SPORTS
Hua Hin Hash House Harriers
Saturday's Hash run was at a beautiful spot a few kilometres Southwest of Hua Hin at the end of the Queen's Project Road.
The run was hared by Brambles Bill and Taipan. It might be remembered that Brambles was almost irretrievably lost the last and first time the run was located in this area. Mind you the rest of the runners were also lost but in two groups who actually rescued each other as each group thought the other group was the rescue party. We had all thought we were within a few hundred metres of the base, though we were actually a few kilometres away. However, we were eventually collected by Sparky (an early retirement from the run through injury) in his pick-up and returned to base to face the smug walkers who for once had something to crow about. On having a count up we realised Brambles was missing. We returned to area where he was last seen but hooting horns and shouts produced no Bill. We spoke to some Army chaps about Bill and then decided the only thing to do was to finish off the beer - perish the thought that it might go to waste and we could always buy some more for the funeral. Anyway, that became unnecessary as Bill (now Brambles) had been located by the Army; he had initially thought they were kidnapping him but they managed to persuade him they weren't.
So this weeks Hash! Well, it was very nice, but nobody got hurt or lost or kidnapped or bitten by snakes or tigers - but it was very nice and a good down down was enjoyed by all. So it was all a bit anticlimactic.
So now we are gearing up for the Monster Hash with 4 to 5 hundred people arriving by train on the 23rd, so it will all be over by the time the magazine is published but there will be a full report in next months Observer. On On 69 Forever.
Dragon Boat Race
A Dragon Boat race is held every year on the Pranburi River near Hua Hin, and in 2006 it is being held on November 3rd. This year, for the first time, a farang team comprised mainly of local expats is going to take part, and they are looking for willing volunteers or just cheerleaders to participate! If you are interested please contact Barry at Mermaid Cruises on 084-8007400 or Terry at Hua Hin Fishing Lodge on 089-8374079; they hold regular practice sessions every Sunday afternoon if you just fancy a laugh too!
Hua Hin Pool League
Latest results from the Hua Hin Pool League can be downloaded here:
[ Word Doc 200kb ]
Hua Hin Darts
League Table
Team P W D L PF-PA Points
CAT 11 10 0 1 82-28 20
Barry 11 9 1 1 82-28 19
Bamboo Grove 12 8 1 3 73-47 17
Jungle Juice 12 6 3 3 60-60 16
Dick's Office 12 5 3 4 67-53 13
Jaew Bar 11 5 1 5 48-62 11
Pink Flamingo 11 3 2 6 47-63 8
Thai Life 10 2 3 5 38-62 7
Butterfly Rock 12 3 0 9 44-76 6
Johnnie Walkers 12 1 4 7 44-76 6
Good Friends 12 1 2 9 38-72 4
Top 5
Name Bar Singles win Doubles win Ton's Closes 180's Total
Osmo BG 35 36 24 38 - 133
Eero TL 40 20 27 32 - 119
Noi CAT 45 18 22 32 - 117
Jim DO 35 28 19 33 - 115
Theo BG 30 30 19 34 - 113
Fixtures for November
Week 17 - 7th November 2006
Barry v Pink Flamingo, Bamboo Grove v Johnny Walker, Good Friend v Thai Life, CAT v Jaew, Jungle Juice v Butterfly Rock
Week 18 - 14th November 2006
CAT v Barry, Johnny Walker v Jungle Juice, Good Friends v Bamboo, Grove, Jaew v Thai Life, Pink Flamingo v Dicks Office
Week 19 - 21st November 2006
Barry v Thai Life, Good Friends v Johnny Walker, Pink Flamingo v CAT
Butterfly Rock v Bamboo Grove, Jungle Juice v Dicks Office
Week 20 - 28th November 2006
Jungle Juice v Barry, Johnny Walker v Jaew, Bamboo Grove v CAT
Butterfly Rock v Pink Flamingo, Dicks Office v Thai Life
2006 Asian Games
The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Medals are awarded in each event, with gold for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition which started in 1950.
Competitors are entered by a National Olympic Committee (NOC) to represent their country of citizenship. National anthems and flags accompany the medal ceremonies, and tables showing the number of medals won by each country are widely used. In general only recognised nations are represented, but a few non-sovereign countries are allowed to take part. The special case of Taiwan was handled by having it compete as Chinese Taipei, due to disagreements over the political status of Taiwan.
The last indoor games (2005 Asian Indoor Games, Bangkok, Thailand) was dominated by People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, and Thailand. The last winter games (2003 Winter Asian Games, Aomori, Japan) was dominated by athletes from Japan, South Korea, and the People's Republic of China.
The 15th Asian Games will be held in Doha, Qatar from 28th November to 15th December, 2006.
MASCOT The Doha Asian Games Organising Committee chose "Orry", a Qatari Oryx, as the official mascot of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. The Oryx was once an endangered species, but thanks to preservation and conservation groups it has recently been reintroduced to the wild.
Quiz report
The fortnightly quiz has been taking place at Dick's Office and despite competing with the concluding F1 races and the recent Ryder Cup turnout has been reasonable. A couple of notable absentees include Jockey and Liz, who we hope will be back on the circuit shortly.
