Excited! Transfer Deadline Day is here. Wheel out, Jim White

Today is Transfer Deadline Day. A day in essence I don’t agree with, but for some strange reason find compelling viewing on Sky Sports News. Natalie and Jim will be gargling salted water to protect their voices, ahead of tonight’s exciting shift.

I enjoy the adrenalin rush in Jim Whites voice when something’s about to happen and pan over to the reporter freezing outside a training ground. Nothing has happened but the reporter is carried along in the enthusiasm and makes something up. They cross again to the same reporter moments later and have missed the arrival or departure of a top star. To be told, with a finger pointing towards a helicopter or champion the wonder horse, they are just leaving. It is great T.V, although the wife doesn’t think so.

That actually sounds that I’m knocking the staff at Sky Sports News. In no way am I, they have no control in timing and their reactions and responses to all these situations are fantastic. The managers have, I’m sure, come to play along with it. Transfer Deadline Day is to stay and the Sky Sports coverage has become an institution with Jim White a legend. Natalie Sawyer plays her part, with those looks that scream ‘calm down Jim’.

The rumours have started. Kevin Davies is about to extend his stay at Bolton, which means Mackem O’Neil will turn his attentions to Emile Heskey, possibly. That comes from a bloke in an Aston Cafe eating a full English. Wayne Bridge is poised to move to Sunderland having a medical as we speak confirmed, well almost.

Thomas Eisfeld is set to join the Gunners from Dortmund, but supposedly not to go straight into the first team. Speaks French, so should be fine.

Liam Ridgewell is set for the Baggies. Adding to his ‘second city’ set, Villa, the Blues and now West Brom. Bets are now available a BetJasper for when he will move to Walsall.

Ravel Morrison, a footballing talent, who enjoys the ball at his feet and passes along the ground. He is reportedly nearing a deal with Big Sam and the Happy Hammers. Still, improve his neck muscles.

Rangers striker, Nikica Jelavic, who has been linked with a host of clubs, seems to be happy with Moyesy at Everton.

Chelsea has signed Kevin De Bruyne form Ghent. Their West London neighbours, QPR – who I predict will be very busy today, have offloaded Bradley Orr to Blackburn Rovers. Steve Keen will be popular, signing players as promised.

Outside the Premier league is exciting too. Bournemouth signed Matt Tubbs from Crawley yesterday are about to sign Matt Ritchie form Swindon.

Dave Andrews, John Still are yet to make an impact on TTD., I believe Tevez is available Dave – he would do well at the Daggers.

Still 13.5 hours to go – exciting. Good luck Natalie for tonight and trying to control Jim.

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote's unbeaten run ended.

Ian reports as Lanzarote go down to a single goal. No need to fear the boys will pull it back in the next couple of weeks.

C.D. VERA 1 LANZAROTE

The Rojillos eleven match unbeaten run came to an end in a six pointer against playoff rivals C.D. Vera on Sunday afternoon. This disappointing result leaves Lanzarote six points adrift of fourth spot though with two home games in succession it could all change very quickly.

The home side started the match decisively. After only five minutes winger Óliver flew past Rojillos defender Taja and centred in a perfect cross which was struck home in off the post by striker Jony leaving the Lanzarote keeper no chance in preventing a 1-0 advantage to the Tenerife side.

C.D. Vera immediately looked to extend their lead and was dominating possession however Echedey came close to restoring parity but his effort rebounded off the post and away to safety.

Lanzarote defended well and keeper Ruymán made two good saves in the final ten minutes of the first half to keep his side in with a shout as the Rojillos struggled to see out the first 45 minutes.

The second half and Lanzarote finally reacted to the pace of the game. As the minutes passed by so did the confidence and with the home side stepping back the Rojillos pressed forward. In the 58th minute Toñito struck the ball well though only saw his effort rebound off the crossbar.

In the closing minutes the Rojillos were all out attack and when Ayoze squared a pass to Toñito in the danger zone it seemed certain Lanzarote were going to draw level but the Lanzarote winger pulled his shot wide as did the hopes of the Rojillos salvaging what would have been a priceless point.

Lanzarote have slipped back to ninth spot in the table but with successive home games against clubs lower down the league and then it’s an away trip to fifth from bottom side San Andrés, all is still possible. First up on Sunday is the home match against C.D. Mensajero.

GOALS
1-0 min 5 Jony

WSN Basketball: Wasps Slay Dragons to Reclaim Fourth

Thanks to Dave Bushall and our friends at the Wasps, for providing match report and pictures.

Hull Wasps player-coach Matt Fawcett inspired his side to overcome a sluggish start, and put an end to Bradford Dragons seven-game winning streak with a 72-64 victory on Saturday evening.

In front of a packed crowd at the Bonus Arena the Wasps found it hard to get into the game and fell behind early on. Miles Anderson and a three pointer from Adrian Blatherwick opened up the scoring for the home side but the Dragons looked sharp and opened up a six point lead to close out the first quarter 21-15 ahead.

Matt Fawcett made some swift changes in the second period and the Wasps began to claw their way back into the game. With a full team rotation mid-way through the period, the Wasps managed to close the gap by three points and go in at the half 32-35 behind.

The third period saw a very even contest continue between the two sides, who were placed fourth and fifth in the league before the evening began. John Brignell led the line for the Wasps with some strong inside scoring. The Wasps' captain scored 12 of their 17 points to bring the home side to within one-point at the end of the period (49-50).

But an inspirational Matt Fawcett and ever commanding John Brignell, led the Wasps to a commanding final quarter performance to take control of the game. The Wasps outscored their opponents 23-14 in the period to cap an outstanding fight back and win 72-64.

Following the game, Fawcett said: "It was a great fight back from the team tonight. We played well in the second half particularly. I always felt we had the team to win but we didn't do ourselves any favours with the start we had. We've been in these situations before and our experience pulled us through this time.

"It's been a hard mental recovery this week for us. The defeat at Lions last week was a big psychological blow to us I think and to bounce back tonight in the manner we did, once again shows the character of our team. I'm very proud of my players tonight and we can go away next week to Burnley with our heads held high."

The Wasps are now back into fourth position in National League 4 North but sit four points behind third-place Middlesbrough. John Brignell led the scoring for the Wasps with 22 points. Fawcett, Rayner and Anderson all scored 12 points each.

Gwrys Yn Kernow: Pirates beat the Welsh to move second

Thanks to our friends at Cornish Pirates for providing the photo and match report.

Cornish Pirates 27-6 London Welsh

RFU Championship Round 19

Sunday 29th January 2012

Woll's Match Report

Judging by the post-match support of the Cadgwith Singers; not many noticed the gloom descending on a cold and damp Mennaye Field in the wake of comprehensive home win, that saw the Pirates finish the weekend in second spot. Barring perhaps the few hardy and vocal travelling London Welsh support, who must have known the game was up even after Davies’ first, of two penalties, had given his side the lead in the 17th minute.

Such was the manner of victory, that the last half hour was rather like a ‘pilot’ for some new reality game show, along the lines of Celebrity Mauling and Scrummaging on Mud. The Cornish pack had by then taken the game by the scruff of the neck and throttled any viable threat from the visitors, who simply couldn’t cope with the conditions that were in no small way, vile.

The pitch was a pudding underneath its deceptively green surface, and the ball a bar of soap, in a game the purists and oldsters must have salivated over as kick off approached. Even last weeks ‘man in the middle’, Ian Davies, was so excited, his pre match Granny Smith was inexplicably overlooked.

A sign of impending doom in normal times. But not today and from the first minute, as young fly half Penberthy opened up with a delightful chip touch finder into the Welsh 22. A benchmark was laid down.

In fact, the whipper-snapper stood out throughout, and utterly overshadowed his more experienced opposite number who, after incurring the wrath of JP in the 54 th minute; was withdrawn without further requirement after his detention.

That said, Aaron not unsurprisingly found himself targeted for some close attention which required Mr Doyle’s intervention on more than one occasion. Was he flustered? Let his first 47 metre penalty attempt, to give the Pirates a lead they weren’t to relinquish answer that particular query!

