RUGBY WAS THE WINNER

I had the privilege of travelling to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff yesterday to watch the Australia v Fiji game with very good friends. A marvellous pre-match lunch and bottle of Nuit St George in Le Monde was only spoilt by having to watch the Scotland v Japan game courtesy of a giant screen 10 feet away. I have to say the Japanese (like all the minor teams) looked very well coached, very fit and very motivated. At half time, with the score at 12-10, I was sweating like a gypsy with a mortgage, but all credit to the Scots who were ruthlessly professional in the second half running in five tries to lead the group.

The Australia v Fiji game was another tight affair in the first half, with Fiji, once again competing up front, and at the breakdown, despite the efforts of "Pooper" (Pocock & Hooper) who were superb. In the second half, everyone assumed the floodgates would open and Oz would win by 50 points, as fatigue set in, but Fiji's intensity and workload shifted up a gear, and they dominated possession, but lacked accuracy in the opposition 22. All credit to them, like against England, they had a real go, and played without fear, and they will run Wales close, mark my words.

Last but not least, I have to say that Cardiff did not let us down regards post match festivities. With the queue for the train starting almost at the stadium exit, we headed into a nearby hostelry and engaged a group of charming young medics from London at the bar - only at rugby matches can opposing fans, young and old, talk rubbish over a beer, and leave best of friends. Monty asked me to give Hastings & Bexhill RFC a plug, so I have, but will counter it by saying Cranbrook RFC is better.

The best fly half Hastings & Bexhill RFC has ever had...

The rugby bonhomie continued onto the train back home, where Mrs B and I met quite possibly the two nicest Australian Kates ever - good meeting you ladies, you are welcome to Marlow anytime and hope that free lunch invite to the Fat Duck in Bray still stands. What a day, some team won, some team lost but rugby definitely was the winner!

Kate and Kate from Melbourne