#james gordon bennett cup | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

coppolafrancis · 5 years

Text

Brand History: OMEGA

OMEGA’s Far-Reaching Past

OMEGA is not just one of the most prominent watch brands in the world. They’re also one of the most historically significant. OMEGA is widely known for being the first watch on the moon and the official watch of the space program. However, they were also the first official watch of the United States Army in 1918. They’ve served as the official timekeeper for over twenty Olympic Games. In addition, they have solidified their place in pop culture as the official watch of James Bond. For over 170 years, OMEGA has been a potent force in the watchmaking industry. It all began in an unassuming workshop in Le Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland.

Transforming from Family Brand to Global Brand

Louis Brandt established his business in 1848. For three decades, he maintained a modest workshop, selling his watches to customers from around the world. Brandt passed away in 1879, and his sons took over the company. They immediately saw promise in their dad’s work for something more. They decided to expand the operation and begin making their own parts. Their work quickly paid off. Within just a few years, they were able to relocate the workshop to Bienne. Here, they had a better opportunity to grow their workforce. Today, OMEGA’s headquarters are still located in this region.

In 1885, the Brandt brothers launched their first mass-produced caliber, the Labrador. Shortly after, in 1892, they created the first minute-repeating timepiece. Just two years later, they introduced the 19-line OMEGA caliber. This innovation helped to establish a reputation for their work in the watch industry. Eventually, it would also give the company its name.

A few short years later, tragedy struck the Brandt family. Within just six months of each other, the Brandt brothers passed away. The fate of the company was uncertain. Only four other family members remained, the oldest of whom was only twenty-three. However, the eldest, Paul-Emile Brandt, quickly rose to the challenge and began working tirelessly to carry on the family business. Just two years later, the brand began serving as the Official Timekeeper at sporting events across Switzerland. In 1909, they served as the timekeeper for their first international event, a balloon race called the Gordon Bennett Cup. This partnership is particularly significant because it led to the distribution of their watches in six continents.

The Growth of OMEGA Throughout the 20th Century

In 1932, OMEGA solidified one of its most important timekeeping partnerships. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, they entrusted one brand to be the Official Timekeeper. That brand was, of course, OMEGA.

Just over a decade later, OMEGA released the first edition of one of its most iconic watches: the Seamaster. The first Seamaster debuted in 1948 in conjunction with the brand’s 100th Anniversary. To this day, this model is one of the most popular watches in their family.

In 1962, OMEGA made history. That year, astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Speedmaster on the Sigma 7 mission of the Mercury Program. This marked the first OMEGA in space. It also led to a significant endorsement from NASA just three years later. In 1965, the Speedmaster became their official chronograph for space missions. Then, in 1969, the Speedmaster made its first journey to the moon on the wrist of Buzz Aldrin. The Speedmaster continued to be a crucial tool for NASA. It helped the astronauts of the Apollo 13 mission to return home safely. For this, NASA granted them the prestigious Snoopy Award in 1970. Today, Omega and space programs around the globe still work in tandem to develop effective tools for the trade.

Thriving as a Superior Brand Today

More recently, OMEGA has continued to be a leader in the industry. In addition to their continued work with the Olympics Games, NASA, and Bond franchise, the brand has notched a number of other partnerships and accomplishments. In 1999, they launched the first movement to feature the legendary George Daniels co-axial escapement. They became the Official Timekeeper of the PGA in 2011. And, in 2030, they hope to make history as the first watch on Mars. Through sports, space, pop culture, and superior watchmaking, OMEGA has maintained a reputation as one of the most prestigious watch brands for over 170 years. Read on to find out how to find the best watches for women that love of your life will cherish forever.

0 notes

scotianostra · 7 years

Photo

On 20th of June 1860, Alexander Winton was born in Grangemouth.

Winton, like his father (also Alexander) was a marine engineer, and young Alexander followed in his father's profession. He emigrated to the United States in 1879.

You might not have heard of Alexander Winton, and I knew little about him before today, he was a rival of Henry Ford and made a fortune out of manufacturing early "automobiles", we really should no more about him as he is credited with the first commercial sale of an automobile in the United States. In its first year of production, Winton's company built and sold twenty-two of his automobiles, and the following year the number climbed to more than one hundred. Winton became known for his innovations in automotive design, ultimately registering more than one hundred patents. He is credited with giving Henry Ford access to his own steering design before a race in 1901, which contributed to Ford becoming a major name in automobile design and manufacturing.

So how come Ford went on to become a worldwide name and Winton disappeared into obscurity? While Ford started the world's first production lines Winton continued custom manufacturing all his cars, Fords cars became affordable to the masses and Winton's less so.

Winton competed in the first motor races, including one against Ford, that he lost at Grosse Pointe, Michigan in a ten-mile race. He was widely recognized as America's premier race car driver at the turn of the 20th century. He competed in the historic James Gordon Bennett Cup international race in 1900 and 1903 and set numerous speed records on dirt horse tracks in the United States.

Winton went on to build engines and his firm later became a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation.

The pic shows Winton just ahead of Ford in the aforementioned race.

#Scotland #Scottish #American #USA #motorsport #History

7 notes · View notes

sunwisher-blog · 5 years

Text

Frank Sinatra – The Best Is Yet To Come

Call 1-855-637-4055 for our Psychic line as low as 66¢/min About The Best is Yet to Come: “The Best is Yet to Come” is a 1959 song composed by Cy Coleman, with lyrics written by Carolyn Leigh. It is generally associated with Frank Sinatra, who recorded it on his 1964 album It Might as Well Be Swing, accompanied by Count Basie, under the direction of Quincy Jones. It was the last song Sinatra sang in public, on February 25, 1995, and the words “The Best is Yet to Come” are etched on Sinatra’s tombstone. Though Sinatra made it popular, the song was actually written for and introduced by Tony Bennett. lyrics: Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum You came along and everything’s startin’ to hum Still, it’s a real good bet, the best is yet to come Best is yet to come and babe, won’t that be fine? You think you’ve seen the sun, but you ain’t seen it shine a-Wait till the warm-up’s underway Wait till our lips have met And wait till you see that sunshine day You ain’t seen nothin’ yet The best is yet to come and babe, won’t it be fine? Best is yet to come, come the day you’re mine Come the day you’re mine I’m gonna teach you to fly We’ve only tasted the wine We’re gonna drain the cup dry Wait till your charms are right for these arms to surround You think you’ve flown before, but baby, you ain’t left the ground a-Wait till you’re locked in my embrace Wait till I draw you near a-Wait till you see that sunshine place Ain’t nothin’ like it here The best is yet to come and babe, won’t it be fine? The best is yet to come, come the day you’re mine Come the day you’re mine And you’re gonna be mine About Frank Sinatra: Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and film actor. Beginning his musical career in the swing era as a boy singer with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra found unprecedented success as a solo artist from the early to mid-1940s after being signed by Columbia Records in 1943. Back on the small-screen, Sinatra once again worked with Jobim and Ella Fitzgerald on the TV special, A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim. The chorus of Bon Jovi‘s “It’s My Life” (subsequently covered by Paul Anka on Rock Swings) references the song in the line “My heart is like an open highway/Like Frankie said, I did it my way.” Other Songs By Frank Sinatra: “I Won’t Dance” is a song composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach, for the 1934 London musical Three Sisters. However, Three Sisters flopped and was quickly forgotten, so when the time came to film the Kern-Harbach musical Roberta, the song was interpolated into the film. It became such a hit that it is now included in all stage revivals and recordings of Roberta. In 1957, Frank Sinatra sung “I Won’t Dance” in his album: A Swingin’ Affair! (and Sinatra-Basie, 1962). “I’ve Got The World on a String” is a 1932 popular song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler. It was written for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade. It was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. It was also recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1953. It reached #14 on Billboard’s most played list. Anthony Perkins sang it in the drama Winter Dream, a production of the live anthology TV series, Front Row Center. Céline Dion also performed this song in her Las Vegas show A New Day…, which ran from 2003 until 2007. “Summer Wind” is a 1965 song, with music by Heinz Meier and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song is a nostalgic tale of a fleeting romance, first recorded by Wayne Newton who had the first national chart hit with the song in 1965, peaking at number 78.b “Summer Wind” is best known for a 1966 recording by Frank Sinatra which peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard pop singles chart and number one on the Easy Listening chart. The Sinatra version originally appeared on his album, Strangers in the Night. “That’s Life” is a popular song written by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon and first recorded by Marion Montgomery. The most famous version is by Frank Sinatra, released on his 1966 album of the same name. Both the album and the song proved major successes for Sinatra. The song was a number-four hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number one on the Easy Listening chart for three weeks in December 1966/January 1967. “Fly Me to the Moon” is a popular standard song written by Bart Howard in 1954. Originally titled “In Other Words” the song was introduced by Felicia Sanders in cabarets before being recorded for the first time by Kaye Ballard. The song soon became known popularly as “Fly Me to the Moon” from the first line of the B verse. Peggy Lee is said to have convinced Bart Howard in 1963 to change the song’s title officially to Fly Me to the Moon. Frank Sinatra recorded a version on the album It Might as Well Be Swing (1964), accompanied by Count Basie. This version was arranged by Quincy Jones who changed the time signature from 3/4 waltz-time to 4/4 and gave it a looser, swing feel. Frank Sinatra also performed the song with Basie on Sinatra at the Sands (1966), and with bossa nova great Antonio Carlos Jobim on Duets II (1994). Click here to return to positive music list Read the full article

#FrankSinatra #positivemusic #TheBestIsYetToCome

0 notes

papermoonloveslucy · 7 years

Text

Lucy and the Countess Have a Horse Guest

S4;E6 ~ October 25, 1965

Synopsis

The Countess turns up on Lucy's doorstep with the only thing her late husband left her: a race horse. When she can't pay the stable fees, Lucy lets the horse stay on her patio. They hope it will race again one day, until it is discovered that the horse is pregnant.

