Wee wheel Begins to Churn, Big Wheel Keeps on Turning

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Over the last couple of games the wee wheel, (the Ulster team), shows signs of beginning to churn, the gears are starting to mesh and cogs are beginning to click in the right order.

The cohesion is not quite there though and the feeling that backs and forwards are not quite in tune is omnipresent. The backs continue to crab across the field.

It all starts with iHumph going sideways and indeed this may be a deliberate tactic but unless one of the centres straightens the line or the wings come in on the switch then the backline simply runs out of space out in the tramlines.

There’s little evidence of backs and forwards combining except of course big wheel, (Stevie F), who now seems to almost permanently reside on the wing. This is the space Dan Tuohy was desperately occupying earlier in the season but space between the tramlines is cramped and the town ain’t big enough for big Dan and the big wheel.

Still the progressive move towards integrated rugby is happening and at this rate we may be firing on all cylinders by the time the end of the season comes around. By then of course it may all be too late.

On the plus side, the big wheel is keeping us afloat with his impressive run of tries, 3 in two games and hopefully that run will continue next Saturday.

The desperation comes in when we over rely on big wheel to produce scores out on the wing at the expense of his tighter game he requires to play closer in. Questions could be asked if big wheel remains adrift on the wing during games against the better opposition. They will surely take advantage if he is missing at the heart of the action.

Meantime the wee wheel’s beginning to churn, and the big wheel keeps on turning. For that we can be thankful.

 

A Rapprochement of a Sort!

Spotted standing two persons length away from the notorious second barrier crew on the Ravenhill Terrace, one has to ask is the Original Kimble, Supreme leader of the Ulster Supporters Club, distancing himself from his former comrades and former good buddies in the 2BC.

It would appear that Kimble is considering offering himself up as a candidate to participate in another UR worldwide search for a coach judging by his prescient insightful comments on the crabbing play of I. Humph.

I wrote a few weeks ago of Kimble spurning my offer of 10 freshly brewed tins of Guinness. Since then there has been a Parky media blackout of anything pertaining to Kimble, the URSC and the 2BC.

Things took a tack for the better on Friday night as Kimble has now agreed to accept my offer in time for Christmas. We have yet to agree on a mutually acceptable lonely car park where this gift can be handed over beyond the prying lenses of the paparazzi.

 

Cryptic Message on a Coach

Word reaches me from a not necessarily impeccable source that a new coach may be in the wings ahead of next season.

Not wishing to compromise my sources, I will have to reveal the said potential coach in the form of a cryptic crossword clue.

‘Initially Johann Muller puts time in mixed up phone rule,’

That’s the clue – can you guess who it is?

 

Redevelopment Remembered

Further diagnostic research and plain word of mouth has revealed to me that the redevelopment of Ravenhill, (remember it?) could well start in September 2012. My sources reveal that completing the new grandstand will be most difficult part of the project.

This may seem fairly obvious given it occupies one full length side of the pitch. It also means displacing about 6000 punters thereabouts and accommodating at least some of them elsewhere in the ground for the duration of the project.

Someone, somewhere has a logistical problem. I’m told that UR’s worldwide search for a project sponsor cum stadium manager has ended in the Titanic quarter. I’m reliably informed he’s not a great, great nephew of Thomas Andrews.

Positive buoyancy for this project is assured.

Of course they are still officially to receive the roubles from the Hill. At this point the hobby horse has trotted up to the computer and awaits me to mount and ride off into the distance harping on about our MLAs.

I will rein in my natural instinct to sound off about Stormont but in an era of cost cutting and efficiency measures, our bloated and money gobbling assembly continues to pooter away like a Trabant engine stuck in 2nd gear.

In a country, population circa 1.7million, it is as difficult to get blue sky decision making as it is for France’s President Sarkozy not to get himself photographed. UR are sometimes criticised for a ham fisted operational strategy, long serving old duffers and crude marketing but they deserve credit in getting together a coherent business case for the stadium.

I understand their business-like dealings in respect of the redevelopment are highly regarded by DCAL.

By contrast the IFA are a disgrace and our MLA’s decided to flex muscles they don’t really have in dealing with them, by getting involved in a power struggle with the then incumbent IFA President.

It gave the dictatorial bully in the IFA, credence he hadn’t earned, by making him out to be standing up to bullying big government.

Whilst this nonsensical stand-off was lumbering to a conclusion, other sports could only stand and wait patiently, possibly wondering what it was about the IFA that made them look they couldn’t recite the alphabet.

That’s Northern Ireland for you, a small country where little people dwell in delusions of grandeur way beyond their mortal station in life.

I think I’ve just fallen off my horse.

 

Lesser Spotted Ulster

Do they come in 3’s?

After last week’s sighting of Andi K, in shorts and in Baltic conditions it was the turn of Si Danielli to be spotted standing in the queue to the cash till at Decathlon. Can’t reveal what he was buying but can disclose that he drove off in an old VW camper van.

Spotted shortly thereafter in Sainsbury’s, Holywood Mike trying to buy 60 quid’s worth of goods for some strange reason!!

At Ravenhill on Friday night – Glynn Commando dressed like an Inuit Ulster supporter. Was there any sort of cold weather clothing accoutrement he wasn’t wearing? Headgear, Rupert scarf, gloves…the list goes on, I was lucky to see a human being under that lot.

Mind it was cold!!

 

Is There No End to Their Talent?

Is there a beginning one wonders?

The 2nd Barrier Crew were distributing hymn sheets in a come on to the faithful to join them in singing a little ditty.

Lyrics and arrangement were by Van ‘Moondance‘ Morrison sung to the tune of Good King Wencelas. Here we go:

Good King Brian he looked out on the Beast’s that’s Stephen.

Scarlets they lay round about black and blue and beaten.

Brightly shone the floodlit night,

And the ref was cruel,

When a Scarlet came in sight,

Big Stevie ran right throughooooo him!


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