Entertaining. Indefatigable. Bloody-minded, hard as nails (well, obviously there is an obstructed view).
When Mark Williams (pictured) won the World Snooker Championship in 2018, he stripped off for the ensuing press conference, as he had promised to do.
This year, he has promised to run naked down the M4 if he wins.
Given that he’s 51, perhaps he should borrow Andy Powell’s golf buggy instead.
But this is why Welsh rugby can and will rise above their current crisis, and hopefully with all four regions somehow surviving the mess. Welsh sides are currently Irish teams’ banana peels in the URC.
While full houses at Welsh stadia have been a rarity in recent years, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau sung with full heart at the Millenium Stadium still manages to bring a bit of unexplained grit to the eyes of this non-Welsh person (well, full disclosure: I had a half-Welsh granny).
And, to add the icing to the cake, the Welsh don’t vote for Tories. Hopefully they won’t vote for the even more repulsive Reform in May either.
Speaking of the Welsh, I need to get around to watching this
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Oh, that does look interesting. But it requires a time investment!
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Mark Williams has just won his first round against a very good young Polish bloke by 10-4, despite not playing very well.
See, Welsh grit.
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Also, ‘old age and treachery will always defeat youth and skill’.
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Thanks for the new blog, Thauma! In South Africa, the Welsh have always been seen as the hardest bastards in the British Isles when it comes to rugby. A grudging admiration of the coal miners and steel workers (back when Wales had those professions) who could not only pitch up and play a helluva game, but could sing about it too.
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I thought it was time to put something new up. That was something.
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I think you’re on to something with coal miners and steelworkers: those are tough jobs. Similar in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, before Thatcher killed the work. Also more challenging geography and weather than soft southern England.
The 26 counties have the weather and in some areas, mostly the Wesht, the geography, but never had the industrial jobs. Centuries of oppression and being starved instead.
And they also have the song.
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Some sad news for those of you who remember HeyHabib from Cif. He’s been very ill for quite some time, but I’ve just found out today that he passed away on 30th April.
Refit, some people on your other site will certainly remember him.
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Newcastle doing well for the first 10 minutes against Bristol. So of course Bristol score 2 tries in 2 minutes.
0-14
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On a month-long trip to Nigeria and Ghana. Delighted to see rugby on TV here! Sharks 0-7 up at Edinburgh and dominating, but they have a habit of being a 60 minute team.
Lagos is as frenetic and fun as ever! If you don’t like spicy food though, probably not the place for you.
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Edinburgh back in it quicker than spicy eggs move through your intestine! 7-7 and the Sharks first up tackles remain pretty feeble.
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Both sides full of errors and runs, cough, but it’s the Sharks who maul it over from the 5m lineout.
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Never trust a person who doesn’t like spicy food.
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You’ve gotta love a team with a Belcher and a Bashem. It’s so Beano. Cardiff are 17-7 up.
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Make that 24-7!
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14-14 in Embra. A bit scrappy, not great defence, which explains why the sides are where they are.
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And that’s the half time score.
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Ooh, but now it’s 24-21 with just a few minutes to go.
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Apparently Ospreys have not lost to Cardiff at the Arms Park for 19 years!
But pen to Cardiff.
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Newcastle trying hard but just seem a level (or two) below Bristol. Glorious sunset before half time though, so that was something…
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But Ospreys win a pen in their own 22! And the clock has gone red!
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Less then 2 mins for Bristol to score the first try of the second half. They push Newcastle off a ruck and then just waltz down field. 5-28
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But Ospreys knock it on and Cardiff win! Yay!
Although that might not be good news for Ospreys’ survival as a region.
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Forgot that Ben Healy had gone to Red Bulls, and put in a lovely crossfield kick for Christian Wade to score his 95th Prem(iership) try! Just 6 behind Ashton!
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Sharks go route one and Vincent Koch powers over. May be in the early twilight of his career, but still a big unit! 14-21, but the Sharks botch the restart and Embra have the scrum 5! They pass it into touch and the Sharks should be able to clear.
