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Bristol Rugby

Bristol Bears v Saracens

I’m writing this one after the fact having been to the StoneX to watch Saracens Women win; I do wish the 2 bodies could liaise and ensure the 2 teams from the same club aren’t playing at the same time! I hadn’t realised the game was on ITV so TNT commentary it will have to be. My sofascore was pinging on my phone as the game progressed, it pinged quite a lot! Play was stopped virtually immediately as Marco Riccioni fell and didn’t move, happily it wasn’t a head knock. but a stinger to his shoulder after Benhard van Rensburg clattered into him as Riccioni attempted a tackle. Play restarted with a scrum and a penalty against Mako Vunipola. Saracens […]

Premier 15's 0

Saracens Women v Sale Sharks

The return of the Women’s Premiership saw the return on the international players to the competition. It didn’t see the introduction of common sense sadly as certainly the 2 Saracens games for the weekend clashed. The weather was more suited to cricket than 80 minutes of rugby union. There was some early pressure from Sale but a loose ball saw Saracens on the charge and Jess Breach scoring a try. A break from Zoe Harrison saw the ball passed out to Breach, who has wheels to burn! . Harrison added the extras. Sale’s 1st attempt at a line out of wasn’t straight, Saracens took the scrum option. Marlie Packer came away with the ball. Saracens attacked on the wing, losing […]

By Debs K Posted on

Uncategorized 2

County Cricket Round 4 – 2024

2 teams from each Division sat out this round, Kent and Lancashire from Division 1 and Sussex and Glamorgan from Division 2. Day 1, when I’m starting out on this, saw a full day’s play up and down the country, in spite of weather predictions amongst fans. It remains to be seen if that stays that way over the full round. In writing up Day 1 I can see that Headingley didn’t get a full days play. Starting Day 2 as I watch the rain put in Chelmsford in Essex, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings! Coming back after writing up Day 2 it seems the abad weather arrived earlier across the country. Division 1 Durham v Essex – Seat […]

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Champions Cup 3

Saracens v Lyon – The Champions Cup

Saracens found themselves in the last chance saloon in this competition after succumbing to a record defeat in Bordeaux. A win by Connacht against Bristol meant the task was a less onerous one, with a bonus point of any description with a less than 20 point gap. Whether this team could bounce back was open for debate, with top spot beckoning for Lyon as a big incentive for them to win this one. Pre match was dinner at the Metro with Munster v Saints on the TV, we left before the end but they won by 3 points having been down to 14 for all of the 2nd half and 13 some of both halves, that’s highly impressive! On to […]

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Champions Cup 0

Saracens v Connacht Rugby

Having lost in South Africa, this was a match Saracens really needed to win. The match started with an uncharacteristic Theo McFarland error as he knocked the ball on from the kick off. So, an early scrum! The Connacht 9 delayed the put in and Saracens were awarded a free kick to get the ball out of their own half. […]

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Rugby Union 0

London Welsh v Horsham

With Saracens flying out to South Africa it gave a a chance to head to Richmond to watch London Welsh. Now playing in London & SE Division, Regional 1 & South Central (L5) being the 5th tier of rugby in England. Their visitors on the day were Horsham, who they’d beaten narrowly by 6 points, earlier in the season. My […]

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Bristol Rugby 0

Saracens v Bristol Bears

After the so called Derby weekends Bristol Bears had a bit of a trip to North London. That brought Max Malins back home, but he wouldn’t be facing Ben Earl sadly after he picked up an injury before the Quins game. I’m going to start with a scrum as there was an early one, Ellie Genge went straight to his […]

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Cricket 0

The Ashes 2023 – Day 5 Edgbaston

Going a bit out of order here. I’ll come back to days 3 & 4! I woke up in Stratford upon Avon around 30 miles from Edgbaston to the sound of torrential rain, that meant I didn’t rush to leave the house I was staying in. I had (stupidly) booked the RSC for As You Like It on Day 4, […]

