Ready's Benfleet Bet Latest

After the 4th Round FA Cup game, Ready's Benfleet Bet table looks like this, with Francey and Ben leading:

1) France/Guarino 47pts + 27 = 74
2) Danny Rose 53 + 19 = 72
3) Ian Monahan 47 + 17 = 64
4) Chris Waterman 41 + 21 = 62
5) Dave Wisdom 49 + 12 = 61
6) Paul Long 39 + 21 = 60
7) Keith Read 39 + 19 = 58
7) Peter Godfrey 44 + 14 = 58
9) Brian Rutter 47 + 10 = 57
9) Barry Plummer 43 + 14 = 57
11) Martin Singleton 36 + 19 = 55
11) Paul Kelleher 35 + 20 = 55
13) Huw Thomas 43 + 10 = 53
14) Barry Paull 42 + 9 = 51
14) Ben Graves 33 + 18 = 51
16) Simon Ward 32 + 18 + 50
17) Ryan Saveall 45 + 4 = 49
17) Soozie Syrett 37 + 12 = 49
18) Ian Kennett 35 + 13 = 48
19) John McGowan 13 + 34 = 47
20) Rob Munden 23 + 22 = 45
20) Greg Foulger 30 + 15 = 45
22) Steve Black 28 + 16 = 44
23) Neil Reynolds 34 + 9 = 43
24) Simon Newport 29 + 10 = 39
25) Nigel Tatlock 38 + 0 = 38
26) Aaron Barden 33 + 0 = 33
27) Alan Oakley 21 + 7 = 28

Team Challenge - Greg & Leigh lead way

A different looking league table with the addition of Price Forbes, Bluefin, QBE and an Aon International line up too.

However the top two are no different with RSA just ahead of Willis with 23 weeks gone. In 3rd though are Nobby and Huw's Aon Int'l with Bingo and Chris' QBE tucked into 4th.

Allianz remain 5th with Aon Re down to 6th just ahead of Ready and Ryan 's newly named Bluefin in 7th. Ace are in 8th and then not helped by Chris' departure, AIG slump to 9th spot from 3rd.

Aon US are next followed by Aspen, down two places and in 12th are the Lloyds boys with Price Forbes bringing up the rear.

RIP Reg Gutteridge

Blimey, they are dropping like flies. Reg Gutteridge has died after a short illness aged 84. Along with Harry Carpenter, it was Reg with Jim Watt ringside who often brought boxing into our living rooms on the big fight nights originally on ITV, and then on Sky. Reg also covered 6 Olympic Games and I remember him covering the greyhounds too. Once watching him at Catford in my youth.

Obituary in The Telegraph.

Rod Liddle says

"So, let me get this straight. Middlesbrough have offloaded Mido, one of their few potential goalscorers, on the perfectly reasonable grounds that he is distrait, difficult, objectionable and uncommitted. And as a replacement, they have brought in Marlon King. Incredible."

The outspoken Millwall fan on the Transfer Window and the Relegation Battle. Click here to read the Sunday Times article.

Photograph of the week

Out of bail, but still banging in the goals. Will he be banged up?

Trivia 10

1. Keep the Faith, now under head coach Ben Guarino with Francey and his spreadsheet moving up to the role of Director of Fantasy Football have now replaced every single player that was picked before week 1. No faith there then!

2. World Champions managed by Mark Simmons were previously called just Champions, but Mark changed the name after Man Utd's recent success. Every player in Mark's team plays for the real World Champions.

3. Steve Black runs the risk of becoming the first ever American to finish in the top 10 this season. Steve who had a fantastic end to last season, has carried it into this and is currently in 5th place overall. Tim and Frank meanwhile lie in 14th.

4. Kirstie Baillie meanwhile is in contention to become the 2nd female winner. Soozie won the N&R title in 2006.

5. Long time leader Neil Reynolds surprisingly would not be the first rookie to win the title. Ryan Saveall did that two years ago.

6. We now have managers in 6 countries and very proud we are too. They are: UK, France, USA, Bermuda, Mexico and Australia.

7. Three of the managers or joint managers are not in insurance industry - lucky buggers. Our first ever non-insurance manager was a barman. Remember who?

