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467
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Thread of the Match
« on: January 08, 2021, 07:51:57 PM »
Lethargic so far, soft first try to give away.
468
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All!!
« on: January 08, 2021, 07:25:27 AM »
Morning NWW, Codds and all Waspies from a frosty Guildford! Being a school day my pre game ritual of coffee, Wasps shirt and hound walking in the Surrey hills has been adjusted to patients, PPE and Scrub wearing for the day (although I will be getting coffee through all of that as caffeine is a non negotiable!
The importance of having a Rugby game to look forward to, to get excited about should not be underestimated. Yes we are going through a winter in the NHS that is putting all of us lucky enough to work in it right on the edge of our physical and mental capabilities, but I guarantee you that not one of us want to be anywhere else. Treating and serving others is all we want to do. The political ramifications and lessons that need to be learnt from this will come (and needs to to honour the memory of those that have died) But for those us who love sport to have a point of focus, excitement, normality and a talking point that stirs positive emotions away from covid is a importance never to be underestimated or taken for granted....And when we get through this, and we will! I will always be thankful for every time I get to walk into a stadium and share time with each other and our club once more.
So to the game, Bath have stuttered of late, we have stuttered this season, but are finding performances, of which probably the most impressive was against Chiefs. We are well known as a attacking threat from anywhere, but you need deep foundations of defence, accuracy and physicality, last week was a demonstration of just that. But Bath at the Rec will require this performance once again. Their side is full of quality, and if it starts to unite, and the 9,10 axis in blue, black and white can start to dictate the play they will be in good stead.
Both benches offer impact and I cannot see either side having an edge there. In fact there are fascinating match ups throughout. Indeed this could be banjo string tight throughout the whole 80. It will come down to accuracy and taking opportunities when they arise. It is battles like this I love because I cannot call which way it will go. However in Blackett’s band of brothers we trust!
Now Wasps go out there and get that win! And to all my fellow Waspies, drink merrily and with a warm heart filled with hope! Because the end of this pandemic is coming, and although hard days lie ahead there is A growing light and a sure knowledge that whilst we will take time to mourn and honour those lost, we will rejoice in victory over our invisible foe....together!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
The importance of having a Rugby game to look forward to, to get excited about should not be underestimated. Yes we are going through a winter in the NHS that is putting all of us lucky enough to work in it right on the edge of our physical and mental capabilities, but I guarantee you that not one of us want to be anywhere else. Treating and serving others is all we want to do. The political ramifications and lessons that need to be learnt from this will come (and needs to to honour the memory of those that have died) But for those us who love sport to have a point of focus, excitement, normality and a talking point that stirs positive emotions away from covid is a importance never to be underestimated or taken for granted....And when we get through this, and we will! I will always be thankful for every time I get to walk into a stadium and share time with each other and our club once more.
So to the game, Bath have stuttered of late, we have stuttered this season, but are finding performances, of which probably the most impressive was against Chiefs. We are well known as a attacking threat from anywhere, but you need deep foundations of defence, accuracy and physicality, last week was a demonstration of just that. But Bath at the Rec will require this performance once again. Their side is full of quality, and if it starts to unite, and the 9,10 axis in blue, black and white can start to dictate the play they will be in good stead.
Both benches offer impact and I cannot see either side having an edge there. In fact there are fascinating match ups throughout. Indeed this could be banjo string tight throughout the whole 80. It will come down to accuracy and taking opportunities when they arise. It is battles like this I love because I cannot call which way it will go. However in Blackett’s band of brothers we trust!
Now Wasps go out there and get that win! And to all my fellow Waspies, drink merrily and with a warm heart filled with hope! Because the end of this pandemic is coming, and although hard days lie ahead there is A growing light and a sure knowledge that whilst we will take time to mourn and honour those lost, we will rejoice in victory over our invisible foe....together!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
469
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Half An Hour to Go - Match Thread
« on: January 02, 2021, 03:59:32 PM »
Get the beers in boys, THAT was a win!
470
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Half An Hour to Go - Match Thread
« on: January 02, 2021, 02:50:45 PM »
Good first 40, fantastic energy in defence. Chiefs will go for the full 80 so we need to hit the ground running second 40.
471
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All
« on: January 02, 2021, 07:57:20 AM »
Morning Neils, NWW, Codds and all waspies from a dark old Guildford. It is mornings like this that make me so pleased that we have rugby to look forward to. The next couple of months as we roll out the vaccine we are in a race with my NHS colleagues (of every role medical and non medical) of managing the demand and treating those affected by covid. Be assured we are going to win this race, but as both myself and my wife are medics in the nhs (general practice and emergency medicine respectively) the importance of having something to look forward to, that generates excitement and hope has never been more important. It is no little thing and this is why i and her are so grateful to all involved in rugby that this is still possible, and that so many roles are so important to keep us all going and why i am proud to be able to call street cleaners, refuse teams, shop workers, delivery drivers, public transport employees, carers, teachers, all those involved in sport and many others fellow key workers and to be part of that team. So with coffee in hand and a hound demanding his walk we look forward to our battle with Baxters chiefs.
