63rd Bradby Shield Video - 2007

Royal College managed to regain the Bradby Shield and bring it to it's rightful resting place this year. I thought I'd post the links to the videos of both the legs. The delay in posting is coz, Rapidshare took ages to upload each file.

So hope this is worth for those who missed the match, specially those who are abroad, and for those of you who want to re-kindle the match again.

Bradby Shield 1st Leg (Kandy) - 9th June 2007

1. bradby-1stleg-2007-01
2. bradby-1stleg-2007-02
3. bradby-1stleg-2007-03
4. bradby-1stleg-2007-04
5. bradby-1stleg-2007-05
6. bradby-1stleg-2007-06
7. bradby-1stleg-2007-07
8. bradby-1stleg-2007-08
9. bradby-1stleg-2007-09
   

Bradby Shield 2nd Leg (Colombo) - 23rd June 2007

1. bradby-1stleg-2007-01
2. bradby-1stleg-2007-02-part1
3. bradby-1stleg-2007-02-part2
4. bradby-1stleg-2007-03-part1
5. bradby-1stleg-2007-03-part2
6. bradby-1stleg-2007-04
7. bradby-1stleg-2007-05-part1
8. bradby-1stleg-2007-05-part2
9. bradby-1stleg-2007-06-part1
10. bradby-1stleg-2007-06-part2

PS - The part files are rar's broken into two parts. You'll need to download both to unrar(extract) the file.

Happy Downloading!


Photo Courtesy of : Vishkid

How to tell what the Referee is Signalling at Rugger Matches

Well it's been almost a year since I guided you in "What to Shout at Rugger Matches". So I'm thinking you bookmarked the post, took a print out of it and stuck it up on your wall, and take a glance before every match. If everything has gone to plan, you still have all your limbs, and no bruisers after any of the matches. Chicks dig that your on "top" of the game, maybe you landed one even... (if so you owe me a Drink). If you have a GF, she's mighty proud of you, and her friends think your cool too. :)

Untill she or one of her friends ask, "Hey what happened?" and you see the Ref, doing a number with his Hands... bomber... Ok so you say "you didn't see it", it's gonna work maybe a couple of times if your on the 200 buck Concrete Tier being shoved and pushed, but if your in the Grand Stand.... hmmmm.... I've got just what you want..

Objective :

Give you the ability to connect the with top man of the game, the Ref, who gets to call all the shots on the field (Off field feel free to throw a Flower Pot at him). If you thought you were on top of the game before, you'll feel like you grew an extra 6 inches... vertically ;)

In the end.. upgrade you from Cool Dude to "Rugby Jock", just in time for the 2nd Leg of the Bradby, tomorrow! Go Royal!

Assumptions :

You have already read and followed My Previous Guideline, and it's a fair assumption that you have made the upgrade from "Geek" to "Cool Dude". :)




So a few tips before you get behind the wheel, Ref's unlike our parents do not reward us for good behavior (don't expect an XBOX or a PS3 for being a Good Sport), so when you know he's signaling something that means somebody gonna get a hurt.. (oops sorry that was Russel) basically your only chance is that, your opponents committed the crime and maybe it's Christmas for you after all.


Here goes --> IRB Ref Signal Guide!!! (PDF 1.2MB)

NOTE :

If you want to upgrade to "Rugby Guru" try going through the entire IRB Rule Book (PDF 15MB). If your found murdered in your Hotel Room the next day, only to be later realized that you died of natural causes, you know it WORKED!!

As usual, my disclaimer as follows :

"If you Score.. I'm your Man... If you Screw Up... There's always another Rugger Match next week" :)

Dilhara or Maharoof - Tharanga or Atapattu

Hey folks, braking the shackels, and cleaning up the spider webs on this blog I decided to bore you with my 2-cents on the team selection for the all important semi's. The team selection is all but final except for 2 spots, according my limited knowledge in the cricketing fields. That would be :

Fast/Medium Pace Bowler #3

After a stunning performance in the game against Ireland, the overuled Maharoof bought himself a spot to contend for the above position. Although Maharoof is not the most reliable of Bowlers, specially due to the fact that he has this nack of bowling short, and getting wolloped to the boundary at times, his late order batting skills make him a good contender.

Dilhara is yet to pass the fitness test, but from what I hear he's bound to be fit, thereby causing a little dilemma for the thinking dept. of S.L. Cricket. After all he's seemed to find his form during this world cup, bowling at good space, over come his over stepping problems, and the last over against England was a proving factor that he can hold his nerve (or he got lucky).

