The blog from NWRU webmaster, Gary Williams
What a fantastic weekend of rugby...
From Thursday night's Newtown v Welshpool Conwy Land Rover North Wales cup tie to Friday night's double header, and two wins for Wales, at Stadiwm Zipworld in Colwyn Bay, to my first day in the press box at the Wales v Scotland game, it's been hectic, enjoyable and three wins out of three for our beloved Wales.
It's fascinating to see what goes on at the stadium in Cardiff on match day. As a 'newbie' I tried not to look too much like a fish out of water but it's difficult when you have the likes of Jonathan Davies, Gwyn Jones and Martin Johnson sitting very close to you in the Media Center and you're praying you don't spill the gravy on your new jumper (specially bought for the day as I realised fairly last minute that everything I have in the wardrobe has a logo on of some sort and it's a definite no-no on match days).
After entry to the stadium you have a very long walk in the bowels of the stadium and I could have spent all day just looking at the history that was on the walls in pictures.
Had a quick look at where I was going to be sitting and it was middle of the pitch on the lower tier putting you right in the middle of the crowd and able to gauge their mood and reactions, plus hear the big hits on the field close up.
You're presented with a 'Media Guide' on arrival in the Media Centre and it's packed full of facts and figures. Like me, you might have thought that the commentators you hear on the radio and TV telling you how many times Wales have beaten Scotland, who has won the most etc, had been spending many hours doing this research. Possibly some have, but this media guide has it all, super publication.
At 1pm there was a call for all the photographers to gather round for a quick briefing, mainly telling them that they must stay in the position they've been allocated. Brought back memories of when I use to 'peg out' fishing pitches on the River Vyrnwy at Llanymynech for Sunday competitions and had to tell the anglers that they must not move from where the peg is. Anyway, I digress...
Seems the Media Centre, by gentlemen's agreement as far as I could see, splits in to the journalists on one side of the room and the pundits in a little side room. The journalists, all had their laptops open tapping away (not sure what, tried to have a quick peek but the fella next to me covered his screen in much the same way as happened in your school exams).
At this point, I would have loved to have gone and sat in my seat and watched the pre-match build up on the pitch, but was a bit concerned that there might be a briefing for us 'journalists' (and I use that term very loosely in my case, although it must be said, I did get a GCE in English in school, after two attempts) and I'd be the only one missing it.
Noticed a couple of 'journos' further up the table opening their media guide to the players' picture page and writing a few notes on some of the pictures so thought I'd give that a go. Looked as though I was thinking hard and then wrote on Steff Evans' pic, 'wish I could run as fast as you' and a bit of nonsense on a few others, but at least it looked the part.
And so, to my seat in the stadium...
Fantastic view and can't wait for the action to start. Only Men Aloud blasting out all the favourites and, as much as I love the male voice choirs, it's nice to have something a bit different pre-match. Noticed a contingent from COBRA sat in the seats lower down, snapped a few 'unsuspecting' pics of them and also a few 'formal' when they spotted me. Next up the bands and the choirs and, to be honest, at this point I was starting to get a real buzz out of the whole occasion. My days of going to the game, blurry eyed, dying for a pee, questioning every refereeing decision, have gone for ever, this is definitely different.
Took a look along the row and it appears that all I need is the team sheet and my laptop so quickly despatched my three notepads (one to write in and two for back-up) along with half a dozen pens in to my 'unbranded' computer bag.
At this point I was pondering as to whether the journalists in the press box were getting the same buzz as me out of the day so far. I guess the difference is that they are proper journalists and it's their job, whereas I'm a 'dabbler' who does this for a hobby and Wales and rugby is my great passion. Perhaps they were hoping to get it over quickly and home to their other lives while I was happy to let this go on and on for ever (well, until my car park ticket expired at least)...
You could sense the crowd getting ready for the teams to come out, mobile phones by the thousands ready to capture that all-important shot and the flames erupting, what a fantastic entrance once again. We always get this bit right. Two of the best anthems sung with the usual gusto and we're ready for the off. Come on Wales!
The game was way beyond what any of us expected and my thoughts, as the tries were being run in, about whether the journalists were passionate or not, were soon dispelled as they were all on their feet (apart from one or two who I suspect were from Scotland).
What a joy it was to be sat there witnessing one of the ‘great’ Welsh performances, I’ve been lucky enough to see Wales play live hundreds of times, but this performance definitely ranks amongst one of the best I’ve seen. And what smiles from the crowd as they exited the stadium, looking for the nearest watering hole in most cases. We’re a small nation and a win like this puts a smile on everybody’s face.
I’d been tapping out my match report as it happened and, as soon as the final whistle went, I hit the upload button, none of this speelcheking nonsense and prayed!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay for the post-match interviews with ‘Gats and Alun Wyn’ but I left the stadium exhilarated fully realising what a privilege it was to have been invited by the Welsh Rugby Union for such a unique experience. Oops, just checked in the dictionary what unique really means and it says a one off, so scrub that as I’m hoping to be back for the Italy game (hint, hint to the nice people at the WRU).
Well done to the ladies and gents in the red shirt of Wales for three fantastic wins, more of the same please next week…
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