Natalie's Page - RFTG Reporter

18 September

I know it's been a while since I've written my blog, so much has happened I just hope I can remember all of the best bits!
 

Firstly I headed off to Bournemouth 7s with Louise in July, we had a fantastic weekend!  We got to watch some good rugby and also admire some very nice men running round in shorts which was helped by the lovely weather we had.
 

We managed to catch up with Lewis Moody who was away from his new family and missing them very much.  He seems to have taken to fatherhood very well and was very approachable and friendly.  We also spotted Mr Barkley wandering around without an escort so used the opportunity to say a quick hello and grab a few photographs.
 

We were very well looked after by Dan Scarborough and his fellow Rugby Reunited boys and met loads of new people.  The only down side to the weekend... the camp site.  We were camping right next to the runway of Bournemouth airport which was not so funny after a late night of drinking and partying!  But not even that could ruin the weekend it was brilliant and I can't wait to join in the fun again next year.
 

Other than that let me think... I was sad to see my boys Flood and Tait leave the Newcastle team but wish them every success in their new clubs I'm sure they'll do brilliantly.
 

It was however very strange to see Flood training with the Leicester boys when we went for the press day.  He seemed to be on good form and getting on well with the rest of the team.  The press day was amazing, we got to watch the training session, sneak a few photos and then got to have a chat with some of the boys.  Those close friends of mine will of by now I'm sure heard the story of how I made a bit of an idiot of myself in front of the rather gorgeous Tom Varndell... still never mind I had to recover as he was one of the boys we were due to talk to.
 

All of the guys were lovely, answered our questions and posed for photographs.  The mood seemed to be really positive in the camp, everyone seemed to be getting along with the new coach even though he'd been working them hard during pre-season and all were looking forward to the kick off of the new season.
 

On a personally note I am off to China to trek part of the Great Wall for Charity, I think I might be going mad in my old age but it's for a good cause so fingers crossed I can do them proud, raise lots of money and make it back in one piece.
 

I'm so happy the season has started again.... I wonder what twists and turns there will be this year and wish all teams good luck!!!!!

Nat xx

13 October 07

 It’s been so long since I wrote one of these (sorry Jill) that I don’t know where to start.

I think the first place to start is with my new role as a committee member at my local rugby club who are trying to start up a junior team.  I’m not quite sure what I’ve let myself in for if I’m honest.  There are plans to get me involved with just about everything from first aid to refereeing!  For those who know me they will agree that me becoming a referee might not be the best thing in the world.

Then there was scrum in the park, what an amazing day we had.  Louise spent most of the day laughing at me being chased around by security guards and stewards.  The problem there you see, was that although it was an ‘open training session’ you weren’t actually allowed to go onto the pitch to talk to the players unless you were a parent of one of the children involved.  I myself not being a parent felt this was unfair and decided to make it my mission to see how many players I could talk to before being arrested.  Luckily I made it without being taken away in a police car although it was a close call.  The 5 security guards who were protecting the legend that is Mr Wilkinson made a fatal mistake when they all formed a shield in front of him… this left his bum an open target and just as I realised how close I was (I think it must have been about an inch) and plucked up the courage to have a good old pinch, I was spotted and politely picked up and moved to one side :(

There was one steward in particular with whom I was enjoying a game of hide and seek, in the end I think he gave up, for this I think I have to give a little thank you to Ben Kay.  Anyway all in all was a fab day and some of you already know that I did manage to enlist the help of an 8 year old child with the challenge set to me by Lou.  I am not proud to admit that a bit of ‘negotiating’ was done and in return Lou now has her world cup programme signed by the famous fly half.

The world cup… what can I say?  Hands up I didn’t fancy our chances very much but I am extremely happy to be able to say that we are through to the FINAL!!!  I have worked most of the games :( but tonight I managed to escape early and catch the last 15 minutes.  I have never felt so many extreme feelings in such a short space of time.  A particular highlight of tonight for me has to be when Dallagilo was brought on.  The whole pub stood up and cheered so loud I thought the neighbours would be round to complain.  Anyway I can’t really say that much about the game as I am yet to see the full 80 minutes, but I am extremely happy to say that 2 weeks ago I booked next Saturday off and I am so glad I did….

