I'm Sorry.....

I couldn't get near a PC yesterday due to personal problems and was unable to reply to the surgle of late entrants for the Poker Tournament.

Please accept my sincere apologies.

BoI

HEC and Challenge Cup Bets

Castres v Treviso

Who said it was going to be easy? In all honesty Castres should cover this cap, they are sending out a decent team to face the game Italians and will be buoyed by their close defeat at the hands of Wasps last weekend. It has to be noted that Treviso beat Castres home and away four years ago but the French team had surrendered any hope of qualification by then.

What encourages me is the fact that Castre’s coach is making noises about wanting to qualify from the group to make up for a very poor start to the domestic competition, with 5 points from every game being the target – what also encourages me further is that Chang-a-lang is officiating and it has to be said that he is a homer and when it boils down to it and could devastate the Italians at the breakdown. I also had it confirmed from a French friend that the team to face Calvisano is of equal quality to the side they put out against the Wasps so no surrender monkeys

Recommendation - Castres -18 at Bet365 or Coral

Bristol v Dragons

I really really like this -6 on Bristol. Bristol are putting out a rested 1st XV and if the press I've been reading all week is anything to go by then they are also pretty well up for it. Whilst we won't be to much of a pushover we are missing Jamie Ringer and Rhys Thomas in the forwards, both of these would have been in the Wales Squad if it wasn't for the injuries they sustained in the battle against Northampton. We also have Ceri Sweeney who is kicking like a machine at the moment but I really do feel that Bristol are the stronger team tonight and -6 points is just a gift. Also the Bristol coach was at The Dragons for a year during the reign of Anderson (spit!!! - no offence leaguies) and would love to get one over on us, add to that the strong Welsh contingent at Bristol who feel they are being underated and not really looked upon as contenders for a Welsh squad place, well...you've got a lot of motivated people playing the Dragons tonight. If I was capping this game I'd have had it at +14 Dragons.

Recommendation Bristol -6 @ Sporting Odds


Sale should also beat the cap but I have to honestly state that the rest of the matches are to close to call - Ospreys at -14 is tempting as is Ulster +4 away at Scarlets but again it's very tight.

Lost?

It's getting on for 20 past 2 on Thursday afternoon and our the Nations bookies still haven't had the nouse (some would say balls) to post their selections for this weekend games. This time last week there was almost a full array of prices to take as of now only Bet365 have had the cohanas.

Is it because it's a difficult week for them? Is it because it was the Bookies Ball last night in Cheltenham? Or is it because they want to wait and see the team sheets?

Be very careful now, we're waiting!

A Call To Arms?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL87bkiYiik

A New Feature For The Blog....

What I know about computer script you could write on the back of a benson and hedges packet and still have enough space left over to write down Andy Robinson's England Tactics and even then still have more than enough room for at least 10 jokes on Lawrence Bruno Dallaglio but I digress....somehow I have managed to incorpoate a cheap and tacky guest book for the blog. You can find it under Recommended Links.

The guest book will cover the usual functions.....people taking the piss and such like which is fine but I'd also like to try and extend it a wee bit to include peoples thoughts on the selections the team has made and any other snippetts of information people may be in receipt of, for example if you know that Toni and Guy's has closed down temporarily in Swansea then this could have a dramatic effect on the Ospreys morale for their next home game.

HEC Betting Summary....

A barely satisfactory 5/8 This weekend but it’s useful to pick over the bones and see what lessons are there to be learnt and to see where I went totally wrong

Calvisano v Stade Francais Lost
Borders v Overmach Parma Win
Leicester v Munster Lost
Ulster v Toulouse Win
Bourgoin v Cardiff Win
Biarritz v Northampton Lost
London Irish v Scarlets Win
Agen v Edinburgh Win


Calvisano v SF

I’ve quite simply underestimated how poor the Italian sides are this season. SF did send a 2nd string team out but sadly the French reserves were far to strong. My mistake is looking at the Italian national team as a whole and thinking they’ve come on leaps and bounds. Looks like I’m wrong.

Leicester v Munster

Never underestimate Munster and the power of the HEC. With hindsight it was obvious that Munster were targeting this game and the blips against Edinburgh last week was just that. Munster did get a lucky try and I do think the Tigers tried to play rugby but at the end of the day the red machine ticked on and I should have been aware.

Biarritz v Northampton

Kind of disappointing this result as Biarritz had the cap covered at half time and merely took their feet off their collective French pedals and let Northampton score the only try of the second half. I really thought this game was heading for a massacre but it’s always tricky betting on caps involving the French – just one of those things I suppose. The French, as I mentioned on Friday, are over estimated in this years HEC and it should make for some interesting betting.


