World Cup Day 17: Second Round

England 1 Ecuador o. Another not so impressive performance by England as they make the quarters. They will need to improve immeasurably if they want to progress.

Portugal 1 Holland 0. The second game of the day is again the classic. This one, however, is more in the performance of the Russian referee as he issues a record 4 red cards and 16 yellows. Portugal look very good as they set up the third Scolari vs Eriksson quarter final in a row. The first two went to Scolari 2-1 for Brazil in the last world cup quarters and for Portugal in Euro 2004. I think once again Portugal should be too strong.

-Richard

World Cup Day 16: Second Round.

Germany 2 Sweden 0. A amazing start by an impressive Germany had this game won within the first 15 minutes.

Argentina 2 Mexico 1 (After Extra Time). A great game, almost an upset by Mexico won by an amazing goal in extra time by Rodriquez.

-Richard

World Cup Day 15. The final Day of Group Games.

Saudia Arabia 0 Spain 1. Spain continue to be impressive despite playing a completly second team.

Ukraine 1 Tunisia 0. Ukraine recover from their 4-0 drubbing by Spain to qualify for the next round.

Final Group Positions.

1. Spain (Spain)
2. Ukraine (Tunisia)
3. Tunisia (Saudi Arabia)
4. Saudi Arabia (Ukraine)

Switzerland 2 South Korea 0. The Swiss looked very strong in winning the group.

Togo 0 France 2. France very un-impressivly squeak through to the second round.

Final Group Positions:

1. Switzerland (France)
2. France (Switzerland)
3. South Korea (South Korea)
4. Togo (Togo)

So, the first round is over. The most impressive teams: Spain, Argentina, Germany, Ecuador and Switzerland. The most dissapointing: Czech Republic, USA and England.

16 Teams are eliminated. I have ranked them in the order I think should be 17-32.

17 South Korea
18 Paraguay
19 Ivory Coast
20 Czech Republic
21 Poland
22 Croatia
23 Angola
24 Tunisia
25 Iran
25 USA
27 Trinidad and Tobego
28 Japan
28 Saudi Arabia
30 Togo
31 Costa Rica
32 Serbia and Montenegro

-Richard

World Cup Day 14: The final games for groups E and F.

Ghana 2 USA 1. The US is eliminated by another very disspointing performance. I'm sure a lot of blame will be thrown around, but, in my opinion it has to fall at the feet of Bruce Arena. His team selections and formations did not show any imagination or passion. Yes, some of the ref calls were definitly questionable, but, at the end of the day the performances were below par.

Czech Repbublic 0 Italy 2.

Final group standings:

1. Italy (Czech Republic)
2. Ghana (Italy)
3. Czech Republic (USA)
4. USA (Ghana)

Croatia 2 Australia 2. A great game. Australia did a fantastic job of qulifying for the second round. Another referee nightmare a Graham Poll missed at least one, if not two clear penalties and ended up booking the same Croat three times after forgeting he'd already given him one.

Japan 1 Brazil 4

Final Group Positions:

1. Brazil (Brazil)
2. Australia (Australia)
3. Croatia (Croatia)
4. Japan (Japan)

-Richard

World Cup Day 13: The final day of Groups C and D.

Holland 0 Argentina 0. A very disapointing game between these two heavyweights as they both rested a lot of players.

Ivory Coast 3 Serbia and Montenegro 2. Ivory Coast get the consolation win the so richly deserved.

Final Group C Positions (My predictions in brackets)

1. Argentina (Holland)
2. Holland (Argentina)
3. Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast)
4. Serbia and Montenrgro (Serbia and Montenegro)

Portugal 2 Mexico 1
Iran 1 Angola 1. I did not watch these games.

Final Group D positions (my predictions in brackets)

1. Portugal (Portugal)
2. Mexico (Mexico)
3. Angola (Iran)
4. Iran (Angola)

-Richard




Portugal 2 Mexico 1. Portugal win the group, Mexico finish 2nd.

Iran 1 Angola 1. Angola could not quite get the goals and the win they needed.

World Cup Day 12: The final day of Groups A and B.

Ecuador 0 Germany 3. Impressive finale by the hosts as they win the group.

Costa Rico 1 Poland 2. Poland safe some face.

Final Group A Position: (my prediction from back in December in brackets)

1. Germany (Germany)
2. Ecuador (Poland)
3. Poland (Costa Rico)
4. Costa Rico (Ecuador)

Paraguay 2 Trinidad and Tobego 0. Paraguay finally play like they could ending Trinidad's brave run. They certainly did themselves proud.

Sweden 2 England 2. A much better first half by England before running out of steam again. Silly mistakes cost the win, however, the draw is good enough to qualify for the second round.

Final Group B Position: (my prediction from back in December in brackers)

1 England (Sweden)
2. Sweden (England)
3. Paraguay (Paraguay)
4. Trinidad and Tobego (Trinidad and Tobego)

The seocond round games will be Germany vs Sweden and England vs Ecuador

-Richard

World Cup Day 11: Togo 2 Switzerland 0. Togo are eliminated however, they should have been given a penalty when only trailing 1-0 that may have made a major difference.

Saudia Arabia 0 Ukraine 4. A complete turn around by Ukraine against a bad looking Saudi team.

Spain 3 Tunisia 1. I was disapointed with Spain who were in line for a big upset until substitution's made a big difference in turning around the game in the last quarter.

-Richard

World Cup Day 10: Japan 0 Croatia 0. Not a very inspiring game.

Brazil 2 Australia 0. A brave effort by the Aussies, who with more confidence in front of goal could have caused a major upset. However, Brazil march on and qualify with a goal by someone called "Fred" of all names!!

France 1 South Korea 1. France finally score, had a second that should have counted not count for South Korea to get an equalizer. With Togo still to play France still have a very good chance to qualify.

-Richard

-Richard

Score Update:

Internationl Rugby Union: Australia 43 England 18

International Cricket: England beat Ireland by 38 runs. One day International.
Sri Lanka beat England by 2 runs. Twenty 20 International.
Sri Lanka beat England by 20 runs. One day International.

International Football: England 2 Trinidad and Tobego 0. World Cup Group B. England advance to second round.

USA 0 Czech Republic 3. World Cup Group E.
Italy 1 USA 1. World Cup Group E.

Cricket: Durham beat Nottinghamshire by 28 runs. Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.
Kent beat Durham by 95 runs . County Championship Division 1. Durham fall to 6th place.
Durham beat Scotland by 5 wickets. Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 20 St. Helens 18. Superleague, Bradford stay in 4th place.

Ice Hocley: Edmonton Oilers 1 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina Hurricanes 3 Edmonton Oilers 4
Edmonton Oilers 4 Carolina Hurricanes 3. Stanly Cup Finals. Series tied 3-3.

Baseball: Houston Astros 14 Atlanta Braves 4
Chicago Cubs 2 Houston Astros 9
Chicago Cubs 4 Houston Astros 5
Chicago Cubs 2 Houston Astros 3
Houston Astros 2 Kansas City Royals 7
Houston Astros 7 Kansas City Royals 2. The Astros move to 36-33, but, are still 6 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central Division.

-Richard

World Cup Day 9: Portugal 2 Iran 0. Portugal advance, not very convincingly, but, they make it to the second round for the first time since 1966. Iran eliminated.

Czech Republic 0 Ghana 2. A fantastic performance from Ghana in getting the upset. I thought Ghana would be the best African team before the competition. The performance proved it.

Italy 1 USA 1. A much better performance by the US. All Americans should be proud as they keep their cup hopes alive. The main talking point a diabolic performance by the whole refereeing crew.

-Richard

World Cup Day 8: Argentina 6 Serbia and Montenegro 0. Argentina definartly looked the best team in the tournament by far. Having said that Serbia seemed to give up as they crash out of the tournament.

Holland 2 Ivory Coast 1. Ivory Coast unlucky to get knocked out as Holland advance.

Mexico 0 Angola 0. Very good, brave performance by Angola. Mexico will need to play an awful lot better if they are to match their talk.

-Richard

World Cup Day 7: Ecuador 3 Costa Rico 0. Ecuador looked very impressive. They will not be an easy game for anyone in the second roud. They definatly deserve their place in the second round.

England 2 Trinidad and Tobego 0. Another win, another struggle. England will need to improve immeasurably if they are going to get through even the second round.

Sweden 1 Paraguay 0. Sweden finally scored right at the end. Paraguay eliminated.

-Richard

World Cup Day 6: Spain 4 Ukraine 0
Tuinisia 2 Saudia Arabia 2
Germany 1 Poland 9

I did not see any of these games so cannot comment.

-Richard

World Cup Day 5: South Korea 2 Togo 1: A brave performance by Togo after the coaching controversy.