Opening Partner for Sanath

The master blaster is having a pretty good world cup, despite loosing out on the last 2 games. The only problem we seem to have is that his partner is suffering a bad patch, despite the century he scored in the practise match against the Kiwis.

Therefore giving rise to many a cricket wise folk in this island nation to question as to why former captain Marvan Atapattu has not been given a chance.

My Choice for the Semi's.

To start with the latter, it would be wrong to dump Marvan in the opening slot, without a proper chance to bat, and expect a ton from him, althought knowing the class of Marvan and the technique, he could deliver it, on his day. I would suggest get bringing Sanga to open (I know he's had a rough patch over the past games too) and drop Tharanga. Thereby opening up a vacancy which Maharoof could fit in, in the late order.

So, now that I have stirred up a controversy, in the fact of going against one of the cardinal rules of "Dont Change a Winning Combination", I will rest my case, and go hide under a rock, for fear of fanatics stoning my house and my blog. He he..

Another World Cup Weekend

With Sri Lanka taking a break till Thursday, I figured the weekend will be a dull one, but has the WC 2007 ever had a dull moment? To start off, Bangladesh pulled another shocker to beat South Africa on Saturday. One of the few regrets I have in the WC, is not getting up to watch the 2nd innings of the match despite setting the alarm. The other being missing "Slinger Malinga" 4-in-4 live.

England saw their hopes being dashed after Aussies sailed though for a comfortable victory. Well atleast Prince Harry was enjoying him self. :)


In other news Indian Cricket Board Empire Strikes Back. The BCCI chappies have decided to tighten their grip on the cricketers. Not allowing em to give statements to the media without permission and limit their sponsors to 3. I'm sure that like a heavy blow to the Cricketers, coz the little Indian TV I've watched (thanks to the WorldCup) I've noticed that Indian Ad's are bomb-barded with either their Bollywood Stars or their Cricketing Gods. Yes you wouldn't be surprised to see Sachin Tendulkar jumping on a couch to catch a packet of Crackers - one of his endorsements. Maybe those chaps will now get a chance to concentrate more on their Cricket.

Amnesty International's Cricket Team

The gutter politics that Amnesty International are using is yesterdays news, so I wont waist time talking about that. If you want to read up, here are what some bloggers think abt it:

1. Voice in Colombo
2. Sitting Nut
3. Billy - Ground Views

Instead I thought I'd post this picture that I got as an email, as MY PROTEST!

Sri Lanka stick head out in Down to the wire game against England

Good morning sleepy Sri Lankans. If your feeling groggy at work, the feeling is mutual mate, after a killer match last night, those who missed it, missed some good cricket played by both the sides.

To start off, there were a lot of bad omens on the Local Scene, being our popular waterhole not putting the match on Big Screen in the garden area (coz of the rain), and yours truly had to run back home to change in to a pair of jeans to gain entrance to the bar.

That being the case, missed the few blasts of the Master Blaster, and just as I was getting back, the dude had to get out. I'm sure that was the deciding factor of Sri Lanka getting a TON or not. If Sri Lanka need a 300 score this dude has to fire.

After the departure of Sana and then Sanga, Upul and Mahela steadied the ship just to get out when we needed to consolidate, which was definitely the deciding factor for a 250 score not being reached. Even our "Not-out Arnold" had no choice but to get out trying to hit out. This is where we lacked Maharoof yesterday and the run out of Dilly. They're the closest we've got to a Symonds.

After a quick breakthrough which I think Vaughan was maybe a tincy wincy bit unfortunate, Peterson and Bell steadied the innings. But Mahela did well to tighten the screws by holding back the last power play, and operating the spinners. I was concerned for a moment thinking shit, he might have to "power play" the last 5 overs, but this is where luck comes in the form a of a paka run out, by Jayasuriya to dismiss Bell, and upset the partnership.



Mahela not missing a trick called for the last power play which saw further wickets crumble, most importantly the in-form Peterson, and many thought (including yours truly) that it was time to right off England from the game.

But a superb partnership by Nixon and Bopara brought it down to the wire like nobody including Mahela expected. The last overs were bowled by Murali and "Slinger" Malinga. Malinga came good in the last 2 overs, which makes me think he's more of a tail end knocker than a first up bowler. Only time will tell. The master spinner Murali got sent off in style being whacked for 6 by the form of a Reverse Sweep by Nixon, which in my book was unorthodox but the shot of the day.

When it came down to the last over with 12 runs needed in 6 balls my choice was Vaas, but Mahela thought otherwise and brought on Dillo. Not letting down his captain Dilo held his nerves to bring down the target to 3 runs in the last ball, and when some thought there might be a Draw in the cards the bugger manages to bowl a "You miss, I hit" ball under pressure!