Beforehand, Davies, and then Cook had swapped three pointers and the Cornish 8 were beginning to rumble ominously. Ask Welsh’s Lewis as he turned inside his own 22 and close to touch, only to see Ward and others bearing down on him and nowhere to go only 5 metres out.

The resulting lineout could only mean one thing and so, with Pirate skipper Cattle being totally ignored as the line beckoned; it was Brits taking the honours and a celebratory rub down with the magic sponge.

Cook’s extras extended the lead to ten to raise hopes of further success, which duly came ten minutes later.

Marriott and Gibson had squabbled over a high ball on the Welsh 22, which resulted in the former Albion winger having to limp gingerly off; to be replaced by Ron Weasley lookalike, and former Bedford man; Hurrell.

JP had meanwhile pinged the visitors which Penberthy wasted little time in going for the corner; and a second strike to hopefully kill off the Welsh threat completely. It was a good call, which set up Ward for the second try of the game on the back of a reset maul which only had one intention.

The visitors were now staring down the barrel, which even Davies’s second and final score of the day on the stroke of half time, did little to allay. Coming as it did in fortunate circumstance on the back of a daisy cutter of a pass from Lewis, 15m out.

A clean set of shirts for JP and hosts was the only real change after the break, as McGlone continued his sides tenacious defensive effort hitherto. Jackson felt the full force of this particular collision and never really fully recovered his senses as a consequence.

Even so the men in brown…red…whatever, at least strove for a score that may give some hope of a fight back.

However with conditions become ever more like a throwback to times past, it increasingly looked a vain cause.

Evans it was then, with half an hour still left to remind everyone that were some backs out there, who won the foot race to a Cattle kick through, and nab the crucial third home try. The winning score as it transpired with little left of significance other than to record a defining image of the day.

Picture former Pirate favourite, Ma’asi, with ball in hand and moving forwards at pace. Note then Cooper’s tackle on the hooker which stopped the Tongan in his tracks, before making swift progress in the opposite direction. The turnover was the final straw and pretty much summed up the afternoon.

I think we can savour that don’t you?

Cornish Pirates
15 R. Cook 14 R. McAtee 13 A. Short (22 G. Pointer 64mins) 12 T. Cooper 11 M. Evans
10 A. Penberthy (21 C. Thomas55 mins) 9 G. Cattle (capt) (20 T. Kessell 73mins) 8 B. Maidment 7 P. Burgess 6 K. Marriott (18 M. Smith73 mins)
5 I. Nimmo (19 M. Myerscough 55mins) 4 L. McGlone 3 R. Brits (16 A. Paver 55mins) 2 D. Ward (17 T. Cowan-Dickie 73mins) 1 C. Rimmer
Replacements: all used.

Tries: Brits, Ward, Evans
Cons: Cook 3
Pens: Cook, Penberthy

London Welsh
15 A. Davies 14 L. Gibson (21 W. Hurrell 35mins) 13 H. Tonga’uiha 12 S. Jewell 11 J. Ajuwa
10 G. Ross ©(19 G. Johnson 65mins) 9 R. Lewis (20 J. Winter-Moates 61mins)
1 B. Moss (17 G. Roan 73mins) 2 S. Nelson (16 V. Ma’asi 73mins) 3 S. Pittman 4 M. Corker (18 A. Brown 65mins)
5 M. Purdy 6 B. Russell 7 M. Hills (22 E. Thrower 61mins) 8 E. Jackson
Replacements: all used
Pens: Davies 2

Yellow: Ross

Match Officials
Referee: J. P. Doyle
Assistants: Paul Kimber & Richard Parker-Sedgmore

Man of the Match: Carl Rimmer

Attendance: 1802

Match Officials
Referee: J. P. Doyle (RFU)
Assistants: Paul Kimber & Richard Parker-Sedgmore

Match Day Sponsor: Vospers

Shakespeare is inspiration for London 2012 Opening Ceremony

Thank you to our friends at Inside the Games for this article. Let’s hope it is not going to be A Comedy of Errors. I’m sure at won’t be, looking forward to a good Olympics, just 6 months to go – GAMES ON!

By Duncan Mackay at Three Mills Studios in London

One of William Shakespeare's best-known plays, The Tempest, will be the inspiration for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle revealed here today.

A speech by the character Caliban from the 400-year-old play will form the basis for the £27 million ($42 million/€32 million) Ceremony which will be called the Isles of Wonder and feature a giant bell and a group of nurses.

In The Tempest, Caliban is a freckled monster, who believes he is the rightful ruler of a strange island inhabited by the magician Prospero, but Boyle described his speech as "one of the most beautiful" written by Shakespeare.

Caliban's famous speech from Act 3, Scene 2, featured in the Oscar-winning film, the King's Speech, in 2010 when King George VI's speech therapist, Lionel Logue, recited it to his children.
"It is about the wondrous beauty of the island and in this case Caliban's deep, personal devotion and affection for it and that was something we all felt going into the show and wanted to reflect," said Boyle, who won an Oscar for the hit film, Slumdog Millionaire.

The Ceremony will start with the ringing of a giant bell, the biggest in Europe, which is being made by the Tower Hamlets-based Whitechapel Bell Foundry, listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest manufacturing company in Britain whose history dates back to 1420, nearly 200 years before The Tempest was written.

It will inscribed with a line from a speech by Caliban: "Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises".

At an event to coincide with today marking six months to go until the start of the Opening Ceremony, Boyle revealed other themes that would run through the event, including that it would tell the story of how the land that the Olympic Park has been built on had been poisoned by industrial legacy and the way that it has been recovered.

The nurses will appear as a tribute to the National Health Service, an organisation Boyle claimed Britons took particular pride in.

"You sit there when you start this process and you think, 'What is unique about us?'...and you're trying to capture some of that," he said.

"When you see it, it will make sense, I promise."

But Boyle admitted that London had a tough job to rival the spectacular Opening Ceremony staged at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, an event that it is estimated cost more than $100 million (£64 million/€76 million) to produce.

"You are standing on the shoulder of giants when you do this kind of job because you cannot but live in the shadow of your predecessors," he said.

The scale of the Beijing event was "breathtaking" and the "sheer beauty" of Athens in 2004 was "very, very inspiring", he said, but London would take its inspiration from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, an event that represented everything Australian, from sea creatures and flora/fauna to lawn mowers and other Australian cultural icons, including 400 metres runner Cathy Freeman lighting the Flame (pictured).

Sydney has inspired us, because Sydney got the feel of a people's Games right," he added.

"It is inevitable that people will compare us - and that is fine.

"I think there is a sea change and we are lucky enough to be setting it.

"It will be spectacular but the reduction in scale is inevitable."

It was announced in December that the budget for the opening and closing ceremonies had been doubled to £81 million ($127 million/€97 million), after British Prime Minister David Cameron intervened.

Stephen Daldry, the producer of Billy Elliott, who is in charge of all four London 2012 Ceremonies - the Opening and Closing of the Olympic and Paralympic Games - defended the Government's decision.

"Even with the extra investment from Government to the ... 40 million which existed for Ceremonies in the original bid, London will be spending a lot less, considerably less, than was spent in the last two Summer Games," Daldry said.

But for those fortunate enough to get a ticket to the event it is set to be a memorable experience, promised Boyle.

"We wanted to make the feel of the opening ceremony...intimate and personal," he said.

"We didn't want to slavishly be bossed about by the TV audience, which is a billion people and it is not insignificant.

"But we wanted the 80,000 people who were lucky enough to be in there [the Stadium] to be the conduit through which you feel this experience."

More than 10,000 performers have already been recruited for the Ceremonies and more are being sought.

The PA system will be one million watts, and 25,000 costumes will be on display. Up to 900 children, aged seven to 13 (some of whom are pictured with Boyle), from the local Olympic Host Boroughs are also set for a starring role in the Ceremonies.

There are set to be two dress rehearsals in a full Olympic Stadium before the main event, meaning leaks were a risk, and the live ceremony had the "jeopardy" of things going wrong, Boyle admitted.