As I've mentioned previously....My target is to make a profit from the group games, something which I'm sure I'll accomplish. Should be interesting next weekend watching the bookies cap the Celtic League teams as I think I'm right in saying that if you had bet on all the caps including Celtic League teams you would have come out 6 for 6.

HEC Bets...

Now - things are going to take a little time to settle down and for patterns to emerge - I'm not that confident as I would normally be but I am confident that we'll make a profit over the tournament in the long run.

Calvisano v Stade Francais – Calvisano +26 @ Expect.com

Ok, so it’s a supposed minnow playing one of the best sides in Europe, fair enough. Calvisano are a decent team with a fair sprinkling of Italian internationals but the crux for me here is that the French like to play it canny and I can’t see them sending a full strength team up and along the med as the there are obviously bigger fish to fry in the group and at the top of the French 14. SF will win of course they will but Calivsano will run that cap close I’m sure. SF as thought are sending a weakened team but do have a very strong bench to call on should they need it


Borders v Overmach Parma - Borders+12 @ Paddy Power

Borders, fresh from their surprise win over Leinster last week will be looking to continue their winning ways against the Italian qualifiers. Parma, bless em, are a good honest bunch but to be frank – they ain’t that good and what decent players they had last year have been snatched away from them, Emerich pour example. Expect a dodgy first half and Borders to ponce away with it in the last 20.

Leicester v Munster Tigers -5 @ PaddyPower

Now I don’t care what you say, Munster won’t win this, unless they’ve all been anally probed by Alien visitors and been afforded some kind of strange rugby playing ability since their raping by a very average Edinburgh side. Munster started the season in a shit state and have continued to be utter shit even with all of the "stars" back in the line up…..they bravely hung onto a 1 point lead against the Borders (the flecking borders???) and lost to a bunch of skag taking heid the balls up in Glasgow. Blind faith and optimism won’t be enough for the Munster fans here. On a plus note for Munster – this incoming arse kicking may just kick start their season.


Ospreys V Sale –

To tight to call on the cap.


Ulster v Toulouse - Ulster+4 @ Betfred

Ulster have been on fire at home and have torn asunder all who made the trip to the province. Toulouse on the other hand are struggling a little bit with their form and have serious weaknesses in their front five and their backs seem a little leaderless since the injury to Michelak. I would have preferred this even more if it were not a lunchtime kick off but you can count on 15,000 Ulstermen shouting themselves silly. Ulster could win this outright never mind the generous offer of a 4 point start from Betfred. All the French are being over estimated in my opinion.



Bourgoin v Cardiff – Cardiff +12 @ Bet365.

Bourgoin are a funny old team – last time they were in the HEC they really didn’t bother and just concentrated on the F14, who knows what their target will be this year but I suspect it’s more of the same due to their very small squad. They are a very physical team with a good kicking game but I can’t help but like Cardiff here, the Blues have won away in England recently and will quite fancy their chances to take something from this game, even a losing bonus point which could become vital. Good back line selected for the Blues tonight and if the forwards can compete then it could be a great night for the blues.


Biarritz v Northampton – Biarritz –18 @ Betdirect.

Northampton could get trousered here. Cohen and Thompson are back from injuries which is handy but I’ve seen a first XV Northampton play this season and not only where they kept to a few chances by a much lower rated team they were also outfought and out battled. An unfancied bottom of the league Worcester side also spanked a good Northampton side a few weeks ago. Northampton are also rudderless after losing their captain through injury with Darren Fox stepping into the breach. Biarritz on the other hand will be hurting after last years Final defeat and if they are in the mood could blast Northampton away.


London Irish v Scarlets – Scarlets +6 Bet365

I really hope I’m not letting myself get suckered into supporting the Welsh teams here….but the Scarlets squad, on paper anyway, looks really impressive and they certainly have the players to turn over the Exiles. Peel and Jones are paired together and Regan King is probably the best centre in the country at the moment. Mike Catt does return for the Irish tonight but they only played last Sunday and have been bemoaning the short turn around where the Scarlets have had an extra week off. Form wise the Exiles have been pants with two wins from five whilst if Scarlets win just one of their games in hand they will be top of the vastly superior Magners League.

