A spot of Rugby and Hoops...

Just like it says on the tin.

I find rugby very difficult to shoot. In part, this is because I lack experience as I only cover a handful of matches each season...

...but, also, (a) I'm simply not very good at reading the game, (b) I get impatient when the play gets 'stuck' in the opposite corner of the pitch and (c) the level of rugby I generally shoot generally seems to involve huge piles of players writhing around on the turf trying (often unsuccessfully) to eject the egg rather than any open play.

Excuses, excuses, excuses!

Anyway here are a few gloomy dabblings from yesterday:

Thwunkage of the hair-raising variety...

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your usual excellent shots.

I don't understand this game -- are the guys in shot 2 really elbowing aside their own teammates? And shouldn't the action in shot 3 involve female balerinas? Two nations separated by incomprehensible sports

DavidEB wrote in post #2503607
your usual excellent shots.

I don't understand this game -- are the guys in shot 2 really elbowing aside their own teammates? And shouldn't the action in shot 3 involve female balerinas? Two nations separated by incomprehensible sports

It's a bit like American fball, but rugby union is a bit more advanced and played at a faster pace (usually)

gmen wrote in post #2503443
(c) the level of rugby I generally shoot generally seems to involve huge piles of players writhing around on the turf trying (often unsuccessfully) to eject the egg rather than any open play.
---- Gavin

No, that is real rugby as appreciated by us front 5 connoisseurs. That open field running stuff is ok for the girlies in the backs, but always remember it is the skill of the forwards that win the game, the prowess of the backs simply determines by how many points…

Gavin,

Some superb shots in there - for someone who struggles with rugby you're not bad! There is logic to the pattern of play though (assuming that the fly half has a clue about what he is doing!)....even though often its disguised by several piles of bodies.

2nd Hoops shot is the pick of the bunch for me!

Dandaman_24 wrote in post #2503762
It's a bit like American fball, but rugby union is a bit more advanced and played at a faster pace (usually)

And with marginally less padding. Although having tried American Football once, having all that padding is quite good fun!! Does make you try to tackle like the guy in the film "The Waterboy" though!

neil_r wrote in post #2503809
No, that is real rugby as appreciated by us front 5 connoisseurs. That open field running stuff is ok for the girlies in the backs, but always remember it is the skill of the forwards that win the game, the prowess of the backs simply determines by how many points…

Front 5 connoisseurs? Using the Piano movers and piano players analagy for Forwards and Backs I am confused

I did used to play fly half if that helps explain the above comment!!


Sorry, I digressed - great shots Gavin!!

I like the Rugby shots, 2, 3 are good. I've still yet to shoot a game. 2007 is the plan.

The BB are great, My editor really likes Midcourt action, it's not something they usually get. I've seen dunk shots like that missed as well. Great capture though.

I'll try and get my NIA images from Sunday on tonight if I get time.

Darren

Great stuff Gavin...

I'm not a fan of basketball, and hence find it hard to appreciate anything other than truly extraordinary shots of the sport. When I get the chance, I'm going to go up into the rafters one day and have a go from up there! I like the 2nd rugby one best - rarely do you get the opportunity to isolate a member of one team in the same shot as 3 opponents, and that pic works brilliantly...just cringeing in light of the imminent pain he'll receive if he manages to get to that ball first!

I'll admit it, I used to play fly half (too, Paul) and as backs, we were indeed the artists on the pitch. Always good to see the forwards do all the donkey work before allowing us lot to rip up the opposition line with some well-rehearsed running.

Well for someone who finds shooting rugby hard, you did a outstanding job. I shoot for a rugby club in the Detroit area and many times find it a real chore. Both your rugby and basketball shots are very good.
Bob

Yeah! pretty sad stuff!
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Oh... wait... forget the last one!

How's this for groin wrenching?

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Ouch, is the grimace from the hard hit or the trunk pull.

Loverly! The only thing that surprises me about this game is that there are not more compound fractures.

Wow...sharp images, congrats
dodo

Great rugby union shots. Love the line out picture, the longer haired guy looks the more likely to win as he's at least got his eyes open. lol.

I find it difficult to get away from the pile of bodies in union. Rugby league definitely seems to offer up more opportunity to get good action shots.

DavidEB wrote in post #2503607
your usual excellent shots... ...Two nations separated by incomprehensible sports

Many thanks David... Not understanding some sports adds to their 'interest value' I reckon

---- Gavin