Although Sri Lanka go away with the 2 points, England too go with restored pride to face the in-form World Champions. Till next time your favourite reporter from the popular waterhole in Colombo signs out!

Royal Thomain 2007 - The Big Match

Oh my god I'm so excited that I cant belive I'm sitting here and bloggin about it instead of being there in the midst of all the Papara Bands, Filthy Baila Songs, Loud Chants, and the Sweet Smell of Alcohol (and even maybe a few of Hot Chicks, but looking at them makes me feel old right now).

Unfortunately a quick reality check tells me I gotta be at work. Maybe I'll sneak off after 3pm or so. Can't wait for Saturday!

Why am I so excited? Well it's been 3 years since I'm getting to enjoy the Roy/Tho in it's purest form without any bother about stupid exams (which happen to fall right smack in the middle of the whole thing).

Oh added the fact that it's gonna be my first big match since the conversion!... well dont you think thats enough reason?

So till I get over there... here are the scores at the end of the first day!

Royal College won the toss and decided to field.

S. Thomas' College - 1st Innings 374 / 7 declared
(A. Peiris - 161, N. Mazahir - 162 / Thanthirigoda 14.1-0-47-2)

Royal College - 1st Innings 40 / 3 (234 needed to avoid follow on)

Live Scores Brought to you by - RoyalThomian.info

GO ROYAL!! - THORA PARIPPU!!
(oops did I speak too soon.. oh hell.. THORA PARIPPU!)

Royal Retain Hayman Trophy

This Saturday saw the 2nd Leg of the Dr. R. L. Hayman trophy being played at St. Thomas' Pool. Royal team going in with a lead of 6-4 from the first leg, managed to hang on to a 4-4 draw which enabled them to hold on to the Coveted Trophy for a 2nd Year in a row.

For more detail comments on the game I hope Shanaka might decide to drop by and not be too biased, since he together with Aloka were the Referee's of both the legs.

Sri Lankans eat Humble Pie Dished out by the Chickens

The Story begins like this. Once upon a time (Ok this is not a fairy tale..) there was a sport/game called Cricket played (to how the sport is played I wont get in) in a paradise isle called Sri Lanka. Now this country has been marred by needless violence by an ongoing war for 2 decades between the Govt and Separatist rebels. But among all this violence bombs going off and all life still goes on. Ask anybody. So a Cricket tour was scheduled between the Countries Sri Lanka, India and South Africa. Unfortunately upon their arrival a bomb went off, and the S. Africans got all scared and decided to run back to their own country (with their tails between their legs). Once they got back to their safe haven (Pls compare Crime rates of both countries), Mark Boucher being called a Coward (depicted as a chicken in the local newspapers) turned around and said "Bring It On"... so there you have a quick sum up of the build up to Y'days match, although the teams might not have had the same animosity towards each other, we Sri Lankans were hoping to have a big Brag, after the South Africans were well and truly beaten by us.

http://www.cricket365.com/news/story_22114.shtml

Unfortunately that was not the case to be. :(

So I’m not going to give my comments on the match coz I am not the Expert, I’d leave Shanaka and the others to do that. But since I own this space, and I have the cover of the “title” of the blog, I thought I’d voice my opinion on some points. (Yes, I know you thought I was going to keep my mouth shut… I’m sorry)

1. Our “Pace” bowlers cant bowl for toffees.

Dilhara is not fitting in. He cant handle the new ball, he cant handle the old ball, in other words he cant handle any ball. Plus the no balls. I think the coach need to keep the dudes fancy high priced wrist watch on the bowling crease and get him to bowl.

Malinga’s talented, but he needs to brush up. Whats the point of bowling at 80 miles an hour, if it’s not directed properly. It makes it soo much easier to dispatch to the boundary, and the slingy action only takes like a few balls for talented batsman to get used to.

And some one teach these dudes how to bowl at the end of an innings. I am no Bob Woolmer or John Dyson or Tom Moody, but come on you need to bowl yorkers and maybe some bounces. Not in-between!

Notice I’ve left Vaas out, coz he’s Medium Pace, and he sticks to his job. He has his bad days, but most good days.

2. Middle Order Batting

Has been strengthened by the return of Marvan, but I feel Chamara Kapugedara still can find a slot, after all.

3. Lower Order Battling

Our lower order sucks at batting. Buggers like Murali have played a tons of matches just go and have a whack for the fun of it. I mean hell this is International cricket. Get the bugger to play normal cricket shots. The way he’s going now, is just pleasing the commentators and giving them a good laugh and maybe get an inside edge to run off to the third man boundary.