8. Eight managers remain since the very first N&R FL competition in 1996.

9. I have not met 7 of the managers in this season's competition. I hope to one day.

10. By my reckoning you could eat or drink 13 of the team names in this season's league.

Goddness gracious

Breaking News 88888 Week 23 scores
Godders celebrated his rise to the top of the league with a MoW performance. 70 points for Bollocks to Insurance in week 23 and Pete's 3rd MoW of the season as he looks to win his first silverware since 1998. Glasgow Kiss kept the pressure up with a fine 68 and the top 4 overall are exceptionally close.

Mark Simmons began his long haul up the table (now 48th) with World Champions collecting 63. Elland (Glad) Back and Bingo both whacked in 58, whilst Pie Munchers and Hot Pink Center scored 57. Tim and Frank are now in what is their highest ever position overall - 14th.

Bent it like Bentley knocked in a 56, then sides managers hit 52 - Megan & Hannah's bears, Dangleberry Rovers, Real Ale Madrid, who achieved a season's best and struggling Paris Eagles.

Californication came up trumps with a 51 and Nobby and Lamb to the slaughter ran in a half century.

Lowest score of the week? Not bad, a 17 for Pure Irish.

Week 23 reminder

Cup Replays:
Don't forget these are also included in week 23's results. Hull's Daniel Cousin got a late winner for the Tigers at St James'. Ballack, Kalou, Anelka and Lampard all scored for Chelski. Crouch and Kranjcar scored for Pompey in their good win over Brizzle City and on loan Jay Simpson and Robinson helped get WBA through too.

League Programme:

WBA had a fine home win 3-0 over Boro with Koren getting a brace. Gareth Barry got the winner for Villa at Sunderland, Citeh beat Wigan 1-0 but Kaka was not impressed and Rovers stuffed Newcastle 3-0.

It was the weekend of the late goal. Berbatov got one for Utd at the Reebok, Arsenal got a couple at 'Ull and Chelsea got two at home to break the Potters hearts. On Sunday Spurz drew with Pompey, with Defoe scoring against his old club and Bent missing a sitter. The Hammers continued their fine run under Zola beating Fulham 3-1 and then in the Scouse derby Liverpool and Everton shared the spoils 1-1. Gerrard then Cahill late.

Road to Wembley - Ballacks to Tractor Boys

Our new boys Chelsea progressed to the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of a dogged Ipswich thanks to a Michael Ballack brace and a spectacular Frank Lampard free-kick.

Ashley Cole crossed to BALLACK for the first-half opener before Alex Bruce levelled after calamitous Chelsea defending at a set-piece.

The Tractor Boys came out after half time with their tails up but to be honest Chelsea were comfortable after the break and a 25-yard BALLACK free-kick put the home side ahead once again.

FAT BOY LAMPARD sealed the win with a dipping 35-yard free-kick into the top corner.

The midfielder's goal made for a comfortable scoreline but for all the home side's dominance it was stillnervy viewing for the Chelsea fans until Lampard's strike five minutes from time.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho (Ivanovic 70), Alex, Ashley Cole, Belletti, Ballack (Deco 79), Lampard, Malouda (Drogba 58), Kalou, Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Ferreira, Mancienne, Stoch.
Att: 41, 137

Chelsea were drawn away to Watford in the 5th Round. Full draw:

Sheff Utd v Hull
Watford v Chelsea
West Ham v Middlesbrough
Sunderland/ Blackburn v Coventry
Derby/ Nottm Forest v Man Utd
Swansea v Fulham
Liverpool/ Everton v Doncaster/ Aston Villa
Cardiff/ Arsenal v West Brom/ Burnley

Week 23 - The Group standings

Group 1 - The Lamb
The positions all remain the same in Grp 1. Pk's Tallywacker's Bukkake Marathon closed the gao on Gooner win league by a tad. Roubles hangs in there in 3rd.

Group 2 - East India
Bent it like Bentley are up to 2nd, just 34 behind Ninjas. Torres Rosso are back in 3rd and Californication in 4th. This group is very close though.

