Category: sport

Scrappy rugby at the Stadium

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I took the boy along to the rugby at the stadium today. It was a friendly/exhibition match between Boland Kavaliers and the Stormers, ahead of their Super 15 season which starts next week.
The rugby was, at best, scrappy. The stadium was, as always, stunning. And perfectly suited for rugby.

imageThat said, beagle-eyed readers will note that the Kavaliers were the home side. That’s because WPRU could never play a(nother) home game away from Newlands: that would send out all the wrong messages like logic, common sense and progressiveness.

The team they sent was devoid of any big names and although they coasted home 45 points to 7 against the local version of the Tractor Boys, it was untidy and unconvincing throughout.
Still, it was a belter of a day and there was cold beer on offer, so all’s well that ends well, right?

Best Atmosphere in England? Mauricio knows…

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I’ll just leave this here:

Asked about the best atmosphere he had experienced in his time in England, Pochettino picked Bramall Lane. “They are a historic club currently in the third tier and for a Cup game there were 35,000 people in the stadium. So it’s that, not Old Trafford, or Stamford Bridge or the Emirates that stands out.”

Not wrong there, Mauricio.

And HITC Sport’s Subhankar Mondal evidently knows his stuff as well:

English football is not necessarily the most aesthetic, but support and passion in the lower leagues is probably the best in Europe. United regularly get thousands of supporters for League One matches, sometimes more than some Premier League clubs do.

The Sheffield-based club are one of the biggest of England despite playing in League One, and retain one of the largest fanbases in the country. What is refreshing about the United fans is that they have remained loyal and go to games despite their team not being in the Premier League or in the Championship.

Yep, there’s just something about being a Blade that brings out the passion and encourages undying allegiance, and despite the occasional disappointments, there are many moments to savour as well.

Long one

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Early morning karate on the beach in Blouberg for the boy meant that I got to have a quick run along the sand there while he chopped and kicked.

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And once I got started, I kept going for what turns out to be my longest run since early September 2012. I did lose over a year somewhere in the middle of all that after that horrible incident with my right ankle, but even so, I’m chuffed.

Still proud

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The Blades may have gone out of the Capital One Cup last night on a snowy evening at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane, but they went down fighting until the very last minute and have every reason to be proud of yet another amazing cup run.

Here’s our hero of the moment (although there were many outstanding performances), Che Adams, hard at work:

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 Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur, Britain - 28 Jan 2015
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And manager Nigel Clough agrees with me:

I’m incredibly proud of the players, to run a team like Spurs so close, that bit of quality made the difference.
We knew one goal would change the complexion. We got the second and then had a chance for a third and just missed it.
We were disappointed when we came away from White Hart Lane with a 1-0 defeat and we’re even more so tonight, as we came so close.

Yep. So very close. But it looks like we’ll have to settle for just the FA Cup and automatic promotion this season.

Warmth

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It was one of those ridiculously hot days in Cape Town today. Mid 30’s or higher. I wilt in that sort of heat.
Still, after an amazing braai with friends in Somerset West, we’re now back in Cape Town and it’s beginning to cool down a little. Thank goodness. I might still grab a quick swim before bed though.

One more thing: looking at the FA Cup results so far this weekend, I think we might win it this year. It’ll look nice in the trophy cabinet along with the Capital One Cup.