In celebration of today being Boxing Day, two magnificent examples of womanhood demonstrate their pugilistic skills:
Mrs. Edwards & Frl. Kussin
… and one for the ladies:
C.Y. Smith
Photos courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress Flickr stream.
Hebden Bridge Times: Second chance to shine at Olympics for Frank
A former weightlifter is set to put the Calder Valley on the Olympic map for a second time.
Frank Rothwell, who lives in Hebden Bridge, has been given a conditional offer to carry the Olympic Torch as it winds its way through Britain next year.
Frank, a former champion weightlifter who represented Ireland at the Munich Olympics in 1972, said he didn’t know in which part of the country he would be carrying the famous flame, but hoped it would be in Halifax on Sunday, June 24.
The gentleman in question is Jen‘s Uncle Frankie. Which gives me the perfect excuse for showing you my all-time favourite sporting photograph. Here is Frank training for the Olympics in his kitchen in the early 1970s:
World Cup final, playing the defending champions on their home turf, last minute of extra time: we all knew my mate Clive‘s game plan. So simple, even a soccer player could understand it. Simple, yet totally reliable:
(Off his wrong foot, as well.)
Jonny Wilkinson has decided to retire from test rugby. A great ambassador for the game, and for his country. Even the Aussie’s won’t hear a word said against him, apparently.
Oh, go on, then, just one more time:
BBC Sport: Stoke 1-1 Dynamo Kiev
Kenwyne Jones’ towering late header ensured Stoke progressed to the knockout phase of the Europa League.
I’m not sure that I like the idea of Dynamo Kiev. I tried Chicken Kiev once, and it was OK, but dynamo… Really?
I wonder if all Russian soccer clubs name their teams after exotic engine-component recipes. I have to say, Sump Pavlova sounds rather nice, but I’m not at all sure about Carburettor Rarebit.
Those Russians are crazy. I mean, which other country on earth would name an entire town Ardon? I kid you not.
Postscript: Oh, apparently Switzerland would. And France (twice). And Spain. Who says the Europeans can never agree on anything?
BBC: London 2012: ‘More to beach volleyball than bikinis’
Great Britain beach volleyball player Lucy Boulton has insisted there is a lot more to the sport than just scantily-clad women in bikinis.
Yes, I definitely seem to remember there is also a ball involved. And I think there might also be some sort of goal, or net.
Hebden Bridge Times:
Class told despite improved performance
JACKS scored the first goal but Jammies ran away with 21 – 8 in the latest matches in the Todmorden Netball League.
But it was still a much improved performance from Jacks, although Jammies went into the second half leading 7-3.
Jacks are unreconisable from the team struggling for form over the last few weeks with fluid enthusiastic play.
Jammies class told in the end but Jacks made them work for every goal.
Terriers pipped Giants 15 – 12. Giants had some good defensive play but Terriers kept their cool and edged it in the last few minutes.
Both teams defended and shot well with the game going from end to end.
Bad passing let Lions down as Borough Bears beat them 19 – 12.
Bears were back to their starting seven and their passing was a lot tighter around the semi circle.
Lions came back in the second half but Bears were too strong. Pink Panthers went down 20 – 10 to Rangers in a fast paced match.
Windies had no game.
No, me neither.
If I were rower Matthew Pinsent,
I’d have a son and name him Vincent.