Super League outright picks Wigan Warriors surpassed all my expectations with a comfortable victory in France last night against the Catalan Dragons to take them to within one match of the Grand Final, however being as that match will be away to Leeds at Headingley not getting too excited just yet, especially with St Helens back to their very best form and lying in wait in the final.
Rugby league perhaps isnt the best sport for taking on the market leaders in the outright markets, as I have found to my cost in the Challenge Cup too, in the last three years have backed Hull 12/1, Huddersfield 40/1 and Catalans 66/1 and all reached the final but had to give best to the prolific Saints who marched on to a memorable hat trick of victories, unfortunately didnt take the each way option either, preferring to spread the bets over a few outsiders.
In the aussie rules down under, Hawthorn Hawks as expected demolished St Kilda to book their own Grand Final spot where they will face my picks Geelong, who are aiming for a second successive success.
While on the subject of prolific winners, Kerry are aiming for their own hat trick in the All Ireland gaelic football final against Tyrone today, in fact these two teams have had a stranglehold on the Sam Maguire Cup for the last five years between them, the Redhands winning two to Kerry's three.
Earlier on in the season I would be predicting a comfortable success for "The Kingdom" as they are known but Tyrone have found some impressive form in the last couple of games, having previously looked a fading force.
Their win over Dublin in Croke Park was especially impressive and while if I had to stake my life on it a Kerry win looks most probable, at the best odds of 15/8 I feel its worth having a dabble on Mickey Harte's men, who will surely be well motivated for the occasion.
The gangling Keiran Donaghy as ever will be the man they have to stop in the main though Kerry are far from a one man team.
Will watch some of the Belgian Open snooker today, I see its down to the quarter final stages today with Dave Harold up against Mark Davis, Tom Ford playing Ricky Walden, Stephen Maguire taking on Joe Perry and Graeme Dott up against Mark Williams.
The rest of the event will be played off today and then the qualifying for the Grand Prix starts at Prestatyn tomorrow for those at the lower end of the ladder.
As I mentioned earlier in the week, not too sure there will be any prices on show for some of the games tomorrow, there may be selected matches at Sporting Bet, but in general the industry doesnt seem too keen to price these matches up.
In the "to qualify for last 32" market at Skybet, I've gone with Ricky Walden 6/4, Gerard Greene 11/4, Mark Davis and Barry Pinches both 6/1 plus Liu Song 8/1. Was also half tempted by the Whirlwind Jimmy White at 20/1 though its probably asking alot for him to win four matches even though none of his opponents look particularly frightening on paper.
Noticed there are reports of a Gambling Commission investigation into Liang Wenbo's recent 5-0 win over Peter Ebdon in Northern Ireland, where thousands of pounds collectively were reportedly lumped on to that very scoreline. The World Snooker Association itself however is holding no inquiry, having "followed the proper procedures" and "having been satisfied the action taken is appropriate" whatever that means, nice to have it out in the open then lol.
Just watched the greyhound bets I had in the Irish Laurels event which started last night, Slip The Lark qualified in third place in his heat behind Tyrur Laurel which wasnt a bad effort considering he was bumped two or three times by the winner around the first couple of bends. Unfortunately though my other pick Forest Master didnt seem to make it onto the track, presumably injured before the event starts,which is most definitely not a nice way to do you dough grr!!
One aspect I did notice regarding the Cork track is that front runners appeared to hold a massive advantage with practically all the winners in the vanguard throughout the evening.
All the best for now anyhow
Rick
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hi there, only just seen your remark, I'm as disorganised as always, thanks for looking in, my main interest in aussie rules came via the GAA which I've always loved since seeing it on TV as a child. The international rules is a sort of hybrid event of the two and following on from that decided to take a look at the AFL. Dont tend to watch the American football so much but love the NHL which I know seems to be bigger in Canada than the USA. That said, my AFL betting was pretty awful so might give it a miss next year lol, will try and find the post you speak about anyhow!!!
Post a Comment