The Zone Virtual Sports Bar, Hamilton.

First topic message reminder :

Hello and welcome to the Zone Sports Bar, a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

This week the pub has set up in Sky City Hamilton, where the Crusaders take on the Chiefs in the Super XV semi final.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the pictures of Bradley Wiggins, Ernie Els, Irene van Dyk, Sonny Bill Williams and his newly capped All Black team mate Sam Cane.



Previous pub. https://www.606v2.com/t32740-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub-bridgend

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:"Nice work. This afternoon I made a point of demonstrating to a couple of guys what happens if you don't wait for everyone to get off the train before getting on."

Nice work too bud. 'Snowplough' mode I take it

We are setting the wheels in motion for the Championship opening round at the Sheaf on 18th August Aus v NZ from 10:30 and SA v Arg from 15:30.

Sort your own brekkie out, or take on the Sheaf brekkie. After the first game watch some Olympics (or one of the DVDs Andy + me have acquired) and sort out some lunch.

Watch the 2nd game and have a chinwag.

What do you reckon?

Sounds like a plan.

The last game of the night tonight was USA vs Aussie women's. Great match, yanks won 21-18 21-19.

Wow the moon looks amazing out the tube carriage window tonight

Now I'm reading Michalak is off to Toulon again. Does anybody know where he is actually playing next season?

Mornin Pub. Been up since 5am. Had a fast walk round the Pork, in the Sun, with the Missus. Just got in the door and the Heavens have opened up.

It must be a sign.

Havin an Asbo Special. on toast.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Now I'm reading Michalak is off to Toulon again. Does anybody know where he is actually playing next season?

I was sure it had been confirmed.

The heavens opening is a lovely metaphor for rain. Just saying, really poetic phrase

Bore da pawb / good morning all. I got to bed about half an hour later than I wanted to last night: I was turning off the lights downstairs when I heard this gnat buzzing by my ear; I followed it upstairs and there was a second one on the landing. I managed to swat one (with a rolled up bit of junk mail, so it has its uses) when a third gnat appeared. It must have taken me quarter of an hour to get these two. Once I had, I went for a slash and lo and behold, there was one in the bathroom and it took me a while to get him. I was cream knackered by then, so when I went into the bedroom and found a fifth gnat buzzing around the ceiling, I thought 'bullocks to it' and turned off the light.

Then this morning I tried to have a lie-in but the pup had other ideas. She kept 'checking in' every twenty minutes or so, which is really sweet but not when you're trying to sleep. The last time she did, I heared a crunching sound next to the bed and assumed she'd brought in a twig from the garden; but no, it was the charger for my mobile.

If I bring her in here, could you keep an eye on her while I go back to bed?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Bore da pawb / good morning all. I got to bed about half an hour later than I wanted to last night: I was turning off the lights downstairs when I heard this gnat buzzing by my ear; I followed it upstairs and there was a second one on the landing. I managed to swat one (with a rolled up bit of junk mail, so it has its uses) when a third gnat appeared. It must have taken me quarter of an hour to get these two. Once I had, I went for a slash and lo and behold, there was one in the bathroom and it took me a while to get him. I was cream knackered by then, so when I went into the bedroom and found a fifth gnat buzzing around the ceiling, I thought 'bullocks to it' and turned off the light.

Then this morning I tried to have a lie-in but the pup had other ideas. She kept 'checking in' every twenty minutes or so, which is really sweet but not when you're trying to sleep. The last time she did, I heared a crunching sound next to the bed and assumed she'd brought in a twig from the garden; but no, it was the charger for my mobile.

If I bring her in here, could you keep an eye on her while I go back to bed?

She is learning fast that girl. Next it will be your mobile phone.

Walkies!

Morning everyone

Lucky - what is it they say....never work with kids and animals. Unless you can give them back at the end of the day. Perhaps the charger will still work...?

It's all gone dark. The proper Welsh summer has returned...it's going to pish down any minute. Ah well, we had four hot days, what more do people want?

