There used to be a time when the only thing which would bring a temporary halt to a junior rugby match was a good old-fashioned fight.

But, in keeping with the wealth which washes the country, the players from Westport and Ballyhaunis had to call a halt to their battle on Sunday ? because a helicopter wanted to land!

The Mayo rivals were scrapping it out in their District League match at Carrowholly in Westport when a ceasefire had to be called to allow the whirly-bird to land beside the pitch.

"Play was stopped for three or four minutes. It then flew off leaving the players none the wiser," said Westport official Andy Martin.

Westport were unperturbed by the aviation disruption and flew on their way to a 33-9 victory.

Professional rugby is all about doing your homework on the opposition and Connacht may be able to avail of a spy when they take on opposition from Spain for the first time in the European Challenge Cup.

Cetransa El Salvador from Valladolid in northern Spain should not provide a major obstacle to Connacht but then again the same was said of Catania from Sicily and we all saw the Italian job they pulled off a couple of years ago.

Chris 'Frik' Venter spent a season with Connacht a couple of years ago but the South African struggled to hold down a place in the front row and he returned home.

But, lo and behold, he has turned up in northern Spain, yes in Valladolid but, no, not for El Salvador but for their arch rivals across the city at Valladolid Rugby Association Club. Hopefully, telephone numbers have been kept.

By the way El Salvador take on Barcelona FC (the rugby team!) next Sunday, while other ECC pool opponents Brive will not start in France until the end of next month when they entertain Brian O'Driscoll's buddies in Bayonne.

Newcastle Falcons, 33-12 winners over Sale Sharks on the opening weekend, slumped to a 19-0 defeat away to London Irish at the weekend. They will host NEC Harlequins next Sunday.

Tim Donnelly, the new Connacht fly-half, is the only place-kicker in the Magners League with a 100% record. The Aussie kicked five from five for a perfect return. Mind you, Cardiff's Nick Robinson has had 20 kicks, twelve of them dissecting the posts in their three games to date. Still, you can only beat what is put in front of you.

The AIB Cup will kick off on Saturday week. Corinthians will host Barnhall, Buccaneers travel to Waterpark and Connemara will head to Dublin to face Wanderers. Galwegians, like all the other AIB League Division One sides, will enter the competition a week later in the second round when they will have home advantage against either Ballynahinch or Nenagh Ormond.

The Connacht youths side maintained their great start to the season with a 17-0 win over Leinster. Sligo prop Richard Henry crossed for a Connacht try, while flanker Shane Conneely from Corinthians also touched down. Winger Finn Gormley from Corinthians also scored a try, while fly-half Adam Kennedy added a conversion.

Modern rugby places all sorts of demands in both the professional and amateur ranks but spare a thought for one of the hardest workers in the game in this country ? the Buccaneers' bus driver! Buccs have been away for two of their three Connacht Senior League games and will again have to travel to Galway city for Senior Cup final.

They have been drawn away to Waterpark in Waterford in the first round of the AIB Cup on Saturday week and if they are successful then they turn the bus northwards to Ballymena the following week. They open their AIB League campaign with a rare home clash against Clonakilty but there will be no rest for the oul' bus for the following three matches with trips to Ballynahinch, Old Crescent and UCC.

And all this for a club with the best home ground in the country.

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