Smile drool, you're screwed

??????

I'm just kidding!

OK. So this is just another place where you can diss us, huh? ;-D

Karen, this is the place we make fun of ourselves. Check out my screwed topic, for an example. Not to worry, I shall be watching over the Firthians from this prospective, and I think what develops will be good-natured poking and fun. Example, who else has caused so many ladies to learn HTML programming through watching a performance of Pride and Prejudice than Colin Firth? I'll bet no other actor can boast that accomplishment! That is why I learned it all those years(!) ago...*grin*

Oh, BTW, this is a tribute and an honor to be "screwed". Like a roast of a celebrity, it is supposed to be an acknowledgment to Drool's accomplishments and the respect with which it is held. But put away your sensitivities when you read in here. They will poke at you unmercifully...and laugh all the while with you!

It's Spring Sleuth!

Ree, is THAT who you are?! *lol*

ha-ha! Only when I'm flattering myself!

;=}

Hi all No dissing here Karen. Or if there is I am not part of it. The Geophiles (Marcia, myself, John, Wolfie, Julie (most of you have not met yet))community has its faults, some are gneiss and some of them are tuff. I have not a pyrotemper, but consider myself a lava dome instead. Rob

OH ROB!!! You do know how to get into the spirit of Screwed. Gneiss work! Geo's full of pussycats. Karen give me a sanity check when I think Geo and Spring have fallen into a black hole! I aboslutely need her!!!

About lava-ing your dome, I don't know, but when you get to Hawaii, you will be required to be attired in lava lava! Whoopee *;D

Hi all My lava dome is a reliable indicator of the mood I am in. If it is gently steaming then I am in a calm mood and safe to climb. If steaming vigorously something is bothering me. If small pyroclastic flows are coming off, then I am best left alone. If there is dome collapse.... god help you all. At the time of writing this I was gently steaming. Rob

I'll be sure to make note of this most important indicator. I usually give off harmoic tremors (vibes?!) and then blow only if it is the last option. Actually, this volcanic lady would much rather flow gently into the sea making little secluded black sand beaches than to pave over housing and earthly inhabitants. YOU need to be recognized too - but let us make our "venting" on 173 where John can msasure the magnitude of our frustrations. Hugs, Rob, for creating 173. John will be amazed. I wonder if he has translated the meaning of "screwed" - there are several options.

I still haven't figured it out!!

I dopn't think we're supposed to. One guy here is still bent on being the main course of a feast. I guess that doesn't appeal to you - unless he is a member of the Tofu family. Talk about Screwy...

*gotta cut those fingernails or type more slowly or proof read twice...*

hmm...Tofuman, anyone? :-)

Love it, Autumn, though this guy has his heart bent on grossing us out. Perhaps HE was the cause of the demise of Tofurkey. No one ever seemed to want to consume him and I dared not ask the questions begging to be asked ;p

ROTFLOL!!!

Hi all A Garrick Tremain cartoon for you (the white washing of the New Zealand Black Caps). For those of you who don't know what happened, the Black Caps were defeated by a mammoth innings and 324 runs (Pakistan scored 643/9, in reply the first time we were bowled out for about 70, and sent back to bat needing 574 to win - we were bowled for 249. This is our heaviest ever test defeat): http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,1190279a2580,FF.html Rob

Oh Rob!!! How terribly sad. It must have been a real rout! My shoulder is always availble for you to cry on!

Hi all That is disappointing, but this is shocking!!!!!! http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,1194950a10,FF.html Rob

Good God, that's what you call a close call. Those poor, unlucky people who were outside the hotel, though...

Most of the news we are getting is about the 9 French Engineers who were killed. Very sad.

This is to let you know that The AFirthionado site has recently vacated the firth.com and colinfirth.com (which are owned by Spring) and moved to an independent location. Please bookmark the following link to THE AFIRTHIONADO: http://www.afirthionado.com It is our intention to reorganize and rebuild the site. It already has some new interactive features: an open communication forum (or a message board in simple terms) and an ever growing mega-collection of Firth-links to which anyone can contribute. We hope our visitors will find these facilities useful. These features will normally be accessed from the main (home) page, but while the linking and reorganizing is going on, the following direct links will work better: The AFirthionado Forum: http://www.f50.parsimony.net/forum200368/ The Interactive Link List: http://links.parsimony.net/links8507/ Renate (webmistress) and Maria (archivist) P.S. Please pass the information to any other interested party. P.P.S. This message will not appear in Drool (Spring) for various administrative reasons, but if anyone wishes to pass it on to the Droolers, they are welcome to do so.

Hi all Canterbury Crusaders won the Super 12 Competition tonight, comfortably beating the Australian Capital Territory Brumbies 31-13 before a capacity crowd at Jade Stadium. The Crusaders are the ultimate team in the competition now having won every game that they have played this season, and thus setting a record that might be matched but not beaten. CANTERBURY!!!!!!!!! CANTERBURY!!!!!!!!! And so the supporters shall sing far into the night, on a day when Red and Black was the only permissible colour combination in town. CANTERBURY!!!!!!!!! CANTERBURY!!!!!!!!! Rob

How fortunate those hot colors come to the fore during such cold weather. Canterbury is also my favorite for obvious reasons. If only I could figure a better way to dress in their colors! Maybe one of our local spirits dealers might bring in some of your brew for my sampling. I wonder, is it exported?

Hi all I composed a poem for Marcia, which I will post at a latter date, when my University calendar is not so messy as it is at present.... and I wrote a very good poem for Julie in her babe topic not so very long ago that you might want to check out. Still Rob prefers to write scenario's and short stories like the scenario for Orting in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/worldvolcanism (track back to about March for the post). Rob