She's sleeping next to me on the sofa now. Why couldn't she have slept earlier?!

Because you were asleep then. There's an unwritten rule somewhere that babies (of all species) can't sleep whilst their elders do.

Lucky, I had a kitten chew the earpieces off a £60 pair of headphones once. Welcome to the realities of life as a pet owner

I'm still buzzing after attending the beach volleyball last night

A few thoughts
-I turned up at 6.20 (official advice was 6.30 for an 8pm session), which meant a pretty short queue at security, and everyone in security was smailing - completely unlike an airport!

-being that early meant a short queue for the really overprieced food/drink (though food quality was better than most sports events I've been too. The 20-person queue I joined was over 100 by the time I was served

-a really good stadium. I had cat B tickets, but it looked like a good view all around court. Only downer was the nearly empy VIP seats, and the rows of empty media seats

-some pretty good sport. The Brazil vs Norway mens match was superb, the Switzerland vs Greece womens had it's moments, while the USA vs Aus womens was epic. The South African men got blown away by the yanks though.

-entertainment in breaks was pretty good (Cari was quite appreciative of the male dancers in the pic of the cheerleaders I posted on FB). I got a good chuckle from the volunteers sweeping the sand doing so to the Benny Hill theme. Only downer was the announcers trying too hard when they didn't need to. Personally Mexican waves should not be started by an announcer, nor should we be told how to shout "ole" after they play that jangly sound*. The Scottish match caller was good value though, real passion for the sport.


*minor rant, does anyone know where that "ole" chant started. And why are lots of sports going jumping on the bandwagon for it - I've seen it a rugby (in both hemispheres), cricket, basketball, netball and beach volleyball.

That 'ole' thing came from French rugby, I think. Maybe they borrowed it from Spanish bullfighting.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:She's sleeping next to me on the sofa now. Why couldn't she have slept earlier?!

Morning Lucky.
She just wanted a cuddle and some attention. Like most ladies.

Hoi Cari. Hows tricks girl?

Kiwi - glad you enjoyed yourself. Unfortunately the dreaded Mexican wave started at the men's gym I was watching on telly last night. I thought it was inappropriate there because some gymnasts were still performing and the crowd appeared to be cheering at nothing. Very silly. Also, there's been a lot of hoo-ha about the empty seats. Apparently the culprits are corporations, sponsors and media. If the media don't give a stuff about the games until the finals, why on earth did the organisers give out so many tickets to them early on? Must be very frustrating for those who applied for tickets to see a half empty venue on telly.

Kiwireddevil wrote:Lucky, I had a kitten chew the earpieces off a £60 pair of headphones once. Welcome to the realities of life as a pet owner

I'm still buzzing after attending the beach volleyball last night

A few thoughts
-I turned up at 6.20 (official advice was 6.30 for an 8pm session), which meant a pretty short queue at security, and everyone in security was smailing - completely unlike an airport!

-being that early meant a short queue for the really overprieced food/drink (though food quality was better than most sports events I've been too. The 20-person queue I joined was over 100 by the time I was served

-a really good stadium. I had cat B tickets, but it looked like a good view all around court. Only downer was the nearly empy VIP seats, and the rows of empty media seats

-some pretty good sport. The Brazil vs Norway mens match was superb, the Switzerland vs Greece womens had it's moments, while the USA vs Aus womens was epic. The South African men got blown away by the yanks though.

-entertainment in breaks was pretty good (Cari was quite appreciative of the male dancers in the pic of the cheerleaders I posted on FB). I got a good chuckle from the volunteers sweeping the sand doing so to the Benny Hill theme. Only downer was the announcers trying too hard when they didn't need to. Personally Mexican waves should not be started by an announcer, nor should we be told how to shout "ole" after they play that jangly sound*. The Scottish match caller was good value though, real passion for the sport.


*minor rant, does anyone know where that "ole" chant started. And why are lots of sports going jumping on the bandwagon for it - I've seen it a rugby (in both hemispheres), cricket, basketball, netball and beach volleyball.