London 2012 have promised that they will release some details of the Ceremony in the run-up to the Games to give people a flavour of what to expect.

Boyle admitted he would have preferred to keep everything a "surprise" but that is not necessarily possibly in this hi-tech age, especially as there is such interest in it.

There will be a pre-show of about 50 minutes starting at 8.12pm - 20.12 - broadcast inside Britain before the bell opens the ceremony proper at 9pm local time.

Organisers said they hoped to keep it down to three hours, although protocol, including the walk-past of thousands of athletes, meant it would be a tough task.

Boyle has a plan for that.

"[Music directors] Underworld are making sure the marching music is at least 120 beats a minute," he said.

Contact the writer of this story at duncan.mackay@insidethegames.biz

March to the Arch 3: Spurs lucky to progress

Welcome back to March to the Arch 3. We last visited this competition back when Cheltenham Town had just beaten Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Cheltenham then flew the flag for Sports Pulse into the 3rd Round. They visited White Hart Lane and were brushed aside by Tottenham, with Defoe on song. The final result being 3-0 and the Sports Pulse standard passed into the custody of Spurs.

The 4th Round, sponsored by G4S, saw Spurs travel to Watford. They left Vicarage Road with a 1-0 victory following a fortunate goal that got the Spurs out of jail. Harry witnessed his side survive a taxing game. The fact that Watford are currently struggling in the Championship, just didn't add up. The Hornets were very unlucky not to open their account, with many chances going begging.

We agree with Craig Burley from ESPN, Marvin Sordell definitely Man of the Match.

Tottenham now continue to represent Sports Pulse, as we head to the 5th Round. The draw will be on Sunday, we will bring you who Spurs play. We will also post the full merit table and a timeline of scores.

Harry left looking relieved, after a drink with his match guests, Ken Dodd and Lester Piggott (I obviously made that last bit up)

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote win in fantastic encounter

Ian Lane reports as Lanzarote chalk up another victory.

LANZAROTE 2 ATLÉTICO GRANADILLA 1

What a fantastic, entertaining ninety minutes of football that was played in Arrecife on Sunday. Passing from both sides was exquisite, typical of Spain’s master class race of football.

The Rojillos fell behind seconds into the second half but a wonder header from Vladi and a penalty from Jotha moved Lanzarote to within three points off a playoff spot.

The Conejeros (locals) began the game the most dominant. Shots from Jotha and Ayoze were well saved by ex Lanzarote keeper Marino and in the 14th minute Ayoze´s powerful drive came thundering off the crossbar.

As the half passed by Lanzarote´s opportunities became fewer as the Tenerife side demonstrated why they were serious contenders for a playoff spot. With four wins in the last five matches Atlético Granadilla were in sixth place and just two points from the playoffs.
The first half ended goalless as the visitors began to hold some possession and managed to weather the initial Rojillo storm.

Twenty four seconds into the second half and the Tenerife side went 0-1 up. Striker Javi received the ball on the edge of the box and with the Lanzarote back four still digesting their half time cuppa the Tenerife striker turned and hit the ball with such force that if the net had been removed the ball would still be rising.

The Rojillos responded well and immediately went in search of a leveller. Four minutes later and ex Las Palmas star Gustavo García curled in a free kick from the left. The ball arrived around the penalty spot and Vladi directed his header superbly into the bottom right hand corner beating his former team mate Marino to level the score at 1-1.

The game was now electric as Lanzarote pushed on however Granadilla looked dangerous on the break with Carlitos firing in a good drive which was well saved by Rojillos keeper Ruymán.

The 73rd minute proved to be the time the match was controversially won. Toñito, causing havoc switching flanks most of the afternoon went on a chase for the ball down the left wing. The goalkeeper flew off his line and failed to make contact with the ball and the Ref adjudged that the Granadilla keeper caught Toñito as the Lanzarote winger lay sprawled out on the floor.

Marino´s protests were in vain as the Ref awarded a spot kick and brandished a second yellow card to the Granadilla keeper. What wasn’t in doubt was the resulting penalty as Jotha fired home sending his side 2-1 up.

The ten man Tenerife side fought back, just five minutes after Lanzarote had gone in front centre back Airam came close to restoring parity when his header bounced off the bar.

The Rojillos had plenty of chances to bury the match but failed to do so and when the official held up five minutes of added on time you could feel the nervousness of the home fans.

Fortunately Lanzarote defended well and hung on to secure a massive victory. The Rojillos join three other clubs in sixth spot in the table and three points from the playoffs. Next week Lanzarote will find it tough to defend their eleven game unbeaten run when they travel to Tenerife to face the club that lies three points above them and sitting in the final playoff position C.D. Vera.

GOALS
0-1min 46 Javi
1-1min 49 Vladimir
2-1 min 73 Jotha (penalty)

Get Your Kit On: Becks with Galaxy 2012 kit/uniform

I know it is early for the return of GYKO. You may of noticed David Beckham has recently re-signed for the MLS Champions, L.A.Galaxy. Here is the Addidas kit for the Galaxy for the coming 2012 season. Will Frank be wearing this soon?

WSN Basketball: Wasps go down to Lions

Thanks to our friends at Hull Wasps for match note and photo.

Hull Wasps narrowly missed out at Eston Sports Academy on Sunday afternoon when they went down to Middlesbrough Lions 63-58. It was a poor start from the Wasps who struggled to get going throughout the first half.

Twelve points down at the half, the Wasps put in a strong performance in the third quarter to bring the game to within three points, but it wasn't enough as the Lions maintained their lead and claimed victory.

Matt Brutnell top scored for the Wasps with 17 points, John Brignell and Adrian Blatherwick scored 11 and 9 points respectively.

Gwrys Yn Kernow: Pirates march on to Semi Final

Thank to our friends at Cornish Pirates, Woll for the match report and Simon Bryant for the photo.

Cornish Pirates 33-3 Nottingham

British & Irish Cup Quarter Final

Woll's Match Report

Chris Stirling was comfortable with proceedings, as were his Pirates generally; en route to their objective of joining Munster, Cross Keys and (simultaneously) Leinster as British & Irish Cup semi-finalists.

Even so; and despite rarely having to dig deep into reserves, the Pirate faithful had to wait until the hour mark before they could finally relax; thanks to some resolute defence from the visitors. Who else but the ‘Mongolian wannabee’ Ward, to deliver the goods, as he rumbled up to the back of resetting maul at the Newlyn End; before trundling over a pile of Nottingham bodies to claim his side’s third try of the afternoon.

Genghis K would have been proud.

Up till then, the result hadn’t really looked in doubt from the moment Cowan-Dickie was held up fifteen minutes in, as a youthful Cornish midfield barely old enough to eat solids had more than repelled all boarders to this point.

The much changed Midlander’s therefore found little comfort from a lively start, as their only real chance created by Stokes only highlighted the need to convert this effort into points. Something the Pirates were to punish ruthlessly with more incisive execution on the rare occasion they too found themselves within striking distance.

Two tries either side of the first quarter mark from Maidment and the new youngster Short, thus did the damage and set the platform from which the hosts would surely build on.

In tandem with the relaxed atmosphere in general though, this didn’t materialise in the first period much to the coaching team’s frustration. Not unsurprisingly a call in the changing room for more intensity was forthcoming. Particularly as a 35 th minute penalty from former Albion fly half, Hallett, reduced the gap by three; and the spectre of a disappointing cup exit at least reared its head slightly above the parapet.

This request was duly responded to from Ian Davies’s restart as Nottingham’s scrum firstly buckled and a massive hit by Sam Hill, which sat the recipient down with dignity well and truly lost; signalling the Cornishmen’s intent with little doubt.
The catalyst for success though came with a combination of new faces and the need for Morgan to hurl himself into an opposing knee to gain attention from the medics.
His withdrawal released Marriott into the fray and suddenly the score keepers were on standby for action once again. The chance for slumber now evaporated as Temujin did his bit as mentioned above, and suddenly a flurry of points looked likely.

