Only Just Played
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Exploring British sport
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Rugby League Ashes Review
My girlfriend said I was quiet, “you weren’t even shouting at the ref”, she observed.
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For me, plenty of positives for England to take from the Rugby League Ashes. What can the RFL make of them?
open.substack.com/pub/onlyjust...
open.substack.com/pub/onlyjust...
Great set of Sports Personality of the Year nominations. Most have grabbed the nations consciousness at various points throughout the year. Hard to look past the Lionesses or Littler. The world championships starting again might just work in his favour.
December 11, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Great set of Sports Personality of the Year nominations. Most have grabbed the nations consciousness at various points throughout the year. Hard to look past the Lionesses or Littler. The world championships starting again might just work in his favour.
Ominous that Pat Cummins returns for Australia as it only makes them stronger. England's players better be relaxed and focused to face him in Adelaide.
December 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Ominous that Pat Cummins returns for Australia as it only makes them stronger. England's players better be relaxed and focused to face him in Adelaide.
Any slim hope England had of pulling this game back has been extinguished after today's play. Whether they make it past the Australian total or not, the big question is how can they bring some fight to the next game.
December 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Any slim hope England had of pulling this game back has been extinguished after today's play. Whether they make it past the Australian total or not, the big question is how can they bring some fight to the next game.
Looking like England might be well short having batted in the best conditions. A glimmer of hope that the pitch might deteriorate to their advantage when bowling in the 4th innings. Given it's England though, there's obviously no guarantee that enough time will be consumed to see that possibility.
December 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Looking like England might be well short having batted in the best conditions. A glimmer of hope that the pitch might deteriorate to their advantage when bowling in the 4th innings. Given it's England though, there's obviously no guarantee that enough time will be consumed to see that possibility.
Delighted for Joe Root. There were no questions about his career from this side but that puts any remaining Australian points to bed. A superb player in quite often very poor England batting sides.
December 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Delighted for Joe Root. There were no questions about his career from this side but that puts any remaining Australian points to bed. A superb player in quite often very poor England batting sides.
Hopefully Salford fans can get together and make a phoenix club work as soon as possible. It's been sad to watch over the past 12 months. Astonishing that this has once again been allowed to happen to such an institution in Northern sport and shows how quickly any club could go.
December 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Hopefully Salford fans can get together and make a phoenix club work as soon as possible. It's been sad to watch over the past 12 months. Astonishing that this has once again been allowed to happen to such an institution in Northern sport and shows how quickly any club could go.
Tuchel looks to have found a way to make England function. There has been some hiccups but it has built towards the world cup. You can't question that he's taken it seriously. The only remaining question mark is against the top teams.
November 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Tuchel looks to have found a way to make England function. There has been some hiccups but it has built towards the world cup. You can't question that he's taken it seriously. The only remaining question mark is against the top teams.
Conor Benn making the most of the rematch. Eubank looked drained and not able to get into the fight at all. Sets up the trilogy that the promoters would have been looking for.
November 15, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Conor Benn making the most of the rematch. Eubank looked drained and not able to get into the fight at all. Sets up the trilogy that the promoters would have been looking for.
As we're to take this warm up game as preparation, another worrying score for Joe Root. Hopefully, like us club cricketers, he's working on the theory that these are all runs saved for when they're really needed.
November 14, 2025 at 5:31 PM
As we're to take this warm up game as preparation, another worrying score for Joe Root. Hopefully, like us club cricketers, he's working on the theory that these are all runs saved for when they're really needed.
For me, plenty of positives for England to take from the Rugby League Ashes. What can the RFL make of them?
open.substack.com/pub/onlyjust...
open.substack.com/pub/onlyjust...
Rugby League Ashes Review
My girlfriend said I was quiet, “you weren’t even shouting at the ref”, she observed.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM
For me, plenty of positives for England to take from the Rugby League Ashes. What can the RFL make of them?
open.substack.com/pub/onlyjust...
open.substack.com/pub/onlyjust...
The one battle the England Men's cricket team don't need is one against the former player commentariat. The Australian media will stoke fires in a positive way but sniping from home will not aid the cause.
November 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The one battle the England Men's cricket team don't need is one against the former player commentariat. The Australian media will stoke fires in a positive way but sniping from home will not aid the cause.
Interesting piece by Barney Ronay on Salah's place in the Liverpool team. It's clear that it's not quite working at the moment. It will be interesting to see if there is an improvement during the African Cup of Nations.
