fishy25

Re: William Hill World Championships > December 18th - January 4th Hate to be the one to bring the thread back to sanity, but super call on Anderson kev. Very brave to go against Taylor in a world final but payed off. Super tournament and delighted for Gary. Good lineup for the premier league as well. Glad to see Huybrechts given a chance!

Re: William Hill World Championships > December 18th - January 4th Anderson was handed this title by being the best player in the tournament, consistently averaging over a ton and being impeccable on his doubles? That is like saying Djokovic was lucky to win a grand slam by being the most consistent throughout the 2 weeks. If you want to compare darts to tennis I'd only be too happy to discuss, but to even suggest Anderson didn't deserve to win the title is ludacrious and in my opinion, not even up for debate.

Re: William Hill World Championships > December 18th - January 4th Not sure I agree on either front with regard to Anderson and Bunting. You say Anderson plays well when it least matters, not sure you win the players championship, beating Lewis and Taylor on the way as well as winning the Premier League if that's the case. Or for that matter when he was almost down and out against Klaasen. To stay in the biggest event in darts is when it matters the most and he managed to pull it out of the bag. On the Bunting front, reaching the semis in the Grand Prix and the quarters at ally pally and the grand slam is a pretty good return in his first year on the circuit. You can't say he isn't a champion because he is a world champion regardless of the brand and you can't win the BDO without having something about you. He's a must for the premier league and I think he has the potential to win majors even whilst the likes of Taylor and Barney are around.

Re: Burnley v Chelsea > Monday August 18th

Re: County Championship 2014 Running short on time so quick write ups for me. Notts to beat Warwickshire- 10/11 Stan James- (4/10) Still not overly convinced about Warwickshire. Granted they were desperately unlucky to not get the win against Lancashire but that game could well have affected morale so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back. Notts haven't been exceptional this season, but their batting lineup is still formidable as anything and it's only a matter of time before Peter Siddle fires with the ball you feel so they deserve to be bigger favourites for this one on home soil. Derbyshire to beat Worcestershire- 11/10 Stan James- (4/10) Totally agree with Kev here. Derbyshire to me look one, if not the strongest championship side in the division. They have been scoring runs and taking wickets comfortably with Shiv Chanderpaul and Groenewald in particular starting the season fabulously. Worcestershire still are very heavily reliant on Ali and Mitchell with the bat whilst although they have Saeed Ajmal, it's his first game so there's certainly no guarantees he's going to blow any batsman away this early. Expect a Derbyshire win here. Hampshire to beat Surrey- 4/5 BetVictor- (4/10) I'm still not going anywhere near Surrey. I actually think they were pretty fortunate that the first day of their game against Essex was washed out otherwise I think they would have been struggling to bat on the last day. We've already seen this season how their batting can struggle after Glamorgan skittled them out and alot comes down to Smith to fire. Hampshire look a pretty strong outfit, with runs throughout their side and as Kev says, Kyle Abbott has been a good signing for them with the ball. Until Surrey put in a performance of note, I'm happy to go against them once more. Leicestershire to beat Glamorgan- 11/8 BetVictor- (4/10) After last week, there's no way I can resist opposing Glamorgan here. In truth, they were absolutely shocking against Gloucestershire. Nobody made any runs, and it's purely down to Michael Hogan that they escaped with a draw last week. Hogan is back in Australia for this one though as his wife is having a kid which is a huge blow for the Welsh side. He is the main man with the ball for them so it'll be interesting to see how they cope without him. Leicestershire are no world beaters, and they have injuries themselves with Sarwan and Thakor amongst others still out, but they have spoken about how important home form is to them so they will want to put that into practice this week. They come into this game full of confidence one would expect after a really good showing against Kent where they were on top and could have taken it but for the rain around. That should set them up for this one though and with Glamorgan's performance last week, Leicestershire could get into them and win this one.

Re: April 21 - April 27 Super shouts on Kei and Rosol mate. Keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow :hope

Re: County Championship 2014 4 draws last week, albeit a little fortunate to come out of that round unscathed. Like a few this week but I'll kick off with just the one as I doubt this price will last. Essex to beat Gloucestershire- 8/11 Ladbrokes- (5/10) Going with Essex again as this price looks way too high on them in my opinion. They were a tad unlucky that their first day was rained off against Surrey as they were going okay in that one. They're sticking with the same side though and that can only be a good thing with Cook scoring runs for fun at the minute. What I really like about them is that they have a few individuals with both bat and ball who can make consistent contributions and as I say, with Cook at the top, that must give their side a huge boost given he hasn't been around much in recent seasons. Gloucestershire were all over Glamorgan in their last game in truth, and but for some late heroics by Michael Hogan with the bat in BOTH innings, Gloucestershire would have come away with that game with the win. Although they outplayed the Welsh side, I'd say it's probably 90% down to a poor showing from their opponents last week. Will Gidman had a really good game, but still with the bat, when up against a decent bowling attack like this Essex one, there's always a decent risk they could get skittled out in one of their innings in truth. They aren't helped this week with the news that David Payne is out injured as he is a big player in their bowling attack and even with him, I'd still have Essex as solid favourites so I have to have a play on the men from Chelmsford here.

