THIS is a special moment in time for both Drybrook and
Newent.
Both clubs will do whatever it takes to make sure it does not pass them by.
These players will be friends for life now, they have reunions to look forward to in years to come, whatever happens next.
Few players earn the privilege to grace the Twickenham turf.
Two clubs from the Forest of Dean have more than proved themselves worthy.
And they should be very proud – the rest of Gloucestershire certainly is.
It's a fantastic shot in the arm for county rugby that Drybrook have made the RFU Senior Vase final and
Newent the Junior Vase showpiece event, both at HQ on Saturday, May 4.
They must not let their chance pass by – but in order to do that they have to strike out all the hype and the build-up and focus on playing their natural game.
They have to enjoy this game like any other – but shut out the Twickenham factor until after the match.
Once the game is all over, drink in the surroundings and the achievements, and make sure you savour every moment.
But if you do that before or during the match, then you will completely lose focus.
Twickenham is a big old pitch, but it looks bigger than it is because of the vast stadium surrounding it.
Don't be fooled by the optical illusion, but at the same time don't let the pitch beat you either.
If you let emotion run wild you will go off too fast too soon, and then you hit the buffers.
Control the passion and aggression, because if you leave it unchecked then you will find yourself out on your feet after half an hour.
And in that situation not just physically but also mentally, you will be exhausted – and unable to arrest the problem.
Be nervous – you need to be – but do not be governed by nerves.
Treat Twickenham just as you would a home match - albeit a vital one.
As hard as it sounds, if you take the same mentality from Drybrook and Newent to England's headquarters, that 's how you will gain the best chance of victory.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, EVEN ON A BUS SOMEWHERE ON THE A1
TWENTY rugby blokes crowded round an iPad on Friday night, en route to the North East.
As we travelled north for Cinderford 's National League One clash with Blaydon, we watched ESPN's coverage of Gloucester-Harlequins on a screen not nearly big enough to do a classic game justice.
What a credit both teams did themselves by playing with ambition and tempo.
The commentators thought it was the best rugby match the broadcasting company had screened yet.
Gloucester played with such flair, and even on a bus
heading up the A1 we could feel the Kingsholm
atmosphere.
There is no specific reason why night matches bring a
different feel, but something changes in the air.
Maybe it's as simple as people going out for a beer
straight after work…I honestly can't fathom it.
But Gloucester tend to respond well – edging out Leicester in a night match at Kingsholm in a special
atmosphere is one of my fondest Cherry and Whites
memories.
WE SEEM TO RELISH THE TAG OF UNDERDOGS
DESIRE to prove people wrong seems to be a pivotal part of the Gloucestershire psyche.
Cinderford tend to thrive on underdog status – it probably worked in our tremendous 34-32 victory at second-placed National League One side Blaydon on
Saturday.
Drybrook and Newent have flown the county flag proudly in the face of apparently dwindling playing
numbers in the area.
And Gloucester's 17-15 Harlequins win hauled them right back into play-offs contention after a patchy victory over relegation favourites London Welsh.
The challenge is to sustain that pressure and that feeling when you enter matches as favourites too.
Proving people wrong is never a one-shot deal though – it's a constant battle in my eyes, because consistency is what changes perception.
Cinderford host Sedgeley Park on Saturday, a side already relegated and clearly struggling this year.
The favourites tag might not sit too well – but the players just need to forget that, and concentrate on the consistency that counts most.
IAN GAINED OUR TRUST, AFTER THE MICKEY TAKING
SCEPTICISM is the natural reaction from any sportsman to a new journalist.
But over time Ian Randall proved himself knowledgeable across a range of sports, including football, rugby and cricket, and trustworthy too.
The first time he arrived at Gloucester training to do some interviews he got a bit of stick – the
amateur ethos was still very much alive and well back then and that was only natural. He brushed it off
and the guys grew to like and respect
him.
I went to Ian's leaving do last week, along with match day rugby radio pundit Simon Devereux and
Pete Glanville, and there's no doubt he'll be missed at BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
I was lucky enough to do some summarising for the station after I retired as a player, and Ian was an enormous help.
What I learned there in terms of communication definitely helps in my coaching. It definitely won't be the same without Ian around and we wish him well.
