Rugby League World Cup

It started badly when we gathered down at the clubhouse in time to hear the words "The electricians were fixing the lights yesterday." This, it seems, was the explanation of why there was no power to the sockets and whey the new club TV, kindly provided by a sponsor, was not working.

Plan B involved splitting up to visit people with Sky TV, and this proved to be a good plan. New Zealand were losing by the time we got to a TV, which was the pattern for the rest of the first half. Australia played some lovely flowing rugby, New Zealand pottered about going through the motions and sticking in the game only by determination. However, as the second half got into its swing they showed that you don't need to play flashy rugby and that putting the opposition under pressure can be just as effective as they pressurised Australia into making mistakes and pounced on the chances.

Steve Ganson, acting as TMO, awarded a penalty try, variously called brave and controversial (though most commentators seemed to accept is as fair) and cemented his place as the least popular match official in two hemispheres.

Match report.

Did I mention it was 34-20. An entertaining game, a beating for Australia and a great way to spend a morning.