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Gale Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney)

Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis) does not appear in this episode.

Guest Cast

Ann Sothern (Rosie Hannigan, the Countess Framboise) makes the first of her three season four appearances at the Countess. Sothern had appeared in the first “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (1957) as Susie MacNamara, the same character she played on her show “Private Secretary” from 1953 to 1957. In return, Lucille Ball played Lucy Ricardo on her show in 1959. Sothern appeared with Ball in five films between 1933 and 1943. She was nominated for an Oscar for her final screen appearance in The Whales of August in 1987. She is buried near her home in Sun Valley, Idaho, a place also dear to Lucy and Desi.

Herb Vigran (Veterinarian) played Jule, Ricky Ricardo’s music agent on two episodes of “I Love Lucy” in addition to playing movie publicist Hal Sparks in “Lucy is Envious” (ILL S3;23). He was seen in the Lucy-Desi film The Long, Long Trailer. He played the role of the baseball umpire (an eye doctor) in two previous episodes. He went on to play other characters in two more episodes.

The Veterinarian says he's been a horse doctor for 22 years. He never gives his name.

Bill Quinn (Mr. Morton, stable owner) is probably best remembered as Mr. Van Rensalear on “All in the Family” and “Archie Bunker's Place.” This is his only appearance with Lucille Ball.

The character introduces himself as Mr. Morton, although the final credits list him as Mr. Frink. Morton is, of course, Lucille Ball's name by marriage to Gary Morton, the show's production consultant and warm-up act.

Sid Gould (Porter #1) made more than 45 appearances on “The Lucy Show,” all as background characters. He also did 40 episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” Gould (born Sydney Greenfader) was Lucille Ball’s cousin by marriage to Gary Morton. Gould was married to Vanda Barra, who also appeared on “The Lucy Show” starting in 1967, as well as on “Here’s Lucy.”

Bennett Green (Porter #2, uncredited) was Desi Arnaz’s stand-in during “I Love Lucy.” He does frequent background work on “The Lucy Show.”

He does not have any dialogue.

William Frawley (Horse Trainer) was already a Hollywood veteran when he was hired by Desi Arnaz to play Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy.” After the series concluded he joined the cast of “My Three Sons” playing Bub Casey. This was his final appearance before his death in March 1966.

William Frawley gets his own full screen end credit, listed as "And our own Bill Frawley as The Trainer."

There are two live horses (Oil Well and May) and two foals (Lucy and Rosie) used on screen.

An uncredited and unidentified background actor leads Oil Well into the stable.

This episode was written by Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson and directed by Maury Thompson.

The original telecast included commercials for Wisk laundry detergent, Lux dish washing soap, Dippity-Do hair gel, and White Rain hair spray. There was also a promo spot for "The Ed Sullivan Show"

This episode was filmed September 16, 1965. That was a big night for CBS, with the very first episode of “My Three Sons” after moving from ABC titled “The First Marriage”. It was also the first episode of the series broadcast in color, something “The Lucy Show” did three days earlier with “Lucy at Marineland” (S4;E1).

Although William Frawley had left “My Three Sons” due to declining health, two of the “sons” had been seen on “The Lucy Show”. Don Grady (Robbie Douglas) had played Chris Carmichael’s friend Bill and Barry Livingston (Ernie Douglas) had played Mr. Mooney’s son Arnold. Barbara Perry was also in the “Three Sons” cast that night. Perry would do two episodes of “The Lucy Show” in 1966. Fred MacMurray teamed with Lucille Ball on “Lucy Hunts Uranium” (LDCH S1;E3) James V. Kern was the “Sons” director, a position he also held on “I Love Lucy.” “My Three Sons” was filmed at Desilu Studios.

“Gilligan’s Island” also had marriage theme the night of September 16, 1965. That episode featured “The Lucy Show” actors Mary Foran and Alan Hale Jr. Natalie Schafer (Mrs. Howell) had played Phoebe Emerson in “The Charm School” (ILL S3;E15).

Lucille Ball has restyled her hair for this episode.

Ann Sothern, Gale Gordon, and Herb Vigran all receive entrance applause from the studio audience.

Rosie once again arrives at Lucy's home with lots of luggage, although not nearly as much as when she first arrived in Danfield (above). Once again, Sid Gould is one of the men delivering it and being tipped.

Lucy tells Rosie that so far in Hollywood she has met:

Lassie's Hairdresser ~ Canine star Lassie was mentioned on “I Love Lucy” in “The Young Fans” (ILL S1;E20), among others.

The Man who used to dry off Lloyd Bridges ~ Actor Lloyd Bridges was the star of “Sea Hunt” (1958-1961), a TV series about a scuba diver which featured extensive underwater filming. It was previously mentioned in “Lucy and Viv Put in a Shower” (S1;E18) and “Lucy Buys a Boat” (S1;E30). Bridges played a doctor on the season five opener of “Here’s Lucy” in 1972.

Liberace's Dentist ~ Flamboyant pianist Liberace (well known for his continual smile), was mentioned on “I Love Lucy” in “The Diner” (ILL S3;E27). He will guest star on a 1970 episode of “Here's Lucy” playing himself.

When Rosie says that her late husband left her Oil Well, Lucy says that she'll be in with the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts. Rosie says she'll be in with the Longdens and the Arcaros because Oil Well is a racehorse. The former are two of the wealthiest families in America, although it was Rockefeller who made his fortune in oil as owner of Standard Oil. Eddie Arcaro (1916-97) held the record for winning more American classic races than anyone else. Johnny Longden (1907-2003, above) was one of the most successful jockeys of all time. By the end of his 40 year career he had racked up 6,032 victories. He played himself on “I Love Lucy” in “The Loving Cup” (ILL S6;E12).

Rosie formally asks the Horse Trainer (William Frawley) to announce her as the Countess Henri Gaston Armand Jean-Louis Philippe Framboise Le Cul-de-Sac. The Trainer grimaces (in Frawley's inimitable way) and then shouts “Some dame is here to see you!” After William Frawley's brief cameo as the horse trainer, Lucy says “You know he reminds me of someone I used to know.” This is an obvious reference to his nine year history of playing Fred Mertz opposite Lucille Ball.

This was William Frawley's final appearance on television. He died of a heart attack at the Knickerbocker Hotel, a few months after shooting this show. Desi Arnaz was grief-stricken with the loss of his friend and took out a full-page ad in the trade papers, consisting of Frawley's picture, framed in black, and three words: "Buenas noches, amigo!" Lucy had wanted Frawley to appear on “The Lucy Show” earlier, but because he and Vivian Vance did not get along, Lucy had to wait until Viv was no longer a regular.

Oil Well's board and feed bill comes to $937.14. Adjusting for inflation, that would be more than $7,200 today. Lucy spent $86 for oats, which she tells Mr. Mooney is for baking cookies.

Rosie says that Oil Well may be old enough to be the first horse to collect Medicare. Congress enacted Medicare to provide health insurance to people age 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history. President Johnson signed the bill into law on July 30, 1965, just two weeks after this episode was filmed so this was an subject very much in the news in 1965.

MR. MOONEY: “Mrs. Carmichael! We will talk about it right here, if you don’t mind!” LUCY: “Of horse! Of course, of course!”

When Lucy is trying to hide the fact that she’s keeping a horse in her apartment, she inadvertently (perhaps deliberately by the writers) quotes the lyrics to the sitcom “Mr. Ed” the most famous horse on television!

“A horse is a horse, of course, of course And no one can talk to a horse, of course. That is, of course, unless the horse Is the famous Mister Ed!”

The show aired on CBS from 1958 to 1966. The night before this episode of “The Lucy Show” first aired, “Mr. Ed” featured actor George N. Neise, who had played Mr. Carter (no relation) in “Lucy Becomes A Father” (S3;E9) a year earlier. In 1966, Bill Quinn (Mr. Morton in “Lucy and the Countess Have a Horse Guest”) appeared on “Mr. Ed.” Jimmy Garrett, who played Jerry Carmichael, had done an episode in 1962. On a 1970 episode of “Here’s Lucy,” guest star Carol Burnett also mentions Mr. Ed.

Lucy's checking account is known around the bank as ‘Mooney's Millstone.’ In this case, Mr. Mooney is referring to the Biblical proverb about “a millstone around one’s neck”, which means to put some burden on a person’s life or punishment that makes escape impossible. It also means to force somebody takes up some responsibility or a job that they are trying to avoid.

When the Countess sees Mr. Mooney, she addresses him by his real name, instead of “Mr. Money,” which was a running gag back in Danfield.

There are two references to sending Oil Well to the “Glue Factory.” This has become a euphemism for euthanizing a horse (or any animal) but it is based in fact. Early adhesives were made from a process that incorporated animal bones and hides. The animal were generally horses (due to its shear size), but other animals were also used.

The Veterinarian's diagnosis of Oil Well is that “She's pregnant!” When Lucy Ricardo was expecting a child in 1952, the network forbade the word “pregnant” from being mentioned on air. Times have changed.

