Some you win, some you lose.

Sunshine
Gusty wind
Policemen on horses
Street barbequeue
Old friends
Car park parties
Bag checks
Flags, flags, flags
Optimism
A long range kick drifting wide
Disappointment

*****

After the match I left MrM at the stadium
and walked back with the crowds to the station.
On the train home there were two little lads,
perhaps seven or eight years old,
who had been at the match with their dads.
They were fizzing with excitement -
for them the result was less important
than the experience of going to Twickenham.
We 'bantered' about the best London Irish player
and, fortunately, my rugby knowledge
just about took the strain.
I asked them what position they played
and when I told them that was the same as my son
they asked me where my son was.
I nearly said "On a pirate ship"
but they might have thought I was making it up
so I just said that he was walking in the jungle.
Their eyes were as big as saucers.
It was the best part of the day.

Before The Match

Harlequins v London Irish,
Guinness Premiership Semi-Final

We arrived too early

and there was nothing to do

except stand in the sunshine and enjoy a drink,

consider the retail opportunities,

watch the team warm-up,

and admire the scenery.


*****

It was a shame about all those pink flags
because Twickenham will be green next Saturday.
A reliable source told me that
London Irish ordered 10,000 flags
'just in case...'

We will be there - it should be quite an occasion.

Paddy's Day at the Madstad

The best hats are out

and the Guinness is flowing.

It is a sunny day to compare wigs

and the team are on top form.

Doris models her spring outfit

and the band is outstanding.

It is a great party.

I am sorry that I don't have a photo of the streaker...
I was laughing so much that the camera was shaking.
She looked as though she was enjoying herself.

Paddy's Day at The Mad-Stad

It was a cold, cold day at the Mad-Stad
.

That wasn't going to stop us having fun.
Oh no!!

There was music,

Irish Dancing,

the traditional hat throwing competition,

big dogs,

stylish dogs,

lots and lots and lots of Guinness

and some Rugby.

There were 23,709 people there

and most of them were wearing hats....

Treviso v. London Irish

Italian women wear fur coats to rugby matches

Which contrasts nicely with the feather boas

That London Irish women wear.

C'mon You Irish!!

I sometimes wonder

if we did something wrong in a past life.

It must have been bad

if the punishment was to support London Irish in this life.

London Irish specialise in turning victory into defeat
as their fans look on in disbelief.

Today the fog is so bad

that we cannot see the other side of the pitch

but this does not stop MrM complaining:

"Offside"

"Forward Pass"

"That throw is not STRAIGHT"

"What is the touch judge THINKING??"

The fog gets worse.
We cannot see the middle of the pitch.

And then, incredibly, we win.
How did that happen?
Apparently, Sailosi Tagicakibau scored a try.

MrM turns to his friend.

"Never in Doubt"

they agree.

I think it is time for a pint of Guinness.