France 0 Switzerland 0: An awful game. These two games couldn't have scored if they played all day.

Brazil 1 Croatia 0: An entertaining game with a fantastic goal by Kaka. However, they did not look by far invincible.

-Richard

World Cup Day 4: USA 0 Czech Republic 3: Awful, awful, awful by the US. Having said that the Czech's looked very impressive. Rosicky scored a spectacular goal.

Australia 3 Japan 1: A fantastic three goal last 10 minutes from Australia turning around a 1 goal deficit caused, by, my opinion, an awful refereeing decision on a foul on Aussie goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Italy 2 Ghana 0: A good open game. Essien for Ghana was fantastic, just a pity he had no support. Italy looked good, although not a perfect game.

-Richard

World Cup Day 3: Angola 0 Portugal 1. Another interesting game with a brave performance by Angola. Portugal need to improve to go a long way in the competition.

Mexico 3 Iran 1: A late burst by Mexico put away a brave Iran side.

Serbia and Montenegro 0 Holland 1. Impressive performance by Robben in particular. However, he cause some dissent in the locker room due to his selfish, but, spectular play.

-Richard

World Cup Day 2;

England 1 Paraguay 0: Three points, but, an awful performance by England. Same old story under Eriksson. No passion. They will need to get a lot, lot better to get any further.

Sweden 0 Trinidad and Tobago 0: A fantastic performance by Trinidad holding a very strong Sweden side to a draw. This was accomplished via a fantastic display by Shaka Hislop in goal and despite Avery John being sent off at the start of the second half.

Argentina 2 Ivory Coast 1: A good game. Argentina looked impressive, but, as with Germnay the day before their defence looked questionable at times. Ivory Coast looked very good.

-Richard

World Cup Day 1:

Germany 4 Costa Rica 2. A strong victory by Germany. They scored two very spectacular goals. However, there were holes in their defence with Wanchope beating the offside trap twice.

Poland 0 Ecuador 2. A minor surprise. Ecuador beat both Brazil and Argentina in qualifying, but, that was at home at high altitude. Their record away at sea level is atrocious. They broke that reputation with a victory versus Poland.

-Richard

Finished Reading "The Cardinal of the Kremlin" a Jack Ryan novel by Tom Clancy.

-Richard

Score Update:

International Rugby: England 46 Barbarians 19
Australia 34 England 3

International Cricket: England beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets 2nd Test Match
Sri Lanka beat England by 134 runs. 3rd Test Match. The series finished tied 1-1

International Football: England 3 Hungary 1. Friendly
England 6 Jamaica 0. Friendly
England 1 Parguay 0. World Cup Group B

USA 1 Latvia 0. Friendly

Cricket: Durham beat Leicestershire by 3 wickets Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy
Durham beat Oxford UCCE by 4 wickets. Friendly
Durham beat Yorkshire by 2 wickets. Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy
Warwickshire beat Durham by 18 runs Durham stay in 5th place

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 4 Buffalo Sabres 3
Buffalo Sabres 2 Carolina Hurricanes 1
Carolina Hurricanes 4 Buffalo Sabres 2. Eastern Conference Finals. 'Canes win sereis 4-3
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Edmonton Oilers 4
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Edmonton Oilers 0
Edmonton Oilers 2 Carolina Hurricanes 1. Stanley Cup Finales. 'Canes lead series 2-1

Baseball: Pittsburg Pirates 8 Houston Astros 7
Pittsburg Pirates 4 Houston Astros 5
St. Louis Cardinals 3 Houston Astros 1
St. Louis Cardinals 3 Houston Astros 6
St. Louis Cardinals 4 Houston Astros 3
Houston Astros 3 Cincinnati Reds 14
Houston Astros 5 Cincinnati Reds 7
Houston Astros 4 Cincinnati Reds 6
Houston Astros 0 Chicago Cubs 8
Houston Astros 4 Chicago Cubs 1
Houston Astros 1 Chicago Cubs 0
Houston Astros 7 Atlanta Braves 4
Houston Astros 7 Atlanta Braves 2
Houston Astros 2 Atlanta Braves 4 The 'Stros are now 31-32 6 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central Division.


-Richard

I read an interesting article in Time. It was essentially about Christian's in Politics, and how in America the "Republican Religious Right" essentially try and speak for all Christian's. The article says Christianity, Religion should be kept out of politics. I agree to some agree as it Christianity is not a political agenda. It is a way of life. If you are Christian every issue, in my opinion, should be decided on it's merit's in light of Scripture not on a Party Political Line. I believe as a Christian you can be a politician, but, it is very difficult not to compromise your faith because to be succesful you need to follow different interest groups, which ever party you are member of and compromise your beliefs.

Is the Republican Party the natural party of Christian's in the US? I would argue on the teaching of Scripture no!! Conservatism essentially teaches personnel gain and greed over as a key to success. This is the opposite to Jesus' teaching and that of the early Church were sharing and commune where the key ingrediants and teaching. This thread runs through the Gospels, Acts and all the Epistles.

So, is the Democrat Party the natural party of Christian's in the US? I would argue on the teaching of Scripture no. The Liberal teaching of today's party is against the moral teaching's of Scripture in such things as homosexuality and abortion.

So, who do we vote for? I think with all integrity it is every Christians, and for that matter every eligible voter's duty to explore every issue and the point of view of each party and weigh up which party has the most that meet the teaching of Scripture (or an individual's point of view). Also it is important to decide are some issue's weighted more than other's. Yes, sometime's in the vote a compromise is needed, but, a vote should be also cast and it must be done with, a researched, responsible attitude. Alignement to one party no matter what is something that I think is dangerous, essentially is a wasted, brain-washed vote.

-Richard

Nine years ago today I married the love of my life. It's been a great ride from London to Houston to the San Fransisco Bay Area to Raleigh, North Carolina. Has it all been easy. No? What I do know is that our love is as strong now as ever and that marriage needs work every day.

-Richard

Finished Reading "Ref Storm Rising" a novel by Tom Clancy written in 1987.

-Richard

Finished reading "Let History Judge, the Origins and Consequences of Stalinism" by Roy A. Medvedev. A very insteresting book written by a Soviet Historian in 1968 discussing the way Stalin's own dictatatorship created his own cult again the teaching's of Marx, Engels and Lenin.

One intersting fact that stuck out is the way Stalin changed history through literature, media and film to reflect his point of view and propaganda. Doesn't it sound very familier to how Holywood and the media distort history and the truth today to support their argument? Frightengly so!!

-Richard

Score Update:

International Football: USA 0 Morocco 1 Friendly
USA 2 Venezuella 0 Friendly

Cricket: Sussex beat Durham by an innings and 39 runs. County Championship Division 1. Durham are in 5th place.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 0 Leeds Rhinos 30. Superleague. Bradford stay in 3rd place.

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 4 Buffalo Sabres 3
Buffalo Sabres 4 Carolina Hurricanes 3
Buffalo Sabres 0 Carolins Hurricanes 4. Eastern Conference Finals. Series tied 2-2

Baseball: Houston Astros 5 Texas Rangers 0
Washington Nationals 3 Houston Astros 10
Washington Nationals 4 Houston Astros 1
Washington Nationals 5 Houston Astros 1
Washington Nationals 8 Houston Astros 5
Pitsburg Pirates 12 Houston Astros 5 The Astros fall to 25-24 and 4th place in the National League Central Division 6 1/2 games behind the St.Louis Cardinals.

-Richard

Vanilla Bean. She was the first animal I adopted myself as Oreo was Jenn's before we got married. As I said earlier, Oreo was the dog that inspired me and therefore us into animal rescue. Not long after we moved to North Carolina we decided to adopt another dog. Looking around Jenn fell in love with the Dalmation mix in Moore County, NC called Alexis.

I had to go to Chicago on business, we drove so we could pick her up on the day we got home. So, after long drive back we got to the shelter to adopt her. As soon as we met her she jumped up and kissed us. From that moment "Nilla" was a member of our family. Five years later she is still a very happy and loved one of us.

- Richard

Score Update:

International Cricket: England drew with Sri Lanka in the 1st Test Match.

Rugby Union: Raleigh 32 Providence 21 National Division II Championship Last 16
Raleigh 11 Pearl City 35 National Division II Championsjip Quarter-Final

Cricket: Lancashire beat Durham by 125 runs. Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy
Nottinghamshire drew with Durham. County Championship Division I. Durham are in 3rd place.

Rugby League: Harlequins 16 Bradford Bulls 58. Superleague. Bradford move up to 3rd.
St. Helens 42 Bradford Bulls 18. Challenge Cup 5th Round.

