This
was a thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment,
good company, no queues at the bar and a fine game of rugby.
What could be better? It was just like the Inter Pros of
20 years ago, a meager crowd but good banter.
This game was an opportunity
to look at our strength in depth in the back row and at
out half, namely Thomas Anderson and Kieran Hallett in particular.
Hallett had a good game
at Number 10 despite Ulster playing most of the game on
the back foot. He made good use of what little ball Ulster
had and his kicking from hand got the hard working Ulster
pack out of a few tough spots. On the few opportunities
that Ulster had the opportunity to move the ball Hallett's
speed of pass, off both hands, found the centres that extra
half yard of space. A good display but still needs to work
on his place kicking.
Anderson was impressive
in a match winning back row with Webb and Henry. Their work
rate was tremendous and their defence and turnovers kept
Ulster in the game. With the back row decimated by departures
for next season it is somewhat comforting to know that there
are a couple of young Ulster men just about ready to step
up.
Other players of note
included Paul McKenzie who took his try well and his defence
was very good, keen and enthusiastic he probably just about
edged man of the match. Stuart Philpot stood out in the
front row with some eye catching barelling runs and Rob
Dewey looked a lot fitter and sharper in the centre.
With one or two big name
signings in the air it looks as though we're starting to
put together a competitive team for next season.
Unfortunately
the game was spoiled for some by the constant
harassment of Cap'n Grumpy in his relentless search for
phone votes for Bangor's own Niamh. It appears that the
old buffoon has done some good as Niamh has made it through
to the next round. Expect this story to run and run!
What a lot of Nancys! (From left to right) Michael
Webb (Squad Doctor), Gary Longwell, Neil McMillan, Jim Neilly,
Paul McKenzie, Isaac Boss, Bryan Young, Ryan Constable and
Gusher (again) all show their support for Niamh.
A High Court judge is set to rule on a
petition by the opposition demanding the immediate release
of the recent URSC election results where Kimble has declared
himself President for a third term.
The judge said he would first consider
the URSC argument that his court did not have jurisdiction
in the case as noone of any importance really cares that
much about it.
Opposition leader Mr Ball has said he defeated
President Kimble in the presidential election though no
results have yet emerged from the 29 March presidential
race.
Ahead of the court ruling, Mr Kimble called
on the terrace population to ensure others did not regain
the second barrier, reports say. He said the people of the
terrace could not afford to "retreat in the battle
for the barriers", the FRU were told from our
safe vantage point of the promenade as we are not allowed
to set foot in the terraces since Kimble dramatically rose
to power over two years ago. Kimble went on to make this
chilling threat,
"Land must remain in our hands - the land is ours,
it must not be allowed to slip back into the hands of non
2BC members."
While Mr Ball's Movement for Democratic
Change (BMDC) says he won outright, an independent monitoring
group says he came first with 49% of the vote - meaning
a run-off would be needed.
Mr Kimble says Mr Ball is "preparing
a war on the people".
Letters to the Editor.
Dear Whomever
With regard to your excellent article on the recent undemocratic
URSC election, I would be obliged if you would put me in
touch with the High Court judge, His Honour Justice Young
Man. He owes me money.
While I'm on, I would like to add the support of the Grousebeaters
to the campaign by Mr Ball to have the conduct of the election
examined. I see Mr Ball is "preparing a war on the
people""..... I would go even further and include
all the Sunday papers.
As you are aware, there was a very small turnout at the
AGM. To be exact there were 4 - Mr Kimble, a Captain Grumpy,
Mr Ball and me. Kimble voted for himself, Grumpy voted for
some wee doll called Niamh Perry, I voted for Mr Ball and
Mr Ball voted for Van Helsing. (When I queried this, Mr
Ball told me not to worry as it was much the same thing)
At this point Mr Kimble counted the votes and announced
the results in reverse order. Third was Naimh with 1 vote,
second was Mr Ball with 2 votes, and the winner was Kimble
with 7,543,690 votes. It was only on the walk back to my
tractor that I began to wonder if the totals added up to
the correct number.
I think your wonderful organ should take up this campaign
on behalf of the the ordinary, working man...and , of course,
Boomshanka.
Yours almost sincerely Gary Grousebeater
Ed - My topical story this week was
going to be about Mike Reid and five prostitutes in Munster
kit but I'm glad I did this one now!
~
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Rugby
on TV
Friday
11th April
18:30 Ulster v Connacht Magners League Setanta Ireland (18:00-20:30)
19:10 Cardiff v Llanelli Magners League BBC2 Wales BBC Interactive
20:00 Glasgow v Edinburgh Magners League Setanta Sports
2 (19:20-21:30)
Saturday 12th April
06:30 Crusaders v Lions Super 14 Sky Sports 3 (06:30-08:30)
08:30 Blues v Brumbies Super 14 Sky Sports 3 (08:30-10:30)
12:30 Gloucester v Saracens Guinness Premiership Sky Sports
2 (12:30-14:30)Sky Sports HD2 (12:30-14:30)
14:30 Leicester v Ospreys Anglo-Welsh Cup Final BBC1 (14:10-16:30)
15:00 TBC Samsung Nations Cup British Eurosport 2 (15:00-16:45)
18:30 Leinster v Munster Magners League Setanta Sports
2 (18:15-20:45)Setanta Ireland (18:00-20:30)
Tuesday 15th April
19:30 Bath v Leicester Guinness Premiership Sky Sports
2 (from 19:30)
Friday 18th April
19:05 Dragons v Connacht Magners League Setanta Ireland
(19:05-21:10)BBC2 Wales (19:00-21:00)BBC Interactive (19:00-21:00)
19:30 Edinburgh v Leinster Magners League Setanta Sports
2 (19:00-21:30)
19:30 TBC Top 14 British Eurosport 2 (19:30-21:15)
Saturday 19th April
08:30 Waratahs v Lions Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (08:30-10:30)
More
10:30 Brumbies v Sharks Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (10:30-12:30)
More
14:30 London Irish v Harlequins Guinness Premiership Sky
Sports 2 (14:30-17:00)Sky Sports HD2 (14:30-17:00) More
17:30 Cardiff v Ulster Magners League Setanta Ireland
(17:15-19:30)
19:30 Munster v Ospreys Magners League Setanta Ireland
(19:30-21:30)