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Harlequins 6

Saracens v Harlequins – The Premiership Semi-Final

What could be better than a sunny day, A Premiership Semi-Final and a local derby at that! It was definitely cricket weather for this match up. Quins fans travelled across London in numbers, it was great to catch up with some of my avid Quins fan friends. Harlequins had proved the naysayers wrong and backed up their Premiership Final win […]

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Premiership Rugby 8

The Joys of Being a Saracens Fan, Toxic Media and Thinking before you Type

It’s been a torrid few weeks to be an England and Saracens fan, a time that started with such hope saw a crowd of us rock up at Allianz Park at 8am on a Saturday morning to watch England win the World Cup. That didn’t quite go to plan as South Africa pretty much did to us what we did to the All Blacks, perhaps Warren Gatland was right and England had put in their all in that astonishing semi-final. Losing Kyle Sinckler after 2 minutes didn’t help. But the match literally personified the rugby saying – The forwards decide who’s going to win the match, the backs by how much – England were out muscled from minute one. Although […]

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Cricket 0

Pakistan v India – The Cricket World Cup

This was one I couldn’t write while I was watching, the long awaited match between Pakistan and India. I drove up from Taunton through torrential rain, heading to Manchester a place renowned for rain at the best of times! Saturday evening was spent with some of my Stani Army friends at a restaurant in Wilmslow, Lal Qila followed by ice […]

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County Cricket 1

County Cricket Round 6 – 2024

I’m kicking off my writing at the end of Day 2. The 7th week of County Cricket, but the 6th game for all, we we were back to all teams involved in this one, another Friday to Monday set of games. It really is hard for the game to get things right, there was a good crowd again at the County Ground in Chelmsford for Day 1, but those figures then tend to drop over the weekend. We’re still in the rugby and football season and personally I’ll be watching Saracens on Day 2 of these matches, there seeems to be more of a crossover with football than rugby and I imagine many will be watching that game on Day […]

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County Cricket 2

County Cricket Round 5/6 – 2024

Cricket weather arrived across the country and those with weather affected games last week must’ve been looking on with envy. The very same thing happened in 2023 and it had an effect on the tables at the end of the season. There were 4 games in Division 1 and 2 in Division 2. I’m starting out at the end of Day 1 and can see some decent scores! Finishing up on Day 4, at least the weather wasn;t to blame for so many Draws! I can’t add photos to my posts anymore – the cost of the site was just too high for a hobby. But, here’s a link to a few photos from my day ay The Oval https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpVKo […]

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Bristol Rugby 1

Bristol Bears v Saracens

I’m writing this one after the fact having been to the StoneX to watch Saracens Women win; I do wish the 2 bodies could liaise and ensure the 2 teams from the same club aren’t playing at the same time! I hadn’t realised the game was on ITV so TNT commentary it will have to be. My sofascore was pinging on my phone as the game progressed, it pinged quite a lot! Play was stopped virtually immediately as Marco Riccioni fell and didn’t move, happily it wasn’t a head knock. but a stinger to his shoulder after Benhard van Rensburg clattered into him as Riccioni attempted a tackle. Play restarted with a scrum and a penalty against Mako Vunipola. Saracens […]

By Debs K Posted on

Premier 15's 0

Saracens Women v Sale Sharks

The return of the Women’s Premiership saw the return on the international players to the competition. It didn’t see the introduction of common sense sadly as certainly the 2 Saracens games for the weekend clashed. The weather was more suited to cricket than 80 minutes of rugby union. There was some early pressure from Sale but a loose ball saw Saracens on the charge and Jess Breach scoring a try. A break from Zoe Harrison saw the ball passed out to Breach, who has wheels to burn! . Harrison added the extras. Sale’s 1st attempt at a line out of wasn’t straight, Saracens took the scrum option. Marlie Packer came away with the ball. Saracens attacked on the wing, losing […]

