.....especially when I win.
When you play match play golf, you can have a brilliantly close and tense game, but play rubbish golf and today was a case in point!
It was the first knockout stage of the winter league with the 16 qualifiers from the league stage.....let battle commence.
I was playing Rob Williams and giving him 3 shots and as anyone will tell you, the key is to not lose the first hole.
It was looking ok, until I got to the green and the I 3 putted to lose. I never 3 putt. Well not normally. This was the first time I'd played on proper greens for what seems like ages. Plenty of chance to hone the skills of putting on temporary greens, but now we're back on propoer greens and it was not a matter of hitting at the hole and hoping for the best!
One down!
Second hole and I hit a decent shot, but 3 putts again for a half!
Third hole and decent drive, Rob's hooked his second shot well left. So did I, but not as badly!
Duffed a chip and then knocked it stiff, but lost...............Two down!
Heading for the 4th tee, shot hole for Rob and it's not looking good, lose this and I'm in trouble! Three down after 4 is not good. But a decent drive, good second, Rob in the bunker and back to one down!
Chuck the 5th away and a bad tee shot on 6, it's not looking good again. Lucky Rob's gone in the water. Only manage a half though! Rob duffs his drive on the 7th and I plonk mine in the fairway. He's got a shot, but not got a spare ball with him on the tee, so he concedes the hole! He only needed to get a ball from his bag that he'd left by the bridge, walk back and hit another shot and who knows. He had a shot after all. Could this be a turning point. So I win the hole and head for my nemesis hole, the 8th. No matter how well I'm hitting my tee shots, I struggle on the 8th. We are off the forward tees, but the winds in our faces.
I tug it low left and it does'nt feel good. I know when I've not quite got it and especially on this hole.
Luckily, I've got across, but a bad lie and I put it in the fairway bunker...........get it out, back of the green and duff a putt....hole conceded! Back to 2 down! Much of a muchness on the 9th, but Rob criss crosses the green a couple of times with dodgy chips and I finally sink a putt to win. 1 down at the turn. Considering I've putted like an idiot and had the touch of an Elephant around the green, I'm in good shape.
The last few rounds I've played, I've pulled my tee shot into the pond on the left. Not a good thought as I set up for my tee shot and true enough I tug it left. Did it get through? No. I manage to play out without a penalty, but then a fat shot short, chip on and 2 putts amazingly I get a half!
11th and a decent tee shot and two putts for a par and a win. All square!!!
The two other players making up the 4 ball were Bob Aston and Gary Leese. Gary was off 16 and Bob, of Scratch was giving him 16 shots. It was tough for Bob to give that many shots, but he is a tough cookie when it comes to matchplay. With Gary 5 foot away for 2 nett 1, Bob has a 15 footer for Birdie. You could tell in his eyes, he was not going to miss!!! He did'nt. Gary missed!!!
Decent tee shot, great second and I've got a decision. Go for the green, or lay up. With Rob in a bit of trouble the only way I can let him back in would be to go in the water! I lay up. For the first time in the match I'm 1 Up!!!
Rob's got a shot, so I ask him if he wants to concede the hole as he's lost his other 2 shot holes.
Good tee shot, good second shot, but end up in the face of the bunker! Rob is struggling, but manages to get on the green.
Bob had hit a long drive, but ended up in the second Fairway bunker on the right. An amazing bunker shot of some 150 yards to 20 feet, he leaves his birdie out on the lip of the hole.
I squirt my bunker shot out chip on and 2 putt, but Rob hits a good chip and it's back to all square.
14th tee. Water left, water across the fairway, lake left, more water in front of the green! No wonder I chose it as the Captains Charity Hazard. Hit any of the water hazards and it's a minimum 50p to the Help for Heroes Charity!
Guess what..........every round I've played since it came into force, I've been in the water. Sometimes twice.
Rob lays up with his drive. I'm aiming up the left to lay up as well, but too far left and I'm in the bushes. I'm in the hazard, but it's maybe playable. 50p!!! I wait for Rob to play and he lays up short of the second lot of water. No choice now, I've got to take a drop and go for it. Still hindered by the bushes I crash a rescue club to the front of edge of the green, two putts, half!
15th, drive in play, second short, duffed wedge, up and down, half. Still all square, as Sir Alex would say, squeaky bum time!
Rob hits a drive straight at the bunker on 16 and bounces through! My drive is long enough, but left with 190 to go. Sky my next shot, but it's in play. Despite Rob's luck off the tee, he duffs his next into the lake and after hispenalty, he is through thye back of the green for 4.
