The envy of the hordes of drunken New Zealanders who have descended on Wan Chai to whinge to Filipino bargirls about a referee that lost them the World Cup two years ago, this morning I received two pairs of tickets for the Hong Kong Sevens courtesy of the SCMP, who were running a competition modestly asking the participant to answer the tricky poser: "If the SCMP were a rugby player, who would that be and why?"
Like a teacher at HKU SPACE badgered by students to give them "tip-si" before an exam, the newspaper kindly provided the key to success, spelling out in the rubric that "a bit of pandering will be judged favourably".
So, pander I did – and won one of the ten sets up for grabs, as I did a couple of years ago.
One very happy Irishman will be enjoying the Sevens, since I prefer to hold onto the few brain cells I still possess, skip all the mismatches and non-contests and tune in for the final on Sunday evening in time to see the great Ben Gollings guide England to another victory.
After Ireland's Grand Slam win at the weekend, Seamus says he's going to punt plenty on a West Indies win over Scotland. After all, he reckons, still pinching himself after his stroke of fortune in acquiring tickets at the eleventh hour at face value, good luck always comes in threes.
Like a teacher at HKU SPACE badgered by students to give them "tip-si" before an exam, the newspaper kindly provided the key to success, spelling out in the rubric that "a bit of pandering will be judged favourably".
So, pander I did – and won one of the ten sets up for grabs, as I did a couple of years ago.
One very happy Irishman will be enjoying the Sevens, since I prefer to hold onto the few brain cells I still possess, skip all the mismatches and non-contests and tune in for the final on Sunday evening in time to see the great Ben Gollings guide England to another victory.
After Ireland's Grand Slam win at the weekend, Seamus says he's going to punt plenty on a West Indies win over Scotland. After all, he reckons, still pinching himself after his stroke of fortune in acquiring tickets at the eleventh hour at face value, good luck always comes in threes.
7 comments:
Pandering:
Absolutely brilliant writing, intelligent, insightful and always coloured with a touch of the ol' Irish wit. One of the top 3 HK blogs (along with Hemlock and China Droll)
Asking:
Do you need someone to accompany you to the Sevens to make sure the other ticket doesn't go to waste?
Pleading:
I'll be leaving HK soon and still haven't managed to see the Sevens...
Please...!
come on Ullie, as a girl who knows nothing about rugby, but has watched the 7's year in and year out, I can tell you that they just don't grow them big and strong enough in England these days - I weep when I see those spindly little white legs and sunburnt noses, not a chance against those bronze strapping Fijians ...
Ben, flattery will get you everywhere - or would, if I had any more tickets.
I've got to say, your comment initially confused me - I couldn't work out why you'd think I had any tickets left to tout. Re-reading my witty Wildesque post, I realise, shamefacedly, that I've made yet another solecism. I did in fact receive only one pair of tickets from the SCMP, and my Irish friend took both of them.
If they're good enough, we'll get them a passport, GP.
So, what rugby player was it and what did you write?
Did you enter the comp too, Mr T? I will take the fifth on this question, until we see if the Post publish the winning entries in their Sevens coverage.
Fair enough, Ulie.
Surely hooker must have been a popular entry.
Some New Zealanders I know probably voted for hooker Kevin Mealamu . Whore, yes, but is out local rag a spear tackler too?
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