The contrast was unmistakable. Over in Moldova, England supporters were in the shiny new white shirts that they saved up to buy at £15 a pop at Sports Direct. They were standing, because they were hard core, and nobody told them what to do. Their arms were folded, their voices absent, their faces sullen. Football supporting at such a level is obviously a serious business.
Chipper and I switched over to Sky Sports. Old rivals Wigan and St. Helen's were going at it hammer and tongs. Both sets of fans also had their shirts on, turning the DW Stadium into what looked like a giant tube of toothpaste. All the supporters were sat. Yet the noise that emanated around the pitch was deafening at times. Everyone was enjoying themselves despite their deadly rivalry.
It's little wonder that, given a choice between a Premier or Football League game or a Super League match, Chipper and I take the old Northern Union game every time.
Today was no exception. How could it be? The Broncos had a personality so split not even Zsa Zsa Gabor could find time to marry them all. Sometimes it depended on how they felt on the day. Often it depended on how they felt at any given time during the match. It's that promise, though, of something unbelievable happening, that keeps you coming back.
That. And the chip shop. And the sweet shop that sells Max crisps and Irn Bru. It's possibly Chipper's favourite area on the planet. The stadium's nice enough, and never so crowded as you can't move around a bit. The match stewards always have time for a chat rather than a word. For a grump like me it's bang on. The only thing I have to moan about are the team.
Even they won't let me do that though. 3 wins out of 4, and that defeat away at the same St. Helen's side who beat table topping Wigan. New coach confirms he is staying, the only coach that took Broncos to the play-offs. It's all looking far too rosy. It's all cued up for the opposition to spoil the day.
Hull KR were in play-off contention right up until their home derby defeat to Hull. I blame their club crest, which says "Pride of East Hull." Talk about setting your standards low. If they had North, South or even a bit of West Hull to go with it, they would probably have won easily. They slipped and slid out of the play-off frame since then. All that was at stake today was their cherished pride.
As it was, I was wondering if they were the pride of Hessle, a suburb of Hull. Going up there for a Southend United game once, we walked by a pub in Hessle. In the window of the door a message was stuck up. "No football colours. No away fans. No Southerners." Of course we went in. And of course it was a dive. The coach was stoned on the way back. If I lived in Hessle, I would be too. Permanently, if possible.
I digress. Wandering from Twickenham station to the Stoop, we couldn't help but notice the pink and black Lady Gaga scarves on sale. The red white and pink Union Jack I almost bought. Almost but not quite. So, she's appearing at a rugby stadium. She's got balls, I'll give her that. Probably oval shaped to boot as well.
There's a good contingent of people who've made the long trip from East Yorkshire, especially in view of the fact it was a 1pm kick-off and they had nothing to play for. It made those 102 Salford fans, Shameless mob included, look even more ridiculous than they had on the day, although for them, it must have felt like a bad romance when their beloved City Reds collapsed.
For half an hour it doesn't go to plan at all. Broncos are 24-0 up and playing as though they are destined for a Grand Final. It's all too much for me to comprehend. But then ... ah, that's better. Terrible defending. Two tries conceded in a few minutes. At half time Hull KR are right back in it and have their tails up. I'm in comfortably uncomfortable territory. Not knowing what the hell's going on, despite my poker face.
The radio report is a great one. Chipper is in fine form, talking about a half of two halves and then a half of two seasons. Hey, this is a Broncos world we live in, that's just the way it is. They were born that way.
The second half is unrelenting. More to-ing and fro-ing and a to-and-fro thingy. First Broncos looked to have made the game safe with a try and Rovers down to 12 men, then the Pride side hit back with a couple of tries. Broncos score, they score. It carries on all through the second half. Finally, Broncos get 48-36 up in the 75th minute. Anticipating the win, I'm on the telephone to the station.
I don't know I bother doing that. I may as well have called the Paparazzi for all the sense it made, calling a Broncos game early. One poor back pass, one great run, and it's 48-42. The crowd, noisy throughout, are now on their feet. Just like England fans last night, except today everyone is actually making a noise and supporting their team. The fans here love their team. It's a love game.
Hull KR try to run the last play from their own line but, in the end, in the roaring sun as well as a roaring crowd, they just can't manage the comeback we all now presumed would happen. For two sides that had absolutely nothing to play for 48-42 and sixteen tries was pretty extraordinary. But then, this is Broncos we're talking about. 4 wins out of 5. Carry on like this next season and we're on the edge of glory.
We wind our way back to the station. The full time report had almost become a lecture, it took so long. Chipper again summarised in 10 words what I'd need a thousand to. "It was like whole seasons of games had come together." I tell you what Chipper, between you and I we have this radio lark sorted.
As we walk by the Gaga crowd are making their way to Twickers. There were some seriously frumpy people going by, with not a single smile between them. Bleached hair and sunglasses abound, though, along with short black skirts and arses bigger than mine. It seemed that this Lady Gaga watching was a serious business. Put a cheap and nasty Sports Direct white shirt on them and you'd say they were England fans. Why couldn't they just enjoy themselves, just chill, just laugh, just dance?
