The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
A return visit yesterday to the Cake Tin for the first time in many years.
Hurricanes v The Blues now part of the Super Rugby Pacific competition with the departure of the South African teams.
There were not too many names of faces that I recognised. And it seems there are a lot of All Black players currently having their sabbatical, post RWC, in Japan.
Not bad to watch and a fun thing to do after the shift at after hours. Enjoyed a beer and a traditional fish bits and chips.
Nice time
Day 4 of the First Test match. This was the first visit to NZ by the Australians for I think 6 years.
Day 1 looked promising but the kiwis let is go in the first session of day 2 with letting the last wicket make 100+ runs. New Zealand had a big target to score in the second innings. Day 4 started with 3 wickets down.
It was a continuous flow of wickets as 7 fell with 5 minutes still before lunch. A disappointing performance certainly. But not a surprise. Nathan Lyons took 10 in the match.
Maybe another time.
Off to the Cake Tin on Wednesday evening to watch the Blackcaps play Australia. If memory is correct the first time they have visited in 6 years. For all the talk of a sell-out crowd I think there was closer to 20,000 there. This strikes me as very disappointing when people are not interested for a game against quality opposition.
An the experience…..Not again. I am not really fan of the format but with the annoying music – in between every delivery, and the juvenile encouragement to the crowd to shout and interviews with fans, I will not be back. Watching on tv will do. I will happily just go to the Basin Reserve.
Next up Day 4of the test match at the Basin. More my thing.
The return at the weekend brought some controversy with it. Nice play on the facts and the hypocrisy of football.
Brentford are struggling. On a losing steak and not playing well. Yesterday was a bad draw against Wolves in the FA Cup 3rd round. 80 minutes v 10 men!
The above headline I think is chasing optimism. We shall see. Toney is back next game- and given the injury problems have hit the front men then maybe he will be the rescue act.
I have been following the early kick-off game on the BBC website. Another win, against the dominance of possession, amazing outcome.
SAT 28 OCT 2023PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea0 Brentford2
By Joe RindlBBC Sport
Last updated on4 minutes ago4 minutes ago.From the sectionPremier League523
Brentford held on for their third Premier League win of the season as goals from Ethan Pinnock and Bryan Mbeumo sank a wasteful Chelsea in the West London derby at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, who missed several chances, were punished through Pinnock’s thumping header from Mbeumo’s wicked cross.
With Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez up the field for a late corner, Neal Maupay led a Brentford counter-attack and set up Mbeumo for the second.
Chelsea, who went closest in the first half when Noni Madueke struck the woodwork, slipped to a ninth home defeat this year thanks to some poor finishing.
Brentford keeper Mark Flekken was never truly stretched and the visitors defended resolutely before hitting Chelsea on the break.
The World Cup is still going on. Last week was the QF round. Some disappointments in that.
But we were in Lyon for the groups stages, seeing Namibia v Uruguay and NZ v Italy.
The game between the two lesser teams was good entertainment- particularly for the first 60 minutes- until a spate of yellow/ red cards ruined the balance and momentum of the match.
The big game lacked surprise and competition. It was an All Black walkover. However, the atmosphere was good with lots of Kiwis and many Italians. Being close to Italy, Lyon has a strong Italian community related to previous migration. Also, the French locals sang their anthem powerfully.
Thanks to Raphael for picking us up after the the ABs game.
I went to my sole match of the season at ‘new Griffin Park’- as PB now has the season ticket and we are off to NZ.
I managed to get something on the screen for Peter- which was nice- though they added an error- shame.
And the match itself- terrible! The worst I ahve seen for so long. No single player did themselves any good. Lack of effort, lack of skill and lack of ideas. Everton- who are considered hot favourites for relegation- looked excellent in comparison. Very worrying indeed.
Analysis: Brentford 1-3 Everton
Harry Poole, BBC Sport
This was a rare off day for Brentford, or at least Thomas Frank will hope that proves the case, with Everton leaving west London fully deserving of the three points.The Bees made uncharacteristic errors and ultimately failed to assert themselves on home soil, where prior to Saturday they had suffered just two league defeats since the start of last season.The hosts’ struggles were evident in the first half when Bryan Mbeumo reacted to a misplaced pass by waving his arms in frustration.Of course, the day got off to a suboptimal start when club-record signing Kevin Schade suffered an injury in the warm-up – although his replacement, Keane Lewis-Potter, showed flashes of inspiration.Frank made no excuses for his players, who he will now demand an immediate response from when they host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (19:45 BST).Brentford 1-3 Everton
We managed to go to the Ireland v Tonga game in Nantes thanks to Lauren.
I chance for me to wear my green shirt- last seen RWC 2011 quarter final?
Good experience and an excuse to visit Nantes again and see Lauren ‘for real’.
Good atmosphere in the stadium with mostly green shirts around. Match not bad, and relatively easy for Ireland in the end.
I did pick up a bit of the ‘who is real Irish’ with a person were were sitting with and similarly on the bus back to the centre after the game.
Good chats with Lauren’s friends who were sat next to me. Good practice of la langue frainçaise!
My first attendance since watching the League Cup semi with TC against Tottenham- as a neutral guest.
Definitely ‘skin in the game’ for this one.
Another historic win with a very happy travelling support. Not a great spectacle. Brentford well-organised and Chelsea very limited.
Enjoy the ride!