Hi all This is a scenario I wrote for Orting based on the mudflow hazard that Mount Rainier poses: March 21, 2001 A cold wind blew up the valley, as a lone policeman gingerly makes his way through the cold night air to a pole with a steel bin dug deep into the ground, high on a ridge overlooking a valley. He opens the lid on the steel drum which houses a seismograph and geophone system hooked to the Orting Police Station, some 35 miles downstream. All is normal. Down the verdantly beautiful valley with douglas firs and pines draining the slopes of Rainier, flows a river cutting through the forest in a gorgeous glacial blue ribbon. It discharges into a wider valley downstream and flows across the plains before entering the sea near Seattle. As dawn breaks over the Puyallup River, seismograph needle wobbles on a machine at the Orting police station before reverting back to a normal straight line. It has picked up a small flood originating from the the glacier system that mantles the 14,410 foot high volcano. Nothing to worry about. But three days later, something more sinister emerges. A volcanologist goes up to Rainier and checks the vents temperature as well as a report of a steam vent on the lip of the crater. The police and chiefs call a meeting with the mayor of the town. They decide to keep watch on the volcano and make an announcement if things worsen. For the next couple days a 24 hour vigil is kept on the seismographs and warnings are posted for climbers to avoid the glaciers and crater lip of Rainier. March 25 Two climbers approaching the summit feel an earthquake. Although high on the mountain, they opt to descend incase of more earthquakes. They descend to the carpark and one of them calls the police. Aware of the mountain's volatile history and reputation, they are worried about it being the opening note of an overture that no one wants to hear. That night an announcement is made to the people of Orting about the earthquake and a small flood four days ago. The media largely ignore it wholly unaware of the importance of the small flood and the earthquake. Another earthquake rocks the volcano that night loosening up rock and allowing magma to enter the cracks. It's presence as scribbles on the seismograph reading the following morning turn's the gut of the police chief ice cold. Something is wrong. Another meeting is hold, this time involving the county sheriff, his deputy, the State Governor, the fire chief and the local representative of the Federal Emergency Management Authority. More small earthquakes rock the mountain, and small rock slides distort the reading on the seismograph. The people are starting to feel the tremors and the media is interested. Not wanting to create an atmosphere of panic, the Governor calls for calm, assuring the people that the warning system will provide enough time for an evacuation in the worst case. To reassure them further, a test is run on the sirens to check they are working. The result is reassuring. The sirens are working and are being heard clearly. Night fell on March 27 as the town of Orting watched the local news for information, on the unfolding crisis. They were scared. For years the people had been educated on the huge lahar deposits 500ft deep that blanketed the valley floor. At school the following day teachers began teaching the students what to do if the warning to evacuate was given. The students were frightened. Most did not know what a volcano was and the thought of the only home they knew being swallowed by a huge lahar scared them. It scared their teachers that they now had to teach something they had hoped would not be needed. It scared the authorities who knew that a false alarm would destroy their credibility and that not warning the people in time would also destroy their standing. It scared the geologists who were watching the volcano and the State Governor despite her interest in volcanology. Geologists began speculating on the possible causes of a lahar. Could it be a volcanic eruption melting the glaciers? Could it be an earthquake loosening weakened rock and ash, thus mixing it with the water from the glacier? People were warned about straying into the valleys and climbers were told to stick to the ridges on the east flank if they had to climb. Dawn came at 7.00AM on March 28 and was accompanied by the wailing of a siren. A disused and derilict house down the road had been torched. It was just the Fire Brigade. Two climbers on their way to the east flank of Rainier had reported a man running away. They had spoken to police about the fire. Near the mountain a sheriff asked them where they were going. After checking their permit, he let them pass. High up on the flank of Rainier at Sunset Amphitheatre, a huge gash where a segment of the volcano had cascaded down the valley in a huge avalanche, the volcano was cracking and crumbling. Mount Rainier would not hold on much longer. Earthquake activity was steady but the magma was almost to the point where the flank of the volcano would simply fall to bits - and unleash a lahar. An eruption could do it. But the Sunset Amphitheatre collapse was not caused by volcanic activity. Maybe the volcano fell apart. No one knew. About 2.20PM the volcano began to crumble. Something sinister was at work. The magma was starting to melt the glacier and the rock underneath could no longer held it back. At this terrible moment a new player had entered the speculation game whose deadly climax was rapidly approaching. Chemical corrosion. The rock whose strength was greatly weakened and being warmed by the magma was crumbling fast. Glacier ice was melting and mixing with a growing slurry starting to move downhill. As it gathered pace it started moving boulders and ripping out alpine vegetation. Grinding and growling downhill the lahar began to take on monstrous dimensions, yanking out douglas firs and pines as it rushed down the valley sweeping all before it. No one had envisioned anything this bad and certainly not coming so soon. Sheriff Brian Moon was on duty when he noticed the seismograph needle began a wide swing across the paper - the signature of a monstrous volcanic evil now driving an entire forest before it, and measuring a full 400 ft high. "OH MY GOD!!! OH MY GOD!!!!" He grabbed his phone and dialled the emergency line to the fire chief. As soon as the FC answered, Moon yelled "LAHAR. EVACUATE!!!" He slammed down the phone and flew out the door. His deputy heard him yell and immediately tapped out a warning to all police stations in the surrounding counties before fleeing to the town centre warning system. Within 10 seconds he was gunning the car for the warning system in the centre of town. His heart was pounding, and his gut was ice cold. In all his 45 years he had never known true fear. Moon arrived at the warning system in a paddock mounted on a timber pole, at 55mph barely stopping before the pole. A second later he received word on his radio that his deputy had arrived at the town warning centre. He opened the box on the pole and flicked the switch. With tears streaming down his cheeks he leapt back into his vehicle and rushed to the nearest ridge some 2 miles away. A haunting siren filled the air. It stopped everyone cold. As the shock wore off panic set in. It was 2.45PM as the students of Orting Elementary began to file out of a special assembly called for to warn them about the very thing that was rushing toward them at that very minute, though none of them had any idea that their town had only 30 minutes to live. They were just settling down when the siren sounded. No one moved. Then the teachers realised that the lahar no one wanted to know about was coming. "EVERYONE ON THE BUSES. NOW!!! THEY WILL GO TO THE NISQUALLY RIDGE!!!" By now, 3.00PM the lahar was thundering down the gorge like hundreds of freight trains and stripping the slopes of their vegetation and the soil down to the bedrock. Never in the history of modern had one seen such a gut wrenching natural sight rolling over around and through everything in it's way. It carried houses, rocks, trees, bridges and it was all descending upon Orting with a violence indescribable and wholly unforgettable. The climbers had heard a huge roar, but it was too late for them to do anything. The last thing they saw was a huge wall of debris leap over the low ridge in front of them and engulf their car. The town emptied in 30 minutes and 10 minutes later, the most heart rending sight came into view for those watching the horrible spectacle from the ridges on each side of the valley. The flow swept over around and through the village sparing nothing. In only ten minutes the town vanished from the map, its citizens having seen something of unparalleled horror. The town, swallowed alive by the same mechanism that had formed the soils on which it sat. Orting 1905-2001. Rest in Peace

Hi all This is my best scenario yet and in the future I have scenario's planned for several more volcanoes. One might involve a repeat of the 79AD eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum (Marcia, you and I need to figure out at some stage whether it was pyroclastics or ashfall that was the knock out blow to Pompeii - or locate a copy of "The riddle of Pompeii"). Rob

Rob, your stuff is too good for the frivolity here. But you just may reach a wider audience. Great reading!

We went to Pompeii in October--too cool!

Pompeii??? I am so envious!! h well, I am being immersed in America's past still live and well in the hills of the southeastern states. Appalachia is not wrich in anything but history and memories and beauty of a raw kind. The people are wonderful though they call themselves hillbillies and rednecks. Not so! Not by MY definition! Pompeii, however, I have not been invited to. I'll put that on some other wish list.

It probably used to be full of hillbillies and rednecks, but they all got vaporized by Mt. Vesuvius. :-)

Quite probably! Bet they were proud of it, too! Btw, I am still trying to find a self-professed redneck hillbilly without at least one college degree. Is this part of the persona I missed before? I had a rather different image of that hillbilly redneck implied *;)

Oh, a lot of 'em have had some fancy book learnin'...