No matter what side is put out by Exeter you know they will play with strength and unity, and that is testament to Baxter, their coaches, players and the club that they are so formidable. We will have to be defensively on our game, pushing hard at the breakdown and matching power with power. However we must also put our style and stamp upon the game. We need to defend like England but play with the pace and verve that we are known for. Do this, make sure our basic skills are cement like and take our chances and we have a chance. But Baxter et al deserve respect and we must play at top gear from 1st to last second.
I cannot wait!
Come on you wasps!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
No matter what side is put out by Exeter you know they will play with strength and unity, and that is testament to Baxter, their coaches, players and the club that they are so formidable. We will have to be defensively on our game, pushing hard at the breakdown and matching power with power. However we must also put our style and stamp upon the game. We need to defend like England but play with the pace and verve that we are known for. Do this, make sure our basic skills are cement like and take our chances and we have a chance. But Baxter et al deserve respect and we must play at top gear from 1st to last second.
I cannot wait!
Come on you wasps!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
472
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All
« on: December 27, 2020, 07:49:13 AM »
Morning Neils and all Waspies from a enjoyably quiet Guildford. Coffee and rugby paper is on the go and excitement building for our game against Sale today.
The AJ Bell is no happy hunting ground for us, and today is likely to be no different. sale may be sans Diamond but have put out a quality XV with a impactful bench as well and to me they rightly start as favourites. Our boys are going to need to hit their straps and play to their potential to get a win today, and Europe has shown a uptick in unity and performance. If we do find top gear any result is possible, but a point of any kind with a team performance and seeing our young guns continuing to improve would be a good return.
Come on you Wasps!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
The AJ Bell is no happy hunting ground for us, and today is likely to be no different. sale may be sans Diamond but have put out a quality XV with a impactful bench as well and to me they rightly start as favourites. Our boys are going to need to hit their straps and play to their potential to get a win today, and Europe has shown a uptick in unity and performance. If we do find top gear any result is possible, but a point of any kind with a team performance and seeing our young guns continuing to improve would be a good return.
Come on you Wasps!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
473
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Match Thread - Do we need one?
« on: December 18, 2020, 10:05:11 PM »
Excellent result from the boys! That was a near fully loaded Montpellier team and we did a job on them. The red certainly helped no doubt, but we played very well. Definitely could see our game plan and style showing through again which was so pleasing given it was a little MIA at the start of this term (hangover from last season now wearing off?) 
Team well led by young young, the
Pack as a unit performed really well. Barberry, Porter, Atkinson fantastic. Odogwu looking the part at 13. Bassett excellent. Cruise all over the park...bench brought an impact. Really
Proud of the lads.
Team well led by young young, the
Pack as a unit performed really well. Barberry, Porter, Atkinson fantastic. Odogwu looking the part at 13. Bassett excellent. Cruise all over the park...bench brought an impact. Really
Proud of the lads.
474
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Match Thread - Do we need one?
« on: December 18, 2020, 09:01:42 PM »
Good first 40, the boys doing well and scrum holding up really well...keep it going boys!
475
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All
« on: December 05, 2020, 08:23:21 AM »
Morning Neils, NWW, Andermt, Ross, Wonky, Heaths and all wasps from a lovely Guildford. Slight change to the old pre match routine for me today as the wife and I are booked in for breakfast at the Ivy followed by Christmas shopping in town. It will then be coffee and treats from a lovely bakery before settling down to watch our lads take on Falcons.
We looked fatigued and clunky against Bristol but dug out a hard earned win, then against Glos the curse of the Holm struck once more as we were overpowered rather comprehensively. Yet the fact we went for 80 minutes to get a hard earned losing bonus point is credit to the work ethic and desire our team and coaches have. It is elements such as this that will serve us well throughout the season where points such as this can be very valuable. Injuries and international absences will be a constant companion and will be a backdrop, but it is a challenge to overcome. This starts today with a resurgent Falcons. Dean Richards et al have hit the ground running and have looked good in their first 2 outings. Given our respective starts I have them as slight favourites to get a win against us today and it is testament to them for this against the runners up last year.
Yet Lee and the coaches will have had last week as a reminder that anyone can beat anyone in this league, and it does serve to focus minds. We must use last week as a springboard to overcome what will be a tough challenge today, however I have confidence in Lee and the lads to get it done.
