Just my luck

The first time I see Australia play Great Britain in rugby league LIVE - in game four of the Gillette Tri-Nations series at Aussie Stadium - and we lose.

No side could gain an advantage for nearly half an hour until an intercept saw Greg Inglis score against the run of play, then Darren Lockyer convert.

The Poms hit back with a pretty decent converted try of their own, making it 6-all at the break. Exciting stuff.

On resumption, I was expecting another feeling-out period, but within minutes Great Britain had forced their way over the line, then added the extras - 12-6.

We scored next. Locky locking things up at 12-12.

With less than 20 minutes to go, a third converted try from the Lions made it 18-12 - still within our reach.

Ben Hornby crossed for us, only to cop a nasty knock to the head and have the video ref rule "no try".

The visitors should have wrapped it up with a straightforward penalty but botched the kick to the jeers of the home supporters.

They also had a field goal attempt go wide. More jeers.

It didn't matter. A late try (conversion missed) and successful field goal at the death sealed the deal as the Barmy Army (out here for cricket's Ashes) partied in their seats.

A disappointing result, though probably a good one for the international game. Ricky Stuart's men won't take the Poms so lightly next time...

Notes:

* The crowd was only 25k, of which I estimate at least a fifth were supporting the visitors. Maybe as many as 2/5 - there were Great Britain and Super League team jerseys and banners all round the ground.

* Pre-game entertainment nothing to SMS home about. However, we were treated to an appearance by (the majority of) the 1963 Aussie rep side, the first to win a series on British soil.

* Weirdest thing heard yelled by a spectator (to Petro Civoniceva): "C'mon, Petrol's 70c A Litre!". (I've since been told this is a HG & Roy-ism.)

* Weather dismal. But under three layers, I was warmer than a tauntaun's innards. Didn't need my poncho raincoat as the stadium roof protected me from the drizzle. Very English conditions - maybe that's why they won!