Maths with Stevo

Mike Stephenson, everybody's favourite Sky Sports commentator is often ridculed for talking absolute rubbish. Aside from the stupid one liners and looking for arguments over nothing, it now seems that Stevo's grasp mathematics isn't quite up to scratch.




For those of you that arn't aware, scoring points in a game of Rugby League can be done in various ways.

By touching the ball over your opponents try line you score four points. This is called a 'try'. You can convert that into six points if your kicker kicks the ball between the posts. 'This is called a conversion'. There are two other ways in which to score. You can kick a penalty that has been awarded after a player has been penalised for breaking the rules such as being offside, or misbehaving. This is worth two points. You can also aim the ball at the posts and by bouncing it onto the ground and if you boot it between the posts, you can collect one point. This is known as a 'field' or 'drop' goal.(The RFL, Official Powergen Challenge Cup Final Programme 2006)

It's a simple concept.

So picture this scenario. You are playing for Warrington at Bradford in a play-off elimination semi-final. You are four points down with 17 minutes left and are 20m or so from the Bradford try line. What do you do?

You probably wouldn't go for a drop goal, even if a big scary bald bloke in the commentary box is shouting "go for the one pointer!"
That would still leave you three points behind, still needing a try to win. You could though score the one point and get a try later which would put you at least one point in the lead......

But wait! If you got the try, which would tie the game, you get chance to kick an extra two points anyway. Decisions decisions....

Only Stevo knows what he was thinking. We all know he loves his drop goals, as does Lee Briers, but come on Stevo, a bit of rational thinking wouldn't go amiss.

One of the all-time classic conversations in the Sky commentary box:

Stevo: "Will the Wolves go for the one-pointer?"
Eddie: "Why would they?"
Stevo: "Why not?"
Eddie: "They're 4 points down?"
Stevo: "It's still a point!"

Enjoy the Grand Final eliminator folks!