Over the last few weeks we are pleased to see that most of the regulars have been in attendance and that a number of first timers have been to see what it's all about.
Whether you are here on holiday, just passing through or this is home then pop down to the quiz night. Dick's Office is located on Soi Hot Pot and serves delicious roast dinners. Come down, join the fun and test your wits against the quizmasters.
The Quiz will be taking place every other Sunday at Dick's Office.
Dates for November include Sunday 5th and Sunday 19th.
Recent questions include:
How many bottles of champagne are in a magnum?
Who made up the comedy duo 'Derek & Clive'?
What does the 'F' stand for in John F Kennedy?
Hibiscus is the state flower of which American state?
For those of you who have sampled the Sunday Roast, and anyone else for that matter, you will be pleased to know that Dick's Office is now open for breakfasts every day!
INFRA RED COMBAT GAMES
SBS Thailand, a subsidiary of Bowen Training Co Ltd, based in Phuket, has launched the first Infrared Combat System in Thailand. The system is similar to that of paintball and laser tag, but instead of using paint pellets or harmful lasers - the realistic rifles and machine pistols fire a totally harmless infra red beam to a range of up to 150m. Sensors, worn by the players, pick up an accurate shot and remove a life from those stored in the weapon (from 1-99 lives).
Nigel Burt, a director of the company says "Infrared combat games have been spreading throughout the US and Europe over recent years, taking over from Paintball." He continued "What the system offers is the means to set up real-time scenarios, creating authentic battle conditions just about anywhere. Because there is No Mess the game can even be played indoors. Here in Phuket we have Jungle battlegrounds, outlying islands on which we can stage amphibious assaults, and derelict buildings offering superb battle conditions."
Because there is No Paint and No Pain, the games are also suitable for ladies and younger players too. The game is a great leveler, as long as you can shoot, it does not matter what age, or gender you are.
As a business opportunity, the Infra Red Combat Simulation System offers an extremely profitable addition to the local, as well as tourist entertainment options. Through their affiliation with Bowen Training, SBS have created outstanding Team Building options that are spearheading the marketing approach of many hotels, helping to win back the MICE business to Thailand and Phuket.
Nigel says, "Any business operating in the tourism or entertainment industry should take a serious look at what Infra Red Combat Simulation can offer; an exciting, flexible business providing a swift return of investment, low maintenance, low operating costs and high profit. And it's tremendous fun to run."
SBS Thailand is the exclusive distributor for the Infra Red Combat Systems throughout South East Asia and also offers a consultancy service to aid interested parties in the setting up of businesses.
For more information, please contact:
SBS Thailand. 10/437 Moo 3, T.Witchit, A.Muang, Phuket 83000.
Tel : +66 (0)76 264 442. www.sbsthailand.com
Rugby - Heineken Cup preview
The Heineken Cup, sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws), is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. It is one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport.
The tournament was launched in the European summer of 1995 on the initiative of the then Five Nations Committee to provide a new level of professional cross border competition. The current champions are Irish rugby side, Munster, who beat Biarritz in the final at Millennium Stadium.
The tournament is now embarking on its 11th season after it all began in the unlikely surrounds of the Romanian Black Sea resort of Constanta back on 31st October 1995.
In just 10 years since then it has taken Euro rugby by storm, catching the imagination of players and supporters like a forest fire. Attendances for last season totalled a record 920,239 - a massive 103,872 more than the old mark set a year earlier - while it is also the vital higher stepping stone between domestic tournaments and the international stage.
QUALIFICATION: Places in the Heineken Cup are allocated to the six competing nations on the following basis:
6 France (top 6 in Top 14). 6 England (top 5 in Guinness Premiership, plus winner of Anglo-Welsh Cup if English). 3 Ireland (top 3 Irish sides in Celtic League)
3 Wales (top 3 Welsh sides in Celtic League). 2 Scotland (top 2 Scottish sides in Celtic League). 2 Italy (top 2 in Super 10)
The remaining two places in the 24-team tournament are allocated as follows:
One team comes from France, England or Italy; the place is allocated to the country whose team progressed further in the previous season's Cup. As Toulouse won the 2004-05 Cup, there were seven French teams in the 2005-06 competition. Similarly, there will be seven French teams in the 2006-07 competition, courtesy of Biarritz advancing to the Cup final against Irish side Munster.
The other team is the winner of a playoff in Italy between
(a) the best-placed team in the Celtic League who has not already qualified, and
(b) the team finishing 3rd in the Italian Super 10.
In 2005-06, this team was Cardiff, who beat Viadana in the playoff.
In 2006-07, this team was Overmach Parma, who beat Newport Gwent Dragons in the playoff.
Each nation sets its own criteria for qualification for the Heineken Cup, but must give places to the Cup winners and the winners of the European Challenge Cup. Clubs that do not qualify for the Heineken Cup can enter the European Challenge Cup. From 2005 one team from each nation will be seeded.
RULES: Six pools of four teams play both home and away games. Four points are awarded for a win and two points for a draw.