Notts were reeling, particularly up front; and only the bulky figure of Eggleshaw offered any resistance, after he’d replaced an unusually subdued Levi. The back row it was who’s searing break provided the one of only two moments of hope for the visitors in the embers of the game late on. The other coming from Savage who did all the hard work before tripping himself with the world his oyster.

The delay in restart after Ward’s score, for some new batteries for Nick Williams’ Walkman, thus only offered a brief respite. Minutes later, and some sustained pressure on Nottingham’s line and good handling and service from Doherty (J); released Cooper into the Newlyn Gate Corner for his first try in a Pirate shirt. The delight on the centre’s face spoke volumes and no doubt added even more vigour into his own tackle time too for the remainder of the contest. Not that it was lacking after his introduction for the impressive Short, who’d exited as a precaution following an ankle ‘rollover’.

The final act came at the death as Nottingham, with nothing to lose, were turned over just outside their own 22, to gift Cook with the final seven points of the afternoon.

A thirty point margin would have to suffice then as the Pirates completed their passage into the last four at a relative canter. Credit to a youthful Nottingham side should though be underlined, and they, as well the hosts own young products, will have learned a lot from this encounter.

We now await the draw on the 30 th and what they may bring. Be it a trip to the Emerald Isle again; a visit to the Principality, or even a mouth-watering tie on home soil. Interesting times beckon methinks.

Scorers

Cornish Pirates:
Tries: Maidment, Short, Ward, Cooper, Cook
Conversions Cook 4

Nottingham:
Penalty Hallett

Cornish Pirates:

R. Cook, R. McAtee, A. Short, S. Hill, D. Doherty
A. Penberthy, G. Cattle (capt), B. Maidment, C. Morgan, D. Ewers
I. Nimmo, L. McGlone, R. Brits, T. Cowan-Dickie, C. Rimmer.
Replacements:
L. Fairbrother, D. Ward, M. Myerscough, K. Marriott
J. Doherty, A. Suniula, M. Evans.

Nottingham:

A. Savage, J. Cobden, T. Streather, J. Munro, J. Stokes
K. Hallett, F. Barnham (capt), F. Levi, T. Calladine, R. Cooper
L. Morley, M. Todd, M. Shields, O. Taylor, R. Olive.
Replacements:
M. Holloway, M. Holford, P. Eggleshaw, J. Baird
N. Jones, N. Greenhalgh, J. Stokes.

Match Officials
Referee Ian Davies (WRU) Porthcawl
AR1 Nick Williams Somerset
AR2 Brian Ravenhill Gloucestershire
NO 4 Andy Bickle Devon

Match Observer John Haggart Leicestershire

Pirates TV Man Of The Match Ben Maidment

Match Day Sponsor: St. Austell Brewery

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote left in the dark in La Palma.

Ian Lane reports from a wet and dark La Palma, Ha!(sorry uncalled for).

U.D. TIJARAFE 1 LANZAROTE 1
(Match suspended in 82nd min due to floodlight failure)

With eight minutes left to play and in the middle of a storm the floodlights failed leaving the Ref no option but to suspend the match. Lanzarote offered to complete the remaining eight minutes the following morning but this offer was declined by the La Palma club. The Spanish Football Federation will now decide what will happen regarding those missing eight minutes.

The La Palma side had the better of the opening exchanges and deservedly went in front midway through the first half from a strike by centre forward Borja.

This set back seemed to be what was needed to get the Rojillos into gear. In the 28th minute defender David Dorta powerfully headed towards goal only to see the ball glance back off the crossbar and away to safety. Four minutes later and Ayoze had a great chance to level matters but the goalkeeper produced a brilliant reflex save to maintain his side’s 1-0 advantage.

In the 36th minute Lanzarote were awarded a penalty for a foul committed by defender Mutasi. Ayoze fired in the resulting spot kick only to see goalkeeper Heimann guess correctly and produce another inspired save which gave his side the one goal advantage to take into the break.

Lanzarote dominated possession in the opening stages of the second period but created few chances. In the 53rd minute Toñito had a clear strike at goal but his effort flew disappointingly wide.

In the 71st minute Lanzarote were rewarded for their dominance. A strike at goal from the edge of the box was only semi cleared by the La Palma defence and Rosmen picked up the pieces by firing the ball home to level matters.

The home side then stepped up their defence which evened up the balance of play but then darkness fell in Tijarafe as the players tried to find their way to the dressing room.

With this none event Lanzarote has slipped to 10th and are 6 points from the play offs with eight minutes in hand. Next Sunday Lanzarote are at home against sixth placed side Atlético Granadilla. Kick off time will be confirmed in the latter part of the week.

GOALS
1-0min 22 Borja
1-1min 71 Rosmen

WSN Basketball: Wasps beat Mohawks, but suffer defeat at Raptors

Thanks to our friends at Hull Wasps for providing the match reports from both weekend games.

Saturday

Hull Wasps were unfortunate to be on the end of a 102-78 defeat from Rossendale Raptors on Saturday evening. The Wasps held their own against the league leaders for much of the game with just a 1 point margin between them at the end of the first and second quarters.

Wasps paid the price for fouls and consequently lost John Brignell mid-third quarter, and John Kelsey in the fourth before the Raptors extended their lead to close out the game.

"We were held back tonight by many things beyond our control" said Wasps coach Matt Fawcett.

"But I'm really proud of my players and the way we competed tonight. We had our game plan and it was working. We opened up a good 8 or 9 point lead in the first half and were taking control of the game.

"We let them back in unfortunately and with the fouling situation at the end, we lost that control and ultimately it cost us. The players will be tired now after their hard work but we'll come back tomorrow more determined to win."
Tees Valley Mohawks II visit the arena tomorrow in the second part of this weekend's double-header. Tip-off 7:30pm.

Sunday.

Hull Wasps immediately bounced back from Saturday's Rossendale defeat, with an 81-80 overtime win over Tees Valley Mohawks II at the Bonus Arena.

The Wasps marginally edged the opening exchanges and took a three-point lead in at the first break. The Mohawks, who had their Saturday game against Oldham cancelled, looked more energetic and began to take control toward the end of the second quarter with a run which saw them create a 6 point lead going into the half-time break.

A very even third quarter resumed with the Wasps still behind by 5 points, but a spirited final quarter performance saw the home side close the gap and level the score. At 72-72, the Wasps had a chance to seal the win on the buzzer through Adrian Blatherwick, but the regular sharp-shooter missed the target.

A five-minute period of overtime commenced, keeping the suspense alive for the home fans. In a frantic five-minute period, the Wasps took a 1-point lead with just seconds left. Tees Valley had one final chance to win the game but the Wasps defence dug in and a desperate double-block from Matt Brutnell and John Brignell ensured an 81-80 victory for the Wasps.

“I’m extremely proud of my players this weekend” said Wasps coach Matt Fawcett.
“We played hard all weekend and put in maximum effort. I’m thrilled with the overtime win tonight and it was the very least that we deserved over these two games. We were extremely unfortunate yesterday to lose that game in the manner which we did but the way that we bounced back tonight was terrific.

“We dug deep even though there were many players with very tired legs out there. Tees Valley were more fresh than us with no game yesterday but we have big characters in this team and we’ll march on from here.”

Wasps remain fourth in National League 4 North, heading to third-placed Middlesbrough next week looking to stay in contention for the play-offs.

Big Puck Reports: Chieftains move back to the top.

Big Puck Reports, thanks to Pete Lewis and our friends at britishicekockey.com, for the report on the Chieftains weekend.

A superb double victory over the weekend saw the Chieftains rise back to the top of the English National League (South) after wins over Slough and local rivals and title challengers Romford Raiders.

A struggle to get going in the first two periods on Saturday night saw the team 5-2 ahead in an unconvincing performance with the goals coming from James Ayling, Alan Green, Danny Cox, Darren Elliott and man of the match Jakub Klima. In the third it was a different story altogether as Ross Brears, Danny Wright and Klima with his second rounded out a fine performance with the team seemingly having one eye on Sunday's top of the table clash at Rom Valley Way.

