1872 Cup Preview

I cannot remember a time when the anticipation for the upcoming double header between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby has been so feverish.  Is it because the annual Christmas and New Year event has become more and more established over the last few years?  Is it because the RaboDirect Pro12 is as competitive as it has ever been?

The answer to both is a resounding yes.  But I think that more than either of those is that Scottish rugby, headed by the two professional outfits, is on something of a high at the moment.  Both Edinburgh and Glasgow have won 6 of the last 8 in all competitions and are both still in good positions to achieve reaching the knock-out stages of the European Heineken Cup.

The rugby rivalry has certainly intensified in recent years to add to the plethora of other arguements each city uses against the other for superiority.  However the significance of this brace of fixtures goes beyond claiming bragging rights.  Rather, it goes a long way to securing ever valuable points towards achieving a play-off place in the league.

Can Glasgow Warriors retain the 1872 Cup?

In the past, most games have gone the way of the home team, and so the 1872 Cup has tended to come down to who can win by more at home, with Glasgow winning overall in 3 of the last 4 seasons.  With both teams in such a rich vein of form at the moment, I suspect the same will be true again, but I would have to fancy Glasgow over the course of the two games on Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Not only are Glasgow unbeaten in 7 games in the league, but they have been buoyed by the new signing of Rory Lamont and the announcement that they have secured the signing of his brother and fellow Scotland stalwart Sean from next season.  Added to the encouraging performances in Europe, they go to Murrayfield on the 26th full of confidence.

It's also been a big week for Edinburgh, not least with Chris Paterson (starting at full back) announcing his international retirement.  They also boast the league's top try scorer in Tim Visser who is lethal when given space.

The two ties will also throw up some intriguing match-ups between rivalling Scotland first team contenders, not least between Ross Rennie and John Barclay and a rare contest between first choice Scotland scrumhalves (although I'm sure Rory Lawson would have something to say about that!) Mike Blair and Chris Cusiter.

All-in-all, we await two matches of great intrigue between two teams full of Scottish stars and who play very different styles of rugby.  I would expect that the two games will attract the biggest attendances of the season in Scotland, and perhaps ever in the league in Scotland.  I'm hoping for some entertaining, competitive rugby and of course, ultimately, a Glasgow triumph to retain the 1872 Cup

Cavendish Clinches Sports Personality 2011

It's not often that I predict things right, but the outcome of the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year 2011 award is one I hoped to see and one that I luckily stated in black and white on this very blog.

Mark Cavendish was lost for words as he took to the stage to accept his prize.  The most telling part of his acceptance speech was his modesty and humbleness.  He was very quick to thank his support group and GB teammates who helped him become World Champion and green jersey winner of the Tour de France this year.  He has always maintained that his personal success is built upon the combined efforts of whichever team he cycles within, and Thursday night was no different.

Cavendish's temperament and persona has often been misinterpreted or misconstrued in the past.  He is clearly a very focused athlete who knows his own abilities, and it is this that has seemed to some to come across as some kind of arrogance.  If you were to ask him who the best sprinter in world road cycling is, he would answer 'me'. That isn't arrogance, but an acknowledgement that he is indeed the best, and an understanding that right now he sits on top of the world in his sport.

Tellingly, he also commented in his acceptance how it was fantastic for cycling to be recognised on such a big stage in the company of all the other major sports in the UK, particualary in a non-Olympic year.  His girlfriend Peta Todd commented to the BBC that "I think that probably means more to him than this actual award".

Mark Cavendish accepting his prize on Thursday night

So what has made the public appear to warm to Cavendish and made them realise that his achievements this year rank among the very elite of any sport?

Certainly, the popularity of cycling has increased hugely with the track success that Britain has enjoyed these last few years.  A few of those track stars from previous Olympics and World Championships have now turned to competitive road racing and particularly the Tour de France, such as Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and Cavendish himself.  With them, they have brought an ever larger British audience. 

