Wiltshire Warrior Dragon

If that's your new forward for next season, isn't that cheating? Just asking!

I agree with you. This is modern Australian usage, I think, and it does not take into account that there used to be field goals in our game, but they were different from drop goals. That said, on the whole, I am quite tolerant of commentators' turns of phrase, even if, over time, they become a bit predictable. The exception to that rule would be "It all depends on who wants this most" and variations thereon. This is just stupid and lazy. The idea that either team contesting, say, a grand final or cup final, would make the effort to get that far and then decide they weren't that bothered about winning is patently preposterous. My gripes would tend to be more about visual presentation and, in particular, a manic desire to show replays of comparatively trivial incidents, like a fumble leading to a knock-on, or, when a coach is referred to in commentary, the assumption that we must see him, as he watches the game intently, something which, for the moment, we are not able to do, though we would almost certainly like to!

Out of interest, does anybody know what the regulations say about a team winning promotion to SL, but then declining to accept it for pragmatic and practical reasons?

Practical question, James. Who would people from the City of York play for?

I think I have spotted a tiny glitch in your aspiration to be president of FFRXIII, Superten!

I am not sure I would be so gracious commenting on my team being beaten, when the formbook hadn't predicted it. Thanks for being like that - a good lesson to us all.

Thanks for sharing that, OF - a great piece of film. I wonder when women started attending games in any significant numbers. As far as I could see, the crowd shot in that clip consisted exclusively of men.

Happy birthday, young 'un!

All good MoS candidates, but I think Croft deserves it.

The Scottish Cup Final - Kingussie -v- Lovat - is on BBC Scotland (note - not BBC Alba) tomorrow at 1.45pm. I presume the commentary language will be English, not Gaelic.

I have to say, Damien, that the piece that you quote is dreadful journalism on at least two counts. First, who is suggesting that the ban itself is of a frivolous nature? I cannot imagine that even the Leeds club have been stupid enough to say that. Second, it is surely wrong to say that "as a result" of the appeal's failure, the ban was doubled. I am sure it is possible to appeal, for the appeal to be rejected, but for those determining the appeal to feel that, nevertheless, there was a valid case made for the original decision to be rescinded, but that the argument for that wasn't quite strong enough. Incidentally, I was intrigued to discover that you could appeal against an appeal decision. Where does this judicial generosity end? Can you appeal against the appeal against the appeal...?!

Wholly agree, Padge. You are spot on.

Those of us of a certain age whose hearing isn't quite as good as it used to be can find the glottal stop particularly challenging. I think it was in forum contributions on another thread about either premier Sports' or Channel 4's RL coverage that there was some discussion about the merits of JJB as a studio guest. There are three things which I find make it hard for me to hear him sometimes, and the glottal stop is the worst of them. He has a fine beard, but it makes it more difficult to augment what you hear him say with what you see him say; that is the second. The other is his soft voice, which is not his 'fault', of course. My natural, vocal tone is 'soft', like JJB's; in my career, I often had to speak in public and learnt to make a conscious effort to pitch my voice up in tone and give it a bit of edge too. It's not difficult, but you need to remember to do it.

I've got a suggestion, arguably both simple and radical at the same time. Why don't referees, players and coaches all ensure the PTB is conducted in accordance with the laws as written? OK - too radical, by far! So here is plan B. Why don't referees, players and coaches (and anybody else relevant) decide how they want the PTB to take place and then reflect that in how the laws of the game are written? Sorry, I realise I am just a grumpy old trouble-maker, subversively arguing for something once called 'common sense'. I'll take my grubby coat, flat cap and leave...

Just for the record, here is the official guidance. Not exactly dictatorial by either government or royal family: Major Events, Entertainment & Sports There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations. As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations. If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions. As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.