Almanac Book Reviews: ‘Celestial Footy’ – Patrick Skene

‘Celestial Footy’ by Patrick Skene is a newly released book that traces the history of Chinese involvement in Aussie rules footy. Citrus Bob Utber presents his review of this intriguing book.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘The Lancefield Football Club 1873 -2023’ – Passion personified

Citrus Bob Utber reviews the recently released ‘The Lancefield Football Club 1873 -2023’ book, a history of a club that reflects passion personified and an outstanding memorial to the families, players, and supporters who have followed the club according to Bob.

Almanac Cricket: Citrus Bob’s Indian Rope Trick

Citrus Bob Utber invites you to join in for his coverage of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 between Australia and India commencing next Wednesday. [Unfortunately CB has retired hurt and will now not cover the Test match. – Ed]

Round 5 – Gather Round: ‘Hear ye, hear ye!’

Citrus Bob Utber went down to Adelaide (from his home in Mildura) to see what all the fuss was about regarding the Gather Round, and he was suitably impressed with what he saw as his report shows.

Almanac Life: Citrus Bueller’s Big Weekend

Citrus Bob Utber had a big few sporting days in Melbourne involving going to the footy, interviewing, and catching up with his many friends and associates.

Balcony Banter: Who does the dishes in your house?

Citrus Bob Utber is trying to solve the mystery of the origins of an MCG tea towel that came into his possession. This story first appeared on the MCC Members blog site Balcony Banter.

Almanac Book Review: ‘The Bodyline Fix – How Women Saved Cricket’ by Marion Stell

Citrus Bob Utber reviews Marion Stell’s ‘The BodyLine Fix: How Woman Saved Cricket’, a book full of wonderful stories about the Australian women cricketers who toured England after the infamous Bodyline series and helped restore the credibility of the game.

Almanac Obituaries: Vale Ian Thomas OAM – a football icon.

Bob Utber pays tribute to respected Gippsland newspaperman Ian Thomas OAM who recently passed away.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Australia v South Africa Day 4: Big win to the Aussies!

Australia wraps up the Boxing Day Test on Day 4 with a convincing win over South Africa reports Citrus Bob Utber.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Australia v South Africa Day 3: Boxing Day Test

‘Keeper Alex Carey scores his maiden Test century as the Aussies continue to grind the Proteas further into the ground reports Citrus Bob Utber on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Australia v South Africa Day 2: Boxing Day Test

With deeds speaking louder than words, it was David Warner’s day, 200 runs in his 100th Test. His knock places Australia in a match winning position reports Citrus Bob Utber from Day 2 at the MCG.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Australia v South Africa Day 1: Boxing Day at the ‘G

Cameron Green shines with the ball as Citrus Bob Utber reports on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Aust v WI: Day 4 – Citrus Bob’s report: The tooth finally extracted!

The Windies meekly capitulate on the fourth day of play in the Second Test to end the most uninteresting, uninspiring series Citrus Bob has ever seen.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Aust v WI: Day 3 – Citrus Bob’s report: Boland stings the ‘Bees’

Scott Boland takes 3/0 in his first over as the Aussies continue their domination of the West Indies on Day 3 of the the Second Test in Adelaide reports Citrus Bob Utber.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Aust v WI: Day 2 – Citrus Bob’s report: Coffee anyone?

Australia maintain their commanding position against the West Indies on Day 2 of the Second Test reports Citrus Bob Utber.

Almanac Cricket: Second Test – Aust v WI: Day 1 – Citrus Bob’s report

Australia in a dominant position on Day 1 of the Second Test, Australia v West Indies in Adelaide with superb centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head leading the way reports Citrus Bob Utber.

Almanac Cricket: Australia v West Indies 2015/2016 – First Test, Day 1: An exhibition of Sandgropers (Reprise)

Citrus Bob gives us his views on (a) delayed entry, (b) the absence of statistics on plinths, (c) West Indies cash-takers, (d) the size of the crowd and (e) solid Sandgroper partnerships, as the Australians cut loose. [Ed: We reprise Bob’s report from the previous series between the two teams in 2015/6. Remarkably similar beginning to the test.]

Almanac Cricket: Citrus Bob’s Doosra Bumper Cricket Quiz – The Answers

Citrus Bob ends our misery by providing the answers to ‘Citrus Bob’s Doosra Bumper Cricket Quiz’.

Almanac Footy: A Team for all seasons

Citrus Bob Utber presents his footy team for all seasons made up of players he has watched play over the past seventy years.

Almanac Cricket: Citrus Bob’s Doosra Bumper Cricket Quiz

Citrus Bob Utber will have everyone scratching their heads, pads and gloves, boxes, and bats with Citrus Bob’s Doosra Bumper Cricket Quiz. It’s a beauty!