It was clearly evident that there was no one to hang around Vaas and atleast bat out the innings. I mean we all knew after the dismissal of Jayewardene that it was pretty much over. The right thing to do (imo) would be to bat out the 50 overs, and have a go in the last two overs, just like the S. Africans did. After all we’ll be coming in on the net run rate, and if my math is correct that would be the no or runs you score against the no of runs your opponents scored. So it made every sense to bat out the overs and scrape every run possible.

There that’s all I can think of right now.. over and out…

Trip to Kandy - Bradby 2nd Leg

The much awaited post (after my take on the 1st leg) is finally ready for publishing. My apologies for not coming through sooner. This was not due to "Hang Over" problems but being drained out on Sunday, and loaded up with work on Monday. The trip yielded as many up's and down's you'd expected from a proper Roller Coaster ride. (I haven't had the luxury of it yet, but traveling in 120 Route Bus is a close second I believe).

Colombo-Kandy

Traveled in style. Our group/batch had organized a Bus (not just any bus.. one of those Jet Wing Tourist busses. Breakfast was provided on the bus, and lunch was arranged at Devon. Altogether there were 45 of us, from the batch, so got the chance to talk to most of them, and figure out who's doing what and catch up on old times. Basically nothing to complain about, and this part of the journey could be attributed to the "incline" of the Roller Coaster.

The Match

26-5 Trinity. Doesn't that say it all? I'm sure most of you have read the paper review, watched the match on TV or watched it live. So I won’t go into detail. Except the fact that we freaking lost! I mean the Royal Team looked so disorganized. I think the injury of the Center, Senanayake had a big effect in upsetting the team. Basically as predicted the lack of a proper Place Kicker lost us 8 points. 2 Penalties Nikki (Captain of the side, tried he's hand or foot at kicking) screwed up, and a kickable conversion was messed by Hassen him self. Something Jamaldeen should spend some time on.

Everybody looked lazy, or burnt out well before the 2nd half. Forwards didn't secure the ball at rucks or mauls and the line didn't charge the kicks made by the full back. Although the kicks didn't have the power not the height, when going for “up & unders”. Tackles were slow and lacked power. When that "Sean" dude started running it took like 3 guys to bring him down. Not that he's that big, but our guys weren't going low. I attribute the lack of fitness, to the warming up. They warmed up and did their drills for more than Half an Hour I think. Funny part of their drills was that during the tackles, they kept tackling late, which was the same case in the match and in the Pathana match too. Wonder why the Coach hasn't been speaking to the lads about this.

The Trinity side looked far superior and looked with brains on top of their shoulders. Made far lesser mistakes and made good the opportunities they got. The working of the line was pretty good, with the wingers cutting in, unlike our chaps who were caught thinking and getting tackled in the process, lack of forwards to support and eventually turning the good ball over.

Clearly this part can be attributed to the "down" side of the ride.

For those Automobile fans : A Ducati, Black Hummer and an RX8 were among the Vehicles that caught my eye.


Here are some reviews :
• Shanaka (You need to organize that site mate, or start you blog mate)
• Sunday Observer
• The Nation

And the much awaited 2nd Leg Video off MTV/Sirasa TV (as I mentioned in my earlier post, download this fast, as they might take it off soon)

• First Half
• Second Half

( Best Viewed on 360 X 288 Pixels Resolution Screen Size, To enhance Picture Quality Connect Your PC's VGA LINE OUT to your TELEVISION LINE IN )

Grounds-Bungalow

After being heart broken during the match, the consolation was some sort of a fireworks display. 100 bucks seemed ok, considering the fire works. Anyway, the deal was I come to Kandy with one set, and stay the night with another set, thereby getting to spend time with more buggers, and in the end have more fun. Well the start to that wasn’t' that great. Why? The Van that they came had broken down on the way, so it was in the garage.

That meant we had to walk from the Grounds to Cargills, to stock up on essential items. Funny thing was, there were only few people that we didn’t know, each person I bumped into at Cargills was from Colombo, like the entire place was filled with them. Wonder whether it's the same feeling people get when they go to places like Melbourne?

After filling up on stocks, decided to grab dinner from the next door KFC, as the lunch at the Bungalow ended up being too authentic (looking at the card they gave us, it doesn’t say anything of Authentic Chinese, only Traditional Sri Lankan & Western Cuisine) for the liking of my friends. After that it was a bloody long walk, in the night back to the bungalow, with stocks in hand, and my heavy bag. Walking around the Nuwera Weva, in some what darkness and the incline and decline of the hills, could be definitely attributed to more downward slopes in the Roller Coaster ride. To add to it, once you get there you realize that the Mobile Signal of all three operators, is only available in the garden at one particular spot. :) Need I say more?


