Rugby league (+ darts + cycling) writer: Yorkshire Evening Post/YP.
These are my own views.
Retweets/likes not an endorsement.
Peterj.smith
@nationalworld
.com
Betfred say they will donate £250 from every Sky game this year to Rob Burrow (the man of the match charity cash). Plus £250 to Mose Masoe. Excellent gesture
@Rob7Burrow
@Betfred
@SuperLeague
Rugby league can be frustrating at times. We probably all occasionally wonder 'why bother'? Then days like today come along + answer that question. Thanks to everybody involved, on the pitch, behind the scenes + in the stands - you were awesome.
Today is rugby league's 124th birthday. At times it's aggravating, frustrating, heart-breaking; marred by too much self-interest + unnecessary in-fighting. But it's played + watched by good people and lives on against the odds. The greatest game.
In these grim times, the 2 lads on Pointless saying they detest rugby union, 'we're league all the way' has cheered me up no end. And they won the final!
Leeds Rhinos Challenge Cup winners. So pleased for Rich Agar. A good bloke who has had to cope with some much undeserved criticism. He's done a terrific job at Leeds + deserves today.
A tough day for everyone, but the reaction - not just from Rhinos fans, but all across the sport - to heartbreaking (+ utterly unfair) news has been truly uplifting. Rob's one of the nicest people in sport. Please keep him + his family in your thoughts.
If anyone from the mrp would like to explain why the tackle was worth a 1-match ban, or from the tribunal justify the 'frivolous' ruling, I'd be happy to publish that explanation...
Standing ovation for Rob Burrow on the pitch at Headingley - literally everybody in the stadium on their feet. "I will never give in," he says, to huge applause.
I started at the YEP 28 years ago today. Firestarter was No 1, petrol cost 52p per litre + average house price was 53k. Apart from being very old, I'm also grateful to everyone who has bought a paper or read an RL story online in that time. Thank you.
Just watched it all back. Last night couldn't have been more perfect: the build-up, Sky's coverage, the crowd, Rob's former teammates, the performance, the result. And then the big screen montage to My Way at the end with Lindsey, Maya + Jackson on the pitch ... unforgettable.
Was lurking around the Rhinos bus after today's game A young fan wanted a pic with a player + they all got off to do it. They were really good with him. Great to see.
Rhinos' Konrad Hurrell + Alex Mellor delivered presents to Leeds Children's Hospital today. Story + pix will be online later + in tomorrow's YEP
@LeedsNews
Telling footballers (or anyone) to keep out of politics is ridiculous. Everyone should be involved in politics, that's the point of elections. Also, opposing racism isn't political, it's basic human decency.
Congratulations to 2019 Women's Super League champions Leeds Rhinos - they've beaten Castleford Tigers 20-12 in a superb Grand Final. Tough on league leaders Cas.
Chapeau the Leigh fans for their applause + a chant of 'only one Rob Burrow' after 7 minutes here. Classy. Their side lead Wakey 6-0 after 11.
@Rob7Burrow
@LeighCenturions
Coventry Bears v Leeds Rhinos was a good occasion (income from the record 1,200 crowd was equivalent to 4 home League 1 games). People there are working hard for rugby league + deserve support.
@CoventryBearsRL
Special award from Leeds Rhinos to JJB to mark his retirement. You meet some good people in rugby league + Jonesy would be right at the top of that list.
Well, today is 25 years since I started at the YEP. And to mark the occasion I've already managed to spill a full mug of coffee on my laptop, which is now kaput! Wonder if a higher power is trying to tell me something...
Never forgotten. It's 23 years today since Roy Powell died, aged just 33. Here's a 2018
@YEPSportsdesk
tribute to the great + much-missed ex-Leeds, Bradford, Featherstone + Batley forward.
Not making any particular point here, but Brian McDermott at Leeds Rhinos has outlasted 10 different Leeds Utd managers. Grayson was in charge at Utd when McDermott joined Rhinos in 2010.
Unpopular opinion: Rob Burrow's try 10 years ago today was only the 2nd-best in a Grand Final. For me, the one he created later in the same game was even better; brilliant footwork + pace, an amazing dummy + what a finish by Ryan Hall...
Final score - London Broncos 10, Leeds Rhinos 36. Nervy for a spell as London hit back from 18-0 to 18-10, but job done + Super League survival secured. Report online
@YEPSportsdesk
soon.
Hearing some sad news - been told Fred Lindop MBE - legendary former RL (and union for a spell) referee - has died, aged 84. He reffed the 1970 World Cup final, among many other big games
Staggering what Sir Kev + his team have achieved this week. Quite simply he is an outstanding human being. Hats off also to everyone who turned out roadside + at Headingley. It's been an uplifting couple of days.