I hit another fat wedge leaving me a 25 foot putt from off the green. Unfortunatley, I run it 20 feet past. I leave the next one 2 foot short, but Rob manages to take 3 from about 5 feet and I win the hole with a 6!!!
17 and just need to keep it dry! Which I do, but well right. Horrible lie and thin the chip over the bunker and to the far side of the green. Rob put;'s his to about 8 feet. I've now got a 40ft put , with a massive borrow. Get it to 18inches and manage to salvage a half!
Half up 18 and I'm home.
Just keep it dry.
Shit.....in the bunker. Rob's about 30 yards past the bunker and in play. I get a good connection out of the bunker, but still got a long way to go! Looks like extra holes, especially when Rob get's it to about 120 yards from the green!
Fairway Wood, get it up there as close as possible. Good connection out of the light rough, but has it ended up in the bunker? Walk up, it;s ok , short of the green. Rob's not sure of what club to take, or shot to play. He leaves it about the same distance as me. B0th played 3, I only need a half.
Me to play, chip and run, don't leave it short!!! It's off, dead online, little speedy, hit's the pin, flirts with the hole, but stays out on the lip. Par 5...........Rob needs to hole his chip. His face is a picture! He knows! Half hearted attempt and the match is mine!
Like I said, I love Matchplay!!!
Bob lost 2&1......5 birdies, but too many shots to give. I play Gary next week......I think he's favourite, but you never know!!!!
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Cobblers............Snow Golf!!!
Well my plea went unheard obviously..............woke up to be greeted by a thick carpet of snow, so the top 16 qualifiers for the winter league knockout now becomes a last 8!!!
It has been the most disrupted winter golf we have ever had at Wychwood and there are some things you simply can't cater for.
I am disappointed, obviously, but in some ways it may be a good thing as I ended up watching the Winter Olympics until 3am. It's funny how Curling can become so fascinating for a couple of days once every 4 years. Watched the GB Ladies losing to the USA after an "extra end".......defeat snatched from the jaws of victory for the GB team.
This was followed by a bit of 2 man Bob, with a GB pairing involved, thought I'd watch them. The usual countries had the top teams and therefore the top start times, with Britain setting of at number 24, behind Australia, Monaco and Lichtenstein!!!
Monaco made it down, but well off the pace, with Lichtenstein crashing on the penultimate bend and the crew trapped under the bob as they crossed the line. Took a few minutes to clear the track and make sure the crew were ok. One more bob made it down an the GB bob was next.
They made a good start and were in contention to make it into the top half when disaster, the bob clipped the wall coming out of the turn and flipped upside down. The breakman came shooting out of the back of the bob and slid on his back down the track as the driver, trapped in the bob, crossed the line. The time was obviously immaterial as they were disqualified for not crossing the line with both members of the crew safely on board.
The breakman's suit was somewhat torn and he had some nice friction burns on his back.
Perhaps next year we ought to consider some winter sports at Wychwood, I'm sure you could get a bit of speed up going back down the 18th Fairway!!!
It has been the most disrupted winter golf we have ever had at Wychwood and there are some things you simply can't cater for.
I am disappointed, obviously, but in some ways it may be a good thing as I ended up watching the Winter Olympics until 3am. It's funny how Curling can become so fascinating for a couple of days once every 4 years. Watched the GB Ladies losing to the USA after an "extra end".......defeat snatched from the jaws of victory for the GB team.
This was followed by a bit of 2 man Bob, with a GB pairing involved, thought I'd watch them. The usual countries had the top teams and therefore the top start times, with Britain setting of at number 24, behind Australia, Monaco and Lichtenstein!!!
Monaco made it down, but well off the pace, with Lichtenstein crashing on the penultimate bend and the crew trapped under the bob as they crossed the line. Took a few minutes to clear the track and make sure the crew were ok. One more bob made it down an the GB bob was next.
They made a good start and were in contention to make it into the top half when disaster, the bob clipped the wall coming out of the turn and flipped upside down. The breakman came shooting out of the back of the bob and slid on his back down the track as the driver, trapped in the bob, crossed the line. The time was obviously immaterial as they were disqualified for not crossing the line with both members of the crew safely on board.
The breakman's suit was somewhat torn and he had some nice friction burns on his back.
Perhaps next year we ought to consider some winter sports at Wychwood, I'm sure you could get a bit of speed up going back down the 18th Fairway!!!
