Ovally Balls

Part I | Part II Having left Matadi and a newly enriched Customs Officer, we drove back on the Kinshasa road to Lufu, or any of the other names that towns in this part of Africa get called, depending on your language and which side of the border you nominally originate from. Lufu gets its … Continue reading Kinshasa, Part III

I considered writing a proper Six Nations preview for this weekend’s match, but as it’s Ireland v Italy, decided not to bother. This means that I have probably jinxed Ireland. Italy by 5. You can have the teams for the internationals, though. Scotland v Georgia Scotland: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Chris Harris, 12. … Continue reading Lotsa Rugby

Pre-Ramble And so it came to pass that the brave men of North London were vanquished by the dastardly Gallic hordes from Paris.  Maidens wept as, with victory in sight, the dark sorcerer from beyond the Wall waved his spell and teleported the ball into the hands of a nefarious Argentinian who committed the most … Continue reading OvallyBalls Inside Scoop on the Champions Cup Final

Wasps v Bristol and Exeter v Bath in play-off drama, The Blackness v the Wobblies, and round two of the new Pro-14 season. And John Cooney inexplicably left out of the Ireland squad. Here be the weekend fixtures. On the telly Friday 9th October Sharks v Lions 5:55 YouTube / Sky Sports Dragons v Zebre … Continue reading Pro-woo, Semi-finals and a Random International

This weekend sees the start of the new Pro-14 season, and the finish of the English Premiership. The only guarantee is that Saracens will be dead last, which will have rugby fans all over Europe crying disconsolately into their beer. As for the Pro-Woo, “it is still officially called the Pro14 despite 12 sides starting … Continue reading A beginning and an ending

There are no Irish teams in them, so hardly worth mentioning! Might as well think about the Wee Cup too. Bristol v Bordeaux In a fight between Bears and Beagles, there can only be one winner, and I’m afraid it’s not the lovable hounds. Racing 92 v Saracens French home advantage to edge it. Exeter … Continue reading NOT-HEINIE SEMI-FINALS PREVIEW

That’s what I get for venturing a rugby opinion on a rugby Notablog: roped into writing about some rugby stuff rather than wittering nonsense. Well, it may still be nonsense, but there we go. Teams haven’t been announced as of this writing, but without further ado some ‘ predictions’: Leinster vs Saracens What I said … Continue reading NOT-HEINIE QUARTER-FINALS PREVIEW

None of you will be able to contain your excitement at the prospect of the Leinster v Ulster Pro-Woo final on Saturday. The good news for Ulster is that Iain Henderson is fit and starting, and Johnny Sexton is starting on the pine. The bad news for Ulster is that John Cooney has been relegated … Continue reading Big Woo-ly Final

Pro-14 semi-final playoffs: can anyone stop the Blue Meanies? Can our heroes defeat plucky underdugs Edinburgh? Then there’s North Island v South Island where, as Iks says, How does one pick ‘my’ team in that N – S clash? Darkness or more Darkness? Sauron vs King Ghidorah? Who are the underdogs? And some English Premiership … Continue reading Semi-finals! And some other stuff

Got distracted by being off this week on account of the happy occasion of getting a new dug. But in case you missed it, you can read ClydeMillarWynant’s excellent Real Cricket Match Report here. For Your Televisual Pleasure Friday 28th August Brumbies v Western Force 10:05 Sky Sports Arena Glasgow v Edinburgh 19:35 Premier Sports … Continue reading Whoops, It’s Friday!