Dancing in defeat is no laughing matter for JJB

There’s a time and a place.And when you’ve taken a stuffing against your arch rivals, dancing and laughing in front of fans is neither.The latest example of sporting stupidity came at the weekend when Jasmine Joyce-Butchers was forced to defend her involvement in a post-match TikTok dance after Wales were smashed by England.Quite why anybody would want to be having fun after such a dismal display, I don’t know.But even if you process things differently, or perhaps don’t like to show disappointment, surely there’s a sensible way to react. Cracking out a routine is not one.Around 21,000 punters in the Principality Stadium were probably pretty miffed that they’d just seen their country concede 11 tries to the Red Rose and lose by 55 points.Most would be hurting, because that’s how defeats usually feel. So the last thing anyone needed to see is someone who underperformed so poorly putting on their best show after the game. Naturally JJB has come out and defended her decision so it’s only fair to give her side of this modern-world sporting story.”If we don’t love what we do, then why do it?” she said on her Instagram account.“Yes I am upset, gutted, sad and disappointed with the result, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy, excited and smiling to see such an amazing crowd supporting us. “Remember to be kind people and put your energy and effort into people who want and accept you for who you are.”Former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap said the TikToker was merely celebrating the occasion as the game continues to grow. And, naturally, the world is a very different place these days so why shouldn’t she be entitled to throw a few shapes? Yet it’s hardly ‘old school’ to expect someone to act with professionalism after such a damaging defeat. If she wants to go and dance with her friends, do it away from the glare of supporters in the stadium. Not everything has to be focused on social media.People are, sadly, more interested in their image and boosting their profile, but sometimes attempts to do that can be more damaging if it’s delivered in the wrong way. This is a prime example of that happening. Another former Wales captain, Ellis Jenkins, speaking on the Scrum V podcast said “it’s not something I would have done when I was playing”.She added: “You’ve just lost an international game, but I am also a big believer that rugby in general almost struggles to grow because it hangs on to these old school ‘values’.“When I actually thought about it [the dance], it doesn’t change the outcome of the game.“As long as all the players are going hammer and tongs in the game and are taking it seriously.” The debate would never have happened had Joyce-Butchers just disappeared down the tunnel – nobody would have made a song and dance about that.Accidents are part and parcel of speedway.Sadly, many of them are serious and you quickly know when one is. That was certainly the case on Sunday as news filtered through that three-time world champion Tai Woffinden had been airlifted away from a track in Poland.At the time of writing, ‘Woffy’ was still in a coma after his horror crash. His club in the UK, Sheffield, have asked for privacy but social media – and plenty of news stories – are packed with information about multiple fractures and chest injuries. It’s heartbreaking news for one of the finest racers and the speedway family, and the sporting world as a whole, is patiently awaiting the release of better news. We can only pray it is coming. It’s also sad that it takes such a situation to put one of the most thrilling motorsports around on the pages of our nation’s biggest news websites.Woffinden didn’t get the same exposure when he won three world championships. Nor did his team-mates and he when they ended GB’s long wait to lift a ‘World Cup’ (now the Speedway of Nations). Having worked in this game for a long time I know what sells.It’s a crying shame that this man’s achievements can’t get the same recognition as the fact he’s lying in hospital. Sadly, speedway continues to be a niche sport and will always be battling for air time.Let’s hope in the future more of it is given to happy news rather than just sad stuff. April is here and it’s crunch time for many of our non-League teams.We’re lucky that many have so much to play for, especially at the top end of the table.The big boys, King’s Lynn Town, are right in the National League North play-off picture and did their chances no harm by snatching a 1-0 win at Leamington on Saturday.The Linnets, seventh, and occupying the final position to make the end-of-season shoot-out for promotion, entertain Chorley in a giant game on Saturday. The visitors to West Norfolk sit fifth. Lynn have opened up a two-point gap over the side directly below them, Buxton, but it’s Curzon Ashton that offer the biggest concern.They’re a point further back but have two games in hand.A little further down the pyramid, it’s all to play for when it concerns the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division title race.Dale Stokes continues to work wonders at the helm of Downham Town and they’re locked in a four-team battle for the championship. They’re two points off the top with just four matches to play, the first of which is at home to Thetford Town on Saturday.A little further down the road, Fakenham Town, fourth, could go one point behind Stokes’ boys if they win their match in hand. Kirkley & Pakefield are heading to Clipbush Park this weekend.For some parts of the country, campaigns will come and go with their local teams marooned in mid-table mediocrity.But there’s often someone in West Norfolk, especially Lynn, that is either in the shake-up for silverware or fighting for their lives at the other end of the table.Let’s hope all concerned can triumph this weekend.