Leinster v Gloucester –

To tight to call


Agen v Edinburgh – Edinburgh + 10 Paddy Power

Ah, what the heck, I’m going with Edinburgh here, even if they are Chris Pattersonless. The Gunners are one of those teams that really can beat anyone on their day and I’m fancying that Agen are just going to pay this tournament lip service and concentrate on the league. Agen it has to be said are a win at home lose away kind of team but Edinburgh will be bolstered by that really excellent and some would say easy victory away in Limerick against what was meant to be a 1st XV Munster side and could stop Agen playing the same way they did against the Red machine

A Word About Our Sponsors....

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It really is sweeping the nation but we here at Betting On Ice are confused about peoples real opinions so our investigative journalist hit the streets to find out what people really think.....

“It’s shit” – Derek Noble, London W1

“Real men don't put ice cubes in pint glasses. FACT” – Danny Stephens, Zimbabwe

“I'm a big fan. With ice and on special occasions, a slice of lemon and a parasol. Nothing better on a hot day” – Daniel O’Donnell, Dublin 4

“A pint of Magners and soda on a hot day is very nice if there's no Pimms to be had. Otherwise it's utter gash” – Rowan Quinn, Richmond

The next cunt I see holding a pint glass with ice in it is gonna get it smashed in his friggin boat race – Julian Beach, Rio De Janeiro

“It's a drink for people who don't really like drinking” - Arthur Dent, Bedfordshire

"Looks like a pint of woodpecker with some extra orange colour in it to me" - Phil Doon, Inverness

"a million tramps can't be wrong" - J Guscott, Cardiff

"I prefer White Lightning. How can you argue with 2 pound 99 for 3.5 litres" - Tony Brown, South Wales

Tigers v Turnips - HEC Preview

Saturday 21st October

The red combine harvester bumbles it's way to the Metropolis of Leicester for what is an eagerley enticipated fixture for all alike. It's a massive game to be honest - The Tigers need to get their season back on track after playing the very personification of the English brand of rugby we have come to know and love and Munster who had their arses served to them on a plate last week against Edinburgh at packed Thomond Park need to really buck their ideas up.


I think Tigers have the edge in the Scrum and it's about honours even in the lineout. Andy Foode for Tigers has come on leaps and bounds since he stopped Martin Corry putting angel delight in his slimfast and I worry about Ronan O'Gara - if he hasn't got the right boots on on Saturday (and to be fair he's been kicking like a smacked up donkey so far this season) then things could get very messy for an out of sorts Munster as they don't really have a plan B.

Head to Head

1. Castrogiovanni vs Horan adv TIGERS

2. Chuter vs Sheahan adv TIGERS

3. White vs Hayes adv TIGERS

4. Kay vs O'Callaghan EVEN

5. Cullen vs POC adv TURNIPS

6. Jennings vs Leamy adv TURNIPS

7. Moody vs Wallace adv TURNIPS

8. Corry vs Foley adv TIGERS

9. Bemand vs Stringer adv TURNIPS

10. Goode vs ROG adv TURNIPS

11. J.Murphy vs Dowling adv TIGERS

12. Gibson vs Halstead adv TURNIPS

13. Smith vs Murphy adv TIGERS

14. G.Murphy vs O'Leary adv TIGERS

L15. Vesty vs Payne adv TIGERS

Odds are currently 2/5 on Leicester which I suppose is ok but I shall refrain from making a handicap prediction until all becomes clearer on Friday - I'm looking forward to seeing how PaddyPower dress this one up.

Poker Poker Poker....

Let me be honest - the numbers of participants aren't exactly flying in - but there will be enough to play the tournament so no worries there.

The prize pool is still £100.00

I've decided to post the link you need and the password required to join the tournament - Everyone is welcome

http://banner.cdpoker.com/cgi-bin/SetupPoker.exe?member=DACSTER

Password: sweeney

Once you've opened an account scroll down under the "Tournaments" Tab until you find "Celtic League Poker.

Cheers.

Get 'em whilst their hot!

The Heineken Cup is just around the corner and I've been having a nosey at the markets. No real eye-brow raisers as it's just the same old faces that will be fighting for the same old quarter final spots. However.....one thing did catch my eye@

Northampton 40-1 to win the HEC.

Now don't start laughing and pointing at me just yet - Northampton have got Stade Francais in their group but they've also got The Borders and Overmach Parma, now...it's my line of thinking that Northampton could squueze through this group thanks to gaining Bonus Points, it really is the weakest of all groups and they could hammer, and I mean hammer Borders and Parma at home - it's also not unfathomable for them to beat Stade at home either.

Right, say we have £25.00 on Northampton to win the HEC Cup and they make it through to the quarter finals.....we will then have £1000.00 worth of potentail winnings to back whomever Northampton are playing away to assuming they come second of course - if they actually won the group it would be more profitable for us as they would be playing at home.