Hi all And she will vape again soon Autumn, because Vesuvius is due for an eruption that every volcanologist in Europe knows is coming. The Mayor of Naples knows it - it must be his worst nightmare. The archaeologists who marvel over the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum know that their offspring will be marvelling over even more at a latter date. The geologists know it - it's every Italian volcanogists nightmare. I know it - Julie and I both want to see Pompeii preferably before it is recovered by nature. The documentary "The Riddle of Pompeii" tells the agony of a city that Vesuvius laid siege to for 30 odd hours ending in (and Marcia and I cannot agree on this)a massive pyroclastic surge that went 30 kilometres into the Bay of Naples killing maybe 20,000 people. On top of a layer of ash that evidently accumulated at a rate of 20 centimetres or 8 inches an hour, there were five pyroclastic surges. The ashfall killed a few people from collapsing buildings, but what would not when you have 6 metres of ash drop on y u. It fell slowly enough that people just moved from house to house as the buildings collapsed. So then why are so many preserved bodies found on the pyroclastic flow deposits? Not sure, but I am sticking to the idea that after a sustained ash fall, people cowering in caves from the ceaseless bombardment were overwhlemed when the huge over-weighted column of volcanic debris pouring from the crater, began collapsing. The 1st 2nd and 3rd flows heated the air suffocating and choking some of the victims. The fourth one raised the curtain for the all conquering knock out. The power of the fifth flow rammed the ash and debris solidly into their throats, clogging them. They dropped like flies under the searing heat which also evaporated their body fluids. And so 20,000 people died from suffocating heat and asphyxiation. Rob

Given that, I certainly hope you get your visit in before it is recovered by nature!

Hi all Status of the lava dome has changed. From Steaming vigorously to steaming gently (see message 13). Safe to climb. Rob

I want to see it, too! I've Dug Pompeii since I was a tiny kid. It is both geology and archaeology. What can be better than that? I'd really prefer not to become part of it!

Ha-ha! Don't want to be part of living history, huh Marcia? :-)

Hi all More specifically she does not want to be carbonised by the superheated lick of a pyroclastic flow, or find her stuck in a lahar that has the consistency of concrete. A pyroclastic flow either leaves you carbonised in the shape it found you, or horribly disfigured by the king of all blowtorches. On the other hand, picture if you can a slow rising sea of mud burying you slowly but systematically - the terror of mud rising over your head filling your mouth and nose, and setting like concrete leaving you entombed for eternity. Rob

wouldn't the mud be hot? so she wouldn't suffer long, right? and her skin would look great underneath all that! *giggle* (marcia, never in a million years would i wish you to be entombed in muddy concrete *HUGS*)

Gee, Rob, do you do kids' parties?

*giggle*

Hi all Since I am not a kid and don't get invited to the birthday parties of the kids next door I only host adults - like you people and Julie, who despite her age is every inch the mature adult I see myself to be. We display an incredible likeness, with the only exceptions being the most obvious *GRINS BRILLIANTLY*. Rob

I thought flying was dangerous! Thanks for suggesting I be the demo model. you are right, I don't want to be part of the scenery now or in the future. Obvious?In this topic we expect examples. Quit grinning quite so brilliantly and let us know how deep your lahar really is. On the other hand, no! Spare us the envy and petty jeaousies it would engender! *;)

Hi all While we are on the subject of Lahars, I want to mention that Julie went to Orting in WA, which is in the shadow of Rainier volcano. Orting is a town built on the deposits of vast lahars that originated high on Rainiers flanks and which were up to 500ft high, or so estimate the USGS scientists probing the remains of ancient forests torn down by the lahars. Orting is in danger because it has been several centuries since the last one came thundering down the valleys of the Carbon and Puyallup Rivers. During that time a lot of snow would have been melted and the liquid turned into an acid eating away the volcano, thus priming it for the next big lahar. Rob

julie already left for that trip? wow!!

*giggles* No Wolfie, I am right here. Rob was talking about the trip I took the end of May and begining of June. I took some great shots of Orting while I was there and as soon as I get the other half of my film developed I will upload them on Geo for all of you to see.

when are you supposed to leave for your second trip? i can't wait to see the pics!

It looks like we will leave Aug. 8th and come back on the 19th.

SOON, then!!! What will Rob do without you? Pester me, is what. Just as you did when he was away. *SIGH* *;D

Being a surrogate sweetheart is not my favorite occupation but I'll do it for you! sheesh

Hi all Not to worry Marcia. Since it is keeping Julie sane **grins mischevously**, what do you worry about? Rob

Nary a thing, Rob! I have enough trouble practicing that little dance I promised you. I have just found out what it entails. EEeeeeeeeeK Are you sure you want ME to do this?

mmm Rob, Sweetie. You DO know that Julie and I have the power to turn youj back into a frog?! Behave!

Hi all What??!! Prince Charming, a frog??? NEVER!!! Prince Charming also Prince Good Man for helping a thoroughly drunk student to her bed after she fell off her seat and could not get up. She would not respond to questions coherently and was about to chuck. We (myself and another guy)put her in the recovery position while two girls cleared the floor of obstacles. We later put her into bed after she tried to get up and fell over. This was last night in Wainui where I have been on field work for the past two days, and where I am going back in two months time. Rob

Hi all Marcia: re table dance. If you are going to humiliate yourself, the answer is no. But tell me just what it is that you don't like about it. Rob

I hate disappointing people. Nothing at all wrong with it in the right company!

can't disappoint your friends though *HUGS*

Hi all What makes you think you would disappoint me. You have exceeded my fondest expectations. Rob

*blush* (I am the shy modest sort. You'll see!)

Hi all This I know very well and which many would do well to model. Thy gracious modest one does very well. Rob

*Sigh* Rob,I miss talking to you. I miss listening to cricket with you and actually being able to imagine what is happening. *sigh* We both miss Julie!

Hi all I do too. That girl is one cool person. But she is doubtlessly enjoying her time in the Cascades and let her be in peace. Summer for her has not been the greatest this year so I am happy to let her have her break. School starts again soon for Julie so she is going to be pretty busy in the months coming up. I, on the other hand have holidays starting on Friday August 23 (the last thing I have for the term is the Geology 112 short answer test - the one Geology assessment I did well in last year). So I will be on holiday soon and have a couple weeks up my sleeve. I have a plan to buy a cellphone and will probably do that then. Marcia dear, you will take care on returning to Hilo won't you? The HM will not like the fact that you are going to try to sell, and things might get a bit ugly. I do want to see you in person in a couple years time, as will your "little sis". Rob

I promise to be careful. This will be a most unpleansant time and I do not look forward to going back. My return to the mainland will be accomplished as quickly as possible. Lance has suggested I not return there alone. The only trouble is, Who do I get to come with me? I can get restraining orders and police and lawyers but I also need to be in Hilo to do it. I also need some help getting boxes of what I want to keep packed and to the post office. This is going to be a very educational exit. I just don't want to be one of the sacrifices to the volcano! Julie has had a rough summer. I suspect a full schedule of normal activities and classes will do more for her than all the medicine in the world. I know she is thinking of us just as we are of her. *HUGS* Julie!

take your son with you!!

