Trying times in the kitchen

MARK FLANAGAN — former Saddleworth Rangers and Wigan player
AUSTRALIAN RUGBY: G’DAY from Oz! The Wests Tigers have been performing well over the last few weeks, winning four of our last five games to move up to third in the NRL table.

I have managed to play in every game so far this year but may have to miss the next one or two due to a persistent shoulder injury.

I got my second try of the season in our 50-6 win over New Zealand Warriors. It came from a grubber kick from our captain Robbie Farah and I was ‘Johnny on the Spot’, managing to get the ball down while everybody else was tripping over their own shoe laces!

In recent weeks, the big news in the NRL has been the announcement that Brisbane Broncos superstar Israel Folau has signed a contract to play Aussie Rules with new team Greater Western Sydney.

Folau is set to earn up to $6million over four years to convert to the sport. The move has caused plenty of controversy, as the signing is seen merely as a marketing ploy in order to attract supporters to the AFL (Australian Football League) in rugby league’s heartland of western Sydney.

I don’t blame the fella one bit — I would play tiddlywinks for that sort of money!

Recently the Tigers players took a cooking class with last year’s Australian Masterchef champion.

Making a three cheese soufflé wasn’t the easiest of tasks. I did fare better than most, though — some of the lads’ cooking skills don’t extend far beyond putting a few shrimps on the barby.

I followed England’s progress in the soccer World Cup and was up in the wee small hours of the morning to watch them play.

Unfortunately, their loss to the old enemy Germany has encouraged a lot of mickey-taking at training, but I will still wear my England (rugby) shirt with pride.

Hope all is well and that summer is bringing lots of sunshine to Oldham!