I haven’t put ‘pen to paper’ recently for obvious reasons. Without rugby games taking place, it is difficult to produce anything that seems meaningful at this worrying time.

A few years ago, when anyone was leaving to pastures new at work, it became a tradition to pull together some words that just about rhyme, and read them out as part of the leaving speeches. I was a bang average English Literature A Level student, with little regard for ‘poetry rules’ but I got landed with this gig on a fair few occasions.

On this theme, with the potential of this campaign leaving earlier than planned, I thought I would try to put into words a bit about Wasps Premiership Rugby season to date, before the world turned on its’ head.

I hope to write about you soon Wasps, I look forward to seeing you play,

I want to take the kids to the Ricoh again, it’s generally an enjoyable day.

I think you have been brilliant during the crisis, leading on ‘make that call’.

If things return to some normality, I know you will be giving it your all.

 

It was an October start to the season, as the World Cup was taking place,

London Irish were first up at home, the Ricoh welcoming back an old face.

‘We’ll smash these’ I told my kids, this is the perfect game to begin,

However the visitors ran out victorious, fully deserving of their win.

 

England then beat the All Blacks, sending the rugby world into shock,

Wasps travelled later to Kingsholm, where an old boy ran amok.

Not Cipriani but Simpson, he scored his tries with ease,

Two games in, it seemed Wasps weren’t trying hard to please.

 

Bath next and Wasps needed a win, maybe just a little bit of luck,

Rowlands smashed over and then Shields, breaking his try scoring duck.

Wasps still needed a winner though, otherwise it was another defeat,

So up stepped Dobby, darting over late, and Bath travelled back beat.

 

‘This is it’ I told my family, we will now get more wins on the board,

Wasps travelled up to Sale, and from a driving maul a try was scored.

Penalty after penalty was conceded though, and the tide fully turned,

Wasps left Manchester empty handed, the pain of defeat had returned.

 

A short break followed, then it was time to visit Exeter at Sandy Park,

Wasps put in a good first half showing, but missed that try scoring spark.

The second half turned very ugly, the hosts seemingly scoring tries for fun,

Panic was starting to spread to the stands, this was a concerning run.

 

So up next the ‘Christmas cracker’, my favourite game of the year,

Wasps came flying out of the blocks, seemingly playing without fear.

Jack went over, followed by Zack, Jacob Umaga was nailing his kicks,

I watched the fireworks feeling glum though, because Wasps still lost by six.

 

Second half at Bristol, Wasps showed that enough was enough,

They had competed well first half, but found the hosts’ defence tough.

Jacob, Malakai, Matteo then Nizaam scored, Wasps had won away!

A great way to see out 2019, Wasps had showed that they could still play.

 

Wasps scored four tries against Saints at home, but it was not to be their day,

So Wasps repeated that trick at Sixways next, and twice they had won away!

The weather battered Welford Road, just after Dai Young had headed out the door

Wasps struggled and finished with no points, but actually could have claimed four.

 

Friday night lights at the Ricoh, and everyone’s favourite club Saracens were here,

Wasps put in a fantastic performance, that had supporters smiling from ear to ear!

Eight wonderful tries, and it is no exaggeration to say it should have been more,

As I left that evening, Wasps had posted an incredible sixty to ten score.

 

The smiles didn’t stop then, in the weeks that followed revenge was clearly in the air.

Irish were dispatched comfortably in Reading, and Gloucester beaten without a care.

Wasps had won three matches in a row, and were playing with flair and width,

With thirteen games done, Wasps were now sitting nice and pretty in fifth.

None of us know when Rugby will return, it doesn’t really matter at this time,

The season may well be cancelled, it may be the time to draw the line.

It is vitally important that we look after each other, things may never be the same

You have created some great memories Wasps, but it is ultimately just a game.

 

I hope to write about you soon Wasps, I look forward to seeing you play,

I want to take the kids to the Ricoh again, it’s generally an enjoyable day.

I think you have been brilliant during the crisis, leading on ‘make that call’.

If things return to some normality, I know you will be giving it your all.

 

Told you I was a very average A Level English Literature student.

Keep well, and thanks for reading.