Origin is Flamenco dancing, Kiwi. I think. EDIT: Just read it started in Spanish (Basque) football. Then basketball I do believe.

The Irish soccer-fans use it all the time. Drives me nuts.

Gibson wrote:

Morning Lucky.
She just wanted a cuddle and some attention. Like most ladies.

Hoi Cari. Hows tricks girl?

That's a fact Gibbo...and don't you forget it Also, most ladies like having their boobies touched from time to time - so says Karen on Will & Grace.

I'm very well thanks Gibbo. Here, have you watched the original Wallander series? I watched the one called Sidetracked last night. Absolutely brilliant. The Swedish fella playing Wallander looked like you a bit

Oh, Lucky, she sounds like such a wonderful handful of a dog. I'm jealous!

Must be very frustrating for those who applied for tickets to see a half empty venue on telly.

Oh tell me about it...

The Swedish fella playing Wallander looked like you a bit

Thats true! He does, vaguely, I can see it

Notch - my sister's and her other half are really cheesed off. They applied for quite a few events and got nothing at all.

Wooo, the heaven's have opened here...swimming anyone?

Notch, she really is a good dog most of the time. I could have it a lot worse!

Cari, I see you were watching the gymnastics the other day - good call. It surprised me that the Beeb were showing rowing qualification on the main channel rather than the gymnastics. Rowing's pretty dull to watch, isn't it?

Hopefully the tickets will be made available

It's on in a minute Cari.... go the Missile!

I'm with Gibbo. The Ole chant drives me nuts. I'm so glad those American girls beat ours last night. Long, long story. Go Brazil..... or USA. (or anyone but Oz) for that one.

Depends how close the rowing race is. Effectively the same as watching the 400m swim or something similar. Also Britain are traditionally better at rowing than gymnastics

Morning folks .

Notch can I get an east coast weather update please sir?

Currently dry, but cloudy and looking overcast in places. Would be not be surprised of we have sporadic showers. You heading out this way rooders?

Morning all. Our heavens opened last night. Haven't closed yet. Was hoping for a walk on the North Coast this afternoon so I hope it clears up.

Lucky just let her in the bed beside you. I get cuddles from my dog most mornings.

If it was the rowing finals then I'd agree with you, CJ, but it was just the qualifying rounds. As a spectacle then gymnastics trumps rowing for me.

It's going to be about 16 max on your east coast rodders... same as our east coast.

Think so Notch, think so. Was down yesterday too.

Had to get my weekly build-a-burger

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Cari, I see you were watching the gymnastics the other day - good call. It surprised me that the Beeb were showing rowing qualification on the main channel rather than the gymnastics. Rowing's pretty dull to watch, isn't it?

The Beeb shot themselves in the foot there a bit because the men's gym turned out to provide the most excitement of the day even though it was only the qualifying round and everyone completely missed it (unless it was on the Red Button). I suppose the Beeb just show whatever they think will be big news. Of course Dressage will feature today just because of Zara Phillips.

Those aren't bad at all. I thought Belfast was actually very pretty yesterday in the rain, at least it was around the University. The trees in South Belfast have benefited from this summers weather even if no-one else has. They're looking very lush and green.

I actually quite like the Eventing. Gotta love horses

ChequeredJersey wrote:I actually quite like the Eventing. Gotta love horses

Why, because they'll kick you if you don't? I don't like horses.

If they kick you, kick them back

CJ - I'm not knocking the sport itself, I'm just pointing out that if it wasn't for Zara Phillips, the event would probably be relegated to the Red Button.

Or rather if they try to. Once one's actually kicked you, you're probably in a lot of pain

I took this video the other week if anyone's interested (don't worry, it's Youtube not Xtube):

https://youtu.be/krSoUFg1Sg4

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:If it was the rowing finals then I'd agree with you, CJ, but it was just the qualifying rounds. As a spectacle then gymnastics trumps rowing for me.

