Jake Boer witnessed in rugby crowd

I joined A at Kingsholm Stadium last evening; a last minute decision to attend the Gloucester club’s ‘A’ team fixture against counterparts from the Harlequin FC tempted me away from the warmth and comfort of the front parlour. I haven’t been to one of these fixtures for a while. I used to trot along to most of the old style United matches a few years ago and enjoyed spotting players on the way up and players on the way down – there were often several from both category. I made the fundamental error last evening (as did the noble A) of expecting to position myself in my usual spot in the popular side of the ground. As it happens, the entire crowd were given no choice; all sat in the new South Stand. It was comfortable and pleasing to witness the action from a different spot although the pillars are large and do block significant areas of the pitch. We ended up in front of the said columns and it was merry. The match itself was fairly uninspiring. Gloucester, despite being under the cosh, somehow contrived to turn round 14-7 in the lead but the more streetwise, well-drilled and, well, imposing visitors pulled ahead deservedly and comprehensively in the second half. Nobody caught the eye too dramatically but Freddie Burns showed a few classy touches, the centre Tim Molenaar occasionally ran with abrasiveness and intent while the home team’s openside, James Davies (I think) was busy and prominent in the face of a dominant Quins pack. Young Jonny May took his try nicely. It was pleasing to witness so many first team players in the seats supporting the fellows. The mighty Jake Boer was there, in earnest conversation with another legend of the blindside, Peter ‘Pete’ Glanville and ‘twas reassuring to consider the South African talisman is now, happily, back where he belongs.