Posted by sean on August 23, 2009 at 8:46 pm in Cricket with No Comments


So, England did it! Andrew Strauss’ men battled hard – through blood, sweat and tears – beating Ricky Ponting’s boys and winning back The Ashes.


We got our urn back!

I feel very privileged to have been able to witness the series, and have been totally gripped today, watching the Aussie wickets fall.

The England trophy cabinet, which was about to be turned into firewood from lack of use, finally has some silverware to display. The little urn of ashes will no doubt take pride of place on the centre shelf – until next summer, at least, when we’ll win the World Cup.

You have to feel sorry for the Aussie’s – what sport can they boast to be champions at now? They no longer have the Ashes. Football they have always failed at. Their rugby success is long gone (not that I care for egg chasing). I guess they can claim to be quite good at Aussie Rules Football.

I must admit, I did enjoy watching ex-Aussie legend, now TV pundit, Shane Warne, struggle to admit England were the better side. I think the best he managed to choke out was “it was an evenly matched contest” – yes, Shane, that’s why we won.


The Aussie’s no doubt feel like their most famous export – crushed

This blog may seem like I am gloating and milking the victory just a little. Perhaps, but how many times do England actually win anything? We’ll probably lose the next Ashes series (to be played in Australia) 5-0. Let’s enjoy it!

IN-GER-LAND
IN-GER-LAND
IN-GER-LAND
etc etc etc…

Posted by sean on August 21, 2009 at 10:40 pm in Cricket with No Comments


What a marvellous afternoon of cricket England played today. I must admit, after the previous test ended in humiliation, I thought the series was over, and despite a sufficient first day of the current and final match, I was still unconvinced by England and thought the test and indeed the series would be drawn.

I started to watch the match this morning, but after England lost their remaining two wickets and struggled to get the opening Aussie batsmen out, I went into town to pick up a few things. Then things changed…

Although being away from Sky Sports and FiveLive, I was in constant communication with all the goings-on through my phone, thanks to the ECB Cricket app and Karl from work sending me messages, differing from despair to delight, depending on how well/poorly England were bowling.

I got back to my flat just in time to witness a total collapse of Australian batsmen, at the hands of some superb English bowling. England may have lost a few wickets themselves in their second innings, but it now looks like only a collapse of monumental proportions will stop England winning the test and therefore take back that little urn of ashes they truly deserve and yearn for. Then again, this is England, so I’m not ruling anything out.

IF England are to win the series, I just hope they do it at the weekend, so I have the pleasure of watching it on Sky as opposed to learning of the victory on the BBC website at work.

Fingers crossed this blog hasn’t jinxed the whole thing!

Posted by sean on August 20, 2009 at 9:58 pm in Video Games with No Comments


It isn’t very often I blog about videogames. While I like gaming, I do not play a large wealth of titles. If I had my way, I would still be enjoying GoldenEye and Super Mario Kart. I am even less of a gamer when it comes to the iPhone. Despite many owners being addicted to games from the ‘App store’, the only title I found of interest was Monopoly. Until now…

While browsing the latest applications available for download, I stumbled across a title known as Minigore. With cute looking graphics, yet lots of bloody violence and big guns, I was intrigued by the fun-looking game play. After reading the raving reviews, I decided to buy the app, especially with the bargain introductory price of just fifty nine British pennies.

The game reminds me of Loaded – a favourite with many owners of the original PlayStation console. Like Loaded, Minigore is an overhead shoot em up, where you walk around a basic landscape, shooting anything that moves with comically oversized weapons, resulting in blood being sprayed all over the screen in an amusing cartoon violence.

As there is no control pad on the iPhone (simply a touch screen), I was very dubious about how the game would be played. While the simplicity of a single touch screen is great for making telephone calls, sending text messages and even browsing the internet, the lack of buttons does make video games a real problem. Not so with this title.

As Minigore is a very simple concept – walk – shoot – walk – shoot, there is only need for two methods of input. There are two ‘controllable’ circles at either side of the screen; one of moves your character around the landscape; the other fires the weapon. Very basic, yet extremely effective.

