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 As a sports punter I have learnt to separate my head from my heart and when it comes to putting my money down any loyalty I may carry towards teams are pushed to one side. It sounds s bit mercenary but it means I can enjoy virtually any sporting event although it has got me into some tricky situations and this weekend was no exception. {readmorelink}Read more{/readmorelink}
Now I have watched the Boks play in crowded pubs and taken my chances with beer guzzling green and gold supporters as I have cheered the opposition’s tries and the home teams missed tackles, all in the interests of my bottom line. I have been given some choice looks and had a couple of verbal comings together but I have never feared for my safety – until last Saturday that is.
I was invited to watch the Tri Nations game by a long time friend. The wives would talk nonsense outside while the kids played in the garden and we would watch the Boks take on the Wallabies.
He has known me long enough to understand that I may well be supporting the opposition and when I explained my interest in Australia points and shirt numbers (I had gone high on the spreads so any Wallaby tries and points were welcome) he gave a knowing nod.
His Mom joined us clad in a Bok jersey and we watched as the Aussies flew out of the blocks. I was out of my chair wildly as Genia went over for the first try, edging me closer to a profit.
At this point I noticed my mate in animated conversation with his mom who by all accounts was trying to get off her chair to give me a beating not seen since I visited him as a 6 year old. I tried to explain that I would be happy to see the Boks win as long as Australia scored lots of points but that did little to placate this fire breathing granny who clearly wanted a piece of this traitorous character.
As I sat quietly back in my seat I resolved to keep any Australian point celebrations to myself so as to avoid the wrath of this Bok granny. The look in the old gal’s eyes had convinced me that getting out of their uninjured was more important than my balance with the bookies that day!
Betting previews for the weekends Currie Cup and Tri Nation’s games will be posted in our RUGBY SECTION
This article was written for the CitiGaming supplement of the Citizen Newspaper and was first published on the 2nd of September 2010.
Brent Graham is a blogger on www.goodforthegame.co.za and presents a sports betting radio show every Thursday night from 22h00 – 22h30 on 1485AM Radio Today or Channel 169 of the DSTV Audio Bouquet and to get on his free weekly e-mail list just send a message to brent@goodforthegame.co.za titled “Best Bets”..
You can follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/brentgraham or get on his mailing list by dropping him a line at brent@goodforthegame.co.za
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