A good, if routine, 2-0 win for England against an out-gunned Wales side in the European Championship qualifiers last night.
Given the gulf in world cup ranking places between the sides (6th versus 116th) it should have been straightforward but in a packed Cardiff Arms Park, against a new Wales Manager and with England’s notable ability to mess things up, you can never be sure… Continue reading 'Signs of “actual football” as England beat Wales'»
Glenn Morrison - Wakefield's Captain
The Wildcat’s amiable Australian captain, Glenn Morrison, has gone on record saying that Super League without Wakefield would be a farce and that “they’ve been the grassroots of rugby league in this country. Rugby league started off as a working man’s game and you can’t get any more working class than Wakefield.”
Well said Glenn! Oh yes – no being sponsored by an oil-rich Middle eastern airline for us – our main sponsor is a scrap metal merchant!
In other Wakefield Trinity Wildcats related news, it seems like they now have a new owner so there are grounds for some cautious optimism down at Belle Vue. The club has been taken over by local businessman Andrew Glover, who sells windows, so its fair to assume that there won’t be any Chelsea-style mega millions being pumped into the Wildcats. But, good on him for having a try and here at thedistanceinbetween we wish him well. After all, beggars can’t be choosers.
Wakefield Trinity Shirt - Old School
I have supported Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Club (I still can’t buy into the “Wildcats” name) since 1989 and its been a pretty rough ride… Continue reading 'Wakeypedia – Lord have mercy on the Trinity!'»
Tony Trim - photo source: The Daily Telegraph
Earlier this week there was special “Legends of Origin” rugby league match played to raise funds for the survivors of the Queensland floods. The teams were made up of former rugby league greats who are veterans of the annual “State of Origin” games between NSW and Queensland – with one exception. Tony Trim is a fruitier in Horsley Park and he donated $14600 to be part of the NSW team for one game -and if he’s got that kind of money spare I wouldn’t like to see the price of bananas in HIS shop. Not only did he score a try (from a Brad Fittler kick), he also managed to get involved in a bit of push-me-pull-you with Gorden Tallis. What a night – he gets a four-pointer under his belt and also does his part to “Bring Back the Biff” !
Quote of the week goes to whoever interviewed him as he was leaving the field after his try-scoring exploits “Tony – did it make you wish you’d taken the game up a bit earlier – like maybe last week”?
On a more serious note, you can donate to help the many people affected by the floods by clicking here.
Now Richard Keys has resigned, the top football job at Sky Sports is up for grabs. Better be quick – looks like competition could get pretty fierce…
*PS – this photo makes more sense if you understand that Richard Keys is a hairy, hairy man.
Audley Harrison - can he surprise us all?
WBA Heavyweight boxing champion David Haye fights fellow Brit Audley Harrison in Manchester tonight in a title fight – predictably – being billed as the “Battle of Britain.
Absolutely everything points to a David Haye victory and quite possibly an early & conclusive one at that. In spite of this, I have a nagging idea that Harrison might actually pull off an upset tonight. I have had the misfortune of watching a few of Harrison’s fights so I know that there isn’t much evidence to support his view but here is why I give Harrison a chance… Continue reading 'David Haye v Audley Harrison in “Battle of Britain”'»
The bookmakers had a lucky escape today when red-hot Melbourne Cup favourite So You Think ran a disappointing third in the big race. Unfortunately both myself and Mrs TDIB had backed it to win so their gain was our loss! Both of our long-shot place bets failed to come off too (Campanologist and Red Ruler) so it was lean pickings for us this time around.
Traditionally, the “race that stops the nation” has been kind to us. I had a very memorable win the very first year I was living in Australia and last year Mrs TDIB pulled off a sensational coup by correctly picking both first AND second place. Ah well, can’t win them all I suppose *shakes head philosophically*
What’s that about horses being too smart to bet on people?
Sam Burgess - Rabbitohs Player of the Year
At the risk of becoming a “one issue blog” it’s time to point out that Leeds-born Sam Burgess has been voted the South Sydney Rabbitohs “2010 players player of the year”. Burgess (see here looking like a tougher version of Paul Newman) has just completed his first season in the Australian NRL competition and has made a hell of an impact with the Rabbitohs. Like fellow Yorkshireman Gareth Ellis, he has not just held his own in the elite NRL but has been right up there with the very best players. Former Australian Test forward and authentically scary bloke Gorden Tallis recently said of Burgess that “I’ll go out on a limb and say he’ll probably be the best Pommie forward to come out here and if not, certainly one of the best – I don’t think there’s any doubt he would walk into the Australian side and that’s a huge rap.”
After years of one way traffic with legions of Australian players coming over to the UK to play in our game its great to see us finally sending a few over to compete in their back yard and play with such distinction.
Jessica Ennis - the face of Olympics 2012
I recently pointed out that Yorkshireman Gareth Ellis was taking the Australian NRL by storm and now I learn that Yorkshirewoman Jessica Ennis (the reigning World Heptathlon Champion) will be the face of the London Olympics 2012.
Well done Jessica – fly the flag for Yorkshire and Great Britain!
Gareth Ellis - pointing at something
Australia has dominated the world of Rugby League for as long as I can remember.
There are only a handful of British players competing in the Australian NRL compared to the legions of Aussies who play in the UK. It was good to read then that Yorkshireman Gareth Ellis has been voted the (Sydney) Wests Tigers Player of the Year for the second year running. His coach at Wests (Tim Sheens) has stated that if Gareth was Australian, he would be playing for the national team and that’s the ultimate compliment you can get from an Aussie.
To make things even more satisfying – he played for my hometown club of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats too.
Well done Gareth – the more players we can get plying their trade downunder the better our chances of winning when England take on the Aussies in the Four Nations!
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A good, if routine, 2-0 win for England against an out-gunned Wales side in the European Championship qualifiers last night.
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