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I’m sure most people are aware that our Parkes Boars First Grade rugby union side is enduring a very tough run this season.
After their successes over the past few years, this season has been a very stark contrast.
I caught up with some of the players and administrators recently and discovered a common theme.
Despite not getting the results they may have expected at the start of the season, the majority of the Boars have a very strong and refreshing team spirit.
They were happy to chat and showed a lot of passion, not only for their sport but for their club also.
Unfortunately work commitments, representative duties and injuries have curtailed their season.
If they had their best 15 players on the pitch week in-week out, the Boars would be at the pointy end of the competition.
It is bush rugby though, and that doesn’t pay the bills.
Players will always have to put work before their sport when the two are exclusive.
After speaking to some of the administrators of the club, I was glad to hear they are formulating plans to put the Boars back in contention next year.
I hope it works out for the proud club.
A positive to take out of this season for the Boars is that despite the results, they continue to hold their heads up and show a lot of character.
Go the Boars!
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Since Rory McIlroy has dropped the “monkey off his back” (ex-fiance and former world No 1 tennis star Caroline Wozniacki), he has recaptured the form that briefly had him at the top of the rankings in 2012.
The weekend after the pair called off their wedding plans and split, McIlroy won the BMW PGA Championship.
On Monday morning (local time), Rory captured his third major when he won the British Open by two shots over Sergio Garcia and Ricky Fowler.
He shot 17 under, dominating the opening two days after having the best of the conditions.
Rory showed a lot of poise and determination to play solid golf in the final two rounds and win.
Adam Scott overcame an indifferent second round to be tied for fifth with fellow Aussie Marc Leishman after they both finished at 12 under.
The pair has a happy knack of being amongst the contenders in majors.
I hope it continues.
Five-time former Open winner Tom Watson shot a superb 68 in the final round.
Tom loves playing in the UK and the enormity of the 65 year old’s final round achievement is best examplified by comparing it to Tiger Woods’ 75 and McIlroy’s 71.
Admittedly Woods is coming back from a serious back injury and McIlroy was just playing solid golf to protect his lead.
I’ve only ever come close to shooting 68 once or twice.
I was only playing nine holes too!
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One of most bitter rivalries in English football is between neighbours Sunderland and Newcastle.
Sunderland fans put that aside recently to raise more than 21,000 pounds for two Newcastle supporters who were killed in the Malasian Airlines MH17 disaster.
The money is to be spent on a floral tribute to the two Magpie supporters with the large amount left over to go to Newcastle football related charities.
Too often we hear all about football hooliganism.
It is really great to see hooligans are a very small minority and most supporters are decent human beings like these Black Cat fans.