Hi all Marcia, Madame Pele's current flood of lava may be sign of distress that her admirer and worshipper is going to the mainland. I am sure that she respects you, just as you do her. I respect the mighty goddess that created the beautiful islands of the Hawaiian chain, and I know that we are on her turf. Will Durant had this to say: Mankind exists by geological consent alone, subject to revocation without warning. Rob

*Sigh* Mme Pele is putting on aspectacular show.I hope I might get to see it. Going back is gonna be VERY unpleasant - alas I can only find ME to go there with. Son does not get time off and others are also in a similar bind.I'm on my own in this and that is making the hugest knots inside me.

Hi all Marcia, if you can, watch for me on Yahoo! I am on holiday so I have a bit of time up my sleeve, some of which I want to spend with you online. Rob

Okay, this is just for fun. It's a link to the Celtic Zodiac, which is based on a 13 sign lunar calendar. The signs are mostly trees, atleast all are plants; as it was originated by Druids that would make sense. I just find astrology fun in general and hope that this site being essentially a Wiccan site doesn't upset anyone. http://www.ladytia.com/celt/zodiac.htm

Hi all Three years ago if asked about the New Zealand Tall Blacks making the Basketball World Cup, most people would have said dream on. That was then, a time when New Zealand basketball was in decline. In a nation where Rugby, Cricket, Hockey and Netball are the biggest team sports, basketball lagged a distant 7th or 8th on the list. That was then. A century ago or so it would seem. But in the last 2 years there has been a steady stream of New Zealand generated earthquakes in the basketball world. The first was making the Sydney Olympics. We finished 11th out of 12. A year later we bet Australia in the Oceania qualifer and thus had the right to appear at the World Cup. This was history in itself. But much MUCH better was to come and possibly still IS to come. In July things stepped up a notch, with Hungary being dispatched by the Tall Blacks on our home turf. They were beaten 4-1 in a five match series. This was significant. Most people did not expect a Tall Black series win. In August things stepped another notch with a win against the DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPS, Yugoslavia. But it was in the last week that things have gone through the roof, the hopes and aspiration soaring to the heavens on the back of something that maybe the earthquake of the year in World Basketball. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am talking about a nation that never been to the best of my knowledge, the World Cup of Basketball before. I am talking about a nation of 4 million people where basketball is one of the smaller sports played. I am talking about a nation that has now made it into the top four teams in the WORLD. But now, as New Zealand prepares to confront the defending World Champion Yugoslavian team, I can say with a degree of real certainty that there will be parties tomorrow night regardless of who wins. The article below is about the New Zealand loss to the United States. It does not account for the victories against China and Puerto Rico since then. Rob - VIVA LA NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---- Basketball: Don't count us out 05 September 2002 By PETER BIDWELL and NZPA New Zealand suffered their heaviest defeat of the world basketball championships yesterday - 110-62 to favourites the United States - but were boosted on two fronts ahead of today's make-or-break match with China. The Tall Blacks need to win in Indianapolis today, and hope Germany beat Russia, to progress to the quarterfinals. The good news was that New Zealand basketball boss David Crocker was not writing off the chances of injured NBA star Sean Marks returning to the court; while the Chinese suffered a pounding at the hands of a side the Kiwis have already beaten at the tournament. Marks sat out the match with the US and Tuesday's game with Germany after suffering an eye injury. But the buzz from Crocker, and whispers out of the team camp in the US, had Marks a chance to start today (live on TV One at 9.30am). "There's a risk of further eye damage, and potential problems with insurance, but I still think there's a chance of Sean playing," Crocker said in Wellington last night. "I just know how passionate Sean is to play for New Zealand and how crushed he was when he was injured. "This is the biggest moment in New Zealand basketball's life and Sean would be so disappointed if he can't be a part of it." Crocker said if Marks defied advice and played, and suffered further damage, he might not be covered by insurance. Marks had been told by a specialist to have five days of bed rest after the injury occurred. However, he has been courtside. The Tall Blacks will believe they have a decent shot at toppling the Chinese, the tallest team at the event, especially after China's 95-68 thrashing at the hands of Russia yesterday. The Kiwis beat Russia by nine points in the first round of pool play. Even in yesterday's heavy defeat, there were positives for the Tall Blacks. They won the first quarter 25-22 and were still in touch at halftime, trailing by just six points. However, 17-0 and 19-0 scoring runs in the third quarter killed off their chances. Dallas Maverick Michael Finley and Boston Celtic Paul Pierce landed 20-point bags for the US. Kirk Penney top-scored for New Zealand with 16 points, while captain Pero Cameron's 13 and Phill Jones's 11 were the only other Tall Black returns in double figures. Cameron even earned high praise from American coach George Karl. "Probably my favourite player is the Cameron kid. He is just an all-time good basketball player who knows how to play."