Come on you Wasps!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
We looked fatigued and clunky against Bristol but dug out a hard earned win, then against Glos the curse of the Holm struck once more as we were overpowered rather comprehensively. Yet the fact we went for 80 minutes to get a hard earned losing bonus point is credit to the work ethic and desire our team and coaches have. It is elements such as this that will serve us well throughout the season where points such as this can be very valuable. Injuries and international absences will be a constant companion and will be a backdrop, but it is a challenge to overcome. This starts today with a resurgent Falcons. Dean Richards et al have hit the ground running and have looked good in their first 2 outings. Given our respective starts I have them as slight favourites to get a win against us today and it is testament to them for this against the runners up last year.
Yet Lee and the coaches will have had last week as a reminder that anyone can beat anyone in this league, and it does serve to focus minds. We must use last week as a springboard to overcome what will be a tough challenge today, however I have confidence in Lee and the lads to get it done.
Come on you Wasps!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
476
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Morning all!
« on: November 28, 2020, 07:08:52 AM »
A very good morning to waspies from a cold and pleasantly quiet Guildford. I am as usual, up with the lark, with coffee on the go, and a hound already itching to get out into the Surrey hills for a Saturday morning stroll. Today is a double header with our Waspies taking on Gloucester at the holm, and also our England lads taking on Wales in Llanelli at the Park y scarlets. Both hugely exciting fixtures, to which I will be dual screening so I do not miss a moment of each game.
Days like today make me so grateful that we have rugby to watch and support once more, and with light at the end of this covid tunnel it is only a matter of time before the stadiums are full of vociferous and passionate support again. and although it will not be in stands today, it will be heard over the hills, mountains, fields and houses across our land.
For our trip to a misfiring Glos outfit shorn of Cips who does not make the 23 I find myself really pleased with selection, yes international call ups and enforced changes through injury does force the coaches hands with regards to selection, but for long term success a team needs to have a blend of senior and younger players. Importantly they must also buy into the way the coaches want to play and enjoy each other’s company and their rugby. Lee and the team has got us feeling that way, and the club feels like a family club once more, where we all feel connected no matter whether we are player, coach, employee, support staff or supporters, we are Wasps are more than just words, and success comes from foundations such as these.
Gloucester were surprisingly off beat last weekend, and succumbed easily to a resurgent Tigers outfit. One game does not make a season and for us and the boys from the West Country it is hard to draw conclusions on form or performance based upon round one, and with all the changes made by both teams to my mind today’s game is hard to call. It will however be a fascinating contest and I will be cheering the lads every step of the way!
Come on you Wasps and come on England!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp.
Days like today make me so grateful that we have rugby to watch and support once more, and with light at the end of this covid tunnel it is only a matter of time before the stadiums are full of vociferous and passionate support again. and although it will not be in stands today, it will be heard over the hills, mountains, fields and houses across our land.
For our trip to a misfiring Glos outfit shorn of Cips who does not make the 23 I find myself really pleased with selection, yes international call ups and enforced changes through injury does force the coaches hands with regards to selection, but for long term success a team needs to have a blend of senior and younger players. Importantly they must also buy into the way the coaches want to play and enjoy each other’s company and their rugby. Lee and the team has got us feeling that way, and the club feels like a family club once more, where we all feel connected no matter whether we are player, coach, employee, support staff or supporters, we are Wasps are more than just words, and success comes from foundations such as these.
Gloucester were surprisingly off beat last weekend, and succumbed easily to a resurgent Tigers outfit. One game does not make a season and for us and the boys from the West Country it is hard to draw conclusions on form or performance based upon round one, and with all the changes made by both teams to my mind today’s game is hard to call. It will however be a fascinating contest and I will be cheering the lads every step of the way!
Come on you Wasps and come on England!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp.
477
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All
« on: November 22, 2020, 08:21:20 AM »
Morning codds, Neils, VV, Heathen and all Waspies from a grey but equally pleasantly autumnal Guildford. It only feels like a couple of weeks ago that our lads so nearly lifted the premiership title.......oh hang on! It was! The elongated covid impacted season has had one positive impact and that is silly season has been compressed to days not months, and although our shirts are shiny and new our effort, enthusiasm and momentum built last season should remain unaffected as our lads run out at our home to start the 20/21 season.
Make no bones about it, Bristol are a tough old cookie to crack, and their play and team were making good in roads last season. They are missing a couple of key players in Sheedy and Hughes, but still look formidable. Both teams have the capability and ability to win this, but I am hopeful not only that our starting XV get us into a winning position, but that our bench has the edge and will finish the job. It will be a titanic game though with 2 teams who play positive rugby.
However let me use this opportunity to make a bold statement..Today our lads will know but not hear our support for them as we play our first game, but i promise you this, before this season is out we WILL be back at our home, in the stands, clad in black and gold and cheering our boys to the rafters not only as they run out but for the entire game. Covid has been a great chance to reset for many reasons, and one is that we will NEVER again take for granted the ability to gear up, get in our cars/take public transport, pay for overpriced beers and ever so slightly questionable pies and simply enjoy each others company whilst revelling in the atmosphere being together and supporting our teams provide. I cannot wait to join you all once more when this virus is defeated!
