Articles by Derek Williams

About Derek Williams

A recently-retired actuary, the long-suffering Derek has been a Quins fan for the best part of three decades. More Posts

An exhilarating rugby Premiership title won against the odds

Yesterday afternoon from 4.30pm onwards, shut away at home, I watched the build-up to and then the full two and a half hours’ worth of English rugby union’s Premiership Final (and its aftermath) between Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins at RFU Twickenham being broadcast ‘live’ on BT Sport 1. I [...]

June 27, 2021 // 0 Comments

A “Road to Damascus” moment?

Yesterday (Sunday), probably mentally unbalanced by the effects of prolonged lockdown, I gritted my teeth and built my day around BT Sport’s ‘live’ coverage of the Premiership rugby match between Harlequins and Northampton Saints at the Stoop [commencing at 2.00pm, kick-off 3.00pm]. Having [...]

March 8, 2021 // 0 Comments

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes …

Yesterday out of the blue – simply because it was there – I opted to watch yesterday’s Premiership rugby match between Wasps and the Harlequins at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry which was being broadcast ‘live’ by BT Sport. Wasps and Quins have a long ‘London derby’ rivalry that began in [...]

February 1, 2021 // 0 Comments

Back – and in the groove again

One of Frankie Howard’s signature catch-phrase lines was often deployed where – in a stand-up routine and/or a television sit-com – he “stepped out of character” to address his audience directly, made arch fun of someone and then, as his live (or television) audience burst into [...]

January 26, 2021 // 0 Comments

Ah well, there’s always next season …

Saturday 5th September 2020: English Premiership – Round 18 – Harlequins v Bath Rugby at The Stoop, kick-off 2.00pm. Result: Harlequins 27 Bath Rugby 41. Harlequins 0 league points: Bath Rugby 5 league points (1 bonus). New league positions: Bath Rugby 5th, on 50 points; Harlequins 8th, on 37 [...]

September 6, 2020 // 0 Comments

Back in the fold again …

No longer able to claim my former status as a correspondent – I unofficially retired from my post as a contributor on matters relating to English rugby Premiership team Harlequins three or four years ago (depending upon which season/year one is talking about) having become disillusioned with both [...]

August 10, 2020 // 0 Comments

Going through the motions

Some older readers may remember my former life wherefrom I reported for the Rust upon matters pertaining to Harlequins FC, the Premiership rugby union club from a personal viewpoint as an unabashed and devoted – not to say one-eyed – fan and supporter. About three seasons ago all that [...]

November 17, 2019 // 0 Comments

The countdown commences

All week we read of historic victories over the All Blacks and how to beat them from the wiseacres. For me this is the wrong approach and only highlighting their aura of invincibility. That great producer of results Brian Clough would get the team totally drunk, tell them to play their natural game [...]

October 25, 2019 // 0 Comments

I was one, but I’m over it now

As a former columnist I have remained both a member of the Rust ‘family’ and a regular reader since I voluntarily quit after failing to renew my season tickets and unofficially quitting as a Harlequins fan nearly two years ago now. At the time I subsequently continued posting to the website for [...]

April 7, 2019 // 0 Comments

England have serious issues to address before RWC

Some two seasons now into my ‘break’ from Quins – a state of mind akin to that of a recovering alcoholic, i.e. (medical folklore has it) never cured but at best in ongoing temporary remission – yesterday I settled down with family and friends to watch the final afternoon of 2019 Six [...]

March 17, 2019 // 0 Comments

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IAN THOMSON RIP

August 5, 2021 // 0 Comments

There must be something in the Sussex air that inspires longevity as in 2018 five our of the last six surviving Test players wore the six martlet sweater of Sussex CCC: Don [...]
Thinking the unthinkable

August 5, 2021 // 0 Comments

Last week brought media reports of a new study undertaken by Professor Willie Stewart at the University of Glasgow which apparently demonstrates that professional footballers [...]
Write around the world/BBC4

August 4, 2021 // 0 Comments

I was attracted to this programme presented by actor Richard E Grant for several reasons. Firstly, I had seen his programme on the art of The French Riviera and enjoyed it. [...]
Olympic coverage

August 3, 2021 // 0 Comments

Like my colleagues on the Rust I find the back drop of empty seats in the stadiums a distinct turn off. In the week of track and field I miss the winning athlete draped in [...]
It’s about everything – and nothing …

August 3, 2021 // 0 Comments

As I begin my post today, reflecting upon some of the issues thrown up by the Olympics currently belatedly taking place in Tokyo, I’m conscious that I’m sailing gingerly [...]