SIX NATIONS : FINALE

The fight to avoid the 'Wooden Spoon' got under way in Rome with the early exchanges producing little of note. The Italians nade the first impression with a penalty on half-way but Scotland gaoned a penalty for themselves whrn the referee reversed a second decision. Although heavier by 3 or 4kg per man, the Scottish scrum came inder repeated pressure and, with the crowd behind them, the Italians began to look the more dangerous side. After 9 minutes the home side won a penalty which Bergamasco converted with ease.

Scotland continued to be more on the back foot than the front though neither side achieved much. A pretty uninspiring game saw the Italians win awarded another kickable penalty but, this time Bergamasco missed and the score stayed a 3-0 after 23 minutes. Scotland had no fluency and the Italians made too many mistakes as the game wore on; Italy threatened the Scottish line a couple of times but failed to get much closer than 5 yards out. Scottish desperation was exemplified after 34 minutes by a penalty kicked from half-way by Laidlaw but rewarded with 3 points; the Scots had done little to deserve being level. Italy continued to provide most of the forward momentum and De Luca found himself sin-binned for a silly infringement; the Scots escaped any further punishment as Bergamasco again missed his kicked and the half ended with the score all square at 3-3.

With Scotland down to 14 for the first 8 minutes, the second half saw Italy surge forward and Venditti got  the try they deserved after just 3 minutes; Burton converted and Italy led 10-3. Scotland then gained a penalty on the Italian 22, but very close to the touch-line, and Laidlaw missed narrowly. After 55 minutes Scotland were again down to 14 as Hamilton was shown the yellow card for an offence in the line-out. However, this time it was Scotland who scored with a penalty taken by Laidlaw, after a line-out offence by the Italians seemingly identical to that for which Hamilton was sin-binned. Ital still held sway and continued to produce what little fluency and threat there was from either side until the Italians had Zanni binned after 65 minutes. Scotland still had trouble making real progress into the Italian half, and they failed to add to their score even with the man-advantage. Back to full strength the Italians prerssed forward again and, with 3 minutes left, Burton nailed a dropped goal and the game was almost over for the Scots; when the final whistle came, it was a deserved win, 13-6, to the home side, and Scotland had not only the wooden spoon, but also 5 straight defeats.

In Cardiff, Wales took on France, searching for a thir Grand Slam in 7 years. On a wet surface, the game started with plenty of urgency from both sides and Wales showed loads of early promise, deep in the French half. Much kicking saw France eventually move to the Welsh 22 after a penalty, and then a second penalty allowed Yachvili to put the visitors ahead. Welsh pressure against stern French defence won a penalty but Priestland hit a post from 35+ yards and the French remained ahead after 16 minutes. A Welsh turnover just inside the French half resulted in a quick move and brilliant run from Cuthbert who scored under the posts, with Halfpenny adding the conversion to put Wales ahead 7-3 after 22 minutes. France then conceded a penalty on their 22 and Halfpenny extended the Welsh lead to 10-3 after 32 minutes. More exciting Welsh play produced another penalty, but this time it was Halfpenny who hit a post, and Wales went in at half-time with a 10-3 advantage and one hand on the Grand Slam.

The second half started with immediate Welsh pressure although they'd last their captain, Warburton, to an injury. France, though, had a swift breakaway that almost led to a try but they were no doubt happy to get a penalty kicked by Beauxis. France now produced more pressure of their own and Beauxis narrowly missed a dropped goal attempt from distance. The game now had tremendous speed and energy as the sides hurled themselves at each other; a penalty for Wales just inside their own half allowed Halfpenny to score from 52 yards and Wales were again 7 points ahead at 13-6, though France were the dominant party in this half so far. Wales had more possession but the French defence was terrific and the Welsh were gradually forced back to halfway where France won a penalty; quick thinking saw them race into the Welsh 22 and only fine defensive work kept them out. Wales came back again as the game moved into the final 20 minutes and the tension mounted; play was mostly in the French half but Wales still had real problems breaking through the French defence.

A penalty and suddenly France were deep in the Welsh 22 and only desperate defence get them from scoring. After more frantic play, France had a penalty in front of the posts and Yachvili closed the gap to 4 points with just 7 minutes remaining. Now Wales came back and France were caught offside before Trin Dhuc gave away a stupid penalty for throwing the ball away; Halfpenny restored the Welsh lead to 7 points with 4 minutes left. As the roars of the crowd mounted, Wales gained another penalty that Priestland put to touch; from the lineout, Wales first lost but then regained possession and then Priestland missed his dropped goal attempt. Wales were still deep in French territory as the clock ticked down. More hard play and a last second penalty saw the ball kicked to touch and Wales had the Grand Slam.