It is widely recognised that the annual Tour is one of the most gruelling, or possibly the most gruelling endurance event of any sport on the calendar.  For Cavendish to come through the Tour this year as the first British rider to ever win the green points jersey is simply a phenomenal achievement.

His own public persona seems to be better understood the more the sporting audiences have got to see him both within the sport and outwith it.  For those of you who follow him on Twitter, you would quickly realise he is a dedicated friend and family man.  Indeed, he was quick to thank his girlfriend Peta Todd and mention the upcoming birth of his baby daughter early next year.

A gentle soul, but fiercely driven and competitive to be the best at what he does and never stuck to thank those around him who help him make it possible.

Cavendish won Thursday nights BBC prize with a whopping 49.5% of the public vote.  Second place Darren Clarke got 12.3% and Mo Farah got 8.7% in third.  His landslide victory is testament not only to him as an athlete and what he has achieved this year, but to the audience and interest that he has helped to bring to the sport of cycling.  A very worthy winner indeed.

Suarez Ban Justified

The Football Association last night dished out an 8 match ban and a £40,000 fine to Liverpool's Luis Suarez for racially abusing Patrice Evra of Manchester United.

There has been mixed reaction to the news.  Liverpool issued a formal statement aying it was "very surprised and disappointed" by the FA verdict and punishment, going on to say "We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play - including Evra's own Manchester United team-mates and all the match officials - heard the alleged conversation between the two players".

Luis Suarez has 14 days to appeal the FA decision

Regardless of the decision, it was always going to be important what punishment the FA would issue.  The £40,000 is peanuts really, but the 8 match ban is unprecedented, and a lot more severe than most were expecting.  But I feel it is wholly right.

There has been so much talk on this subject throughout this season, with alleged racial abuse taking place on the pitch in at least two games that we know about.  The FA are completely right to take a hard stand on the issue.  Many may argue that they are using Luis Suarez as an example, and that John Terry would never receive such a harsh punishment as he's the national captain.

But we have to believe that the FA would be consistent with any punishment they issue for racially incited abuse on the football pitch and hope that they are in any future cases.

Racial abuse has to be stamped out, and the message needs to be sent to the players that it's completely unacceptable.

Chris Paterson To Retire From Test Rugby

Chris Paterson is expected to announce his retirement from International rugby later this Wednesday.  Before I go any further with this blog on one of Scottish Rugby's greatest servants, let's look at the numbers.

109 international caps for Scotland since his debut in RWC '99.  809 test points scored, highest in Scottish history (22 tries, 90 conversions 3 DG's and 170 penalties).  12 caps as captain of his country.  15 games played in 4 Rugby World Cups.

An incredible achievement indeed.  As a huge fan of Scottish Rugby, I've not always been a fan of Paterson.  I feel he was always a winger; his pace and 7's experience made him perfect for the position.  But all too often he has played at full back where I think he has always been a bit lightweight, never the best defender.

But Paterson has always been an attack minded player.  When he did play at full back, he used the opportunity to employ his natural counter attacking style, a style that suited broken play.  His pace early in his career was refreshing for the Scottish Game, but of all of his many attributes, it will be his goal kicking that he will be remembered for.

Chris Paterson - Mr Reliant at the kicking tee

Paterson became one of the most consistent goal kickers in world rugby.  He successfully kicked 36 consecutive goals for Scotland between 11 August 2007 and 7 June 2008, not missing a single attempt during the 2007 Rugby World Cup or the 2008 Six Nations Championship.  His 809 points eclipses the previous record of 667 held by the legendary Gavin Hastings.

His 109 caps also dominates the previous record of 87 by Scott Murray and his 15 RWC appearances is one more than Doddie Weir's record of 14.

It feels like Paterson has been around forever, but he announces his retirement at the age of 33.  So what has been the key to his longevity?  Certainly, his attitude to rugby has always been first class. He trains hard and well, he has always spent a lot of time working on the basics of the game and works on his weaknesses.  As mentioned, he has never been the strongest defender, but that doesn't mean he won't throw his body on the line for the cause, often causing injury like the impact to his kidney during the first few minutes of his landmark 100th cap in Wales.  His dedication to his country has been unprecedented.

