Talking Sport: Hysteria reaches fever pitch

Can we take all this excitement if things continue as they did last weekend?
Trevor WatsonTrevor Watson
Trevor Watson

Europe’s pitch and putt boys hammered the Yanks in the Ryder Cup, Man U managed to win a game, despite captain Wayne Rooney being sent off and Hudds Town won at home for the first time in what seems about 10 years.

A pity Dewsbury Rams couldn’t add to it by winning at Leigh in the play-off semi-final but still gave the leaders a massive fright.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Town’s success brought instant euphoria. A friend came straight from the game and backed them to reach the play-offs at odds of 28-1.

Not long ago he was set to end it all when they lost to Middlesbrough.

The Rooney dismissal was annoying only because people tried to excuse his reckless foul on Stewart Downing.

On TV we were told: ‘He was just trying to trip him up.’ I’ve seen people ‘just’ trip opponents and break their ankles.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Radio had the usual idiotic remark that he was, yes, ‘taking one for the team.’

Downing was about 65 yards from goal and had at least five United defenders in front of him. Rooney mustn’t trust them much.

At least he had the sense to admit his mistake, despite the blather from his media fan club. The lad is learning.

There’s no sport like golf for going over the top and the Ryder Cup summed it up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The build-up was hysterical and Europe’s success brought headlines such as ‘The shot of a lifetime’, ‘Magic’, ‘Wondrous’ and, of course, ‘Gleneagles Glory’.

At least they might stop talking about the Miracle of Medinah. Years ago, a wise old journalist once advised: ‘Don’t say miracle, unless it is one.’

Catalan Dragons have done well to reach the Super League semi-finals with very little official help.

After winning at Leeds on a Saturday they had to visit Huddersfield last Friday, the Giants having had an extra two days rest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This week Catalan have a Thursday game at St Helens, who have had almost two weeks off. It could have been worse, they could have had to play on Monday.

Quite rightly great pride at Dewsbury Moor as at least three of their old boys make history with Sam, George and Tom Burgess set to play for South Sydney against Canterbury in the Australian Grand Final on Sunday.

James Graham is in the opposing side. After all the Aussie twangs, it will be a treat to hear some broad Yorkshire and a bit of Scouse in the scrums.

Good luck to Hunslet in the Kingstone Press Championship One final at Headingley on Sunday teatime.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Hawks, of course, are coached by a Heavy Woollen hero in Barry Eaton and include former Batley favourite Danny Maun as well as David March and John Oakes.

Meanwhile Featherstone’s team in the Championship final against Leigh, at the ridiculous time of 7pm, includes such familiar names as Gareth Moore, Tim Spears, James Lockwood and Keegan Hirst.