversial try as their winger swerved and burned past Neil but put a foot in touch when scoring. The ref, poorly positioned, declined the Quins protests and allowed the score to stand. I was also asked to leave the immediate arena otherwise he would abandon the game. Well, it’s not everyday a spectator gets sent off! The game then followed the pattern of the previous game with Bath coming back more into it as legs tired. They scored once more near the end to win a very good close contest.

On reflection, we were a little caught out by the seriousness that some sides took the competition in. It had been beefed up considerably since last year and this message hadn’t got through to us. Next year we’ll have to ensure that we have plenty of players and that we are a little more organised.

It was after all a charity event with many good causes gaining cash from us. Jarrod Cunningham and Sports Relief were two such causes. The LI amateur player who broke his neck at the end of last year was another.

This only left the raffle. We had more success here with two winners. Vicky’s number soon came out of the hat, she declined the Gloucester tickets and the haemorrhoid cream and other feminine products and took the International “goody” bag. Well it wasn’t! So be very careful if you buy a ticket in the forthcoming ladies raffle and see a prize is a goody bag! Several of the sponsors came from the west country, hence the preponderance of Glaws and Barf prizes. When my number came up I went straight for the alcohol, no surprise there!

The final was won by London Welsh, the day’s best side, who beat a game London Irish in the final. A good natured crowd roared on both sides and with plenty of banter flowing around it was a memorable end to a good day. Everything that is good about rugby was evident here.

I would like to thank all the organisers and sponsors who made the event possible, and for London Irish who, as always, were excellent hosts.

Lastly a mention for our squad: Vicky (Viks), Kate (KWC), Neil, Andy (Joker in the pack), Martin (mr Chucky), Kit, Terry and Sally (Likes2dance). Well done to all of them.

A special mention also goes to our game band of travelling supporters, sorry I don’t know the names of all of you, however, the highlights were RobShew taking dodgy photos of bums and cleavage at every opportunity (and that was just the men), horned helmets blaring away at frequent intervals, the banter between the fans and probably lots of other things that I just can’t remember. Oh and Neil flattening some poor little lady player during one game …. she went miles!

So roll on next year!