The Night

Hmm, since we did not have transport to check out any night spot in Kandy, we decided to stay in and get high. It was fun, watching each other getting high on their own potent nectars, from Martini (Yes, one dude drank a whole bottle of it, don’t ask why?) to Smirnoff to White Rum and a bit of left over OR. As is always the case we found the shandy running out, why because some dude bought like 7 bottles of Coke at Cargills, and finished their stock. I'm pretty sure we sang the chorus's of pretty much every song we could think of from English to Sinhala, with the accompaniment of one of our chappies strumming away at a guitar till he's fingers were numb. This point of the trip can be attributed to the highest point of the ride. Felt we were closer to heaven at that moment (no no, I wasn't that high, and didn't get myself blind drunk). It was called a night around 3am, although many of the souls were knocked out before that.


The Morning

I woke up around 6am. No hang-overs as I was well within the limit. One of our buddies who was called upon for some emergency “rolling” had to leave early, to catch up with his set. After saying bye to him, I got out my IPOD, looked around at the rest of the buggers fast asleep. The dude at the Bungalow was cleaning up and asked me how the night was. I told him it was good, and asked him whether we kept him up with all that singing. He just smiled. Offered me a cup of tea and started chatting, asking me what I do for a living where I am from etc. He then got on to say how there were lots of people from Colombo in the City last evening, and lot of nice girls and how he could tell they were from Colombo. So I asked him How? He was telling me by the way they dressed. Supposedly Kandy is more conservative, girls don’t dress in tight/mini skirts to go to Town. Only when they go Clubbing or similar sort of places. The disadvantages of a small town, is everybody knows everybody and rumors spread fast if you wear something short, or do something not so conservative. :)

After that, I strolled down the road for a morning walk. Funny thing was people kept staring at me, that is when I realized I was still wearing my skinny and shorts. I don’t think many people in Kandy are use to seeing a Hairy bugger walking in the morning with an IPOD. I ended up near the Nuwara Weva (Kandy Lake), and was chilling on a bench, my god the atmosphere was so serene, no hustle an bustle of the City, (maybe coz it was a Sunday) little kids dressed in white going to Sunday School. I decided I need to live in Kandy. Soon a "Bulath" (Beatle) selling dude pushed his cart and started selling. He seemed to be a regular coz all the people passing by smiled and said "Good Morning" and gave me a weird look. I came to the bungalow a good one an half hours later to find about half of the group awake and chatting about the previous night, while one by one the others got up, some complaining about Hang-Overs and others still High.

This part was the lateral movement from the previous highs reached on the Roller Coaster.

Kandy-Colombo

Just before we left, we got the bill. Realized that the bed tea, served on a table cost 30 bucks each, the string hoppers, pol (coconut) sambol, potato and fish curry cost each person 250 bucks. Need I say more?

The van was fixed, in the sense the alternator had got fried. So the driver had charged the battery over night at some other joint, and hooked it up, disconnected the everything that could kill the battery (Brake Lights) and we drove off to Colombo without A/C as well. Did I mention that I got stuck on a jumper seat from Kandy to Colombo? Oh yes, my butt didn’t find that too entertaining specially a big bugger like me self. The repercussions of that ride were felt all through out the next day I tell you. So you would guess that coming back was a bit of a Low.


There, that’s the end to the Roller Coaster Weekend I had. Hope you enjoyed reading it.

What to Shout at Rugger Matches

Ok it's the Bradby Weekend, and many of you will be heading down for the Game, so I believe this might come in handy. Even if you don't please bookmark the page, so it'll be around for the next Rugger season (providing that you don’t reformat your machine).

Objective :

Make the geek in you, sound like the "Ultimate source of Rugby Knowledge" and make you the cool dude. (I cannot guarantee whether it'll get you chicks. Your looks will have a big say in that.. await a post on how to improve your looks)

Assumptions :

In order to follow the command's you'll need a prior understanding of the game. For eg :

a) Ability to tell your team from the other.
b) Ability to tell the Referee (referred to as Ref in the rest of post) apart from the players .
c) Tell the linesman (the dude in shorts on either side, with a flag in hand, no they are not cheerleaders of either side) apart from the security personal on the side lines, and maybe the Sirasa TV crew.
d) Relative understanding of positions. (No not the Kamasutra and When I say hooker, I don't mean Russian.)


Finally.. Things to Shout Out :

1. "Support", "Forwards", "Over It"

This is when your boy gets tackled and a bunch of players are trampling his genitalia. A common incident that happens in regular intervals. You wouldn't look out of sorts by shouting this.