Ice Hockey: New Jersey Devils 5 Carolina Hurricanes 1
Carolina Hurricanes 4 New Jersey Devils 1. Canes win Eastern Region Semi-Finals 4-1
Carolina Hurricanes 2 Buffalo Sabres 3. Eastern Conference Final. Buffalo lead series 1-0

Baseball: Houston Astros 1 Colorado Rockies 2
Houston Astros 3 Colorado Rockies 0
Houston Astros 1 San Fransisco Giants 10
Houston Astros 3 San Fransisco Giants 14
Houston Astros 1 San Fransisco Giants 10
Houston Astros 5 Texas Rangers 3
Hosuton Astros 0 Texas Rangers 6 The Astros record is now 23-20. They are 3rd in the National League Central Division 5 games behind the St. Louis Cardianals.

-Richard

Score Update:

Rugby Union: Raleigh 32 Media 24 MARFU Division II Semi-Final
Raleigh 27 Lancaster 25 MARFU Division II Final. Raleigh are Champions!!

Cricket: Durham lost to Lancashire by 128 runs. County Championship Division 1
Durham beat Northanptonshire by 4 Wickets. Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.
Durham best Warwickshire by 66 runs. Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.
Durham beat Middlesex by 135 runs. County Championship Division 1. Durham are in 6th place.

Football: Brentford 1 Hartlepool United 1 League 1.
Hartlepool United 1 Port Vale 1. League 1. Pools finish the Season with 50 points, in 21st place and relegated down to League 2

American Football: New York Giants draft: Mathias Kawanuka a Defensive End from Boston College, Sinorice Moss a Wide Receiver from Miami, Gerris Wilkinson a Linebacker from Georgia Tech, Barry Cofield a Defensive End from Northwestern, Guy Whimper a Defensive End from East Carolina, Charlie Peprah a Safety from Alabama and Gerrick McPherson a Corner Back from Martyland.

Rugby League: Warrington Wolves 27 Bradford Bulls 4 Super League
Bradford Bulls 54 Catalan Dragons 6 Super League
Hull FC 28 Bradford Bulls 12 Super League . Bradford drop to 4th place,

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 5 Montreal Canadians 6 (OT).
Montreal Canadians 1 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Montreal Canadians 2 Carolina Hurricanes 3
Carolina Hurricanes 2 Montreal Canadians 1
Montreal Canadians 1 Carolina Hurricanes 2. Eastern Conference play-offs Round 1. Canes win series 4-2.
Carolina Hurricanes 6 New Jersey Devils 0
Carolina Hurricanes 3 New Jersey Devils 2
New Jersey Devils 2 Carolina Hurricanes 3 Eastern Conference Play-offs semi-final. Canes lead series 3-0

Baseball: Houston Astros 7 Pittsburg Pirates 2
Houston Astros 2 Los Angeles Dodgers 6
Houston Astros 4 Los Angeles Dodgers 3
Houston Astros 8 Los Angeles Dodgers 5
Cincinatti Reds 5 Houston Astros 4
Cincinatti Reds 6 Houston Astros 3
Cincinatti Reds 2 Houston Astros 3
Milwaukee Brewers 4 Houston Astros 2
Milwaukee Brewers 5 Houston Astros 8
Houston Astros 5 St. Louis Cardinals 4
Houston Astros 4 St. Louis Cardinals 3
Colorado Rockies 5 Houston Astros 4
Colorado Rockies 5 Houston Astros 0
Colorado Rockies 5 Houston Astros 3
San Francisco Giants 7 Houston Astros 5
Los Angeles Dodgers 12 Houston Astros 7
Los Angeles Dodgers 9 Houston Astros 6
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 Houston Astros 4
Houston Astros 12 Colorado Rockies 2. Astros record is now 21-15 and are 3rd in the National League Central Division 2 games behind St. Louis and Cincinatti.

-Richard

It's amazing how much a difference a year can make in sport. This time last year Hartlepool United were last than 10 mins away from being promoted to the Championship. Last week a draw with Port Vale was not enough to stop relegation to League Two. Essentially the same team completely opposite result. Hopefully we can see a big turn around and a quick promotion back.

-Richard

Finished reading "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown.

-Richard

In memorium. Another sad day in Snowflake rescue. Adobe, a sweet boy who had Feline Leukemia, died today. He was a shy a guy, who learnt to trust, loved and to be happy in his all too short life. He will be greatly missed.

Adobe, again shows why Snowflake is different. It all go back to the wonderful founder. The story is found here We give every animal in our care everything they need and as much time as they need. Not many organisations would even have considered taking Adobe and his sister. Yes, it does leave us open to heartbrake, but, the rewards are worth it.

It sometimes causes controversy and difficult decisions becasue we sometimes can't bring in new cats due to this commitment, but, that's the mission we do. When a scared, frightened, cat learns to trust, sometimes over years and then gets a loving home it is all worth while. Two of own personnel cat's have stories such as this (which I will come to soon). Then taking these "un-adoptable cats" make it all worth-while.

-Richard

Finished reading "With My Face to the Enemy, Perspectives on the Civil War." A compilation of short essays by various historians on the American Civil War. It was edited by Robert Cowley.

I have alluded, but, not talked much about our involvement in Animal Rescue. As a kid I was definatly not an animal person. Infact, we never had any pets apart from the occasional goldfish.

So, what happened? I married Jenn. She had a heart for animals. When we got married and moved to the States (I will tell our story at some point) I "inherited" her dog Oreo. Oreo was a wonderful German Shorthair Pointer who should have died when she was 6 months old due to Parvo, but, by a miracle she survived to live until 17 years. Oreo accepted me and I fell in love with her. We moved to California and Oreo went with us. In August 2001, just as we were getting ready to leave California she had a suspected stoke and died. This ended up being the most painful thing I have ever been through. If I had been told that I would feel like this about an animal even a couple of years before I would have called you crazy. That got me hooked on dogs. I also promised Jenn that we would volunteer for an animal rescue organisation when we moved to North Carolina. Since then we adopted our new Dog in October 2001 and our cats which make up our family. We have also fostered several cats and kittens that have been saved and moved on to new homes.

Over the next few weeks I will post the stories of the members of our family, those who passed through onto new homes and those that are currently foster members of our family.

However, below is a picture of Oreo, the wonderful dog who started it all..

Score Update:

Rugby Union: Sheffield 22 West Hartlepool 19 League North Two East. This was the final game of Season. West finished in 6th place in the League on 23 with a record of 11-1-10. The good thing was West finished one place higher than our arch rivals Hartlepool Rovers.
Raleigh 65 Wilmington (Deleware) 0 MARFU (Mid Atlantic Rugby Football Union) Division II Quarter-Final pay-off.

Cricket: Durham beat Kent by an innings and 56 runs. County Cricket Championship Division I. Durham are in 1st place.

Football: Hartlepool United 3 Nottingham Forest 2. Pools give themselves a slim lifeline with two games to go.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 52 Huddersfield Giants 18. Superleague. Bradford move up to 3rd place.

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 0 Buffalo Sabres 4. Final Regular Season game. Canes finish South-Division Champions and 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference play-offs. They finish with a franchise record 112 points and finaly playing record of 52-22-8.
Carolina Hurricanes 1 Montreal Canadians 6. Eastern Conference play-offs first round. Game 1. Montreal leads series 1-0.

Baseball: Houston Astros 8 Milwaukee Brewers 7
Houston Astros 13 Milwaukee Brewers 12
Houston Astros 2 Milwaukee Brewers 7
Houston Astros 3 Pittsburgh Pirates 2
Houston Astros 3 Pittsburgh Pirates 0 The Astros have a record of 12-5 and are leading the National League Central Division by 1 game over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Basketball: Denver Nuggets 83 Houston Rockets 86
Houston Rockets 87 San Antonio Spurs 89 The Rockets finish the Season with a miserable record of 34-48. The finish last in the South West Division 29 1/2 games behind the Champion San Antonio Spurs.

-Richard

Veronica.

The hardest thing, bar none, in working for an Animal Rescue Organisation is when one of the guys get sick and don't make it.

Today Veronica died. She came into Snowflake about three years ago as a very scared, shy mama with two kittens. The Kittens got adopted really quickly. After three years of volunteers spending time with her she became friendly, trusting and ready to get adopted. Unfortunatly she got suddenly sick. The diagnosis of FIP meant there is nothing we could do. One of the differences between Snowflake and other rescues is we give these "hard to adopt" cats a chance. Many other organisations would have taken the kittens but not her because she was too shy. Not us. She became very happy in her foster home. Another thing Snowflake does is that every animal in our care gets all the medical necessary as long as they have a good quality of life. We also need to know when it is the right time to make the best decision to put the cat to sleep. In Veronica's case on the recommendation of a Specialist it was her time today.. She went over the Bridge peacefully, ready and happily knowing she was loved after finally learning to be trusting and safe. She laid in my arms this morning as I said good bye to her. One of the hardest things I have ever done.