Onto Sunday and it was a tale of two teams as the Chieftains took advantage of the indisciplined Raiders side in a dominating performance which saw the Chelmsford side outplay the Raiders on every part of the ice. Chelmsford, having not won in the league at Romford for 8 years, took the game by the scruff of the neck early on and Romford seemed unable to cope with the pressure heaped on them and resorted to physicality which saw a procession of players head to the penalty box. Having said that, Glenn Jackson in the Romford net had a solid game and allowed just 2 goals in the first period of play from player coach Gary Clarke and Danny Hammond, who would go on to net again in the second and pick up the man of the match beers. A large scuffle broke out at the end of the first period as the teams were leaving the ice when Shaun Wallis clashed with Klima and both sets of players piled in to support their team-mates, but it was Danny Cox and Billy Phillips who dropped the gloves with Chelmsford's Cox taking a decisive win. In the second the Chieftains continued their domination and ran in another unanswered goal from Hammond and the large travelling contingent of fans were outsinging the home fans as their team led 3-0 with 20mins to play. 9 minutes into the final session and Anthony Leone netted for the home side, before Tom Long notched his 24th goal of the season. The Chieftains held on and in doing so took themselves back to the top of the league, ahead of next Sunday's clash at the Riverside when the two sides go head-to-head again in the final league clash between the two sides this season.

Gwrys Yn Kernow: Pirates victorious in tough Esher test

Thank you to our friends at the Pirates for the match report and photo's.

Esher 30-36 Cornish Pirates

RFU Championship Round 18

Molesey Road Esher

Saturday 14th January 2012

Phil Westren's Match Report

The Cornish Pirates expected a tough examination against a revived Esher side at Molesey Road on Saturday, and that's exactly how things turned out. Showing character to maintain a desire to achieve victory, however, it was wing David Doherty's 73rd minute try, his second in the match, that proved crucial.

If there were any Cornish Pirates supporters about who doubted that the much improved 'EEEs' side would be a threat, then they were quickly forced into a rethink. Esher's fly-half Mark Atkinson opened the scoring with successful penalty kicked in just the first minute, and with tries from talented winger Charlie Walker and lock Matthew Symons, both converted by Atkinson, the home side opened up a 17-0 lead with just a quarter of the game gone.

The Pirates, needless to say, just had to respond, and they did with two tries scored within the space of just four minutes. Industrious prop Paul Andrew crossed for their opening score and the second came from the experienced Chris Morgan who had not long replaced injured flanker Charlie Walker-Blair. Full-back Rob Cook added both conversions and at 17-14 the Pirates were back in touch as the half-hour mark approached. Confirming a sudden resurgence it was not long before the visitors nudged ahead with an unconverted try scored by wing David Doherty, only for Esher to regain the lead before the break when Atkinson's second penalty of the match made it 20-19.

Reflecting on the first half, the Pirates could feel pretty satisfied that they had recovered so well, and there was also the bonus of witnessing two youngsters, fly-half Aaron Penberthy and hooker Tom Cowan-Dickie, beginning to settle in nicely in their first Championship 'starts'.

Tom Cooper replaced centre Grant Pointer all but from the start of the second half, and with Andrew again looking lively and making a couple of fine tackles, applied early pressure saw the Pirates gifted a penalty, duly slotted by Cook.
Back in the lead provided extra encouragement, but only briefly, as Esher secured possession and built the phases with pace and purpose from the restart, their advance ending with a try scored by full-back Ross Chisholm. The conversion to follow was not easy, and Atkinson's effort missed from wide out.

Two more replacements now entering the fray for the Pirates were lock Laurie McGlone and hooker Dave Ward. Big 'Lozza' was making a welcome return to action, soon though to be interrupted, for as Esher built for another score he was unfortunately shown a yellow card by referee Mr. Tutty.

Of no surprise the 'EEEs' quickly proceeded to benefit from numerical advantage. Former Pirates lock James Inglis gathered possession for Esher at the line-out, and after the pack drove forward scrum-half Jamie Mackenzie's unconverted try opened up an eight points gap.

Time to worry? Yes. Wait a minute - make that no, as the response from the Pirates was all but immediate, and there great credit to Penberthy who had the confidence to see the opportunity to chip the ball and chase and apply pressure for a well taken try. It was the Cornish side's fourth of the afternoon, a bonus point providing effort, and Cook's conversion also took the Pirates to within a point of their hosts.
There had been frustration for the Pirates at some of the penalty decisions that had gone against them, and they were fortunate that on the hour mark Atkinson missed with a penalty effort from 30 metres out, it a, an undoubted 'cert' that tension would increase still further in the last quarter.

There was credit to the home side whose support play was excellent at times, and played at pace, but the Pirates would mount the pressure after propelling the ball deep into Esher's half.

A shunt from McGlone, following a line-out, took him close, and replacement scrum-half Kessell also made a dart for the line, only for the Pirates to be penalised for 'crossing'.

Esher worked their way up field but were soon pinned back by Cook, and this time the Pirates would take advantage of acquired territory. Good work by Kessell initiated the ball being transferred through the hands for it to eventually find Doherty on the left, and the clinical finisher raced in for the well converted match-winner.
In a frantic final few seconds a kinder bounce of the ball could have allowed Esher's Walker to cross for a second try, and the possibility of a match-winning conversion, but it was not to be.

This had been a thrilling contest, with nine tries scored in a 'Thriller at the Pillar', to make part reference to the Molesey Road ground's previously used name. The 'EEEs' were left with the consolation of two bonus points and feelings of what might have been, whereas the Pirates, with a much changed side and one that included several gifted young guns, had ultimately passed this test admirably.

Esher:

R. Chisholm, P. Mackenzie, T. Cheeseman (capt), A. Cruickshanks, C. Walker
M. Atkinson, J. Mackenzie (A. Garner 69), M. Macfarlane, S. Stitcher, C. Goodman
J. Inglis, M. Symons, W. Collier (R. Nebbett 69), J. Campbell, D. Millard.

Replacements (not used):
S. Renwick, J. Doherty, K. Corrigan, G. Griffiths, N. Little.

Cornish Pirates:

R. Cook, M. Evans, G. Pointer (T. Cooper 41), S. Hill, D. Doherty
A. Penberthy, J. Doherty (T. Kessell 64), B. Maidment, C. Walker-Blair (C. Morgan 20), K. Marriott (capt)
M. Smith (L. McGlone 50) I. Nimmo, R. Brits (L. Fairbrother 64), T. Cowan-Dickie (D. Ward 50), P. Andrew (C. Rimmer 56).

Yellow card: McGlone.

Scorers

Esher
Tries: Walker, Symons, Chisholm, Mackenzie
Penalties: Atkinson 2
Conversions: Atkinson 2

Cornish Pirates
Tries: Paul Andrew, David Doherty 2, Chris Morgan, Aaron Penberthy
Penalties:Cook
Conversions: Cook 4

Match officials

Referee: Mr Michael Tutty, Hertfordshire
Referee: Coach: Keith Page, Hampshire
AR 1: Mr Matthew Carley, Kent
AR2: Mr Christopher Seeley, Warwickshire

WSN Basketball: Comfortable win over Titans

Hull Wasps got the New Year off to a good start with a comfortable 79-60 victory at Oldham Titans on Saturday evening.

The Wasps got off to a flying start and stunned the home side in the opening quarter with a 27-9 run which effectively closed off the game.

That gave Wasps player-coach Matt Fawcett the opportunity to shuffle the pack for the rest of the game, managing to use all 10 players available. Wasps were perhaps guilty of taking their foot off the gas during the rest of the game with very even quarters either side of the half-time break.

A late rally in the final quarter from the Titans only managed to close the gap by 5 points and Hull ran out comfortable winners.

Following the game, Fawcett said: “We played our game very well tonight. I must admit, I was surprised the energy levels I’ve seen from the players this week since coming back after the Christmas break, but it was great to see.

