Live Rugby League

[StreetCowboy]

Will this be a full match commentary ... or just a half time commentary.

Do you need some more money the meter?

Just read in your (excellent) commentary that Steve Menzies is still running around.

Does he get wheeled on to the Park now-a-days ... man, that dude is old!

.

Sorry, chaps. I'm a little distracted at the moment by the other code. Incidentally, the commentators have been going over the slow motion replays of the dubious Warrington scrum...

and there goes Damien Blanch again in the corner ...

and they've concluded that the touch judge was right and there was a Dragons' finger tip knock-on before the ball found its way to the wing, hence the Warrington scrum

and that try makes it 16 - 10... 16 - 12 thanks to Thomas Bosch's conversion.

... distracted, as I say, and while I was typing this Cardiff have scored a penalty to win at Murrayfield 17 - 16 over Edinburgh, which will see Edinburgh drop to 10th in the Pro12, while Glasgow are 60 - 3 up at Rodney Parade against North Gwent Dragons, which helps keep them ahead of Leinster in 2nd place in the league

SC

and sustained Warrington pressure sees Rhys Evans latch on to a grubber and touch down to bring the score up to 22 - 12

Meanwhile, up the road at Langtree Park, Hull FC are still within 4 points of St Helens (22 - 18), though the live scores page seems to be struggling to keep up.

And, for the benefit of Naam and the other speculators, i can tell you that the video referee is Ian Smith, and he's having a look at a Catalans effort in the corner, but no try, scrum to Warrington after forcing the man into touch

and Warrington applying all the pressure, but Dragons hold on as Brett Hodgson launches a forward pass

... and switching codes, my apologies for my misleading comments above; Cardiff scored in the 66th minute, but the Live Scores page was not updated till the end of the game...

and Dragons break but a speculative pass ends in Warrington arms, and they're having a massive pile-on in the middle fo the field

and it's going to be a lively last ten minutes. Richard Silverwood says to Michael Monaghan "Calm down! Calm down" almost certainly in an affected Scouse accent

but a bit of boxing breaks out a moment later, and Brett Webb is back in the naughty chair, and Bennie Westwood follows him. Tony Smith takes him "out of the firing line" because we don't like trouble in the crowd in our sport...

and Brett Hodgson calms things down with a penalty goal.

Seven minutes to go, Catalans trail by 12 points, penalty to Catalans, the ball comes loose, but back to six tackles...

but Warrington regain possession.

Five minutes.

Hodgson kicks out on the full...

[StreetCowboy]

And Dragons score! Zeb Taia touches down and Thomas Bosch misses for the first time in the match - a crucial miss as Catalans still need to score twice.

Two minutes.

Dragons lose the ball

Warrington scrum..

Warrington penalty and the hooter goes, Hodgson misses the kick and that's the way it ends Warrington 24 - 16 Catalans.

and elsewhere, Hull have managed a draw 22 -22 at Langtree Park against St Helens

[StreetCowboy]

Will this be a full match commentary ... or just a half time commentary.

Do you need some more money the meter?

Just read in your (excellent) commentary that Steve Menzies is still running around.

Does he get wheeled on to the Park now-a-days ... man, that dude is old!

'Et voila un autre!' ... help (I Googled it first)

Steve Menzies is still playing, but he struggles if he gets tackled round the zimmer frame.

Just kidding - he's not that old, he's younger than me! He's younger than you and me put together, so he is...

Do you think I should have added subtitles for that?

SC

[smokie36]

A draw with St Helens is encouraging....is this the year we finally win something do you think SC?

[David48]

'Et voila un autre!' ... help (I Googled it first)

Do you think I should have added subtitles for that?

SC

Some form of annotation would be appreciated for those who, like me, have an IQ which would not trouble the scorer with treble figures.

But only if it doesn't distract from the commentary.

Who would have thought that Rugby League commentary would assist with my limited French comprehension ... ... pass the meat pie croissant please.

