I never knew a burger could taste so good, until I judged the Urban Burger #whatsyourbeef competition. It was a truly eye-opening and mouth-watering experience.
Whoever heard of burgers made with whale spouts, owls toots and hedgehog liver? Well dear reader those are just some of the amazing ingredients that went into the culinary delights I have savoured before awarding the 2015 Urban Burger Oscar!
It was a close call but in the event a delicate duck and hoisin sauce won the day. It was truly a gastronomic delight, well worthy of a Bentos Big Burger Bong. In the final analysis it came down to the ingredients in the mix. My point being that new heights were achieved by thinking outside the box, bringing much more than basic minced beef and ham to the party.
You may ask 'what has this to do with rugby?' Well, by way of an answer I know we're going well with a quality squad but, just as duck and hoisin sauce raised the bar of burger excellence, Geoff Parling and Olly Woodburn bring additional talent to the mix we have in our squad to bring to rugby's elite-level party.
The recruitment of two such outstanding players gives further evidence to Rob's astute management skills and makes a big statement of intent by the Chiefs' directors.
It was not so many years ago that one Chris Bentley was hailed as the new beef in the sandwich to boost the Chiefs' County Ground squad. I agree, it was not a bad addition, but to attract British Lion Geoff from Tigers and Olly from Bath are moves of a totally different order to that of my modest recruitment in 2004. The Chiefs continue to dine at rugby's top table and have just added to the menu a new level of culinary excellence.
Let's take a moment to applaud the performance of our current Chiefs playing for England Saxons last Friday. To a man they did well. Messrs Ewers and Waldrom showed just why they are two of the most formidable back rowers in the nation, with wrecking-ball Dave perfectly complimenting the guile of Thomas. The huge energy of Luke Cowan-Dickie brought a massive impact from the bench and it was a combination of Chiefs players' power and guile that resulted in the Saxons' first score.
However, the major plaudits have to go to 'our Enry! The mercurial Henry Slade did enough to prompt his promotion to the full England squad, scoring nearly all the points and setting up Christian Wade for the killer try. Well done to all our lads on international duty!
Moving on to the Chiefs' LV= squad, what a try-scoring feast they served up in the Principality on Sunday.
Rodney Parade is a difficult place to go, with traditional Welsh fervour running deep in the fabric of the famous ground. We made a great start and managed to stay ahead of a determined Celtic challenge that went all the way to the wire. A good result for the lads and another LV= semi-final to look forward to on the fantastic journey the Chiefs are leading us on.
We've a trip to Sarries on Sunday before returning to Sandy Park for a Premiership rehearsal of our European Challenge Cup quarter-final with Newcastle Falcons the following weekend.
Wow, have I woken up in a dream? The Chiefs in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup, the semi-finals of the LV= Cup and sitting strongly in the Premiership top six! No, it's real, its happening and we're all invited to join the journey and enjoy the ride. Don't you just love his game?
The last weekend in January was good all-round for South West rugby. My man Jim Scaysbrook took his inimitable passion and power to Plymouth on Saturday and added to the mix that saw Albion score an inspirational 22-6 bonus-point win over Rotherham in the Championship. Has anyone noticed that since the arrival of Mr Scaysbrook as a defence coach things seem to have taken a turn for the best down at Albion?
Well done Graham Dawe & Co, it appears the lights are coming on again at Brickfields and, with seven games to go, perhaps the great escape may just be on the cards.
Moving on to September's swimming jamboree, I've developments to report. Boasts and taunts have been flying thick and fast from my opponent in the swim.
Taking advantage of my lack of sleep, all parents with two children under 40 months will know that score. However, having no sympathy, understanding or mercy, Graham Cridland has been demanding that I "man up, stop moaning and get on with it!"
Adding to the mix, Mr Cridland has been chest-thumping, boasting his swim training will continue in Spain, supporting his intentions to humiliate me in the water. I've time and opportunity to do a little training myself and invite any suggestions and swim partners to help yours truly build some basic aquatic ability.
And finally to Exmouth. Facing fourth-placed Bracknell on Saturday, we knew it was a game that could knock them out of contention for the all important second spot on the log.
Following an explosive start that saw us race into a 16-0 lead, we ended up having to defend like mad following the dismissal of talisman George Savage.
Hang on we did though, and following the 16-11 win take the trip up to Weston to play Hornets who are, on paper, the only other team with the chance of catching the Mighty Muff.
With the Chiefs away, this will be another chance to stretch my legs and hopefully expunge the loss to Brixham in the Devon Senior Cup completely. If the Allianz is a jaunt too far, we would certainly appreciate a few voices as we head to Weston-super-Mare.
Until the next time, stay safe and enjoy your rugby.
