EDitorial ± 25-Feb-2014

TT1314, Week 19

Into the final four games of the season and, with Manor and Rosary sailing away in first and second, it's N and T for third spot. All remaining games for us, though, are against teams in the lower half. Which should mean points-a-plenty. Doesn't always work out that way.

Up to the thunderhut tonight are those Pickwicks from Baylham, a bunch of nice chaps we've known for years. Out at their place, we nabbed a decent 7-3 win, though they were missing their most consistent player. He's here tonight is tricky Alan together with brother Ivan and lefty ex-Lloyds Mike. In brief:

  • pleasing 3/3 for Ed, yay!, recovering from two cracked balls (ouch) and losing opening ends to both Alan and Mike
  • pleasing 3/3 for Yang, yay!, winning all three games in straight ends, the show-off
  • excellent 3/3 for Steve, yay!, coming back from 2-0 down to Mike and 2-1 down to Alan to win both five-enders

Over to Ed and Yang to put the cherry on the icing on the cake by winning that crucial tenth point. Did their best to get Steve worried by losing an end but came through, making it a whitewashing 10-0 victory. That'll do us a power of good in our push for promotion. Go us!

EDitorial ± 23-Feb-2014

130Story: Play / Free / Crave / Work / Bowl

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Play

Free

Crave

Work

Bowl

More to follow.

EDitorial ± 19-Feb-2014

TT1314, Week 18

Dick Jeeps. There, I've said it. DJ was the fella who opened tonight's venue way, way back in the 1980s, when it was acceptable to do that kind of thing. Ex-rugger player, I believe, who moved up in the world to become chairman of the Sports Council. Now we've all learned something.

In theory, one of Defiants' last tough games tonight against a serious competitor for that (our?) third promotion place. Up to DJ's hockey club on Tuddenham Road, Yang and Andy arriving a good half-hour before misplaced-bat Ed, to face Ipswich Sports Club. Nabbed a good 7-3 in the first half. Slight change of personnel for them with father Terry son Rob and ex-Pickwicks George making up the numbers. In brief:

  • disappointing 1/3 for Andy, not in the races against Terry, much better against Rob and finally beating George in straight ends
  • good 2/3 for Yang, losing a really tight five-ender to Rob but winning another five-ender over Terry
  • excellent 3/3 for Ed, yay!, somehow winning all games in straight ends, perhaps thanks to the power of that dental anaesthetic from this afternoon

No Kev so highest scorers (Yang and Ed) proceed to the doubles on the bright blue Cornilleau. Another game going to the wire, sadly the wrong way, Defiants losing 11-9 in the 5th to finish 6-4 winners. That'll do. Plus a very happy birthday to dad Terry, and cheers to Rob for supplying the (Waitrose) half-time cream cakes. Nice.

EDitorial ± 16-Feb-2014

130Story: Hearty / Moon / Will / Base / Brag

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Hearty

Moon

Will

Base

Brag

More to follow.

EDitorial ± 12-Feb-2014

Ipswich Lunches: Neptunes Fish & Chips

There's gold in them thar hills! I believe that the area of Ipswich known as California took its name from the great rush for the shiny stuff sometime in the 19th century. A landmark up that end of town is The California Club, home to some cool jazz on a regular basis. Nice.

Not terribly close to there -- actually on Spring Road -- is the California Grill. On the list for ages, we're about to finally tick it off only to find it closed at lunchtimes. Darn and drat. Into the dreaded one-way system, left past UCS, right past the Travelodge and there's a sweet spot outside Tesco. We can do better than that, for next door is a chippy with seats (minimum requirement for LL inclusion). I'd like to say that, like the heavenly body, I discovered Neptunes by mathematical prediction. In reality, I've seen it many times while driving past. Silver letters say this is named after the eighth planet. Sign in the window begs to differ and points out that it's "under new management" as Mariani's. That's one notch higher in the alphabet.

Other folk are eating in, a good sign, and there's the EADT and, er, The Sun. Although a tad chilly in there, guy behind the counter gives us a warm welcome. Meal deal, please: chicken burger (with a choice of sauces) plus chips plus a cherry Coke (go easy on the fizz or you too will turn into a gas giant). Just the job on a windswept day -- champion chips -- and, since we're seated at tables, served on a proper plate. Classy touch. Oh, and 20p for a sachet of proper Heinz ketchup.

Traffic is queueing outside heading into town due to roadworks and the scheduled closure of the Orwell Bridge at 2pm: Mr Grid, meet Mr Lock. We're suggesting to Friar Tuck that he could make a killing by selling hot potato-based snacks to the motorists parked outside. He counters with talk of a bloke who used to sell papers and coffee to drivers stuck on Bishops Hill. Unlikely enough to be true.