Group 3 - New Moon
Soozie is well ahead but Nobby is now in 2nd ahead of Pot Noodle. In 4th up a place is Sizzliny Saveloys Bangers. This is also one of the tightest groups, and I'm not just talking about Lee....

Group 4 - The Ship
Bollocks to Insurance are on a role, top and clear of Towels on the bench and Pie Munchers. In 4th is Who you calling big nose followed by Arsene Knows and Shinawatras Dream, all still within range of qualification.

Group 5 - Cheshire Cheese
116 points is how many Glasgow kiss are clear, think it is safe to say that Kirsty is through. The Pohutukawas is 2nd just ahead of Sheron's ready to fac and Elland (Glad) Back. Bingo FC meanwhile has send out a note of a very late intent by climbing from bottom to 6th. Come on Wardy....

Group 6 - The Elephant
2Infinity & beyond lead from In Tatters, these two look safe. Question is will Panzo or Mono make it as one of the best runners up?

Group 7 - The Kerryman
Boys on tour are still looking good. But Guinness & eggs, Brighton Blues and Hot Pink Center - all high in the overall standings) are right behind Greg.

Shay branching upwards

Breaking News 88888 Week 22 scores
A Pohutukawas is a tree, so I don't know what relevance it has to Shay Reddy but it was sure flourishing in week 22 as Shay won the MoW award after a 51 point week and it greatly enhanced his chances of qualifying for the N&R Finals.

2Infinity & beyond was next up with 48, and Barry and Shay were well ahead of the pack last week. In fact the next best score from Soozie was 9 less than Barry. Goonersmoan had a fine week with 38, as did fellow Gooner Danny and Arsene Knows and after 23 weeks World Champions are finally making their mark.

Preston Pie Munchers hit 31, one more than Nobby and Glasgow. Dangleberry, Megan & Hannah's bears, Pure Irish, Panzo and incredibly Cyril Smith first 11 all deserve some credit. 28 points was after all Neil Cryer's best score for 8 weeks.

In week 22 we also managed the 2nd lowest score of the season, Mono dribbling in 2 pts.

Ready's Benfleet Bet - 4th Round

The 4th Round of the FA Cup is this weekend. Remember we will carry points forward into each round with the person with the most after Cup Final day winning the prize.

I will email the games to you WITH THE RULES but here are the ties:

Liverpool v Everton
Manchester United v Tottenham
Hull v Millwall
Sunderland v Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
Sheffield United v Charlton
Cardiff v Arsenal
Portsmouth v Swansea
Chelsea v Ipswich
Cheltenham or Doncaster (Tues night) v Aston Villa
West Brom v Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering v Fulham
Watford v Crystal Palace
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Wolves v Middlesbrough

David Vine and Tony Hart

What a sad few days with the loss of Tony Hart and David Vine plus Prisoner star Patrick McGoohan. Tony Hart helped inspire a generation of kids in both Vision On and Take Hart but after a long period of ill health he died Sunday aged 83. I rarely missed an episode as a kid and my Mum spent a lot of money sending my pictures into the show. I had another jolt of sadness before Christmas when Oliver Posgate, the creator of Ivor the Engine, Bagpuss and the iconic Clangers also died.

I guess it is a sign of getting older but men and women I used to love as a kid are now dying on a regular basis, not a week appears to go by when I don't get a lump in my throat and a rush of childhood memories.

Earlier in the week David Vine sadly passed away as well, I read his obituary and all I could think of was his brilliant soothing voice leading the nation through the excitement of many a World Snooker match. As Dennis Taylor said though 'Whispering' Sid Lowe was the voice of Snooker, but Vine was certainly the face. Vine presented a host of sports programmes like Grandstand, Ski Sunday, Question of Sport and the fantastic Superstars.

Rumpole of Bailey creator Sir John Mortimer died last week and before Christmas the country also lost Kathy Staff, everyone's favourite battle-axe and Reg Varney.... I used to love On the Buses. Get this bus out of here Butler.

