Crazy Fool's Newsround - well there i was

well there i was
February, 09th 2011 20:35 PM

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The rugby bit:

Published 10.2.11

Well there I was…

Wales 19 – 26 England

It was a spunky win for the English, which in its mildest glossary should be etched as their road to Damascus.

However, fool’s building excitement for Auckland’s Holy Grail was worth a prod in the ribs from any passing doubting Thomas that’s savvy enough to point out the English are in a severe need of being roughly 9 Tests short of any certainty, as opposed to the six they have before kick-off in September.

Confused? Good

Back to the game; Flood hauled in 13 points with a competent steering of the ship from the No.10 to-boot, and you’d have to say he’s looking better with every game, but he’s no Larkham is he!

But let’s not be too harsh on the lad or England for that matter, because it was a cracking game and a deserved win, as the Flood pointed out, “It was very physical, very intense, it’s a massive victory for us.”

With both sides charging at 100mph England held the initial accuracy, bar from a wild Tindall pass to Cueto in the 12^th minute that would have resulted in a certain try.

Nevertheless, it came two minutes later from quick ball and a gap spied by Flood between two, not necessarily hairy but fat props, where he sped to feed Ashton who swallow dived over the cross bar for a touch down.

Unperturbed Wales hit back with their most promising moment in the 27^th minute from a rampaging breakaway by Bradley Davies and Sam Warburton, which procured pace, offload and support and a rousing cackle from Eddie Butler who described the game as, “Enthralling so far, enthralling.”

England up 13-6 in the sheds Wales came out to play again but Shane Williams had other ideas and the often mercurial wizard kicked away a begging opportunity.

Ryan Jones came on for the biggest roar of the night, but was silenced in the 57^th minute by some good build up work from the Deacon fella and finished by quick hands and a nice little floater from Cueto to Ashton to get his second.

England were pretty much in control with a healthy set piece percentage, but Wales scored a cracking try from quick ball that sent Jonathan Davies outside Hape and inside Ashton and drew Foden to feed the lively Morgan Stoddart to end Wales hopes with a neat consolation score.

It was a focussed and calm win and England will take a lot from it. Gatland saw that too; “England took their chances better than we did.”

With Flutey back to add dimension they might just find Damascus, but don’t hold your breath. Keep your eyes peeled on that Tom Wood fella – the England boys are calling him the next Richard Hill.

Italy 11 – 13 Ireland

At this point I was drunk and can’t recall if it was Ireland playing so badly or whether it was a slice of Italian gusto, however, I do remember their try in 76^th minute that spun wide with Luko McLeano scoring in the corner.

All was over for the Irish until control fancied them a drop goal via the ever grumpy Ronan O’Gara

France 34 – 21 Scotland

Didn’t get to see this, drunk or not, but Andy Robinson is reported to have given his troops an ear-bashing despite their three tries from captain Kellock, Brown and Lamont.

His call for ruthlessness was wrapped around the ‘need to win Test matches’, where anything else is ‘unacceptable.’

Although he did lend France their dues; “They were certainly clinical.’

A quick re-think from the bookies will give this Les Blues display an odds on favourite for the title - if they keep their heads.

Tries came from Medard, Harinordoquy and Traille

LV=Cup

Heineken Cup

The quarter’s in, ooh, April some time, are: Northampton play Ulster – Leinster v Leicester – Perpignan against Toulon and Biarritz versus Toulouse.

Aviva Premiership

Magners

Top 14

fool says: Six Nations opener; Wales versus England at the Millennium on 4^th Feb was be a ripper. Although the win correct, the score was wrong – he’ll rectify that by offering England 42 points to Italy’s 11 on Saturday.

Scotland/ Wales should be the pick of the bunch, with both desperate for a win – Scotland will do it and send the Welsh to their 9^th successive defeat and the future un-gamely for Gatland, but let’s not forget; this ain’t football. The Jocks by 6.

Ireland at home to France should be mouth watering, but with so many Green injuries and Les Blues on form it’ll be a whitewash – Les Froggie by 18 points minimum!

Some shorts:

*Gavin Henson, having secured his ten minutes back in the English premiership, is off to the land of no salary caps and the team brimming with star quality, as he limits his ego to adorn – Toulon. However, he’s not a first choicer, but a medical wildcard for Clermont Marriecourt.

*James O’Connor could be in the No.12 spot for the Force this season. Their warm up game in Sydney was reduced to 60 minutes because it was still 100F at the 5.30p.m. kick off. Sleeping on bunk beds with limited air-con in a bush-land convention Brett Shacklin was bitten on the finger by a possum. The Force play the Reds on Feb 20.

*Michael Lynagh has tipped the Cip to be star for Rebels, but because of a limited quality squad doesn’t rate their chances come mid season.

*Cameron Shepherd was fined AU$15k from the ARU for a code of conduct breach after being found guilty of a D&D offence in December. He’s banned for two games too.

*And Stephen Moore’s not going to Europe now but I’ve ran out of time

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.

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:

You’re nicked me old beauty

As the lid on the olde marmite jar closes for another couple of years, England’s smacking in the ODI’s will have little memories for both players and fans, but would you right them off in the World Cup late Feb?

They were taken aside in Perth by a team whose reputation was at stake, and although both sides riddled with injuries and play lists promoted for trial run-outs Australia had the edge in every game – even the one they lost!

Posting 279-7 England were caught short by 51 runs all gone. New lad Adam Vogues racked 80 for Australia with Hussey backing him with half a ton of his own.

Mitchell Johnson snared 3 for 18 as England’s top 5 were gone for 64. Michael Yardy chipped in with a tidy 60 and Prior 39.

But Levi will not be worried too much, although did admit, “We were totally out played over the 7 matches.”

He’ll not worry too much, because let’s remind ourselves of just what an emphatic win the Ashes was; each three wins were by an innings…read the notes – there’s no need for flowery writing to accompany it…

517-1 Brisbane declared – Cook 235* - Siddle hat tick – Cook 766 runs – Trott 445 – 2^nd Test – KP 227 – declare 620-5 – his wicket of Clark huge and Hussy took it to 238-3 – 3^rd Test enter Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett, not even in plans – Bresnan dislodged Watson, Ponting and Hussey in 8 balls in Melbourne – Jimmy no 5-fer but 24 wickets! Bowling Aus out for 98 in front of 90k on boxing Day – special – Sydney Cook, Bell, Prior tonned up.

If that doesn’t put hairs on your chest by all means stick to the vegemite.

Meanwhile over in Doha the ICC corruption hearing had Butt down for a 10 year ban, Asif (yes) on 7 and the puppy-dog innocence of Amir in for 5.

Mean-meanwhile the UK’s Criminal Prosecution Service have charged all three plus agent Majhur Majeed with ‘conspiracy to obtain and receive corrupt payments, plus another count of conspiracy to cheat.’

- Which just leaves the news that Murali will be coaching the Aussies how to spin for a spell where Greg Chappell said they would record his technique onto their ‘virtual bowling machine’ – Whatever it takes to put Shane back on top eh!.

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.