COME ON BOYS!!!!!!!!

Nat xx

16th April 2007

I made it to a sunny if not slightly windy Kingston Park as planned on Easter Sunday and my Easter wish came true, I managed to see Jonny Wilkinson play!  His first game at home this year a full 80 minutes and no injuries.  Watching Jonny on the same pitch as the lovely Ben was by no means an easy task, it was hard to keep an eye on them both and the game, and at one point I think I nearly forgot to breathe.  I had thought that being as I had admired Mr Wilkinson from afar for a while I could be disappointed at seeing him in the flesh, but I wasn’t!  Those thighs were to die for and his kicking was amazing!  The one extremely frustrating moment for me was when I realised what brilliant seats we had and that the camera on my new phone didn’t have a zoom…. I was heartbroken, many a perfect photo opportunity missed :(

I really enjoyed the game, although it wasn’t as exciting as I’d hoped.  At times it looked like Northampton had given up and were just waiting for the final whistle.  The game was made even more pleasurable by the little girl behind me.  It was her first ever rugby game and she constantly made me laugh with her questions to her mum who was also watching the game for the first time.  The best of all being, “Mummy.  When are they going to do that thing where they all lie down on top of each other??”  She was also somewhat excited at the sight of Toby Flood but couldn’t understand why he was holding the ball still for Jonny to kick!

Tuesday 3 April 2007

I have now fallen out with the courier company we use.  Normally on a Friday they are here by 2 o’clock and we are home by 3…. last Friday however they were late.  Very Late!  I had planned on being home in time for the Newcastle game and a takeaway but all I managed to see was the last 5 minutes… I was not a happy bunny.

However the smile was soon put back on my face on Saturday morning when my tickets arrived for Newcastle v Northampton on Easter Sunday.  I am so looking forward to it, should be a great game with both sides in the bottom 3.  So far though I have been to 4 Newcastle games and not once have I managed to see the gorgeous Mr Wilkinson play for one reason or another, so fingers crossed my dreams come true for Easter.

This Sunday was great… I managed to get the house to myself for long enough to watch both Northampton v Biarritz and Leicester v Stade Francais in peace and quiet.

Northampton seemed a bit unsteady to start off with and looked to be having problems with their line outs and kicking.  They seemed to get it together though and proved everyone wrong with their win.  Kydd’s try was great and Lamont looked to me like he was having a great game, it was a shame to see him go off injured.  Yachvili also looked like a man on a mission for the whole game.  So well done to the Saints a well deserved win I think!

The Leicester game was just as exciting and I enjoyed seeing Moody back on the pitch.  I do have one question though…. what was with the girly pink??  I had to laugh when I saw the French side come out in those shirts.  Anyway, think the Tigers did very well especially Varndell and poor Harry Ellis who must’ve had a headache after his extremely brave charge down.

All in all a great weekend of rugby and here’s to a great game at Kingston Park on Sunday…

 Nat x


14th March 2007

What a great weekend of rugby!

I was glued to Ireland v Scotland on Saturday afternoon; I really wanted Scotland to win which seemed a possibility… I guess I’m still bitter about our defeat at Croke Park.  I thought it was a great game if not a little heated at times which resulted in the odd bit of pushing and shoving.  I have to say though I was quite worried to see O’Gara down at the end, it looked quite serious but he came round and all seems well.

I was less looking forward to our game against France on Sunday… hands up I didn’t think we had the best chance of winning… but I’m very happy to say the boys proved me wrong, I was glued to my seat yet again.  I thought we started well which seemed to annoy the French somewhat; Mike Catt initially seemed emotional but very quickly settled and did well as Captain.

I thought that Strettle had a very good game, and I didn’t really know much about Flood but he seemed to cope with his first start for the country very well and also had a good game, was a shame to see him injured though… what is it with England and Newcastle fly half’s??

Before the England game I managed to catch Gloucester v Leicester which was also a close game at times with plenty of passion and drive…and Tom Varndell (right), I’ve only just spotted him, how gorgeous is he??