Hi all Basketball fans in the US, Puerto Rico, Spain, Russia, China, and elsewhere, must be wondering what is going on. This must be one of the great upsets in sport... Rob ---- Basketball: Unlikely four get ready for world semi-finals 07 September 2002 INDIANAPOLIS: It will be an unlikely final four when this year's world basketball championship semi-finals take place tomorrow. The much-heralded United States are in the classification round. So are the Russians, along with Spain, another pre-tournament favourite. Taking their place - the Kiwis. New Zealand has without question been the Cinderella story of this tournament. Making only their second appearance at the championship, and the winners of a grand total of one game in the tournament's history before Indianapolis, the Kiwis find themselves in a showdown against defending world champions Yugoslavia. New Zealand has the 12th worst percentage in field goal shooting at the event (41.3). Their top NBA player, Sean Marks, is sidelined with an eye injury. Yet somehow, some way, the Kiwis have survived to take their place among the best four teams in the world - at least for this week. Phill Jones leads the team in scoring and is 10th in the tournament with a 17.3 points-per-game average, but it has been strong team play that has taken New Zealand this far. Mark Dickel, second in the tournament with an average of five assists per game, is symbolic of the team's unselfish nature. You won't find a Kiwi among the individual tournament leaders in any category but this collection of relative no-names has played disciplined, team-oriented basketball all week and deserves it's surprising place in the spotlight. Yugoslavia is quite another story. The defending world champions have five NBA starts on their roster and were widely considered to be the second best team coming into the event. Yet they suffered two early losses, which were marked by their indifferent play, and even faced elimination from the medal rounds at one point. But as the week has progressed, the Yugoslavs have taken their game to a higher level, culminating in an 81-78 upset of the United States in the quarter-final on Thursday. Yugoslavia has shot 50 per cent from the field, second best in the championship, and has hit a tournament-high 42.6 per cent of its three-point attempts. Their top NBA player Predrag Stojakovic has averaged 19 points a game, seventh best at the event, and is fourth in free throw percentage at 89.3. A very deep and talented team, they are now the clear-cut favourites to defend the championship, which would be the country's fifth world title. The other semi-final features unbeaten Argentina against Germany. The Germans are competing in their third world championship and have never finished higher than 12th. Their last appearance was in 1994. In 2002, however, they have been a force. Dirk Nowitzki has been rested wherever possible to keep him fresh and yet he still leads all tournament scorers with a 23.3 points-per-game average, including a tournament best 94.4 per cent from the free throw line. Jorg Lutcke and Mithat Demirel have been the long threats, as both rank among the top 10 in tournament three-point shooting. Like the Yugoslavs, the Germans appear to be getting better as the tournament wears on and they rank in the top seven in most team offensive categories. The Germans have also played strong defence and rank fourth in steals and third in blocked shots heading into the semis. Argentina will be looking for just its second medal at the world championships, with the first coming at the inaugural event in Buenos Aires. The team is unbeaten largely due to its unselfish play. Emanuel Ginobili, who appears to be headed for NBA stardom very soon, typifies that with his 4.6 assists-per-game ratio, fourth best in the tournament. He is also third in steals with 2.3 per game and 10th in field goal percentage at 52.4, ahead of team mate Andres Nocioni who is seventh with 54.3. Lucas Victoriano is 10th in three-point shooting at 50 percent. Hugo Sconochini is seventh in free throw shooting at 86.2 per cent. But it is team play that has made the Argentinians. They lead the world championships in field goal percentage (53) and in assists, with a 23.3 per game average. They are also seventh in free throws (75 percent) and third in steals with 9.9 per game. Reputation would point to a Yugoslavia/Argentina final on Sunday, but given the upsets here already nothing that happens in the semi-finals would be considered overly surprising.

Go Kiwis!! The new "dream team"!

Hi all It has been a dream 10 days in New Zealand sport. All three events I am about to mention have put smiles back on the face of New Zealanders, after we lost the America's Cup to the Alinghi Syndicate in March and threw away our chances in the Cricket World Cup. They have been in the traditional hotbeds of rugby and netball where events that could be described as earthquakes within the two sports have occurred. Americans unfortunately might not really be able to appreciate the magnitude of the netball success because it is a no-name sport, though I think by New Zealand has a reputation for it's rugby among Americans. Anyway... The rugby success many say is a storm warning for reigning World No.1 Australia because in 74 days time the Holy Grail of rugby will be up for grabs. Between NZ and Australia exists a strong rivalry on the sporting pitch as two sides whose reputations risk being put to the sword by the media every time they play. New Zealand rugby has had mixed results since the Frogs stunned us at the 1999 world cup as well as about 3 coaches. Wayne Smith coached the All Blacks in 2000 after his Super 12 Franchise the Canterbury Crusaders won the Super 12 Competition for the third consecutive year. Smith however resigned the following year, and John Mitchell took over, with Crusaders skipper Todd Blackadder being replaced (Blackadder was skipper under the guidance of Wayne Smith). The annual Bledisloe Cup between NZ and Australia was lost during that time, as was the tri-nations involving the trans-Tasman rivals and South Africa. But in recent months there has been progressively improving results, which suggest the lean period since 1998 may be behind them. New Zealand played England in June and were beaten only narrowly. A week later France came and I think they were beaten 28-23. South Africa has been put away - we thrashed them 52-16, and now Australia has been steamrolled 50-21. All of a sudden things are looking shaky for the Australians who have also registered losses against England and France, and - as so often seems to be the case when Australia is down - looking brighter for the Kiwis. Tomorrow I look at Part 2: the tectonic plates of world netball finally move. Rob

Kia Ora Netball is a game where 7 players are spread throughout the court in Wing Attack, Wing Defence, Goal Attack, Goal Defence, Goal Keep, Goal Shoot and Centre. A game lasts 60 minutes, has a scoring system of one point per goal and one point for a penalty. It is conducted by moving a few steps before passing the ball to someone else, and is supposed to be a non-contact game. As you will see it is anything but a non-contact sport. http://netballnz.co.nz/thegame/thegame_subcategory/0,1471,,00.html http://netballnz.co.nz/thegame/thegame_detail/0,1470,42149,00.html - these are the most recent updated rules for the game. The World Championship standings at the end of the 1999 World Cup were: 1)AUSTRALIA 2)New Zealand 3)England 4)Jamaica A few notes about the top four teams and South Africa: -Australia are generally the superpower of international netball. Until July 21, 2003 they had been the reigning champs for 16 years. Doggedly aggressive style which one could never afford to get complacent about. Australia lost several players to retirement after the 1999 World Cup, who had been instrumental in New Zealand's defeat. -New Zealand save for an interlude in 1995 have consistently been World No.2, and until recently the only team capable of standing up to the Australians. In recent years the team has been bolstered by the arrival of a South African sharp-shooter and a vigorous Fijian defender. While several of the 1999 squad have gone into retirement or become mothers, the performance of the team never slackened off and actually slowly improved. Games against Australia have never had more than a few points separating the two teams. -For a country whose people honestly do not give a hoot about netball, the English did very well to get the bronze in 1999. They can on a good day put up spirited fights against New Zealand and Australia. -Jamaica can be summed up in three words: "the Phantom Menace". This team is frequently underrated by opponents who have occasionally paid the price with upsets being handed out. On a good day the Jamaican outfit can beat any team, and their fourth place ranking in 1999 was something of a surprise. -South Africa has players of promise, but struggles against all of the above teams and many players from the 1999 squad have shifted overseas to pursue their netball careers in safer lands. Irene van Dyk, the towering 1.90m South African turned Kiwi captained the Proteas in the 1999 competition. ---- So there you go. Does anyone have questions about the above teams or the game? Rob

I will put up the story of the 2003 World Championships later.

I guess New Zealand is the favorite for winning the gold at the Athens Olympics. (or is it a winter sport, and you are now having winter!) - or the next winter Olympics... Well done !

Hi all Winter sport. Netball will remain small because it is not played by many countries, and thus has a very low profile. In England, despite them coming fourth, they apparently take no notice of what happens on netball courts (David Beckham (and to a much lesser extent other big soccer players), cricket, and the English rugby team are the sports that they take notice of). In Australia the media make heroes out of the NRL teams, cricket players, Ian Thorpe(do), while the netballers are doing well if they get any coverage. But in NZ the Silver Ferns are heroines - and the coach revered as the "First lady of Paeroa" from where she hails. Rob

Let's hear it for the Netball players. I have only seen it as a demo sport at the Olympics but it is fast and lively and entertaining!

