Bizarre

                  My stepson was clearing out his room and was going to put this in the bin, but I rescued it purely for its quirkiness! It has never even been opened until now that is, any one for footy?

                  There's a first, I even managed to get it back in the box. I shall just have to find someone mad enough to give it to!!

Scrum.

In this video clip, it just goes to show that things do not always go as planned!!

Firstly the ball did not go in the scrummer, and then despite going in at a height not to give bias, it comes out the wrong side for the team with the put in!!!!
           That's table rugby for you!!

Kick-off.

In this video clip the kick-off is shown using the rules that I employ. The kick is taken with the "live" kicker, which is then removed from the pitch. The ball has gone over the 10m line, so the opposing side have a block flick, which must not hit the ball. The attacking side then attempt to take possession, in this instance it was unsuccessful. The other team can then attempt possession, which they do successfully. In my way of playing you have 3 flicks, the first flick gained possession, the second flick can be any distance and the third flick must make contact with the ball and remain within 2 inches of it. In this example, the third flick resulted in the ball going in completely the wrong direction and ending up in touch, giving the other side a line-out!!!

That is the beauty of this game, the rugby ball has a habit of being totally unpredictable, resulting in varied situations.

Cup winners.

Oops almost forgot, there has to be a picture of the winning team with the cup!!!

    So here they are, cup winners Fotheringhay with the Nene Valley Cup!!!

27th December.

I finally got home on boxing day night, Dad's operation having gone ok. So a friendly between the two teams knocked out of the competition was decided upon.

                        Tansor about to kick off against Cotterstock, despite being a good kick possession went to Cotterstock, but a bad kick forward resulted in a line-out to Tansor.

                Ten minutes into the first half and Tansor go over for a try and despite the acute angle, the conversion was good.

                      Second try for Tansor with a pretty easy conversion.

                 Cotterstock's first try which was easily converted.

                                Second try for Cotterstock, unfortunately the conversion attempt went wide.
Second half was pretty uneventful apart from a penalty awarded to Tansor for a forward pass.

                Fnal score :  Tansor  17    Cotterstock  12.

Hopefully video of Tansor's conversion on their second try!!!

Reflections.

                     All in all, it has been great fun doing this knock-out competition using my local village names and none of it was preconceived, so I didn't know who would win either! Subbutteo Rugby is probably the only game in the range that can be effectively played solo, provided the rules are administered evenly. Football is ok until it comes to shooting at goal, it being a bit tricky to man goal and shoot at the same time! Cricket, well even with someone doing some bowling for me, I find hitting the ball with the bat pretty tricky, there again I do not get the chance to practice!!!
                      I was hoping to do a Boxing day match between the two teams that got knocked out  first, but unfortunately my Dad is going into hospital for an operation  on the 23rd, so I am not sure where I will end up over Christmas.
                     So a very happy Christmas to all who view this blog, and lets hope for some sanity in the world in the new year.

Nene Valley Cup Final.

                              Final match for the cup between Glapthorn and Fotheringhay, Glapthorn having just kicked off.

                            Early penalty for Glapthorn bad clearance giving off side. Glapthorn open scoring with 3 points.

                                       Yet another bad mistake by Fotheringhay gives Glapthorn another penalty.

                                     Fotheringhay's first try just before half time, the conversion attempt went wide giving a half time score of Glapthorn 6  Fotheringhay 5.

                                              A good start for Fotheringhay in the second half, with this try right under the posts and a successful conversion.

                  Mistake this time by Glapthorn gave Fotheringhay this easy penalty.

                                     Bad clearance by Fotheringhay opened the door again for Glapthorn with this easy penalty.

                        With 5 minutes to go, this penalty was awarded to Fotheringhay for off side, allowing them to stretch their lead.  The last minutes of the match were all Glapthorn, but they were unable to break through the defence and final whistle saw Fotheringhay lifting the cup.

                       Elated supporter streaks onto the pitch, despite the efforts of the arm of the law!!!!


                                      Final score :    Fotheringhay  15   Glapthorn  9.