Solving the problem...
By Griff
March 24 2023
For some time now we've had a problem: people are fed up with having to write stories to keep the site online and as a consequence the site has been offline more often than this correspondent is happy with.
The Problem
Sport Network want to know that their sites are being actively monitored and require a story posted every 14 days as proof of such - I'll let you decide whether the fact that they get higher advertising revenues from Story views than message-board postings is pertinent here. If we breach this you'll see the dreaded "Site Awaiting Update" page in place of the Message Board.
Hypothesis
So my thoughts were drawn to recent trends, I hear interesting talk of these new-fangled AIs that are all the rage. I gather teachers are flummoxed as kids can get AIs to write their homework and creatives are all worried that their livelihoods are going away. I'd heard that a simple question could get these systems to write quite complicated stuff. "Surely", I thought, "it's a mere bagatelle for one to look at other web-based match reports and produce something for us". And so the plan was hatched.
The Search
The AI you hear most about is ChatGPT from Open AI, so that was my first port-of-call. I banged-in my email address and it sent a verification code and I thought I was in... Sadly it then asked for a mobile number to text me a further two-stage login. Now, call me Captain Paranoid if you like but that was, for me, a red-line. I don't see the need and I'm certainly not about to give more details to a creative AI...
So then I hear that Google have launched their own AI - Bard. I'm an Android phone user, Google already have the data from every millimeter of my existence so this would bypass my Captain Paranoia safe-guards. Sadly, as it's a recent launch there is a waiting list - I passed.
Today in a fit of pique (and because I know we're over the 14 day publishing period) I had a bit of a web search (O.K. Google again, told you) and discovered Rytr. I have absolutely no idea of the history or ownership of this one, all I do know is they like to play fast and loose with the English language in a modern, irritating way. I banged-in an email address and in secodns I was in!
The Test
I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, but it looks like a fairly straight-forward interface. I select "US English" (since UK isn't an option), choose Blog Section Writing as a "use case" as it seems most fitting and then add my Section Topic: "Match report of rugby match between London Irish and Exeter Chiefs at Gtech Stadium, Brentford 19th March 2023". I then ignore the few remaining controls (I mean, why wouldn't I want Optimal Creativity? Surely that's what Optimal means?).
There's a yellow/orange button at the bottom marker "Ryte for me"...
Result
So, folks, here it is: your match report for the Premiership Cup final.
On Saturday 19th March 2023, the Gtech Stadium in Brentford hosted an exciting ruby match between London Irish and Exeter Chiefs. The match was a closely fought battle with London Irish eventually prevailing over Exeter Chiefs by a score of 33-27. Both teams had some impressive individual performances, but it was the collective effort of London Irish that saw them through to victory. In this match report, we will take a look at some of the key moments from the game and how they contributed to the result. We will also discuss some of the tactical decisions made by both teams during the game and analyse why they worked or didn't work in certain situations.
The search continues...
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All Irish fans in one place with no story restrictions.
So I tried with ChatGTP but it says its data isn't up to date ( only up to 2021 ). I asked it to write a report with this prompt.
Please write a report on London Irish's best players of the last 10 years
This is the unedited output. With a little prompt creativity I am sure many articles could be written. My only question is should we be discussing this on sportnetwork?
Topsy Ojo - Ojo is a London Irish legend and one of the best wingers in the club's history. He played for the club for 16 seasons and scored 80 tries, a club record. Ojo was a consistent performer throughout his career, with excellent speed and finishing ability.
Shane Geraghty - Geraghty was a key playmaker for London Irish during his time at the club. He played at both fly-half and inside center and was known for his vision, creativity, and accurate kicking. Geraghty helped London Irish reach the Premiership final in 2009 and was a key player for the club for several seasons.
Tom Homer - Homer is another London Irish player with an impressive scoring record. He played for the club for 9 seasons and scored 443 points, including 36 tries. Homer was an excellent fullback and kicker, with a powerful boot and a strong defensive game.
George Skivington - Skivington was a talented second row and a key leader for London Irish during his time at the club. He captained the team for several seasons and was known for his work rate, toughness, and excellent lineout skills.
Blair Cowan - Cowan was a dynamic openside flanker who played for London Irish for 6 seasons. He was an excellent ball carrier and a tenacious defender, with a high work rate and excellent tackling technique. Cowan was also a popular figure off the field and was voted the club's player of the year in 2014.
David Paice - Paice was a tough, hardworking hooker who played for London Irish for over 14 seasons. He made over 280 appearances for the club and was a key player in the forward pack, with excellent scrummaging and lineout skills. Paice was also a fan favorite and a respected leader on and off the field.
These are just a few of the standout players from London Irish over the last 10 years. While the club has had its ups and downs during this time, these players have all made significant contributions and helped to make London Irish a respected and competitive team in English rugby.
I have noticed on the Exeter site, their members post a pre-match preview which is less than 2 paragraphs long. That could be another way to solve this problem. I’m sure each of us can manage 2 paragraphs !
Saracens and London Irish will face off in a crucial Gallagher Premiership clash at StoneX Stadium on Sunday, April 23. The two teams are currently separated by just two points in the table, with Saracens in third place and London Irish in fourth.
A win for either side could have a major impact on the race for the top four, with both teams still in contention for a home semi-final.
Saracens will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup last weekend. The Men in Black were unable to cope with the French side's power and physicality, and they will need to be much better defensively if they are to avoid a similar outcome against London Irish.
London Irish, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their recent good form. The Exiles have won their last three Premiership matches, and they will be confident of causing an upset at StoneX Stadium.
One of the key players for London Irish will be back rower Tom Pearson. The 24-year-old has been in excellent form this season, and he will be looking to use his power and pace to cause problems for the Saracens defence.
Another player to watch for London Irish will be fly half Paddy Jackson. The former Ireland international has been in good form since joining the club in the summer, and he will be looking to use his kicking and passing game to create opportunities for his teammates.
The London Irish centres, Benhard van der Janse Rensberg and Rory Jennings, will also be key players in this match. Van der Janse Rensberg has been a revelation since joining the club from Munster in the summer, and he will be looking to use his physicality and offload ability to cause problems for the Saracens defence. Jennings, meanwhile, is a reliable defender and he will be looking to keep Saracens' dangerous back line in check.
Saracens could rest some players for this match, as they have already secured a home semi-final. However, they will be determined to atone for their defeat to La Rochelle and they will be confident of beating London Irish at home.
This is a match that could have a major impact on the race for the top four, and it is sure to be an entertaining contest.
Living in the Scottish Borders, used to support London Irish, now following Kelso (newly promoted to the Scottish Premiership)
excellent...... (Maybe you could get it to emulate the OSB scribe's style of pre-match review?? 
Quote:I loved the scribe's style. Always raised a hearty guffaw!waltham
Quote:Shawshank
OSB match previews were often works of comedic genius...
They sure were!