2. "Off Side"

The difference between off-side and on-side is a fine line that even the Ref, has trouble defining. Therefore feel free to shout out, at usual junctures of the game. (Obviously not during a stoppage of play though. Eg - Half Time)

3. "Holding On Sir", "Not releasing"

Unlike no 1., please feel free to shout this out, when the opponent’s boy gets tackled (with the ball of course, would be rather embarrassing if he appears not to have the ball with him). Please make sure that you give ample time for your boys to go about trampling the Opponent.


4. "Work it down", "Pass it down"

This never happens, because the coach and the players beg to differ, but the "ultimately cool" thing to shout. Make sure you shout it out when the ball is given to those skinny legged players that stand in what would looks like a line across the field. Hence the word "line".








5. “Get-em”, “Bring him down”, “Deepan Okata”

When an opponent starts to run with the ball. This doesn’t mean that they are going to wait till you shout the above to tackle the chap. But after hearing your encouragement your team might decide to treat him in a "friendly manner" while tackling him.





6. "Shove Royal" - assuming your an RC supporter.

This is when a bunch of the fat buggers (Fat Doesn't mean they look less sexy, it's actually more - for the women folk out there) from your team get together and seem to run into a bunch of your opponents. The players must be on their feet, and must continue to curse each other while the Ref isn't looking. The moment they drop to the ground, find it applicable to shout something like "Out it".






7. "Send Him Out"

When a Ref pulls up a player for a friendly chit chat and discuss the day's proceedings, maybe ask the bloke whether he has any cute sister's, shout the above at the top of your voice. Oh BTW, make sure the player in concern is not wearing the Jersey of the Team you happen to support. If the Ref hears you clearly, he will take the opportunity to flash something yellow (I meant a card.. lol), and send that chappie for a well deserved break.







8. "Referee Hora"
When the Ref doesn't hear you in no 7, or the situation in no 7 is happening to one from your team, or if your side is losing shout it out. Specially if a Sirasa TV Camera Crew is nearby. If frustrations run wild, and you find throwable objects nearby don’t be shy to aim at the linesman. The cardinal rule is not to get caught. As soon as the crime was committed, look at the people around you to avoid suspicion. More information can be gathered by speaking to your friends at Thurstan and Isipathana.

9. "Good Touch"

When a boy on your side, is about to make an attempt to kick the ball away, you can shout this out in encouragement so he'd stop eyeing the cute chick in the grand stand and remember to kick the ball out, even though it doesn't seem to travel that far, make sure you applaud and try to figure out who the bloke was eyeing. (That might be your GF with her Rich Parents, while your stuck in the Concrete Tiers)







10. "Ball Out"

This is when a scrum, that is when the heavier dude's of the teams face each other and appear to kneel and pray for the ball to come out their way, technically speaking the Ref, doesn't like them resting their knees. As soon as you see the ball bubbling out on the opponent's side, shout this out. Not that anybody on the field will hear you, and turn this into an opportunity. It will simply appear to the people around you, that your on "top" of the game.


BONUS : "Brian Homa"

If the Rugger match has been rated as popular as the "Sirasa Super Star" programme, you might find the likes of Mr. Brian Thomas giving an introduction prior to the start of the match. Feel free to shout this out, with an opportunity to be selected for the next “Sirasa Super Star” star search. It would be ideal if you could get a friend to shout out "Tell us something we don't know" in unison.

Disclaimer :

Please note that I will not be held responsible for any negative feedback you receive after following the above. If in case you get into trouble, I'm pretty sure that you have missed atleast one step. In doubt please shout out what the others' shout. Find out what team they support prior to this.

I'd also encourage you to count the no of opposition supporters around you, prior to shouting out the above mentioned. A life insurance policy is also a wise option unless you are a hefty bugger that can take a few blows or a skinny bugger that can squeeze through a tight situation. Note - Don't count on your friends to bail you out. Specially the drunk one's.

If any good comes about (I sound very optimistic. Don’t I?) after following my steps please recommend my blog to your friends, who are dying to be as "cool" as you are. I will soon be starting up an Approved Charity where you could donate your life savings towards a movement that would encourage Geeks to be the New Cool Dude's in town.

Contributors are encouraged to add their own things to shout, but would emphasize that I will not be responsible for any negative outcome. If it is positive, I already thought about that, but had to limit my list to 10. :)

Enjoy!

* Pics have been added to illustrate for the pure geek in you.

