Sunshine, BBQ, and..............Sport

Well, what a sporting weekend it was here in sunny London. The BBQ was cranked up, TV set up outside and the fun began with the Edinburgh rugby sevens pool matches. Roared on by the home crowd, Scotland shocked a classy England outfit in the group stages and continued their run into the semis where they were denied their shot at glory by South Africa, losing 21-26. Apparently Waisale Serevi has been working with the Scots in an advisory role recently and going by the way they played I don't think it will be long before they are lifting their first sevens tournament cup.
A rejuvenated and powerful Fiji went on to beat South Africa 20-19 in the final in what turned out to be a very entertaining tournament.

All the talk over the past couple weeks has been about the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa and going by what Will Greenwood and Dewi Morris have been saying, "have what it takes to clean up". Well, the courageous Royal XV very well nearly pulled one over these over-hyped Lions finally succumbing 25-37. Not the most exciting game but probably a good wake up call for the Lions against the weakest opposition they will face on this tour. Can't see them touching the the likes of Smit, Habana, Matfield, Spies and co in the tests matches so I'll put my neck out and predict a 3-0 series win to South Africa. Will Greenwood - You're a DICK!

Pierre Spies - What a machine! He's been a destroyer in the light blue jersey in this years Super 14, and I can see a stark resemblance to a rampant bull looking for blood in the streets of Pamplona. On Saturday however, it was blood on the pitch at Loftus Verfeld in Pretoria. I guess I was being more an optimist in thinking that the Waikato Chiefs actually had a chance against these Blue Bulls. The Chiefs scored first but that was pretty much it. The Bulls dominated after then and eventually ran out 67-17 winners. It was time to throw the bangers on the BBQ and reflect on this hugely disappointing match while listening to our South African neighbours celebrate. All in all it's been a great Super 14 tournament this year with a host of teams being in the running for a semi final spot come the final round. The Blue Bulls were deserved winners with a great season and securing wins in vital matches. Roll on next year!

Amongst all the rugby on Saturday the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Everton was thrown in somewhere. The rugby was given priority in my garden on the day so only watched highlights of this match. Apart from a very early goal (25 seconds) from Saha, Chelsea pretty much dominated the match as expected. Following the disappointment in the Champions League, the Blues from the bridge finally pick up some silverware keeping Mr Abramovich happy for a little longer and Guus flies back to Moscow to fulfil his commitment to the Russian Football Federation. Will we see him back? who knows, but we've seen in the past that money talks! Ancelotti is now the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge having parted company with AC Milan. Will he provide the stability that Chelsea have been lacking over the past 2 years and ensure the boys in blue are serious contenders for the premiership title next year?!?!?!

In all honesty, thank God the football season is over. It's been a long one and I look forward to a summer of cricket with the Twenty/20 World Cup starting next week, and most importantly the Ashes series which to me is the pinnacle of test cricket.

Roll on a hot English summer with BBQ's, Beer, Bowls in Clapham Common and most importantly...............Sport!

Weekend Winners/Losers

Winners: Scotland - for an impressive home sevens tournament
Losers: The British and Irish Lions - no explanation needed!