Category Archives: sport

From Rugby Sevens to Rugby World Cup

Rugby
A few weeks ago Abingdon Rugby Union FC held their annual Sevens Tournament. I went along and took some pictures, but did not have time to post them here.
Rugby
Rugby Sevens is the equivalent of five a side soccer.
Rugby
The game is far more open and far more tries are scored.
Rugby
It was the 60th time the Rugby 7s tournament had been held by Abingdon RUFC. It is a pre-season event before the full teams take to the field.
Rugby
Now the Rugby World Cup has come to these shores and there are are 2 or 3 exciting games, with 15 players on each side, to watch every day at the Kings Head and Bell, and other local pubs.

Oh Why the Saints?

Oxford Saints kneel
I was passing by the American Football Game between the Oxford Saints and a visiting team on Sunday at Southern Town Park in Abingdon.

After a period of stop-go action, both teams went off for a talk from the team coach.
Oxford Saints kneel
There are 45 players in each team and as the coach spoke quite a few of the Saints ‘took a knee’. The only thing I overheard was the coach say “you went in too high that is why you got hurt.”

I left wondering why they keep kneeling down when anybody gets hurt, or the coach is talking.

Is it because …
a) They are the ‘Saints’ and want to pray
b) They want to show respect to the coach
c) Sitting would look lazy and inattentive
d) Another reason ?

Leah, the Parkrun Dog, runs her 100th Abingdon Parkrun

Thanks to Mike for this piece …

Every Saturday, all over Britain, thousands of people take part in Parkrun. Abingdon has its own parkrun held at Rye Meadow and each week around 250 people complete the 5k course, run by volunteers and completely free.
Leah the Parkrun Dog
This Saturday, there was a special milestone. Leah ‘the dog’ ran her 100th parkrun (that’s 500 kilometers or 310.6 miles!).
Leah the Parkrun Dog
Leah has now not only completed 100 parkruns to date but she has also managed to finish first a total of 18 times and has a personal best of 17:01. In the early days of parkrun, Leah would often go slightly off course to take a dip in the river but has learnt to focus on the task at hand.
Leah the Parkrun Dog
Abingdon parkrun is a very social affair and Leah is always the centre of attention at the town square where runners enjoy a post run coffee at Java.

Her owner, Les Newell, runs for Oxford City AC.

www.parkrun.co.uk
www.parkrun.org.uk/abingdon

The Northcourt Centre and “The Northcourt”

Northcourt Centre
At the Northcourt Centre, on Northcourt Road, a lot of the user groups had stalls for a big get together and fund raising afternoon. They included the Abingdon Peace Group who cannot see the reason for renewing Trident when times are hard and our money could be better spent.
Northcourt Centre
There was a colourful display put on by the Abbey Quilters (who meet monthly first Tuesday in the month during the day) and by the Fitzharry’s Quilters (who meet on 4th Tuesday of the month in the evening.) There also seemed to be 2 or 3 different W.I.s, an art group, Scottish Country Dancers, Tap and Ballet classes, the Abingdon Horticultural Society, and possibly quite a few other groups.

They were raising funds for improving the centre.
Northcourt Centre
As part of the same afternoon’s fund raising event there was an Open Garden nearby. £5 got you entry, and tea and cakes, and the chance to help the Northcourt Centre financially. The weather could not have been better.
Northcourt Centre
The bees loved the lavender.
The Northcourt
Meanwhile, close by, at “The Northcourt”, home of Abingdon United FC and Oxford United WFC, there was a game in progress.
The Northcourt
A lot of people were there to see mid table Oxford United go down fighting to top of the table Doncaster Belles.

After the recent very successful World Cup Campaign, some of the Lionesses, who gained England third pace, will be coming to The Northcourt…. Fran Kirby, or England’s “mini Messi” as she was dubbed by manager Mark Sampson, will be there when Reading visit on August 9th. More info at oxfordunitedwfc.co.uk