Shamik Das


Sunday, October 28, 2007

Manning magic sees off Miami

"2, 4, 6, 8, we think London's really great!"    TOUCHDOWN: Eli Manning evades the Dolphins defense to get the ball rolling with a cheeky score and set the Giants on their way to an historic win.

NFL, Wembley Stadium:
Miami Dolphins 10-13 New York Giants


THE New York Giants made history in the London rain to win the first ever NFL game to be played outside of North America.

A crowd of over 80,000 - featuring supporters of all 32 NFL teams - watched the Giants ease to a comfortable victory, condemning Miami to an eighth straight defeat.

More sedate than the usual Wembley crowd, it felt more like a Lord's Test match than an American football game, the majority unattached to either team and probably ignorant of the rules to boot.

The organisers tried their best to engage the spectators, cheerleaders aplenty frolicking to a playlist that Disco Stu would have enjoyed, with the chance to chirpse some of the girls at the tailgate party in the Arena beforehand.

1541hrs: The sense of anticipation builds as kick-off approaches.    2007hrs: The moon peers out from behind clouds following an historic night's action at London's premier sports venue.

There was even something for the ladies: a streaker, who braved the cold to run onto the pitch as the teams were about to start the second half, in the guise of an official, clad in black and white stripes, doing press-ups, trying to give security the slip and generally making a tit of himself.

He was maybe a wee bit confused by the half-time show, quite unlike anything seen at Wembley, old or new, before.

The game itself was something of an anti-climax, with Miami never really looking like arresting their worst ever start to a season; their fans appearing genuinely worried they could add the first 0% season to their perfect campaign of 25 years ago.

Lawrence Tynes opened the scoring for the Giants with a 20-yard field goal following a 60-yard drive, the Dolphins defense standing firm.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, quarterback Eli Manning - younger brother of Peyton - scored the first Wembley touchdown, feigning a hand-off before running in from distance with the Miami defense nowhere to be seen. Tynes converted and added another goal for a 13-0 lead.

ALL PILE IN: Giants running back Brandon Jacobs finds himself enveloped by no fewer than five Miami tacklers.  NO WAY PAST: New York defensive tackle Fred Robbins tries to put the squeeze on Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon.  JUMP FOR JOY: Miami wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr celebrates after touching down.

After the break the Giants defense came into play, cornerback Sam Madison saving a certain touchdown by clawing the ball away from Derek Hagan in the endzone, the Miami wide receiver unable to complete Cleo Lemon's 15-yard pass.

Jay Feely knocked in a 29-yard field goal to reduce the arrears, with Tynes missing his attempt from the same distance in the next New York attack.

The Dolphins kept pinning their oppents back, and finally broke the plane deep into the fourth quarter, Lemon spearing a 21-yard pass straight into Ted Ginn Jr's hands, which Feely converted to reduce the gap to three points.

But the kicker made a hash of the re-start, to the horror of those watching, fluffing his onside kick. New York ran down the clock - whistles ringing in the ears - and history was made.

Star man: Madison (Giants); Entertainment: ****

Watch highlights of tonight's game on BBC Two at 11:00pm and at
BBC Sport Online afterwards, and view photos of the match on the
NFL website.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Pooch adopts newborn kittens

CORNISH PRETTIES: Roxy and the babies pose for a photograph.

HOT on the paws of Hogan and Honey another canine has been bitten by the parental bug and adopted a quartet of cuddly, cute little kittens.

Roxy, who found the babies lying abandoned in a barn at her home in Foxhole, near St Austell, Cornwall, suffered a miscarriage earlier this year.

DINNER TIME: Mum Roxy feeds her kitties.

Now, instead of bringing up puppies, she'll look after and love the four kitties, feeding them, teaching them to bury bones and protecting them.

Sarah Rowe, 13, her 17-year-old sister Emma and Roxy's husband Freddy are all queuing up to help out, cuddling the kittens whenever their mummy allows.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Elephant-astic

(Great) Grandma

SAY hello to Vatsala, the oldest elephant in the world.

In her nineties, she spends her time relaxing at the Panna Tiger Reserve in northern Madhya Pradesh, a state at the heart of India.

Mother and baby

She also helps out with the baby-sitting!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Chip off the old Bok

ELLIS PARK, JOHANNESBURG, SATURDAY, JUNE 24th, 1995: Nelson Mandela, bedecked in the glorious green of a Springbok jersey, hands South Africa captain Francois Pienaar the World Cup.    STADE DE FRANCE, PARIS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 2007: Thabo Mbeki, wearing a bottle green Springbok jacket, celebrates with captain John Smit.

Stade de France, St Denis, World Cup Final:
England 6-15 South Africa



THE Rainbow Nation reigned supreme last night to unite South Africa after a dozen years of yearning.

Scenes reminiscent of 1995 erupted all over the country as fans of all races embraced and toasted the sweet smell of success into the early hours.

Memories were also evoked in the stadium, with South African president Thabo Mbeki donning green and glad-handing John Smit – cue Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar on that unforgettable afternoon in '95.

