A sporty weekend

I had the weekend of the 27/28th bookmarked in my diary for at least a month. Not normally a busy weekend of sport, yet there we were. England were to take on Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations at Twickenham and Aston Villa would take on Manchester United at Wembley on the sunday in the Carling Cup final.

Interspersed between those sporting events was my weekly training ride on a sunday morning. The bike had been prepped the night before and so I was able to inch my way out the door for a quick get away at 7.30am. I perhaps should have checked the weather forecast, but as they rarely get it right I proceeded onwards. Earlier in the week they had predicted snow for cyring out loud, I mean snow, as if.

Lately, I have been very undecided in my cycling attire. Before the purchase of my 'summer' Altura cycling tights I was happy with my tracksuit trousers and football socks to stop them flapping around, but I decided to invest £15 and at least look the part. My dilemma comes with the number of layers I wear. Usually I wear at least 3 and if it's raining I'll wear my Hi-Viz coat. The only thing is, is that it is a coat, it's not a windproof jacket, it's designed to keep you warm, but it's pretty thick and so not really great for cycling.

So, as it wasn't raining, I got on the bike with just my 3 layers. I was meeting the boys at the top of the hill, ten minutes on the bike. As I got there, I was early for a change, the rain had started to come, lightly at first with a few odd sprinklings of sleet. When the boys arrived it was raining so we decided that we'd do a shorter route and keep it fairly local. Well, the rain didn't hold off and I got wet and cold. If I had the right gear I would have been fine, but no, cycling in the rain when it's particularly cold and windy is no fun. The last leg I missed out Cape Hill (purely by accident of course) as Ian and I chatted the whole way back to take our minds off it.

A quick shower and a cup of tea later and it was sunny as anything wasn't it. In fact I got home and the wife said "It's not raining is it?"

Last year I watched the Ireland v England game at Melanie's. I used to work with her and she's a very good friend. She's also from Northern Ireland (close to where they make Bushmills, so an excellent friend to have). This year we again met up to watch the game and basically scream at the telly.

Of course, I say England played. I'm amazed that 7 years after Jonny Wilkinson kicked a drop goal to win us the World Cup that we're still discussing him as the fulcrum of the England team. I have to say, I am qutie confused by how after playing so few games i nthose 6 to 7 years that England are still a team with no clues or ideas how to play other than giving the bal lto Jonny. On his day he was the best in the world. But he's had his day and the England team should be looking at other options. And by other options I mean other tactics and other styles of place, not just looking for a replacement Jonny Wilkinson.

I mean we had so much possesion against Ireland, but looked toothless. Looking back, I can't think of many opportunties we created. I hope that Martin Johnson can be given the time to work it out, but against France and Scotland we've now got to look at fresher options.

Of course that was followed by the dissapointment of Aston Villa losing the Carling Cup final 2-1 to Man Utd. I can't really complain at the scoreline, man for man we weren't good enough, I think Fergie got his tactics spot on, as did Martin O'Neill but I'm afraid players like Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey really needed to step up and show their quality, which I don't think they did.

But I don't sulk about these things, I hope Villa's season kicks on and they don't dwell on this as 4th place is still up for grabs as is a place in the FA Cup final.