If you own an iPhone and have any intentions of playing games on it, you would be clinically insane not to buy this at the price it is. I have also read a high definition version of the game will be released on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Arcade, so even those console owners without flash mobile phones can enjoy.

Posted by sean on August 19, 2009 at 9:15 pm in Football with No Comments


Ooooh! Robbie, Robbie!
Robbie Robbie Robbie Robbie
Robbie Blake!

Posted by sean on August 19, 2009 at 6:41 pm in Bath City with No Comments


On a hot Monday afternoon, I made my way with Claire to Twerton Park, where we would wait for the supporters’ coach to take us to Hampshire to watch Bath City’s evening game against Havant & Waterlooville.

This is my second trip to Havant’s West Leigh Park ground, but my first visit since the clubs famous FA Cup run in 2008, which involved victory over Swansea City and a trip to Anfield, where they were defeated by Liverpool. The cup success brought Havant considerable wealth, which appears to have been invested in stadium developments as opposed to improving the squad – which is probably why they’re still in the Blue Square South!

The journey south, which involved a spell on the motorway, had drama in itself, when we narrowly avoided an accident on the M27. A car moving alongside the coach appeared to spin out of control, and had it not been for fast maneuvering by our driver, could have resulted in a nasty accident. We later learnt the car involved had spun out of control due to a burst tyre. Luckily, the woman behind the wheel managed to prevent any injuries to herself or fellow motorists.

Upon arriving at the ground, the fans piled into the clubhouse. Not the best watering hole in the league – the term ‘adequate’ comes to mind. While enjoying a pre-match pint, we discussed the incident on the motorway, as well as sharing our predictions on the impending match.


With kick off just minutes away, the clubhouse emptied and fans from both sides queued to enter the ground through the small number of turnstiles that the club had decided to open. There were a surprisingly large number of fans in the stadium; the warm summers evening no doubt attracting the City and Havant faithful.


The game started badly, with Havant dominating possession, creating chances and, in under 10 minutes, scoring. The travelling army of 50 City supporters getting a little nervous about the prospect of another Chelmsford horror show. Thankfully, City weathered the storm and started to create chances themselves.

As has been the case in recent games (and will be for future matches), I had to pay extra attention to the action, as I was updating the City Updates website, via my iPhone, for the fans back home. Luckily there weren’t too many incidents to report, so I was able to give my fingers a rest and enjoy the game.

The match continued, with both sides creating chances. Then, with the end in sight and the home crowd starting to disperse, Bath City scored, drawing the game level; the goal sending the travelling fans into euphoric celebration. To add to the jubilant scenes, a penalty was awarded to City just a few minutes later. The spot kick was converted, giving City the lead and sending shock throughout both sets of supporters.

With little over 5 minutes to go, things were extremely nervous for the visiting fans. Could City hang on, or would Havant come back to salvage a point? Unfortunately, it was the latter, as Havant’s Manny Williams, who could have been sent off earlier in the game, broke through the defence and scored a deserved equaliser. It was a disappointing end to the game, but most fans would surely have taken a point pre-kick off.

The trip back on the coach was a lot less eventful than the inward journey. The 50/50 draw took place (for those not in the know, this is like a raffle where 50% of the money goes to the club, whereas the other 50% is shared between 3 fans). I have only won this once in the last three years. I was asked to make the draw for the 2nd prize, and ironically picked out my own ticket – and yes, I did take the money – all £8.00 of it!

As the coach made its way north to Somerset and the clock ticked closer and closer to midnight, the evening taking its toll on both Claire and me, who became very tired. I made her promise she would force me NOT to attend any long evening trips in future – as we have potential midweek visits to Braintree and Lewes later in the season. I hope I have the willpower to stay at home and Claire has the ability to make me!

We eventually got back home and were tucked up in bed and asleep by 1am. The game, or recent late nights, must have taken their toll, as I didn’t awake until 12noon the next day – I haven’t slept that long for years.

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