June stuff
June, 08th 2011 20:11 PM

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The rugby bit:

Published 9.6.11

 

 

 

Barbarians 31 – 28 Wales

Infamous for their do or die spirit stemmed from an allegiance of no real credence to achievement other than running the ball, the Barbarians pulled off another last gasp try to beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

 

The Baa baa’s first ever fixture was way back in 1915 where they beat Wales 26-10 at Cardiff Arms Park, but I guarantee no Fijian’s donned the paddock that afternoon let alone score the winner as befit Leinster’s Ica Nacewa against Wales and Joe Tekori last week against England.

 

Barbarian fixtures are fun outings, even if there has been a slip in tradition by training before a game these days. Yet still it would have been a hard-hitting morale upset for the Welsh who are using this game as a stepping stone to World Cup preparations.

 

At 28-17 up with seven minutes to go the Welsh should have held on. With tries rallied from George North, Morgan Stoddart, Mike Phillips and Aled Brew, Stephen Jones hit all extras on his 100th cap – only the second Welshman to reach the ton.

                                                                                                          

Two late tries from the Baa baa’s sealed their dominance in the set, but the Welsh struck first when Henson, who had a mixed game, threw a tidy pass for North to finish well. Phillips’ loose pass was collected by Brock James and his feed to Samoan lock Iosefa Tekori charged in unopposed.

 

James was busy again, busting through the midfield to set up Isa Nacewa for his first try. Whilst during the most entertaining phase Paul Tito slung a sloppy ball that ended in Stoddart’s hands, which he then raced half the paddock to score.

 

In the 35th minute skipper Sergio Parisse barged through the guts of a timid Welsh defence to score, then on the hour came the hordes of substitutions from both sides. Tavis Knoyle put Brew away from close range, with Mathieu Basteraud replying in the 73rd to make it a scintillating 28-24 and all to play for.

 

Two great offloads from Parisse and league convert Willi Mason put Nacewa away for a full length charge and ultimately the final nail in Wales’ coffin – for the day at least.

 

It’s a Baa baa’s game a knock for hits n giggles all the way, but Wales will be disappointed they didn’t seal it. As Henson said, ‘It’s a pity we lost in the end.’

 

Super 15’s: (round 16)

The Reds 12 home wins on the trot came to an end with a defeat by Brumbies 22-14 at the Suncorp. Nursing plenty of injuries, the Brisbane outfit still occupy the top spot on the ladder, but now have their work cut out in the following two rounds. Anthony Faingaa and Ben Lucas will miss the rest of this season with an ankle and hammy tear respectively and Digby took a nasty whack from No.8 Ita Vaea, which left him unconscious before he hit the ground/ The Mighty Force had a solid win over Highlanders 21-14 with David Smith grabbing two tries in the 65th and 74th minutes/ Rebels were outgunned by Stormers 3-40/ Bulls are making Tah’s play-off chances a lottery as they halted their progress 23-17. Coach Chris Hickey suggested Pat O’Connor’s red card was nothing more than an, ‘innocuous clearout’ that cost them the game. His head but on Flip van der Merwe was nothing more than, ‘clearing out with his head’ he reiterated after./ Hosea gear scored a brace of tries against Lions to help the ‘Canes win 38-27 in Wellington. Aaron Cruden and Ma’a Nonu linked well to take their tally and bonus point with four tries. The Lions matched them all the way with big hits from lock pairing and undoubtedly from the same silly name factory in Franco van der Merwe and Wikus van Heerden. Jacob Tute and Doppies La Grange joined them in the factory list with tries on the board/ Chiefs upset the Blues at Auckland with a deserved 16-11 win. That’s the Aucklander’s 3rd defeat on the bounce. A try a piece from Tana Umaga for Chiefs and Jared Payne for the Blues were held to difference by the boot of Chiefs Stephen Donald/ Sharks beat Cheetahs 23-18 in Bloemfontein. Frederik Michelak is back in the Durban outfit fresh from Toulouse but didn’t make it off the bench. Patrick Lambie got two tries and one from Surel Pretorious suggests their form they both must be knocking on Test doors/ With two rounds to go The Reds stay top on 58 – one ahead of the Stormers with Blues and Crusaders on 55 and 53 respectively.

 

Churchill Cup

Northampton’s Franklyn Gardens saw Italy ‘A’ outclassed by a motivated Canada who romped home 26-12. Chauncery O’Toole picked up MoM with a committed display of McCaw-esqueness.

 

England Saxons streaked past USA 87-8 – look out for Billy Twelvetrees, known by his London Irish team mates as No.36, and Henry Trinder in the full squad.

  - am I still the Boks coach?

 

Top 14:

Toulouse won the Championship beating Montpellier 15-10 and although I missed the game I did see the celebrations which consisted of roughly 23 minutes of hugging.

 

fool says:

ACT Brumbies and Rebels game this weekend is the one to look out for. Rebels snatched the last one in Melbourne 25-24 in a last gasp penalty. The Cip’s back for this game and fool’s backing them to do it again.