Thomians learn a new word at Roy-Tho Rugby Encounter

This Saturday saw the Thomians adding a new word to their Vocabulary. A-N-N-I-H-I-L-A-T-I-O-N! 35-0 (The letters and numbers were brought to you by the Rampaging Royalists - 'Sesame Street Style') This was after they learnt M-A-S-S-A-C-R-E during Zulki’s year where the Thomians were massacred for 38-nil. Thomians have been getting a right Royal bashing consistently with the exception of last year, so much so that, at the end of the game it was just another ‘walk in the park’ both to the Royal Team and it’s supporters.

The view from the 100 buck stadium was as good as the Grand Stand, as the turn out on wasn’t as packed as the Bradby the previous week. The very mobile “takarang” had been taken away, and the spectators were exposed to direct sunlight. Not that I cared, but one of my friends had issues with the possible alteration of his complexion. Not that he (yes I’m talking about a guy.. surprise! surprise!) could get any darker.

Now to the match proper. Well there’s nothing much I can add as expert comments, except for the fact that the Thomians played pretty badly, didn’t seem to combine as a team, and in my opinion didn’t have any determination or enthusiasm to make something out of it. Why? I saw some of those dude’s laughing away while they were getting thrashed to bits. No I’m not talking about the Thomian Spectators, but the members on the team, I specially spotted a young winger “All Smiles”, I’m not sure whether this was the chap that was supposed to “run circles” around our line, but he seem to be smiling at the few women folk in the Stand.

For those of you who missed the match the Royal team drove in 7 tries, with the Help of some lovely drives from the front row, and a brilliant charge down off a “get out of jail” kick to score tries. What was interesting was the fact that the regular place kicker “Hassen” was rested and all the kicks were taken from the bloke playing full back, which was much to be desired. I’m not sure about the thinking behind the coach’s move to rest the dude, but we found out one thing. Our full-back can’t kick for toffees, and I’m not talking about 40 meter penalties, this was under the post stuff. So much so that, the team hardly wasted time on bring out the “tee”, and let him try “Drop kicking” which wasn’t any help either. I certainly hope the usual kicker is not injured; on the day (Bradby 2^nd Leg) as it’ll be an absolute disaster.

Ending on a hopeful note, I got to say that even though Thomians were crap, our boys played much better Rugby than what we saw the previous week. Therefore lets hope that the we’ll get a chance to be on the dishing out end, rather than the receiving end at the Lion’s Den, although a 10 point lead is hard to catch up, a keenly fought, evenly contested match maybe on our hands.

Over to you Sophist, for your expert comments, till then you can read the Sunday Observer Article.

UPDATE

• Shanka speaks

Bradby Shield First Leg Video

In my continuing search for Free Media in my previous post, I found something better than a Rugby Guru's views on the Match. The match it self on MTV (News First) Website. So that the Guru in you, can come to your own arguements. Download this while you can, before they take it off. If possible some one submit it to You-Tube too.

• First Half
• Second Half

( Best Viewed on 360 X 288 Pixels Resolution Screen Size )

Bradby First Leg 21-10

Yesterday, was the much awaited "Blue Ribbon" as you would call it of School's Rugby. I found my self with my GF, a few friends getting up their by 3pm to catch a good spot, and ofcourse "Park the Car". Yes, this year I found my self financially incapable of reserving tickets at the "Grand Stand", 600 bucks a piece they go for. I say that is way too much. What was more horrifying was to find the "Pathana" match tickets priced at 350 bucks. I say you, it would have been understandable if it were the "Thora" match. Which means I can anticipate how much that encounter is going to cost. So the "Tiers" are comfy enough, till I find a better job, that makes me feel 600 bucks is like toffee's.

Over to the match. Being the Royalist I am, I was expecting a defeat. Yes, yes, seeing the way our lad's performed against "True pressure" (@ the Pathana Match) I knew when "Push comes to shove", there's little we could do. But by golly's our chaps put up some Good Moves, surprised the Trinitians and registered the first points. We had more of the ball in our hands, and the forwards kept driving, but kept getting tackled, the line was under-fed me thinks, but then again both the opportunities they got, they fumbled and that mind you was like 25yards into the Goal Line.

All in all I was unhappy seeing the way our guys fluffing opportunities right at the end. It would have been understandable, if Trinity just dominated the game, (like the Last year) but this was really saddening. To add salt to the wounds, we saw a few gutsy moves and runaway points scored by the Trinitians, when I felt our blokes were too tired or unorganized or both to stop them. I wouldn't have minded a 4 point lead going into the 2nd Leg, but 11 points is too much of a dampener. That means we have to make our own fun. he he..

