Finally get phases going but it’s pretty static. Ospreys have a penalty and kick to the corner with 7 minutes left. Hammer away and awarded! Was it a double move? No, according to the ref who isn’t going upstairs. 13-24 with 5 to go.
For me, good try, he was over the line so give it dammit unless an obvious blooper.*
Sharks with an offside penalty to probably kill the match. Pienaar knocks it over and it’s 13-27 with 2 minutes left. Ospreys fling it about but can’t make headway. Knock on and that’s the match. Chamberlain is MOTM, but Pienaar must have been close. Read the game like a book. Game over! Great win for the Sharks! Didn’t see that coming. Other than predicting an easy win for the Ospreys. Cough.
So one of them was a bit of a gimme and the other two while obviously good strikes are unchallenged. What’s the best solution for the team kicking out? You don’t really want to be putting up something contestable close to your own line so long and low and do your best to keep it away from the kicker assuming they only have one? Near the touchline (obvious risk with that as presumably a scrum on the 5m line if it goes straight out)? Wonder what other teams’ strategies have been, O’s clearly didn’t come up with one at half time. Can you take it to yourself like a 22 drop out?
Don’t think this is really a good thing when the opportunities are just coming from kicking into the in-goal area and in the cases in this match not kicking with any real attempt to set up a try. Perhaps giving back possession with the first chance to tackle being round about the 22 is the idea, it’s a big change if so.
Didn’t have too much to do with the result either as Sharks scored some good tries and the O’s were hopeless in attack.
Home clubs’ll probably go for shorter in-goal areas.
I’ve got no problem with what the Sharks did. It’s a good bit of skill from Chamberlain as he’s running to get the ball and then popping it over from a long way out.
“Home clubs’ll probably go for shorter in-goal areas.”
I think so too. The size of the in-goal area will become quite a big deal, not just because of the drop goal thing as you don’t really want to be dropping out from your own line anyway. They all really ought to be the same though I realise this is difficult with the football grounds now.
I reckon they’ll go for a law that says you need at least one tackle before scoring a drop goal direct from a drop out. A bit like the non-turnover for an unplayable maul direct from a kick.
I was going to say that I hoped that we could have a clean sweep, with Glasgow, Embra and the fitba’ team all winning on the same day. Israel are winning at Hampden already, so that’s buggered that up.
He must have been reading this through the week. Given him the kick up the arse he needed. Or Mikey’s said to go out and actually play some bloody rugby.
Ovally Balls 
Been some choice attacking play from the O’s on the occasions they have got into the Sharks’ 22.
LikeLike
Ulster losing the scrums now.
LikeLike
Herring going off. At least he got a try.
LikeLike
Addison saves a Treviso try.
Ulster really not doing well in second half; probably having one experienced half-back would be a bonus.
LikeLike
At 71 mins, the result is not really in doubt, but a BP try would be good.
LikeLike
Bristol were easily the better side in the first half hour but since Smith has come on his side have been irresistible, 38-24 to Quins on 65 mins
LikeLike
Finally get phases going but it’s pretty static. Ospreys have a penalty and kick to the corner with 7 minutes left. Hammer away and awarded! Was it a double move? No, according to the ref who isn’t going upstairs. 13-24 with 5 to go.
For me, good try, he was over the line so give it dammit unless an obvious blooper.*
* unless he’s a Kiwi.
LikeLike
Sharks with an offside penalty to probably kill the match. Pienaar knocks it over and it’s 13-27 with 2 minutes left. Ospreys fling it about but can’t make headway. Knock on and that’s the match. Chamberlain is MOTM, but Pienaar must have been close. Read the game like a book. Game over! Great win for the Sharks! Didn’t see that coming. Other than predicting an easy win for the Ospreys. Cough.
LikeLike
And Doak scores for the BP try!!
LikeLike
Well that was shit. Looks a bit bleak for the Welsh teams as the O’s have beaten two of the others and are evidently pretty hopeless.
LikeLike
And Treviso go on the attack in the end, but it’s fruitless. 28-8. Doak gets MotM for second week in a row.
LikeLike
Bristol have self-destructed in the most spectaular fashion. 7-24 up at half time. Now 52-24 with 2 mins to play.
LikeLike
Switched over to Quins after the Shark Attack and they’ve been irresistible. Finishes 52-24 after being 21-0 down apparently.