Veronica you made a difference in my life. I love you and you will be missed.

-Richard

After another week of MLS Fantasy Football my Team is still in 4 th place. My points for this week were:

Cannon 0
Marshall 1
Dunivant 2
Goldthwaite 0
Cooke 0
Donovan 7
Clark -3
DeRosario 0
Ching -3
Alvarez -1
Cooper 0

For a total of 3 points and an over all total of 55 points.

-Richard

Score Update:

International Cricket: England beat India by 5 wickts in the 6th One Day International
India beat England by 7 wickets in the 7th One Day International. India win the series 5-1

International Football: USA 1 Jamaica 1 Friendly

Football: Colchester United 2 Hartlepool United 0
Hartlepool United 1 Bristol City 2
Milton Keynes Dons 2 Hartlepool United 1 All League 1. Pools crash to 23rd and second bottom and in relagation dire straits.

Rugby League: Leeds Rhinos 18 Bradford Bulls 20 Superleague. Bradford move up to 4th place.

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 3 New Jersey Devils 4 (Over Time)
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Tampa Bay Lightening 4
Tampa Bay Lightening 3 Carolina Hurricanes 2 (Over Time)

Baseball: Houston Astros 5 Washington Nationals 4
San Fransisco Giants 5 Houston Astros 3
San Fransisco Giants o Houston Astros 8
Arizona Diamondbacks 5 Houston Astros 1
Arizona Diamondbacks o Houston Astros 10
Arizona Diamondbacks 5 Houston Astros 8 Astros are now 8-4 on the Season and lead the National League Central Division by 1/2 game over the Chicago Cubs.

Basketball: Sacramento Kings 86 Houston Rockets 77
Utah Jazz 85 Houston Rockets 83
Houston Rockets 79 Minnesota Timberwolves 82
Houston Rockets 81 Memphis Grizzlues 92 Rockets crash out of play-off contention.

-Richard

Finished Reading "Rebels in Blue" by Peter F. Stevens. It is the true story of Keith and Malinda Blalock and the violence nature of the American Civil war in the Western Counties of North Carolina. Families turned upon families and where division still exists today over 100 years later.

-Richard

He is RISEN!!!

-Richard

We went to see the USA Soccer team in a World Cup warm up game vs Jamaica at SAS soccer park in Cary, NC. A great atmosphere, dissapointing game. I was watching it thinking do these players really want to get chosen for the squad? My appraisal of the players and should they go:-

Goalkeeper - Tony Meola. He will not go. He played in this game to be rewarded with his 100th cap.

Defence - Albright played better than I thought he would. Not good enough for the world stage. Pope, a liability. In the World Cup could have easily been sent off for a handball instead of getting a yellow. Should not go. Mastroani was erratic and gave the ball away to much. I think he should be in the squad. Hedjuk was all over the place. I will give him the benefit of thr doubt as he is coming back from injury. He needs to prove himself in league play over the next three weeks.

Midfield - Olson played well for the first 35 mins or so then dissapeared, Donovan skated through as he knows he is a lock. O'Brien made a difference when he came in. Still needs to get fit. I like Dempsey, but, he looked rusty. Noonan and Ralston should not go. Do not have at at this level.

Strikers - Nothing was shown at all. Johnson should go. Wolf definately not. Ching and Twelmann are fighting for possibly one spot. I think Twelmann has the edge, but, the next three weeks in MLS could make a difference.

-Richard

Finished Reading Napoleon's Russian Campaign by one of his aide-de-camp's, Count Phillipe-Paul De Segue.

-Richard

After two weeks of MLS my fantasy team is in 4th position in the Triangle Soccer Fanatics League.

My players cummulative points are:

Joe Cannon - 1
Chad Marshall - 0
Todd Dunivant - 1
Kevin Goldthwaite - 5
Landon Donovan - -2
Ricardo Clark - 3
Danny O'Rourke - -2
Dwayne DeRosario - 13
Brian Ching - 22
Chris Brown - -4
Kenny Cooper - 11

-Richard

Score Update:

International Cricket: India best England by 49 runs in the 3rd one day international
India beat England by 4 wickets in the 4th one day international
The 5th one day international between India and England was washed out.

Rugby Union: West Hartlepool 18 Alnwick 6 League North Two East. West stay in 6th place.
NOVA 0 Raleigh 31 Friendly

Football: Swindon Town 1 Hartlepool United 1 League 1. Pools drop one place into the relegation zone.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 18 Warrington Wolves 22 Superleague. Bradford fall to 4th place.

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 6 Washington Capitals 5
Washington Capitals 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4
Washington Capitals 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4
Atlanta Thrashers 5 Carolina Hurricanes 2

Baseball: Houston Astros 1 Florida Marlins 0
Houston Astros 2 Florida Marlins 11
Houston Astros 6 Florida Marlins 5
Houston Astros 6 Washington Nationals 1
Houston Astros 8 Washington Nationals 12
Houston Astros 7 Washington Nationals 3 'Stros record is 4-2 , 4th place in National League Central 1 game between leaders Milwaukee Brewers.

Basketball: LA Lakers 104 Houston Rockets 88
Seattle Supersonics 104 Houston Rockets 87
Portland Trailblzers 76 Houston Rockets 75
Golden State Warriers 93 Houston Rockets 100 Houston are 25 games behind San Antonio in the South West Division

-Richard

After watching the first Houston MLS game there are mixed emotions. Joy at the performance of my team, my players. But, this is the team that due to incompetence by MLS and AEG was ripped away from its roots. I was raised to by loyal to your local area team. In MLS that is San Jose. Mixed emotions because of my ties to the Houston area I follow all the Houston teams. I think perhaps I can follow this team, but, never support them because if the Earthquakes do come back I will have to be lotal to them.

The other dilema I have is do I buy the Direct Kick package. I swore I would never spend another penny on MLS until the Quakes came back, but, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the free preview. Perhaps the solution will be watching the game on the internet. I have a week to decide.

-Richard

So, the MLS Season is here. For the first time since 2000 I have not really paid attention to what was going on. However, once the games started I found I had an interest, if not the excitement. I can see it being more like the English Premier League for me. A definate interest with no team to support. I will still follow the Quakes players. I think that will be my main interest.

I did sign up for a MLS Fantasy League Competition I am part of a Triangle Fanatics Group. My Team is called Quakes STILL rule. I tried to get as many players with Earthquakes connection, when they ran out, players with Bay Area connections and finally the last couple of players had English links as did the Manager.

My Team for Week 1 was: Joe Cannon - Colorado (Former Quake), Chad Marshall - Columbus (Stanford University), Todd Dunivant - LA (Former Quake), Kevin Goldthwaite - Houston (current Quake!!), Landon Donovan - LA (Former Quake), Ricardo Clark - Houston (current Quakes), Danny O'Rourke - New York (Former Quake), Dwayne DeRosario - Houston (current Quake), Brian Ching - Houston (current Quake), Chris Brown - Salt Lake (former Quake), Kenny Cooper - Dallas (has played in England). Manager: Steve Nichol - New England (has played in England).
The bench players are: Jon Conway - New York (former Quake), Jimmy Conrad - Kansas (former Quake), Terry Cooke - Colorado ( English), Richard Mulrooney - Dallas (former Quake), Galen Carr - Chicago (Born in Bay Area), Luchi Gonzalez - Colorado (former Quake), Jamil Walker - DC (former Quake) and Arturo Alvarez - Dallas (former Quake)

-Richard

Score Update:

International Cricket: India beat England by 39 runs 1st One Day International
India beat England by 4 wickets 2nd One Day International

Football: Hartlepool United 1 Oldham Athletic 1 League 1. Pools move up one place to 20th

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 23 Hull 12 Challenge Cup 4th Round

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 1 Washington Capitals 2
Carolina Hurricanes 2 Tampa Bay Lightening 1 - Canes Clinch play-off place
Carolina Hurricanes 1 Washington Capitals 5
Carolina Hurricanes 3 Florida Panthers 2 - Canes Win the South-East Division
Atlanta Thrashers 5 Carolina Hurricanes 2

Baseball: Washington Nationals 13 Houston Astros 6
Detroit Tigers 5 Houston Astros 3
Houston Astros 4 Atlanta Braves 5
Cleveland Indians 6 Houston Astros 5
Houston Astros 11 Los Angeles Dodgers 3
Houston Astros 5 Kansas City Royals 6
Houston Astros 6 Kansas City Royals. All games Spring Training. Tha Astros finish Spring Training with a record of 11-19

Basketball: Houston Rockets 102 Cleveland Cavaliers 104
Houston Rockets 115 Seatle Supersonics 87
Washingon Wizards 103 Houston Rockets 105 Rockerts are 24.5 games behind San Antonia in the South-West Division.