[StreetCowboy]

'Et voila un autre!' ... help (I Googled it first)

Do you think I should have added subtitles for that?

SC

Some form of annotation would be appreciated for those who, like me, have an IQ which would not trouble the scorer with treble figures.

But only if it doesn't distract from the commentary.

Who would have thought that Rugby League commentary would assist with my limited French comprehension ... ... pass the meat pie croissant please.

Don't get Smokie started on the pies. He's never going back to Pitoddrie, after the abomination he was served up there. I thought it was the highlight of the match, to be honest, and so it was, but still an abomination.

SC

[StreetCowboy]

David, you'll be pleased to read "Wakefield thrash sorry Broncos".

As mentioned earlier, I'm going to get up early on Saturday before work for the Leeds melbourne game (Astro delayed telecast starts at 0500 THAI).

I doubt I'll get up early for the Hull FC v Warrington game on Sunday morning, though, at about the same time. Maybe Smokie will provide the live coverage...

I'll probably just record it, and watch at my leisure. On the other side of the 1895 it's a Six Nations weekend, while Glasgow and Edinburgh are both on duty on Friday night in the Pro12.

SC

[StreetCowboy]

Well, I set the alarm wrong and got up at 0600 instead of 0500... but luckily the schedule had been changed, and they're showing the Warrington - Catalans game again first, before the delayed telecast of the WCC game. Unfortunately I have to be at work by 0830, so I'll not see the whole of the Leeds - Melbourne game in any case; the transmission starts at 0730. So it looks like no live coverage of that game here. You'll just need to rely on those chaps at the BBC, for example

SC

[StreetCowboy]

Well, it's perhaps unfortunate that I've come back from the pub watching the other code, and Hull FC are coming well second-best to Warrington on the BBC commentary. Eleven minutes to go and Warrington 24 - 6 Hull. "They've fought off a competititve Hull side who have really tested them" but Hull FC have struggled with completing their sets of six in the second half.

SC

[MAJIC]

@ StreetCowboy Post 636

Its not speculation, research this page! if you want the truth.

http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_ie&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=642886&p=lucan+the+true+story

[StreetCowboy]

@ StreetCowboy Post 636

Its not speculation, research this page! if you want the truth.

http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_ie&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=642886&p=lucan+the+true+story

An interesting link, but only the video referee can say for sure, and the referee shall be the sole judge of fact.

Who the video referee is, I don't know, Perhaps it's Steve Ganson? Or Phil Bentham? Or even M. Thierry Alibert of Toulouse?

[tw25rw]

Why watch the other code at all..?

[StreetCowboy]

Why watch the other code at all..?

I really enjoy both codes - the 2012 Malaysia Thailand game was the most exciting full-size game of rugby I've ever seen at the park, and I also really enjoy the Superleague, though I have a soft spot for the Challenge Cup. Having said that, I don't particularly enjoy either code unless I can drum up some partisan enthusiasm within myself. I just enjoy an exciting game of football, and I think both codes engender much more excitement than roundball.

SC

[tw25rw]

To me, going from League to union is like going from straight to gay porn. Fundamentally similar, but horrible to watch. I used to play union at school, but have never played league and never will now. As a kid I lied in Twickenham and went to a few 4 nations games with my Dad who loved it. I could watch it then but it never made sense having the pile up after a tackle instead of the ball carrier getting up to play on. I guess it comes from being lucky enough to have spent my early years in Sydney watching the old Winfield Cup.

[tw25rw]

In hindsight, maybe that wasn't the best analogy, but you get my drift

[meatboy]

up early in the morning leeds vs st.helens.used to love watching stevo now its a pleasure to listen to him.

taffy.

[StreetCowboy]

up early in the morning leeds vs st.helens.used to love watching stevo now its a pleasure to listen to him.

taffy.

Should be an interesting game... St Helens seem to be struggling a bit this season so far. I'll try to get up in time for it, but it can be a struggle. It's not a working weekend, though.

