Time and Love

Late September. Not too bad, as weekends go.

Plenty on my docket, but still time to focus closely on various international athletic events.

First up is the Ryder Cup, a biennial competition between Europe and the USA. Twelve players represent each side. A head-to-head, match play event over three days. 28 points on offer. Plenty of spirit, drama, and tension, not to mention incredible golf.

Alas, the 2025 version, held at Bethpage in New York state, is also not without significant controversy.

Europe, definite underdogs if based solely on player rankings, sweeps into a commanding early lead. Indeed, day 1 action sees the USA put to the sword. With the painful hammering in front of an attention sucking Donald Trump, the American president well versed in the policies of retribution and humiliation. And so, strutting in front of an increasingly well-oiled MAGA fan base, he helps set the stage for an ugly backdrop of venomous and unruly fan behaviour.

The beat down continues on day 2. Anything but rattled, Team Europe produces a performance for the ages. Secures an unthinkable 11.5 to 4.5 lead. Almost certainly locks up a much cherished, away victory. Even if, unfortunately, it comes with an even sharper decline in crowd manners.

Indeed, noisy, passionate, and partisan home support is soon replaced by obnoxious and distasteful commentary. Basic etiquette be damned. Draped in USA flags and regalia, too many inebriated fans, ill equipped to handle losing, subject the visiting players and supporters to unforgivable hostility, heckling, insults, and abuse.

Tempers boil over. Certain members of the European squad snap back at the packed galleries. Return fire, with plenty of profanity, in response to homophobic slurs, cheap shots, booing, and other decidedly unfunny witticisms.

The tournament organizers seem non plussed. Extra security personnel, in the form of bicycle cops and state troopers equipped with guard dogs, appear on various fairways and near greens. Eject a number of unruly spectators from the premises.

Yet, it is too little, too late. Even as a good number of Americans do maintain their standards and sense of decorum, too many do not. Sadly, the unruly crowd behaviour in its own way reflects the current breakdown of so many traditional societal norms.

In this case, an athletic contest becomes a microcosm of the country. Of an administration and wealthy elite driven by greed, cruelty, deceit, and lack of empathy. Further weighed down by the complete abandonment of any moral compass.

On the plus side, day 3 at least produces an exciting and thoroughly memorable Ryder Cup finish.

Any thought of an early, predictable European coronation is soon put to bed. Superb, dominant play from the USA, allied to, for the most part, appropriate and vociferous fan support, combine to shift momentum.

Key putts find the bottom of the cup, as the seven-point deficit narrows dramatically. The home side on the verge of an all-time comeback. The visitors teetering badly, on the cusp of a historic collapse.

The pressure ratchets up. Competitive sport at its absolute best. Spellbinding and nerve wracking. Finally, thanks to a clutch 18^th hole birdie from Irishman Shane Lowry, Europe secures the necessary clinching point. The 15-13 final an unexpectedly narrow and uncomfortable victory.

Some 5,000 miles away, in front of a record 81,885 spectators at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, the final of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup comes to conclusion. In a hugely anticipated matchup, a powerful, well-organized English side defeats gallant Canada.

Happily, in this case, there are no negatives to report. Far from it. Rather, a tournament deemed merely “the greatest of all time.” One which highlights the many positives the game has to offer.

Kudos to World Rugby and host England for delivering a simply magnificent event.

16 teams, from all corners of the globe. And, while a good number of the 32 games feature lopsided score lines, nothing can take away from the sheer joy and euphoria on display. The all-singing, all dancing atmosphere at every venue amazing and special, a hallmark of the tournament.

Several matches are mesmerizing and stirring in equal measure. Think Australia vs USA, a thrilling 31-31 draw, the teams sharing ten tries. Think a ferocious first half effort by underdog South Africa vs New Zealand.

Then, a week later, Canada vs New Zealand. The North Americans' speed, skill, and rapid-fire offloading takes out the six-time champion 34-19.

And, if the Ryder Cup throws up notables such as Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, the World Cup too has its share of star performers. World Player of the Year Sophie de Goede, Hannah Botterman, Jorja Miller, just a few of them.

Likewise, include Julia Schell, Canada’s six try hero vs Fiji, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, the 18-year-old Kiwi phenom, Ellie Kildunne, England’s fullback, effortlessly slaloming through opposition defences, Desiree Miller, the Australian winger with blistering pace and lethal finishing ability.

And of course, my personal favourite, Harmony Vatau, Samoa’s fly half. Her successful penalty kick vs England, in a 92-3 defeat, greeted by such wonder and enthusiasm the team almost forgets to lineup for the ensuing kickoff.

Tournament attendance records shatter, some 450,000 tickets sold, nearly 92% of total capacity. Teams wade through huge, ecstatic crowds just to reach the various stadiums. Engaging the fan base, players regularly make themselves accessible for selfies. Social media bursts to overflowing with player information, an astonishing 219 million hits recorded on various individual accounts.

5.8 million people watch the tournament final on BBC television, more eyeballs than for any 2025 Men’s Six Nations or British Lions test. Millions of new fans applaud the precocious talent, drawn further to the sport by its sheer exuberance, inclusivity, and friendly nature.

Hopefully, Women’s Rugby is now firmly on the map. May momentum from the tournament continue apace. May it spark serious financial investment and so help raise playing standards all around the world for decades to come.

Just watching is such a privilege.

And, even allowing for a boorish first two days at the Ryder Cup, yet another example of the axiom below.

Namely, if you give sport time and love, it will always deliver.