I surfed onto 2 rowing races yesterday (there's loads on the red button, I'm pretty sure every sport is covered there). In one the NZ double sculls came from behind to beat GB, and in the other the NZ men's pair smashed a 10yo world record - I found them pretty exciting


(I was in the rowing team at uni admittedly)

Womens hockey match just finished, NZ 1 - Aus 0

The NZ pair are in a class of their own!

Well that's the great thing about this year's Olympics, Kiwi - it's all on the red button. So I suppose it doesn't matter all that much which sports they show on the main channel. Unless of course you don't have that facility on your TV. Then you're stuck with the boring sports.

Right, I'm off. Enjoy your Sunday, everyone!

Hi all, man we are shyte at the Olympics, if we win more than 3 medals I think I will wet myself.

Well, next time up you'd have a good look in at both Sevens and Golf right?

biltongbek wrote:Hi all, man we are shyte at the Olympics, if we win more than 3 medals I think I will wet myself.

Your mens beach volleyball team isn't great in fairness

(Though at least you qualified - NZ didn't)

Kiwireddevil wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:If it was the rowing finals then I'd agree with you, CJ, but it was just the qualifying rounds. As a spectacle then gymnastics trumps rowing for me.

I surfed onto 2 rowing races yesterday (there's loads on the red button, I'm pretty sure every sport is covered there). In one the NZ double sculls came from behind to beat GB, and in the other the NZ men's pair smashed a 10yo world record - I found them pretty exciting


(I was in the rowing team at uni admittedly)

Womens hockey match just finished, NZ 1 - Aus 0

Congrats Kiwi. First time ever at Olympics. Thank goodness it's just a Group game and not for medals.

Cari wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Morning Lucky.
She just wanted a cuddle and some attention. Like most ladies.

Hoi Cari. Hows tricks girl?

That's a fact Gibbo...and don't you forget it Also, most ladies like having their boobies touched from time to time - so says Karen on Will & Grace.

I'm very well thanks Gibbo. Here, have you watched the original Wallander series? I watched the one called Sidetracked last night. Absolutely brilliant. The Swedish fella playing Wallander looked like you a bit

Yes Cari, I do watch it. Its different. Hes a complex, fecied-up guy. Bit of an anti-hero.

You mean this Swedish guy? Kenneth Sven Brannagh?

Spoiler:

MrsP said that ages ago. Id never seen it before. But ja, I'll take that one.

Linebreaker wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:If it was the rowing finals then I'd agree with you, CJ, but it was just the qualifying rounds. As a spectacle then gymnastics trumps rowing for me.

I surfed onto 2 rowing races yesterday (there's loads on the red button, I'm pretty sure every sport is covered there). In one the NZ double sculls came from behind to beat GB, and in the other the NZ men's pair smashed a 10yo world record - I found them pretty exciting


(I was in the rowing team at uni admittedly)

Womens hockey match just finished, NZ 1 - Aus 0

Congrats Kiwi. First time ever at Olympics. Thank goodness it's just a Group game and not for medals.

I was cheering for you in the beach VB last night, the Aussies were up against a more talented US team, but kept on battling right to the end. One of the girls in the team won gold at Sydney, and it's her 5th Olympics!

Don't cheer for that woman - she's horrible!

Did you hear about our flag carrying fiasco? She was threatening to boycott unless she was allowed to carry it. As I hinted earlier... I would rather anyone else win that event. They are a selfish bunch of people.

So glad she didn't and Laura Jackson did! Maybe our basketball team can beat the US... they're our "Bridge Too Far" up until now but we have been getting closer.

I have been watching Archery this morn. Loved it. Id love to try it. In an open field mind. With no people for miles around. Also love the grace, beauty & explosiveness of fencing. Majestic sports.

Oi Kiwi, key sports question bud. What were the girls wearing in the Beach Volleyball? I heard rumours that they wear more clothes now. Bhummer if true.

Bhummer. Geddit?

Ok. I'll get me coat.

Too cold for bikinis Gibbo. Low sand-up-crack factor last night.

People were wearing more clothes because they seemed to be playing at night. Who the hell plays outside beach volleyball at night?