"We had our president sitting in the changing room," revealed Springbok coach Jake White, another replay of twelve years ago. "He was saying how proud he was of being a South African.

"It's important for our country and I think everyone back home is rejoicing. It's unbelievable.

"To see the president of our country sitting on the players' shoulders, it doesn't get much better than that."

South Africa captain Smit praised the fans for their support. "This is for all of you. Thank you very much for all your support, even in bad times," he said, choking back the tears.

BOK POWER: John Smit holds aloft the Webb Ellis Cup as South Africa are crowned world champions in Paris.

"I'm sitting here and trying not to cry. It's a feeling you can't put into words.

"Twelve years ago, I sat watching the final at Ellis Park and wondered whether it was possible to do it again.

"Dreams come true.

"It was a colossal game, but to be able to win a World Cup, I think I'll only realise in a couple of days' time.

"We have had the responsibility of carrying the hopes of a nation on our shoulders and now we have a team that is taking the trophy back home to the nation.

"I certainly hope that being able to lift this cup and take it back home can create a scenario that everyone binds together and we start forgetting about counting numbers and colours."

"This is awesome. We worked for four years for this," added man-of-the-match Victor Matfield.

"The emotions are greater than I ever thought. I can't wait to get back home. I can't wait to see all the South Africans."

GOTCHA! The picture that proves definitively that Mark Cueto's left boot was in touch when scoring a disallowed try for England.    BOKKE, BOKKE, BOKKE, OI, OI, OI! Springbok players jump for joy while England's distraught men lie on the ground, shattered.

Four Percy Montgomery penalties and a stunning strike from halfway by 20-year-old wunderkind Francois Steyn proved sufficient as South Africa controlled the final.

Making virtually no mistakes all game and controlling the line-out – winning all their own and stealing seven off England – the Springboks never looked like losing.

England, however, were left to wonder what might have been after claiming the officials' decision to deny them Mark Cueto's 42nd minute try irretrievably yanked the cup from their grip.

An off-colour Jonny Wilkinson added to the 2003 winners' woes, as the flawless South Africans sauntered to victory.

Though they did manage to keep Bryan Habana quiet, notable more for his defence in the final than the attacking, try-scoring flair that has lit up the past seven weeks.

"Every player who's represented the country in the last four years made a contribution," said Habana.

"The 1995 victory planted the seed that made me want to be a part of this great game."

See more glorious images of South Africa's victory on the
official Springboks website and at BBC Sport.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Emotional Mandela summons spirit of '95 while holders plan greatest comeback since Lazarus

Jonny Wilkinson    Bryan Habana

Stade de France, St Denis, World Cup Final:
England v South Africa



AS DAWN broke over Paris this morning the Springbok squad woke to the words of the greatest South African of them all - Nelson "Mabida" Mandela.

Unable to make the game in person, Mandela urged South Africa to play the game "hard and honestly" in a pre-recorded video message to the nation.

For England, though, revenge will be uppermost in their minds. 36 days on from their 36-0 mauling by the Springboks, the holders go big-game hunting again in the biggest game of their lives.

More than six weeks have passed since the defending champions suffered their worst defeat in World Cup history, a battering they have bounced back from to record back-to-back triumphs against Australia and France.

The game also pits two of the most evocative anthems in sport against each other, Shosholoza and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, songs with similar origins steeped in political, as well as sporting history.

Shosholoza, Zulu for "go forward" or "make way for the next man", is a traditional Southern African folk song, sung by all-male work gangs in Rhodesia, travelling on the trains down to the mines in the Transvaal in a call and response style.

    

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, meanwhile, was composed by Wallis Willis, a one-time slave of the Choctaw Native Americans in the old Indian Territory, around 1862. He was inspired by the Red River which reminded him of the Jordan River and of the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven by a chariot.

However, latter day sources claim that the Mississippi River or the Ohio River could be substituted for the Jordan River, implying that this song had some hidden lyrics referring to the Underground Railroad.

But it is to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela that the greatest inspiration is to be found. "We are powerfully reminded of that historic day in 1995," said the former president. "We not only won the Rugby World Cup, but more importantly, we were one nation united behind our victorious team.

"We know that our boys have the ability, strength and determination to be victorious once more, because we are a winning nation. I do not doubt for a moment that the Springboks can win back the trophy. Hold your heads high whatever the outcome.

"Bring it home Boks, Mayigoduswe indebe yamabhokobhoko, Bring the cup home Bokke, Bring die beker huistoe waar hy hoort Bokke, Mayibuye Ekhaya Bokke, Bring it home Bokke!"

Gentlemen, it's over to you ...

Watch the World Cup Final tonight on ITV1 from 7:30pm (kick-off 8:00) or listen to it live on BBC Radio Five Live (909 & 693AM) or the
BBC Sport website.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The dog and deer

"Sweet dreams, my little princess"

HOUND Hogan cuddles up to baby Bella.

Beautiful!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Awwwww

THIRSTY WORK: Precious has a drink.    COOL CAT: Precious chills out while her mummy takes a rest.

