@sportinglifer.bsky.social
Living the sporting life (others, too!)
Taking a stand ... the pavilion end at Leicestershire County Cricket Club's Grace Road ground.
January 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Taking a stand ... the pavilion end at Leicestershire County Cricket Club's Grace Road ground.
No problems with the weather in Colchester. Game on, this afternoon, say Eastern Rhinos Amateur Rugby League Club.
January 12, 2025 at 11:13 AM
No problems with the weather in Colchester. Game on, this afternoon, say Eastern Rhinos Amateur Rugby League Club.
Although its facilities are decidedly basic, Grove Park's scenic Settle setting makes it one of Yorkshire's most attractive rugby union grounds. I was there, On This Day (12/1), in 2002, and saw Scarborough edge, 9-5, Yorkshire One rivals North Ribblesdale. Ribb's Dean Stacey scored the only try.
January 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Although its facilities are decidedly basic, Grove Park's scenic Settle setting makes it one of Yorkshire's most attractive rugby union grounds. I was there, On This Day (12/1), in 2002, and saw Scarborough edge, 9-5, Yorkshire One rivals North Ribblesdale. Ribb's Dean Stacey scored the only try.
The first of several visits to Ayresome Park ('Doing The 92', No 22). On This Day (12/1), in 1988, I saw Second Division Middlesbrough require extra time to edge non-league Sutton United in an FA Cup third round replay. Paul Kerr scored the only goal. 17,932 there. Houses now cover Ayresome's site.
January 12, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The first of several visits to Ayresome Park ('Doing The 92', No 22). On This Day (12/1), in 1988, I saw Second Division Middlesbrough require extra time to edge non-league Sutton United in an FA Cup third round replay. Paul Kerr scored the only goal. 17,932 there. Houses now cover Ayresome's site.
Destination Ramsgreave Drive, On This Day (11/1), in 2014, to watch rugby union. Part of a crowd of about 130, I saw Blackburn and Eccles slug out a dour encounter in the North Lancs/Cumbria league. The home team, beaten 21-19, fluffed a stoppage time penalty that would have secured victory.
January 11, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Destination Ramsgreave Drive, On This Day (11/1), in 2014, to watch rugby union. Part of a crowd of about 130, I saw Blackburn and Eccles slug out a dour encounter in the North Lancs/Cumbria league. The home team, beaten 21-19, fluffed a stoppage time penalty that would have secured victory.
Three goals in seven minutes enlivened my visit, On This Day (11/1), in 2003, to the KC Stadium ('Doing The 92', No 94). Hull City were held, 2-2, by Division Three rivals Exeter City, who equalised in second half stoppage time, shortly after a red card had reduced them to 10 men. 13,667 attended.
January 11, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Three goals in seven minutes enlivened my visit, On This Day (11/1), in 2003, to the KC Stadium ('Doing The 92', No 94). Hull City were held, 2-2, by Division Three rivals Exeter City, who equalised in second half stoppage time, shortly after a red card had reduced them to 10 men. 13,667 attended.
According to the RFL, at lunchtime today, Ince Rose Bridge's pitch was 25 per cent playable. Ince host Irish side Longhorns in rugby league's Challenge Cup. Four more heaters (bringing the total to six) are being deployed. Longhorns will travel, in the morning, if prospects for play are 50/50.
January 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
According to the RFL, at lunchtime today, Ince Rose Bridge's pitch was 25 per cent playable. Ince host Irish side Longhorns in rugby league's Challenge Cup. Four more heaters (bringing the total to six) are being deployed. Longhorns will travel, in the morning, if prospects for play are 50/50.
Destination Wigston, On This Day (10/1), in 2015, to watch some rugby union. Part of a circa 115 crowd, at the Welford Road ground, I saw South Leicester beat, 30-18, National League Three Midlands rivals, Hinckley. After just 12 minutes, on a very windy afternoon, South had opened up a 20-3 lead.
January 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Destination Wigston, On This Day (10/1), in 2015, to watch some rugby union. Part of a circa 115 crowd, at the Welford Road ground, I saw South Leicester beat, 30-18, National League Three Midlands rivals, Hinckley. After just 12 minutes, on a very windy afternoon, South had opened up a 20-3 lead.
Good to see third tier Swinton Lions, underlining their 'One Club, One Vision' commitment, have scheduled, at Heywood Road, several men's and women's double-headers for the 2025 rugby league season. Dates include March 23, May 4, May 25 (TBC), June 15, June 22, July 27 and August 24 (TBC).