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Tough Week..............better not snow
Had a tough time this week. Not much spare time, but looking forward to the weekend.
Couldn't make the North Staffs Golf League presentation night tonight, but hope those who went had a good laugh!
The team members do commit a lot of time and effort into the matches and as the teams are on the Premier and First divisions respectively it is a serious business.
I'm just hoping that the weather improves this weekend!
As I mentioned before, I have qualified for the knockout stages of the winter league, but if the course is closed this weekend, the next round will automatically go to the top 8 and I was 12th!!!
Even as Captain, I can't pull rank, so let's hope.
Just staying up to watch the Skeleton Bob, could be Gold for GB, but you never know!!!!
Couldn't make the North Staffs Golf League presentation night tonight, but hope those who went had a good laugh!
The team members do commit a lot of time and effort into the matches and as the teams are on the Premier and First divisions respectively it is a serious business.
I'm just hoping that the weather improves this weekend!
As I mentioned before, I have qualified for the knockout stages of the winter league, but if the course is closed this weekend, the next round will automatically go to the top 8 and I was 12th!!!
Even as Captain, I can't pull rank, so let's hope.
Just staying up to watch the Skeleton Bob, could be Gold for GB, but you never know!!!!
Monday, 15 February 2010
Valentines Day.....Seven Year wait over......
...well looks like at my 7th attempt, I've managed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Winter League.
Mind you, we've changed the format so many times, it's difficult to tell.
I was hoping to improve on my 134 points from 4 rounds and securing qualification by dropping my worst score of 28 points, but on arrival at the course, seeing temporary greens and a fog bound course, there were a number of players who had dropped out, so I was sure I'd qualify, but wanted to make sure with a 30+ score.
I played in a group with Trevor Brennand, Rob Hendry and Tony "Titleist" Welburn. "Five, Five, Ten" was the wager and as we stood on the first tee the fog had descended and we could'nt see more that 150 yards in front of us.
We had let Lee Bailey and Ben Hallam , the Junior Captain tee of in front of us and as I was the shortest hitter I tee'd off first. (Sinece Ben beat me on the Captains Drive In, he's got a bit gobby, so I said we'd have a challenge to see who could score the most wins in the season!)
I hit the fiarway, just but only managed to score a point.
Trevor got a solid Par. Rob was a bit "giddy", probably due to the 4am finish and copious amounts of red wine!
2nd hole and a blob, due to a couple of dodgy putts on the temps. Trevor got a streaky Par!
3rd hole, which I've been getting par's for fun. Bogie! Trevor got a par!!!
4th, in the bunker off the tee, scrambled out but manage a bogie, Trevor solid par.
5th Bogie, Trevor.......birdie!!!!
6th Bogie, Trevor....Par
Trevor was walking away with the front 9 and maybe the Jewson (the Jewson Lot - an old advert!!!)
He's one under par gross (13 handicap - Wes, have a word!!!)
He slaps one in the hazard on 7, but above ground. Unfortunatley, it's environmental area, so he has to take a drop! Splash, into the stream!
Null Point!!!
He blobs on 8 as well.......I carry on with my 2 pointers from 3 to 7 and manage par on 8 and 9 to rescue the situation to 17 points!
The red wine has definitely worn off for Rob!!!!
After 9, Trevor leads on 21 points with Rob me and Tony 3 and 4 shots behind!
Only 4 to make up!!!
My honour on 10, pulled left into lake.......Blob
Par 11, Blob 12, Par 13, Blob 14!
14 off temps has got to be one of the toughest holes on the course! No chance.
As we were playing 15, a plane flew over towing a valentines message....must have cost a fortune, how the recipient of the message saw it!!!!
Interflora for me.....never fails......Shaz always says don't bother, but I know if I didn't I'd be in big trouble!!!
Bogie 15 and 16, double 17 and 18 and guess what......28 points!!!
Trevor bottled it back nine and Tony won back and overall, so it was a bit costly, but............
Still I qualified!!!!
Rob Williams next week........bring it on!!!!
Mind you, we've changed the format so many times, it's difficult to tell.
I was hoping to improve on my 134 points from 4 rounds and securing qualification by dropping my worst score of 28 points, but on arrival at the course, seeing temporary greens and a fog bound course, there were a number of players who had dropped out, so I was sure I'd qualify, but wanted to make sure with a 30+ score.