Re: County Championship 2014 Less said about last week the better, few horrible performances in there. Let's hope for better this week... Lancashire to beat Warwickshire- 6/5 Bet365- (4/10) Both sides have had their fair share of off field problems this week with Jonathan Trott ruling himself out of cricket for a while and Peter Moores taking over England again so both teams haven't had the ideal preparation going into this one. Based on last week's performances though, I'd have Lancashire as favourites going into this one. The return of Glen Chapple is huge for the Red Roses as he has been their best bowler by far in the past few years. He'll back up Jimmy Anderson well and they should cause problems to Warwickshire's batting lineup. As mentioned, there's no Jonathan Trott, and Rikki Clarke is missing as well so a huge effort is required from Ian Bell like last week you feel if the home side are to put up some decent runs in this one. Lancashire have runs in them and if their quality bowlers can get rid of Ian Bell early, I fear for Warwickshire here. Derbyshire to beat Hampshire- 6/5 Bet365- (4/10) I'm still not totally convinced by Hampshire in all honesty. Although they got past Gloucestershire last week, at times they must have been biting their nails a bit which doesn't bode well for me to be honest. On paper, their side looks extremely strong with international talent throughout the side, but recent performances have suggested to me that something isn't completely right. Derbyshire put up a monumental effort against Essex and if it wasn't for a big innings from Alastair Cook in the second innings, they would have won that game even after not making the runs they would have liked in the first innings. Tim Groenewald has started the season on fire with the ball, and Shiv Chanderpaul looked as solid as ever against Essex. Add in the likes of Moore and Madsen at the top of the order who can score well, and Tony Palladino back in the side, I think Derbyshire look a solid bet at odds against. Glamorgan to beat Gloucestershire- 8/11 Bet365- (4/10) The Welsh side look a more balanced side to me and have more match winners in their ranks. They've already managed to beat Surrey which shows they are no mugs and in Wagg and Hogan, they have an attack which has really fired in the early stages this season. Batting wise they are vastly experienced with Wallace, Rudolph, Goodwin and Allenby in the middle order whilst their openers can make healthy contribution as well. Gloucestershire have Ian Saxelby back for this one which is a boost but their batting looks rather thin to me, especially if Hogan and Wagg make the most of the new ball as they usually do. Gloucestershire haven't won in Cardiff for a long while, and I don't expect that trend to be broken over the weekend and early next week. Essex to beat Surrey- 11/10 Ladbrokes- (4/10) I'll try my luck with Essex again for the second week running as they did have their impressive moments in that win over Derbyshire. Alastair Cook is still available and fresh off that century against Derbyshire, he'll look to go well again. I think what was more important for them though was that David Masters and Tymal Mills were amongst the wickets which is a really good sign for them, as when out together with Napier and Panesar, you have a really strong looking bowling attack. Surrey looked to be on top against Glamorgan in their first game, but then were rattled out for 81 which shows the inconsistencies and inexperience in their batting, Graham Smith aside. Far too much relies on the South African in my opinion, whilst their bowling is still a weakness for me as Kev alluded to, I'm not convinced they quite know their best XI yet. Essex should be on a high so I'll back them to deliver the goods once again.

