Category Archives: Sport

You just can’t beat them

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Sam Roberts

The word being used was boring. Saracens and Exeter were both called it. Curious, if you’ve ever really watched them play. Watched them do their stuff without the pull of club loyalty shutting one of your eyes. For boring, you … Continue reading →

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Getting stronger the more you hate them

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Sam Roberts

The meek shall inherit the earth. But $4 million is a lot of money, isn’t it? You can be meek and rich, right? It is a case set to run further than any of Folau’s incisive breaks, so I thought … Continue reading →

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From Twickenham, with love

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Sam Roberts

So, there we go. The World Cup is on. England are a very good team and they can go to Japan full of hope and expectation. God help them. These things are always better when they sneak up on you. … Continue reading →

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Alacritous England end Ireland’s reign

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Sam Roberts

“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly…” Macbeth, Act I, Scene VII. Alacrity is a lovely word. And few better sum up the way England set about Ireland in the opening round of … Continue reading →

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53-52

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Sam Roberts

I took a friend to Goldington Road this weekend. “Is it always like this?” he asked, as we headed into the marquee: the large, white hospitality tent positioned on the north side of the famous sloping pitch. We weaved our … Continue reading →

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The debt we owe

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Sam Roberts

Well done Ireland. Beautiful, clever, uncompromising Ireland. Many of us were with you. Vicariously pitting ourselves against something big and black. Yours was the improbable reach, the formidable feat; rugby’s Everest. This was one of the world’s most enjoyable wins, … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a feint No.3

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Sam Roberts

Sam Underhill’s running style is distinct. Indeed, it isn’t really a run, it’s a scamper. His shoulders are hunched, his body compact, perhaps from all of those lung puncturing tackles he makes. As he gallops, his head is pushed slightly … Continue reading →

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Old Eddie and the Sea

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Sam Roberts

It was a test match of which Ernest Hemingway would have approved. A trial of colossal strength, of titanic willpower. The American loved his bloodsports, loved to see men arm-wrestle for hours on end, and Saturday afternoon had two heavyweights … Continue reading →

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It’s a mad world…

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Sam Roberts

It’s a mad world my masters. Now, more than ever. And to prove it so, European Rugby was comprehensive in its lunacy. The sublime and the ridiculous; the mundane and the daft. If you had any reason to doubt how … Continue reading →

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Worth a celebration

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Sam Roberts

Ah yes, another weekend of devastating, hard-hitting, gulp-taking European Rugby. Worth a celebration? Well no, apparently not. Messrs Burns and Itoje were roundly castigated for their attempts. Probably best we keep things respectful. Leave ostentation to others. No gloating. It’s … Continue reading →

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