Now COME ON YOU WASPS!!!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
Make no bones about it, Bristol are a tough old cookie to crack, and their play and team were making good in roads last season. They are missing a couple of key players in Sheedy and Hughes, but still look formidable. Both teams have the capability and ability to win this, but I am hopeful not only that our starting XV get us into a winning position, but that our bench has the edge and will finish the job. It will be a titanic game though with 2 teams who play positive rugby.
However let me use this opportunity to make a bold statement..Today our lads will know but not hear our support for them as we play our first game, but i promise you this, before this season is out we WILL be back at our home, in the stands, clad in black and gold and cheering our boys to the rafters not only as they run out but for the entire game. Covid has been a great chance to reset for many reasons, and one is that we will NEVER again take for granted the ability to gear up, get in our cars/take public transport, pay for overpriced beers and ever so slightly questionable pies and simply enjoy each others company whilst revelling in the atmosphere being together and supporting our teams provide. I cannot wait to join you all once more when this virus is defeated!
Now COME ON YOU WASPS!!!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
478
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Times match report
« on: October 25, 2020, 07:03:30 AM »
This report highlights perfectly why this is not just a one season achievement but the dawn of a new era for us Waspies! The players hurt shows just how much they care and how important this club is to us all....We are family. We will come back stronger!
479
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All
« on: October 24, 2020, 06:52:35 AM »
It’s finals day! And a very good morning to NWW and all Waspies from a dark Guildford. The rooster may not yet have cleared it’s throat but I cannot sleep a wink longer. The coffee is on the go, the hound is still sound asleep not even thinking about our morning walk yet and I have a weekly food shop and shop in town to get a present for my mums 69th birthday to achieve, before heading to our local hogs back brewery to get some of their fine ale For what promises to be a cracker of a final today!
I think none of us can argue that Baxter’s men are firm favourites for this one, they are riding the crest of a wave having won their first European title, are battled hardened, experienced and have had no disruption leading into this. We on the other hand have had 3 training sessions and lost 4 of our first XIII to isolation. I really feel for those boys, as they would most likely be in today’s game, and equally deserve to be. However rugby is a team game, and it is those that play as a team that will win the day. We have seen disruption before al la Bath, we have trusted our wider squad al la Saracens and emerged victors. We have a team, a family, enjoying their rugby and getting results. Yes Exeter are rightly favourites, but finals rugby is a different beast, and any result is possible.
Of course I would love to see our boys lift the trophy aloft. But we have won so much already and have so much to be proud of this season. A fantastic CEO in Vaughan, a supportive board, a great back room team, an academy starting to conveyer belt talent into the senior squad..and we have the squad themselves. We are on the cusp of a new, bright long term future and I could not be prouder no matter what happens! But, lads, if you want to take the chiefs scalp today, be assured you have thousands of your black and gold family right behind you!
Now let’s go get em!!!
COME ON YOU WASPS!!!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
I think none of us can argue that Baxter’s men are firm favourites for this one, they are riding the crest of a wave having won their first European title, are battled hardened, experienced and have had no disruption leading into this. We on the other hand have had 3 training sessions and lost 4 of our first XIII to isolation. I really feel for those boys, as they would most likely be in today’s game, and equally deserve to be. However rugby is a team game, and it is those that play as a team that will win the day. We have seen disruption before al la Bath, we have trusted our wider squad al la Saracens and emerged victors. We have a team, a family, enjoying their rugby and getting results. Yes Exeter are rightly favourites, but finals rugby is a different beast, and any result is possible.
Of course I would love to see our boys lift the trophy aloft. But we have won so much already and have so much to be proud of this season. A fantastic CEO in Vaughan, a supportive board, a great back room team, an academy starting to conveyer belt talent into the senior squad..and we have the squad themselves. We are on the cusp of a new, bright long term future and I could not be prouder no matter what happens! But, lads, if you want to take the chiefs scalp today, be assured you have thousands of your black and gold family right behind you!
Now let’s go get em!!!
COME ON YOU WASPS!!!
Chris
Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
480
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: 7 Positive COVID tests
« on: October 19, 2020, 02:55:21 PM »
If we have to forfeit -and although I understand the pre-agreement and need for TV revenue- I would simply cancel the final and award Exeter the title, they would deserve it. Bristol deserve to finish their season on a high and not place fillers for us. This also significantly undermines the integrity of the tournament as it must be the best two teams tilting for the title, or in this case awarding it to Exeter.
If we have to forfeit and Bristol takes our place it will be the final no one wants and devoid of meaning.
If we have to forfeit and Bristol takes our place it will be the final no one wants and devoid of meaning.