From this week, the Oracle will be online for all 1st team home games

Welcome today to 'The Park' and the visit of Rosslyn Park. It seems who ever decided on the fixtures for the season had it in for us, as this will be the fourth game on the trot against a Top Four side. Well despite the defeat last week at Old Deer Park against Top of the Table Richmond we gave a very creditable performance which speaks well for the ongoing development of the side in our first foray into the National League 1. The pitch today will be in stark contrast to the surface on which we played last week, parts of which resembled Weston beach at low tide.

Having been very close to HQ, we managed to get caught in the horrendous traffic that ensues from international matches. The take on the gate at HQ must be phenomenal given the ticket prices, and the large number of people crossing the road, it would be nice if some of that were shared with clubs down the line. I don't know if you caught the article on the local TV news featuring the Cinderford president, who in his interview introduced a new word into the English language – Zilcho – used to describe how much funding National League clubs receive from the RFU. He was very articulate in his rant and I am sure there were many watching who sympathised strongly.

Mr. Gatland has decided to depart Wales (or was politely asked, mutual agreement is the soccer term), his most recent run of 14 defeats contrasts greatly with his run of 14 consecutive wins in his first stint with the Principality. I wonder if like England they will appoint a home grown coach.
Our trip to Richmond added to the various 'Coach Gates' experienced recently, so to Loo Gate and Alarm Gate we can now add 'Seat Gate'. What an unedifying sight it was to see one of our more ample members lying back in his broken seat, resembling a 'dying fly' whilst trapping a more altitudinally challenged member in the seat behind.

We all wondered where our flying winger Sol Taufa was last week, apparently he is with the Tongan Sevens squad in Australia for 2 months; clearly he qualifies through his Avonmouth roots! We wish him well and look forward to hearing of his experience on his return. A big well done to our lads called up by the Bears to face a Queensland touring XV, pity the result wasn't too flattering. Also a well done to the under 18's Girls called into the National development squad. Both the under 16's Girls and under 18's Girls are going well in the National Cup.

Your Oracle went down with labyrinthitis earlier this week, but was fortunate to secure a telephone appointment with the doctor. Whilst describing the symptoms of nausea and dizziness, Mrs. Oracle shouted loudly from the kitchen, just tell him it was like when you came home from the Centenary Dinner and fell through the front door!
The famous Corned Beef pasties (misquoted as sandwiches) got a mention in the pre-match speeches on Saturday last by the Richmond president.
The Old Farts Lunch looks to be a 'Sell Out', well done Flash, I'm sure it will be a very demure and civilised affair. It will be really good to catch up with some old friends and hopefully persuade them to join us more regularly.

And so Eddie Jordan has decided to bring his F1 knowledge to London Irish. I hope, as do many others that simply because they are now owned by a rich conglomerate, they are not granted immediate access to the Premiership, but have to negotiate their way through the leagues, as many of us have had to do. If, because of their wealth, they drop straight in, what message of discouragement does that send to other aspiring clubs.

Anyway, back to today, we welcome another famous name, in Rosslyn Park, to the 'Park'. It will be a tough afternoon, but judging by last week's efforts we are more than up for the challenge.
So come on you lads, Shove 'em up the M32