SC

[tw25rw]

Some sad news from my NRL team, Wests-Tigers. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tragedy-that-has-torn-tigers-to-bits-20130301-2fc9t.html

I can't highlight text for some reason.

The season starts soon and they are promoting it with this ad:

I hope to be over to catch some of this great game.

[David48]

Sadly Ben Barba is currently facing his own demons ...

Here

GAMBLING took such a grip on Ben Barba's life that he would argue with his ex-partner over money and borrow cash from Bulldogs teammates.

A day after Canterbury suspended the reigning Dally M medallist,
finer details about the extent of his behavioural demons started to
emerge, including:

Being forced to apologise to a
Mackay publican last October, when he and older brother Aaron were
involved in an altercation. The pair also exchanged abuse with Josh
Hannay on the street, branding the former Maroons centre a "has-been".

Bulldogs officials monitoring Barba's membership of Cronulla-based party group, the Epic Bender Crew (EBC), since Christmas.

Borrowing
cash from Canterbury teammates at Sydney pubs while gambling on the TAB
or poker machines. Witnesses have also told of arguments on the phone
Barba had with his former partner, Ainslie Currie, about money.

.. and the list goes on here

[StreetCowboy]

As we've discussed in Glasgow, the gambling is a powerful demon as strong as any drink....

Anyway, I'm still trying to find my seat at Langtree Park... I'm running a bit late, I struggled to get up in time for the game, but at least I got to the ground before Astro did. So it's not live, its a few minutes behind. Can you believe we're not keeping up with Ray French?

Leeds attack and in the first set, Kevin Sinfield kicks a penalty to give Leeds a 2 point lead.

"Come on you Saints" rings round the stadium...

St Helens win a second set of six a few metres out from the Leeds line, but the Leeds defence is tighter than .. well, it's very tight, anyway and st Helens can't find their way through.

But a nudge forward at the ball sees Phil Bentham award a scrum to St Helens, and then a penalty against Jamie Jones-Buchanan, and Saints break, the Leeds defence is back-pedalling, the winger is crying out for the ball but Jonny Lomax carries the tacklers over the line and touches the ball down to give Saint Helens the lead.

Now it's the Saints turn to defend their goal line, but a loose pass from the touchline sees Saints recover the ball and take it up and kick into the Leeds half. Twenty two minutes gone, and its Saint Helens 4 - 2 Leeds

Leeds get a penalty and again Sir Kevin points at the posts. Brian McDermott is stretching his neck, as if he's got a nervous twitch... but he looks to have calmed down... maybe it was fleas, Or a dodgy soor ploom.

[StreetCowboy]

A quicksilver attack from Leeds sees them pass the ball through the hands to see Ryan Hall conjure up a try in the corner to take Leeds back into the lead - and Kevin Sinfield can't quite squeeze the ball over (sounds a bit rude) from the touch line, so after 41 consecutive successes he misses the 42nd.

STH 4 - 8 LEE

Saints go for a 40 -20 but desperate defence by the winger flicks the ball back in from the touch line, but Leeds are smothered by the Saints defence in their own half.

And that's the way the first half ends, with the champions ahead by four points

[StreetCowboy]

Just time to take you on a quick trip round the bogs and swamps of Europe to see how our fifteen-man Celtic cousins are getting on...

NG Dragons (11th) 19 - 26 Leinster (3rd) Full time Scorers Scarlets(5th) 14 - 13 Edinburgh (10th) LIVE Scorers Ulster(1st) 23 - 17 Treviso (8th) LIVE Scorers Glasgow (2nd) 10 - 13 Cardiff Blues (7th) LIVE Scorers

Connacht(8th)

14 - 13 Zebre (12th)

from the BBC Web Site - I've added league rankings (also from BBC)

You'd better read this quick, before Bonobo excises it for off-topic trolling

And discussion of moderation...

