[urlhttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6826323.ece[/url


Doesn't sound like the Les I have spoken to in the past really.

Yep I reckon when the defence have their turn it may be a bit different.

Times doesn't mention the name he gave police - Shontayne Hape

Barry Mac

Do you think they were indulging the usual Rugby Union post match high jinks in that nightclub? Drinking games, drinking songs, timing each other to knock back a yard of ale, exposing ones private parts, simulating lude acts on each other, french kissing oh and drinking flat lager from a shoe.

You forgot bashing each other over the head with a tin tray to the tune of Zulu Warrior...maybe that did it?

If I had a Christmas card list something like that would make me alter it.

Possibly. I forgot a few others including one involving urination, one involving a bucket everyone's been sick in, the old favourites of lighting a fart and wearing underpants on your head and I remember hearing a story off my mate from his students union bar work involving another bodily function but I reckon I'm just about the right side of the AUP so I'm saying no more.

Actually this is also pouring candle wax on certain bodily areas got to remember that one.

It's not just two extra players, the rolling maul and line outs that I'm glad we've abolished since 1895.

Nor me either.

Clealy it would be bad form to comment on a open case, and expose RLFANS to claims of sub judice, but personally speaking I do wonder what might consitute 'good natured banter' between Bristol fans and Gloucester players?

They tend to hack off the locals when they trek out into the public bar attempting to sing AND do all the gestures to "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", especially when they knock peoples' drinks flying. At least when they get to "coming", the whole bar will agree with them...

[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8246448.stm[/url

Further comment from BBC Gloucester

Leeds player slaps a Saints player who takes a dive. Ban him for life.
Ex Bulls player fractures a member of the public's skull. He must have been asking for it, despite their being no evidence.

Don't think this has been proved yet. Unless you are advocating conviction without trial?

=redIt sounds unreasonable when you say it.

more info in the T&A[url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/4589686.Banter__turned_to_goading_of_rugby_star_/lez[/url

I think the skull fracture as a result of Les's punch appears accepted as proven from the report. The defence do not seem to dispute than part of it. I've not advocated any punishment as far as I am aware. However, fracturing someone's skull, unless in self-defence is a very serious crime. If found guilty someone who was not a famous sportsman knows what to epxect as punishment.

He's pleaded not guilty and your comments are based entirely on the prosecutions evidence and no one has passed judgement on this case yet.

Also where has anyone tried to suggest that the alleged actions are acceptable should they be proved to be the case?

I think the comments where generally along the lines that alleged incident is out of character for Les.

Do you read the Daily Mail by any chance?

He has pleaded not guilty to causing GBH - nothing I have read says he denies chinning the bloke. Big difference.



My point was that not one person had condemned the actions, unlike the rush to condemn Leeds players for actions in a high intensity, physical sport, before their hearings.
Some have suggested Les might have been provoked despite there being no clear evidence.



I am sure it was. As it was for JJB. It's out of character for me to break someone's skull while out of my face on booze. I look forward to the same support.



Hari, I would rather watch every game Deacon has ever played on slow motion video. 1,000 times.

I know you would but there's no need to fantasise about it.

BTW can I have those Mail on Sunday DVDs that you've been saving for me? I know you want to keep the Queen Mum tribute one but that's ok with me, I'm just after the Guns of Navarone and Oswald Moseley - Portrait of a Patriot.

I'm keeping those, you can have my copy of "Hurrah for the Blackshirts" & " My telegram to Hitler to congratulate him on taking the Sudetenland" by Lord Rothermere.

if Les turned round and chinned him for no reason whatsoever then I'll eat my hat.

I spoke to a group of Gloucester fans about Les, because when I first heard the trouble he was in I couldn't believe it. Their comments about him were a million miles away from the Les I knew at Odsal, apparently since he has been at the club (Gloucester)he appears to have had a complete change of character, and certainly not the really amiable person he was at the Bulls. They must give the players different water in union clubs, because there is a lot of behaviour trouble from the players accross the board.

That kind of agrees with comments I had on thread on here when this incident was first reported, but when I met Les on a couple of occasions he came across as a gentle giant: funny (not)

[url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rugby/09/09/10/RUGBYU_Vainikolo.htmlLes' side of the story.[/url