Cold Ale - The Blokes' Thread!

[Paulclem]

does a bear evacuate in the woods

They might. There's always the field option.

[dafydd manton]

So long as it wasn't the Rugby Field, old chap. Dashed poor show, what?

[The Atheist]

Remember those happy days when there was inter-code snobbery, and men like Jonathan Davies received death threats for "defecting" to *whispers furtively* The North? And how silly it all was?

Ah, those were the days - you could start a pub brawl here by going to the wrong pub in a rugby jersey.

It was very silly, but here in England reflectd the class system. All the posh schools played Union, and all the comprehensives played league, and never the twain met.

It makes you wonder why they bothered now.

I'm not sure why there was the same vehemence here, but there surely was.

No schools at all played league until around the late 1980s, and the rare convert was seen as a traitor.

There was a huge furore when All Black fullback Joe Karam defected to league in the mid-'70s.

[dafydd manton]

We had a teacher at school sacked for teaching us the rudiments of League - once, for about 20 minutes. Somebody's Daddy complained, and heads rolled.

[Paulclem]

The union assumption was that you could give up your time and train an play for a competitive club without being paid. The miners on shifts couldn't manage that, and broke from the union.

The game is better for going pro finally.

[The Atheist]

The union assumption was that you could give up your time and train an play for a competitive club without being paid. The miners on shifts couldn't manage that, and broke from the union.

The game is better for going pro finally.

It's taken years for it to happen, and there are still some teething troubles.

I think the problem was exacrebated by there being a long period of "shamateurism" before the collcetive unions saw the light. Even then, had it not been for Josh Kronfeld and a few others, the game may have been broken into two parts.

Ownership of the game is a different story, however....

Too hard, I'll get Parker to bring me a Scotch Earl Grey!

[prendrelemick]

Alas poor misunderstood Jocky,
His path was steep and rocky.
An excess of Moderation his doom
(I bet he'll be back soon)

[dafydd manton]

Oh, think of all the money I could have earned, the kudos, the fame. Just think, right now I could be at Chateau Le Atheist. having Brandy Alexanders served by Parker, and being on the wrong end of some serious fawning!

[The Atheist]

...An excess of Moderation his doom...

Magnificent poetry, but that line really stands out.

[soundofmusic]

You're a bad woman!
Rugby's always had a bit of class - it's the upper-class game in England, while "football" is played by the peasants.

A great example is the English fullback a century ago who used to stand, smoking, under the goalposts until the play started coming hiw way, whereupon he'd leap into the fray.

Guys, do you think this naughty woman ought to send Atheist a little back shot he can replace that pitiful avatar with...
Now as some of the royal family would tell you; never put down "playing with a peasant" until you've tried it

Learn???

Now don't tell them any of the good parts I'm saving for my autobiography

Sounds, don't just include blanket cover for the UK - be selective - look for the ones in red shirts, with three feathers on the front! (That'll raise a storm!)

You'll have to tell me more daf...are they cute too; I want to make sure that whatever I kiss from the UK doesn't have that prince charles look

Ah a sensible thread away from the cut and thrust of the other threads. It's a nice relief to come here from the cauldron from time to time.

You've all been posting pretty regularly - apart from Prends whose probably busy with the sheep. Are you on holiday or are you in top jobs? I'm on holiday...

Well, I just spent 3 days working on a case with a woman who stabbed one of the nurses; and I am about to go into the home of a fellow who yelled at me when he found out I wasn't coming for 12 hours...god, to have been born wealthy

[The Atheist]

...god, to have been born wealthy

I always told my mum that I was destined to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

If only...

[The Atheist]

Ah, spring is sprung down here - daisies growing, lambs baa-ing, sun shining.

God I love global warming!

[dafydd manton]

But think about the penguins!!! I'll bet that when you look out of your window, you don't see a single penguin!! Or a polar bear. See, that proves it!

[prendrelemick]

yes, its raining here and all is well with the world.

[dafydd manton]

From where I live, if you can see the hllls of the Peak District, it's going to rain. If you can't, it's already raining! Not that anybody's seen a sheep around here for years - they tend to end up on a stick in the local kebab-house or Tandoori. Along, rumour has it, with alsatians, poodles, cats, rats........... We don't have many take-aways, these days!