Lowest weekly score

Mono zoomed into the top 10 of the season's worst weekly scores, remember like idiots we give a prize for this shit! Here are the current top 10 worst weekly scores:

1= Mark Simmons, 1 point, week 5
1= Mark Wenman, 1 point, week 15
3= Ian Monahan, 2 points, week 22
3= Neil Cryer, 2 points, week 18
3= Danny Matthews, 2 points, week 5
3= Mark Dewberry, 2 points, week 19
7= Michael Stout, 3 points, week 6
8= Ian France, 4 points, week 8
8= Brian Rutter, 4 points, week 15
8= Glenn Francis, 4 points, week 22
Up to week 22.

Bermuda Triangle

How am I doing? Well alright, work is actually very challenging but as some of you will remember I found an NTU quite challenging back in the day! Life is good although despite the freezing cold temperatures in London and Chicago (minus 20F) at the moment I have been quite homesick for both places recently.

Bermuda's 'winter' is actually upon us.... quite a bit of rain, bit chilly in the evenings but still mid 60'sF, it does make me laugh when the locals bang on about how cold it is - I've never seen so many Helly Hanson and North Face ski jackets! Remind me, when I start to moan about the weather, get me the fcuk of this desert island!

I have (don't laugh) been taking up golf more seriously and have been having tennis lessons (we have a court in the garden) and I've fancied myself as a bit of a Martina Navratilova without the biceps and so far I am really enjoying it.

I am starting to settle though, although the whole "It's Bermuda" thing does get right on my tits. Poor service, a lackadaisical attitude to almost everything and a general malaise to the real world plus the fact everything is so ridiculously expensive. A couple of carrots needs a friggin' mortgage.

Anyway the sun is out and from my home window I can see the sea and a nice looking boat bobbing on the water (not mine), we have some good friends coming around tonight to drink some nice wine (surprisingly reasonably priced here) and I'm playing tennis tomorrow. But hang on Charlton have just been THRASHED AGAIN!

Week 22 - Group action

Group 1 - The Lamb
Gooner win league still way out ahead with Tallywacker's Bukkake Marathon in 2nd. there were a couple of changes lower down the standings. Goonersmoan move into 4th and Lamb to the slaughter drop to last.

Group 2 - East India
This AIG group has closed up somewhat in recent weeks. Leader Chris Wright (now at QBE ironically) side Ninjas lead by 20-odd from Torres Rosso, but only 18 behind him is Bent it Like Bentley (should be Head it like Bentley). Then there is a gap to Pure Irish but Chris, Californication, Megan & Hannah's bears and Keep the faith are all still in with a good shout.

Group 3 - New Moon
Soozie still leads this group by 80 points. Pot Noodle remains 2nd but Nobby's Bermuda shorts are up to 3rd ahead of Gunners Bandits with Saveloys bangers dropping away. Hannoi Utd are 6th.

Group 4 - The Ship
Bollocks to Insurance in front 61 ahead of Towels on the bench with Pie Munchers still in 3rd. The only change in placings in this group was Shinawatras Dream swap with Arsene Knows.

Group 5 - Cheshire Cheese
The Pohutukawas surged into 2nd spot behind longtime leader Glasgow kiss with Sheron's ready to fac slipping to 3rd. Lower down and still in contention Ginger Rapids hurdled St Mirnoff FC.

Group 6 - The Elephant
2Infinity & beyond are 47 ahead of In Tatters whilst Panzo moves up to 3rd ahead of Mono.

Group 7 - The Kerryman
In Mexico Boys on tour lead by 48 from Chicago's Guinness & eggs with Brighton Blues in 3rd and Hot Pink Center in 4th. A gap of 75 points then exists between Tim & Dennis to Nancy Lollygaggers in 5th.

Week 22 reminder

Man U are on a big catch up and played twice in 3 days winning both. Rooney, Berbatov and Vidic all scoring in their massive win over Chelsea. Wigan played twice as well beating Spurs and keeping them in the rele mix and then losing to Man Yoo.

Bendtner scored the winner for Arse over Bolton. Hull continued their bad league run losing to Everton. Scott Carson was 'credited' with o.g. in WBA's loss to Villa, who remain in the vip room of the top 4. Boro and Sunderland shared the spoils, with goals from Alves and Jones respectively.

The Hammers should have won at Newcastle but didn't. Bellamy and Cole for the Eastenders and Owen and a late header from Carroll for the Geordies. Finally Stoke held Liverpool 0-0 and deservedly so.