I played in a group with Trevor Brennand, Rob Hendry and Tony "Titleist" Welburn. "Five, Five, Ten" was the wager and as we stood on the first tee the fog had descended and we could'nt see more that 150 yards in front of us.
We had let Lee Bailey and Ben Hallam , the Junior Captain tee of in front of us and as I was the shortest hitter I tee'd off first. (Sinece Ben beat me on the Captains Drive In, he's got a bit gobby, so I said we'd have a challenge to see who could score the most wins in the season!)
I hit the fiarway, just but only managed to score a point.
Trevor got a solid Par. Rob was a bit "giddy", probably due to the 4am finish and copious amounts of red wine!
2nd hole and a blob, due to a couple of dodgy putts on the temps. Trevor got a streaky Par!
3rd hole, which I've been getting par's for fun. Bogie! Trevor got a par!!!
4th, in the bunker off the tee, scrambled out but manage a bogie, Trevor solid par.
5th Bogie, Trevor.......birdie!!!!
6th Bogie, Trevor....Par
Trevor was walking away with the front 9 and maybe the Jewson (the Jewson Lot - an old advert!!!)
He's one under par gross (13 handicap - Wes, have a word!!!)
He slaps one in the hazard on 7, but above ground. Unfortunatley, it's environmental area, so he has to take a drop! Splash, into the stream!
Null Point!!!
He blobs on 8 as well.......I carry on with my 2 pointers from 3 to 7 and manage par on 8 and 9 to rescue the situation to 17 points!
The red wine has definitely worn off for Rob!!!!
After 9, Trevor leads on 21 points with Rob me and Tony 3 and 4 shots behind!
Only 4 to make up!!!
My honour on 10, pulled left into lake.......Blob
Par 11, Blob 12, Par 13, Blob 14!
14 off temps has got to be one of the toughest holes on the course! No chance.
As we were playing 15, a plane flew over towing a valentines message....must have cost a fortune, how the recipient of the message saw it!!!!
Interflora for me.....never fails......Shaz always says don't bother, but I know if I didn't I'd be in big trouble!!!
Bogie 15 and 16, double 17 and 18 and guess what......28 points!!!
Trevor bottled it back nine and Tony won back and overall, so it was a bit costly, but............
Still I qualified!!!!
Rob Williams next week........bring it on!!!!
Friday, 12 February 2010
Last chance for Winter League success
Last qualifying round of the Winter League this week and although I'm in 5th place, out of 16 qualifiers, there are still a large number of players who hace not got their 4th score yet, so anything could happen.
I've got 4 in already, but one is a lowly 28 points so I need to improve on that to secure a place.
Unfortunatley, we have lost one of the rounds completely, so it's best 4 scores from 5. Pity about the members who can't get 4 in now, but it is winter golf after all!
We had the first committee meeting on Monday and it went well, particularly as the majority were new to the committee.
I wore my Jacket for the first time, not sure I'll wear for every meeting though!
One of the things we are finalising is the Diary and yes we are still having one this year. It has been a pain to organise this year (as most), but we have decided that in future we will run it from March 1st to February 28th (or 29th) as this gives us plenty of time to get it sorted and also the main season starts in March!
Although saying that, the Gents team are playing in the first round of the Mail on Sunday competition tomorrow, having been drawn away to Brookfield. Hopefully they will come back with a victory. Might just sneak out to B&Q to check on the match! (I use a trip to B&Q as an excuse to pop up the golf club, so I may need some bulbs or something on Saturday!)
Unfortuatley the Ladies Mail on Sunday team fell at the first hurdle, losing to Gorsty Hill!!!!! Shame as they had got quite far in the previous years of this competition.
Don't forget it's Valentines day on Sunday.....another con to keep the likes of Hallmark and Clinton Cards afloat.
Not to mention Texaco Garages and their flower sales.....bet they get more revenue from the last minute Valentines day flowers and gifts than they do on fuel!
An old friend of mine (Frank Truscott), always forgot his wedding anniversary and would have to call in at the Texaco garage on the way home to get something. I don't think Shirley was impressed the year all he could get was a tin of shortbread and a ginsters cheese and onion pasty!!
I'll probably be calling in on the way back from Golf on Sunday!!!
Mind you, every day is Valentines day for my wife!!!!
I've got 4 in already, but one is a lowly 28 points so I need to improve on that to secure a place.
Unfortunatley, we have lost one of the rounds completely, so it's best 4 scores from 5. Pity about the members who can't get 4 in now, but it is winter golf after all!