This was a match of real skill and passion, immeasurably better than the dreary and error-strewn encounter in Rome. Wales came throgh a bruising e

COMMENTATORS AND FOREIGNERS WIN NO GOLD MEDALS

Watching the World Indoor Athletic Championships on Channel 4 raises mixed emotions.

On the one hand, it's a definite relief to be spared the inane commentary and comments of the BBC team, led by the unbelievably moronic Paul Dickinson and most horribly backed up by the appalingly repetitive and embarrassingly banal 'after-race' interviews conducted by someone named Jones. On the other, it's been replaced by a coverage interrupted every few minutes by adverts, accompanied by an annoying jingle, as well as a commentary that is probably even worse than Dickinson's, plus the manic contributions of Dean Macey.

On balance, I prefer the BBC, but only just. None of the commentators actually comment fairly, they all concentrate on the attributes of any UK athletes involved. None of them seem to actually comment on the events taking place, either; in fact, they seem to be in some sort of netherworld where what they expect, or hope, will happen actually takes place. They all exaggerate the abilities and likelihood of success of British athletes to a point of idiocy; they seem to be fascinated by the supposed excellence of a mass of second raters as if they, themselves, were carrying some sort of flag for our nation, rather than providing an unbiased commentary on a sporting event. Where now is the wonderful Bill MacClaren who commented so superbly every time Scotland lost at Rugby, almost denying his own patriotism ?

As if this is not enough, we are now being asked to celebrate the success of numerous 'British' athletes who are nothing of the sort. The ridiculous rules that govern 'nationality' in the sporting world seem to allow people to switch national allegiance at will. Today we have a British Womens' team captain who is really an American; we have, of course, been expected to rejoice that she also won a medal. We then have a female 400 metre runner who, not long ago, was also running in the US having been brought up there, and a male 400 metre runner who seems to have chosen us because he wasn't good enough to get into the US team. A gold medal has been won by an ex-Cuban and there are many more whom we will be expected to cheer on at the Olympics in August.

Sadly, this is not a new occurrence. For many years, we have imported foreigners and proudly presented them as representatives of our nation. Cricket has probably been the worst offender with the importation of numerous South Africans over the last 40 and more years, but it has not been alone. The mania attached to the 'London Olympics' has encouraged a drive to find anyone, anywhere, who might be able to win a medal for the UK to be targeted and brought here, under any pretext that can be dreamt up; what odds that Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic will be British by August ?

Personally, I can find no national joy in the success of a Cuban winning a gold medal under the flag of the UK, nor of an American winning a silver. I want to see genuine, home-grown UK athletes winning medals, or at least, performing at their best. I want to see the brilliance of Jessica Ennis, Rebecca Adlington and Ben Ainslie and even of Mo Farah who grew up here, not of some recent import in a UK vest. Anything else would be a fraud on our nation and an offence to our own youngsters.

SIX NATIONS : WEEK 4, PART 1

Wales made a tremendous start in Cardiff with North bursting through a couple of times but it was 9 minutes before they took the lead with a penalty, quickly equalised by the Italians. Wales came forward again with good expansive play and won another penalty for an infringement in the scrum. For a change, they kicked to touch and went for an attacking line-out, but only came away with another penalty, in front of the posts, which Halfpenny kicked easily to restore their lead.  Yet another penalty for Wales was again kicked to touch for the line-out, but this time the Italian defence won the day and a penalty for themselves.

Wales had almost all of the possession and territory but couldn't break the Italian defence until a penalty when less than 5 yards out produced another 3 points scored by Halfpenny, to take the lead to 9-3. From the kick-off, Italy threatened briefly after a penalty kicked to the corner, but a penalty for Wales allowed thm to clear their lines and half-time came at 9-3 to Wales.

The second half opened with some scrappy exchanges but the Italians having more of the play. After 10 minutes, Roberts broke away after Wales turned the ball over in a ruck and they had a try under the posts - 16-3. A penalty from their own half saw Wales putting enormous pressure on the Italian defence but the visitors still held firm as Wales passed the ball from wing to wing and back in search of a second try. Halfpenny was sent to the sin bin for an ill-advised tackle on Parisse after 62 minutes, and the Welsh found themselves under pressure for the first time in the match. However, the Italians were unable to take advantage of their extra man and it was Wales who added points through a penalty taken by Priestland.