-Richard

Finished Reading "The Beautiful Days of My Youth. My Six Months in Auschwitz and Plaszow" by Ana Novac. An interesting account of a young Jewish Girl in a Nazi Concentration Camp. It was different because it was written at the time on scraps of paper and is much more self focused than the normal stories with the undercurrent of all the massacres going on around her.

Thinking about the Holocaust which still is staggering, is that fact that occured during the lifetime of my parents, not hundreds of years ago during the dark ages.

-Richard

Score Update:

International Rugby: France 31 England 6
England 24 Ireland 28. England finish a very disspointing 4th place.

International Cricket: India beat England by 9 wickets in the Second Test Match
England beat India by 212 runs in the Third Test Match. The Test series ended up 1-1
Indian Presidents XI beat England by 5 runs in a One Day Warm Up Match

International Football: Germany 4 USA 1 Friendly

Rugby Union: Driffield 22 West Hartlepool 17 League North 2 East
Virginia 0 Raleigh 86 Friendly
Raleigh 39 James River 14 Friendly

Football: Scunthorpe United 2 Hartlepool United 0
Hartlepool United 1 Barnsley 1
Southend United 3 Hartlepool United 0 Pools slip into a relegation position in League One.

Rugby League: St. Helens 38 Bradford Bulls 16
Bradford Bulls 34 Wigan 12 Bradford are third in the Super League

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 2 New York Rangers 1
Montreal Canadiens 1 Carolina Hurricanes 5
Boston Bruins 4 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Buffalo Sabres 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4 Canes are 19 points clear of Tampa Bay Lightening in the South East Division.

Baseball: Los Angeles Dodgers 7 Houston Astros 0
Toronto Blue Jays 7 Houston Astros 6
Houston Astros 7 Atlanta Braves 5
Houston Astros 1 New York Yankees 11
New York Yankees 5 Houston Astros 10
Atlanta Braves 0 Houston Astros 7
Cleveland Indians 6 Houston Astros 5
Houston Astros 2 Detroit Tigers 5
Detroit Tigers 10 Houston Astros 7
Houston Astros 1 Cleveland Indians 2
New York Yankees 8 Houston Astros 1
Houston Astros 13 Detroit Tigers 3
Houston Astros 3 New York Mets 1 All games Spring Training.

Basketball: San Antonio Spurs 88 Houston Rockets 81
Houston Rockets 77 New Jersey Nets 90
Houston Rockets 81 Dallas Mavericks 95
Houston Rockets 72 San Antonio Spurs 92
Houston Rockets 91 Los Angeles Clippers 99
Dallas Mavericks 88 Houston Rockets 72
New Orleans Hornets 92 Houston Rockets 93 The Rockets are now 24 games behind San Antonio in the South West Division.

-Richard

I'm done in the NCAA tournement with all my final 4 teams out after the sweey sixteen. Althouth I do not follow college Basketball enough to really have a chance to get it right I will try again next year. I still have two picks in the Elite Eight: Texas and UCLA.

-Richard

After the second day of the Second Round of the NCAA I have Texas, West Virginia,Memphis, Villanova and Georgetown right.

That gives me 11 of 16 right, but, I have lost two of my final 4 teams (North Carolina and Kansas)

-Richard

Finished reading "How Soccer Explains the World" by Frankkin Feur. A very intersting and stimulating read.

-Richard

After the first day of the second round of the NCAA tournament I predicted the following teams correctly into the sweet 16: Duke, LSU, Gonzaga, UCLA, Boston College and Florida. The two that I got wrong where Illinois, who I had going to the Elite 8. They lost to Washington and Tennessee who lost to Wichita State. I had them losing in the sweet 16.

-Richard

On the second day of the NCAA tournament I did not do so good. I got 11 of the 16 right, but, unfortunatly one of the ones that wen wrong was Kansas losing to Bradley. That is a major bracket buster for me as I had Kansas going to the Final Four. The other ones I got wrong were:
Arizona over Wisconsin, George mason over Michigan State, Bucknell over Arkansas and Northwestern State over Iowa.
I picked one upset right with NC State beating California.

-Richard

Finished reading "Churchill Taken from the Diaries of Lord Moran". An interesting perspective on Sir Winston Churchill written using excerpts from the diary of Lord Moran who was his personnel doctor from when Churchill became Prime Minister during the crisis of 1940 in World War II until his death at the age of 91 in 1965.

-Richard

So, how did I do after the first day of the tournament? I think considering my lack of knowledge pretty well. I got 12 out of 16 right and two of the losses were extremely close with one going to over time.

The losses I had were George Washington over UNC Wilmington, Indiana over San Diego State, Montanta over Nevada and Wichita State over Seton Hall.

I got the upsets of Wisconsin Milwaukee over Oklahoma, Alabama over Marquette and Texas A & M over Syracuse correct.

Lets see how today goes..

-Richard

So, its NCAA Basketball time and the tournament. Although I don't really follow College Basketball I always do a bracket so here it is, well the highlights and upsets:

Atlanta Region:

First Round: Upsets (Lower beating higher): NC Wilmington (9) over George Washington (8), Texas A & M (12) over Syracuse (5) and NC State (10) over California (7)
Second Round Winners: Duke, LSU, West Virginia and Texas
Sweet Sixteen Winners: Duke and West Viriginia
Regional Winner: Duke

Oakland Region:

First Round: Upsets: San Diego State (11) over Indiana (6) and Alabama (10) over Marquette (7)
Second Round Winners: Memphis, Kansas, Gonzaga and UCLA
Sweet Sixteen Winner: Kansas and UCLA
Regional Winner: Kansas

Washington DC Region:

First Round: Upsets: Seton Hall (10) over Wichita State (7)
Second Round Winners: Kentucky, Illinois, North Carolina, Tennessee
Sweet Sixteen Winners: Illinois and North Carolina
Regional Winner: North Carolina

Minneapolis Region:

First Round: Upsets: Wisconsin (9) over Arizona (8) and Wisconsin Milwaukee (11) over Oklahoma (6)
Second Round Winners: Villanova, Boston College, Florida and Georgetown
Sweet Sixteen Winners: Boston College and Georgetown
Regional Winner: Boston College

Final Four:

Duke over Kansas
North Carolina over Boston College

Championship:

Duke over North Carolina

-Richard

Score Update:

Intentional Cricket: England drew with India First Test Match

Rugby Union: Hartlepool Rovers 26 West Hartlepool 27 League 2 North East. A great birthday present !! West are 5th in the table.
Raleigh 15 Potomac Athletic Club 35 Friendly

Football Hartlepool United 3 Huddersfield Town 1 League 1 Hartlepool move up to 17th

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 18 Hull 12 Superleague. Bradford move to the top of the table.

Ice Hockey: Pittsburg Penguins 5 Carolina Hurricanes 7
New York Rangers 1 Carrolina Huricanes 2
Philadelphia Flyers 3 Carolina Hurricanes 2 (Over time)
Florida Panthers 5 Carolina Hurricanes 3
Florida Panthers 4 Carolina Hurricanes 3 (Over time) Hurricanes are now 22 points clear of Tampa Bay Lightening in the South East Division

Baseball: Philadelphia Phillies 4 Houston Astros 3 Spring Training
Houston Astros 11 Washington Nationals 1 Spring Training
New York Mets 7 Houston Astros 1 Spring Training
Houston Astros 1 Toronto Blue Jays 7 Spring Training
Houston Astros 3 New York Mets 2 Spring Training
Houston Astros 8 Washington Nationals 6 Spring Training
Houston Astros 3 Philadelphia Phillies 4 Spring Training

Basketball: Houston Rockets 102 Portland Trail Blazers 84
Minnesota Timberwolves 87 Houston Rockets 93
Houston Rockets 103 Indiana Pacers 99 The Rockets are now 20 games behind Dallas in the South West Division

-Richard

After listing the Rugby teams I've seen (I can now add Washington and Potomac Athletic Club) I thought I woujd look at the Football Teams I've seen live. It will not be anywhere near as mucg as Rugby. Again this is ones I can remember. I know there are games I've been to that I can't remember.

Premiership: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotpsur, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Fulham and Sunderland.
Championship: Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday.
League 1: Southend United, Nottingham Forest, Bradford City, Hartlepool United
Non-League: Hereford United, Woking, Runcorn

MLS: Colorado Rapids, Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, DC United, Kansas City Wizards, New England Revolution, Metrostars, Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fire.
Other US: Richmond Kickers.
Other International: Cremonose

International: England, Brazil, USSR, USA, New Zealand and Panama.

-Richard

Another year older today. I seems kinda surreal to think that I am now 37. In so many ways that seems impossible, in other it seems that I feel a lot older. Age and time are very strange how they distort in your mind into what is reality and what is made up in one's imagination.