Atmosphere was well alive, with buggers bringing down the "Roof Down". I mean literally, the make shift tents on the tiers weren't fastened enough for a ravaging mob of Royalist's of all breeds, some potent from the "Nectar of God's", shaking and slamming the sheets, just to see them drop one by one onto their very own heads.

Well that's a Rugger Match for you. Over and out.

Here's more on the Bradby (Experts opinion over mine) :

1. Sunday Observer
2. Sunday Times ??
3. Sunday Island ??

?? So much for freaking Free Availability of News in Sri Lanka. All those sites require Registration. Ba-humbug!!

UPDATE

Found this new Paper in town to have a nice web site.

1. The Nation

And for those of you who don't know what the Bradby is, well you can't be living in Sri Lanka, if so "Shame on you". It is a Rugger match played between Royal College and Trinity College Kandy, in two stages (or Legs as we like to call it) one in Colombo and one in Kandy, hosted by the respective schools. The name "Bradby" came about after Mr. E. L. Bradby (then Principal of Royal College) awarded a shield for the match played in 1945, which turned into a two match series and the Winners being declared on the aggregate of the points in both the matches. Prior to the awarding of the Shield both schools have been playing each other since 1920.

Where did I get all this? Well it's common knowledge to any member of the two schools, in addition I had the privilege of Editing one such Bradby Souvenir back in the day.

* Pathana - Isipathana Vidyalaya
* Thora - St. Thomas' College

Shit Happens only in Sri Lanka

All Sri Lankans should be proud, of our Lads and Lasses as they are doing the Country proud at the SAF GAMES! Are we 2nd or 3rd? According to GOLD's, we're third?

Medals Table

However there are a few droplets of "Gob" that cant stop hitting the "Milk Pot" as would be expressed in Local Terms. What am I talking abt?

1. Andrew Abeysinghe. There is a lot of controversy regarding this, and myself do not have any links to the Swimming Arena in SL, therefore cant comment on who is right or not.

BUT, I certainly can give you my opinion on how he's being treated. The lad after winning two gold's, gets cat called by the affected parents "Go America, Cmon America", while taking his mark on what ever that thingy they take their mark on, and during the ceremony. This is outright BULL!, and proves how Pathetic we Sri Lankans are. After he's selected to represent Sri Lanka, he is "Sri Lankan". No matter what, whether in disgust, either protest outside or be silent while the boy is taking his mark, not for anything but he's trying to win Sri Lanka a GOLD!

Thats all I'm going to spend on Andrew for now. Further readings.

Poncha taken by surprise by Abeysinghe

VIC's Blog Post that Spiked a bit of controversy

2. A potential Gold Medalist, Sri Lankan mind you, beaten by 6 men, broken limbs and in hospital. He's even is the Marathon scheduled for Monday. So is this the epitome of someone's jealousy towards some others achievements? I don't know the entire story behind this but it's truly saddening to see things like this happen here.

Daily Mirror (Need Registration)

3. Also I read that the Games have been marred by Biased Judging of Officials in the Boxing Arena, giving Pakistan the upper hand. Why couldn't this be avoided, is beyond my comprehension?

Daily News - Winning silver is good as gold - Harsha, Indika

Anyways, please do share your opinions and comments. I don't mean to be a dampener, but these are the Facts behind the SAF GAMES.

I wish I could rip your HAIR out ?!

Darrell, Darrell, Darrell, what have you got your self into? Is it us South Asians that you fear? Did you think that just because a few Pakistani's were (supposedly) involved in the British Hunt Down for Terro, you could do your part on the Field?

Well this wasn't the first for you? You had to call Murali a "Chucker". Why? Does he scare you? Ok, the first mistake was forgiven, but after the bloke being cleared, you have to write in your little book "you still think Murali is a chucker".

So what you have created history, getting two teams to walk out on Test Matches. Hope you can sleep well in bed tonight, knowing that you have the Indian Team to "play your little games with" and maybe even the Bangladesh team, before you quit.

It'll be a sorry situation though, if the Asian Teams could getogether as "ONE" like they have stood for many things in the past, and demand you apologize publicly (if you can put your self to it) and keep you away from Cricket Pitches that they trod on.

Was there a smirk on your face, when the Pakistani team had to walk into the field among the "Boo's" of the crowd? Felt happy about your self eh? Well sleep well, you lowly bastard, since none of the 26 cameras on the Ground caught some thing

Here's a list of Hair's contributions to the "Gentleman's Game".

Further reading.

About the Bloke.

On a different note, the mighty Mark Boucher say's "BRING IT ON". Oooo we are soo scared!!

Both these guys should be added to the "Google Failure list". If you aren't sure what I'm talking about. Type "failure" on Google and look who's on "Top".