We are not talking about making a vast amount of money here but I reckon you could turn that £25.00 into around £100.00-£150.00 without too much effort.



Another selection along a similar vein is:

Dragons to Win the European Challenge Cup 20-1

Dragons have Bayonne, Bristol and Bucharesti in their group. Bristol really won't be interested in this fixture what with their continuing success at the top of the Guiness Premiership...Bayonne are struggling for survival in France and I'd be vastly impressed if they send nothing but reserve teams out and I feel they will be paying lip service to the tournament. Bucharest are left and are not to be underestimate but should still finish bottom of the pile.

I really think Dragons could top their group giving them a home tie in the Quarters. If we backed the Dragons with £25.00 that would give us £480.00 to play with to make us a profit. If they don't win the group I'm quite sure they could qualify as one of the best second place teams.

Betting Summmary.....

Celtic League Betting Summary

The story so far........Dragons v Scarlets – Lose
Ospreys v Blues – Win
Conn v Scarlets – Win
Ospreys v Borders – Win
Leinster v Blues – Lose
Blues v Glasgow – Win
Connacht v Leinster - Win
Edinburgh v Glasgow - Lose
Conn/Edinburgh Double - Win
Glasgow v Border - Win
Connacht v Ulster - Win
Glasgow/Ulster Double - Win
Borders v Leinster - Lose
Ulster v Blues - Win
Ospreys v Glasgow - Win
Leinster/Munster/Ospreys Treble - Lose


Well - a few shocks at the weekend - Munster getting beaten at home and the Ladyboys losing away in Borders. Still..... 16 Selections made has so far provided 11 winners.

Ulster v Blues Sat 14th Oct - KO 17.30

Ulster v Blues

I’ve been humming and harring about this game all day. The fact of the matter is that the Blues are sending over a weakend team with 8 changes to the team that beat Saracens last week. I also mistakenly thought Humphries was out for Ulster but no – he’s back in the team. Theres also a bit of needle for this game as the Blues were a bit errr…..naughty in the reverse fixture in Cardiff last year.

The way I see it is that Ulster, whilst having one eye on their HEC game next weekend will be looking to crush this Blues team and hopefully take a 5 pointer and retain their lofty status at the head of the Celtic league. Also add in the factor that is basically an unchanged side from the team that beat Connacht quite convincingly last weekend. Blair and Rush are out for the Blues and whilst they do have some depth they will surely miss those quality players at a sold out and beered up Ravenhill.

Form: Ulster returned to the top of the Magners League table with a 24-17 victory in Connacht last Friday and will be all out to extend their winning home run beyond the current eight match streak. Ulster have not lost to a Welsh team in 2006. Cardiff Blues have won their last three matches in all competitions, although they have not won on the road in the league since an 18-13 victory at the Dragons on 19 April. Since March 2003 the Blues have won just once in ten visits to Ireland: 18-8 in Connacht on 22 January 2005. Ulster did the league double over Cardiff Blues last season, whilst the Blues have never won in four previous visits to Ravenhill.

Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Andrew Maxwell, 13 Kevin Maggs, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 David Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Stephen Ferris, 6 Neil Best, 5 Matt McCullough, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Bryan Young, 2 Rory Best, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Tim Barker, 19 Neil McMillan, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Adam Larkin, 22 Scott Young.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Chris Czekaj, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Marc Stcherbina, 11 Rhys Williams, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Mark Lewis, 7 Ben White, 6 Scott Morgan, 5 James Goode, 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Gary Powell, 2 Duane Goodfield, 1 John Yapp.Replacements: 16 Gethin Jenkins, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Martyn Williams, 20 Wayne Evans, 21 Tom Shanklin, 22 David Flannigan.

Recommendation: Ulster –6 10/11 – It’s worth opening an account with UK Betting for this one. Skybet are going as high as –10 which is probably a bit more like it.

Safe as Houses?

If you move fast enough you can get fairly safe money on a bankable treble:

Leinster
Munster
Ospreys

Best bookies available at the moment are Stan James who will give you a paltry £5.56 on every tenner you stake.

Ospreys v Glasgow Friday 13th Oct 7.15KO

Ospreys v Glasgow

I’ve noticed Glasgow’s improvement over their last 3 games and you can be sure they will be coming down to the Liberty Stadium looking to get something out of the game. Glasgow are also keeping the exact same 22 who stuffed Borders last weekend with just one change to the starting 15.