-Richard

Score Update:

Intenational Football: England 2 Uruguay 1 Friendly
Poland 0 USA 1 Friendly

Rugby Union: West Hartlepool 3 Penrith 10 League 2 North East
Raleigh 5 Washington DC 22 Friendly

Rugby League: Cartalans 18 Bradford Bulls 50 Super League

Ice Hockey: Caroline Hurricanes 4 Boston Bruins 2
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Florida Panthers 2

Baseball: Houston Astros 2 Cleveland Indians 5 Spring Training
Cleveland Indians 5 Houston Astros 11 Spring Training
Houston Astros 6 Atlanta Braves 10 Spring Training

Basketball: Orlando Magic 84 Houston Rockets 89
Houston Rockets 94 Phoenix Suns 111
Houston Rockets 101 Philadelphia 76er's 106
Houston Rockets 89 Denver Nuggets 78

-Richard

Score Update:

International Rugby Union: Scotland 18 England 12 Six Nations Championship

International Cricket: England beat the Cricket Club of India by 238 runs Tour Match
England lost to India A by 8 wickets Tour Match

International Football: USA 4 Guatamala 0 Friendly

Football: Hartlepool United 1 Doncaster Rovers 1 League one. Hartlepool stay in 19th place.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 18 Harlequins 18 Superleague
Bradford Bulls 34 Salford Reds 4 Superleague. Bradford move up to 2nd place

Basketball: Houston Rockets 106 Los Angeles Clippers 102
Houston Rockets 91 Golden State Warriers 88 The Rockets are still bottom of the South West Conference 20 games behind leaders Dallas Mavericks

-Richard

Score Update:

Winter Olympics: Britain gain a silver medal in the Womans Skeleton.

Rugby Union: Sandal 8 West Hartlepool 63 League North 2 East
21 Signal Regiment 63 Raleigh 36 Tour Match in England
Barnstaple 34 Raleigh 5 Tour match in England

Football: Tranmere Rovers 0 Hartlepool United 0 League 1. Pools drop down to 16th

Rugby League: Wakefield Widcats 14 Bradford Bulls 20 Superleague. Bradford are 5th

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 4 Buffalo Sabres 3 Canes still 14 points ahead of Tampa Bay in the South East Division

Basketball: Houston Rockets 102 Utah Jazz 88
Houston Rockets 90 New York Knicks 83
La Clippers 97 Houston Rockets 128
Phoenix Suns 109 Houston Rockets 75 Rockets are now 19 1/2 games behind Dallas Mavericks in the South West Division.

-Richard

I was thinking this morning about how many Rugby Teams I've actually seen play live. Not counting County games, regional games and international games it nearly 100 club teams. Many have been numerous times. Here are the ones that I can remember. When I was in London I went to a lot of lower league games that I cannot remember now. For the English teams with the League they are currently in.

Premiership: Sale Sharks (as Sale), London Wasps, Gloucester, London Irish, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton, Saracens, Bath, Bristol and Leeds (not as Leeds, but as Headingley and Roundhay before they merged) (12)

National League 1: Harlequins, Bedford, Plymouth Albion, Exeter, Coventry, Nottingham, Otley, London Welsh and Birmingham & Solihull (as Birmingham and Solihull before they merged) (10)

National League 2: Moseley, Waterloo, Manchester, Blackheath, Halifax, Harrogate, Orrell (7)

National League 3 North: Nuneaton, Bradford & Bingley (and Bradford before they merged), Blaydon, Preston Grasshopers, Tynedale, Hull Ionians, Fylde, Darlington Mowden Park (as Mowden Park), New Brighton and Kendal (12)

National League 3 South: Lydney and Rosslyn Park (2)

London 1: Ealing, London Scottish and Richmond (3)

London 4 North West: Hammersmith & Fulham (1)

North 1: Huddersfield, Birkenhead Park, Middlesbrough, Morley, Westoe and Hull (6)

North 2 East: Durham City, Morpeth, Hartlepool Rovers, West Hartlepool, Sheffield, Percy Park, Alnwick and Stockton (8)

North 2 West: Aspatria, Vale of Lune and Liverpool-St.Helens (and Liverpool before the merge) (4)

South Lancs/Cheshire 1: Broughton Park and Wilmslow (2)

Durham/Northumberland 1: Horden, Northern, Billingham, Redcar, West Hartlepool TDSOB and Acklam (6)

Durham/Northumberland 2: Sunderland, Gosforth and Hartlepool (3)

Midlands 1: Rugby Lions (1)

Midlands 2 East: Loughborough Students (1)

Midlands 2 West (South): Bedwoth (1)

South West 1: Maidenhead and Clifton (2)

South West 2 West: Camborne (1)

Scotland: Watsonians, Heriots, Hawick, Melrose, Boroughmuir, Stewarts-Melville, Jed-Forest, Gala, Kelso and West of Scotland (10)

USA: Raleigh, Baltimore/Chesapeake, Cape Fear, NOVA, Doylsetown, Lancaster and Richmond (7)


-Richard

Finished reading "A Case of Need" by Michael Crichton written under the pen name of Jeffery Hudson.

-Richard

Finished reading The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

-Richard

Score Update:

International Rugby Union: Italy 16 England 31 Six Nations Championship
International Football: USA 3 Japan 2 Friendly

Rugby Union: West Hartlepool 7 Darlington 16 Durham Senior Cup
West Hartlepool 48 Stockton 8 League North 2 East

Football: Hartlepool United 1 Chesterfield 0 League 1. Pools move up to 17th

Ice Hockey: Boston Bruins 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4
Tanpa Bay Lightening 5 Carolina Hurricanes 3
Carolina Hurricanes 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 4 The Canes lead falls to 14 points in the South East Division

Basketball: New York Knicks 89 Houston Rockets 93
Philadelphia 76'ers 81 Houston Rockets 89
Houston Rockets 78 Los Angeles Lakers 89. Rockets are now 20 games behind San Antonio in the South West Division.

-Richard

Finished reading "Great Soviet Short Stories". Not one of my favourite reads. This was not because of the style. Far from it. Russian literature takes me back to my "roots". I became a reading addict whilst getting hooked on Tolstoty, Turgenev, Solzynitsyn etc.. This coupled with my fascination of Russion history and music. Discovering Stravinsky turned my music world upside down with the departure from the Classical era and started my love with "modern" classical music. Infact as I am writing I am watching a documentary on John Adams (the great American modern composer, not the former President). The reason it wasn't one of my favourite reads is because I am not a fan of short stories. When I read I like something I can get into, not, something that I just get started into and then it's finished. Over!

-Richard

Football, soccer has been awful the last few months. Last year was a ride of emotion. The Quakes storming to the supporters Shield has the best regular Season in MLS. Hartlepool getting to the play-off final being less than 10 minutes from glory. England and the US win their World Cup qualifying groups. All was good.

Then. Along come the MLS play-offs. The Quakes forgot their brilliant Season to be dumped out in the first round by the evil Empire. Then the team is taken away, moved, to Houston as Houston 1836. Hartlepool start to freefall down the Division where relegation almost seems an inevitibility. The manager is suspended. All is bad.

My passion for the sport has difinately dwindled. More by the MLS's stupidity taking the Quakes away. I've only watched a handful of games since then. However, if the announcement that we're getting a professional team here in Cary, stating in the USL Division 1 (the second tier of US football) starting next ywar as re-kindled my passion. They will not replace the Quakes. That pain will stay until they return, but, it gives me a team to get behind and live by.

-Richard

Today is one of my favourite days in the sporting calendar. The start of the Rugby six nations championships. Unfortunatly I now cannot watch the games live, but, due to the wonders of the internet I can listen to it on the web. I cannot express the emotion of hearing the Twickenham crowd in unison singing "Swing Low". I don't think any atmosphere can beat the pure singing of the rugby crowd.

In the end it was a superb result with England destroying Wales 47-13

-Richard

Score Update:

Rugby Union: England 47 Wales 13 First game of the 2006 Six Nations Tournament

Beverley 24 West Hartlepool 14 League Game, North 2 East. West fall to 7th
Hartlepool United 0 Blackpool 3 League 1
Rotherham United 0 Hartlepool United 0 League 1, Pools fall to 22nd

Bradford Bulls 30 Wests Tigers 10. Bradford win the World Club Challenge Championship
Florida Panthers 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4
Atlanta Thrashers 1 Carolina Hurricanes 5
Carolina Hurricanes 4 Atlanta Thrashers 1
Montreal Canadiens 2 Carolina Hurricanes 8
New Jersey Devils 3 Carolins Hurricanes 0 The Canes are now 18 points clear of Tampa Bay in the Division
Houston Rockets 102 Charlotte Bobcats 78
Houston Rockets 92 Minnesota Timberwolves 96
Houston Rockets 95 Miami Heat 101
Memphis Grizzlies 86 Houston Rockets 77
Houston Rockets 86 Milwaukee Bucks 84
Houston Rockets 100 Seattle Supersonics 77 The Rockets are now 19 1/2 games behind San Antonio

-Richard

Finished reading "Neither Here nor There" Bill Bryson's tale about travelling around Europe.

