Ever wanted a wine rack, then this is the one for you

Unlike Wednesday morning the country wasn’t awoken this morning to the news that the largest earthquake in British history had hit the country in the early hours of morning. Instead it was up to the news that the England cricket teams preparations for next week's first Test with New Zealand were hit by a woeful batting collapse on day one of a three-day tour fixture with a New Zealand select XI as England were bowled out for a below par 131.

Last nights get together was as previously mentioned around Brin’s and although the turn out was not that large the usual jokes and banter was given by the people who did make it. At one point somehow the mention of Dolly the cloned sheep was said? With regards to answering the questions mentioned in the last blog posting, the saying of Villa are going places was said twice, Colin was drinking white grape water and unfortunately Andy M was unable to make it so we’ll have to wait and see where his work will next take him?

The game showing saw Middlesbrough go through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup following an extra-time win over Sheffield United in their fifth-round replay last night. The game was boring to watch and the only hope of getting through watching it was the hope of the arrival of something to eat. Although the menu only consisted of sausages and spicy potato wedges the run of late servings continued, when the food was finally served it was as always a pleasure to eat, many thanks to chef Brin.

Next week get the Polly filler out because Lewis has said it is around his and with the rumour going around that he is doing ribs will the late night food servings continue? As next week is the second leg of the champions league fixtures there are 3 games playing on the Wednesday and one of those includes Chelsea who are playing Olympiakos at Stamford Bridge. As this will be the game shown, how many Chelsea fans will make an appearance?

Wine rack in picture is Brin’s brand new one.

So today as it is announced that Everton will be entering next season’s Intertoto cup along with fellow English Premier League teams Aston Villa, Blackburn and Manchester City who have also applied for entry into the competition, or that it’s the day when Middlesbrough have accused the Football Association of double standards after losing their appeal against Jeremie Aliadiere's red card at Liverpool.

But the important talking point for today is the Wednesday night venture is coming to Soper Grove tonight with the hosts for the evening being Brinny and Joe. What will come of the evening? Certain questions will be answered such as, how many times will the phrase of “Villa are going places” be said? What type of drink will Colin be drinking tonight and where in the country will Andy’s work next take him, will it be Rochdale, will it be Sheffield?

The football match on BBC 1 tonight isn’t the most appealing game but it will decide who takes the last place in the quarter final of the FA cup. Will Sheffield United send another premiership team in Middlesbrough crashing out of the cup tonight or will Middlesbrough be only the fourth premiership team to make into the last 8?

As the cricket season approaches

Although some mornings you may be awakening having to scrape the ice off the car (unless your Phil and by the time he awakens the ice has defrosted on its own accord) but the cricket season is quickly approaching. Last year the Wednesday night get together ventured down to the Rose Bowl, Southampton to watch Hampshire play Sussex in a Twenty 20 game.

This year it would be good if more people could make the night because last year quite a few people said they would go and then pulled out for various reasons. Those who did make the trip down to the Rose Bowl will say it was certainly a good night out even though Hampshire did end up losing to Sussex by 9 wickets in a rain affected match that didn’t get underway until 8:30pm.

The fair ground rides there were certainly enjoyed by Steph, Joe, Andy Cook and JP but Brin’s work colleague, Mike, couldn’t handle going on any ride because of the excessive amounts of Stella that he drunk led him to being absolutely smashed he couldn’t even stay awake on the bus journey home. If it could be arranged for a trip down to the Rose Bowl again this year hopefully with the early notice that is being given here something could be arranged with more numbers turning out.

Hampshire home Twenty 20 fixtures for the following season are as follows –

Saturday 14th June – Hampshire v Kent
Friday 20th June – Hampshire v Sussex
Monday 23rd June – Hampshire v Surrey

Wednesday 25th June – Hampshire v Essex

Wednesday 20 February

So as another eventful Wednesday evening passes the top talking point of the evening was Phil will shortly be breaking into the property market of Southsea, the costal town won’t know what will hit them.

The selected game to watch was not a popular choice at the start of the evening but as the game progressed the watching crowd became more involved as Lyon were leading through a goal from Karim Benzema but only to have their hopes of seeing Utd beaten taken away from them when Carlos Tevez late goal ensured Utd head back to Old Trafford on level terms.

The second English club playing on Wednesday evening were Arsenal and it has to be said that it is lucky this game was not the preferred match choice because the reports from the match suggest a lack of composure in front of goal was to blame for their failure to beat AC Milan. Has the affect on losing to Utd in the FA Cup had a knock on affect?

Tuesday night saw a more eventful evening of football when as it seemed Liverpool’s love affair with the competition was about to hit the rocks, Rafael Benítez and his Liverpool team again found salvation in the Champions League. Two goals in the final five minutes, from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard, enabled them to inflict Inter Milan’s first defeat since September and take a giant step towards the quarter-finals.

Chelsea the other English team playing on Tuesday scrapped their way to a scratchy goalless draw away to Olympiacos.

Regarding the food served there now seems to be a tendency when the food is being served later and later each week, but again even though the food was served later than normal it has to be said what was on offer was top quality, nothing like a good meat pie! Regards to Chef Phil.

Next week Brin has accepted the offer of his being the venue for the evening, what will come of that? One thing will be guaranteed “Phil will still believe Villa is going places”! But we all know the truth.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Inter Milan

OK he might struggle against the might of Barnsley but when it comes to the Champions League Rafa has no competition!

Another memorable European night at Anfield.

We've won it FIVE times! Bring on number six.

Champions League returns to show its worth

After the long waited break the business end of the Champions league has arrived with four English teams looking to expose their talents in a competition they crave with several mouth watering clashes at the ready.

On Tuesday Liverpool have what seems the toughest tie of the four English clubs by having to face serie A champions Inter who are currently 11 points clear and unbeaten in their domestic league this season. After the embarrassing shock defeat to Barnsley at the weekend Darren and Andy M will certainly be hoping for a turn in fortune which Liverpool seem to have when it comes to playing in Europe.

The other clash on Tuesday sees Chelsea and there more direct approach travel to Greece where many English clubs and fans dread going to play Olympiakos, Keany and Colin must hope the hostile atmosphere in the stadium won’t affect the performance of the money spinning Chelsea side.

On Wednesday as the venture is made to Phil’s via the Wessex English champions Man United visit French counterparts Lyon. Lyon have a tendency in recent years to do well in this competition but with the talent United have over two legs it may seem a challenge to hard for even the onion smelling snail eating French to achieve.

The last tie that involves an English side sees holders AC Milan travelling to Premier League leaders Arsenal, and with Arsenal’s crushing FA Cup defeat at the weekend it is vital they return to winning ways.

Let the games commence!

Lews Birhtday

We went over to Lews for his birthday and when we got there we watched England beat Switzerland 2-1 for Cappellos first game in charge. We then held our own darts competition once Lew had constructed his own "Oche"

As you can see Brin was the expert - he did finally manage to get some darts on the board !!! He was not too happy with his technique and so stayed till nearly midnight trying to polish up his technique. The quote of the night was " just one more" and amazingly it was referring to another throw of the darts and not another beer!!! I was in the winning team although it must be said we were heavily indepted to Darren who managed to get a few of our points and finishing doubles. Now Lew has his dart board set up, his house will always be used for our darts practise. This will ensure the local DIY stores will always be selling plenty of Pollyfiller - to fix the holes in the wall !!

Phil singing solo

Classic