The Ospreys are a bit of an enigma at the moment – getting completely humped over in Ulster two weeks ago and then turning in great performances against the English teams in the EDF Cup. The Ospreys side look delicious (on paper) and Gavin Henson is being played at 10 which leaves room for the impressive looking Hook to play inside centre again. This Ospreys team hasn’t clicked at all in the Celtic League but you certainly got to think that’s got to change sometime. In all honestly Ospreys should be looking to secure a 4 try bonus point win tonight if they are going to continue being up amoungst the challengers for the league title. Both teams will be looking to take some momentum into their respective HEC games next weekend.

Form: The Ospreys tripped up last time out in the Magners League: 7-43 at Ulster on 22 September. However at Liberty Stadium the Welshmen have won ten of their last eleven encounters in all competitions. The Ospreys have not lost to a Scottish opponent since Edinburgh beat them at Murrayfield in September 2005. Glasgow Warriors beat Border Reivers 25-0 at Hughenden last Friday – only the second time they have ever blanked an opponent in a league game after winning 35-0 against Connacht at the same venue in December 2004. Glasgow’s only victory in their last 11 matches against Welsh opponents was 17-10 at Stradey Park on 12 May. The Ospreys have lost just once in six previous encounters against Glasgow: 31-34 at Hughenden in May 2004.

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Gavin Henson, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Steve Tandy, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Brent Cockbain, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones (c).Replacements: 16 Barry Williams, 17 Paul James, 18 Alun Wyn Jones, 19 Filo Tiatia, 20 Jason Spice, 21 Shaun Connor, 22 Andrew Bishop.

Glasgow: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Hefin O'Hare, 13 Graeme Morrison, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Colin Gregor, 9 Graeme Beveridge, 8 John Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Andrew Wilson, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Andy Newman, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Justin Va'a.Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Dan Turner, 19 Donnie Macfadyen, 20 Sam Pinder, 21 Dan Parks, 22 Andrew Henderson.

Recommendation: I’ve got to go with that Opsrey’s team, it looks the part. I’m a little worried about Glasgows current resurgence but you can get Osprey’s –11 10/11 at BlueSquare.com

Borders v Leinster Friday 13th Oct KO 7.30PM

Borders V Leinster

You’d think this game would be easy to call after last weeks results; Leinster beat Munster in front of a record Celtic League Crowd and the Borders got punched out 25-0 in Glasgow. But it’s not easy in the slightest – It’s HEC time next weekend and some of the team decisions have left me a little worried. No matter.

At the end of the day this should come down to class and Leinster’s backs look very classy indeed; Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Denis Hickie, and Felipe Contepomi should do enough to secure a decent win for the Lions. Chris Cussiter and McCrae are back for the Borders which is good news for them but even with Cussiter supplying the ammunition I’m not sure the Borders are good enough to capitalise. Leinster did concede 20 points last week but that came mostly from the notorious Munster pack and the boot of O’Gara but Borders haven’t really got anything they can compare although McCrae is a competent kicker.

Form: Border Reivers are struggling with form of late and have just one victory to show for their toils from their last dozen matches: 43-5 over the Dragons at Netherdale on 26 May. In addition the Reivers have lost their last eight games against Irish Provinces. Leinster lowered the colours of Munster 27-20 at Lansdowne Road on Friday and are now going for a third successive Magners League victory. The Leinstermen did lose however on their last visit to Scotland: 14-20 to Edinburgh at Murrayfield on 8 September. Leinster won both matches against the Reivers last season although the second one was by the narrowest of margins in a 69 point thriller at Netherdale on 7 April.

Borders: 15 Calum MacRae, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Ben MacDougall, 12 Garry Law, 11 Nick De Luca, 10 Steve Jones, 9 Chris Cusiter (c), 8 Kelly Brown, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Ross Beattie, 5 Craig Hamilton, 4 Opeta Palepoi, 3 Ed Kalman, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Gavin Kerr.Replacements: 16 Steve Scott, 17 Bruce Douglas, 18 Scott Newlands, 19 John Dalziel, 20 Brendan McKerchar, 21 Andy Miller, 22 Gregor Townsend.

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Luke Fitzgerald, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Denis Hickie, 10 Felipe Contepomi, 9 Guy Easterby, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Keith Gleeson, 6 Cameron Jowitt, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Trevor Hogan, 3 Will Green, 2 Brian Blaney, 1 Reggie Corrigan.Replacements: 16 Harry Vermaas, 17 Bernard Jackman, 18 Owen Finegan, 19 Stephen Keogh, 20 Cillian Willis, 21 Christian Warner, 22 Kieran Lewis

Recommendation: Leinster could win this by a massive margin but the Borders won’t be the push over everyone thinks. Paddy power who normally are a tad bias towards the Irish teams are offering a lowly 13 to the Borders. Leinster –13 10/11 @ Paddy Power.

