Sunday TV sport
Sunday I watched some 7 hours of sport on tv. Rather than report on the event itself I thought I might comment on its coverage.
First up was the encounter between Newcastle United and Fulham, one of three involving the top six of the Premier over the weekend, which perhaps surprisingly includes Fulham.
This was on Sky, who kept their big guns Martin Tyler and Gary Neville for the North London derby which followed.
Commentator Rob Hawthorne is a safe pair of hands and I have always liked Andy Hinchcliffe as an analyst.
He does not talk about himself, make jokes nor intervene too much but adds value.
He, for example, pointed out Bobby DeCordova-Reid swapped sides to counter the raids of Kieran Trippier.
The game hinged on a missed penalty by Alex Mitrovic and I thought the commentators might have been more critical of the antics of Newcastle to delay the penalty.
Newcastle won a well-fought contest with a late goal
Next up was Racing 92 v Harlequins in the Heineken Cup.
Like my colleague Derek Williams I do not care for BT Sport.
The presenter is too talkative and brash.
Analyst Austin Healey reminds me of a comment I heard on Labour politician Denis Healey: “He is invaluable at any meeting as he is always wrong.”
The other Healey called assertively – but incorrectly – for penalties and cards not given.
Only Quins could contrive to lose a match which they went into the final minutes leading against 12 men on the pitch.
Finally I watched my American NFL team Miami Dolphins in their play-off match against Buffalo Bills.
The Dolphins only made the play-offs as other results went their way on week 17.
They did not have their regular quarterback and were given no chance against the Bills.
They were 14-0 down in the first quarter with Bills quarterback Josh Allen running the show.
Incredibly, they made a climb back and only lost a thrilling encounter by 3 points.
An NFL game is no longer than a rugby match (80 minutes) but takes 4 hours because of the adverts.
Sky had a studio of experts but took the CBS feed.
CBS Anchorman Jim Nantz, who normally covers the final round of golf, presided.
He is the type of anchorman – like David Coleman or Des Lynam – you do not see any more.
In the Sky studio was an analyst called Phoebe who leapt around in joy at the Bills’ Victory. I find such partisanship extremely unprofessional.