When hearing that Oil Well is expecting, Lucy prepares the horse a lunch of dill pickles, strawberries, hot sauce, cod liver oil, and sardines. Lucy and Rosie assume that horses have the same pre-natal cravings that some women experience.

Lucy gets an irate phone call from Mrs. Goldaper, the woman who lives downstairs from her, about Oil Wells clomping about. Goldaper was Lucy's husband Gary Morton's birth name, so technically Lucille Ball is also a “Mrs. Goldaper.”

As Oil Well is giving birth, Mr. Mooney sings “Sonny Boy” hoping it is a boy. "Sonny Boy" was written by Ray Henderson, Bud De Sylva, and Lew Brown and was featured in the 1928 talkie The Singing Fool sung by Al Jolson. It is ironic that a Jolson song should be sung in the same episode that features William Frawley, who had a long-standing and sometimes bitter rivalry with the performer.

Lucy reminds Rosie that she has given birth and is a mother (without mentioning their names). Rosie says her sister has also given birth, making her an aunt.

Oil Well has births two foals, which Rosie and Lucy name... Rosie and Lucy!

Callbacks & Fast Forward!

In “Lucy Wins a Racehorse,” a 1958 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour,” Lucy also kept a live race horse (named Whirling Jet) in the house.

Lucy Carmichael says she bought a special chair for Oil Well to sit in and rest, although the horse never actually sits on it on camera. It is possible that the producers were hoping to recreate the gag of the horse sitting an an armchair that was featured in “Lucy Wins a Racehorse,” but that Oil Well refused to cooperate. There seems little other reason for the chair and the dialogue. Also, there is a hard edit in the film as the telephone rings. Saved by the bell!

Lucy jokingly tells Oil Well to chew his food 30 times before swallowing. When Lucy Ricardo is trying to delay getting to the theatre in “Lucy’s Night In Town” (ILL S6;E22) she tells Ricky that “ Everyone should chew their food 25 times before swallowing, just like the animals do.”

While mixing Oil Well's food, Lucy says that when she was pregnant she always wanted ice cream with sardines. On “I Love Lucy,” Lucy Ricardo also craved ice cream and sardines, even sending Ricky out in the middle of the night to get it for her.

She also mixes in some dill pickles, which was another craving that Lucy Carter said she had when she ‘faked’ her pregnancy in “Lucy the Part-Time Wife” (HL S3;E14).

When Oil Well goes into labor, pandemonium ensues just as it did when “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (ILL S2;E16). “Call the cab!” “I’ll call the cab!”

In the panic, Mr. Mooney says “I’d better go out and by Dr. Spock’s baby book.” Benjamin McLane Spock (1903-98) was a pediatrician whose 1946 book Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care is one of the best-sellers of all time. It was first mention on “I Love Lucy” in “Nursery School” (S5;E9) and again in “Little Ricky’s School Pageant” (S6;E10). Ricky often mispronounced his name as “Dr. Spook”! Convincing their sons to deliver a cake for them, Viv calls Lucy Carmichael “The Dr. Spock of Danfield” in a 1964 episode of “The Lucy Show.”

Live horses were also featured on “The Lucy Show” in “Lucy Visits the White House” (S1;E25), “Kiddie Parties Inc.” (S2;E2), “Lucy and Arthur Godfrey” (S3;E23), “Lucy Discovers Wayne Newton” (S4;E14), and “Lucy and Robert Goulet” (S6;E8).

Blooper Alerts!

Luggage Jenga! When Porter #2 walks toward Rosie to be tipped, the baggage he has stacked topples over with a loud thud. He turns around to see what has made the noise, but does not go back to fix it and the scene goes on as if nothing has happened.

Shut The Door! As usual on “The Lucy Show,” when Mr. Mooney enters Lucy's home he leaves the front door open.

What’s My Line! Lucille Ball jumps Ann Sothern's line when she's in the kitchen talking about her tin mine in the Alps.

Sitcom Logic Alert! When Rosie arrives at 4am, Lucy is wearing pajamas, a robe, with her hair in curlers, but still has on very thick eyelashes!

Second Story Horse! It has previously been established and confirmed again here that Lucy lives on the second floor, making the idea of Oil Well getting up the stairs and living on her patio quite unlikely!

My Three Sons! When Oil Well is about to give birth, Mr. Mooney says “I hope it's a boy. I've always wanted a boy.” He forgets that he has three sons of his own: Ted Jr., Bob, and Arnold. Which brings our story full circle!

“Lucy and the Countess Have a Horse Guest” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5

RIP Bill Frawley (1887-1966)

3 notes · View notes

365footballorg-blog · 6 years

Text

England 'could snatch Cairney'; Griffiths 'has to work harder' - gossip

<!–

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

England manager Gareth Southgate could snatch Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, who has been capped twice in friendlies, from Scotland. (Scottish Sun)[1]

Brendan Rodgers insists Leigh Griffiths can have no complaints about Steven Naismith jumping ahead of him in the Scotland queue. (Daily Record)[2]

Steven Gerrard has challenged his Rangers players to make history by winning in Spain and then justify his belief that they can upset the odds and qualify from their tough Europa League group. (Times, subscription required)[3]

Motherwell and St Mirren are keeping tabs on Dutch winger Morad El Haddouti, the 20-year-old starring with NEC Nijmegen’s Under-23 side. (Scottish Sun)[4]

Gordon Strachan has denied any knowledge of a sinister plot to stop Rangers winning the title in 2008. (Daily Record)[5]

Martin Boyle is in line to become Hibs’ latest Socceroo after face-to-face talks with boss Graham Arnold. (Scottish Sun)[6]

The man in charge of football’s international rule-book, IFAB technical director David Elleray, wants urgent talks with the SFA over the string of highly contentious red card decisions which have caused early season chaos in Scotland’s top flight. (Daily Record) [7]

Celtic’s Kieran Tierney says the Europa League will never be a second-rate tournament after facing Robin van Persie and Nani in an unexpected continental debut in the competition three years ago. (Scottish Daily Mail)[8]

Don Cowie believes Hearts have enough factors going in their favour to be able to mount a genuine challenge for the Scottish Premiership title this season. (Edinburgh Evening News)[9]

Inverness Caley Thistle midfielder Riccardo Calder is making the most of downtime away from the pitch by recording his own rap music. (Press and Journal)[10]

Former Scotland and Celtic midfielder Barry Robson insists he is ready to take his first step into management after being linked with the vacant Raith Rovers post. (Herald, print edition)

English football gossip[11]

OTHER GOSSIP

Glasgow Warriors and Scotland star Stuart Hogg faces ankle surgery and will be sidelined for up to two months. (Scottish Daily Mail)[12]

Edinburgh centre James Johnstone accepts that Mark Bennett’s injury setback presents him with an opportunity but takes no pleasure from his luckless team-mate’s latest blow. (Scotsman)[13]

Sergio Garcia believes he has no point to prove in next week’s Ryder Cup in Paris, insisting he can’t just be judged by his performance on the course after controversially securing one of Thomas Bjorn’s European wildcards. (Scotsman)[14]

References

^ (Scottish Sun) (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)

^ (Daily Record) (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)

^ (Times, subscription required) (www.thetimes.co.uk)

^ (Scottish Sun) (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)

^ (Daily Record) (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)

^ (Scottish Sun) (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)

^ (Daily Record) (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)

^ (Scottish Daily Mail) (www.dailymail.co.uk)

^ (Edinburgh Evening News) (www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com)

^ (Press and Journal) (www.pressandjournal.co.uk)

^ English football gossip (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ (Scottish Daily Mail) (www.dailymail.co.uk)

^ (Scotsman) (www.scotsman.com)

BBC Sport – Scottish

England 'could snatch Cairney'; Griffiths 'has to work harder' – gossip was originally published on 365 Football

#&039could #&039has #Cairney&039 #England #gossip #Griffiths #harder&039 #snatch #work

0 notes

motorsstream-blog · 6 years

Text

Motor Sports Stream Blog!

Automobile racing started not long after the development of the gas (oil ) powered interior Motor Sports Stream burning motor in the 1880s. The principal sorted out automobile rivalry, an unwavering quality test in 1894 from Paris to Rouen, France, a separation of around 80 km (50 mi), was won with a normal speed of 16.4 kph (10.2 mph). F1 Live Stream In 1895 the principal genuine race was held, from Paris to Bordeaux, France, and back, a separation of 1,178 km. The victor made a normal speed of 24.15 kph. Sorted out automobile racing started in the United States with an 87-km race from Chicago to Evanston, Illinois, and back on F1 Live Stream’s Thanksgiving Day in 1895. Both early races were supported by daily papers for limited time purposes. In Europe, town-to-town races in France, or from France to different nations, motor sports stream turned into the standard until the point when 1903 when specialists halted the Paris-to-Madrid race at Bordeaux due to the expansive number of mischances. The principal shut circuit street race, the Course de Périgueux, kept running in 1898, a separation of 145 km on one lap. Such racing, represented by the Automobile Club de France (established in 1895), came to win in Europe aside from England, Wales, and Scotland. By 1900 racers had accomplished rates of in excess of 80.46 kph. The risk to onlookers, racers, and domesticated animals on streets not worked for the automobile, not to mention racing, at last, caused street races to diminish in number. A striking special case was the Mille Miglia, which was not halted until 1957 for the F1 live stream. Motor Sports Stream, Universal racing in the cutting edge sense started after James Gordon Bennett, proprietor of The New York Herald, offered a trophy to be sought every year by national automobile clubs, racing three autos every that had been worked of parts made in the particular nations. The Automobile Club de France sorted out the main Bennett Trophy races in 1901, 1902, and 1903. The occasion was later held at the Circuit of Ireland (1903), the Taunus Rundstrecke in Germany (1904), and the Circuit d'Auvergne (1905). The unwillingness of French makers to be constrained to three autos prompted their blacklist of the Bennett Trophy Race in 1906 and the foundation of the principal French Grand Prix Race at Le Mans in that year, the autos being dashed by makers' groups. F1 Live Stream The main Targa Florio was kept running in Sicily that year and from that point with the exception of amid wartime at separations differing from 72 to 1,049 km. William K. Vanderbilt, the New York sportsman, built up a trophy hustled for on Long Island from 1904 through 1909 (with the exception of 1907) at separations extending from 450 to 482 km. From that point, the race was kept running at Savannah, Georgia; Milwaukee; Santa Monica, California; and San Francisco until its discontinuance in 1916. Motor sports stream Later Vanderbilt Cup races were kept running in 1936 and 1937 at Roosevelt Raceway, Long Island, New York in Motor Sports Stream Blog. In early racing, F1 live stream in both Europe and the United States, contending race autos were typically models of the next year's models. After World War I, racing turned out to be excessively specific for the utilization of generation autos, however periodically superior visiting autos were stripped of their bodies and fitted with extraordinary seats, fuel tanks, and tires for racing. Still, later stock-auto racing in 1939 began with standard models changed for racing.