November 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Interesting piece by Barney Ronay on Salah's place in the Liverpool team. It's clear that it's not quite working at the moment. It will be interesting to see if there is an improvement during the African Cup of Nations.
Imagine the carnage of a game being played in UK like the Canadian Premier League final. I had no idea it was on, I probably won't watch it again in a rush but what a child like thrill it has given me to watch the highlights of the game.
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Imagine the carnage of a game being played in UK like the Canadian Premier League final. I had no idea it was on, I probably won't watch it again in a rush but what a child like thrill it has given me to watch the highlights of the game.
The gulf has shown. Most expected an Australian series win, I don't think anyone expected quite how little they'd have to do. It looked like England had been told that an 80 minute performance was required but they got the maths wrong and spread that over three games.
November 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The gulf has shown. Most expected an Australian series win, I don't think anyone expected quite how little they'd have to do. It looked like England had been told that an 80 minute performance was required but they got the maths wrong and spread that over three games.
England will want to play the best Australian side available this winter. While it would give England a huge advantage if he wasn't available, they will want to face the best of Australia's bowlers. This is Pat Cummins and, if he can get back for four tests, that would be incredible.
November 6, 2025 at 8:56 PM
England will want to play the best Australian side available this winter. While it would give England a huge advantage if he wasn't available, they will want to face the best of Australia's bowlers. This is Pat Cummins and, if he can get back for four tests, that would be incredible.
The Australian squad leaves plenty of mystery about who will be lining up for the first test. Seems unlikely they have called both Labuschange and Weatherald up for only one to be playing.
November 5, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The Australian squad leaves plenty of mystery about who will be lining up for the first test. Seems unlikely they have called both Labuschange and Weatherald up for only one to be playing.
The ECB Central contracts look fairly sensible and give us a glimpse into the future. Despite telling us that the cycle is not always focused on the Ashes in Australia, it appears that the Central contracts reflect that there is likely to be new blood in the test team once 2026 is out.
November 4, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The ECB Central contracts look fairly sensible and give us a glimpse into the future. Despite telling us that the cycle is not always focused on the Ashes in Australia, it appears that the Central contracts reflect that there is likely to be new blood in the test team once 2026 is out.
India finally get their hands on an ICC world cup trophy. Suspect this may open the floodgates for many more to come. Despite the monsoons, the cricket was excellent and it's clear to see that the rise in women's cricket leagues is allowing nations to develop their talent to improve competition.
November 2, 2025 at 9:56 PM
India finally get their hands on an ICC world cup trophy. Suspect this may open the floodgates for many more to come. Despite the monsoons, the cricket was excellent and it's clear to see that the rise in women's cricket leagues is allowing nations to develop their talent to improve competition.
Another disappointing result for England. More fight but the Aussies still looked like they could have taken it up another gear or two. Don't feel like we've seen the best of many players so far.
November 1, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Another disappointing result for England. More fight but the Aussies still looked like they could have taken it up another gear or two. Don't feel like we've seen the best of many players so far.
A massive shame that PL football will be limited to one game on Boxing day with a long wait until 8pm too. Hopefully it turns into a positive for clubs through the pyramid with extra attendance or eyeballs on their games. At least tradition will live on there.
October 31, 2025 at 11:26 PM
A massive shame that PL football will be limited to one game on Boxing day with a long wait until 8pm too. Hopefully it turns into a positive for clubs through the pyramid with extra attendance or eyeballs on their games. At least tradition will live on there.
After winning at Anfield last night, I began to wonder if Palace may be on for another domestic trophy. It seems the scheduling God's are going to make that extremely difficult for them.
October 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
After winning at Anfield last night, I began to wonder if Palace may be on for another domestic trophy. It seems the scheduling God's are going to make that extremely difficult for them.
England's resurgence under Charlotte Edward's ends with a whimper in the semi final. It seemed all too familiar with a great chance to make final against a team they beat comprehensively in the group.
October 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
England's resurgence under Charlotte Edward's ends with a whimper in the semi final. It seemed all too familiar with a great chance to make final against a team they beat comprehensively in the group.
Scottish football twice in a row but it seems that Hearts' charge for the title has rattled the immovable force at Parkhead. The statement from major shareholder, Dermot Desmond, giving a 'we broke up with you first' vibe. If Rodgers was so bad, why was he still there or allowed to resign?
October 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Scottish football twice in a row but it seems that Hearts' charge for the title has rattled the immovable force at Parkhead. The statement from major shareholder, Dermot Desmond, giving a 'we broke up with you first' vibe. If Rodgers was so bad, why was he still there or allowed to resign?