Comparing Rugby Match Reports

Match report What is a match report? Where would you find a match report? How do think match reports would have been different in 1891?

Read the beginning of a match report from Gloucester got their Guinness Premiership season off to the best possible start as they defeated Bath by 24 points to 5 with James Simpson-Daniel claiming two tries. In front of nearly 13,000 passionate supporters at Kingsholm, it was the perfect opener for Bryan Redpath as Head Coach. Debutant fly half Nicky Robinson won the Man of the Match nomination from the watching Sky commentators but it was a performance where not one single man let the team down. The pack were fired up with Andrew Hazell in the faces of the Bath back row all afternoon and young second row Dave Attwood giving a performance that belied his lack of Premiership experience. (Extract from The Citizen) Gloucester earn West Country bragging rights How can we tell this is a report? Pick out an example of language that is specific to sport.

Now read the beginning of a match report from 1891… THE OPENING OF THE NEW GROUND GLOUCESTER V BURTON When the inhabitants of the city rose this morning rain was falling heavily, and there seemed very little prospect of there being anything but a continuously wet day. As the weather did not clear up by midday many people began to entertain doubts as to whether the long-looked- forward-to match would take place at all, and some went so far as to predict nothing else but a postponement. The elements, however, seemed to favour the football enthusiasts, for soon afterwards the rain ceased, and as a consequence numbers of people of both sexes wended their way towards Kingsholm long before the time announced for the commencement of the game. (Extract from The Citizen) How is the style different in this text to the previous report? Pick out any language you think suggests this is a text from 1891.

Reporting on the action… back to 2009 Gloucester were given an early let off as Bath knocked in midfield but were turned over as Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu looked to counter. Gloucester were caught offside but Ryan Davis pushed his kick wide of the uprights. There followed a nervous few minutes as both sides probed for an opening and errors were frequent with, finally, Joe Maddock punished for fumbling an up and under on 9 minutes. His team mates, running back in support, played the ball in an offside position and Nicky Robinson slotted an easy penalty. Ryan Davis had a chance to level matters five minutes later as Andy Hazell was ruled offside at a ruck but was again wide right. Gloucester powered downfield and Joe Maddock was caught in possession in his own 22 fielding a through kick. The winger was stripped of the ball and the Gloucester forwards muscled their way forward with Dave Attwood prominent. (Extract from The Citizen) Answer the question: How does the report convey the tension of the match? Start by highlighting words or phrases that convey tension. Answer the question fully in your books, using quotation to support.

Reporting on the action… in 1931 Fifield’s Enterprise Newport had to make a late change at scrum-half, but E. J. Parfitt proved no match for Fifield, who was on top throughout. Fifield was assiduous in his service of the ball to Meadows, and tried a few reverse passes which came off and deceived the opposition. He also went through on his own occasionally, and with a bit of luck Gloucester might have added a try or two. This was a new Fifield, and the enterprise and initiative displayed reacted to the benefit of the side. (Extract from The Citizen) Compare the two match reports. How do they use language differently? What does this tell you about the way match reporting has changed? Write up your answer in you exercise books using quotations to support your points.

Plenary - Peer Assessment Swap your answer with a partner. Read over their work and check for the following: –Have they compared the way language is used in both articles? –Have they supported their points with references to the text? –Have they linked their points back the question?