LikeLike
Sorry Refit but that was a real shellacking
LikeLike
Quins run out 52-24 winners, there was only one side in it after Smith came on.
Dombrandt was outstanding
LikeLike
Refit – holy fuck!
LikeLike
We’re gonna be lucky not to be in the bottom 2, this season. Thank dog there’s no relegation this year.
LikeLike
5p richer for clearing out the sump hose if nothing else…
LikeLike
LikeLike
So one of them was a bit of a gimme and the other two while obviously good strikes are unchallenged. What’s the best solution for the team kicking out? You don’t really want to be putting up something contestable close to your own line so long and low and do your best to keep it away from the kicker assuming they only have one? Near the touchline (obvious risk with that as presumably a scrum on the 5m line if it goes straight out)? Wonder what other teams’ strategies have been, O’s clearly didn’t come up with one at half time. Can you take it to yourself like a 22 drop out?
Don’t think this is really a good thing when the opportunities are just coming from kicking into the in-goal area and in the cases in this match not kicking with any real attempt to set up a try. Perhaps giving back possession with the first chance to tackle being round about the 22 is the idea, it’s a big change if so.
Didn’t have too much to do with the result either as Sharks scored some good tries and the O’s were hopeless in attack.
LikeLike
Home clubs’ll probably go for shorter in-goal areas.
I’ve got no problem with what the Sharks did. It’s a good bit of skill from Chamberlain as he’s running to get the ball and then popping it over from a long way out.
LikeLike
“Home clubs’ll probably go for shorter in-goal areas.”
I think so too. The size of the in-goal area will become quite a big deal, not just because of the drop goal thing as you don’t really want to be dropping out from your own line anyway. They all really ought to be the same though I realise this is difficult with the football grounds now.
LikeLike
Could maybe have a special dispensation for Murrayfield to still have an extra big one.
LikeLike
I reckon they’ll go for a law that says you need at least one tackle before scoring a drop goal direct from a drop out. A bit like the non-turnover for an unplayable maul direct from a kick.
LikeLike
Leinster not going for drop goals. 29-0. Zebre are not good.
LikeLike
@OT – I think there’s a similar rule in place regarding taking a drop goal from a free kick (?) so it seems like the obvious thing to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Mon ra Weedge!
LikeLike
Lions looking full of confidence so far. Should have this wrapped up by half time. What? That was the warm up?
LikeLike
Try in the first couple of minutes!
(For Glasgow, in case anyone is confused).
In other news, Maitland in trouble. Yellow but could have been red.
LikeLike
In Thaum-pleasing news, Newcastle beating Sarries, and deservedly so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doesn’t look to me that they can stay in front for 80
LikeLike
Glasgow creating opportunities but too loose. Lionz staying in the game well.
LikeLike
In Thaum-displeasing news, Sarries now lead. It has been coming.
LikeLike
Boo
LikeLike
Glasgow scrape past the lionz
Ends with a touch of handbags
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glasgow hold on for the win
LikeLike
I’ll take that.
LikeLike
I was going to say that I hoped that we could have a clean sweep, with Glasgow, Embra and the fitba’ team all winning on the same day. Israel are winning at Hampden already, so that’s buggered that up.
For now.
LikeLike
He. Jaco confounds his critics. Lovely bit of play.
LikeLike
van der Walt has set up two tries in the first 6 mins with good hands, steps and decisions
LikeLike
Yikes. It’s the jaco show. 14-0
LikeLike
He must have been reading this through the week. Given him the kick up the arse he needed. Or Mikey’s said to go out and actually play some bloody rugby.
LikeLike
Stormers get their turn. 14-7
LikeLike
Dragons have scored in Galway (which is looking particularly lovely). 6-8.
LikeLike
Drags lose a man to the bin, and Connacht slot two more penalties, and very nearly score but are held up. 12-8 at HT.
LikeLike
20 all. Eek.
LikeLike
How are you enjoying the new all-action Embra, Chimpie?
LikeLike
I’m pretty much resigned to us losing this, we usually do.
LikeLike
Stormers fell apart last week against Munster. Play sensible and Edinburgh should win.
Just seen the Glasgow try from earlier. You’d expect the ref at least to check with the TMO for that one.
LikeLike
Drags score again: 12-15.
LikeLike