By Debs K Posted on

Uncategorized 0

County Cricket Round 5 (for some) – 2024

Bank Holiday weekend and we had just 2 games in Division 1 and 3 in Division 2. I’m yet to see a good reason for this and am also hoping this isn’t a weather affected weekend and the same for next weekend when the other teams play! I was travelling to Scotland on Day 1, but starting to write this on the morning of Day 2. Finishing up at a castle/hotel in Cheshire on Day 4. Division 1 Lancashire v Kent – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester – Keaton Jennings won the toss for Lancs and out Kent in to bat. Kent won by 7 wickets. Kent 261 All Out & 166 for 3, Lancashire 92 All Out & 332 All […]

By Debs K Posted on

Uncategorized 2

County Cricket Round 4 – 2024

2 teams from each Division sat out this round, Kent and Lancashire from Division 1 and Sussex and Glamorgan from Division 2. Day 1, when I’m starting out on this, saw a full day’s play up and down the country, in spite of weather predictions amongst fans. It remains to be seen if that stays that way over the full round. In writing up Day 1 I can see that Headingley didn’t get a full days play. Starting Day 2 as I watch the rain put in Chelmsford in Essex, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings! Coming back after writing up Day 2 it seems the abad weather arrived earlier across the country. Division 1 Durham v Essex – Seat […]

By Debs K Posted on

Bath Rugby 0

Bath Rugby v Saracens

Sararcens travelled South with a win against an under strength Gloucester under their belts, Bath had beaten Exeter at Sandy Park for the first time in a fair few years. With Bath sitting 2nd and Saracens 3rd this was a huge match! As lovely as it looks Bath isn’t a trip I wanted to make again, so this is a from my sofa report. Happily the weatehr was kind, well dry at least, it’s no fun sitting in the open stand in the rain. Former Saracens player Ben Spencer led his Bath team out to face his former team mates. Luke Pearce was the man in charge. Owen Farrell started things off and we had teh 1st Spencer box kick, […]

By Debs K Posted on

County Cricket 0

County Cricket Round 3 – 2024

A third round in April saw the Duke’s ball back in action, sadly one thing that hadn’t changed from the first 2 rounds was the weather! I’m starting my write up on Day 1 after a chilly, rainy day watching Essex v Lancs 54 overs were bowled. Yet, in spite of a late start then a very long, over 2 hours, lunch, the players went off for tea 75 minutes after they came on after that extended break at lunch. The sky was probably the best it’d been all day; that seems crazy to me! Tea ios spoken about a lot in the PLAying Conditions, but the only pertinent point I can find is the following “Clause 11.2.2.5 Where the […]

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Uncategorized 0

Saracens v Gloucester Rugby

Saracens played their last match at The Stonex Stadium on January 27th, a win against Exeter Chiefs. March saw a big win against Harlequins at the Spurs Stadium and a loss against a very good Northampton Saints away. Gloucester sitting in 9th are playing in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final on May 4th and therefore picked a less experience team than might be expected. Saracens did something very similar for the match at Kingsholm in June 2022 and as a result were thumped! I was at that match and was disappointed to see my team roundly beaten having travelled so far, so couldn’t help but feel happy that the travelling Gloucester fans saw their team score 4 tries in this match. […]

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Uncategorized 0

County Championship – Round 2 – 2024

Week 2 of this years competition saw 9 games in play on Day 1, involving all 18 counties. It also saw the Kookaburra Ball and various batters do horrible things to several bowlers figures! The ball is being used 4 times this season, in 2 blocks of 2 games, when all 18 teams are playing. The next set of 2 will be later in the summer, but not in the last 2 rounds, to be confirmed therefore. We go back to the good old Duke for the next round, I imagine the bowlers will be sighing in relief on the whole. However 1 Division 1 team and 2 Division 2 were bowled out on Day 1. I’m starting my write […]