MEET Precious, the gorgeuos little kitten who's been adopted by her new, golden retriever mummy, Honey.

It's a miracle!

For the full, amazing story, visit the Winchester Star website.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Bobo and co nearly clock the Boks

AHOY, HOY! Charles Montgomery Burns with Bobo.    TRY, EVERYBODY! Sireli Bobo in a different kind of embrace with the Springbok defence.

Marseilles, World Cup, Quarter-Finals: South Africa 37-20 Fiji


THE Springboks had to dig deep to edge out a fighting Fiji at Stade Vélodrome today.

Having been cruising at 20-6 with 30 minutes remaining the South Africans were given the fright of their lives.

Superb tries from Vilimonu Delasau and Sireli Bobo drew Fiji level before Juan Smith and Butch James crossed the line to avoid the prospect of defeat.

Bobo's in particular was one of the tries of the tournament, set up by a breathtaking move that saw the Fijians carrying the ball the length of the pitch.

Full-back Norman Ligairi collected a kick-off and ran straight up the middle before Mosese Raulini sprinted the next 25 metres, slipping a perfectly timed pop-pass over his shoulder to Bobo, who evaded Jaque Fourie's tackle to touch down and tie the scores at 20-20 with 20 to go.

But Smith and James added to JP Pietersen, John Smit and Fourie's earlier scores to ensure no repeat of yesterday's upsets.

IN THE YAN-NICK OF TIME: Yannick Jauzion scores late on to propel the hosts to victory.    SO NEAR, YET SO FAR: Rodney So'oialo troops off disconsolately as the France players celebrate in the background.

South Africa are now the overwhelming favourites for the World Cup, following New Zealand's shock defeat to France last night and Australia's surprise loss to England.

And with the prospect of a semi-final against Scotland or Argentina to come, Springbok coach Jake White remains confident of going all the way.

"At the end of day we're going into the next round, we're in the last four and we've got no injuries," he said. "It was the quarter-final of the World Cup and we scored five tries to two.

"We didn't play as well we could have done, we know that, but we have still got a chance to win the World Cup. I would much rather be where I am today than where New Zealand and Australia are."

"We are quite happy we got out alive today, especially looking at the other results this weekend," added Springbok skipper Smit.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Out, out, out!!!

CHAMPION CLASS: Martin Corry celebrates as the World Cup holders finally deliver a performance worthy of the name.

Marseilles, World Cup, Quarter-Finals: Australia 10-12 England


ENGLAND finally came to the party today with a tense, nervy win over their bitterest of enemies.

Four Jonny Wilkinson penalties proved enough to see off a disjointed, slothish Wallabies side in a repeat of the 2003 final.

Wilkinson and Stirling Mortlock both missed long-range penalties in the dying moments of the game; the latter's failure from 45 metres condemning Australia to their third defeat to England in the past four World Cups.

Had the Aussie outside centre succeeded it would have been rough on England – unrecognisable from the team thrashed by the springboks three weeks ago – Wilkinson having missed from the half-way line just minutes before.

Berrick Barnes    Jonny Wilkinson

Earlier, after both sides had traded early penalties, Wilkinson put the holders in front before Lote Tuqiri scored the only try of the match on 33 minutes to give the Wallabies a 10-6 half-time lead.

But it was to prove their last points of the tournament as Wilkinson slotted over twice more to condemn the two-time winners to an early flight home.

Victory will be particularly sweet for England following the comments of Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill, who'd stoked up the pre-match tension by stating that "everybody hates England".

Never has there been a better example of someone being made to pay for what he said.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Earthlings, prepare to be humoured!

"Thank you! I'll come again ..."    "I am Apu Nahasapeemapetilon and I am an American!"

INSPIRED by Martin Kelner's brilliant piece in The Guardian on Monday – in which he compared a few of the words used in Gordon Brown's Bournemouth oration to those spoken by Bigweld in the film Robots – I recalled some similar acts of plagiarism conducted by the PM's predecessor.

Remember that famous speech he delivered about this time last year? You know, the final, last ever set-piece sermon to the Labour faithful? Ah, yes, that one, you say.

Full of emotion, full of tears for all those watching, inside the Conference hall and out, capped off with the immortal lines "in the years to come, wherever I am, whatever I do, I'm with you".

Not too dissimilar to the tearful goodbye from Mr and Mrs Nahasapeemapetilon when wishing their son Apu well as he set off to America. "Wherever you go and whatever you do, we’ll be proud of you, son" springs to mind …

"Well, you know, forward not back and all that!"    "We must move forward, not backward!"

And then there's the episode in which Kang and Kodos assume the bodies of Bill Clinton and Bob Dole in a bid to take over the world, with Kodos – in the guise of Clin-ton – whipping up the crowd at a campaign rally in Springfield.

"My fellow Americans," said the alien, "as a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom."

Forward not back, Tony's slogan at the 2005 election.

Spot a theme? Gordon's cronies may beg to differ, but surely it can’t be all bad to have Matt Groening et al influencing our politicians' agendas???

Moleman for Justice Secretary, anyone?