We had the first committee meeting on Monday and it went well, particularly as the majority were new to the committee.
I wore my Jacket for the first time, not sure I'll wear for every meeting though!
One of the things we are finalising is the Diary and yes we are still having one this year. It has been a pain to organise this year (as most), but we have decided that in future we will run it from March 1st to February 28th (or 29th) as this gives us plenty of time to get it sorted and also the main season starts in March!
Although saying that, the Gents team are playing in the first round of the Mail on Sunday competition tomorrow, having been drawn away to Brookfield. Hopefully they will come back with a victory. Might just sneak out to B&Q to check on the match! (I use a trip to B&Q as an excuse to pop up the golf club, so I may need some bulbs or something on Saturday!)
Unfortuatley the Ladies Mail on Sunday team fell at the first hurdle, losing to Gorsty Hill!!!!! Shame as they had got quite far in the previous years of this competition.
Don't forget it's Valentines day on Sunday.....another con to keep the likes of Hallmark and Clinton Cards afloat.
Not to mention Texaco Garages and their flower sales.....bet they get more revenue from the last minute Valentines day flowers and gifts than they do on fuel!
An old friend of mine (Frank Truscott), always forgot his wedding anniversary and would have to call in at the Texaco garage on the way home to get something. I don't think Shirley was impressed the year all he could get was a tin of shortbread and a ginsters cheese and onion pasty!!
I'll probably be calling in on the way back from Golf on Sunday!!!
Mind you, every day is Valentines day for my wife!!!!
Monday, 8 February 2010
Super Bowl
I was interested in American football from an early age, but the only coverage for years was a 10 minute highlights package covering the Superbowl on ITV World of Sport, once a year, squeezed in between the Horse racing and the Wrestling!
Even so, it always intrigued me.
So when channel 4 started coverage in the early 80's, within a show on a Sunday evening, showing a highlights package of the previous Sunday's games, I, like millions, was an avid viewer.
They showed the Superbowl live and having seen the Washington Redskins most weeks and seen them win the Superbowl I supported them in subsequent years.
Some of my mates from work, who were also into the sport decided, after a few years decided to have a party which for a number of years we took it in turn to host.
One of the main protagonists was Jozzer, who was more interested in the beverage part of the evening, but who chose the New York Giants has his team. If the game was a bit dull, which happens, Jozzer was always entertaining. (He was always the life and soule of any party)
In the early 90's some of us moved from Gloucester "up North", but Jozzer stayed, so it was a rare event for him to join us. After a few more years, the interest wained and it was back to watching alone.
I've not missed a Super Bowl in the 28 years that it's been covered, but it was more out of tradition than a massive interest, especially as the Redskins, despite becoming World Champions on a number of occasions, are now rubbish. How they can call it a World Championship is a bit of a joke, but they are Yanks after all!
I went to Jozzers funeral on Friday. He was 51 a few weeks ago. I saw friends I had not seen for 20 years and we all had stories to share about Joz. There were really good memories, he was that type of person.
He would have loved the chance to watch another Super Bowl, even more so as his favourite Group, the Who were playing the half time show! He would have been singin along at full pelt.
Super Bowl 44 was a good game as well!
Even so, it always intrigued me.
So when channel 4 started coverage in the early 80's, within a show on a Sunday evening, showing a highlights package of the previous Sunday's games, I, like millions, was an avid viewer.
They showed the Superbowl live and having seen the Washington Redskins most weeks and seen them win the Superbowl I supported them in subsequent years.
Some of my mates from work, who were also into the sport decided, after a few years decided to have a party which for a number of years we took it in turn to host.
One of the main protagonists was Jozzer, who was more interested in the beverage part of the evening, but who chose the New York Giants has his team. If the game was a bit dull, which happens, Jozzer was always entertaining. (He was always the life and soule of any party)
In the early 90's some of us moved from Gloucester "up North", but Jozzer stayed, so it was a rare event for him to join us. After a few more years, the interest wained and it was back to watching alone.
I've not missed a Super Bowl in the 28 years that it's been covered, but it was more out of tradition than a massive interest, especially as the Redskins, despite becoming World Champions on a number of occasions, are now rubbish. How they can call it a World Championship is a bit of a joke, but they are Yanks after all!
I went to Jozzers funeral on Friday. He was 51 a few weeks ago. I saw friends I had not seen for 20 years and we all had stories to share about Joz. There were really good memories, he was that type of person.