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Allianz Cup 0

Saracens Women v Exeter Chiefs

A cup quarter final that clashed with the 6 Nations was going to provide a challenge for the home team. Saracens lost their own line out at the 1st attempt after Chiefs had thrown the ball into touch. They won the next attempt. There were promising signs early on, but Tori Sellars couldn’t quite find Saracens hands. But, Saracens 1st try came moments later as they rolled the maul over the line at some speed, Bryony Cleall was in possession of the ball. The kick dropped just short. Chiefs went for the posts from their 2nd penalty in quick succession. The kick was in front of the posts, but hit them. Chiefs came up with the ball but the move […]

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County Cricket 2

County Championship Round 1 – 2024

The County Championship started on April 5th this year, the dates for the last 10 years have been – There’s a lot of ‘blame’ thrown the way of the Hundred (which started in 2021) for what’s being taken as an early start this year, but the previous 10 years has the start 6 of the 10 years seasons starting on around the same date. I should imagine the arrangement of any fixture list is a difficult task especially when each team doesn’t play the other home and away. Each team will be playing 14 matches over 15 rounds, which, like last year, will mean all of the 10 teams in Division 1 won’t be playing in the same weeks. Division […]

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Champions Cup 0

Bordeaux Begles v Saracens – The Round of 16

January 14 in Bordeaux is a day to forget for Saracens and their fans, that was reminiscent of watching men against boys as Bordeaux scored 55 to Saracens 15. The crazy structure of this competition saw them back in Bordeaux for this wire takes all match. Saracens were without Owen Farrell and Bordeaux were missing Matthieu Jalibert. An early knock on by Bordeaux saw the first scrum, it was re-set at the first and second effort, Billy Vunipola c came away at the third try, he kicked it straight into the arms of a Bordeaux player, Lucu then kicked the ball to touch, Saracens knocked on after the line out. Bordeaux very nearly scored a miraculous try after Saracens were […]

By Debs K Posted on

Rugby Union Articles 2

Commons & Lords V Wooden Spoon

40 years ago Phillip Oppenheim, MP for Amber Valley in Derbyshire set up the Commons & Lords rugby team, 3 or 4 of the original players are still involved and play alongside their sons. The aim of team/club is to play other parliaments and charitable organisations to raise funds and to raise the profile of the game amongst politicians. I’d watched a game in Dublin in 2015 – here’s a link to the article https://debsknigsport.com/2015/03/03/the-irish-dail-v-the-commons-lords-rugby-club-event-24/. Mark Pawsey MP for rugby was playing his last match as Chairman, his first game had been at the Metropolitan Police Ground, when he’d had to borrow a pair of his son’s boots! This match was at the Home of Rugby in England, Twickenham Stadium. […]

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Northampton Saints 0

Northampton Saints v Saracens

These 2 teams had very different games last week, Saints travelled to Bristol and had 52 points put on them by the Bears they scored 21. Saracens scored 52 points to Quins 7 at The new Spurs Stadium. Two once off games, Saints are top of the league and had won 9 of their 13 games to that point and had only lost 4.. Saracens had won 8 and lost 5 before this match. Franklin’s Gardens is a tough place to visit and a full crowd on a Friday night a daunting thought, there tends to be an edge when Saracens visit. I was sat amongst Saints season ticket holders and sat next to a lovely, friendly man. I did […]

By Debs K Posted on

Harlequins 0

Saracens v Harlequins – The Showdown.

It’s been 8 weeks since we’ve seen any Premiership Rugby, with a break taking place while the 6 Nations was played. Harlequins played Tigers on January 26th losing narrowly and Saracens scored 40 to Chiefs 22 on January 27th. Most of the build up to this game had it pegged as Owen Farrell v Marcus Smith. Farrell of course had withdrawn from any England participation, but Smith had the following involvement, after being injured early on. Smith is 25 and has made 152 appearances in a Quins shirt, Farrell was making his 250th for Saracens on this day and is 32. To a great degree they are chalk and cheese, but I’m sure they have far more regard for each […]

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