Saturday, 22 February 2025

Sportsmen.

 

It's '6 Nations Rugby' season again. We saw plenty of action last weekend, and will expect more today.

I have often wondered what makes people play 'contact' team sports.

My oldest, Kimbo, still regularly plays Cricket in the Summer. I used to play myself as a schoolboy, and loved the relaxed gentility of the game. People are rarely hurt playing Cricket. But that cannot be said for all sports!

After my school days I played Club Rugby which is a totally different kettle of fish to School Rugby. Quite why I played it, I'm not sure. I was working in The City at the time, and eventually my Co's partners suggested I stop. Seeing me limp into the office, bruised, every Monday morning was too much for them; and for me. However, I did manage to play against London Irish, London Welsh, and the thoroughly brutal Croydon RC; I still have a dodgy right knee to show for it.

I'm not sure why people play games where they know they'll end-up being hurt. It's rare to play a game of Rugby without being 'wounded' in some form or other. Even in Football, occasionally a player will have his ankle hurt, and he'll roll around in 'agony' for a while.

In Boxing the aim of the game is to 'demolish' your opponent, but it shouldn't be in most other sports. Ice Hocky is famously brutal, and there are other sports where injuries are common, but not caused by opponents. I did enjoy my School Rugby days, but not Club Rugby. Players were often simply out for a brawl (i.e. Croydon RC). They were THUGS.

18 comments:

  1. We’ll be watching it, as well as the football, as we do love sport.
    However, I do remember when my son came home from school, having played rugby…he was kicked to bits and covered in bruises! We weren’t happy about that!
    Boxing…I can’t stand as I don’t see the point of it!
    Enjoy the weekend! Sal ( Sal’s Snippets blog)😁

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    Replies
    1. The problem with Rugby is that some people are simply there for a punch-up. Otherwise it's a wonderful game.

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  2. Brutal stuff. I prefer knitting.

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    Replies
    1. Knit one, purl one, punch one, scratch one, kick one !

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  3. I watch the rugby but only for the thighs 😂

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    Replies
    1. I think a lot of women watch for reasons other than the game itself.

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  4. It's not my idea of having a fun time either.

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    Replies
    1. It's a great game, but it mustn't be taken too seriously. It's a game not a battle.

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  5. I also played rugby - up to the age of 18 anyway - representing my school and my county. I do not recall ever getting injured. If Croydon RUFC had played any team in Yorkshire, they'd have got battered and sent back down south with their tails between their legs.
    Prediction Number 2:-
    England 22 Scotland 12

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    Replies
    1. I too am hoping that the Calcutta Cup will return to Twickenham. re Croydon RFC; I wouldn't be too sure.

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    2. Wasn't their nickname "The Nancy Boys"?

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  6. I have never seen the appeal of contact sports.

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    Replies
    1. Men just like that sort of thing, it get's rid of their aggression.

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  7. All my brothers played rugby. I can't remember them having injuries. Maybe a bloody nose or 2. I played hockey and that could get brutal. Some teams were known were whacking ankles. Nice young ladies.
    Australian league always looks brutal but it's good entertainment. Don't know how bad the injuries really are

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    Replies
    1. That should be Aussie Rules, not league.

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    2. My two Aussie Grandsons are big 'Aussie Rules' fans. No doubt they support the Brisbane team!

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  8. Perhaps it is modern man's interpretation of "going out to "slay the mastodon" to prove to the others in the cave that he is strong enough to survive.

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