Topped off with a hot Ritazza and sneaky Malteaster back at the hub, that was a good outing. If you're flying past in Voyager 2, 3 or 4, give it a probe.

If it was a car -- Trident Clipper.
If they were passing by -- Marianna Palka.

EDitorial ± 11-Feb-2014

TT1314, Week 17

Rain. So much rain. Hugely fortunate that the Princely sport... Hold up. That sneaky little upper case "P" alludes to The Purple One, the artist formerly known as etc. Who, it was revealed this week, is a big fan of the bat and the ball, much like your man Damon Albarn. Where were we? Ah, yes, that this is (largely) an indoor game. Tonight we voted to keep the retractable roof in place. Insert witty Prince track reference here if you can think of one.

Big guns out tonight -- Ed and Yang -- plus Kev, who's been benched for the last couple of matches. Sailing up the Martlesham estuary this evening are those Wrens. Still just the triad of hollowbat Ed(gar), beardy Mike and thwackit Anton. In brief:

  • disappointing 1/3 for Kev, doing well to get pask Mike but going down 3-2 to Anton after being 2-0 up (weird incident in final end when Anton queried score mid-serve then tried to claim point)
  • pleasing 3/3 for Yang, yay!, esp. beating Anton in straight ends
  • pleasing 3/3 for Ed, yay!, not losing an end to Mike or Edgar but then recovering from 2-1 down to edge out Anton

Given Kev's puppydog eyes, Yang had little choice but to step aside and let Kev and Ed do the doubles. Looked like it was slipping away before the boys fetched their shovels and dug in, triumphing in the final end. Jolly decent 8-2 victory for team Defiants. Hoorah!

EDitorial ± 9-Feb-2014

130Story: Tool / Wild / Beat / Ray / Lift

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Tool

Wild

Beat

Ray

Lift

More to follow.

EDitorial ± 6-Feb-2014

Ipswich Lunches: Blackfriars

In the very large town that is modern day Gippeswic, the shortlist of eateries still to visit seems to always hover around the half-dozen mark. New 'uns spring up -- eg The Mermaid, car park heaving on a grotty Thursday lunchtime -- dead 'uns threaten to reappear -- eg K's Coffee Lounge, signs of life visible today -- while others, like Prince, decide to change their names.

Such is the case with Ladies That Lunch: takes more than that to stop us manly chaps taking our luncheon there. LTL is dead. Long live Blackfriars, pictured advertising a "psychic supper". Lucky us nabbed a one hour parking spot outside and went in to be confronted by the sound of two ladies knitting. Bring us cake and wine!

Cutting this short, much is as it was, even from the viewpoint of the other window table by the radiator. Still with the basic options of panini, jacket and sandwich served with coleslaw and crisps on white oblong plates. Still with the white square china tea cups. Still resembling your aunt's living room.

Also, still with the view of Dedham Place: does that really says Growlers Passage underneath? Still with quality homemade cakes. And still with a good cup of coffee to finish.

If it was a car -- Black Maria.
If they were passing by -- Jane Horrocks.

EDitorial ± 5-Feb-2014

TT1314, Week 16

Freaky old weather today. Thunder at 7:15am, hailstorm at 7:20am, bright sunshine at 7:30am. Bits of Dawlish falling into the sea, which made for a change from those shots of Aberystwyth prom being washed away. Oh, and that Margaret Atwood was up the A140 in Norwich. So, all happening then.

Meanwhile, in ping-pong land, another challenging match for the Defiants. Very respectable draw last week against promotion-hunting (i.e. above us) Rosary Yellow. Tonight takes us downtown against promotion-hunting (i.e. also above us) Manor Club. Full turn-out for la famille Williams comprising the boy Martin, the dad Winsley and quiet uncle Michael. Not going to be easy, what with Yang unavailable. In brief:

  • frustrating 0/3 for Steve, winning one good end against Michael and failing to grab various game points against Wensley
  • frustrating 0/3 for Andy, losing a five-ender to Martin
  • good 2/3 for Ed, beating both Martin and Michael then somehow contriving to lose against Wensley despite being 10-8 up in the fifth end (hint: hit the ball when serving)

Worst this season to be 2-7 down after the singles. Steve stepped aside in favour of the veterans Ed and Andy who put in a vintage performance to at least grab that additional point. Not our night but entirely our fault.

EDitorial ± 2-Feb-2014

130Story: Rain / Appeal / Glare / Dark / New

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Rain

Appeal

Glare

Dark

New

More to follow.