Kia Ora Continuing from where I left off in message #78. Commonwealth Games 2002, Netball competition final. NZ vs Australia "...the whistle blew long and hard. But the game was not over... yet. For the score was 55-all, and the race was on to score two unanswered points to win the final. The Kiwis had the ball. It passed to Wing Attack. A lightning flash of yellow as an Australian leaps through the air grabs the ball and passes on the move to their Centre, then to the Goal Shoot and into the net. 56-55... ONE MORE TO WIN. The Australians have possession of the ball and rocket down the court. A New Zealander leaps to stop a pass but is too late. The ball reaches the Goal Attack who calmly slots it into the hoop. Australia have won 57-55. The joy and the relief is written all over their faces as they rush to congratulate each other. They were stoked that Australian netball reigned supreme, and they knew that they had lived to play another day." Unbeknownst to Australia, the tide was turning. They had been pushed to the limit by the New Zealand outfit. They had had to play two periods of extra time, and had only won because they scored two unchallenged points. Across the court the NZ camp was subdued. They had been SO DAMN CLOSE yet so DAMN FAR. The agony of losing was hard to take, the prospect of another loss almost too bitter to contemplate. They knew that there was only one more chance to win before players started retiring. Already from the 1999 squad 3 were in retirement or expecting babies. Slowly but surely they began to dig in with grim determination. Next year was World Cup year and all of them realised that Australia's number as world champion must expire. So it began - the Silver Ferns had just embarked on the road to glory.... they were coming.... Rob

New Zealand is a small country compared with Australia, but you have the grit and determination and talent to do it. I'm rooting (oops, wrong term down ther!) cheering for you !

Kia Ora Continuing from where I left off Message #83. On the other side of the ditch (what Aussies and Kiwi's call the Tasman Sea), the Australian coach Jill Macintosh, her skipper Kathryn Harby-Williams and a number of others had announced that they would retire after the next World Cup. What better way to end your career than to deny NZ the Holy Grail of world netball? The game they realised had tested them harder than anything previously thrown at them. They had been matched by a team every bit their equal for the whole match, and had only won because the other team turned over ball at a couple crucial moments. Now in World Championships year, they faced the same team, which must be bent on burying their ghosts from the Christchurch Netball World Championships. Even more disturbing was the rise and rise of their South African sharp shooter, whose shooting stats regularly clocked in excess of 90%. At 1.90m Irene van Dyk, a former South African skipper had an eye for accuracy and a calmness that made her just about impossible to shut down. Another disturbance was the call up of a Fijian defender, whose bulk and towering presence in the defensive circle would challenge the goal shooters. Vilimaina Davu has a gentle nature to those who know her, but say she plays like a woman possessed. But inspite of these dark clouds lurking on the horizon, Australia was determined to send their senior netballers out on a high. In the New Zealand camp some big changes were afoot. With ace Centre Julie Seymour expecting another child, a new Centre player to set the ball in motion on court had to be found. Casting around, Ruth Aitken spied Anna Rowberry, a Christchurch Girls High old girl. Rowberry had been part of the 1999 squad who lost to Australia, so she knew the extreme importance of her call up immediately. With Donna Loffhagen concentrating on Basketball, Irene van Dyk needed a mate in the shooting circle. The Kiwi coach had to look around a bit, because the new shooter would have to have worked with Irene van Dyk, and would need that crucial experience against the Australians. At the end of the day there was only one person in the frame: Belinda Colling. You can see the full team here: http://netballnz.co.nz/teams/teams_detail/0,1451,41584,00.html Rob

Hi all Continuing where I left off in message #85. NZ AT THE NETBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2003 In late June 2003 the Silver Ferns left NZ bound for Jamaica. No one was holding their breaths, because the haunting memories of 1999, were all too familiar for the senior players. The spectre of another defeat in double extra time was too much to contemplate But they were determined. Since 1999 the team had undergone a sea change, and no longer did the "Can do" attitude exist. In it's place a more hardline "Will do" attitude had formed. The mental resolve of the Silver Ferns had hardened, as had their approach to the contact approach of the Australians, the Jamaicans and the English. More and more when the Australians dug their elbows into a soft part, the response became, "do it back". The Silver Ferns arrived in Jamaica expecting the contractors to be still scrambling to finish the new stadium on time, and were pleasantly surprised to hear the contractors had finished the day before. The stadium had a capacity crowd of 4000 seats, and two courts. Their daily training regime was demanding - for several hours a day the 12 chosen to represent NZ were made to work in humidity chambers set to simulate the Jamaican summer. Bob Marley music blared in their ears to tone them for the Caribbean welcome they would receive on court. A day before the competition began, the opening ceremony was held in typically colourful Caribbean style. The next 9 days would see NZ play 8 games in conditions where, outside a thunderstorm everyday was a virtual guarantee. It was July 10 and the 2003 World Championships were about to start. NZ on court July 11-21, 2003 First up were our northern neigbours, Niue, whose entire netball team consists of expat Niueans. Niue is a nation of about 1800, whose population has steadily declined over the years from 20,000 when it was granted independence from NZ to 1800 at the last census. So it happens that the entire Niuean netball team is NZ-based and run. It is therefore hardly a surprise that they were sunk 99-11 by the Silver Ferns. Next were Barbados in the Caribbean. This team may have had some Jamaican coaching because the scoreline while very comfortable for NZ, was respectable for Barbados, and at full time it was 84-35. After two days of competition the results were as expected for the super-powers of netball, with Australia putting away the Cook Islands and Samoa very easily. Jamaica and England both had breaks at one time or another during the first two days, but put away South Africa and the Cook Islands when they were on court. The Cook Islands followed. These lovely islands north of New Zealand, whose Government is by arrangement in a de facto marriage with Wellington whereby NZ is responsible for it's security, knew they would be no match for the their southern neighbour. So they concentrated on a more modest target: scoring more than 10. This game lived up to all expectations, with the Cook Islands surrendering completely within 10 minutes of starting. There after the game simply became scoring practise for Irene van Dyk and Belinda Colling, and the scoreline at full time was 107-17. But now things toughened up sharply. New Zealand was now due to play their first big test against England. In England, a country where cricket, rugby and soccer rule, netball lags far behind. The media are largely ignorant of it even on the best of days, and sponsorship is hard to come by. England had played NZ just before the World Championships started with the third game having only 7 points in it. This may have been a wake up call because NZ dispatched them 60-41. In the last pool game, NZ took on Fiji. Until they played England Fiji had been the most successful team in Pool B, behind New Zealand. Despite having lost Vilimaina Davu to the Silver Ferns Fiji's defence still had a degree of respectability to it, with the Fijian's having a rough idea of what Davu would be like on court. Surprisingly, Samoa, which was another minnow at the tournament managed to make it to the Quarter Finals. But there they ran into the most powerful lineup the Silver Ferns could muster. The tiny Pacific nation was sent packing 81-28. Having cleared the Quarters, a suddenly familiar schedule resurfaced. With two games to go between the Silver Ferns and international glory, a long shadowy figure began to emerge from the Championships. The dark horse of the tournament was upon them: Jamaica. Next up: Atmosphere, aerobatics and the crowd. Rob

