sport
HEINEKEN HYPE
Rugby fever is still in full bout with
the return of the Heineken Cup. With
the finale just around the corner Ben
Barker eyes up the teams.
RUGBY fans, with the Six Nations disappearing over the crest of the horizon,
turn to the future and the arrival of the biggest match in domestic rugby in
Cardiff this May. The Heineken Cup - Europe’s champion cup competition – is
being held in our great capital for a second time in four years.
Back in 2011 the cup’s final was contested between Northampton Saints and
Leinster, but with neither side still in this year’s competition, who can we
expect to see battling it out on the Millennium Stadium turf?
Current holders Toulon remain the clear favourites, having dispatched of
Leinster in the quarterfinals with relative ease. The French side boast a spinetingling wealth of talent, including ex-England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and
speedy Springbok Brian Habana.
In the other semi-final fixture, Aviva Premiership leaders Saracens defeated
Clermont Auvergne. Saracens’ league form will give them impetus heading
into their semi, and last round’s defeat of Ulster at Ravenhill was a welcome
boost. This year’s final will be the last one under the current guise and format,
following a recent deal to form three new continental competitions to replace
the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups. The romantics of the current format
will hope for a fierce final in 2014 to see it off in fitting style – whether it be as
tight as 2006’s, as explosive as 2011’s, or be decided in extra time like the very
first final in 1996 at Arms Park. Farewell to the Heineken Cup, and good luck to
the finalists.
pic: PATRICK COLLINS
Heineken Cup Final, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Sat 24 May. Tickets: £35-£75. Info: 0870 0138600 / www.millenniumstadium.com
A SPORT SET IN STONE
pic: CHEW-MOULDING
With the Welsh Open Stoneskimming Championships
just a stone’s throw away, George Graver finds out
what why we should give a toss.
ANYONE who’s ever indulged in a bit of stoneskimming will tell you that it’s a meditative
experience. Executing a perfect underarm throw
and watching your pebble bound across the water
like a startled gazelle is a simple joy, the likes of
which are all too rare these days.
There is, of course, a competitive aspect to this
ancient pastime. The Stone Skimming World
Championships are held each year in Easdale,
Scotland, but those looking for their skimming
fix will be happy to learn that there is another
event happening closer to home. The Welsh Open
Stoneskimming Championships, due to be held
in Llanwrtyd Wells towards the end of May, will
feature both Stoneless, for amateur skimmers, and
Stoned categories, for winners of other contests.
Selected winners in the Stoneless category will
then be able to compete against the pros, with
the final five-stone Toss-Off (perhaps not the best
choice of phrase) taking place at the conclusion of
BUZZ 54
the main contests.
The organisers of this year’s
contest have introduced a
range of artificial stones, akin
to the clay pigeons used in
shooting. The idea is to ensure
a level playing field (as well
as, presumably, putting an end
to the cruel and pointless drowning of hundreds
of wild pebbles every year). This change has also
opened up the sport to a much wider range of
venues, as it neatly solves the legal problems around
removing natural stones from beaches to use in other
locations.
There is a variety of different rules in stoneskimming
– the US version, for example, prioritises the number
of bounces when determining the best skim. Unlike
its counterpart across the pond (see what I did
there?) UK skimming is all about distance. The
current world record stands at 90m, but the Welsh
Open organisers are confident that if conditions are
right, that may well be broken this year. If that isn’t
enough to pique your interest, though, skimming
legend and Welsh native Ron Long is expected to
attend, and will be competing in a head-to-head.
Welsh Open Stoneskimming
Championships, Llanwrtyd Wells, Sun 25
May. Competition entry: £5. Info: 01591
610666 / www.green-events.co.uk