Scottish rugby is losing a true servant, humble and always consummately professional.  World rugby is losing an ambassador for the game.  But I get the feeling that this quiet, unassuming rugby thinker will be back after his playing days with Edinburgh  in some form of role at the SRU.  And well deserved it would be.

A Blessing In Disguise?

In the fallout from Sunday's defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, there seems to be some quite conflicted thoughts coming from the terraces of Lambeau Field.  Would it have been great to get the perfect 16-0 season? Sure.  But there seems to be a rising tide of thought that the weekends result was for the best.

It seems increasingly clear that the Packers fans were waiting for the loss.  The law of averages always meant that the longer the streak went on, the higher the chances of the loss coming along.  The greatest fear of all was that it would come post-season, when there would be everything to lose.  I sense that there is relief from the fans that it has come along at the best time, when the divisional title and the bye for the first round of playoffs have been secured.

But what about Mike McCarthy and his players?  There was certainly no hiding from the facts at Mondays press conference back at Lambeau Field after the game.  McCarthy was clear about the failures of his team and the areas in which they were outplayed.  And let's be clear, had the Chiefs converted more of their offensive drives into touchdowns rather than field goals (Ryan Succup converted 4), the margin of victory would have been far more convincing.

Mike McCarthy - Clear about Packers priorities

I think Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers players will be of course disappointed not to be in the running for the 16-0, but in a way the pressure is now off them and they can start to concentrate on the more immediate and bigger challenges that are coming their way in the post-season.

The Packers have lost some crucial players in the last couple of weeks, not least offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga (knee) and Derek Sherrod (broken leg) who help form that crucial safety net for Rodgers and these injuries at such an important time in the season will start to have an effect on the squad mentality.

But the Packers have been here before.  The defending Superbowl champions won the Vince Lombardi trophy last year with no less than 10 first pick players missing.  Remember also that the Packers lost in Week 15 last season and went on to dominate through the post-season.

The Packers are still big favourites to defend the Superbowl title and confirm themselves as a truly elite team in the annals of NFL history.  But they have a long way to go, especially when you consider the ominous late season form of their fellow NFC rivals like Drew Brees and the Saints and the San Francisco 49ers.

I would love to see the Packers go all the way.  I have a soft spot for this team that is run in a different way to all other US sports franchises - it's owned by the fans.  It has a unique history and support that sets it apart from the rest and is ultimately one of the reasons for it's continued success.  Long may it continue.

Winners & Losers (19/12/2011)

So it has been another week of up's and down's in the world of sport. Here are the stories of heroics and disappointment that have caught the attention of The Skene Skrum.
Winners

Luke Donald - With his third place finish at the Dubai World Championship, Donald confirmed his World Number 1 status and in doing so, was named the European Tour Golfer of the Year, two days after scooping the PGA Tour's player of the year award. I'm sure the £7.82 million in prize money this year hasn't hurt either!

Luke Donald busy dominating golf

Indianapolis Colts - Yes, they finally did it, they won a game this season! Quarterback Dan Orlovsky won his first NFL game as a starter, leading the Colts to a 27-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Scottish Rugby - As we head towards the epic Christmas double header that is the 1872 Cup, both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby go in with good form, each only losing 2 of their last 8 games. With 2 games remaining, both clubs are still very much in the hunt for quater final places in the Heineken Cup as well. A special mention also to Ayr, who beat Bristol in the British & Irish Cup.
The SPL - After a busy weekend for the Scottish Premier League, it was announced today that they are to pilot the return of safe standing areas within premier league grounds. With successful precedents across the continent, a positive pilot programme could lead to increased attendances and better atmospheres across the country.

Losers

Darren Fletcher - The Scotland and Manchester United midfielder announced he would be taking an indefinite break from the game to recover from the rare bowel condition ulcerative colitis. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he returns before long to continue what has already been a very successful career for the 27 year-old.