1st Celtic League Poker Championships - Represent Your Region....

The Celtic League Poker Championships – Sponsored by CD Poker and BettingOnIce.blogspot.com

Hi Everyone,

I am running the first ever Celtic League Poker Championship – This is your chance to represent your region/province and go head to head against your rivals.

Now, this bit may be hard to believe but there are no catches whatsoever – The tournament will be a FreeRoll with £100.00 in prizes and will not cost you a single penny to enter, all you will have to do is:

1. Email me @ bettingonice@hotmail.co.uk registering your interest and which Celtic League Team you wish to represent.

2. You will then receive a link from me with the password to the tournament
Register an account at CDPoker via the link I have sent you. You do not have to deposit any money and will not even have to give credit or debit card details.

3. Turn up on the night – 29th October 2006 @ 19.00 hours and play.


Why am I doing this? Because I can and that’s it.

Here are some other benefits you will gain from just purely registering an account and turning up to represent your region:

I would like to inform you that CDPoker will host a 2k freeroll each Friday in October. The name of the freeroll is "Friday 2k match". The freeroll is open with no restrictions to all of your players* (UK and Irish players Only) from the start of this month. We will issue tokens to it on a daily basis -Sunday through Thursday. Players that will sign on Fridays will be eligible to play in the next Friday game or any other 2k matches thismonth.

I would also like to remind you that depositing players will be eligible toplay in the 1k new depositor's freeroll, which is held every Saturday, 13:00>EST. Simply put, CDPoker is offering your Celtic Leauge players a 3k weekend.

I will be operating a scoring systems to find out which region has the best Poker Players and there will be free cash prizes given out to at least the 10 ten finishers. If you have any questions then please don’t hestitate to ask me. bettingonice@hotmail.co.uk


Cheers

The Betting On Ice Team
http://bettingonice.blogspot.com/

Betting Summary

Celtic League Betting Summary

The story so far........

Dragons v Scarlets – Lose
Ospreys v Blues – Win
Conn v Scarlets – Win
Ospreys v Borders – Win
Leinster v Blues – Lose
Blues v Glasgow – Win
Connacht v Leinster - Win
Edinburgh v Glasgow - Lose
Conn/Edinburgh Double - Win
Glasgow v Border - Win
Connacht v Ulster - Win
Glasgow/Ulster Double - Win

Dancing Cows Are Here Again!

Recommendation: I actually expect Glasgow to romp this - Glasgow -6 @ Stan James. Nice

Glasgow 25 - 0 Borders

Recommendation: 10 points Ulster –6 @ Sporting Odds

Connacht 17 - 24 Ulster

We also got the double up - 100% weekend for the PR Betheads.

Another Wench?

Ulster and Glasgow Outright Pays £20.86 to a £10.00 Stake! @ Williamhill.com

Glasgow v Borders Fri 6th October KO 7.30

Glasgow v Borders


Well, it may just be me but I think the Glasgow Warriors are improving, they were desperately unlucky last week away in Edinburgh and went down at Murrayfield to an injury time drop goal and lets not forget the week before they stomped all over Munster. Fair enough, Cussiter is back for the Borders and he could make a difference but you need more than one guy to win a game for you.


This will be a classic situation of “Forwards decide who win the game, the backs decide by how much” – Rory Lamont comes back for the Warriors, a player who has been sorely missed.


Form: Glasgow Warriors have won just one of their last six matches: 24-13 over Munster at Hughenden on 15 September, whilst the Warriors have also won only one of their last six games against fellow Scottish opponents: 46-6 over Edinburgh at Firhill on 4 December 2005. Border Reivers have slipped to four successive defeats and have won just once on the road since last October: 20-8 in this equivalent fixture at Firhill last season. The Reivers did the league double over the Warriors last season, winning 24-13 at Netherdale and 20-8 at Firhill.


Glasgow Warriors: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Hefin O'Hare, 13 Graeme Morrison, 12 Andrew Henderson, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Colin Gregor, 9 Graeme Beveridge, 8 John Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Andrew Wilson, 5 Alastair Kellock (capt), 4 Andy Newman, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Justin Va'a.Replacement: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Dan Turner, 19 Donnie Macfadyen, 20 Sam Pinder, 21 Dan Parks, 22 Scott Barrow.