“We knew what we had to do here tonight and we did it very well. We’re a little guilty of slacking off after the first quarter but we know there’s a good few months to go until the end. We controlled the game very well and that’s what was important.

“We had a few big names missing for us tonight including Miles [Anderson] who had to pull out at the last minute with flu. But tonight’s performance shows that we have a good squad capable of performing when needed. That will be a key element to our success this season and we’ll now look forward to the double-header at home this weekend.”

Hull Wasps welcome league leaders Rossendale Raptors to the arena this coming Saturday, followed by Tees Valley Mohawks on the Sunday. It will be one of the toughest weekends of basketball for the Wasps as they take on a Rossendale Raptors side who, after recruiting former BBL professional Stephen Gayle, have secured top-spot in the league with seven straight wins.

The Tees Valley clash on Sunday will provide another stern test for the Wasps after they tasted defeat there earlier in the season.

John Kelsey, James Rayner, Jason Munro, Miles Anderson and Liam Lacey are all hoping to make a return this weekend but will report to training later this week before coach Fawcett can assess their fitness.

World in Union: Review of Round 13 Aviva Premiership

As always thanks to our friends at Aviva.

Round 13 also saw Northampton Saints hitting form as Harlequins came off second best at Franklins Gardens. Leicester Tigers are also starting to show better form as they overcame Wasps at Welford Road by 29 points to 11. In the other games, the scores were all tight as teams look to push for a top-four qualification place. Worcester Warriors claimed bragging rights over their local neighbours Gloucester, while London Irish edged out Sale Sharks in a tight game at Madejski and Newcastle Falcons narrowly succumbed to Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park.

On Friday at Franklin’s Gardens Northampton Saints produced a disciplined and ruthless performance to defeat Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Harlequins and record their seventh win of their last eight outings. Fly-half Ryan Lamb kicked 13 points and Ben Foden and Roger Wilson scored tries for the Saints, while Harlequins were left rueing the absence of their first choice fly-half Nick Evans. Final score: Northampton Saints 24, Harlequins 3.

On Saturday Leicester Tigers’ fly-half Billy Twelvetrees scored all his side’s points as they continued their winning run with a convincing win over London Wasps at Welford Road. Twelvetrees, playing in place of injured Toby Flood at fly-half, pounced for two tries, five penalties and two conversions in blustery conditions. Wasps replied with a try from Nic Berry converted by Elliot Daly. Final score: Leicester Tigers 29, London Wasps 11.

Over at Kingston Park, Exeter Chiefs took a major step towards Aviva Premiership Rugby safety with a hard-fought win at Newcastle Falcons, who themselves managed a losing bonus point. Haydn Thomas scored a try for the Chiefs with fly-half Ignacio Mieres kicking the conversion, two penalties and a drop goal. Newcastle’s scoring came from a try from Tim Swinson with a conversion and a penalty from the boot of Jimmy Gopperth. Final score: Newcastle Falcons 10, Exeter Chiefs 16.
It was derby day at a sold-out Sixways as Worcester Warriors faced Gloucester Rugby and took another giant stride away from the Aviva Premiership Rugby relegation zone. Worcester’s fly-half Andy Goode guided the hosts to victory in the second half after initially trailing 10-6 at half-time. Goode wiped out that deficit within six minutes of arriving off the bench when he converted his own try to follow a couple of earlier Joe Carlisle penalties. Goode then added a penalty of his own before ex-Gloucester wing Marcel Garvey sprinted 80 metres for a stunning touchdown. Final score: Worcester Warriors 21, Gloucester Rugby 15.

On Sunday London Irish made up for their hammering at Bath last week by recording a sixth Aviva Premiership Rugby victory of the season as they edged past Sale Sharks in a tense second half at the Madejski Stadium. The boot of fly-half Adrian Jarvis saw off the visitors after Irish head coach Toby Booth took off Aviva Premiership Rugby’s leading points scorer, Tom Homer, during the second half. Tries came from Bryn Evans and Topsy Ojo for Irish and from Rob Miller for Sale Sharks. Final score: London Irish 21, Sale Sharks 19.

The 2000th Premiership Rugby match took place at Vicarage Road on Sunday and saw Saracens move closer to Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Harlequins with a win over Bath. Owen Farrell kicked 16 points but missed another 12 in a hard-fought victory that marked the 2000th game since Bath and Newcastle played the first match on August 23rd 1997. Tries came from All Black fly-half and World Cup winner Stephen Donald for Bath, who struck in the fifth minute, and from Steve Borthwick and Chris Wyles for Saracens. Final score: Saracens 26, Bath Rugby 19.

Sol y Futbol: Rojillos let slip a two goal advantage

Happy New year to all followers of Sol y Futbol, life has returned to normal on the island, football is back. Ian Lane posts the first report of the year.

LANZAROTE 2 LAS PALMAS B 2

Ten man Rojillos let slip a two goal advantage with the visitor’s levelling the match in the 89th minute. Nevertheless the Rojillos extend their unbeaten run to eight games but have slipped to mid table and are now five points from the play offs.

The Rojillos got off to a flying start dominating the opening stages. Javi Betancort came close in the eighth minute only to see his strike deflected away to safety.

In the 12th minute the Rojillos took the lead from a corner with a header from David Dorta. His team mates were quick to congratulate the Tenerife defender after speculation that he was about to follow goalkeeper Santi Lampón and leave the club in the January transfer window.

The Gran Canarian side restored the balance of possession but it was the Conejeros (locals) who looked the more dangerous of the two sides. On the half hour and in the space of two minutes winger Toñito created two good opportunities for team mates Gustavo García and Ayoze but both were unable to complete the good work created from Toñito.
In the 38th minute the course of the game began to favour the yellow and blues of Las Palmas when Sixto was harshly awarded his second yellow card of the day and the Rojillos were forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Two minutes before half time and Lanzarote had a marvellous opportunity to double their lead. A deadly cross from the by-line across the six yard box by Ayoze found defender Ángel Gil on the far post but somehow from three yards the defender missed the target and only managed to fire his shot into the side netting with the goalkeeper caught in no man’s land.

It was hard to notice that the Rojillos were a man short as they pressed forward in search of the second goal cushion though the score remained 1-0 at the break in favour of the Conejeros.

The visitors were fired up at the beginning of the second half but the league´s best defence stood firm and in the 58th minute Lanzarote caught their opponents on the break which allowed Ayoze a free strike at goal from inside the box but his effort sailed high and over towards the scorching sun.

In the 65th minute Lanzarote deservedly went 2-0 up from a 25 yard strike by Jotha which eased the tension among the fans. This tension returned only three minutes later when striker Omar struck an absolute beauty from a free kick just outside the box reducing the deficit to 2-1.

This goal gave the visitors a major boost and Lanzarote were forced to defend in numbers. In the 89th minute Lanzarote keeper failed to deal with a corner and the ball hit defender Adrián on the thigh and trickled over the goal line to give Las Palmas B a share of the spoils.

The Rojillos weren’t finished yet as they desperately went in search of the full three points. As Lanzarote launched the ball deep into their opponent’s territory late in stoppage time Rosmen connected firmly with a header only to see the ball bounce off the bar for the umpteenth time this season for the tall striker.

The game may have ended as a draw but even the Las Palmas coach stated in the post match press conference that his side were fortunate to travel back to Gran Canaria with a point.

Lanzarote should be boosted by this performance which possibly was the best game they have played this season. Next week the Rojillos travel to La Palma to play 16th placed side U.D. Tijarafe.

GOALS
1-0min 12 David Dorta
2-0min 65 Jotha
2-1min 68 Omar
2-2min 89 Adrián (own goal)

French groups protest FIFA plan to lift ban on hijab

This article, by Duncan Mackay, taking in full from our friends at Inside the Game.

A proposal to allow female Muslim footballers to wear the hijab during matches has been criticised by several groups in France, who have written to FIFA President Sepp Blatter to protest.

FIFA's ruling Executive Committee decided last month to put forward a proposal to lift the ban on women wearing the Islamic headscarf and it will be put before the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at its next meeting in London on March 3.