He would have loved the chance to watch another Super Bowl, even more so as his favourite Group, the Who were playing the half time show! He would have been singin along at full pelt.
Super Bowl 44 was a good game as well!
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Jacket, Photo's and Welshmen!
Well finally got to pick up the Captains Jacket yesterday (Saturday), good job as the photo session was booked in the afternoon.
The session with the photographer was quite a short affair and it will be interesting to see the results! He kept telling me to sit in this position with arms in certain position and the badge pointing towards the camera and to relax. Bit difficult with some of the posing he was asking for. After a couple of shots he said well never mind it's all about the badge anyway! Hope he's a dab hand with Photo Shop. Looked like he'd capture a chin or two too many!
Then it was back home in time to watch the Rugby.
I always look forward to the 6 nations Rugby, they're always good contests with loads of history. Especially as everyone hates us (the English that is), mainly because of Supposed "dirty deeds" done centuries ago.
Well it was the turn of the Welsh to pay a visit to Twickers and all of my Welsh "friends" and associates have been telling me how they're were going to stuff us on our own patch on their way to the Grand Slam.
Wrong on both counts I'm afraid!!!
So back they trudged down the M4, across the bridge we built for them, dragging their inflatable Leeks and Daffodils behind them, Dragon hats askew back to the valleys!!!
And not a peep! Not a song, until this evening when the exuses came flooding in on Facebook and via email.
"If we'd had had 15 on for all the match then we would have won"
or another numpty saying, "When it was 15 against 15, we had scored 20 points to your 13"
And?
Your man got sent off for a petty misdemeanor, but it was fould play, even if a minor infringement.
As a youth, living close to the Welsh border, I played a lot of sport against the Welsh and without fail they hated the English! I don't hate the Welsh, I don't really hate any particualar race, but they hated us!
Please forgive me if any readers are Welsh, but my experience of playing against them in the sporting arena, they are in the main, poor winners and even poorer losers!
Whenever I've lost they can be convivial hosts, plenty of singing and drinking, but with an undercurrent of smug superority. When they lose, don't expect any hospitality at all!! This idea that it's all left on the pitch after a game is utter bollocks!!! Especially in Pontardulais!!!
Mind you I guess we English are no better, except, we can't sing....."Swing Low Sweet Chariot" is not the most macho of songs!!
A poor England beat a poor Wales, get over it!!!
Now getting ready for the Scots and the French!!! Not much history there!!!!
The session with the photographer was quite a short affair and it will be interesting to see the results! He kept telling me to sit in this position with arms in certain position and the badge pointing towards the camera and to relax. Bit difficult with some of the posing he was asking for. After a couple of shots he said well never mind it's all about the badge anyway! Hope he's a dab hand with Photo Shop. Looked like he'd capture a chin or two too many!
Then it was back home in time to watch the Rugby.
I always look forward to the 6 nations Rugby, they're always good contests with loads of history. Especially as everyone hates us (the English that is), mainly because of Supposed "dirty deeds" done centuries ago.
Well it was the turn of the Welsh to pay a visit to Twickers and all of my Welsh "friends" and associates have been telling me how they're were going to stuff us on our own patch on their way to the Grand Slam.
Wrong on both counts I'm afraid!!!
And not a peep! Not a song, until this evening when the exuses came flooding in on Facebook and via email.
"If we'd had had 15 on for all the match then we would have won"
or another numpty saying, "When it was 15 against 15, we had scored 20 points to your 13"
And?
Your man got sent off for a petty misdemeanor, but it was fould play, even if a minor infringement.
As a youth, living close to the Welsh border, I played a lot of sport against the Welsh and without fail they hated the English! I don't hate the Welsh, I don't really hate any particualar race, but they hated us!
Please forgive me if any readers are Welsh, but my experience of playing against them in the sporting arena, they are in the main, poor winners and even poorer losers!
Whenever I've lost they can be convivial hosts, plenty of singing and drinking, but with an undercurrent of smug superority. When they lose, don't expect any hospitality at all!! This idea that it's all left on the pitch after a game is utter bollocks!!! Especially in Pontardulais!!!
Mind you I guess we English are no better, except, we can't sing....."Swing Low Sweet Chariot" is not the most macho of songs!!
A poor England beat a poor Wales, get over it!!!
Now getting ready for the Scots and the French!!! Not much history there!!!!
Live from Melbourne!!!
Been a while since the last post, but I'm still here! (oops forgot to Publish this last week!!!)