Border Reivers: 15 Calum MacRae, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Garry Law, 11 Mark Robertson, 10 Steve Jones, 9 Chris Cusiter (capt), 8 Ross Beattie, 7 Scott Gray/Andy Miller, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Opeta Palepoi, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Bruce Douglas, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Gavin Kerr. Replacements: 16 Steve Scott, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 John Dalziel, 19 Scott Newlands, 20 Brendan McKerchar, 21 Scott Gray/Andy Miller, 22 Lee Kibble/Gregor Townsend


Recommendation: I actually expect Glasgow to romp this - Glasgow -6 @ Stan James. Nice

Connacht v Ulster - Friday 6th Oct 18.30KO

Connacht v Ulster

The red hand gang are sending down a very strong squad to face their Irish bogey team, Connacht. Ulster, to be frank, were shite last week against Munster and missed vital kicks at vital times – which is most unlike them. Connacht ran a good Leinster outfit very close like week and the 31-16 score line doesn’t take into account that Leinster ran in two converted tries in injury time.

Ulster did try and play an attractive game against Munster and I believe that their backs are good enough to get through the decent Connacht defense, could be one on those games but I can also see Ulster gaining a bonus point victory if they get off to a good start, they will also climb back to the top of the league table should they win tonight. Trimble is on the wing, which is interesting but Ulster will be able to get the ball to him and that could devastating for the Conns.

Form: Connacht are winless in their last three Magners League encounters against the Scarlets, Edinburgh and Leinster. Connacht have won just one of their last 15 encounters against fellow Irish Provinces: 22-12 in this equivalent fixture last season. Champions Ulster have stuttered a little of late with two defeats in their last three matches. Away from home against fellow Irish sides the Ulstermen have won just once since September 2004: 20-17 over Munster at Cork on 3 December 2005. A win would take Ulster back to the top of the Magners League. Connacht ended a four match losing run against Ulster with their 22-12 win at the Sportsground on New Year’s Eve last season.

Connacht: 15 Daniel Riordan, 14 Matt Mostyn, 13 Darren Yapp, 12 Gavin Williams, 11 Keith Matthews, 10 Mark McHugh, 9 Chris Keane, 8 Colm Rigney, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Andrew Farley (c), 4 David Gannon, 3 Ray Hogan, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Brett Wilkinson.Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Brett Sturgess, 18 Michael Swift, 19 Matt Lacey, 20 Tom Tierney, 21 Paul Warwick, 22 Ted Robinson.

Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Andrew Maxwell, 13 Kevin Maggs, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 David Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Stephen Ferris, 6 Neil Best, 5 Matt McCullough, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Bryan Young, 2 Rory Best, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Tim Barker, 19 Kieron Dawson, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Kieran Campbell, 22 Scott Young.

Recommendation: 10 points Ulster –6 @ Sporting Odds

News Flash.......Falcons v Scarlets EDF Cup

http://www.boylesports.com/betting/?gi=20&sltc=2867.1&sl=sltc

Boylesports.com have made the Scarlets favourites but are strangely offering them +3 in their handicap markets.

With thanks to Clinches for his eagle eyes.

Leinster v Munster - HEAD TO HEAD

1 Marcus Horan V Ronan McCormack ADV MUNSTER

2 Frank Sheahan V Harry Vermaas ADV MUNSTER

3 Federico Puciariello V Will Green ADV EVEN

4 Donncha O'Callaghan V Trevor Hogan ADV MUNSTER

5 Paul O'Connell (capt) V Malcolm O'Kelly ADV MUNSTER

6 Alan Quinlan V Stephen Keogh ADV MUNSTER

7 David Wallace V Keith Gleeson ADV MUNSTER

8 Anthony Foley V Jamie Heaslip ADV LEINSTER

9 Peter Stringer V Chris Whitaker ADV EVEN

10 Ronan O'Gara V Felipe Contepomi ADV LEINSTER

11 Tomas O'Leary V Denis Hickie ADV LEINSTER

12 Trevor Halstead V Gordon D'arcy ADV LEINSTER

13 John Kelly V Brian O'Driscoll (capt) ADV LEINSTER

14 Ian Dowling V Shane Horgan ADV LEINSTER

15 Jeremy Manning V Girvan Dempsey ADV LEINSTER

Munster have the better pack, setpiece and cohesive team. Practically a home game for them as well.

Munster Fans Prepare To Make the Journey To Dublin.......

More Intro-Provincial Build Up.......