Speedway racing:

The primary speedway reason worked for automobile racing was developed in 1906 at Brooklands, close Weybridge, Surrey, England. The track was a 4.45 km circuit, 30 m (100 ft) wide, with two bends managed an account to a tallness of 8.5 m for an F1 live stream site. Dash, hand-off, perseverance, and disable races were kept running at Brooklands, and long-remove runs motor sports stream (1,600 km) in 1932. Twenty-four-hour races were held in 1929– 31. Brooklands shut in 1939. The primary street racing permitted in England was at Donington Park, Lancashire, in 1932, yet the circuit did not survive World War II. Oval, managed an account speedways on the Continent included Monza (outside Milan, 1922) and Montlhéray (outside Paris, 1924), both of which were joined to street circuits, utilizing just a large portion of the track as a feature of Grand Prix racing. Auto Racing News sites sometimes provides false news of crash scenes etc. Montlhéray was likewise the site of some long-separate speed records F1 live stream to broadcast on different stations. Perhaps the best-known speedway is the 4-km Indianapolis Motor Speedway at Speedway, close Indianapolis, which opened as an unpaved track in 1909 yet was cleared with the block for the principal Indianapolis 500 of every 1911, the race proceeding with from that point aside from amid wartime. Oval, managed an account board tracks, first utilized before World War I, were mainstream in the United States all through the 1920s. Both when that decade unpaved (soil) tracks of half-mile and mile lengths were being used. After the primary Grand Prix race in France in 1906 and the main Indianapolis 500 race in 1911, automobile racing was basically extraordinary in Europe and in North America until in the 1950s Grand Prix racing was sorted out around the world. Racing in the United States was basically speedway track racing, the tracks changing from half-mile earth tracks to the 2 1/2-mi track for the Indianapolis 500. Stock-auto racing emerged in the 1930s on the shoreline at Daytona Beach, Florida, at that point moved to tracks, and the real administering body, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), was established in 1947. Dragster racing, especially racing, a quick speeding up challenge on a quarter-mile strip, started in the United States in the 1930s in southern California leave. Dragster autos initially were changed stock autos, however, they eventually progressed toward becoming, as other racing autos, exceedingly specific. Speedster racing spread quickly after World War II, and in 1951 the National Hot Rod Association was established. Formula 1 Live Stream the game spread to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Sweden and in 1965 was perceived by the FIA. Racing with diminutive person autos started in the United States in the 1940s and with significantly littler autos, called karts, in the 1950s. Karts were additionally later dashed in England, all through whatever remains of Europe, and in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, with universal rivalry from the 1960s. Games auto racing, both beginner, and expert, ended up well known in the United States in the late 1930s, the most punctual autos being European-made. The U.S. overseeing body, the Sports Car Club of America (established 1944), and the Canadian Automobile Sports Committee (established 1951) collaborate nearly. Beginner individuals mostly contend in neighborhood mobilizes and gymkhanas, Formula 1 live stream yet overall population intrigue is for the most part in the expert races. Rough terrain racing, held in the western deserts of the United States from the 1960s and in Baja California, Mexico, is prominent for the Baja 500 and the Mexican 1000 (mile) races. Not at all like most European and different nations, the United States has no single automobile racing body. The administering bodies noted above for different sorts of racing are individuals from the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States-FIA, essentially a warning and contact association to sell broadcasting rights to Formula 1 live stream.

Excellent Prix Racing:

After the main French Grand Prix race of 1906 at Le Mans, a successive early scene and furthermore the site of 24 Hours of Le Mans, keep running from 1923, the race was kept running in 1907 and 1908 and afterward not again until 1912. Formula 1 live stream working for the principal Italian Grand Prix was kept running in 1908. When racing continued after World War I, the French and Italian Grand Prix was held in 1921. The Belgian Grand Prix started in 1925, the German in 1926, and that at motor sports stream in Monaco in 1929. The national clubs had shaped an administering body in 1904, the Association Internationale des Automobiles Clubs Reconnus (renamed the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile in 1946). The autos of every country were altogether painted one shading for simple distinguishing proof: French, blue; Italian, red; German, white; and British, green. Sections were made by producers, typically a few autos, and drivers were proficient. Races were on shut circuits of 5 or 6 km to a lap with add up motor sports stream car racing to separations of from 250 to 650 km. Through 1934 French and Italian producers won most much of the time, yet all through whatever is left of the 1930s, German makers commanded. Racing continued in 1947, and from the late 1950s, British-made autos were overwhelming. In 1950 a big showdown for drivers was founded, more often than not including point counting for somewhere in the range of fifteen Grand Prix races, including those of Monaco, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Canada, and the United States. A title for Formula I auto makers was started in 1955.

Rally driving:

Racing over indicated courses, the driver being kept on course by a pilot between checkpoints started in 1907 with a Peking-to-Paris race of around 12,000 km. The Monte-Carlo Rally from different beginning stages started in 1911 and proceeded with from there on aside from wartime interferences. Revives turned out to be exceptionally prominent after World War II in Europe and somewhere else with European and worldwide titles being initiated by the FIA. End of the week energizes came to be normal around the world, extending from those held by neighborhood auto clubs to those supported by bigger associations. In a wide range of racing, speed has been the overwhelming objective, despite the fact that worry for wellbeing by Motor sports stream vehicles overseeing bodies has kept a relentless move in speeds. In any case, speed has ascended from 120.04 kph in the 1911 Indianapolis 500 to almost 260 kph in the late 1970s. In Grand Prix racing, where the territory and number of bends fluctuate, speeds are fairly lower. In the 1920s, Motor Sports Stream Blog arrive speed record endeavors left the tracks and courses for extraordinary forsake or shoreline strips, and autos were intended for the record alone. Stream motors later came into utilization, and in one case a three-wheeled vehicle endeavoring another record must be ensured by the Fédération Internationale Motorcycliste, the FIA having denied accreditation.

#moto #race #nascar #f1 #formula 1 #racing #nhra #motogp #autoracing #auto racing

0 notes

junker-town · 6 years

Text

NFL Dad, Week 17: Good riddance to the Ravens, Seahawks, and 2017

On the final day of the year, one NFL fan tried to watch all of the RedZone action while parenting two toddlers.

It’s fitting that the NFL season came to a close on New Year’s Eve. After the Week 17 games, every team will start with a clean slate — either vying for the Lombardi Trophy in the playoffs, or taking stock of what went wrong and planning for 2018. Coaches will be fired, management restructured, free agents signed, hopes laid upon draftees. Injured players will return stronger than ever, and you’ll take this opportunity to improve yourself, too. Exercise more. Eat better. Work harder. A fresh start for all!

It’s a lie, of course. Unless a franchise has recently fired Jeff Fisher, a team will only take incremental steps forward or backward. Sure, there are exceptions: One or two teams will experience huge leaps in the win column thanks to turnover luck and positive results in close games, and those teams’ fans will be CERTAIN that it was the result of effort and superior coaching, and not the random providence of luck, destined to regress to the mean.

The truth is, the calendar is the only thing that’s changed. We can experience temporary improvements, but most of us are destined to regress to our personal means. And NFL teams are the same: Your team is unlikely to improve dramatically.

But the NFL monolith will scrape forward nonetheless. Your favorite players will get injured. People will complain about the refs. The Patriots will go 12-4. 2018 is the same hell as 2017, just fresher.

EARLY GAMES, FIRST HALF

— It’s a tame early slate. Bears-Vikings, Jets-Pats, and Browns-Steelers are the only games with playoff implications, and that’s being generous. The (heavy) favorites in those games only have minor jockeying for bye weeks and top-2 conference seeding. I’m saving most of my attention span for the late games.

— A common theme for many of the early games is the extreme cold hitting much of the country. Players wear extra layers, helmets shrink, and Jets quarterbacks live out the metaphors of their station in life.

Inspiring start for Bryce Petty and the Jets http://pic.twitter.com/3t9LvfGCxb

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 31, 2017

— My wife and I rented a car to take our kids to my sister’s place for a couple days after Christmas, with a stop along the way to see old friends. And I’m not going to relive the entire journey, but I will offer one unpleasant travel snapshot: Experiencing carsickness from constantly torquing my neck and back around to fruitlessly attempt to soothe two toddlers completely unaccustomed to car travel as snarled traffic turned a 3.5-hour car trip into a 6.5-hour cry-a-thon.