Hi all While I am talking about netball, I would just like to mention that one of my reasons for so liking the Silver Ferns is that they do not put money ahead of team, country and leisure. Without meaning to sound disrespectful to the All Blacks who earn about NZ$300,000 per annum and are going to have an $80,000 bonus if they win the World Cup in November, the Silver Ferns are a world class outfit and you never hear them complain about their financial returns. And just so you do not think the Silver Ferns are only good at netball, Lesley Nicol is a student of medicine, Irene van Dyk is a teacher and there are administrators, lawyers among others in the mix as well. The All Blacks have qualifications too, but they do not need to hold down jobs because they can earn enough from rugby. Rob

Kia Ora Before I commence the Grand finale of the 2003 Netball World Cup, I want to comment on the atmosphere of an international netball game, and the crowd. As with big games netball events have an atmosphere. The 2003 Netball World Cup proved to be absolutely no exception. Jamaica was World No.4 at the end of the last World Championships in 1999, and it was a big thing for the Caribbean to be hosting the 2003 Netball World Championships. Jamaica, despite not having made a World Championship Final was the favoured team to win the netball World Championships because it had had stunning upsets against both the Silver Ferns and the Australians. They also had the advantage of home support - all teams will attest there is nothing more intimidating than playing in a foreign country where they have the advantage of home support. The Jamaican crowd is worthy of a chapter to itself. Vocal in the quietest of times and sounding like the audience of a rock concert just before the concert starts in other times, they make for an interesting experience in terms of atmosphere. Rocking with chants, and deafening in celebration every time the home team scored one observer likened it to the atmosphere of a Bob Marley concert. In fact the crowd can be parochial that the umpires have trouble communicating with each other and with players. The crowd loves dynamic players who play out of their depths, which is why the Caribbean netball experience is always a tale unto itself. Perhaps it is also why Jamaica managed to get everyone on their feet during all the games they played. Jamaicans are renown for the aerobatics on the netball court, and in the 1999 World Championships these antics brought them to within 2 goals of NZ in the semi-final. So, when you ask why would I be so interested in international netball? Part of the answer is netball's motto might very well be "never a dull moment". It is fast and lively, spectacular and colourful all rolled into one. Need I say more? Rob

Kia Ora What do people think of the atmosphere I described? Rob PS The Grand Finale will follow soon

Sounds like a good place to be, like the Olympics! Is it?

Kia Ora No. It is the semi final of the Netball World Championships. Continuing from message 86. ---- The dark horse loomed large. It was the most formidable lineup Jamaica could assemble, and they had everything to gain playing on their home turf. Kingston was rocking for the locals, and the atmosphere was of the sort you would expect in the seconds before a rock concert started. The Jamaican outfit was dangerous to any team with aspirations of holding the world championship trophy as the victors. But on July 20 they were especially dangerous: their last appearance at the world championships had seen New Zealand snuff their chances out by 2 goals, and with a home crowd expecting nothing less than an upset, losing was not an option. The atmosphere is electric and the crowd sings the Jamaican national anthem with gusto. The Jamaican team knows that this is make or break. Can they topple the World No. 2 and earn the right to challenge the winner of the other semi? Halfway around the world, yet just on the other side of the court Ruth Aitken has given last minute instructions for the New Zealand players. They know that this is a big game, and they know that the history of NZ-Jamaican encounters favours a New Zealand win. But this is THE game to watch. Can NZ topple the Jamaicans to make the final and possible revenge for all those last gasp disasters? The game starts. Jamaica quickly go 1-0. The score goes to 2-0 before New Zealand starts to claw it's way back into the match. The players run and jump about on court taking dazzling aerial intercepts, lightning pace passes. The scoreline tips in New Zealands favour, before a period of point-for-point scoring begins. Half time comes and goes. The New Zealand camp begins to pull away from the Jamaicans, slowly but surely piling on the pressure. The pressure from a team that has been consistently the world's second best is starting to tell, as mistakes creep into the Jamaicans game play. The errors start having a cumulative effect, with the Jamaican shooters struggling to shoot over a live wire New Zealand defence, while at the other end of the court the story is of a towering South African shooter. Full time. The scoreline is an impressive 56-37. Dismay sets into the Jamaican camp. They have come so far in the last year with rare wins against New Zealand and Australia only to have blown it in the Semi Final of a World Championship on their home soil. Connie Francis and Elaine Davis will have to retire without holding the World Championship trophy. And the scoreline!!!! What on Earth happened to the vaunted dark horse of the tournament??? On the day, Jamaica had played it's heart out, but at the end of the day, the Silver Ferns were just too powerful. Oh well, there is still a chance for the bronze medal as they will have to play, presumably England tomorrow. The Jamaican crowd was very disappointed. They had hoped to crown the glory of hosting the championships, by lifting the trophy as victors. But it was not to be. Across the court, joy mixed with surprise at the scoreline greeted the Silver Ferns. A team that they had been beaten by just months before, had been put away by one of the biggest margins in any semifinal. And now the news that had been expected all along was broken to them: the Australians had won the other semi. It was shaping up to be 1999 all over again... Rob

Me again Tomorrow, I will recount the Final of the 2003 Netball World Championships. Rob

(I actually meant the atmosphere being like the olympics!) People wonder why I like to listen to interminable Cricket matches. Rob's recounting will give you a bit of a glimpse at how fascinating it can be through articulate enthusiastic reportage.

Hi all Yeah. Anyway, today I shall do the Netball World Championships Final 2003. ---- CONTINUED FROM MESSAGE 91 "It was shaping up to be 1999 all over again..." Well, almost. Australia had beaten the English in the other semi-final. But again the English, like the Jamaicans had given them a run for their money, and the Australian response had been scratchy at times with goals and intercepts missed. The hunger that had been the driving force behind the last gasp wins in 1999 was missing. The older players however thought that they had seen it all though and were sure that they could beat their fiercest foe on the day. But deep down the Australian netballers were rattled. Was it an omen when your likely challenger in the Final dismisses their opposition by a Semi-final record of 19 goals? This was unbelievable!!! Yet as unbelievable as it might have sounded, it was true. Never before had the Silver Ferns shown such ruthlessness in dispatching their opposition, let alone in semi-final time against a team with the home advantage. And so the scene was set for the final showdown of the Netball World Championships 2003. THE TECTONIC PLATES OF NETBALL FINALLY SHIFT Monday July 21st dawned. Players had gone to bed early the night before knowing today would be the most important day on the netball calendar. Before the day was out the fate of netball world supremacy until 2007 would be decided. For Irene van Dyk, the South African turned Kiwi the match would be especially important - it would be her chance to make up with her adopted country for ending their netball dreams on the courts of Birmingham 8 years earlier. For Belinda Colling, Sheryl Clarke, Anna Rowberry and Adine Harper the memories of those last few seconds when the ball teetered on the edge of the hoop before falling off, the match was their chance to vanquish the ghosts. For Coach, Ruth Aitken the chance to silence her critics was at hand as was the ticket for another term as coach. Across the court, half a world away in thoughts, yet within yelling distance of the Ferns were the Australians. After this match Liz Ellis would retire from the game, as would Kathryn Harby-Williams and the Coach Jill McIntosh. All three were veterans in their current capacities of the 1999, and 2002 campaigns, and all knew how hard the Silver Ferns could be. They wanted to send their coach, captain and vice-captain out on a high knowing Australia would be No.1 for another 4 years if they won. It was July 21, 2003 and the Netball World Championships Final was about to start... Rob