A 90 point thriller and more puns than the punnet section of Mr. Pun's punnetarium. Just another normal day in the life of the Broncos. Should I end today, without one more pun? No. After all, if I didn't, I'd be a Judas.
London Broncos 48, Hull KR 42
Chipper and I switched over to Sky Sports. Old rivals Wigan and St. Helen's were going at it hammer and tongs. Both sets of fans also had their shirts on, turning the DW Stadium into what looked like a giant tube of toothpaste. All the supporters were sat. Yet the noise that emanated around the pitch was deafening at times. Everyone was enjoying themselves despite their deadly rivalry.
It's little wonder that, given a choice between a Premier or Football League game or a Super League match, Chipper and I take the old Northern Union game every time.Today was no exception. How could it be? The Broncos had a personality so split not even Zsa Zsa Gabor could find time to marry them all. Sometimes it depended on how they felt on the day. Often it depended on how they felt at any given time during the match. It's that promise, though, of something unbelievable happening, that keeps you coming back.
That. And the chip shop. And the sweet shop that sells Max crisps and Irn Bru. It's possibly Chipper's favourite area on the planet. The stadium's nice enough, and never so crowded as you can't move around a bit. The match stewards always have time for a chat rather than a word. For a grump like me it's bang on. The only thing I have to moan about are the team.
Even they won't let me do that though. 3 wins out of 4, and that defeat away at the same St. Helen's side who beat table topping Wigan. New coach confirms he is staying, the only coach that took Broncos to the play-offs. It's all looking far too rosy. It's all cued up for the opposition to spoil the day.Hull KR were in play-off contention right up until their home derby defeat to Hull. I blame their club crest, which says "Pride of East Hull." Talk about setting your standards low. If they had North, South or even a bit of West Hull to go with it, they would probably have won easily. They slipped and slid out of the play-off frame since then. All that was at stake today was their cherished pride.
As it was, I was wondering if they were the pride of Hessle, a suburb of Hull. Going up there for a Southend United game once, we walked by a pub in Hessle. In the window of the door a message was stuck up. "No football colours. No away fans. No Southerners." Of course we went in. And of course it was a dive. The coach was stoned on the way back. If I lived in Hessle, I would be too. Permanently, if possible.
I digress. Wandering from Twickenham station to the Stoop, we couldn't help but notice the pink and black Lady Gaga scarves on sale. The red white and pink Union Jack I almost bought. Almost but not quite. So, she's appearing at a rugby stadium. She's got balls, I'll give her that. Probably oval shaped to boot as well.There's a good contingent of people who've made the long trip from East Yorkshire, especially in view of the fact it was a 1pm kick-off and they had nothing to play for. It made those 102 Salford fans, Shameless mob included, look even more ridiculous than they had on the day, although for them, it must have felt like a bad romance when their beloved City Reds collapsed.
For half an hour it doesn't go to plan at all. Broncos are 24-0 up and playing as though they are destined for a Grand Final. It's all too much for me to comprehend. But then ... ah, that's better. Terrible defending. Two tries conceded in a few minutes. At half time Hull KR are right back in it and have their tails up. I'm in comfortably uncomfortable territory. Not knowing what the hell's going on, despite my poker face.The radio report is a great one. Chipper is in fine form, talking about a half of two halves and then a half of two seasons. Hey, this is a Broncos world we live in, that's just the way it is. They were born that way.
The second half is unrelenting. More to-ing and fro-ing and a to-and-fro thingy. First Broncos looked to have made the game safe with a try and Rovers down to 12 men, then the Pride side hit back with a couple of tries. Broncos score, they score. It carries on all through the second half. Finally, Broncos get 48-36 up in the 75th minute. Anticipating the win, I'm on the telephone to the station.
I don't know I bother doing that. I may as well have called the Paparazzi for all the sense it made, calling a Broncos game early. One poor back pass, one great run, and it's 48-42. The crowd, noisy throughout, are now on their feet. Just like England fans last night, except today everyone is actually making a noise and supporting their team. The fans here love their team. It's a love game.Hull KR try to run the last play from their own line but, in the end, in the roaring sun as well as a roaring crowd, they just can't manage the comeback we all now presumed would happen. For two sides that had absolutely nothing to play for 48-42 and sixteen tries was pretty extraordinary. But then, this is Broncos we're talking about. 4 wins out of 5. Carry on like this next season and we're on the edge of glory.
We wind our way back to the station. The full time report had almost become a lecture, it took so long. Chipper again summarised in 10 words what I'd need a thousand to. "It was like whole seasons of games had come together." I tell you what Chipper, between you and I we have this radio lark sorted.
A 90 point thriller and more puns than the punnet section of Mr. Pun's punnetarium. Just another normal day in the life of the Broncos. Should I end today, without one more pun? No. After all, if I didn't, I'd be a Judas.
London Broncos 48, Hull KR 42
No comments:
Post a Comment