Christian 1 Lions 0

I offer you a lesson in refusal to go down without a fight in the sports arena that may smack of hyperbole to most, but gives me a kick.

I have just given a 5 minute standing ovation in my living room to a shot I witnessed via television that went for 6 over the bowler's head and restored some North East pride to the England team.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you former pupil, Sunderland supporter and all-round battler Paul Collingwood.

In his first century since June 2007 Colly has managed to score more runs off 133 balls than he has managed in all of his other innings put together this season. And that was after he dropped a catch and was fighting for his Test match career. A man of dogged determination, few would have reacted in the way that Paul has done this afternoon.

I salute you.

Christian 1 Lions 0

I offer you a lesson in refusal to go down without a fight in the sports arena that may smack of hyperbole to most, but gives me a kick.

I have just given a 5 minute standing ovation in my living room to a shot I witnessed via television that went for 6 over the bowler's head and restored some North East pride to the England team.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you former pupil, Sunderland supporter and all-round battler Paul Collingwood.

In his first century since June 2007 Colly has managed to score more runs off 133 balls than he has managed in all of his other innings put together this season. And that was after he dropped a catch and was fighting for his Test match career. A man of dogged determination, few would have reacted in the way that Paul has done this afternoon.

I salute you.