Fri 7th Apr: SL: Wigan Warriors v St Helens KO 15:00 (Sky)

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

In preparing a talk I gave the other week, I turned up the intriguing fact that the Earl of Derby (current one I think, but possibly his predecessor - can't remember!) thinks that only two sporting events should be called a 'derby'.  The Epsom horse race is one.  Saints -v- Wigan at rugby is the other.

I suspect that not many people know that.  Come to think of it, probably not many are bothered that they don't know that!

[ELBOWSEYE]

1 hour ago, Wiltshire Warrior Dragon said:

In preparing a talk I gave the other week, I turned up the intriguing fact that the Earl of Derby (current one I think, but possibly his predecessor - can't remember!) thinks that only two sporting events should be called a 'derby'.  The Epsom horse race is one.  Saints -v- Wigan at rugby is the other.

I suspect that not many people know that.  Come to think of it, probably not many are bothered that they don't know that!

Common knowledge round these parts, but when telling the big North West football giants fans they refuse to believe it. 

[Padge]

1 hour ago, Wiltshire Warrior Dragon said:

In preparing a talk I gave the other week, I turned up the intriguing fact that the Earl of Derby (current one I think, but possibly his predecessor - can't remember!) thinks that only two sporting events should be called a 'derby'.  The Epsom horse race is one.  Saints -v- Wigan at rugby is the other.

I suspect that not many people know that.  Come to think of it, probably not many are bothered that they don't know that!

H was a very early President of the RFL, his estate stradled St.Helens & parts of Wigan with the family seat in Knowsley (Saints old ground being Knowsley Road). He also presented the French with a Trophy. The Lord Derby Cup, to play for in a knock out competition.

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

1 hour ago, Padge said:

H was a very early President of the RFL, his estate stradled St.Helens & parts of Wigan with the family seat in Knowsley (Saints old ground being Knowsley Road). He also presented the French with a Trophy. The Lord Derby Cup, to play for in a knock out competition.

Of course, Padge, La Coupe de France Lord Derby, which you mention, is not the only sports trophy originating in this family.  The 16th Earl of Derby, aka Viscount Stanley, was governor-general of Canada for five years late in the 19th century, in which context he donated the cup which has become the best known ice hockey trophy in the world, the Stanley Cup, awarded to the winners of the NHL, end-of-season play-offs.

[Jim Prendle]

Pretty embarrassing to see the Saints fans claiming that Wigan are favourites and that Saints will lose.

Wigan have looked terrible this season and simply do not have the size in the forwards to compete with Saints.

Saints to win, comfortably.

[Tippytoe]

On 05/04/2023 at 13:44, ELBOWSEYE said:

Could be more like wwf wrestling, first to 3 submissions. Phil clarke to go mental when he struggles with who is cheating. 

Cheats never beats grudge match "Rugby gods" Clarke v "Cheater" Wilkin who's gonna be the first to cry wolf!

[Liverpool Rover]

Last year I would have said that this would have been a dead cert for Saints but I think Wigan will somehow squeak a win.

[Damien]

 

 

[Davo5]

Joe Shorrocks named in the halves,that should settle the who isolate the favourites argument.

[Futtocks]

20 hours ago, Wiltshire Warrior Dragon said:

In preparing a talk I gave the other week, I turned up the intriguing fact that the Earl of Derby (current one I think, but possibly his predecessor - can't remember!) thinks that only two sporting events should be called a 'derby'.  The Epsom horse race is one.  Saints -v- Wigan at rugby is the other.

I suspect that not many people know that.  Come to think of it, probably not many are bothered that they don't know that!

 

18 hours ago, Padge said:

H was a very early President of the RFL, his estate stradled St.Helens & parts of Wigan with the family seat in Knowsley (Saints old ground being Knowsley Road). He also presented the French with a Trophy. The Lord Derby Cup, to play for in a knock out competition.

Correct. Apart from the Epsom horse race, the Earl of Derby only gave his name to two other events in sport - Wigan v St Helens and St Helens v Wigan. Other horse races and matches between fierce and/or local rivals are derbies with a lower-case d. 

Incidentally, both semi-finals of the Coupe Lord Derby are on this Sunday, live streamed by Albi TV from 4pm (UK time) onwards: https://www.albi-tv.fr - there's also a YouTube account, but I don't know if they'll be showing the matches live on that, or if it's just a catch-up service.

Edited April 7, 2023 by Futtocks

[StandOffHalf]

Damn, I thought Eddie was back to commentate today.

Hair on the back of the neck perked up for a second. His tones convey more excitement and energy!

[johnh1]

Eddie looks well.

[Man of Kent]

Just now, StandOffHalf said:

Damn, I thought Eddie was back to commentate today.

Hair on the back of the neck perked up for a second. His tones convey more excitement and energy!

Took me aback. I did that thing of looking at my drink to check what’s in it!

[johnh1]

He has just shown how bad the current lot are.

[Man of Kent]

Just now, johnh1 said:

He has just shown how bad the current lot are.

He’s certainly better than Bill Arthur. 

[Chrispmartha]

Coming across as a special occasion on TV hope the game lives up to it

[andyscoot]

Wigan seem to have named Joe Shorrocks in the halves.

[Damien]

2 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

Coming across as a special occasion on TV hope the game lives up to it

Fab atmosphere in the ground.

[StandOffHalf]

Some come-down to listen to this dribble after the reminder of Eddie Hemmings.

Irresponsible of Sky to have Wilkin as co-commentator on Saints' games. Two co-comms talking non-stop is just overkill.

Edited April 7, 2023 by StandOffHalf

[Simon Hall]

Massive crowd for one of the biggest games of the season and Sky wheel out the Roy Hatterley Spitting Image puppet for the commentary. Dreadful. 

[Southport Tiger]

3 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

Some come-down to listen to this dribble after the reminder of Eddie Hemmings.

Irresponsible of Sky to have Wilkin co-commentator on Saints' games.

I'm struggling to think of any games when it could be classed as responsible to have him as a co-commentator.

 

[Chrispmartha]

Great try, Hurrells defending is terrible 

[Barry Badrinath]

Has this just cut to adverts for anyone else?

[johnh1]

Just now, Barry Badrinath said:

Has this just cut to adverts for anyone else?

No.

[Chrispmartha]

1 minute ago, Barry Badrinath said:

Has this just cut to adverts for anyone else?

No but im watching on UHD channel