Cheer Up, England

So England have limped from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with more whimper than bang but cheer up! At least England's fans have the new Premiership season to look forward to, where they can enjoy watching overseas players parading the skills and "banging in" those all important goals. Fans will also have the pleasure of seeing less deserving but equally overpaid English players plod around the pitch, desperately trying to emulate Johnny Foreigner (usually without much success). Cool huh?

Oh and Wayne Rooney apologises to fans? Yes well, I can understand that. Its like me apologising for losing a round of golf to Tiger Woods.

The Miracle in Medinah

For Seve

The Miracle in Medinah is how many described it. Last night the European team beat the Americans on their own turf 14½ to 13½ to retain the Ryder Cup in Chicago. And im happy to say Dai Jakes was one of the millions who witnessed it. It was glorious! A brilliant sporting comeback after looking like we were doomed to lose after friday and saturday. Team USA had it in the bag, or so they thought. They reckoned without the gutsy Europeans and their determination to win for the memory of one of golfing's greats, Seve Ballesteros. No doubt the man himself was looking down and giving one of his famous air punches as the Cup was lifted. Oh there was no joy in USAville.
Of course many will say, "miracle? Its only a sport!" They are wrong. Yes on the surface it was men holding metal rods and using them to whack balls into holes, but beneath that there was spirit and everyone who watched the Miracle in Medinah saw it at work. Mr Jakes is usually not one for 'acts of God' or divine dealings but I certainly felt something after Martin Kaymer holed the putt that gave us victory. (And it wasn't from the precious ginger liquid in my glass.) It was thrilling and I knew, I just knew that late American golfer Payne Stewart was congratulating Seve and the Spaniard was flashing a wolfish grin. I will have my doubters, the disbelieving naysayers not willing to believe a mere sport can have such an effect but I will not be swayed. For the last few days ive had a grey cloud hovering over me, there has been no reason for it, im happy enough in life, but it was there nevertheless. A kind of 'dent' if you will, on the bonnet of my usually sunny soul.
And then it was gone. Healed by the Miracle of Medinah. Amen!

100% Wales

Balchder Cymru!

Wales, Cymru fach, my beautiful country of birth is currently making Welsh rugby history after getting into the semi finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. We got through the 'pool of death' unscathed, almost beating the South Africans in the process and we beat a fine Irish side last saturday, (who themselves were playing well in the touranment).
So Ireland, Scotland and England are all out but Wales march onward! And this saturday (15/10/11) we face France, Le Bleus, in what is going to be a great semi final game of rugby. I can feel it in my Dragonbones! Can we do it? We are but one game away from being in the final of a rugby world cup, a mere 80 minutes! Can we do it? I am pretty confident that we can. I believe that my beloved Wales can triumph over the French and meet either New Zealand or Australia in the final. In my Welsh heart of hearts I have faith we will do it! Our team is young, fit and hungry. There is a sharpness to the boys that I can see even from thousands of miles away. It was there when Wales won the 2005/2008 Grandslams and its there again out in New Zealand.
There is a wonderful atmosphere in this country at the moment. Everyone is buzzing with excitement and anticipation of what could be should Wales defeat the 'froggies' this weekend. (And when I say froggies, I mean it only as harmless banter, certainly no disrespect is intended).
Wales the fearless! This is how we have played in this tournament, the youth and fitness making us fear nobody and giving us an edge. When you have youth on your side you will always believe that you are undefeatable of course; the young believe they are all immortal and there is danger in this as much as there is strength because it can lead to recklessness, but we have a few experienced boys in the squad and they will provide the needed discipline. We will be victorious!
And if we aren't? Well then its been a fantastic journey that has put the country in great spirits and Wales will have still proved that once again we are a rugby force to be reckoned with.
And I will say it here and now so that I cannot be accused of jumping on the 'I-knew-Wales-would-win-all-along' bandwagon further on down the winning road. We are going to beat France this saturday and make it to the final. And we can win that too. Cymru Am Byth!

Ryder Cup 2010 - A First For Wales

Sporting history will be made on friday, 1st October, when the Ryder Cup will be played out in Wales. At the Celtic Manor in Newport to be exact. Europe, captained by Colin Montgomerie, will take on the might of the Americans who have Corey Pavin at their helm.
For golf fans (and what sensible person isn't a fan?) this is a wonderful event which in the past has had some pretty fine matches. Who can forget The Battle of Brookline in 1999 where Europe were leading against the US until the Americans fought back and pulled off a 14 1/2 win over our 13 1/2? Or Europe's stunning victory at Ireland's K Club in 2006 where Europe trampled all over the Americans, beating them 18 1/2 over their 9 1/2?

All behind Monty's boys!

The American team have just arrived at Cardiff. (Hope they remembered to pack umbrellas.) I know Wales will not let them down, and we shall be gracious hosts to our guests come victory or defeat. Yes the battle lines will be drawn on the greens and fairways but off course things will be different. And to illustrate this, tonight (Sept 29) at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff there is going to be a 'Ryder Cup Welcome to Wales' Concert that is expected to attract over 30,000 fans and feature our two most famous Katherines - Katherine Jenkins and Catherine Zeta Jones. A welcome in the hillsides indeed!
Come on Wales and Europe, dangos eich ysbrid i enill! (Show your spirit and win!)