POV: Like Nothing Else (Neil Watson)

In our DAILY column POV – Horse racing blogger and all round sports fan Neil Watson on the joy and unpredictability that live sport gives us….

I love going to watch live sport. Over recent years, I’ve been to the Olympics, albeit in Manchester, Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Rugby League World Cups, World Snooker, Wimbledon, seen the Lionesses win the Euros at Wembley, seen Leigh Leopards lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley and even been lucky enough to see Tiger Roll land his second Grand National.

Along with the top class events I also enjoy going to watch grassroots sport such as the North West Counties Leagues in football where drinking a nice pint pitchside is allowed, along with local rugby league and cricket, most recently I went to the Robin Park Arena in Wigan to see Halifax Panthers beat London Roosters in the Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final, make no mistake that even for a sport played in wheelchairs it is still tough and brutal.

Now, on the other side of things I like watching movies and a couple of times a year I like to go to the theatre. On Derby Day, I was in London for the weekend and was very fortunate to see the excellent Tamsin Greig star in the highly acclaimed play “The Deep Blue Sea”

A wonderful production and so well performed by its cast who clearly cared and respected the story and the script to the delight of a very appreciative audience, myself included.

Now, here though is the difference between why sport for me remains the ultimate theatre, no offence to any “luvvies” reading this while currently being on a coffee break.

When the play began, I along with everyone else was enthralled in the story being told over the two and a half hours or so, interval included, the fact was that like every other play, musical, film and television conedy, the story had already been written and rehearsed so no matter what direction the production went in, even on first viewing, it was already pre determined.

Sport, on the other hand, whether it be last week’s Wokingham, the final of the tennis at Queen’s or even the FA Vase fifth round tie between Atherton LR and Bourne Town that I watched in February for my birthday.

You just don’t know what will happen, it’s the beauty in that if it is a routine win or a comeback that shocks and surprises you, the story being told in front of your eyes from either being in the stands, watching on television or listening on the radio, is being made up as it’s being performed.

From an indoor 60m race in athletics lasting about six seconds to the three-week-long Tour De France, there’s nothing like the story of sport, the original theatre in venues worldwide and even on your own doorstep, just pop your head outside and get drawn into this beautiful world.

There really is nothing like it on earth.

Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

Have a point of view? Email us at content@starsportsbet.co.uk!