-Richard

Finished reading "The Reason Why". This is the story about Lord Lucan and the Earl of Cardigan and their roles in the disasterous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. One of the results of the incompetance was the end of the priviledge system in obtaining commissions in the British Army. The book was written by Cecil Woodham Smith.

-Richard

Score update:

US National Team 0 Canada 0 Friendly

West Hartlepool 21 Durham City 5 League North 2 East. West move to 6th place.
Swansea City 1 Hartlepool United 1 League 1. Pools stay in 19th position.

Hudersfield Giants 10 Bradford Bulls 28 Friendly
Carolina Hurricanes 4 St. Louis Blues 2
Philadelphia Flyers 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4
Carolina Hurricanes 4 New York Islanders 3
Washington Capitals 5 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina Hurricanes 7 Montreal Canadiens 3 Canes are now 17 points clear of Atlanta Thrashers.
Houston Rockets 80 New Orleans Hornets 86
Atlanta Hawks 94 Houston Rockets 83
Houston Rockets 76 Dallas Mavericks 103
Chicago Bulls 108 Houston Rockets 109
Detroit Pistons 99 Houston Rockets 97
Milwaukee Bucks 80 Houston Rockets 97 Rockets now 16 games behind San Antonio

-Richard

Finished reading "Echoes of Mercy" by Nanct Alcorn. It is the story of mercy ministries, an Christian Organisation to help abused and pregnent teens. A must read for those against abortion as it shows someone who gives a solution without condemnation.

-Richard

Finished reading "Adams and American Dynasty" by Francis Russell
the story of the first four generations of the John Adams family.

-Richard

Score update:

West Hartlepool 28 Horden 3 - Friendly
Morpeth 23 West Hartlepool 13 - League 2 North East. West fall to 7th place
Hartlepool United 1 Swindon Town 1 - League 1
Yeovil Town 2 Hartlepool United 0 - League 1
Hartlepool United 0 - Tranmere Rovers 0 - League 1. Hartlepool slump to 19th place in League 1
New York Giants 0 Carolina Panthers 23 - Wild Card play-off. Giants eliminated

Carolina Hurricanes 4 Atlanta Thrashers 3
Carolina Hurricanes 4 New York Islanders 1
New York Islanders 0 Carolina Hurricanes 3
Carolina Hurricanes 3 Detroit Red Winds 2
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Nashville Predators 4 Hurricanes increase their lead to 12 points in the South East Division, now over Atlanta
Wahington Wizards 111 Houston Rockets 123
Cleveland Cavaliers 81 Houston Rockets 90
Toronto Rapters 112 Houston Rockets 92
Houston Rockets 90 Denver Nuggets 92
Charlotte Bobcats 111 Houston Rockets 106
Houston Rockets 80 Sacramento King 88 The Rocets are still in last place in the South West Division now trailing division leader, San Antonio by 14 games.

-Richard

Finished reading "The Shipping News" the Pultizer Prize winning novel by E. Annie Proulx.

-Richard

Weekly Score Update:

Barnsley 1 Hartlepool United 1 - League 1
Hartlepool United 1 Southend United 2 - League 1
Oldham Athletic 2 Hartlepool United 1 - Leage 1. Hartlepool drop to 16th in the League.
Oakland Raiders 21 New York Giants 30 Giants win NFC East Championship

Tampa Bay Lightening 5 Carolina Hurricanes 4 (OT)
Ottawa Senators 6 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina Hurricanes 3 Philadelphia Flyers 4 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Montreal Canadiens 3 - Hurricanes lead South-East Division by 11 Points.
Houston Rockets 74 Utah Jazz 82
New Orleans Hornets 92 Houston Rockets 90
Houston Rockets 89 Goldn State Warriers 94 - Rockets still last in South West Division trailing San Antonio by 12 1/2 games

-Richard

A New Year. A time to reflect and move forward or a time to reflect and keep the Status Quo? I would hope to think that I will be able to move forward to grow in all aspects of my life.

2005 was in many ways a year of a "holding pattern". No great moves or upheavels. It was a busy year. In the key aspects there were good and bad times, but, at the end of the day I am blessed to have a wonderful wife, a wonderful family and a Faith that sustains through all things.

Work was busy. After the uncertainties of the previous year I finish 2005 to still have a job, in fact a job that has expanded slightly by gaining one person working for me. There was a bit of travel, which lead to 4 nights away from Jenn for the first time since we've been married. One was in Boston and three were in the Bay Area of California. However, I was fortunte that she could go with me for the two longest trips. One again to California and a two week trip to Chicago. For 2006 my goal is simple to do the best I can in all tasks that I am given, but, to also really invetigate where I want to be at the end of this year.

Our volunteer work for Snowflake Animal Rescue has increased. I am now on the board of Directors which is a new and interesting experience. We adopted out a lot of the cats that we are fostering. We also went through losing Baby Boy a Foster cat that Jenn invested a lot of time and love into. He affected her profoundly him dieing. However, that is what fostering is about giving yourself to all the animals no matter how much a tenure they have in your home.

Spiritually we have settled into a Church and small group. However, one thing we havn't done such a job of is going to Church. Due to commitments for Snowflake once every other Sunday we can't go, but, we need to go more on the other Sunday,

Our family has the same number, although we lost our hampster Gimlie , but, adopted Clara a little black cat.

The sporting front was a story of close shaves. Hartlepool United minutes from winning the play-off final, The Astros getting to the World Series but falling short, The Quakes winning the regular Season, failing in the play-offs then getting moved. The year finished off with the Giants winning their Division with 20 minutes to go in the old year. Time to get over the hump or another dissapointment.

One thing I do want to do is to listen to more music, write more and use my creative "juices" more.

In closing I would like to wish everyone a peaceful, happy and prosperous New Year.

-Richard

Finished reading Charity the last book in Len Deighton's trilogy and the last book in the 10 book series about British Spy Bernard Samson.

This means I finished a total of 56 books in 2005.

-Richard

Finished reading Hope, the second book in Len Deighton's trilogy. - Richard

Finished reading Faith by Len Deighton

-Richard

Weekly Score Update:

Hartlepool Rovers 3 West Hartlepool 29 - Traditional Boxing day Friendly
Barnsley 1 Hartlepool United 1 - League 1. Hartlepool 13th in League
Washington Redskins 35 New York Giants 20 - Despite the loss Giants qualify for the play-offs with a Minnesota loss to Baltimore.

Carolina Hurricanes 6 Tampa Bay Lightening 4
Carolina Hurricanes 4 Florida Panthers 3 - Hurricanes Lead the South East Divsion by 9 points
Houston Rockets 81 Toronta Rapters 95
Denver Nuggets 108 Houston Rockets 86 - Rockets are last place in South West Divsion trailing the leading San Antonio Spurs by 9 1/2 games.

-Richard

As, that will become very obvious, I am big sports fan I figured it is time to list the teams that I ma fan of and those that I follow. There is a difference between the two as a true fan lifes for the victory and dies for the defeat, whilst a follower is intersted in the outcome, but, does not have the emotion invested.

Teams I Support

Of course it goes to say all the England National Teams and the US soccer team (unles playing against England)

Rugby Union: West Hartlepool

Football: Hartlepool United
San Jose Eathquakes

Cricket: Durham County

American Football: New York Giants

Teams I Follow

Rugby Union: Raleigh Rugby Club

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls

Baseball: Houston Astros

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes

Basketball: Houston Rockets

On every Sunday or Monday I will do a score update...

-Richard

Twenty-Six years ago today I went with my Dad to my first ever Rugby game starting a love affair and obssesion with that sport. The game? The annual Boxing Day Derby between West Hartlepool and Hartlepool Rover. A rivalry embittered not just by close proximity of the teams, but the history of two towns, West Hartlepool the new Industrial Upstart founded in the 1850's and the Old fishing town Hartlepool been around since Saxon times. In 1966 these towns were merged to form one. The towns still exist and that is fought out on the Rugby field now over 200 times.

Although I was a sports fan at a very early age. I remeber watching FC Cup finals and Olympics from 1975/76 when I was 6 and 7 it was my love of West Hartlepool Rugby Club that first taught me what being a true fan was. How many cold winter days did I stand at Brierton lane watching the team play. The highs and lows of National Cup games, winning the Northern Merit table getting promoted all the way to the Premier league before it all was destroyed by professionilsm and greed with an owner selling out and disbanding the team.