It’s the big one – Glasgow V Borders Friday 6th December 2006


Interpro rugby continues this weekend, and Glasgow host the Borders. This issure to be at most the third most important Magners League game of the weekend. This must be, oh, the 8th time these two giants of the game have locked horns down through the years and the rivalry is intense. There is nothing going on in Ireland this weekend to compare. Ulster travel to Connacht to try and regain some pride after the shameful loss to Munster last Saturday night. Despite their best efforts they were denied their justified win by a cheating homer ofHighland proportions. In the other game of the weekend Munster hitch up the haywagon, throw up a few kitchen chairs, for comfort; throw the babby and an open can of dog food into the shed and make the big trip up to the shmoke for the beating that awaits them at the hands of the imperious lords of European rugby.

The intensity of the rivalry that these matches engender, well the first two anyway, is phenomenal. Check out the many rugby message boards and you will see just how much the respective fan bases are looking forward to this weekend –think The Boks v The All Blacks; think England V Germany; think Celtic v Rangersand you’d be wasting your time. There hasn’t even been one supporter from anyof the four teams on any forum talking about what is happening this weekend.

Everyone is looking to Dublin (naturally, as it’s the most affluent place in theworld – ref: Fortune Magazine every week for the last 6 years). Munster returnto the scene of their most corrupt victory in their history when they bought their HEC semi-final victory over the just Princes with bungs of turnip filled envelopes that must have reached to the very top of the European administrative hierarchy. But Leinster aren’t bitter, they accepted this cruel episode of cheating and moved on. Just look at the philosophical nature of their passionate yet respectful fans. They are holding out their welcoming arms and looking forward to once again hosting their ignorant (and I use the word in the kindest way possible) countrymen in what is sure to be an imposing victory for the Mighty Men in Blue.

Last Weekends Betting

So we got Leinster just about spot on but we lost out on the spread up in Scotland between a fantastically hard fought game involving the Gunners and the Warriors. Och well.

Thankfully we got the double up and a profit is a profit is a profit.

Leicester v Newport Gwent Dragons - EDF Cup

Our little band of travellers had finally made it to the Venice of the Midlands and after securing some necesary supplies - fags and hip flask brandy and lobbing our bags off in the requisite B&B's we made our way to the Victory pub for a small sherry or two.

The pub was as ever a nice friendly place with a couple of decent beers on tap,
we numbered about 20 by now and watched in stony, passive silence as the blues shagged over the wasps. We made it to the ground and preceded to get the fecking beers in, we found it was quicker to go to the clubhouse and up the stairs than to actually wait in line outside. Much to our amusement we found that we couldn’t smoke anywhere in the ground and some of the Nazi stewards came in for a bit of gentle banter.

The game started and we adopted the position. Usual stuff really but we sung, cheered and shouted and my call of “that’s every time Ref” seemed, much to my delight, agitate a few of the Tiger fans with us. Quite why I don’t know as I was shouting it at restarts and lineouts. All good fun.The game ended in a bit of a blur and I actually didn’t realize that Kevin Morgan had scored another try for us until I got back home and was watching the highlights on Scrum V.

We stayed on the terraces for ages, chatting away and sharing the last of our hip flasks, it was all quite pleasant. The Dragons came and warmed down next to us and we treated them to 15 minutes of god-awful singing but we got them all smiling.We then lumbered into the clubhouse, which is where it all started to go a bit mad. There we were singing and dancing to the band and generally having a riot when all of the Leicester team, Martin Corry et al entered. They were all tied together in 3-legged race stlyee and to be honest – it was fucking mental. Corry (or as I like to call him now, Martin) got absolutely badgered on blue WKD and Andy Goode got totally destroyed. I have the pictures to prove this.

The band played on but it now consisted mainly of drunken fans and Leicester players and it was starting to get messy. I nipped outside to have a quick smoke and spotted the floodlights were still on so I had a quick walk up and down the pitch (well, running around like a drunken fool punching the air and added Welford road to my list of pitches.The bar was now closed in the club house and we decided to go to my mates pub in Narborough where we were promised as much free beer as we could handle, I was having difficulty in focusing and holding onto things by the time we decided to hit a late night curry house in Leicester. Bizarrely….There was a fight in the curry house between two members of staff which was hugely entertaining and rounded off the day superbly.

I have to say that the trip was one of the best ever – The Tigers fans were and are fantastic and we met so many really nice people, I really can’t adequately say here what they were like but I have no problem supporting Leicester and wishing them well in their endeavours for the future – they left that big an impression on me. It was great meeting the players as well, haven a drunken conversation with the current England captain was pretty cool to be honest and it was also good to meet Geordan Murphy, me lucky charms.

My only regret is pissing the bed at the B&B.