The Odd Shaped Balls Podcast

The Odd Shaped Balls Podcast : Episode 4 - The Ian Smith Interview

Hey friends! Welcome back to another exciting episode of the "Odd Shaped Balls" podcast. Join your host, Andy Thompson, and his fellow rugby aficionados, BBC Cumbria's Becca Thompson and Jordan Weir, as they dive into the latest happenings in the world of rugby league with a focus on Cumbrian teams.
This week, we're missing our usual partner-in-crime, Dan Payne, who's on a one-pod ban for some hilarious antics we just couldn't let slide. But don't worry, we've got plenty to chat about, including a cheeky sponsor shoutout to Santa Marina, the Italian takeaway that keeps us fueled for these fun sessions.
We're thrilled to have a special guest, Ian Smith, a former Super League referee, sharing some intriguing insights from his new book, "My Final Whistle." Listen in as Ian opens up about his whirlwind career, memorable moments in Cumbria, and his heartfelt journey with the charity, State of Mind.
Becca brings us the scoop on the Barrow Ladies' presentation evening and shares her take on the impressive rise of the Leigh women's team. Meanwhile, Jordan fills us in on the latest from Whitehaven and Workington, including some emotional updates on players and club developments.
As always, we wrap up with our "Heroes and Shithouses" segment, where we highlight the week's standout personalities and those who might need a little nudge in the right direction. Spoiler alert: Dan's antics might just make him a recurring feature here!
So grab your favourite snack, get comfy, and join us for a lively chat that's as entertaining as it is insightful. We promise it's worth your time!

The Odd Shaped Balls Podcast : Episode 3 - I'm Better Than Chris Moyles

Hey there, welcome back! In this episode, we've got Andy Thompson, BBC Cumbria's Becca Thompson, and Championship Rugby League commentator Dan Payne in the house. We're also joined by BBC Cumbria's League One Rugby League commentator Jordan Weir. Ready for some rugby league banter? Let's dive in!
Shoutout to Our Sponsor
First things first, a big thank you to our sponsor, Santa Marina and Santa Marina Deli. Though they might be closed until next Thursday evening, their deli is open from 11 till 2 for the best sandwiches in Cumbria. Trust us, you don't want to miss out on their delicious offerings!
Rugby League Highlights
We kick things off with some serious rugby league talk. Unfortunately, James Newton suffered a neck injury in the win against Halifax. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to him for a speedy recovery. Rugby league is a tough game, but moments like these remind us of the importance of player safety. Hang in there, James!
Podcast Banter
Of course, it wouldn't be an episode of Odd Shaped Balls without some good-natured ribbing. Dan Payne claims he's the podcasts local celebrity. Is he the Chris Moyles of BBC Cumbria? We’ll let you decide! 😆
Match Reviews
Jordan gives us the lowdown on the Whitehaven vs. Halifax match, and we discuss the impressive performances of Jake Carter and Rio Corkill. Despite some early setbacks, Whitehaven managed to secure a 23-20 victory. Kudos to the lads for their resilience!
Amateur Rugby Updates
We also dive into the North West Men's League Division 2 and Division 1 playoffs. Congrats to Hindpool and Dalton for their respective wins! The future of Cumbrian rugby looks bright.
Special Mentions
We couldn’t miss giving a shoutout to Charlie and Brett for raising money for the Little Princess Trust and St. Mary’s Hospice by cutting off their mullets. You guys are heroes!
Shithouses and Heroes of the Week
Becca nominates Dewsbury for their cheeky social media post, while Jordan and Andy have their own nominations. And let's not forget Dan's hilarious shithouse nomination for himself—calling Luke Creswell "useless" and then awarding him a trophy. Classic!
Wrapping Up
As always, we end with some laughs and banter. Whether it’s Dan Payne's local celebrity status or his mum almost getting run over by Chris Moyles, there's never a dull moment on Odd Shaped Balls.
Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review. See you next week!

The Odd Shaped Balls Podcast : Episode 2 - They Ain't That Clever

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Odd Shaped Balls Podcast! With Andy Thompson and the dynamic trio from BBC Cumbria, Dan Payne, Becca Thompson, and our beloved Jam eater, Jordan Weir. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of rugby banter and insider updates!
We kick things off with some light-hearted teasing and a special shoutout to our sponsor, Santa Marina, the best Italian takeaway and deli in Cumbria. Seriously, if you haven't tried the Tommo special yet, you're missing out!
Next, we dive into the world of Barrow Ladies, celebrating Vanessa Temple's incredible performance and Amanda Wilkinson's coach of the year nomination. We also bid an emotional farewell to rugby legends Jodie Litherland and Michelle Larkin. Grab your tissues because it's a tear-jerker.
Our conversation then shifts to the men's side of Barrow Raiders, where we discuss recent games, player injuries, and team dynamics. And yes, there's plenty of friendly banter and some hilarious mishaps involving chips, coffee, and Yazoo!
In our news roundup, we cover the latest on Jamie Pye's recall to Salford, Ryan King's exciting signing for Barrow, and upcoming fundraising events. 
We wrap up with our "Heroes and Shithouses" segment, where we celebrate the unsung heroes and call out the week's biggest shithouses. Spoiler alert: Ellis Gillam might have some explaining to do!
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. This episode is packed with laughs, insights, and heartfelt moments. Don't forget to check the podcast description for links to support the ongoing fundraising efforts. Cheers!
 
https://www.justgiving.com/page/charlie-a-m-emslie-1727021400554?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fcharlie-a-m-emslie-1727021400554&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

The Odd Shaped Balls Podcast: Episode 1 - The Big Derby

Welcome to the very first episode of the Odd Shaped Balls Podcast. Join me, Andy Thompson, along with BBC Cumbria's Golden Boys, Dan Payne, and Jordan Weir as we dive into the thrilling world of rugby league, complete with all the highs, lows, and everything in between.
First off, a massive shoutout to our sponsor, Santa Marina, the best Italian takeaway and restaurant in town. They've got everything from delicious pizzas to mouth-watering sandwiches. Thanks for the support, Santa Maria!
In this episode, we kick things off by discussing the intense match between Barrow Raiders Ladies and St. Helens. The ladies finished fifth this season, which is a huge achievement considering the top teams are all full-time professionals. We also touch on the emotional retirements of Jodie and Michelle, who signed off in style. And let's not forget Becca Thompson's childhood dream of covering a rugby game at St. Helens, making history as part of the first-ever all-female commentary team for a men's game.
We then dive into the big derby – Bar Raiders vs. Whitehaven. From controversial decisions to passionate fights on the field, this match had it all. We break down the pivotal moments, including the disputed try by Andrew Bullman and the red cards that flew in the final minutes. The drama doesn't stop there, as we also discuss the strategic moves and potential impacts on future games.
But it's not all serious business. We had some fun moments too, like our chat about Luke Broadbent's antics and Dan's infamous puns that had us all in stitches. And of course, we couldn't resist giving our heroes and shithouses of the week. Spoiler alert: there's a lot of love and a bit of controversy!
As we look ahead to the upcoming games, we speculate on the outcomes and what's at stake for both teams. Will Whitehaven pull off a miraculous recovery? Can the Raiders maintain their momentum? Tune in to find out.
Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy this rollercoaster ride of rugby talk as much as we did. Don't forget to subscribe and join us next week for more banter, insights, and epic moments from the world of rugby league!
Cheers,
Andy, Dan, and Jordan