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I’m not sure you can call what Newcastle are attempting ‘tackles’. Vaguely waving at Van Rensberg as he jogs through the defensive line to score. 12-40.
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Newcastle replacement 9 with the most ridiculous moustache (even worse than Ben White). Its got waxed curls at the end – looks like some Victorian villain.
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Not for long! Sharks clear but Embra put it through the hands and score in the corner! Crucially, conversion wide so 19-21 to the Sharks.
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And then Embra score again! Ashman with the charge down and Edinburgh score under the posts! Sharks 4th quarter meltdown well and truly on! 26-21 Edinburgh!
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Ah! Embra! Turnover, chip and chase, offloads and try! Just sublime! 33-21 and into the last 10 minutes that must be it.
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50 up for Bristol in the last minute, Thacker off the back of a maul. Final score 19-52.
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33-28 in the end. Edinburgh full value. Sharks are the Chelsea of URC.
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We say this almost every year, Debbie, but next year Edinburgh will be different
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Debbie, the autocorrect always does the Debbie.
However, there are new players from Super Rugby and new coaches on the way, plus a good cohort from recent Scotland U20s
Edinburgh had 22 players not available tonight but gave a decent account of themselves, the best players were the youngsters
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Ticht, the Sharks supporters say the same thing. They also had about 20 players unavailable. Difference is, I think, the Sharks have splurged a small fortune buying elite Boks, most of whom haven’t played more than a handful of matches each season.
The Lovable Lions, on the other hand, have developed their side from youth structures and off cuts from other unions. They’ve managed to keep a core of players who are now knocking on the Bok door and it’s showing in their results. Long may it last!
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Ticht – is McDuhan injured?
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He is injured, BB.
We had 22 players unavailable last night, but to be honest our best performers were the youngsters, bar Ashman who was very good if we ignore his lineout throwing
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My sister and her wife are taking my dad to see England vs Wales this afternoon. Hoping they have a good time and the final score isn’t too bad (my dad’s Welsh).
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Nil is still a score, Refit!
Stormers 10-0 up in Cape Town against the Warriors. Waiting for my driver to take me to the airport and have just got a message from the airline saying that jet fuel shortages mean not all flights are likely to take off. It’s more the likely to land that I’m worried about!
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17-5, Stormers. The prop Mchunu has a brace, and an aimless Sacha-FM grubber gives Glasgow the opportunity to showcase their counter attacking class.
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24-5 as Evan Roos, the Bok discard and URC leading try scorer finishes a slick move.
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24-12, as Reinach goes to the bin for a team yellow and Glasgow strike. Could be a crucial score in the shadows of half time.
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Stormers start the 2nd half well and add a converted try and penalty to take the lead out to 22 points, at 34-12. If it stays this way, they’ll go above Glasgow on the log. Who will finish stronger?
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Wales not actually doing too badly. Coming up to half time and they’re only 24-12 down.
In other news, The Launch is back for Quins vs Sale – the resistible force versus the moveable object.
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Bloody hell, Meg Jones just threw a pass half the width of the pitch, to start an England break and then was there to finish it. 29-12 at half time.
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Stormers romp away with it in the end, 48-12. Wow. Glasgow ship 100 points in two matches down here. A blip or is their race run?
Lions up and running, 7-0 up after as many minutes against Connacht.
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Lions double their lead with an apparently lovely try by Henco van Wyk, a player who would be well on his way to the World Cup squad if not for injuries. Such an abrasive, yet balanced presence in midfield.
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Connacht have battered away at the Lions line, but I’d be lyin’ if I wanted them to be thrown a lifeline. Think Connacht might be my ‘foreign’ team from now on.
And a real kick to the nether regions on the stroke of half time, as the Lions defend their line – again – and get down the other end to score a scorcher! 21-0 at the break. C’mon Lions!
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28-0 early in the second half. Commentator on R365 here has called four of their tries world class. Think s(he) may be getting a little carried away. Either way, they’ve got the four try bonus point!
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Lions prop Kotze carded for a dangerous tackle and a few phases later, Connacht open their account! 28-7 with the extras. Still plenty of time left and a man up for the Weshties
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