But a letter signed by the League of International Women's Rights (LDIF), FEMIX'SPORTS and the French Coordination for the European Women's Lobby have claimed that it would be unfair discrimination.

"To accept a special dress code for women athletes not only introduces discrimination among athletes but is contrary to the rules governing sport movement, setting a same dress code for all athletes without regard to origin or belief," the three groups said in the letter seen by insidethegames.

The groups claim that if the ban is lifted it would contravene FIFA's own rules, as well as those of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"FIFA rules are clear: 'The basic compulsory equipment must not contain any political, religious or personal statements' (law 4)," the letter said.

"So is the Olympic Charter: 'No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic site, venues or other areas' (rule 51)."

France banned Muslim women from wearing hijab in public places in 2004 and the face-veil in 2011.

The proposal to lift the ban has been led by Prince Ali Bin Hussein of Jordan, the vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

It followed a number of controversies involving Iran's women teams, including being forced to forfeit an Olympic London 2012 qualifying match against Jordan after not being allowed to play with the full Islamic headscarf and being briefly banned from the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010 for the same reason before a compromise was reached.

The reasons for the FIFA reversal are unacceptable," the French groups said in their letter to Blatter.

"It is now alleged that the hijab may be accepted as a 'cultural rather than a religious symbol' and therefore no longer contradicts the rule.

"FIFA is therefore accepting the recommendation of the workshop that took place in Amman last October, under the authority of FIFA vice-president prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein in order to satisfy the most conservative Islamic states.

"To maintain that the hijab is a cultural rather than a religious symbol is not only preposterous it is untrue.

"Nor can you ignore the fact that the dispute between FIFA and the Iranian regime is linked to Tehran's desire to impose its own religious law on women's sport.

"Sport must stay clear of political and religious interference. Its aim is also to eliminate all forms of discrimination.

"The FIFA ruling is about to abandon this noble aim and FIFA will be accountable for this."

Contact the writer of this story at duncan.mackay@insidethegames.biz

Big Puck Reports: Not a great start to 2012

We will catch up with the Chieftains, below is a report from the first weekend in 2012. Later today or tomorrow. 'Young' Pedro Lewis will update us on the weekends shenanigans at the Essex Capital. Thanks to Pete Lewis and the team for the report.

CHIEFTAINS LOSE NEW YEAR OPENER, BUT BOOSTED OFF THE ICE
02nd January 2012


New year was not great for the Chieftains as they went down 8-5 to Romford Raiders in the South East trophy in what was effectively a dead rubber match as Romford had already won the trophy. However it was an incident packed game in which neither side backed down and it was only thanks to some great saves and good fortune shining on both netminders that the scoreline was kept at what it was. The Chieftains took the early lead through Danny Hammond and things were looking promising for the Chelmsford side. 5 minutes later and the gloves came off as youngster Cameron Bartlett showed immense courage to fight Romford hardman Andrius Kaminskas in what turned out to be a one-sided fight with Kaminskas taking Bartlett apart. Credit must go to young Cameron though as many senior players would think twice about dropping them with 'Bomber' so for a lad like him to do so willingly took some going. Shortly after Raiders captain Anthony Leone got the first of his pair of goals, while Juraj Huska and Matt Turner also netted before the end of the first to give the home side a 3-1 lead. The second period was also a 3-1 affair but the Chieftains were the winners of this period running in goals from James Ayling and a pair from Jakub Klima. There was also time in this period for another bout of fisticuffs as Danny Cox of the Chieftains dropped the gloves with JJ McGrath for a decent scrap with Cox just taking the spoils. Again though the Chieftains were unable to capitalise on the momentum shift and the period ended 4-4.

Into the third and Romford ran away with it and ran in 4 goals to the Chieftains 1 with 3 ex-Chieftains scoring in the form of Jason Buckman, Tyrone Miller and man of the match Matt Turner. Grant Taylor got Romford's other goal while Gary Clarke got the lone consolation goal.

Away from the ice and the Chieftains were given a massive boost over new year as Oxford City Stars made the shock announcement they were withdrawing from the league with immediate effect, thus meaning the Chieftains became only 2 points behind Romford on equal games rather than 1 point and 1 game behind. This means if the Chieftains win all their remaining games, including both games against Romford, then they would become league champions.




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Gwrys Yn Kernow: Pirates victorious after a tight game

As always, thanks to the Pirates and Woll for the match report and also Simon Bryant for the photograph.

Cornish Pirates 26-24 Nottingham

RFU Championship Round 17

Sunday 8th January 2012

Mennaye Field Penzance

Woll's Match Report

Chris Stirling had every right to feel proud of his charges, as they emerged victorious from a pulsating game that could so easily have run away from them well before half time.

Up against the wall and fourteen points in deficit after half an hour; sensible pundits may have concluded that the Pirates were in a bad place and on the verge of something worse. Unless…

A first minute penalty from Arlidge had provided an early boost for the visitors who; like their hosts; were looking to quickly bounce back from a New Year loss of their own.

The Pirates to their credit responded well enough to this early setback but, unlike their opponents in these initial exchanges were unable to find any accuracy when it matteNot unsurprisingly then when the blue and white clad ‘Green & Whites’ made further in roads towards the Penzance End, it was they who enjoyed the spoils.
Not for the first time in his career, it was Socino doing the damage, as he exploited the only gaps available to provide firstly Lewington; whilst Locke was down after a clash of heads; and Streather, with a couple of tries and some breathing space. Arlidge easily added the extras on both occasions and all things were seemingly rosy for Delaney’s merry men.

But nothing stays the same in sport for long even in the length of a rugby match and, slowly if not surely at first; the Pirates began the process for easily their best recovery from adversity to date this season.

Eventual man of the match, Dave Ward was never far from the action and began to create havoc at the breakdown. Quell surprise! This gave impetus where none had been present before and, backed up ably by a pack with Cowan at last firing in a manner we have seen before but not for a while; it was the Pirates pack who stepped in and asserted themselves.

For the first time Nottingham creaked and quickly buckled as, despite some illegal intervention at maul time from Levi, which earned him a spell on the plastic garden furniture; it was the hosts who ended the half with a surge and some points, to add to Cook’s solitary penalty hitherto.

Importantly there was no time for a riposte as Mr Campbell called a halt and only now seven points in it, courtesy of Cowan’s manhandling over the line.
The swing in ascendancy had come with some collateral damage though as Locke left the field of play just prior to the try. The centre clearly in discomfort with a collar bone injury which, post- match, was confirmed as not being too serious.
For the purpose of the exercise though, this enabled the introduction of the ever improving Sam Hill whose impact was immediate; defensively and offensively. Indeed when joined by debut boy, Penberthy; this youthful pairing began to impose themselves as they played without fear. Something that is often so elusive, but so effective when it comes off.

Nottingham meanwhile had even less options available as Wilson had to get Levi to budge up on the chair, following his careless upending of Cowan with only two minutes of the second period completed.

Cook’s penalty reduced the gap to only four now and the self-belief was now palpable both on and off the park.

Hammond’s remaining troops were now reduced to slowing things down but were unable to execute to the same infamous level as Moseley did a few seasons ago. The Pirates however were in no mood not to capitalise on this two man advantage this time round, as the Midlander’s stifling tactics quickly came unstuck in the face of some fierce work at the breakdown from the Cornish forwards.

With half an hour remaining the Pirates finally got their noses in front; briefly at least, when Pointer was eventually put through wide in the Clubhouse Corner.
Suddenly we could believe, but confirmation was put on hold after a bizarre sequence of events. In the aftermath of Cook’s touchline conversion attempt just running out of puff; both Levi and Wilson trotted back on with a couple of replacements as cover we suspected.

Either way, Nottingham were back to their full complement and immediately back in front, as Kalamafoni impressively impersonated some kind of heavy plant. The back row monster ploughing his way through a legion of Pirate defenders and leaving three of them motionless and requiring the smelling salts before taking further part in proceedings. Rather appropriate given it being Plough Sunday!