Been busy and had a couple of problems to contend with, but got plenty of material for the next week or so!!!
Well the snow's back again. Not too much, but enough to close the Golf Course, so no play today!
So I got up to watch the Murray v Federer final in the Australian Open. Obviously Murray is British at the moment, but if he loses, he be the plucky Scot again!
As I write it's 5 - 3 to Federer in the first set. The crucial break in the 8th game!
Anyway, this could be one of those momentous occasions if Murray wins, as it's 74 years since a British man won a grand slam event!
I got to thinking of the other momentous sporting events I had been able to see live via the Telly. Obviously one of the biggest has to be the 1987 cup final when the mighty Coventry City beat Spurs!!!
Ooops, Federer wins first set 6-3!
The first big moment I remember seeing was the 1966 World Cup final with England beating West Germany at Wembley. We watched it on the black and white set, I was 5 years old, but I remember every moment! Well actually I don't, because my Dad recently told me a story about the day in question and we were'nt at home. We were on the Sunday School Outing to Barry Island (yes the Gavin and Stacey Barry Island!!!)
We had booked in advance and there was no way my mum was going to let my Dad get out of going, so I did'nt actually see it live! I had obviously seen it since and I truly believed that I had seen it live.
This brings me on to a perrenial argument with my wife, who, when I want to watch a live sporting event, she tells me to tape it, or more correctly nowadays to Sky+ it, but as I tell her it's not the same! Even if you don't know the result, when you watch it, it's happened, it's already over, you can fast forward.
More importantly, you can't influence it!
Yes you can, you can influence it when you watch it live! For instance, Murray has just lost his serve and is about to go 3-1 down in the second set. If I leave the room, to make a coffee, it may spur him on to break back? If I stay, he may be broken again. Now bearing in mind he's thousands of miles away and the signal is considerably delayed, I'm not really watching it Live, but that doesn't matter.
I'd better leave the room for a bit as he's just about to be broken again!!!
See I told you, in the ime I made a coffee, Murray went from 0-30 to win his service game!!!
So what other moments spring to mind?
Lyle, Faldo and Woosnam winning the Masters!
The many Ryder Cup victories, even the defeats. I was in Florida on Holiday when the Americans came from way back to win on the final singles day, with the monstrous putt by Justin Leonard and the "pitch" invasion that followed before Olazabal had his putt for a half!!! Let's just say the commentary that day was not as impartial as the BBC!!!
Some goodbyes as well, seeing Arnold Palmer stop on the bridge at St Andrews in his last Open and wave to the crowd. A scene to be repeated many times.
I was "lucky" enough to have an injury to my ankle that meant I could'nt work for much of Botham's Ashes and was sat at home with my leg up, watching the Headingley Test, wondering what the BBC would put on instead to the cricket when the Aussies wrapped it up. It was one of those surreal moments, when even after making Australia bat again, they were going to win......wrong!!!
Now you're not going to believe this, but I just had to leave the room to let the dog out at Murray 0-40 and he managed to win the game! Looks like I'll be in and out of the room a lot!!!
Ok, it does'nt always work, he lost the second set 6-4!
World Cup France 98, I was doing a business degree at Durham University Business School and we were in residence during the ko stages. We had been allowed to finish early, so we could get fed and watered (lager'd) before the England v Argentina match.
We were stood in the bar area watching the game, a few "academic" types sat watching, us more than the football. Well the game started badly with a penalty to Argentina in the 6th Minute and then Shearer equalising from the spot following a foul on Owen. then the wonder goal by Owen followed by an equaliser for Argentina in added time of the first half.
Then in the 47th minute Beckhams flagrant, but inocuous trip, earned him a red Card from Danish ref Kim Milton Neilson! Up roar! they may only have been 30 of us in the bar, but boy we made some noise. Into extrra time and Sol Campbell scores! We're leaping around knocking tables and chairs over, hugging each other when we realise that it's been disallowed! To make things worse the Argies are on the break and nearly score at the other end.
We suddenly notice that there are seiling tiles over the floor. In our exitement a couple of fistse have gone through the suspended ceiliing!
We inevitably lose the penalty shoot out with misses by Ince and Batty! There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth........and drowning of sorrows.
When we went into the lecture hall the next day, imagine the shock of seeing the two guys who had been "observing us" during the first half of the match!
Still there was always the 5-1 away win against the Germans in Munich to compensate in later years.
Ooops, the Scotsman has just lost in straight sets!!!