Re: County Championship 2014 Good shout on Sussex bud, Middlesex were never really in it after Prior came to the crease. With Glamorgan doing the job comfortably, and Anderson taking the wicket bet (Adams didn't play so that was voided), I'm on +7 going into the second round of fixtures. Again I'm completely with Kev this week, with a couple of further additions. BTW that Borthwick price is down as short as 4/1 now so that looks a steal currently. :ok Nottinghamshire to beat Middlesex- 4/5 Stan James- (5/10) Notts 1st Innings Lead- 10/11 Stan James- (4/10) I was expecting Notts to be a much shorter price this week so I was pleasantly surprised to get them around the 1.80 mark. They are a team very much in the reckoning for the title with the only slight concern the future of Mick Newell with regard to the England job. He's there at the minute though so that's not a factor, and when you look at their side on paper, it really does look a strong one. They had far too much for Lancashire last week, and they are strengthened by the fact that Peter Siddle and James Taylor, two players who would get into any side, are available to play in this one. Middlesex were in truth blown away by Matt Prior last week and didn't get a sniff after he came to the crease, but their batting was really poor in both innings, and you feel if Notts can get rid of Chris Rogers early enough, then the rest of the batting lineup is pretty much their to be attacked. Notts' batting stars are probably the best in the country, and with Siddle around to bolster the bowling this week, they look a good bet to me get their second win and also lead the runs after both sides have batted. Yorkshire to beat Somerset- 4/5 Stan James- (4/10) The bowling is a huge worry for me here with Somerset. When you look at the squad, you really think to yourself have they got 20 wickets in them and I'm inclined until I see otherwise to say no to that at the minute. Batting they do have some quality players even without Jos Buttler who has signed for Lancashire, but there's really nothing in the bowling department to worry Yorkshire I feel. Even though they are without Root, Bairstow and Bresnan, Yorkshire have a far more balanced look to them. They've got runs in Williamson, Gale, Ballance amongst others and unlike Somerset, they have the bowlers to back it all up. Sidebottom, Brooks and Plunkett are all dangerous with the new ball and they have decent spin options as well so they just look the far more likely to pick up a win here. Warwickshire to beat Sussex- 8/11 Ladbrokes- (4/10) I'm going to go against Sussex again for the second week running but this time in the shape of Warwickshire. I know Sussex easily beat Middlesex, but a large part of that was down to Matt Prior and Middlesex's batting weaknesses. However for this one, they are without Prior who's nursing an achilles problem, whilst the home side have runs throughout their team. Ian Bell captains the side, whilst Trott, Chopra, Evans and Clarke are also playing so there's plenty of runs you feel in them. Sussex are boosted by Chris Jordan for this one, but I do feel the Sussex bowlers will struggle far more than they did last week. In Barker, Wright and Woakes, the hosts are no mugs with the ball either, and we've seen how effective Jeetan Patel has been in recent seasons so it's a home win for me to make amends for Middlesex's failures with the bat. Kent to beat Worcestershire- 10/11 Ladbrokes- (4/10) Worcestershire impressed me against Hampshire but you have to say but for that superb knock from Mitchell, the scorecard probably would have looked a lot different. Kev has summed in up perfectly, if Kent knock over Ali and the captain early, you struggle to see where the rest of the runs will come from in truth. Saeed Ajmal was expected to play today but there's been a hold up there which hasn't done them any favours whilst Kent have Bollinger around for them so two bits of bad news for Worcester here and I expect Kent to take the points. Essex to beat Derbyshire- 4/5 Ladbrokes- (4/10) I'm not a massive fan of backing Essex regardless in the Championship but I'm going to risk them here. On Paper, their side looks a competitive one in division 1 let alone the second tier. All of their England players are available, so in Cook and Bopara they have runs, with the likes of Mickleburgh, Westley, Smith and Foster to contribute whilst they have a strong seam attack and it's good news for them that Graham Napier was firing in the warm up game. To be fair Derbyshire have a good look to their side as well but I still feel a lot of the runs, a bit like Worcestershire, are only going to come form predominantly two sources; Madsen and Chanderpaul. If they both struggle in their opening game, I make Essex bit favourites given their strong batting lineup for this one. Again same with the batting, a lot comes down to Tim Groenewald in taking wickets so with Derbyshire heavily relying on a few key players, whereas Essex have a few more options, I think they are the more likely in this one.