But that was as far as they could go as Nimmo’s intervention to a faltering ruck sent a clear message of intent as to which way this game would likely go.
Penberthy’s introduction signalled further improvement as Thomas made way for the Cornish youngster’s first taste of Championship rugby. Barring one charge down, which came to nothing anyway, the teenager more than coped and linked well with Cattle and Hill to earn himself a notable tick in his copy book.

Momentum then was with the home side and, with the final quarter now upon us, it was time for the pack to light the wick once more. A series of scrums had the Notts men on the back foot and a penalty try surely imminent as, with Mr Campbell signalling advantage after a 5 th push-n-shove went awry, Doherty went over in the Scoreboard Corner to almost level it.

Cook’s second touchline attempt faded and what would surely have been the lead from arguably a pot from in front of the sticks, went begging. It mattered not.
Five minutes later and it was the human bulldozer, Kalamafoni, who now found himself under pressure as McAtee caught him napping in his own 22. The resultant penalty from Cook was good, and the lead regained; albeit by only two points.
Delaney’s chaps were now rattled and it showed as their penchant for committee meetings before a lineout, and any other restart for that matter; finally got the man in the middle’s ‘goat’; Mr Campbell reversing a throw in to the hosts, in a dangerous field position as well.

Time and territory finally ended any hope of another lead change and it was the Cornishmen who ended with the points, in the sort of contest that can change a course of a season. Esher beckons next and we all can recall what can happen there but, should the Pirates return with another ‘W’ from there…watch out London Welsh.

Cornish Pirates

15 R. Cook 14 R. McAtee 13 G. Pointer 12 D. Locke (20 S. Hill 36mins) 11 D. Doherty
10 C. Thomas (21 A. Penberthy58 mins) 9 G. Cattle (capt) 8 B. Maidment (19 K. Marriott 68mins) 7 C. Morgan 6 B. Cowan
5 M. Myerscough 4 I. Nimmo 3 A. Paver (1 P. Andrew77mins) 2 D. Ward 1 P. Andrew (16 C. Rimmer 58mins)
Replacements: un-used 17 T. Cowan-Dickie, 18 M. Smith, 22 J. Doherty

Tries: Cowan, Pointer, Doherty
Cons: Cook
Pens: Cook 3

Nottingham

15 A. Savage 14 A. Lewington 13 T. Streather 12 J. P. Socino 11 J. Cobden
10 J. Arlidge 9 S. Romans (21 F. Barnham 71mins) 8 R. De Carpentier (19 L. Morley 51mins) 7 B. Wilson 6 S. Kalamafoni 4 C. Hammond (20 R. Cooper 71mins)
5 F. Levi 3 M. Shields (17 B. Prescott 51mins) 2 J. Duffey (capt) 1 M. Parr (18 M. Holford 28mins)
Replacements: un-used 16 O. Taylor, 22 J. Munro
Tries: Lewington, Streather, Kalamafoni
Cons: Arlidge 3
Pens: Arlidge
Yellow: Levi, Wilson

Match Officials
Referee: Ross Campbell (RFU)
Assistants: Jonathan Healy & Steve Leyshon

Attendance: 2,026

Man of the Match: Dave Ward

Gwrys Yn Kernow: New Year Blues for the Pirates

Welcome back and Happy New Year too you all. Thanks to all at the Pirates for the match report and the picture.

Bedford Blues 32-13 Cornish Pirates

RFU Championship Round 16
Goldington Road Bedford
Sunday 1st January 2012

Phil Westren's Match Report
2012 started on a high note for Bedford Blues but on a low for the Pirates as first half lapses in defence gifted the home side a worthy victory. With the Cornish side also beaten 34-24 by Bedford at the Mennaye Field in October, in recording this win the Blues thus made it a double in Stage One of this season's RFU Championship.

Playing down the slope in front of a packed Goldington Road ground, the Pirates were keen to make a good start in what was an explosive opening to the game. However, it was Bedford who created the sparks to set the field alight when fly-half Jake Sharp made a break and passed to centre Henry Staff who crossed out wide for the game's opening try. Full-back James Pritchard was unable to add the extras.

It was not before the Blues extended their lead, Sharp once again the creator who took advantage of a hole in the Pirates defence to send impressive young wing Josh Bassett in for his eleventh try of the season. Skipper Pritchard this time slotted the easier conversion on offer.

The Pirates needed to respond positively, and they did. A run from full-back Rob Cook gave them the impetus to apply pressure deep in Bedford's half, and from a line-out pack power was rewarded for hooker Dave Ward to be identified ultimately as the try-scorer. Cook's conversion from wide missed.

Following sound work at the line-out and a break made by skipper and scrum-half Gavin Cattle it was not long before the Pirates threatened once more, forcing Bedford to defend close to their line. Pressure created would again tell, this time with a penalty awarded which Cook struck successfully to make the scoreline 12-8.

Back in the match was boost for the Pirates, but the feeling was short lived as their defence would again let them down. Bedford's scrum-half Darryl Veenendaal was this time on hand to record their third try of the afternoon, and Pritchard duly added the conversion.

Seeking a bonus point providing fourth try before the break, and roared on by their crowd, it was not long coming. Centre Brendan Burke's dash was thwarted by a fine tackle made by Pirates lock Matt Smith, but the delay was momentary, as maintaining the squeeze enabled flanker Sacha Harding to register the five points sought. Pritchard's conversion added two extra.

The Pirates had no argument. Bedford deserved their lead and actually extended it still further in the 39th minute when Sharp almost cheekily landed a dropped goal to make it 29-8.

It was already likely 'game over', and with the Pirates having to play up the slope it would surely be, quite literally, an uphill battle.

A penalty from Pritchard extended Bedford's lead early in the second period, but the Pirates responded to show character and eventually wore down Bedford's defensive resolve to score their second try of the match through flanker Chris Morgan. Cook's conversion unluckily bounced back off the right post.

Making a number of changes in personnel the Pirates continued to play with extra vigour. Cook displayed considerable spirit, as did Ward and flanker Phil Burgess, and with centre Drew Locke threatening the home side was forced to defend for a lengthy spell. To their credit, however, the Blues held out well, and New Year's Day was clearly theirs to celebrate.

The Pirates departed Goldington Road feeling a little forlorn and bruised, but have their chance to bounce back and redeem themselves in a fourth versus seventh in the table clash against Nottingham at the Mennaye Field on Sunday – Kick Off 2pm.

Bedford Blues
15. James Pritchard (c) 14. David Vincent 13. Brendan Burke 12. Henry Staff
11. Josh Bassett 10. Jake Sharp 9. Darryl Veenendaal
1.Nico Steenkamp 2. Neil Cochrane 3. Dan Seal 4. Mike Howard
5. Alex Rae (Billy Johnson) 6. Gregor Gillanders 7. Sacha Harding 8. Don Barrell

Replacements:
16. Chris Locke, 17. Phil Boulton, 18. Billy Johnson, 19. Paul Tupai
20. Stefan Liebenberg, 21. Jamie Lennard, 22. Ian Vass

Cornish Pirates :
R. Cook, M. Evans, T. Cooper D. Locke, D. Doherty
C. Thomas ), G. Cattle (c) , B. Maidment, P. Burgess, C. Morgan
M. Myerscough (Cowan), M. Smith, A. Paver, D. Ward, P. Andrew

Replacements
C. Rimmer, T. Cowan-Dickie, L. Fairbrother, D. Ewers,
B. Cowan, T. Kessell, G. Pointer

Scorers
Bedford
Tries: 4 - Henry Staff, Josh Bassett, Darryl Veenendaal, Sacha Harding
Conversions: 3 - James Pritchard
Penalties: 1 - James Pritchard
Drop Goal: 1 - Jake Sharp

Cornish Pirates
Tries: 2 - Dave Ward, Chris Morgan
Conversions:
Penalties: 1 - Rob Cook

Match Officials
Ref: Stephen Lee, Yorkshire
AR 1: Thomas Davis, Buckinghamshire
AR2: Stephen Savage, Warwickshire
Ref Coach: Paul Dunnett, Bedfordshire

Attendance: 4,396