January 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Good to see third tier Swinton Lions, underlining their 'One Club, One Vision' commitment, have scheduled, at Heywood Road, several men's and women's double-headers for the 2025 rugby league season. Dates include March 23, May 4, May 25 (TBC), June 15, June 22, July 27 and August 24 (TBC).
As things stand, only six ties survive this weekend in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup. The pitches of West Bowling and West Hull failed inspections this morning.
January 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
As things stand, only six ties survive this weekend in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup. The pitches of West Bowling and West Hull failed inspections this morning.
Tayside was clear and bitterly cold, On This Day (10/1), in 1993. I was at Dens Park ('Doing the 42', No 32), for a Scottish Cup third round tie between Dundee and lower-ranked visitors Dumbarton. 4,290 saw Simon Stainrod sent off before Dark Blues won, 2-0, through Morten Wieghorst and Billy Dodds.
January 10, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Tayside was clear and bitterly cold, On This Day (10/1), in 1993. I was at Dens Park ('Doing the 42', No 32), for a Scottish Cup third round tie between Dundee and lower-ranked visitors Dumbarton. 4,290 saw Simon Stainrod sent off before Dark Blues won, 2-0, through Morten Wieghorst and Billy Dodds.
The undersoil heating at Bolton's Burnden Park (now a supermarket) trumped the frost, On This Day (10/1), in 1987. With the pitch playable, I was able to watch the final of the John Player Special Trophy. 21,144 saw Wigan defeat Warrington, 18-4. Wire missed badly suspended scrum-half, Paul Bishop.
January 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The undersoil heating at Bolton's Burnden Park (now a supermarket) trumped the frost, On This Day (10/1), in 1987. With the pitch playable, I was able to watch the final of the John Player Special Trophy. 21,144 saw Wigan defeat Warrington, 18-4. Wire missed badly suspended scrum-half, Paul Bishop.
And another first round tie in rugby league's Challenge Cup falls victim to the wintry weather.
January 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
And another first round tie in rugby league's Challenge Cup falls victim to the wintry weather.
Saturday's Mirfield-Royal Navy Challenge Cup tie has fallen victim to the weather. A new date has to be confirmed. On socials, Mirfield state: "Every effort has been made to get the game on, but we cannot control the temperatures, which are preventing the field from thawing and becoming playable."
January 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Saturday's Mirfield-Royal Navy Challenge Cup tie has fallen victim to the weather. A new date has to be confirmed. On socials, Mirfield state: "Every effort has been made to get the game on, but we cannot control the temperatures, which are preventing the field from thawing and becoming playable."
Owing to a snow-covered and frozen pitch, the Dewsbury Moor Maroons versus Haresfinch tie, in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup, has been postponed - and put back a week, to Saturday, January 18 (2.0).
January 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Owing to a snow-covered and frozen pitch, the Dewsbury Moor Maroons versus Haresfinch tie, in the first round of rugby league's Challenge Cup, has been postponed - and put back a week, to Saturday, January 18 (2.0).
Off to Franklin's Gardens, one of rugby union's more interesting grounds, On This Day (9/1), in 2000. Among a 7,027 crowd, I watched Northampton beat, 27-16, Heineken Cup Pool Six rivals Grenoble. Three late Matt Dawson penalties saw Saints, who faded after the break, to victory in a bruising match.
January 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Off to Franklin's Gardens, one of rugby union's more interesting grounds, On This Day (9/1), in 2000. Among a 7,027 crowd, I watched Northampton beat, 27-16, Heineken Cup Pool Six rivals Grenoble. Three late Matt Dawson penalties saw Saints, who faded after the break, to victory in a bruising match.
When I lived south of Teesside, in the early 1990s, Ryedale York were the nearest pro rugby league team, so I'd go a few times each season. On This Day (9/1), in 1994, I saw York beat Whitehaven, 34-4, in front of 1,162. York's five tries included one for Australian second row forward, Mark Lyons.
January 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
When I lived south of Teesside, in the early 1990s, Ryedale York were the nearest pro rugby league team, so I'd go a few times each season. On This Day (9/1), in 1994, I saw York beat Whitehaven, 34-4, in front of 1,162. York's five tries included one for Australian second row forward, Mark Lyons.