Road to Wembley - Oh Roubles!

Well despite taking a shock lead the Chelskites amongst you must have been relieved that the Blues quality finally showed through, although to be fair after a tough week they worked very hard and displayed all the resilience Luiz Felipe Scolari asked for as they came from a goal down to beat Southend in a tough FA Cup third round replay.

ADAM BARRETT headed the hosts into a shock lead from a corner, while Alex Revell also stung Petr Cech's palms But otherwise it was one-way traffic and after MICHAEL BALLACK'S drive made it 1-1, SALOMAN KALOU slid in a second.

Bad boy and Premier League top scorer NICOLAS ANELKA and FRANK LAMPARD each then poked in as Chelsea ran away with it, with Ipswich up next for the Blues as they take over as our N&R Road to Wembley team.

Even Lampard's late strike was little more than Chelsea deserved, despite a brave backs-to-the-wall performance from Southend, who belied their position 56 places behind the Blues down in League One with a performance full of heart and

Southend manager Steve Tilson:
"I could not be prouder of the players. It was fantastic to take the lead and we gave it a real go on the night.
"We knew that set-pieces were going to be our best chance to score and that proved the case - to be honest, I think the save from Revell was the turning point because if that had gone in, who knows what would have happened.
"At the end of the day, we have had a great run in the FA Cup with plenty of memories and the fans were superb."

Shrimpers: Mildenhall, Sankofa, Barrett, Clarke, Herd, Revell (Betsy 86), Grant (Francis 80), Moussa, Christophe, Stanislas, Barnard (Freedman 73).
Subs Not Used: Joyce, Walker, O'Keefe.
Att: 11,314

N&R Fantasy Cup - Preliminary Round

Result >>>>>
Chris Waterman 20 - 19 Paul & Christian Long
A close match in week 22, but it is Chris that qualifies for the the 1st Round Proper and goes through to face a tough tie against Neil Reynolds.

Ready's Benfleet Bet - Extended offer

Following a secret meeting between Nobby & Ready, roughly justified as an extraordinary meeting with expenses to come out of the prize pot, we are happy to announce our recession proof offer to extend the FA Cup Benfleet Bet until May, May 30th to be precise.

What we mean by that is every round until the final you will be given the same opportunity to guess the correct score and we will produce a league table and the manager with the most points after Cup Final day will win the prize, which will be announced with the other prizes in due course. So, after Round 3 of the Cup Ready's Benfleet Bet standings look like this:

Ready's Benfleet Bet
1 Danny Rose - 53pts
2 Dave Wisdom - 49pts
3 Brian Rutter - 47pts
3 Ian Monahan - 47pts
3 Ian France & Ben Guarino - 47pts
6 Ryan Saveall - 45pts
7 Peter Godfrey - 44pts
8 Barry Plummer - 43pts
8 Huw Thomas - 43pts
10 Barry Paull - 42pts
11 Chris Waterman - 41pts
12 Keith Read - 39pts
12 Paul & Christian Long - 39pts
14 Nigel Tatlock - 38pts
15 Soozie Syrett - 37pts
16 Martin Singleton - 36pts
17 Paul Kelleher - 35pts
17 Ian Kennett - 35pts
19 Neil Reynolds - 34pts
20 Ben Graves - 33pts
*20 Aaron Barden - 33pts (43 minus 10pts deduction for 12 draws)
21 Simon Ward - 32pts
22 Greg Foulger - 30pts
23 Simon Newport - 29pts
Steve Black - 28pts
24 Rob Munden - 23pts
*25 Alan Oakley - 21pts (41 minus 2 X 10pt deductions for 13 draws and 8 1-1's)
*26 John McGowan - 13pts (43 minus 3 X 10pt deductions for 14 draws, 11 1-1's and 7 0-2's)

*Now there are rules, there is always rules and they need to be abided by. They were clearly attached to the email and indicated on the blog. Sadly we have 3 managers who openly flouted the rules and therefore they have had, Luton style, points deducted. Apologies, but rules is rules! In the immortal words of the Ginger Rabbit, don't talk to us, get 10p and call someone who gives a fcuk.