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Well done Narberth and Whitland!
It’s not often that we get the chance to say congratulations to clubs for withdrawing from a competition but on this occasion it is a pleasure to say ‘well done’ to both Narberth and Whitland Rugby Clubs for pulling out of the Pembrokeshire Knock-Out Cup for the forthcoming season.
They have played each other in the last three finals, and their gesture ensures the continuation of a competition, steeped in history, which has become a two-horse race because the Otters and the Borderers are now so high in the echelons of Welsh Rugby that they are simply too strong for the rest. The only way for other clubs to reach the final was if the two giants were drawn together in the earlier rounds but then other clubs faced a heavy defeat in a one-sided final!
Now it is easy to say it should have happened a while ago and in some areas people are taking praise for helping to bring this withdrawal about, although in my view that might be partially true but it is the two clubs who have liaised sensibly in the matter and come up with the right answer.
I would remind you that this happened once before, when Pembroke Dock Quins beat Crymych in a cracking final, but then it was proposed that clubs not in the competition be not allowed to host the final – and so back in came the two big clubs like a shot – and rightly so!
I would think that both clubs might be considered for the final, quite simply because they have large stands and good support facilities like public address systems.
I also hope that those who administer the KO Cup might also consider a special cup for competition between the two top teams in the county – and played on the same day and venue so that supporters could have the double treat of seeing a realistic KO Cup Final and see the skills required to play at one of the top levels in Welsh Rugby!
Be respectful to football referees!
Next I return to my normal rant at this time of year, with football thinking about getting in to gear and local referees starting to apply the special lotion which gives them the elephant-hide skin needed to play their vital role in the game.
Player, managers (and supporters!) really need to know what effect their abuse of officials can have because unless it stops there could be the nightmare scenario one day where there will be no senior football played.
Last week I was speaking to one of the best local referees to take up the whistle over the last few seasons after many years as a very good player – and he told me he wasn’t refereeing this season. When I asked him why he replied,
“Eight games out of ten are great but the other two I’ve found myself thinking ‘What am I doing here?’ because of the behaviour of players and officials. I love the game but Saturday is my sports day and a lot of my pals play golf – so I am going to join them in the knowledge that then I will enjoy every Saturday with sportsmen who know how to behave.”
That should strike a chill amongst footballers but, sadly, I suspect it won’t with those who should listen most.
If we lose really good referees like this fellow then it is a great sadness – and I still hope we can redress the balance before it is too late!
What a winner!
Did you see the Wimbledon Men’s Singles final? What a match! Now that’s what I call a sporting battle to be savoured and even though I was watching it on television I was still biting my nails as the tension grew.
Now I have to admit that I am a great Roger Federer fan so I was thrilled when he broke Pete Sampras’s record of Grand Slam successes (although I wish he wouldn’t wear those ridiculous outfits afterwards and have the number of wins stitched on his tracksuit top).
But what about Andy Roddick as an opponent? He was brilliant. A street fighter of a player who never gave up and he would have been just as deserving of victory (and in some ways more deserving) who was also very sporting in defeat.
I salute them both!
What a loser!
I received some gentle ‘stick’ last year when I dared suggest that Lewis Hamilton was a very good racing car driver but was Formula One world champ because he had the best car – well this season has shown that I might not be so wrong after all.
Jensen Button looked as if he wouldn’t even have a car for this season’s racing when along came Brawn and he is now miles in front whilst Hamilton is deep amongst the also-rans. And why? Because Button now has the best car!
I rest my case, your honour!
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