HIGHS AND LOWS..

The weekend`s sporting events have provided mixed fortunes both on and off the field of play.   The highs for me included yet another hat trick by Rickie Lambert Southampton`s Goal Machine (RLSGM) in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Millwall at the New Den, to keep Saints on top of the Championship table.

Meanwhile, Mr. Slightly`s Gillingham went to Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, and came away with an impressive 3-0 win to keep their play-off hopes alive in League Two.   And our street`s fleet footed wideman, Scott Wagstaff, laid on a pinpoint cross for Bradley Wright-Phillips to slot home in Charlton`s 1-1 draw away at Scunthorpe.

On the wider sporting front, I was pleased for Wales to clinch the Grand Slam for the third time in eight seasons but, of course, the occasion at Cardiff yesterday was marred by the genuine sorrow at the passing of Mervyn Davies, almost certainly the greatest Welsh captain and Number 8 there has ever been.   His death once again brought back memories of those unforgettable Welsh teams of the `70s - JPR, JJ, Barry, Gareth, the Pontypool front row, Phil Bennett, Delme Thomas, Ray Gravell, Merv the Swerve himself and all the rest who made that such a special time for Welsh Rugby. Watching the Welsh team yesterday I almost had the feeling that they were determined to win it for Merv....and it was wholly appropriate that they secured their triumph after this tragedy.

Yesterday`s other low point was obviously the collapse of Fabrice Muamba after 41 minutes of the Tottenham/Bolton Cup match at White Hart Lane.   As I write, 24 hours on, Fabrice is in intensive care and remains anethsetised in a critical condition.   Like everyone else, I wish for his recovery and I wish his friends and family well in these desperate hours of uncertainty. 

Football has, for once, behaved impeccably and great credit is due to the emergency personnel at White Hart Lane, to referee Howard Webb for taking the only decision open to him by abandoning the game, to the 36,000 fans at the ground for their understanding, their respect and their dignity in harrowing moments and to the officials of both clubs, who have acted with the good sense and restraint so often absent in the Premier League.

Most weeks, I`m unashamedly bullish about the escapades of RLSGM and his saintly chums, the unfailingly entertaining Gills and the progress of our street`s pacy flanker and the rampaging Addicks.   But this weekend has again reminded me that, however much I might care about football and the fortunes of Snopper Street`s teams, there are things which are much more important to care about.   And not just Fabrice Muamba, but all the others out there as well whose lives may be in the balance but whose friends and families hope and pray in the silence of anonymity.