The lesson I refuse to learn: NEVER. GO. ANYWHERE.

The lesson I refuse to learn as a parent of young children: NEVER. GO. ANYWHERE.

— James Harrison is making his debut for the Patriots, and some Steelers fans are aghast. I don’t quite get the surprise. When Harrison was cut by the Steelers in 2013, he signed with the division rival Bengals. He also had a stint with the Ravens after being on the Steelers’ practice squad early in his career. This is James Harrison we’re talking about. He’s not a paragon of virtue loyal to the black and yellow; he’s a vindictive maniac who has dedicated his entire life to hitting people. Of COURSE he went to the Steelers’ biggest rival this year.

— Juju Smith-Schuster’s touchdown celebration gets an A for joyous creativity, and a D for snowball packing.

— It’s 2:15 p.m. and my son is awake at least 45 minutes earlier than my wife and I would like. He only ever takes 90-minute naps now. My daughter at his age would regularly sleep for three hours in the afternoon. Hell, she still sleeps longer in the afternoon than he does, and she’s twice his age. Sleep longer, you adorable goblin! You’re tired!

— The Bears score a touchdown on the famous fake where the punt returner feigns tracking the ball on one side of the field while a second player catches it on the other side of the field. Long live this explainer on why the play is so unstoppable.

— Dallas and Philadelphia are tied 0-0 at the half. Someone named Jeff Sudfeld is playing quarterback for the Eagles. Nick Foles is too valuable for the Eagles’ playoff run!

Last reminder of the year: (extremely long sigh) Any team in the NFL could have signed Colin Kaepernick on the cheap.

EARLY GAMES, SECOND HALF

— The Colts attempt a surprise onside kick, and there appears to be an end-of-year fire sale on trick plays. If I were a coach about to get fired, you can bet your ass I would throw every unused page in the playbook at an opponent in Week 17: Fake punts, surprise onside kicks, hook-and-laterals, Fumblerooskis — the trick plays would get the defense so on edge for the trick plays that they would get knocked over by power runs.

And then I would be fired.

— Much of what I do on a week-to-week basis has already been collected, with much more brevity, in this piece of service journalism: Every dumb thing that happened in NFL Week 17. (No bits about parenting there, though.)

— Eight minutes into the third quarter, the Giants and Washington are a combined three-for-19 on third downs. It’s hard for me to express how much I’m enjoying not watching that game.

Instead, I’m watching these bad bartending videos:

youtube

There’s a whole series of those that are equally confounding, and they are either the stupidest videos on YouTube or the subtlest troll jobs I’ve ever seen.

As someone who’s been absorbing online culture as a job for more than a decade, it’s rare for me to find something like this inscrutable. Hundreds of dollars for a full bar, but no muddler? The totally incapable but somehow believable bartender? The pint glass of whiskey? This is a ruse, right? I refuse to be anyone’s mark.

— A fun new thing I have since the round-trip car voyage is a semi-permanent eye tic. Just a tiny little muscle spasm on my lower left eyelid that’s like, “Hey, remember that time you were trapped in a rolling box of stress for six hours? Twice?” Look for it on SB Nation’s YouTube channel in 2018.

Hey, remember that time you were trapped in a rolling box of stress for six hours?

— My wife leaves to walk the dog right as the early games wind down. Because we’re keeping our children out of the Arctic blast, I stay back with both kids. My son immediately grabs the iPad off the table and shoves his face into it.

“I want Elsa,” my daughter says, so I play “Let It Go” on Spotify and pull up an image of Elsa for her to look at while the song plays. Frozen is the next horizon for us after Moana. I’m fine with this eventuality, but Moana definitely has the superior story and soundtrack. The important thing is that they’re both better than the 50 years of Disney princess movies that came before. GAHHHH WHY DO I SPEND SO MUCH TIME THINKING ABOUT DISNEY CARTOONS?

— The Browns, despite their best effort against the Steelers’ B-team, finish their season 0-16. Congratulations?

— Because all nine (!!!) late games start at 4:25 p.m. Eastern, RedZone’s Scott Hanson must deal with an action-less lull that’s unusual for so early in the day. It’s 4:15 and RedZone is running highlights, snippets of press conferences, and fantasy updates. And come on: I know the segment is sponsored, no self-respecting fantasy league is active in Week 17. Much like Le’Veon Bell.

LATE GAMES, FIRST HALF

— GAME TIME. My focus today is Panthers-Falcons, Saints-Bucs, and Cardinals-Seahawks. I want the Seahawks to win to stay alive for a playoff spot, and I need the Panthers to be motivated to beat the Falcons, which means I need Tampa Bay to give the Saints a fight, which means the Seahawks are probably going to miss the playoffs. Which, frankly, is probably better than getting blown out by the Rams or Saints on Wild Card Weekend. Everything is meaningless, by the way.

— Ah crap, Arizona opens the game with a touchdown. Drew Stanton escapes Michael Bennett on what could have been a 15-yard sack, buying enough time to throw a TD pass instead. I am going to hate today.

Tyler Lockett returns the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to tie the game. I am already closing off all emotion to deal with whatever happens for the next three hours.

— In Tampa, the Bucs score game-opening TD. Yay! But then Alvin Kamara returns the ensuing kickoff for a TD. I NEED EVERYONE TO SETTLE DOWN, PLEASE.

— The kids are at the dinner table, alternately painting with watercolors and screaming. My son, whose relentless teething continues, takes a sip of water from the cup he’d been dipping his paintbrush in. My daughter, who has recovered from a double ear infection over Christmas only to get ANOTHER ear infection, has a Moana-themed coloring book. I read her the plot point that goes with each picture as another Panthers drive stalls. COME ON, CAM.

— The Niners are dominating early and up 10-0, but a Jimmy Garoppolo INT sets the Rams up in the red zone. However, the Niners D holds firm, and the Rams are forced to kick a field goal.

— Oh, hello there, AFC. I understand there are some stakes in your conference today, too, hmmm? In Los Angeles, where the Chargers need a win and some help to secure a playoff spot, Melvin Gordon fumbles, but Keenan Allen scoops up the fumble for an awesome TD.

Wait. WHAT?! Gordon loses it. Allen recovers. And SCORES. #Chargers http://pic.twitter.com/PQ59L012NB

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2017

My feelings on the four AFC teams vying for two Wild Card spots, ranked by preference:

Chargers. I know they deserve nothing but misery for leaving San Diego, but this team is genuinely fun to watch. Philip Rivers has been incredible this year, and Keenan Allen has stayed healthy! Melvin Gordon is great and likable! The defense has the kind of scary pass rush that can enable a deep playoff run (read: can knock Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger on their asses).

Bills. I hate tables.

Titans. This is one of the least inspiring winning teams I’ve seen in a long time, which is what it’s been since RedZone last clicked over to the Seattle game. Who has ever looked at the AFC South and said, “Yes, this division needs TWO playoff teams.”

Ravens. I strenuously object to Joe Flacco’s existence. If the Ravens offense touches your field, the earth there will be fallow for seven years.

— My kids, still sitting at the table, dance to “Twist and Shout” like two little Elaine Beneses, a brief moment of cheer before the Cardinals punch in another touchdown to take a 17-7 lead over the Seahawks. But the dancing! It’s so herky-jerky and devoid of coordination — like Seattle’s offensive line, but happy.

— What was I saying about the Chargers’ fearsome defense? On third and 22, Derek Carr unloads a bomb to Amari Cooper for an 87-yard touchdown.

EIGHTY-SEVEN YARDS!@DerekCarrQB to @AmariCooper9 for SIX! #RaiderNation http://pic.twitter.com/GLf0Q7bAva

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2017

My wife tells my daughter that the Raiders are Uncle Sean’s favorite team. “Can you say the Raiders?” she asks.

Daughter: “The Raid-ahhhhhs.” Chris Berman’s tics are much better when they’re done by toddlers.

— I get a text from Steven Godfrey, SB Nation’s excellent college football reporter who is also doomed to an existence of Falcons fandom. It is to me and Brian Floyd, our managing editor who is also a Seahawks fan: “Please God take this wildcard spot.”

Floyd and I both reject any desire to see these Seahawks in the playoffs. It feels good to own the feeling, to want a different team in a new season instead of watching this one for another week.

— Here is the first RedZone play featuring the Ravens offense that I see: Joe Flacco throws a one-yard crossing route to a running back, who drops the ball. A graphic pops up that says it is the Ravens’ fifth dropped pass of the day. Put this offense in a rocket and fire it into the deepest reaches of space.

— Philip Rivers throws another deep bomb for a touchdown. God, this team belongs in the playoffs, and they’re not going to make it because the first quarter of their season was a grotesque monkey’s paw retribution inflicted by the San Diego city council.

— The Saints attempt a fake field goal, the Bucs don’t fall for it, and Wil Lutz gets CRUSHED. If you ask me, there are simply not enough punters getting blown up by defenders in today’s NFL. (Miss you, Sean Taylor.)

Not enough punters are getting blown up in today’s NFL.

— A big hit in the Ufford household these days is the Daddy Monster. I become my alter ego, roar, and chase my son into the corner where I tickle him and pretend to eat him. “OM NOM NOM!” I say.

He stands up and says, “Naan naan naan!” in his little voice. I feign terror and let him chase me. I hope you didn’t take what I said about the car ride and the eye tic too seriously, because parenting is great.

