Me waiting in anticipation for the start…
I was disappointed that my quarter-final ticket for the 2015 Rugby World Cup meant I would be watching mighty Australia take on lowly Scotland. We all knew how this was going to go. Apparently not. By the end of the match I was inspired to write An Ode to Scotland Rugby (by an England fan).
An Ode to Scotland Rugby
by Jo Gunston (an England Rugby fan)
Oh Scotland, if only you’d know
The delight you gave fans in oh such a show
If you could have seen many an England fan
Supporting the Scots down to the last man
Did you hear Twickenham, home of your foes
Singing your name down to the last throes?
There is a side note, to which I now confess
My quarter-final ticket I struggled to care less
My England team were long gone and I was still in a pout
This quarter-final match would be a dull Aussie rout
My Aussie companion who’d got me the ticket
Had been told I’d be neutral while he cheered on his team’s spirit
But right from the start,
You had my sporting-upset heart
Flower of Scotland I did sing,
(At least the words I knew at the beginning)
During the game my Aussie pal slunk into his seat
Mistakes from his team meant they stared at defeat
Ten minutes from the end,
The mist did descend,
The rain started to fall
Perfect conditions for Thistles all
The Scots were ahead,
A semi-final berth about put to bed
‘I can’t believe this is happening!’ shouted a delirious Scot
Beyond excited and losing the plot
Minutes later, a controversial call
An Aussie penalty, and the Scots did fall
‘I can’t believe this is happening,’ mumbled the crestfallen Scot
Beyond devastated and struggling with his lot
My Aussie pal had risen with the match crescendo
His under-the-cosh team showing much needed bravado
But Scotland Rugby you should know
That despite such a hammering blow
Walking away from the game
Crowds were singing your name
Thrilled at your fight
Fans from all nations buzzed with delight
And despite disappointing referee calls, your captain laid down the law
‘We had our chances, we should have made it sure’
And so concluded an ‘I was there day’
With fans weaving through London singing Flower of Scotland all the way.
18 October 2015
Other ditties from yours truly…
An Ode To Lance Armstrong
An Ode To Playing Like A Girl
An Ode To Carlos Tevez