Wales continued to press forward but the Italian defence proved extremely hard to break down until a quickly taken penalty saw Cuthbert storm through to just crawl over the line in the corner, in spite of 2 tacklers almost bringing him down. Priestland missed the kick to leave the score at 24-3 at the end. The Italian tackling was ferocious and the Welsh handling superb throughout; in the end, Italian handling let them down and the Welsh simply had too much class. A Grand Slam will now be theirs with victory over the French in their final match.

In Dublin, Ireland entertained Scotland, although they probably hadn't planned on the vistors taking the lead with a penalty after only 3 minutes. Neither side threatened much until a second penalty for Scotland saw them 6-0 ahead after just 10 minutes. Ireland had a chance to halve the arrears after 12 minutes but chose to kick to touch for the line-out; a planned move produced a try in the corner for Rory Best, the Irish hooker, duly converted by Sexton, and Ireland had the lead.

The home side probably had the better of the play thereafter and Sexton extended the lead with a penalty after 25 minutes. Scotland quickly followed with a penalty kicked to touch and a 5 metre line-out to gain another penalty, treated the same, and then a third. This time, they took the kick and reduced the arrears to 10-9. From the kick-off, Ireland had a penalty, quickly taken, and raced to within 5 yards of the Scottish line; a lapse in concentration from the Scots and Reddan was in for a second Irish try, which Sexton again converted for a 17-9 lead. Back came the Scots and an overlap led to a try for Ritchie Gray, though Laidlaw failed with the conversion. Ireland kept on pressing against desperate Scottish defence and another try came in the corner for Trimble, more than a minute beyond time; Sexton missed the difficult kick and, at half-time, it was 22-14 to the Irish. 

The second half started with Scottish pressure but without result. Ireland then produced some great passing and running and won a penalty in front of the posts, which Sexton took with a kick to Bowe on the wing; he almost turned the move into a try, but not quite. Play now was tighter with little to choose between the sides, but perhaps Scotland slightly ahead; the first 30 minutes of the half passed with no score, though. Finally, Ireland gained a penalty 25 yards out and close to touch, but Sexton put it through the posts to make the match almost secure. Almost immediately, Ireland broke away and Earls was chasing for a try when he was taken down by Evans who was promptly sent to the bin. With Scotland now down to 14, Ireland soon had a 4th try under the posts from McFadden, again converted by Sexton, and the result of 32-14 may well have reflected the real gulf between the teams. Ireland took their chances, Scotland didn't, and paid the price. Next week, Scotland will play Italy for the 'wooden spoon' while Ireland will have to try their luck against England at Twickers.

SIX NATIONS ROLLS ON.

The postponed match between France and Ireland finally got under way last Sunday. The opening skirmishes had Ireland doing most of the attacking, though to little effect; Jonathan Sexton's missed penalty must have caused a few worries in the Irish camp, but they'd have been quickly forgotten once Tommy Bowe's interception resulted in a try under the posts.

The French seemed rather sleepy and had very little 'zip' as Ireland continued to press them back; the French

crowd showed their disapproval with a mixture of jeers and whistles even after some fine play led to a penalty for the home side that reduced the deficit to 3-7. Sexton soon restored Ireland's advantage, but Yashvilli quickly closed the gap again with a penalty that only just dropped over. Another penalty, for offside, saw Ireland escape both a yellow card and the 3 points, as Yashvilli missed a relatively easy kick. France continued to be a bit scrappy in their play and it was Tommy Bowe who broke away with a great individual effort from half-way to score a second try, converted by Sexton. 17-6 at half-time and Ireland good value for their lead.

The second half started with much French pressure culminating in another penalty for them, put over by Yashvilli. This was quickly followed by a French try after a messy piece of Irish play in mid-field and the home side were right back in contention at 14-17 after Yashvilli missed the conversion by a coat of paint. By now, nearly all of the play and pressure was coming from France and Ireland were on the back foot, and the scores were levelled when Yashvilli kicked another penalty after 58 minutes. The game ebbed and flowed as neither side made any real progress in the other's 22, but Ireland conceded too many unnecessary penalties, allowing the French to maintain pressure. Powerful play from the French forwards was met by equally resolute Irish defence and an Irish penalty with little more than a minute to go saw them clear their lines for the last time. One final thrust from France ended up in touch and a draw was probably the fairest result from a hard game.