Kia Ora The game report, and aftermath will follow tomorrow. Rob

Kia Ora Continued from message 94 ---- "God of nations at thy feet, in the bonds of love we meet, hear our voices we entreat, God defend our free land. Guard Pacific's triple star, from the shaft's of stife and war Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand" The game was on. Australia quickly pulled away to a 5-2 lead. But the Silver Ferns clawed their way tenaciously back into the game, and hung on for dear life. The crowd roared every time either team scored. Australia was playing for a fourth consecutive crown, while New Zealand had ghosts to vanquish. The ball rocketed backwards and forwards between the players with lightning speed, intercepts were taken in mid air as were passes. Within seconds the ball might travel the lenghth of the court from being within a stones throw of another Australian goal to a sudden Kiwi goal at the end, half a world away. New Zealand take the lead. The crowd goes nuts: they are loving every second of the action and being courtside for the most electrifying netball game ever seen on television. The umpires are being run ragged and while they knew that this game would be tough, no one expected such flair. The lead changes hands again, as it would do once more late in the 3rd quarter. Temepara Clark has been warned about overstepping the line by the umpire who is struggling to keep pace with the lightning paced game. Jill McIntosh's worst fears about the towering Irene van Dyk are coming true, as the South African calmly sinks one shot after another (she would sink 93% of her shots that day). Vilimaina Davu, for all her gentle nature is playing like a woman possessed dominating the defensive circle. Belinda Colling is playing not just to vanquish the ghosts of 1999 but to give her family something to smile about (the day before her uncle, an All Black great had passed away). Anna Rowberry's old school is watching the game live on television half a world away, as are the classes of Irene van Dyk and the school where Ruth Aitken's husband is principal. Courtside, the Jamaicans are very forgiving. Despite having been handed the worst ever netball semi-final drubbing by the Silver Ferns, they are excited at the prospect of new netball world order. "NEW ZEALAND"!!! "NEW ZEALAND"!!! comes the deafening chant from the crowd. The fourth quarter begins with New Zealand leading by 1. The lead changes hands as the crowd temporarily quietens. But the Australians concede two points in quick succession and the volume increases with the New Zealand score. The game has 10 minutes to go and New Zealand is slowly building a lead. But then.... ... the whistle blows. The referee is motioning to Clark "You, Centre. Sin bin for two centre passes" Why? The world might never know. Clark walks "the longest mile", thinking if we lose this it's all her fault. On court shock reigns. Anna Rowberry calls the team together for a 2 second conference. In the pre-championships training they had had drills for every possible scenario (power cut, injury, player send off)while hoping none of them would be needed. The game restarts and Australia claws back to within 2 goals of the Kiwi's. Clark sits behind the goal post with a deafening chant behind her: "NEW ZEALAND"!!! "NEW ZEALAND"!!! How many times host supporters forgive their arch rivals the day after having been handed a record breaking drubbing? Jill McIntosh must have wondered about all of this and why it was proving so damn hard to shut down that South African sharp shooter. Slowly it was beginning to dawn on her that despite all hopes to the contrary that the dawn of a new era might be upon them. Clark came back on. Lightning they say never strikes the same place twice - it had struck the night before when news broke of the Silver Ferns victory against Australia. Now it struck a second time as Clark immediately launched at a high flying ball, grabbed it in mid air and shot before her feet hit the ground. The ball rocketed down to van Dyk who slotted it in a lay up for another goal. The crowd thundered it's approval. A roller coaster ride of cheers and groans ensued until about 3 minutes from time when two more goals were shot by van Dyk. The Australians clawed their way back to be two goals behind. It was 15 seconds from time and the score was New Zealand 49, Australia 47. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.... On the sideline the reserves in the Australian camp had their heads in their hands. Even though the game was stil going the writing was on the wall for all to see. After 12 years as the undisputed World No.1 the sun had finally set. The captain, vice captain and coach would have retire without the knowledge Australia is still No.1. Half a world away on the other side of the court, the entire Kiwi camp was on their feet, impatiently waiting for the whistle to blow.... ...the inevitable happened. The umpire whistle blew one long blast. "NEW ZEALAND"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The crowd(s) erupted. A seismograph reading would have recorded the roar as a sudden blip. Two Ferns break from the celebrations to grab the New Zealand flag and the defacto partner the Silver Fern. They jog the length of the court and stop in front of the cameras with themselves wrapped in the flag. This is glory itself. 10 minutes before Clark had been wondering what was going on. Now the South Auckland mum of two knew EXACTLY what was going on, and she was loving every second of it. Irene van Dyk felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders knowing she had repaid her adopted country by helping them to the Holy Grail of netball. And how please she was that another country was World No.1. Gone were the ghosts of 1999 in Belinda Colling, Adine Harper, Anna Rowberry, Sheryl Clarke and Lesley Nicol. It had been four long years since that disastrous night in Christchurch and for Colling the relief was all the greater since she had been Captain at the last World Cup. Yes. It's cool to be No.1. ---- Half a world away the news was first item on both major news programmes and had precedence in the sports news. It was lead item in every newspaper bar one. Replays were shown at 4pm and 10pm. A civic reception was held in Auckland, and a victory parade in Paeroa for Ruth Aitken. Irene van Dyk had full powhiri (Maori welcome)and school assembly held in her honour, and if the All Blacks don't win the rugby world cup, the Silver Ferns will have an unbeatable case for being named Sports team of the year at the annuals. Rob

Rob, you are missing your calling being a geographer! or a geologist. How about a writer of some sort? You are that good!!!

Hey Rob, stumbled on this board/forum/whatever it is while doing a search for Anna Rowberry. Really enjoyed reading your World Cup stories, brought back some great memories. Im a kiwi and I have my own sports website but its only about our kiwi ladies, not a mention of male sports to be found. Just one thing, Liz Ellis hasnt retired. Apart from that, great reading.

Kia Ora Go to the Sports Conference and find the Rugby topic. There is a lovely South African lady in there along with myself and the host for Spring. We have had almost daily conversations since we won the netball world championships. Rob

No one congratulating the Brits for winning the Rugby World Cup? I'll have to go look...

Kia Ora #1 "??????" Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding... I'm nice - 99% of the time. Rob