The Green Bay Packers - They will be popping the champagne corks in Miami as the '72 Dolphins will remain the only team in NFL history to record a perfect season. The Packers lost at the Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 in a surprise result that sees the Packers go to 13-1.

NFL Coaches - Both the Kansas City Chiefs and The Miami Dolphins lost their head coaches as Todd Haley and Tony Sparano became the first victims of the season. And there are a few more that are on the edge with Raheem Morris (Tampa), Jim Caldwell (Colts), Steve Spagnuolo (St Louis) and even Tom Coughlin (Giants) far from safe after disappointing seasons.

Both '0' Records In NFL Go In Week 15

Week 15 threw up some strange results in the NFL, not least the loss for the perfect 13-0 Packers and the Win for 0-13 Indianapolis Colts.

The Packers lost to a resilient Kansas City Chiefs team who lost their coach Todd Haley last week following a season of underachievement so far.  With a final score of 19-14, Aaron Rodgers and his men were kept to scoring just one touchdown as the Chiefs stayed ahead for the majority of the game.

Kansas show the Packers who's Chief

The Colts ran out 27-13 winners as quarterback Dan Orlovsky led his team to their first win of the season over the Tennessee Titans.  It was also Orlovsky's first win as a starting QB.

In other games, Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers ended the Houston Texans 7 match winning streak with a 28-13 victory.  The Washington Redskins completed the double over the NY Giants with a 23-10 win at the MetLife Stadium.  The San Diego Chargers continued their bid for a play-off spot with a convincing win over the Baltimore Ravens 34-14.

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints offence looked in ominous form in the closing weeks of the regular season with a thumping 42-20 win over the miserable Minnesota Vikings.  Brees had a massive game passing for 412 yards and now remains just 304 yards behind Dan Marino's all-time record.

And finally, the Tebow train had the brakes put on after To Brady's Patriots arrived in Denver to hand the Broncos a 41-23 loss, ending a six game winning streak and giving Tebow a 2-7 record as starting QB for the Broncos.

Cam Closes In On Record Season

It has been a notable season in the NFL for quarterbacks so far, with Aaron Rodgers, Tim Tebow, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger all grabbing the headlines for varying reasons, both good and bad.

But it's rookie QB Cam Newton that has been quietly writing his own bit of history this season, as he is on the verge of becoming the most successful combined passing and rushing quarterback in NFL history.  The 1st round draft pick from Auburn Tigers has been in phenomenal form for the Carolina Panthers, putting up some truly astonishing numbers.

In 13 games, Newton has passed for 3,573 yards and rushed for 554.  He has already become only the ninth quarterback in history to pass for over 3,000 and rush over 500 yards, and is only 167 passing yards short of breaking Peyton Manning's rookie season record set in 1998.

Even more astonishingly, he is only 427 passing yards short of becoming the first ever QB to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for over 500.  With 4 games left of the regular season, you wouldn't bet against him hitting the target.

Cam Newton - Number 1 in more ways than one

So what makes Cam Newton such an effective game runner that he can post these sorts of numbers?

Of course, throwing for 4,000 yards is not particularly eyecatching, although noteworthy for a QB in his first season.  As a comparison, Drew Brees recently broke the NFL record for getting past the 4,000 yard mark in just 12 games, the fastest this has ever been done.  Newton's most astonishing stat is his rushing yards.

His natural athleticism and speed make him extremely effective at breaking out from the pocket when he needs to, and his ability to improvise has led to him rushing for 554 yards, including 15 touchdowns.  When you look at the Panthers season record of 4-9, it starts to become clear why there is a requirement for Newton to adapt to survive in games as he often doesn't have the offense required to execute the play book.

Sitting third in the NFC South, Panthers travel to the AFC South champions the Houston Texans (10-3) in Week 15 with Newton and his men up against one of the toughest defences in the league.  But the Panthers have nothing to lose and the rest of the regular season to start building towards next year.  I fully expect Cam Newton to reach that record breaking 4,000 yard target.

What a truly amazing achievement that would be.