 

Some shorts:

*Mike Phillips is in talks with league side Crusaders in Wrexham – it’s there or France – Tah’s are also interested, but don’t be surprised to see him line up in a Welsh league jersey come 2013 World Cup.

 

*James Haskell 26, also looks bound for Super 15’s next season after Stade Francais have not renewed his contract, which makes you wonder why Super want him!

 

*SBW fought and unanimously beat the one-armed Tongan Alipate Liava’a in six rounds with ‘Eyebrows’ ringside who said, ‘he hardly got hit’ – well, he did have a 50% advantage.

 

For the latest news ‘see’ crazy fool’s Radio Show – click on red icon, top left of home page.

 

Some competitions now: If you’d like to take part in fool’s rugby comps check out the comps & results page –win a prize! – I should probably check it myself, as I can’t remember what comps are up for grabs.

 

Send your team(s) to cf.crazyfool@gmail.com – argh yes, teams, that was it - teams.

 

end rugby here!

 

 

 

Tapas & Bodega: bodega, oh baby when you dance like that… Sangria, mojito’s, plenty, plenty, plenty of wine and beer; Plus, The best Spanish cuisine in Saigon this side of Spain - Which is just to the right of Vietnam, and perhaps a little off centre of Phuket. Cracking live music too.

 

A willow the wisp of cricket now:

 


 

And now ladies and gentlemen a thribble on the light side:

 


 

Test talk

Day 2 saw Tillakaratne Dilshan splay England’s quickies all over Lords, as he opened with Tharanga Paranavitana for a 207 pairing – 255 behind England’s spirited tail-ender comeback of 486.

 

Matt Prior hit 126 off 131 with Broad on 54, but that leaves brash compensation for Tilly’s continued form against the tallest trio of quick’s in Tremlett, Finn and Broad at a collective height of 19ft 9 ½ inches.

 

Tremlett said earlier in the week that Shane Warne was a big influence on his career in that when ever he was bowling badly, whether it be no-balls or the consistent leg side display he put in at Lords this week to go 1-74 then he should, ‘just find a way… what ever it is just find a way.’ – He hasn’t found it yet and neither has Finn who faired marginally better with the other two wickets.

 

But still the Dilshan hangs in there and on 193 off 253 balls has the 6ft 6” Broad at the end of his tether – who knew he was so tall.

 

Finn finally came good on Day 4 after David Saker gave the quick’s an earful. He snapped 4-18 and became the youngest England player to take 50 wickets on 22 years and 63 edging Beefy, by, ooh, I dunno – a few weeks?

 

Levi wasn’t comfortable against the lefties and fell early leaving Cook and Trott to bring back some respectability. Their partnership racked 117 with Cook still there on 61 and Trott gone on 58.

 

KP entertained the crowd with every run, as his form has recently been rocked by the Levi disease of succumbing to the lefties. He stands on 15* over night with England on 156 lead.

 

Kp Eventually got to a steady 72 as a draw drew the Test to a close on Day 5. The Srills ran out 127-3 with probably 15 overs still to play, but Levi pulled the plug on it thinking a rest before the Rose Bowl would be wiser.

 

Cook broke records again, notching his 6th ton in 12 Tests – not seen in an England camp. He now stands on 18, just four behind the legendary Wally Hammond and Colin Chowdry and that Yorkshire-man the –cott.

 

Bell finished 57* taking England’s half century tally in the Test to… umm… anyone!

 

In other news…

 

*Donald’s turned down the Kiwi role to assist Gary Kirsten at the Proteas helm. And A B © de Villiers will captain the T20 side with Hashish Amla his deputy.

 

*India got off to good start in Windie-land with 72 off their last five overs to knock a respectable 159-6 on a tricky track in Trinidad. Subramanian Badraith got MoM on 43.

 

*Waqir Younis insists there is no rift between him an Afridi following Shahid’s resignation from cricket last summer. The PCB have temporarily banned him from all cricket, in Pakistan or abroad and denied his right to question their control following his out burst of no faith in the board – all’s fair in totalitarianism and Mugabe-iation

 

*And there was something about Simon Katich probably playing his last Test after not getting a renewed contract and bar from using that word – renewed – three times today I’m just about done.

 

It’s early now and… - I’m done

 

The team that likes roll mops and partying and belts and rum and temptations and feathers and Steve Finn and proverbs and coordinates and pigeons and tiddly winks and Jessie’s! And spin and the Beatles and Buddy Holly and side-show Bob and Ant and Dec and capes and japes and basketball and indoor cricket and psyche and a good rib-dig and loose ends and first balls and a good roasting, and triple tons and whoa-ha-ha’s and cooking and cradles and Yorkshire puddings…and 2010/11 Ashes, and the Gods

 

Till next week…

 

 

GTM: Probably the best set of garden and leisure furniture in the world. See the *classified section under business opportunities for more details.

 

 

Other Sports:

 

In boxing:

 

In F1

 

From here on in is not updated since fool ran out of time, however, you can knock yourselves out with a read from the archives if you’re really desperate

 

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