By M40Exile
March 30 2015

Three weeks ago I was an MS sufferer trying to cling on to the ability to walk a realistic distance in a reasonable fashion. Then the day arrived when I realised this was no longer possible. So after a “what the bloody hell do I do now?” moment I finally accepted the fact a wheel chair was now the only option. This is the story of my first rugby game in a wheel chair.

Pre-match

A good traffic free journey down from Birmingham was only impeded at the last when Mrs M40 Exile put in a late pit stop request just short of Reading services. This put an end to any chance of seeing pre-match entertainment on the stage as we needed to pick up the new season tickets (we are now in the East) and also I wanted to go into the shop. And wow that was a mighty long line for the cashpoint!! The trip round the stadium was a bit of a bone shaker on solid wheels with no suspension and, when Mrs M40 started pushing like a good second rower I realised I’m glad she doesn’t drive. “They’ll soon move when I bump into ‘em!” was her response to my request to “slow down and we’ll all live longer”. Entry into the ground is easy and with a pint of AG and a Lockey Farm footlong secured we entered the arena a found our new seat/parking spot. Good view bang on the 22 with excellent leg room for all.

The Game

With the stadium still filling Irish took to the field with “shipping up to Boston” (proper walk-on music to stir the blood hint hint...) blaring forth from the PA. The game started in traditional Paddys’ Day Party fashion. Irish launched the “Charge of the Light Brigade” and for fifteen minutes or so the Geordie guns were silent as the Irish horse ran amok. Less than two minutes in and Halani did what he does best. A clever pick at the ruck and an impressive burst of acceleration saw him go over untouched from twenty yards out. Then around ten minutes later, Scott Steele took the ball from the back of a driving maul to show us his pace, darting through a gap to go under the posts. Then Newcastle got the ball and for large periods refused to give it back. Irish defended well but the usual silly penalties were conceded which allowed Newcastle to score six points and, Greg Garner to send Geraghty and Paice to the bin. In a rare period of possession just before the half Irish managed to put the ball through the hands which allowed Andy Fenby to once again score against his former employers. Half-time 19-6 to Irish.

The second half saw Newcastle dominate possession with Irish seemingly glad to soak up the pressure. To be honest it was poor fare for the big crowd. Newcastle scored a penalty and a try, Irish had little ball or territory and the one time they did Shane tried a dinky up and under when the play was crying out for a pass to those out wide. The chance gone so was Shane, who immediately received the “shepherds’ crook” to be replaced by Chris Noakes. He was soon in the thick of the action. Josh Furno was deemed to have “tip-tackled” him. It was a strange one. He just picked him up like he was trying to shake the change out of his pockets before spinning him back around to land feet first. Jebb Sinclair took exception, piled in with a big Canadian bear hug and Garner decided to put two more in the bin. Noakes calmly slotted the penalty to extend the Irish lead, but it was all a bit unnecessary really. Irish now lead by eight points with not long left. But of course edge of the seat finishes have become the norm in 2015 and just after relaxing things changed. Adam Powell finished off a smart passing move starting on half way and with a hurried conversion well taken it was a one point game with still a minute or so to play. Newcastle tried hard but a desperate forward pass on half way saw the game end.

Final score London Irish 22 – Newcastle Falcons 21 with Halani Aulika named man of the match.

Post match and thoughts

The Bible Code Sundays played on the stage post match and a good time seemed to be had by all. This was my third Paddys’ Day game ( Wuss two years ago was as cold as I can ever remember being, and Bath kicked off too late because of TV allowing far too much drinking time) so this year was probably the best experience. But I can see why for some this is a “marmite” game (like LDH). It does attract some for whom the rugby gets in the way of a good pi$$-up. There was constant milling around the walk ways during the match, with people coming in to the ground twenty minutes in, still to get up ten minutes before half-time only to come back late again in the second half...... Urghhh sit down and watch the rugby.

As for Irish.... well play like that next week and we will be struggling. Look after the ball, better game management (kick at the right time more accurately) and please please please stop giving away stupid penalties, and victory could be ours.

I’d like to finish by thanking London Irish, especially Dan (you the man Dan!) for being so accommodating and helpful in swapping the season tickets over, and making my first rugby game in a wheel chair a happy one.