Re: County Championship 2014 GL with those mate. I'm agreeing on Glamorgan, opposing Sussex though. Middlesex to beat Sussex- 11/10 Ladbrokes- (4/10) I think it's a huge boost having Stephen Finn available for the game and he'll have a massive point to prove this season given how he's fallen down in the pecking order in the England setup. Along with Roland-Jones and James Harris, Middlesex have an abundance of seam quality amongst their ranks and whilst you'd say their batting is their weaker field, the likes of Robson, Denly, Rodgers and Morgan can score heavily so they look a decent side on paper. Sussex are without a few of their big names for this one, including Chris Jordan who has been superb for them in the past couple of seasons. Chris Nash and Luke Wright are also missing, whilst Matt Prior is carrying a niggle so I'm not sure how fit he will be to bat anyway. With the quality of Middlesex's bowling attack, I think that gives them an advantage in this one to be honest so I'm happy to back them at odds against. Glamorgan to beat Surrey- 2/1 Bet365- (3/10) Yeah I'm happy to oppose Surrey for the first game of the season as well. Surrey have had all sorts of problems in the past few years where at one time they had the most promising side in the country but with what's gone on in the past few years, their side looks very different. Graeme Smith will need to score tons of runs this season as the rest of their batting lineup looks very hit or miss and the amount of youngsters who will be under pressure worries me a touch. Glamorgan are not world beaters but they do have some quality players on their books. They have some good bowling options, none other than Michael Hogan who can cause any batsman in the country problems, whilst as Kev says, their batting has a decent amount of depth as well so I'll have a little play at Glamorgan at a decent price here. Not sure Stan James have done these bets before for individual matches but one has caught my eye... James Anderson Top 1st Innings Bowler- 10/3 Stan James- (1.5/10) Andre Adams Top 1st Innings Bowler- 7/2 Stan James- (1.5/10) Well I've taken a bet on both of these guys as I don't see how either of them won't win this little market. When you consider only these two above, Harry Gurney, Glen Chapple, Luke Fletcher and Kyle Hogg count in this market, I'm astonished by the prices on Anderson and Adams. When you consider how Kyle Hogg and Glen Chapple aren't even in the squad to play for Lancashire it's only Gurney or Fletcher who can spoil the bets. Both are decent bowlers but Anderson and Adams in truth are a few levels above them so it's only one of the above who can win top the market I think.

Re: County Championship 2014 Top work as ever mate! Will look to contribute to the cricket threads as I've been massively absent as of late. :ok

Re: ICC World T20 2014 Fortunate that the rain came down there for you mate. Just had a massive go at William Hill myself. I had the 'Under's on boundaries and sixes which were nailed on winners until the skies opened and floodlights failed. The boundaries could not have lost even if Ireland hit 4 sixes at the end yet my bets were still voided because more than 3 overs were lost. Just said to them that it is completely laughable that if a team scored 10 runs in an innings, and someone had a bet of 'Under 35.5 Boundaries' and then it poured down during the interval that under their rules, the bets would still be voided. Basically said they should sack whoever came up with that rule :lol. Feel a bit sorry for the customer service guy actually considering he was pretty helpful, but needed to take out some frustration. GL for the rest of the tournament though bud. :ok

Re: October 21 - October 27 He only had 2 break points in that second set :lol. I need a new dictionary apparently.

Re: US Open 2013 Just going to add my insight into the final tonight. Haven't had the time to post really but have found an open window tonight. I've gone in fairly heavily on a Williams win. Taken the same 2 bets as Czech, as well as a 2-0 Williams win as well with Sportingbet - very generous odds offered there indeed. The natural argument is the recent H2H, and to be honest, that's the only thing in Azarenka's favour here. A couple of wins on the hard courts this season against the American, including over in Cincinnati a couple of weeks back, but if we're really focusing in on the match up, it really doesn't look good for Azarenka. Her previous 2 matches may look comfortable (straight set wins over Hantuchova and Pennetta), but the performances of Azarenka were shocking. Her serve is ridiculously vulnerable right now. If it wasn't for Hantuchova and Pennetta struggling on their own serve, the final would be completely different. Double faults galore as she seems to have inherited Sharapova's serving motion ( i.e serving in a table tennis fashion by trying to hit the ball on her own side of the court before her opponents). As we all know, if there's one thing you can't afford to do against Serena it's drop serve on numerous occasions as Serena could ace some of the guys on the men's side. You will very rarely see Serena drop serve more than 3 times in a match, and that's when she isn't firing on all cylinders. So far in the tournament however, the American has dropped just the 16 games in her matches and she should be fully motivated for this one considering 12 months ago, Azarenka very nearly beat her at this stage. As I've said, looking at the H2H, Azarenka hasn't done badly against Serena. It may be 13-3 in the American's favour, but Azarenka has taken more sets off Williams than most but right now, I really fear for her. She was astonishingly poor in her semi, and really fortunate. If she doesn't improve about 300% at least, I don't see where she's troubling her opponent today. Her serve just isn't what it should be at the minute, and I think it's hard to comprehend anything other than a Williams win here, and it might actually be a tad embarrassing and sad to watch Azarenka tonight. That would be the case if she kept her mouth shut when playing but as it is, I think I'll enjoy Williams hopefully celebrating tonight.

Re: Friends Life T20 2013 Gone for Hampshire in the same market to be honest. Still at 5/6 with Stan James which is a lot higher than most firms have it. Granted Tanvir is out, but Tredwell is struggling for fitness with an ankle problem I think it is, whilst Philander has gone round the park a bit so far in the tournament. Hampshire as always have the likes of Mascarenhas and Briggs who are always hard to get away and with Carberry in the form he's in, I'd side with Hampshire personally. :ok