chrisobee

Punchestowns was found to be lame on Friday I think it was, the result of losing a shoe. I believe it is likely to clear up but since he had a similar problem only recently I imagine that the main problem will be a lack of proper preparation. Currently best price I can see is 4/1 with Paddy Power and Hills. Zaynar of course lost at Kelso at 1/14 but the ground that day was only just fit for racing. I would not be too concerned though I'm guessing you did not get the 15/2- 8/1 now available !

No apologies for starting this thread now, ONLY a week to go to the racing highlight of the year. For a start the excellent ATR site is up and running: http://www.attheraces.com/cheltenham/ Denham v Kauto Star but Imperial Commander cannot be discounted, free bets galore from the bookies. Can't wait!

Best season this century and I include 2003 in that, I think those of us who have seen many years of good and bad times do have in general more of a realistic perspective on things. Had it not been that way back in the 70's I suspect Lawrie Mac would not have survived long enough to win us the FA Cup. These days it is fast food, fast cars, everything is needed yesterday ( why are so many people and indeed football clubs in so much debt ? ) when in my experience the anticipation adds to the enjoyment so when the success we all want does arrive it is all the sweeter. " Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”

I'd agree with technology on the goal line, the argument often put forward that it is not practical at all levels does not mean it should not be used when livelihoods depend in it. Most other issues in my opinion are caused not just and possibly not mainly due to incompetent refs but by a lack of common sense and refs wanting to make a name for themselves. Even though it was 40 odd years ago I remember Hugh Fisher being so annoyed at a refereeing decision he chased the ref and in the process proceeded to knock him over. It was so clearly an accident, these days I suggest 99% of refs would have sent him off, in this instance ( sorry but I cannot recall the ref but hats off to you ) the referee just got up with a helping hand from Hughy, they exchanged a few friendly words and a joke, end of. Sadly that would rarely happen these days.

1-0 to Wigan after an hour or so, Colchester v Brighton is 0-0 with about 15 minutes left.

Challenge Cup 4th Rd York v Crusaders Hunslet v Oldham Swinton v Halifax Limoux v Leigh Harlequins v Wakefield St Helens v Toulouse Widnes or Wigan St Judes v Lezignan Catalans v Salford Sheffield Eagles v Wigan Siddal v Batley Hull v Leeds Castleford v Barrow Warrington v Featherstone Blackpool v Whitehaven Huddersfield v Hull KR Dewsbury v Bradford Hull v Leeds, very tasty indeed !

Of course but would Germany have committed so many men forward if it had been 2-2? I doubt it and no St Landrew I don't believe it was miles over the line and neither do you !!

Agreed. In all honesty when I do post on here it is generally with a great deal of flippancy as in truth this forum is a joke because of certain indivduals and their repetitive and quite frankly stupid opinions. In any event my ever growing "ignore" list means I cannot read much of what is posted!!

Might be better employed as a forum to teach people to spell TBH

Peter Marshall clearly never heard of me either ! I don't recall ever playing for Hants even though I would easily have been in the top 30 and I used to enjoy trips to places like Exeter and indeed did go there for a club match for Portsmouth Poly.

Which begs the question was THAT the worse pelanty ever

Even more worserer than most of your bets TBH !

I played and still play the Centre counter so no it definitely was not you, I have a feeling it was Tony somebody but my brain is still wracking ! Yes, indeed it was a Poly in the 70's of course not that it mattered, for me it was convenient ( could still see as many Saints games as I wanted and indeed I missed many afternoon lectures/seminars and play lots of chess) and it offered exactly the course I wanted.

Noyce the voice as he was none to some though maybe not himself !

Ah yes, I do remember Len Walters and he was one of those who ran the club. However, for some reason the names of Peter Marshall, Horace Parsons and "Reggie" Perrin mean nothing ! Oh and I played in the Portsmouth Congress a few times, the last time being in 1980 when I travelled there with Les Allen and talking of him drawing games my record in the Major ( Under160 I think) that year was 2 wins and 4 draws. Consistent at least !

TBH the 1966 WC Final was effectively decided by a dodgy decision !!

Indeed it does seem we all remember the 70's ! I started playing in the Southampton Chess league in 1973/74 for Richard Taunton College and after leaving there in 1976 the Southampton Chess club as well as I mentioned above the Portsmouth Chess league for Portsmouth Poly. I'm now wracking my brains trying to remember an opponent I met a few times who I'm almost sure played for Eastleigh. I do know he played the French defence against me which at the time I hated lol

No, it just suggests ( and with amazing accuracy) that you are a plonker !

Lol, young Master Buckmaster was someone I knew well, very good young player and used to be in one of the teams I captained. Les Allen appears to be still around and was another player I knew well, Tony Summers must be about 120, age not rating now ( sorry Tony !) , David Bell was a strong player as indeed was Ian Stenhouse who I believe wrote a chess column in the Echo ? I don't remember the name Perrin but the name Walters rings a bell, Tony Walters ? Pat McEvoy I certainly knew and he was indeed very active on the Hants chess scene.

Who happens to be a keen chess player I know !!

From memory I suspect the grading tournaments were in that case introduced only in the early 80's a I seem to recall just one open tournament during the 70's when I was a member. One of my best memories was organising a 40 board match between the Southampton chess league and the Portsmouth chess league. Not only did we win but I beat my then time Portsmouth Poly chess club mate into the bargain ( I was there 1975-78 and played for their 1st and 2nd teams as well as the Southampton 2nd/3rd team.) Fair to say I didn't study a lot lol

According to Google you are right that it is based in Lordshill: http://www.hampshirechess.co.uk/League/Southampton%20Chess%20Club/about.htm

Most popular ( and I suggest the best) free online site is : http://www.chess.com/ I'll accept any challenges !! I'm on there, surprise, surprise as Chris O'Bee

Snail mail, quicker to play by email !!

You can google plenty of good sites if you are just starting out, I like the look of this one: http://www.chessdryad.com/education/magictheater/ Easy to follow instructions in the form of videos.