Ulster breaking the line any number of times – but no support…then Henderson breaks and sets McCloskey free – storming run under the posts … Cooney converts. 17 – 0
O’s were getting the shit beaten out of them for the first half hour, but have stuck at it and got back into the game, 10-12 HT.
Pretty depressing watching the early part of the game as there are quite a few players in the O’s line-up who may well be playing for Wales in the summer and other than defending a couple of mauls well the team were not coping with the power of the Bulls at all.
Bulls up to 3rd but I’d expect one or both of Munster and Stormers to overtake them after tomorrow. Worst they can finish is 5th, worst possible position for Ulster is 4th.
Weird game. O’s unfortunate with a bounce to get as far behind as they did, but then two lucky/opportunistic tries at the end get them two bonus points. More than they deserved really given that they didn’t really defend at all in their own 22 apart from when the Bulls stupidly kept it in the maul a few times, think they scored every other time with the minimum of fuss.
Would be very like the O’s to qualify for the Big Cup by virtue of those bonus points having barely registered one all season until the last minute of the last game. Scarlets can reasonably be expected to lose, was thinking it would sum up the season in Wales if neither the O’s nor the Scarlets got a point at all out of their last game which would also have sent the O’s through.
Don’t mind whether the Scarlets win or not, neither team will make an impact and it feels like it will be years until any of the Welsh teams become competitive in the URC let alone Europe if they ever do.
@OT – I notice that Upminster have a couple of rather large players when you posted the stuff about their South African. Hornchurch seem to be taking everything to a new level.
Excellent summarising CMW
It would be a kindness to the Scarlets if they don’t make the big cup next year.
At least the Os pack is gnarly enough to compete and there will be plenty of scary teams in the small cup.
Cardiff???, well done Benetton
Ovally Balls 
Ulster lose Hume and Lowry to HiAs in short order.
Sharks miss kickable pen
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Second half underway … Ulster leading 10-0
Ulster breaking the line any number of times – but no support…then Henderson breaks and sets McCloskey free – storming run under the posts … Cooney converts. 17 – 0
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The now ex-husband of a friend of mine played against Amir a few years ago. It was MA was banned from cricket for five years. The now ex made a tasty wedge from one of the tabloids for pics and quotes. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-investigating-mohammad-amir-for-breach-of-ban-518205
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Sharks with 5m lineout but Henderson steals ..
Werner Kok – Sharks 14 – makes me think there’s 70s rock band somewhere missing their lead singer….
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Williams a lot more urgent than Hendrickse. Faster ball and eventually a try for the Sharks.
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Try for Sharks after 62 mins ( “seachto dó” noimead as they’d say on TG4)
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The Hornchurch CC teas are legendary so expect Amir to return to top flight cricket a little heavier than before.
For example off spinner Marc Whitlock has been a first XI regular for about 20 years.
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O’s were getting the shit beaten out of them for the first half hour, but have stuck at it and got back into the game, 10-12 HT.
Pretty depressing watching the early part of the game as there are quite a few players in the O’s line-up who may well be playing for Wales in the summer and other than defending a couple of mauls well the team were not coping with the power of the Bulls at all.
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North of England accent ( can’t quite place it) from ref …. gives this game a Rugby League vibe…..
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Coughed up a soft try at the start of the second half so the comeback hasn’t lasted long.
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Ian Tempest is from the Wirral so he’s a plastic scouser
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trisk, he’s Cumbrian originally.
Nice try by Marius Louw to bring it back to 24-14 but Ulster are very good value for this win.
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24-14 at Ravenhill with 3 left…
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TG4 commentator rendering most of the names as they read ….then suddenly calls O’Sullivan Ó Suilleabháin
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Hmm. Williams and Louw combine for a lovely try. Sharks to within 5 and the last play to come.
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Breakaway try for Sharks ….suddenly 24-21 at 79′ 57″…..