A bonus point is awarded for a loss by seven points or fewer, or for scoring four tries or more.
QUARTERFINALS: The six Pool winners (ranked 1-6 by number of points scored) and two best-placed runners-up (ranked 7 and 8) qualify for the Quarterfinals.
Teams ranked 1-4 have home advantage. The Quarter-Finals are: Team 1 v Team 8; Team 2 v Team 7; Team 3 v Team 6; Team 4 v Team 5.
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: All matches are played at nominally neutral venues. Each of the two semi-final venues is in the country of the first team out of the hat when the draw is made. For example, in 2004, Munster v Wasps was played at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, while Toulouse v Biarritz was played in Bordeaux.
However, the "neutrality" requirement is satisfied simply by the designated "home" team playing outside of its normal stadium. Both 2005 semi-finals were held in the host's home city; Leicester Tigers v Toulouse was held at Walkers Stadium in Leicester, not far from Leicester's normal home of Welford Road, while Stade Français v Biarritz was played at Parc des Princes in Paris, across the street from Stade's normal home field. The semi-final venue must also meet the following additional criteria: It must have a capacity of at least 20,000.
It must be in the same country as the designated "home" team. However, the Board of ERC (European Rugby Cup), which organises the competition, may allow exceptions:
In 2005-06, Biarritz, located in a city less than 20 km from the Spanish border, was allowed to host a semi-final across the border at Estadio Anoeta in Donostia/San Sebastián. The Anoeta is the nearest stadium to Biarritz with a suitable capacity.
It is possible that if an Irish team draws a home semi-final in either 2006-07 or 2007-08, it will be allowed to move the match to England, Scotland or Wales. The only Irish rugby ground of suitable capacity, Lansdowne Road, will be unavailable in 2007 or 2008 while it is being rebuilt. Most of the Irish sports grounds of suitable capacity are controlled by the Gaelic Athletic Association, which officially prohibited its grounds from being used for rugby or football (soccer). The only other Irish sports ground with a capacity of over 20,000 is Windsor Park in Belfast, controlled by the Linfield football club.
The final is held at a predetermined site; next year it's Twickenham.
Heineken Cup 2006/07 groups
Pool 1:
Benetton Treviso,
Perpignan,
Wasps,
Castres.
Pool 2:
Edinburgh,
SU Agen,
Gloucester Rugby,
Leinster.
Pool 3:
Sale Sharks,
Stade Français,
Calvisano,
Ospreys.
Pool 4:
Cardiff Blues,
Bourgoin,
Leicester Tigers,
Munster.
Pool 5:
Ulster,
Toulouse,
London Irish,
Llanelli Scarlets.
Pool 6:
Biarritz,
Northampton Saints,
Overmach Rugby Parma,
Border Reivers.
2006/7 Schedule
ROUND 1: 20 / 21 / 22 October, 2006
ROUND 2: 27 / 28 / 29 October, 2006
ROUND 3: 8 / 9 / 10 December, 2006
ROUND 4: 15 / 16 / 17 December, 2006
ROUND 5: 12 / 13 / 14 January, 2007
ROUND 6: 19 / 20 / 21 January, 2007
QUARTER-FINALS: 30 / 31 Mar / 1 Apr 2007
SEMI-FINALS: 20 / 21 / 22 April, 2007
FINAL: 20 MAY, 2007
International Rugby Test Series
During November of 2006, several rugby union nations will play fixtures that will be contested in the northern hemisphere nations. These teams include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Portugal, Canada, Romania, and the Pacific Islanders each playing in at least one of the northern nations, which will include Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, and Japan. These matches will probably be a good guide, along with the 2007 Six Nations starting in February 2007, as to the chances of the various nations in next years World Cup, taking place in September and October. See future issues of the Observer for the rundowns on the Six Nations and World Cup 2007.
For the Ireland team, this series will feature the last tests played at their historic home of Lansdowne Road before it is redeveloped into a modern all seater stadium. Their 2007 and 2008 tests will be played at various sites around the island, with the highest-profile matches to be held at the flagship stadium of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Croke Park.
THE DRAW
Week 1
Nov 04 Wales v Australia Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Nov 05 England v New Zealand Twickenham, London
Week 2
Nov 11 England v Argentina Twickenham, London
Nov 11 France v New Zealand Stade de Gerland, Lyon
Nov 11 Ireland v South Africa Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Nov 11 Italy v Australia Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Nov 11 Wales v Pacific Islanders Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Nov 11 Scotland v Romania Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Week 3
Nov 17 Wales v Canada Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Nov 18 England v South Africa Twickenham, London
Nov 18 France v New Zealand Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Nov 18 Ireland v Australia Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Nov 18 Scotland v Pacific Islanders Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Nov 18 Italy v Argentina tadio Flaminio, Rome
Nov 18 Japan v Portugal Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo
Week 4
Nov 25 England v South Africa Twickenham, London
Nov 25 Scotland v Australia Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Nov 25 Wales v New Zealand Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Nov 25 France v Argentina Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Nov 25 Italy v Canada Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Nov 25 Ireland v Pacific Islanders Lansdowne Road, Dublin
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