Scottish Cup action, On This Day (9/1), in 1993. I was at McDiarmid Park, Perth ('Doing the 42', No 31), where, in a third round tie watched by 3,970, St Johnstone routed, 6-0, lower ranked Forfar Athletic. Two apiece for Paul Wright and Vinny Arkins, with Paul Cherry and Steve Maskrey also netting.
January 9, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Scottish Cup action, On This Day (9/1), in 1993. I was at McDiarmid Park, Perth ('Doing the 42', No 31), where, in a third round tie watched by 3,970, St Johnstone routed, 6-0, lower ranked Forfar Athletic. Two apiece for Paul Wright and Vinny Arkins, with Paul Cherry and Steve Maskrey also netting.
As close as I've come to watching a 0-0 draw in rugby union. On This Day (8/1), in 2011, I was at a waterlogged Silver Royd, where a penalty, in first half stoppage time, secured a 3-0 win for Scarborough over Yorkshire One rivals York. Circa 125 present. Scarborough spent £4m, building Silver Royd.
January 8, 2025 at 2:47 PM
As close as I've come to watching a 0-0 draw in rugby union. On This Day (8/1), in 2011, I was at a waterlogged Silver Royd, where a penalty, in first half stoppage time, secured a 3-0 win for Scarborough over Yorkshire One rivals York. Circa 125 present. Scarborough spent £4m, building Silver Royd.
Poor facilities if you're taller than 5ft 8in! On This Day (8/1), in 2005, I was at Loftus Road ('Doing the 92', No 115), where Nottingham Forest eased to a 3-0 win over FA Cup third round opponents Queen's Park Rangers. Two in a minute, from Andy Reid and Kris Commons. Yoann Folly scored the third.
January 8, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Poor facilities if you're taller than 5ft 8in! On This Day (8/1), in 2005, I was at Loftus Road ('Doing the 92', No 115), where Nottingham Forest eased to a 3-0 win over FA Cup third round opponents Queen's Park Rangers. Two in a minute, from Andy Reid and Kris Commons. Yoann Folly scored the third.
With the weather football-unfriendly, On This Day (7/1), in 2023, I opted for rugby union at Cross Green. In front of about 400, four-try Otley beat, 25-3, National Two North rivals Sheffield. A seventh consecutive league win. Looks as though this season Otley have given up on a printed programme.
January 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
With the weather football-unfriendly, On This Day (7/1), in 2023, I opted for rugby union at Cross Green. In front of about 400, four-try Otley beat, 25-3, National Two North rivals Sheffield. A seventh consecutive league win. Looks as though this season Otley have given up on a printed programme.
Dulwich Hamlet, who are 15th in the Isthmian League's Premier Division, with eight wins from 25 league games, have terminated - with immediate effect - the contract of manager Hakan Hayrettin and his management team.
January 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Dulwich Hamlet, who are 15th in the Isthmian League's Premier Division, with eight wins from 25 league games, have terminated - with immediate effect - the contract of manager Hakan Hayrettin and his management team.
Taking a Stand ... Guisborough Town Football Club's King George V Ground.
January 7, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Taking a Stand ... Guisborough Town Football Club's King George V Ground.
Quite by chance (nobody realised, at the time, what lay in store), I watched Blackpool's last game at Borough Park - an 8-5 defeat by Whitehaven in January 1987. 386 attended. Borough saw out the season at Bloomfield Road, the Blackpool FC ground, and never returned to Borough Park.
January 7, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Quite by chance (nobody realised, at the time, what lay in store), I watched Blackpool's last game at Borough Park - an 8-5 defeat by Whitehaven in January 1987. 386 attended. Borough saw out the season at Bloomfield Road, the Blackpool FC ground, and never returned to Borough Park.
A dual sport double, On This Day (7/1), in 2012; at Steel Park, I saw FC Halifax Town beat, 4-2, Football Conference North rivals Corby Town; then, at the National Ice Centre, Cardiff Devils beat, also 4-2, Nottingham Panthers, in ice hockey's Elite League. Respective attendances were 739 and 5,026.
January 7, 2025 at 9:38 AM
A dual sport double, On This Day (7/1), in 2012; at Steel Park, I saw FC Halifax Town beat, 4-2, Football Conference North rivals Corby Town; then, at the National Ice Centre, Cardiff Devils beat, also 4-2, Nottingham Panthers, in ice hockey's Elite League. Respective attendances were 739 and 5,026.