— Breaking news: The Colts have fired Chuck Pagano. So we’re doing away with Black Monday now? Just getting it out of the way on Sunday?

— I change my son’s poopy diaper. But don’t think of it as poop! It’s more like his butt threw up.

— Flacco watch:

Flacco 3/16 says "Hey remember that time I won a Super Bowl?" http://pic.twitter.com/pvaQG3RKhs

— James Dator [waiting for recognition] (@James_Dator) December 31, 2017

— HALFTIME SCORES:

The Seahawks trail at home 20-7, their only score a kickoff return TD. Burn this season to the ground.

Chargers lead the Raiders 20-10 despite having a FG and PAT blocked. Very on-brand.

Carolina and Atlanta are tied 7-7.

Buffalo leads Miami 10-0. David Fales has replaced Jay Cutler, who is riding a jet ski pantsless to the nearest bank with a boat-thru teller to cash his game check. I am gonna miss that guy so much.

Only a missed extra point is keeping the Bucs from being even with the Saints. New Orleans leads 14-13. Get inspired, Carolina!

Titans 12, Jags 3. Jacksonville trails because its defensive and special teams units have struggled to score touchdowns.

49ers 20, Rams 6. If anything, this score is flattering for the Rams. San Fran-Clara will be a chic pick to win the NFC West next year.

An 85(ish)-yard kickoff return with seconds left in the half gifts Baltimore with a touchdown that cuts the Cincinnati lead to 17-10. C’mon Bengals, don’t Bengal this one.

LATE GAMES, SECOND HALF

— I make a vow to myself: The Seahawks have one possession, the first of the half, to keep me interested in the result of their game, and even then … BARELY. Naturally, the run game comes to life, Russell Wilson connects on a pass, and this appears to be a crude approximation of a drive.

— Shady McCoy is carted off. Screw this season.

— I help with the end of the kids’ bath time. My son, who hates getting out of the bath, sits in tub as the water empties. “Fee-oh,” he says, for frio, because my children are dual-language geniuses. I let him chill there while I peek at the TV; I’m just in time to see Doug Baldwin score a touchdown that narrows the score to 20-14.

The next drive — at least, the next drive I catch a glimpse of — Shaquill Griffin intercepts a Drew Stanton overthrow, and I now feel confident that the Seahawks can get a comeback victory, only for the Falcons to lock down the last playoff spot with a win. (With the Panthers trailing 10-7, Cam Newton promptly throws a terrible interception.)

— The Saints have been a little shaky for the last month of the season, but I could definitely endorse Alvin Kamara destroying the entire playoff field. Look at him make a contested catch downfield:

Oh my goodness, @A_kamara6. #GoSaints http://pic.twitter.com/4bLIJaPrzI

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2017

That drive ends in a field goal, and the Saints lead 17-13.

— Ravens WR Chris Moore bobbles a red zone pass, which is intercepted and returned for a touchdown. The Bengals lead 24-10, and I am HERE for the season implosion.

Yes, that is Joe Flacco's pick-six. http://pic.twitter.com/Utx1SfhBP3

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) December 31, 2017

— The Bucs force a fumble on a punt return and return it for a touchdown! The used coffee grounds of the NFC South are ahead of the division leaders, 20-14.

— With the Seahawks trailing 23-14, they definitely could use a field goal to make it a one-score game. Instead:

Thomas Rawls' taunting penalty cost the Seahawks 15 yards and likely cost them three points as well.

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 31, 2017

— With the Tennessee leading 15-3 in the fourth quarter, all the Titans have to do is bleed clock and let Blake Bortles throw it to their defense. Instead, Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry collide on a handoff, and the Jaguars return the fumble for a touchdown.

I just checked, and the Jaguars have seven defensive touchdowns this year. That’s a lot, but I could have sworn it was more. Like, if you told me that Bortles had thrown as many touchdowns as the defense scored, I would have believed you. But Bortles had 21 passing TDs (to 13 picks); the NFL works in mysterious ways.

— I pause RedZone to put the kids to bed. I read my son Good Night Moon because he freaking LOVES seeing the moon. “MOON! MOON! MOON!” every time there’s a moon on the page of a book. As I read the last page — “Good night noises everywhere” — he puts his finger to his lips and says, “Shhhh.”

I offer him a choice of second books but he olds up Good Night Moon again. So I read it a second time, but with four pages to go, he shuts the book and says, “All done!” Oh, I’m sorry. Did you perhaps already know how it ends?

— Twenty minutes later, the kids are in bed and I’m back in front of the TV, but I don’t have the energy or desire to watch everything I missed, so I just skip to live TV. The biggest news is that the Panthers have farted their way around the second half to lose to the Falcons by two scores, rendering the Seahawks game pointless. Or more pointless than usual, at least.

And the Panthers should be kicking themselves over that performance: With nine seconds remaining in Tampa, the Bucs score a go-ahead touchdown that gives them a meaningless win and leads to a super-awkward unfriendly never-ending handshake between Sean Payton and Dirk Koetter. The Panthers will go on the road to face the Saints instead of hosting them next weekend.

— The Titans lock up a playoff spot with their win over the Jaguars. When it comes to the other Wild Card spot, the Bills win, but they need help from the Bengals, who have lost their lead in Baltimore. Ravens ahead 27-24.

— Oh, the Seahawks lost, too. Blair Walsh missing a 48-yarder to lose a game that couldn’t save their season is the perfect ending to this campaign. (I may have been miserable watching the Seahawks this season, but they were also an effective kicker away from being 12-4.)

— The last game of the RedZone season is Bengals-Ravens, and my remaining hopes and dreams rest on ... an Andy Dalton drive? Oh Jesus, where’s the liquor?

— On 4th and 12 near midfield, the Bengals season is about to sputter and die, and I’m beginning to accept the Ravens beating Kansas City when DALTON COMPLETES THE PASS! TYLER BOYD SLIPS A TACKLE AND GETS TO THE END ZONE!!!

THE @BENGALS! TOUCHDOWNNNN! WOW. #Bengals50 http://pic.twitter.com/NB78jk9U2a

— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2018

YEAAAAAGGGHHHHH I COULD LIFT A VOLKSWAGEN OVER MY HEAD RIGHT NOW

— With a chance to respond, Joe Flacco quickly leads the Ravens to zero first downs and 4th and 14, at which point he completes a pass eight yards short of the first-down marker. GOOD RIDDANCE, GARBAGE BIRDS.*

And good riddance, 2017. Here’s to marginal improvements in 2018.

*insult also applicable to the author’s team of choice

0 notes

tortuga-aak · 7 years

Text

Chinese billionaires can't get enough of polo, the 'sport of kings'

Kevin Frayer/Stringer

Polo is becoming the new luxury sport in China, gaining popularity among billionaires and their families.

The Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, the largest polo club in China, advertises itself as a place to become "the new nobility."

Some wealthy players even bring their own horses and indulge in the luxury hotel connected to the club.

The sport is known as the "sport of kings," and its popularity has implications about the international superpower the country is becoming.

The art of polo is distinctly Persian. The word "polo," meaning "ball," is derived from Balti, spoken in the region of Baltistan in Pakistan. But, today, the game of polo is finding a shiny, new vitality among the billionaires in China. For them, the elite allure of the game, and the skill involved in playing it, make it perfectly suited to a luxury lifestyle.

In China's Tang dynasty (617 - 908AD) emperors played with the finest horses they could breed. The sport was enjoyed in one of the country's ancient capitals, Chang'an, and centuries ago was also played by women in male dress.

The modern game was created in India, with the first polo club opening in 1833, in Assam. The colonial British are credited for spreading the game worldwide, and the first polo club, the Calcutta Polo Club, was established in 1862 by two British soldiers, Lieutenant Joseph Sherer and Captain Robert Stewart.

British settlers expanded the game in Argentina, which for the next century produced some of the world's top players, such as Nacho Figueras. In 1876 James Gordon Bennett Jnr, the publisher of the now-defunct New York Herald newspaper, organized the first polo match in the United States, at Dickle's Riding Academy on Fifth Avenue.

America's finest club is now in South Carolina — a sterling example of how the sport has excelled and found a whole new audience in just over a century. "Aiken has been a presence on the polo scene since 1882," says Barb Uskup, treasurer on Aiken Polo Club's board of directors.

"Aiken Polo Club's historic Whitney Field is the place to sip a cocktail while watching the 'sport of kings' each spring and autumn. Polo has grown in Aiken due to the tremendous amount of polo fields that each feature incredible sand footing, allowing play not only during the two seasons of tournament polo but also allowing for practice chukkas 12 months a year. For players and socialites, the southern hospitality in Aiken is welcoming and embracing, making it a truly rewarding and fully entertaining experience."

In China today, the sport has been developing for the past 10 years, and has been discovered by the new rich, who are keen to learn the fine art.

China Photos / Stringer

One of the best facilities, the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club,which is owned by Goldin Properties Holdings, describes itself as being the largest polo club in the country and prides itself on being a retreat for China's "new nobility" — with the best equestrian facilities. There are three polo fields with 300 stables; its sumptuous hotel has 12 restaurants whose wine cellars have only the finest vintages; and plenty of real estate to acquire.

Opened in November 2010 with 890,000 square metres, the club was established to "promote a new lifestyle and create a polo community," according to its general manager, Domenico Palumbo.

It is also an opportunity "to introduce a new and exclusive type of luxury to the region", the company explains. Its facilities could draw the world's rich and "add to Tianjin's status as a landmark destination and contribute to its overall city status."

