End Of Season Sports Report: Racing Ahead



Saturday 20th April 2013.

My two football teams, Cheltenham  Town, ( The Robins ) and Newcastle United, are showing contrasting form as the end of the season approaches.

As I write  the Robins are playing Exeter away and after 27 minutes are leading 1- 0.


                                         St. James's Park Exeter. ( actual pic. from Twitter)


They have taken seven coach loads of supporters to the game. The club has paid for the transport- a great gesture.


Cheltenham are guaranteed at least a place in the play-offs. They are currently in 4th place in the League Two table with 74pts.

They have two games to complete the season, including the game now being played. They finish next week at home to Bradford City .

The situation is quite tense as they are level on points with third place Rotherham ( who have a better goal difference ). The top three places are granted automatic promotion; so all to play for.

Cheltenham have proved this season that they are more than capable of holding their own in this division.
Last year they reached the play-off final at Wembley, narrowly  losing to Crewe.
 Here's wishing you luck boys.


 Stop Press  Cheltenham WIN 1-0. If they win next week and Rotherham lose, they will claim automatic promotion. We shall see !

Newcastle, on the other hand having valiantly lost to Benfica in the quarter finals of the Europa Cup,  put up a dire performance against old rivals Sunderland. They lost at home by three goals to nil.

The scoreline, the greatest victory for Sunderland on Tyneside for 34 years; ensures its place in history.

So Newcastle must pull themselves together and quickly. They have just drawn today, 1-1 away to West Brom and have four  matches to play. They need a further three points to avoid the threat of relegation.
More importantly they are level on 37 points  with Sunderland. They must finish above them to remain the top club in the North East. Howay The Lads !


FffffffffFffffffFfffffF

Last Thursday (18/4 )  I went with my friend D. to the Cheltenham Race-Course.
 D. having won two tickets for the races kindly offered one to me.

I must say the course was in great shape; it really is an impressive arena to watch racing.
The grandstands afford great views over the course, and allow one to watch; especially with field glasses; all  the action of the race.

Before the race the parade ring allows a good close-up of the horses.






And naturally after  each  race you can watch the presentation of the prizes and applaud the exploits of the winners.



 In the picture above, you can  see local jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, in the green silks, discussing his win on " Tara Rose."

The weather at the course was a little annoying with frequent showers, coupled at times with a cruel wind. We were glad to have the shelter of the grandstand.








It was great to walk down to the rail and watch the horses canter back after their race.






One thing I have always appreciated about Cheltenham, is their continual drive to improve the facilities and the race-course experience.

They currently have ambitious plans for a new stand,  to replace  the Queen Mother's, built in '55 and from it to extend a walkway  to overlook the paddock area.

It was the dream of a previous  general manager to allow the public to watch all areas of the course, whilst  keeping dry, if inclement weather intrudes.
This dream is steadily becoming reality.
See the new plans here:

Chelt. Plans.


FffffffffffFfffffffffF


As my friend K. eloquently said on FB " here's a strange glowing, yellow thing in the sky. moving slowly westward and the sky is an odd, blue colour. Anyone know what's going on? I'm frightened! "
Yes folks, spring may almost have sprung.

Have a cheerful week.

Cheerio,
Ck.

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please feel free to comment and point out faults.
glad to have you aboard .

Curlykale.

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