Well now we have beaten France and the winner of the six nations won’t be decided until the weekend Ashton has to decide between Flood and Wilkinson if he’s fit.  For me it would be a tough decision, Flood did well against France and whilst I love to watch Wilkinson play, maybe we should rest and save him until the world cup, I don’t know… just glad it’s not me that has to decide…

On a more personal note I have myself a dilemma at the weekend… it is my little sister’s birthday this week and she is insisting that she wants to go ice skating to celebrate, I wouldn’t normally mind but there’s one problem… she wants to go on Saturday night about 6 o’clock… she just doesn’t seem to understand that there is a game to be watched, who should come first my sister or the rugby???

Nat x

Sunday 25 February
OK, Club v Country...... I don’t really understand the argument to be honest, shouldn’t country come first???  Anyway, don’t know about you but last weekend I sat waiting to see if those playing for their clubs would come out injury free.  Have to say I was extremely relieved to see that Newcastle rested Jonny, I can understand how the club supporters felt about it though, after all they aren’t exactly in a good position at the moment.

I managed to watch the Worcester v Leicester game last Saturday and although it seemed quite scrappy it was entertaining at the same time with both scrum halves being sent off for a bit of off ball action (my younger sister found this most entertaining!).  I also managed to catch bits of Sale v Wasps which didn’t seem to be as entertaining as the Worcester game to me, I was just glad to see Jason Robinson escape unhurt.

Then came the news that the lovely Ben had escaped disciplinary action after pushing over the touch judge, by making a rather quick apology and helping him back to his feet, lets face it we can’t see that it would ever have been intentional.  This was closely followed by the news that Jason Robinson had injured himself during training and that Jonny was also doubtful for the Ireland game.  I eagerly checked on a regular basis for updates on the pair and kept everything crossed that they would be fit, after all they did score the majority of the points between them in the last 2 games.

Of all the games played yesterday, personally I found the Northampton v Leicester match to be the best value for entertainment with the Saints managing to break Leicester’s record of home wins.  Robinson’s try was great and Stephen Myler had a fantastic game.

And then the Six Nations weekend started.  Poor Scotland didn’t have the best opening against Italy, I had only just sat down and the next thing I knew Italy had a try, I thought I was imagining it to be honest.  With a start like that I did feel sorry for the Scotland guys, must have been soul destroying and left them with a huge mountain to climb.

Then the England game.  I was very happy to see Wilkinson was fit to play and was hoping that even without Robinson we could make it 3 in a row.  Unfortunately it wasn’t to be.  I think Strettle did well to get a try on his debut but we just didn’t seem to get it together, Ireland seemed to be completely in charge of the game and O’Gara’s kicking was on top form.  All in all, it did keep me glued to the screen but I really hope we can do better against France.

I also found out today that a friend of the family had tickets for England’s opening game against Scotland and just let them go to waste!!!!  Some people have no idea do they?  He is under strict orders that from now on no tickets should go to waste as I can always find them a good home.

Nat x

February 2007

England v Italy

So, I sat down with my chocolate at the ready, for what I hoped would be another entertaining match to follow on from last weekend's win over Scotland.  And although we won,  I guess I was kind of disappointed.  The game didn’t keep me as glued to my chair as last weekend although there were some good moments.

After everyone had been talking about how good he was last weekend, I tried to watch Harry Ellis a bit more yesterday.  I’m the first to admit I’m still learning about rugby, but he did seem to do quite well.  I particularly enjoyed his ankle grabbing tackle in the first half.  I think Jason Robinson had another good game too and I’m glad he came out of retirement.

It was also good to see Jonny become the all-time highest points scorer in Five or Six Nations' history.  It has seemed a bit like the press have been putting a bit too much pressure on him both before and after the Scotland game, they should really lay off a bit it is about the team after all not just one player!

I am glad to see Jonny’s lip is on the mend and hoping that Iain Balshaw’s injury isn’t serious and we see him back for our next match against Ireland.

I did manage to catch the first half of France v Ireland where O’Gara seemed to be having a good game, I just caught his try.  But I have to ask, what is it with Sebastian Chabal’s hair??

Nat x