The club also sponsors other major tournaments throughout the year, and draws teams from global polo centers, including Hong Kong. It also hosts the international Snow Polo World Cup, which is organised by the Federation of International Polo (FIP). The club is also building an indoor stadium with a retractable roof for 5,000 people, including special boxes for VIPs. The club's marketing materials invite potential residents to "become a part of the new nobility" and "take your place among the elite," while the company's motto for the development is the Chinese phrase "qian jin mai wu, wan jin mai li" — which translates as "a quality house is worth a thousand pounds of gold, but quality neighbors are worth ten thousand."

Reserved primarily for the wealthy, the sport requires some serious commitment, according to Palumbo: "Polo is an expensive sport because it gets to be very involved with a horse, the polo field, all kinds of equipment, a professional coach and so on. Our target market consists of private entrepreneurs who first of all, enjoy as well as can afford the lifestyle. There are a growing number of businessmen and their children who are starting to take the sport seriously in China by joining polo clubs like ours in Tianjin." In fact, at the Metropolitan Club, most of the members are also property owners — encouraging an active role in the sport. With more than 200 horses in the stables, some of the members even own their own animals.

The commitment to the game may involve hours and hours of time, and a lot of finesse, however. "Actually, it might take a lifetime to master the sport," Palumbo says. "It depends on a lot of factors — which level you start at, how ambitious you are. To master a skill such as a foreign language or polo ... is a lifetime project. You need to keep learning, practicing as much as you can."

However, it really isn't just about the art of the sport — there are deeper implications at play here.

"Polo is not just a luxury thing," Palumbo says. "It is a game that historically connects with Chinese people. China is an especially important market for the ‘sport of kings' as it aligns itself with a new world order. I think the Chinese are going to be the most influential superpower and polo represents the best passport they can have, wherever they go, they will always feel welcome. The horse is an international language. It doesn't matter if you speak Arabic, Russian, or Mandarin. If you understand the horse, you have a bridging point with anyone, anywhere in the world."

For this new class of Chinese, this is one more way for the truly wealthy to make sure their fortune grows year after year, generation by generation.

Kevin Frayer / Stringer

But the growth is slow and steady. As with golf, which entered the Chinese market in the 1980s, polo is the next elite sport.The Chinese Equestrian Association, which was formed in 1983, now has 280 registered athletes and 336 registered horses. Other clubs include the Beijing Sunny Time Polo Club, founded by Xia Yang in 2004, and the Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club, which was founded in Shanghai in the following year.

Meanwhile, there are 66 clubs in Britain and all host their own tournaments, mostly at the lower level. The key tournaments of the English season are the Queen's and Gold Cup played at 22 goals at Guards Polo Club and Cowdray Park Polo Club.

The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) used to be a club in London and now acts as the sport's governing body – looking after rules and regulations as well as handicapping and the national team.

Britain has traditionally promoted the sport as a wealthy pastime, as China does, but HPA chief executive David Woodd says it is "much more accessible than it used to be". There are more clubs around the country and more ponies that can be hired, he says. "To fund a team, you have to be wealthy – but to play as an amateur is open to many more," Woodd says, citing how the sport is also growing in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

The sport's appeal is its social aspect as well as the speed and exhilaration involved in watching horses running at each other.

"It is tougher than it looks, but it is clever as you can team up to play with and against the best players in the world, like pro-am golf," Woodd says.

"You do not have to be an outstanding player, but rather worth your handicap. It is a fast game which does not take all day, [and] is generally played in good weather at attractive locations.

"It is exciting to play, even at the lower levels, more so than to watch; you play with and meet interesting people, and you can play all over the world."

Nothing like speed, some travel and the beauty of horses to fall in love with.

NOW WATCH: 6 airline industry secrets that will help you fly like a pro

from Feedburner http://ift.tt/2nsusb6

#Feedburner

0 notes

othersportsnews-blog · 7 years

Text

Does Kyrie Irving have a Kobe Bryant or LeBron James problem?

New Post has been published on https://othersportsnews.com/does-kyrie-irving-have-a-kobe-bryant-or-lebron-james-problem/

Does Kyrie Irving have a Kobe Bryant or LeBron James problem?

You’ve got almost certainly witnessed the clip. It is really the just one in which LeBron James is shouting at Kyrie Irving on the bench in an time beyond regulation timeout whilst forcefully poking the shoulder of the point guard seated two chairs away. Alternatively of dealing with James, Irving seems straight ahead and refuses to make eye contact. James gives him an earful.

As James appears to wrap up his speech to the unengaged viewers of just one, Irving seems the other way and smirks.

Irving was no boy or girl, even although he was seemingly addressed like just one in that instant. The scene took position in April 2016 from the Atlanta Hawks. Irving was a No. 1 all round select, a a few-time All-Star and just lately the commencing point guard for a Team Usa squad that won gold at the 2014 FIBA Entire world Cup. To a lot of, he was Uncle Drew. At 22, Nike had now offered him his very own signature shoe line.

But the context encompassing that instant amongst Irving and James appears to talk volumes. It was not Irving’s ideal instant, in the last seconds of a heated time beyond regulation regular-time match from the Hawks with the rating one hundred and five-104 in favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jeff Teague had been lighting Irving up, forcing Tristan Thompson to swap to Teague in select-and-rolls to rescue the Cleveland point guard. About a minute in advance of that clip, Irving went just one-on-just one and received blocked by Kent Bazemore and then received blown by once again defensively — only to have James soar from the weak side and swat Teague’s shot out of bounds. James ran the offense the following a few belongings, whilst Irving largely hunched over by the fifty percent-court docket line with his palms on his knees. The sequence screamed that this was James’ crew, every person else stage apart.

Irving regarded as inquiring for a trade two months later but in the long run made a decision from it, in accordance to a report by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. A 12 months later, Irving reportedly has had plenty of and would like out.

“He is completely ready to have his very own crew,” a source near to the problem stated.

But is he good plenty of to do that and earn?

Kyrie’s losing track report

Just minutes immediately after 2014 absolutely free agency began on July 1, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert proudly announced in a tweet close to 2 a.m. that Irving agreed to a 5-12 months extension. A couple minutes later, Irving chimed in:

I am here for the long haul Cleveland!!! and I am ecstatic!! Super psyched and blessed to be here and aside of some thing unique.#ClevelandKID

– Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) July 1, 2014

From a distance, there was not significantly to be psyched about in Cleveland. In a few seasons with Irving, the Cavs have been seventy four video games below .five hundred and cycling by means of head coaches. The Cavs’ 2013 No. 1 all round select, Anthony Bennett, looked misplaced in the NBA, and their 2012 No. four all round select, Dion Waiters, was not precisely clicking with Irving. Just in advance of Irving signed long phrase, David Blatt was employed to be the 3rd mentor of Irving’s youthful vocation. The 2014 No. 1 all round select, Andrew Wiggins, was on the way, but from all accounts, this was likely to be Irving’s crew.

10 days later, James announced he was coming property to Cleveland, turning Irving’s environment upside down. Soon after a few trips to the NBA Finals and a championship with James, Irving’s value on the court docket is tougher than ever to peg. Is he an MVP in waiting around or simply a high-volume scorer?

Irving’s stat line has celebrity published all over it. In 2016-17 — his age-24 time — Irving scored a vocation-high twenty five.2 factors per match, whilst sharing the ball with James and Kevin Really like. To put his scoring potential in point of view, when James went to the bench last time, Irving’s scoring common per 36 minutes soared from 23.2 factors to a staggering 35.2 factors. Irving can get buckets.

But he is not James Harden or Russell Westbrook. Irving has not proven the potential to regularly set up his teammates like this year’s MVP and runner-up. In the earlier a few seasons, Irving has used precisely 2,000 minutes on the floor without the need of James, which amounts to essentially a whole time of action. All through that time, Irving has averaged thirty.six factors, six.3 assists and 3.3 turnovers per 36 minutes. For point of view, Isaiah Thomas last time put up a nearly equivalent line: thirty.8 factors, six.3 assists and 2.9 turnovers per 36 minutes.

We have received you protected with the most recent information, assessment and buzz. Whole protection

• Newest buzz | Every deal | Cost-free brokers • Trade Tracker: Bradley, PG-13, much more • George arrives, recruitment begins • Lowe: Cost-free agency winners, losers • Where’s Miami likely with the specials? • Rating contenders on star energy • Every deal all thirty teams can nonetheless make • Lowe: OKC gambles big and wins • Pelton on Larkin, Chalmers specials

As a participant, Thomas and Damian Lillard are almost certainly the ideal comps for Irving, who has struggled to earn as the dude. In the 17 video games that James has sat the earlier a few seasons with Irving commencing, the Cavs’ report is a woeful four-13 (.235). Hold in thoughts, Really like shared the floor with Irving in all but two of these video games, so it was not like Irving was likely at it on your own out there. To put that earn-decline report in point of view, it is essentially lower than the Cavs’ earn proportion in a few seasons with Irving functioning the present pre-James (.339). Yikes.

That will not bode properly for Irving. And it seems worse if you turn the tables. When James played without the need of Irving the earlier a few seasons, the Cavs went twenty five-11 (.694). With Irving off the court docket and James on the court docket, the LeBron-led Cavs outscored opponents by 585 factors in 3,074 minutes, or as well as-9.1 per 48 minutes — a point margin that would have been good for next in the NBA guiding the Golden Condition Warriors last time.

