Neale Fraser, one of Australia's greatest ever tennis players has died. As fine a human being in life as he was in tennis. Will be sorely missed by his many, many, mates in the tennis world. R.I.P. Neale
Sunderland 16/1 to win the Championship seems way too big. Three points behind the leaders and bringing in top talent during this window. Win at Burnley tomorrow night and that price collapses.
Gardner catch 'one of the moments of Women's Ashes history' Take a bow, or should i say curtsy Ash Gardner, you took one hell of a catch...!!
It’s amazing what these cricketers can pull off in the field these days. If you think Gardner’s was good (and it was) search up Glen Maxwell’s effort for Melbourne Stars in a recent Big Bash game. Truly outstanding.
I didn't know much about Dennis other than being both a City and United player but reading up about him he was obviously a special and rare talent in his youth and professional career... As they say, they don't build 'em like that anymore...!!
Apparently when he turned up for his trial at Huddersfield he came along with his big brother. The other people there for the trial thought it was the big brother who was being trialled and were very surprised when the skinny kid, who looked about 11, put his kit on. They were even more surprised with the boy's performance but not in the least surprised that he was signed on.
So, the Rugby 6 Nations starts this week and it looks like England could be fighting for third place in the tournament after their first two matches being that they travel to play the double 6 Nations Champions Ireland first up followed up by a visit to Twickenham by the French. Lose them both, a strong possibility, and the new dawn, new era touted by Borthwick will be ripped up once again, the doom and gloom merchants shouting from the roof tops about how poor we are...!! To be fair, it is a tough start, and you have to play them sometime in the season, but i do think that they could nick a win over one of those opponents, which one, i am not sure. Fence sitting I know, but it's another year that has great potential and i am hoping that at least we can be competitive and have a say in the opening two fixtures... Fingers crossed...
I thought England could take some positives from yesterday's defeat. Ireland were the better team there's no doubt but it could have been closer if Smith hadn't had his dismissal. Rugby's an attritional game and defending so well for so long with only 14 men must have taken a lot out of the team. I also think this performance showed Ireland are not unbeatable. The French could well give them a tough game.
Fair points Bustino, though i would add that the constant high box kicking plan only works if you can get up to where the ball is landing to put pressure on the catcher, far too many times the kick was too deep and it let the Irish set up a counter attack. And as you say, the Irish don't look the unbeatable all conquering force that they have shown us recently, all be it that it is the first game of the 6N's, and we did rattle a few bones in the first half. I still find that we play without any control and at too frantic a pace which hinders the team applying any sort of pressure on the opposition, which in matches like these you need to do. Silly mistakes cost us dearly, the ref didn't help matters also, but we have to admit it that we are still a bit away from winning any Championship at the moment...!!
Pretty decent summary Red. I thought our kicking game was quite good initially but we seemed to revert to the telegraphed box kick when Ireland ramped up the pressure. Losing a try with only 20 seconds of Smith’s sin bin left was a bad blow especially as Mitchell should have made the tackle out wide. In the second half the refs decision to penalise Itoje in the line out which led to a try was curious at the very least! Then also having clearly warned both captains about players get involved in afters Lowe should have gone to the bin but didnt. And then there was the debutant Murly. What a debut! Scores a try in first 10 mins and then makes 2 of the most awful errors in the 2nd half. I can’t believe he didnt know the rules so he must have panicked under pressure. Either way it was piss poor from him. Fair play to Ireland they are still a very fine side but it was more encouraging from England. France next though.
I see that England Rugby have called up Lozowski to replace the 'injured' Murley in England squad for this weeks game against France... What a coincidence that the winger who had an absolute mare last weekend against the Irish now has an injury... I do feel for the lad, he had a bad game, but that is the brutal reality of International sport... Unless its for the England football team who have persisted with some players way longer than just the one bad game...!!!
If you want the poster team for persisting with mediocrity try the England womens cricket team Red. If ever a team needed cutting back to the wood that is it. Too many can’t catch, can’t field, can’t play spin but are getting the thick end of £250k per annum to be ‘professional’ cricketers