[StreetCowboy]

Leeds win a turnover from a Saints knock-on, and Kirke loses the ball trying to touch down under the posts, as Willie Manu tackles him by the arm and Saints restart from their 20 metre line

Saints kick and Leeds start back from deep in their half

[StreetCowboy]

Soliola breaks through the Leeds line but can't get anything before the handover.

Ryan Hall is limping, but he refuses to come off "It's all right sir, I've still got another leg"

And Leeds' defence has tightened up as they pressurise Saints in their own half, but a little back door off-load (steady...) and Saints try to play quickly but Leeds are lucky to stay with a full team on the pitch after a cynical time-wasting push to stop the quick play-the-ball.

Saints ten metres out, but Manu drops the ball and Leeds breathe again.

And Ryan Hall is walking more easily now.

Leeds attack, but Karl Ablett can't force his way through

Sinfield goes for the line, passes, but Kylie Lulai knocks on

[smokie36]

We're doomed.....!

[StreetCowboy]

We're doomed.....!

Pull yourself together, Sergeant.

You're away to the Stobart Stadium in Widnes, tomorrow, are you not?

It's nice to see Eddie Stobart doing well for himself, and encouraging sport amongst the youth.

In my own youth, seeing one of his wagons on foreign highways when I was stood cadging a lift was always a fond reminder of home...

[StreetCowboy]

McGuire darts across the pitch, offloads to Jamie Peacock who drives his venerable frame through the Saints defence, then Leeds spin the ball out to Joel Moon on the wing, he passes back inside as Leeds go over, but Saints block the pass, and kick out from under their posts.

As they approach the Saints line again, Rob Burrows passes a pass that is flatter than ... well, its forward really, and Saints take the ball from the scrum and march up the field.

[StreetCowboy]

And Leeds kick, Leeds gather the kick, a lofted pass is touched back by a Saints' hand (not like Maradonna's hand of God, the referee definitely saw it) and Thomas Lulai gathers the ball on the bounce and flops over the line to score and extend Leeds lead.

"Flops" is perhaps too limp a word for a move that involves two steps with 30 stone of defenders on your back...

[StreetCowboy]

Rob Burrow darts around the heart of the Saints defence, then out towards the wing where Joel Moon passes out to Ryan Hall who goes over for a third Leeds try, and Hall has made a miraculous recovery

"That young Percival really has done a great job on Karl Ablett. Ablett's sick and tired of seeing his face every time he gets the ball..."

And Ryan Hall is brought down a couple of metres short - he reaches out but the ball slips from his grasp, he's a foot short anyway

(Naewunnerhewizlimpin' then) No - like as in 30 cm from the line

And now Saints break, they keep the ball alive, and there's men over on the wing and Meli scores in the corner, Jordan Turner can't get the kick from so far out, and it's STH 8 - 20 LEE

And with three minutes to go it looks like Percival is through, but he's brought down, but Manu is to hand, and he's breaking for the line, but Leeds haul him down, and it's left for Meli to score again. Jordan Turner's kick would've given them the slimmest hope of a draw, but it drifts wide, and Saints still trail by 8 with less than three minutes to go.

So three tries apiece, but two penalties and two conversions constitute the difference between the teams.

A last-play hoisted kick is fielded safely by Leeds, and Saints can't claw their way back into the game.

Final Score Saints 12 - 20 Leeds.

[StreetCowboy]

Meanwhile, on the BBC...

NG Dragons 19 - 26 Leinster

Scarlets 14 - 13 Edinburgh

Ulster 29 - 29 Treviso

Glasgow 29 - 13 Cardiff Blues

Connacht 23 - 19 Zebre

Edinburgh continue with the form that has served Scotland so well in the past, always able to squeeze below the other team, no matter how good or how poor the opposition as they languish in tenth place.

Ulster stumble against Treviso, and the Italians help Glasgow to top of the league, after their win against Cardiff.