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No comeback win for Sharks – Ulster escape with 3pt victory….
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CMW, the good news is only a couple of the Bulls pack’ll get near the Bok squad – Louw, Notje, maybe Grobelaar.
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Ah…Cumbrian…. I was thinking its not Lancs nor Yorkshire…. and certainly not North East….. didn’t join the dots on what remained.
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I watched a game he reffed a few months back and couldn’t work out how Scottish he was and so checked.
Lovely finish by Luke Morgan – 15-26 to the Bulls
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@TomP – I know that. We’re in a sorry state.
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New hooker for the Bulls is a good prospect. Was a prop at school so learning the position, monstrous size.
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Now Juan Mostert on. Went to France out of school – as did Wessels, the hooker – before coming back to SA around Covid time.
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Bulls up to 3rd but I’d expect one or both of Munster and Stormers to overtake them after tomorrow. Worst they can finish is 5th, worst possible position for Ulster is 4th.
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Weird game. O’s unfortunate with a bounce to get as far behind as they did, but then two lucky/opportunistic tries at the end get them two bonus points. More than they deserved really given that they didn’t really defend at all in their own 22 apart from when the Bulls stupidly kept it in the maul a few times, think they scored every other time with the minimum of fuss.
Would be very like the O’s to qualify for the Big Cup by virtue of those bonus points having barely registered one all season until the last minute of the last game. Scarlets can reasonably be expected to lose, was thinking it would sum up the season in Wales if neither the O’s nor the Scarlets got a point at all out of their last game which would also have sent the O’s through.
Don’t mind whether the Scarlets win or not, neither team will make an impact and it feels like it will be years until any of the Welsh teams become competitive in the URC let alone Europe if they ever do.
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@OT – I notice that Upminster have a couple of rather large players when you posted the stuff about their South African. Hornchurch seem to be taking everything to a new level.
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Somehow, Bristol beat Exeter. 40-33
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Excellent summarising CMW
It would be a kindness to the Scarlets if they don’t make the big cup next year.
At least the Os pack is gnarly enough to compete and there will be plenty of scary teams in the small cup.
Cardiff???, well done Benetton
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@BRB – I was worried I might have been overly positive.
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Lovely looking day at “The Big Stoop today”. Hi everyone (anyone)
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The first team to remember how to play this game and pass to their own side could do very well
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Quins go to sleep and let Glos have an easy driving maul try 0-7
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“The entertainers” now 3 try’s in less than 20 mins. Someone get hold of this game or it could be silly 7-14
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Joe Marler gently asking the water boys to “Fuck off now, please”. Ref reminds him he’s a bit close to the mike…
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Lol also somehow gets Morgan mixed up with Harris as Glaws go over for their third try.
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Glos have bossed that first half 7-24
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Comeback kings now in front. Glos have made mistake after mistake. Murley at the end of a concerted period of pressure. 28-24
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Quins completely boxed in Glos final score 28-24
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I’d forgotten the Glasgow game was on. Looking at the score, I wish I’d kept forgetting that it was on…
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Huw Jones might be having second thoughts about coming back to Glasgow after seeing this scoreline.
As a certain llama might say, “pfffffft”.
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Leinster v Munster is pretty competitive so far.
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Still competitive?
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Good morning from Corfu
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Refit, please take notes, I shall be going there in October.
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Flair, can’t really help you I’m afraid. We’re in Kalami, halfway up the side of, what feels like a mountain. I’ve left the villa twice in 10 days😅.
If you’re coming to this area, I can recommend Thomas’s Place in Kalami and Toulas in Agri.
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That looks glorious, Refit. Have a great holiday.
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Bloody jealous! Enjoy the break, Refit.
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Alas, this is the last day. Flying home tomorrow, but only back in work on Friday😁.
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@Deebee – no.
@Refit – good yesterday morning from the Lake District.
(Today it has mostly been too rainy to see the Fells.)
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