By Finno
May 9 2016

And so we finally got to the end of a long, hard season for all, relegated with nothing to play for other than pride. Why go?, well it was almost like the feeling you get, when you feel you've got to attend a funeral, when it might actually be easier to stay away. I'd attended 19 of the 21 games this season, so I had to say my farewell in person.

MickeyMouse persuaded me to be your correspondent for the fifth time this season, and for that he got the pleasure of my company for the match, as we ended up sat beside each other. I warned him about the 'Curse of 38' (3 out of the 4 times, with 47 point being shipped in the other game!).....it couldn't happen again! Could it?

The trip up from Sussex was uneventful and I passed the Supporters Club coach on the way. Shame that it was less than half full. The Supporters Club do a superb job in arranging these trips, and it a shame that all of them this season ran at a loss, so I'm told. I know they are not convenient for everyone, me included, but the LISC need to take a bow, for trying to encourage additional support at away games.

As ever, there was quite a large bunch of 'hard core' away supporters gathered behind one of the posts in Section 29, helped by this forum sharing who had got tickets where. The atmosphere was relaxed and jovial before, during and after the game, plenty of the usual banter. The result didn't matter, the main hope was that we could give a good account of ourselves and bow out with our heads held high. So, how did we get on..?

We started brightly (as usual, throughout the season), had plenty of possession (as usual, throughout the season), unable to punch any real holes, and went from side to across the pitch many times, keeping possession, but going backwards (as usual, throughout the season), and then either throw the ball away or drop it (as usual, throughout the season).

We even took the lead after 22 minutes 7-6 only to lose it again 3 minutes later (as usual, throughout the season).  The first half ended with us 21-7 behind.

We started the second half with similar gusto and continued to compete, but the inevitable implosion was coming (as usual, throughout the season), and it was not helped by an interception try that was run in from Wasps 22 (as usual, throughout the season).  Discipline let us down (as usual, throughout the season), with two yellow cards. Trev's card, mystified us on the day and even looking at it on the highlights it was harsh, but Sir wasn't particularly kind to us all day (as usual, throughout the season).

The final score was 38 - 12 to Wasps (aargh 38 again!), so that was it, the long and painful season was over, and now we must look forward to life in The Championship.

Despite my slightly 'tongue in cheek' review of the match, I really thought the match was a microcosm of our season. We competed well for long periods, our scrum and lineout was strong, our backs lacked incision and we fell away 'big time' in the last quarter. Compare this to Wasps, who were matched in many areas by us, but were absolutely clinical when they got the 'sniff' of a chance. I know it's an old cliché but you got to take your chances, and we haven't all season!

So, next season brings us Championship rugby, with lots of new grounds to travel to and an even more eerie MadStad. I'm excited and fearful in equal measures for next season. Excited, to see us get back to winning ways, looking forward to leaving grounds with a smile on my face after winning, and us getting back to playing a style of rugby that we all fell in love with! Fearful that we won't be able to produce the above to a level that will allow us to bounce back at the first attempt. If we don't, are Crossan's pockets deep enough to sustain a prolonged period outside the Premiership ??

This season has been tough, but I still enjoyed it in a perverse sort of way and I'll be back for more next season, missing it already!

To all, enjoy the summer, watch Super Rugby as a fix, and to find out what Tom Coventry is trying to do, and I look forward to seeing you all next season.

COYI!