Fortunatly, the grass roots game together saved the team and now they survive, albeit at much lover level in League North Two East surpassed by many of the teams I used to watch us play and beat. In the States I do not have a chance to see them play live, but, wait impatiently by the computer for the results of the games to be posted and still have the same exhiliration with a win or despair with a defeat.

That first game 26 years ago was a wn by West with a hattrick of tries by Keith Garnett. Today as I read the message boards I am delighted to post that West win again 29-3 on Rovers home turf. Life, for a few moments at least, has no worries!!

-Richard

Reading.

This is one my greatest pleasures. I guess it could be said that I am a readaholic. There is not often that I can be found with out a book. I am also very anal about it. In that I mean that I mean I will always finish one book before I start the next and I will to be found with two books open at the same time.

Over the last year I have read over 50 books. They vary from History, to Biography, to varied non-fiction, to fiction, to Spy Thrillers etc.. For example the last book I read was the play Androcles and the Lion written by George Bernard Shaw and I am currently reading the first part of a Spy Trilogy, Faith, By Len Deighton. I will post the book and any thoughts I may have it on whenever I complete one during 2006.

-Richard

The draw for the football World Cup is complete. After sometime of thinking about it here are my thoughts 6 months from the event taking place. I will try and update this just before the event after I have seen the teams form at that point. My initial feeling is that Europe will be micu stronger and a European Team will win now it is back on their turf.

Group A: Germany, Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.
This draw is kind to the hosts. I see them cruising through along with Poland who looked good in qualifying. Predication:- Germany, Poland, Costa Rica, Ecuador

Group B: England, Paraquay, Trinidad and Tobego and Sweden.
England could not have a better chance to make a deep and possibly succesful run through the tournament. However, after 30 years of failure I find it difficult to believe. The key is winning the group as second means they will probably play Germany. I think that will be too much for the "Three Lions. Unfortuantely I think the hex that Swedwn has will bw maintained causing England to finish 2nd. Prediction:- Sweden, England, Paraquay, Trinidad and Tobago.

Group C: Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro and Holland
One of the more interesting groups. Argentina are not as strong as they have been, but, as usual have some fantastic players. Holland also have been playing really well. I think 2006 will finally be the year for the "Oranje". Ivory Coast are a strong African team that may cause the big two some fits, but, will not quite be good enough. Prediction:- Holland, Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montengro.

Group D: Mexico, Iran, Angola and Portugal
The most least inspiring group. I know very little about Iran and Angola. After Portugals debacle in 2002 they must have been delighted with this draw. They should be good enough to win this group. Mexico are good, but, in Europe their track record is not brilliant. Prediction: Portugal, Mexico, Iran, Angola

Group E: Italy, Ghana, USA and Czech Republic
The most intiguing group bringing three top 15 ranked teams plus a very good African team. I hate to say this, but, I think the US will fall short. I think the Czechs are one of the most exciting teams in the Competition and will go far and that Italy after struggling a little bit in qualifying and at the last World Cup are due to come good. Prediction: Czech Republic, Italy, USA, Ghana

Group F: Brazil, Croatia, Australia and Japan
Another intriguing group. This is were a think an upset will happen with Australia coming through in second place behind the reigning champions. Prediction: Brazil, Australia, Croatia, Japan

Group G: France, Switzerland, South Korea and Togo
An insipid group which should not cause France to repeat the catastrophy of 2002. The second place team could be any of the next three. I give to Switzerland as the competition is in one of their neighbouring countries. Prediction: France, Switzerland, South Korea, Togo

Group H: Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudia Arabia
On Paper not very inspiring, but, I think it could be interesting. Spain will win the group but struggle. I think the lone African team to progress will come from this group. A lot depends on the Tunisians gel at the African Nations cup. I can see Saudia Arabia making an upset in this group aswell. Prediction: Spain, Tunisa, Saudia Arabia, Ukraine

Second Round Predictions
Germany beat England I hope I am wrong!
Holland beat Mexico Holland have to much firepower and almost home crowd support for Mexico
Sweden beat Poland Sweden are too solid for Poland
Portugal beat Argentina Portugal have something to prove and Argentina are not quite as good as they usually are (at this moment)
Czech Republic beat Australia Czech's speed of attack to much for Schwarzer and his buddies.
France beat Tunisia I think this game has the potential of a big upset as the Tunisians could beat there former Colonial rulers
Italy beat Brazil A bg upset as the Azuri gain revenge for the 94 final
Spain beat Switzerland. Probably the miss-match of the second round

Quarter-Final Predictions
Holland beat Germany A bitter match, a nightmare for security, but, Holland take home field advantage from the Germans.
Czech Republic beat France France do not have enough left after a scare against Tunisia
Sweden beat Portugal This is not a good match-up for Portugal's style of play
Italy beat Spain After beating Brazil Italy now believes as once again Spain fall short

Semi-Final Predictions
Holland beat Czech Republic In a repeat of qualyfying Holland once again best the free flowing Czechs.
Italy beat Sweden Sweden over achieve, but, this is the end of the line

Final Prediction
Holland beat Italy. Holland finally exise the ghosts of past near failures and finally take home the price beating Italy in a close and classic match.


I will do this again just before the world cup and afterwards compare how wrong I was. I do not have a very good track record of predicting so I apoligise in advance to the Dutch

It looks as if today is the last day for the San Jose Earthquakes Soccer Team. Below is my initial post I made on the Big Soccer forum. I believe that mircales can happen and I am never one to give up, but, in this case it is over. Where this leaves me in my support of Soccer in this country it is still to early to tell. It needs time for the emotion and anger to be lessened.

On a cold, damp. icy day....

I am grateful for the Quakes. For giving me a passion in a "foreign" country which even got stronger has work moved me East. I am grateful to the Quakes for giving me a sport and passion to share with my wife. I still don't know how to wake her up and tell her:( I am grateful got SSV and the tireless effort that they put into this task. They are the true leaders of Soccer in this country, they give us one fantastic last Season where we were the best in the Country. I am grateful for every one of you that I've come to know on these and other boards. I could never post as much as I would like, but, we need to keep this fraternity together. I am grateful that I got to enjoy three Soccer championships, something that in all my 30 plus years as a soccer fan I never enjoyed with any other team (England and Hartlepool). I am grateful that I will be able to wear my 2001 San Jose Earthquake shirt with pride tomorrow. NO ONE can take that away from me. NO ONE can take that away from us.

I am angry and upset at MLS. There blindness staggers me. What this team has given the sport in terms of quality, excitement, atmosphere, classic games is beyond compare. I find them the most culpable. They are weak in there support of our team, they are weak in their ability not to be controlled by short term ideas rather than the future. I am stunned that this could happen. In a way I wish the team was folded so that no other city can take credit for the ability of our team. When the league realises that the Chivas vs Galaxscum Derby is not all its cracked up to be and thet the manufactured Houston vs Dallas derby is not all its cracked up to be and they ask themselves where is the rivalry game that has the passion that sport has the rest of the world I would love to be in Garbers office and say "look what you've done, you weak, ineffectual human being!"

Where does that leave me in supporting the sport in this Country. As Englisman I have embraced the league here and the National Team. As I write here no more. My heart and soul is ripped out. Perhaps in time I will be able to follow the league and I certainly want every one of the players who've worn our blue and died there on the field of battle well, and as dfb547490 said, it will be those guys that I will follow. I was thinking about buying a new 2005 jersey, but, no I am not as I am not giving another penny back to those bastards.

I believe we can rise like the Phoenix. I believe the Earthquakes will be great again in the Bay Area. Until then Au revoir.

-Richard

Boycott Target....

For the second straight year Target had banned The Salvation Army collecting outside their stores this Christmas. Target, the store that markets how much they give back to the community does not allow the Organisation that gives more of the dollar collected to actual work to collect outside their stores. Why? Target is supported by gay groups who are against the Army because of their religious beliefs. Isn't this taking it to far? Target, just to maintain their so-called agenda will allow millions of needy people suffer! It is especially incredulous this year after the coffers of the Army and many other charitable organisations are empty due to the Hurricanes. What would be the reaction of these people if the Army stopped helping those with Aids bought on because of their sexuality? A needy person no matter of what their religious, social, politcal, nationality, sexual oriantation will never be turned away from beeing offered help by The Army. This is another example how special interest groups will allow others to suffer just to get their point, which is generally a minority, across.

There are many with different opinions and beliefs in the world some are totally incompatible with each other. However, if this gets in the way of helping ANYONE who is needy it has gone to far. Its time to show Target that we will not tolerate this selfish and inhuman attitude.

Its been a year since I started doing this. The year is noticible buy lack of posts. I guess the question I am asking is "where has that year gone?". I can't believe its nearly Christmas again. Incredible!!!