It was back to rugby for me last Saturday, as I saw a hugely important game between Bedford and Cornish Pirates. Both teams are in the same play-off group as Bristol - the favourites to gain promotion to the Guinness Premiership. Both teams went into this game on nine points after the Pirates defeated Bedford 22-18 the previous week, meaning the winner of this would have qualification for the semi-finals in their own hands.
Everyone was expecting a tight game, but in the end the Blues ran out handsome winners by 42-18. This was the worst possible outcome for the Pirates because Bedford scored five tries in the process, meaning they claimed the maximum five points and left the Pirates empty-handed. Their High Performance Manager (ridiculous title I know, what's wrong with just 'director of rugby?') Chris Stirling admitted to me afterward they've now made things extremely hard for themselves. Fair play to him, not all coaches are so willing to talk after their team gets stuffed like that!
For anyone who's spending a quiet night-in on Friday, I strongly suggest you to watch the Pirates next outing, away at Plymouth Albion, which is live in front of the Sky cameras. The boys on the Rugby Club may not plug it quite as much as their live Premiership game or even the sodding Super 14, but with any luck these two teams will prove what I've said before. That the Championship is great value for money and almost comes with an entertainment guarantee. The proper TV contract for it starts next season (about time!). There is life below the Premiership, despite what its current clubs would have you believe, and it is flourishing.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Monday, 5 April 2010
Journo's log - Date 5th April
I'm back!!
Apologies for the lack of posts for the last few weeks etc, anyway where were we? Ah yes. Last Saturday I was reporting on a football game for the first time in just over two months. My travels took me to the Ricoh Arena for Coventry City's clash with Derby County, meaning I missed United's first-half capitulation to Chelsea though I did see probably the most inept decision a linesman has made this season! But enough of that.
As bland as the stands may look at the Ricoh Arena, it is a most impressive venue with excellent facilities. The only issue with their press room is that it's underground. This means that if their wireless network is playing up (as was the case this time), you're pretty much knackered when it comes to connecting to the web. That said, it is one of the best I've been in so far, even though it would be nicer if it was a bit nearer to the press box.
The game itself wasn't brilliant, with Derby claiming a 1-0 win that pretty much secures their survival in the Championship. In the end, it came down to two decisions from the linesman, who I can only wish had been at Old Trafford! The first came when he correctly judged that Shaun Barker's effort had crossed the line for Derby's winning goal. The other came in the third minute of stoppage when Coventry left back Chris Hussey's low cross beat everybody and went in. The Cov fans were going berserk with joy for a few seconds before realising the lino had his flag up, as Clinton Morrison was offside, and the goal had been ruled out. He hadn't touched the ball but he had stretched in desperation to get it. By the way, the referee was Andy D'Urso - the man who Roy Keane once chased half-way across the pitch when he dared to give a penalty against his team.
Needless to say, Coventry were furious at the final whistle. However, the prevailing mood in the press box was, given the dull nature of most of the game, "Great, we have something to write about!" The one thing we were now looking forward to was what Chris Coleman would have to say about it. This meant that the post-match press conference with Nigel Clough was mainly us going through the motions with only the journos from Derby really caring about what he said.
Then came Coleman and obviously the main talking point was the perceived injustice against his team. Now if this had been Neil Warnock, the quotes would have still been good but it would have been mostly ranting nonsense. Coleman, whilst seething, was very considered in expressing his views, pointing out how his side had had a similar goal against them given earlier in the season. Whatever happened to a bloke simply being offside if he's behind the last man. Technically, the linesman was right as Morrison certainly was involved in the passage of play.
So a successful day in the end, even if I nearly did get locked in the stand whilst filing my copy then get soaked when walking back to my car!
Apologies for the lack of posts for the last few weeks etc, anyway where were we? Ah yes. Last Saturday I was reporting on a football game for the first time in just over two months. My travels took me to the Ricoh Arena for Coventry City's clash with Derby County, meaning I missed United's first-half capitulation to Chelsea though I did see probably the most inept decision a linesman has made this season! But enough of that.
As bland as the stands may look at the Ricoh Arena, it is a most impressive venue with excellent facilities. The only issue with their press room is that it's underground. This means that if their wireless network is playing up (as was the case this time), you're pretty much knackered when it comes to connecting to the web. That said, it is one of the best I've been in so far, even though it would be nicer if it was a bit nearer to the press box.
The game itself wasn't brilliant, with Derby claiming a 1-0 win that pretty much secures their survival in the Championship. In the end, it came down to two decisions from the linesman, who I can only wish had been at Old Trafford! The first came when he correctly judged that Shaun Barker's effort had crossed the line for Derby's winning goal. The other came in the third minute of stoppage when Coventry left back Chris Hussey's low cross beat everybody and went in. The Cov fans were going berserk with joy for a few seconds before realising the lino had his flag up, as Clinton Morrison was offside, and the goal had been ruled out. He hadn't touched the ball but he had stretched in desperation to get it. By the way, the referee was Andy D'Urso - the man who Roy Keane once chased half-way across the pitch when he dared to give a penalty against his team.
Needless to say, Coventry were furious at the final whistle. However, the prevailing mood in the press box was, given the dull nature of most of the game, "Great, we have something to write about!" The one thing we were now looking forward to was what Chris Coleman would have to say about it. This meant that the post-match press conference with Nigel Clough was mainly us going through the motions with only the journos from Derby really caring about what he said.
Then came Coleman and obviously the main talking point was the perceived injustice against his team. Now if this had been Neil Warnock, the quotes would have still been good but it would have been mostly ranting nonsense. Coleman, whilst seething, was very considered in expressing his views, pointing out how his side had had a similar goal against them given earlier in the season. Whatever happened to a bloke simply being offside if he's behind the last man. Technically, the linesman was right as Morrison certainly was involved in the passage of play.
So a successful day in the end, even if I nearly did get locked in the stand whilst filing my copy then get soaked when walking back to my car!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