Let us flip that. With Irving on the court docket and James off the court docket, the Irving-led Cavs have been outscored by 94 factors in 2,000 minutes, or minus-1.7 per 48 minutes — a point margin roughly on tempo with a New Orleans Pelicans crew that completed fourteen video games below .five hundred last time. Not good.

What is crystal clear is that when it arrived to winning basketball video games, Irving required James much more than James required Irving. That dynamic speaks to Irving’s just one-dimensional match, where by he’s excellent in just one-on-just one circumstances but struggles in other locations. As ESPN’s Kevin Pelton pointed out, Irving ranks twelfth amongst point guards in genuine as well as-minus, many thanks to a defensive RPM that spots him 440th amongst all gamers on that end of the floor. With protection bogging him down, Irving failed to sign-up in the best 50 all round in RPM last time, nor did he in 2015-16 or 2013-fourteen (but he completed thirty eighth in 2014-fifteen, in advance of his knee injuries).

All-Star ballots, Team Usa officials and Nike execs are unanimous: Kyrie Irving is a celebrity. But the on-court docket numbers never agree. As the No. 1 option on the crew, Irving’s report in the NBA is 132-247 (.348), or the equivalent of a 29-earn crew.

To be good, Irving’s sorry report without the need of James the earlier couple seasons has been on a shooter-hefty roster that has mostly been geared towards James’ talents. Nevertheless staying surrounded by sharpshooters like Really like, JR Smith and Kyle Korver would seemingly aid area the floor for Irving’s dribble-hefty match, it has not delivered winning effects, unless James is out there. The Cavs scored a paltry 103.1 factors per one hundred belongings with Irving on the floor and no James last time, down from 117.5 with James and Irving both of those on the court docket.

If Irving’s talents are on the offensive end, why are not able to his crew rating when he’s the No.1 option? Will that adjust on a distinct crew?

Kyrie Irving credited his “Mamba mentality” — a nod to his idol, Kobe Bryant, at remaining — immediately after his clutch 3 in the 2016 NBA Finals. Gary A. Vasquez/Usa Today Sporting activities

The Bean vs. Ben Gordon

When Kevin Durant remaining Oklahoma Town last summer season, the NBA had an concept of what the Thunder would appear like with Westbrook as the confront of the franchise. In 2014-fifteen, Durant missed most of the time with a broken foot and the Thunder held their very own by submitting a 22-18 (.550) report with Westbrook in the lineup and Durant in a fit. The Thunder had won without the need of Durant in advance of, and they confirmed the exact solve last time, finishing 47-35 and with Westbrook staying named MVP.

Westbrook has a winning track report. Irving will not. When James took a couple of weeks off to hang out in Miami in the course of the 2014-fifteen time, it was a golden prospect for Irving to showcase his advancement. Alternatively, the Cavs misplaced six of 7 video games with Irving at the helm over that stretch. James arrived back again and they started out winning once again.

What Irving has and Westbrook will not have is a ring. In that feeling, Kyrie is much more Kobe Bryant than Westbrook. (It is really no mystery that Irving and Bryant are near. Soon after his Finals-clinching 3-pointer in 2016, Irving stated that all he was wondering was “Mamba mentality.”) That championship could make Irving believe that he can do it on his very own, but Bryant’s tale can offer a sobering lesson: Alpha dogs are practically nothing without the need of the supporting cast.

Kyrie Irving expressed a willingness to return to the NBA Finals with LeBron James just two months back. Paul George was nearly a Cavalier. Now, Irving’s trade need has thrown Cleveland for but a different loop this offseason.

Cleveland would like a king’s ransom in a Kyrie Irving deal. Zach Lowe seems at the Cavs’ prospective trade associates.

What will the Cavs do now immediately after Kyrie Irving’s surprising trade request? Kevin Pelton breaks down Cleveland’s four choices likely ahead.

2 Connected

Soon after a 2004 Finals decline to the Detroit Pistons, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson retired from coaching duties. Bryant was the guy. And a losing just one at that. Without O’Neal or Jackson there to aid, Bryant’s Lakers went 34-48 the pursuing time and missed the playoffs. Rudy Tomjanovich stop as mentor halfway by means of the time and Jackson wrote that Bryant was “uncoachable” in his reserve detailing the 2003-04 time. Bryant’s popularity cratered as he slipped from initial-crew All-NBA to 3rd-crew honors and fell off the All-Defensive crew entirely.

It was not until finally Jackson arrived back again in the 2005-06 time that points received better for Bryant. But all round, it was a blended bag. In the a few seasons immediately after Bryant received his want to have his very own crew, the Lakers went 121-one hundred twenty five (.491) and by no means received out of the initial round. Bryant won his MVP award only immediately after Pau Gasol received traded to the Lakers midseason in 2007-08. With star talent close to him and a Hall of Fame mentor, Bryant won back again-to-back again titles in 2009 and 2010.

It is really attainable that when Irving seems in the mirror, he sees Bryant. The playbook appears inside reach: obtain championship glory at a youthful age, go off on your very own, perhaps get humbled a little bit, surround you with stars once again, earn titles. But which is assuming Irving is as good as Bryant.

According to FiveThirtyEight’s CARMELO projections, the two closest facsimiles for Irving are Lillard and Ben Gordon. The following 5 names are a combine of champs and forgotten stars: Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Reggie Theus and Jerry Stackhouse.

Irving could extravagant himself as the following Kobe or Westbrook — alpha dogs who turned MVPs immediately after their co-star remaining the picture — but you are not able to just overlook Irving’s losing track report as the No. 1 dude. The much more reasonable expectation is that he’s a different Lillard.

Of program, it is also attainable that points awesome down and Irving returns to the Cavs for following time. Soon after all, pursuing that unappealing instant with James on the bench from Atlanta in 2016, the Cavs moved on and later won the match. Two months later, Irving and James won the championship.

Now, we could get to see, likely ahead, whether or not they can earn a title aside. James has proven he can. But Irving’s track report suggests if not, even if he will not want to hear that.

Resource hyperlink

0 notes

allsportsdeal-blog · 7 years

Text

Ten Best rugby team ever / All time best rugby teams ever

Considering the performance in rugby and their popularity we have select ten best teams in rugby history.

(1) The British Lions 1974

The ownership of the book lately revealed on 1974, Lions says it all: “Undefeated”.It was a travel of South Africa that started against Western Transvaal on May 15 in Potchefstroom and finished more than two months and 22 rugby games later on July 27 with the ultimate Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg.Along the way, no-one but no-one was able to get the better of Willie John McBride’s men. Led by previous Ireland prop Syd Millar, they were a rugby team that had the lot – a powerful set-piece, progressive breakaway forward dignified half-backs and a large try-scoring blackmail backward.They were also as hard as nails, men who rejected to take a backward step in the face of any threat as they accepted a one-for-all, all-for-one accession compiled by the eminent “99” call. An at-times cruel test series fetched triumph in Cape Town, Pretoria and Port Elizabeth, with JJ Williams scoring four tries and Phil Bennett glittering at outside-half. They have rejected a whitewash by some questionable refereeing in the final Test but they were not to be rammed, with the Ellis Park meeting finishing in a 14-14 trace.It was fulfilled with a squad Lions legends -Ian McGeechan, JPR, Mike Gibson, Gareth Edwards, Andy Irvine, Bobby Windsor, Ian McLauchlan, Gordon Brown, Sandy Carmichael, Fran Cotton, Roger Uttley, Mervyn Davies and Fergus Slattery. But more than another rugby team it was a real team, a combined force who were created to give their all for each other and the cause.Forty years on, the acquisition of the Class of ‘74 more than remain the test of time and acquired them top spot in the list of the best international rugby teams the game of rugby has seen.

(2) The New Zealand 1987-1990

A rugby team advanced of its time, the game was still dabster, but these All Blacks were occupational in all but name in terms of their suitability levels, formulation and physicality.They still hold the record for the longest undefeated streak in international rugby a 23 Test run from 1987 to 1990, when they won 22 matches with one game being drawn.That took in their victory at the opening World Cup on home soil in 1987, when they earned an extraordinary 298 points, including 43 tries in their six tournament matches. Led by scrum-half David Kirk and after the World Cup, by Wayne “Buck” Shelford, they showed off large blackmail right across the park. Up front there were the likes of Whetton brothers, Michael Jones, Steve McDowell, Richard Loe, Mike Brewer and the Sean Fitzpatrick, while there were the strike runners behind in John Gallagher, John Kirwan, Terry Wright, Joe Stanley and Warwick Taylor, with offering Fox on hand to pull the kick and strings the goals.

(3) The 1973 Barbarians against the All Blacks

They played only one game together, but what a performance and what a game. Billed as a rematch of the part who competed the 1971 Lions Test series, the Barbarians had the core of the rugby team that triumphed in New Zealand on responsibility with John Dawes again leading the likes of David Duckham, JPR Williams, Gareth Edwards, Mike Gibson, Derek Quinnell, John Pullin Fergus Slattery and Willie John McBride Derek Quinnell. But there were also uncapped in late call-up Tom David, Phil Bennett and the traditional new faces player, English lock Bob Wilkinson. Becoming together under the leading of Carwyn James, they created a performance that has gone down in rugby legend, with scrum-half Edwards, flanker Slattery, wing John Bevan and JPR scoring tries in a never-to-be-forgotten 23-11 conquest at Cardiff Arms Park.

Conclusion

There are many rugby teams in the western world but, it is difficult to tell which team is the best ever, as far as we tried to make a list top 10 best in the world.

#Rugby team

0 notes