Been busy and had a couple of problems to contend with, but got plenty of material for the next week or so!!!
Well the snow's back again. Not too much, but enough to close the Golf Course, so no play today!
So I got up to watch the Murray v Federer final in the Australian Open. Obviously Murray is British at the moment, but if he loses, he be the plucky Scot again!
As I write it's 5 - 3 to Federer in the first set. The crucial break in the 8th game!
Anyway, this could be one of those momentous occasions if Murray wins, as it's 74 years since a British man won a grand slam event!
I got to thinking of the other momentous sporting events I had been able to see live via the Telly. Obviously one of the biggest has to be the 1987 cup final when the mighty Coventry City beat Spurs!!!
Ooops, Federer wins first set 6-3!
The first big moment I remember seeing was the 1966 World Cup final with England beating West Germany at Wembley. We watched it on the black and white set, I was 5 years old, but I remember every moment! Well actually I don't, because my Dad recently told me a story about the day in question and we were'nt at home. We were on the Sunday School Outing to Barry Island (yes the Gavin and Stacey Barry Island!!!)
We had booked in advance and there was no way my mum was going to let my Dad get out of going, so I did'nt actually see it live! I had obviously seen it since and I truly believed that I had seen it live.
This brings me on to a perrenial argument with my wife, who, when I want to watch a live sporting event, she tells me to tape it, or more correctly nowadays to Sky+ it, but as I tell her it's not the same! Even if you don't know the result, when you watch it, it's happened, it's already over, you can fast forward.
More importantly, you can't influence it!
Yes you can, you can influence it when you watch it live! For instance, Murray has just lost his serve and is about to go 3-1 down in the second set. If I leave the room, to make a coffee, it may spur him on to break back? If I stay, he may be broken again. Now bearing in mind he's thousands of miles away and the signal is considerably delayed, I'm not really watching it Live, but that doesn't matter.
I'd better leave the room for a bit as he's just about to be broken again!!!
See I told you, in the ime I made a coffee, Murray went from 0-30 to win his service game!!!
So what other moments spring to mind?
Lyle, Faldo and Woosnam winning the Masters!
The many Ryder Cup victories, even the defeats. I was in Florida on Holiday when the Americans came from way back to win on the final singles day, with the monstrous putt by Justin Leonard and the "pitch" invasion that followed before Olazabal had his putt for a half!!! Let's just say the commentary that day was not as impartial as the BBC!!!
Some goodbyes as well, seeing Arnold Palmer stop on the bridge at St Andrews in his last Open and wave to the crowd. A scene to be repeated many times.
I was "lucky" enough to have an injury to my ankle that meant I could'nt work for much of Botham's Ashes and was sat at home with my leg up, watching the Headingley Test, wondering what the BBC would put on instead to the cricket when the Aussies wrapped it up. It was one of those surreal moments, when even after making Australia bat again, they were going to win......wrong!!!
Now you're not going to believe this, but I just had to leave the room to let the dog out at Murray 0-40 and he managed to win the game! Looks like I'll be in and out of the room a lot!!!
Ok, it does'nt always work, he lost the second set 6-4!
World Cup France 98, I was doing a business degree at Durham University Business School and we were in residence during the ko stages. We had been allowed to finish early, so we could get fed and watered (lager'd) before the England v Argentina match.
We were stood in the bar area watching the game, a few "academic" types sat watching, us more than the football. Well the game started badly with a penalty to Argentina in the 6th Minute and then Shearer equalising from the spot following a foul on Owen. then the wonder goal by Owen followed by an equaliser for Argentina in added time of the first half.
Then in the 47th minute Beckhams flagrant, but inocuous trip, earned him a red Card from Danish ref Kim Milton Neilson! Up roar! they may only have been 30 of us in the bar, but boy we made some noise. Into extrra time and Sol Campbell scores! We're leaping around knocking tables and chairs over, hugging each other when we realise that it's been disallowed! To make things worse the Argies are on the break and nearly score at the other end.
We suddenly notice that there are seiling tiles over the floor. In our exitement a couple of fistse have gone through the suspended ceiliing!
We inevitably lose the penalty shoot out with misses by Ince and Batty! There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth........and drowning of sorrows.
When we went into the lecture hall the next day, imagine the shock of seeing the two guys who had been "observing us" during the first half of the match!
Still there was always the 5-1 away win against the Germans in Munich to compensate in later years.
Ooops, the Scotsman has just lost in straight sets!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
