England pass summer exams but there are tougher tests ahead September 20, 2011 ENGLAND can be rightly satisfied with their summer exploits having fulfilled their lofty ambition of becoming the best Test side on the planet and hinting at a brighter future in the shorter format of the game. The execution of the plans laid out by the captain and management was first class, but must be tempered [...]
Waldrom shocked to be the recipient of Johnson’s World Cup emergency call September 20, 2011 LEICESTER No8 Thomas Waldrom admits he was stunned to receive Martin Johnson’s emergency World Cup call following an injury scare to Nick Easter. The 28-year-old Tigers star is en route to his native New Zealand to provide cover for Harlequins stalwart Easter, who is struggling with a back injury. Waldrom arrived at Leicester’s Oval Park [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 20, 2011 CONTEPOMI COY ON SCOTS ARGENTINA captain Felipe Contepomi is staying tight-lipped on his hopes of facing Scotland in Sunday’s crucial Pool B showdown. The Pumas fly-half is being tipped to recover from a rib injury for a match that is likely to decide who joins England in the last eight. But Contepomi said: “If I’m [...]
Wenger’s not an idiot and won’t be fired, say Arsenal September 20, 2011 ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis has strenuously rebuffed talk of a crisis at the Emirates Stadium and insisted there is no chance of embattled manager Arsene Wenger being sacked. The Gunners have endured their worst start to a top-flight season for more than 50 years, with Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to Blackburn leaving them 17th in [...]
Qualifying is as tough as winning medal, says Ainslie September 20, 2011 BRITAIN’S greatest sailor Ben Ainslie admits qualifying for London 2012 was almost as tough as winning an Olympic medal. Ainslie, who will go for a fourth gold next summer, had to see off the world’s second best Finn sailor, Giles Scott, just to secure his place at the Games. Team GB only has room for [...]
Toon heap misery on McClaren September 20, 2011 NEWCASTLE needed an last-ditch, extra-time winner from Fabricio Coloccini to see off Championship Nottingham Forest and reach the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Danny Simpson looked to have won it in the 93rd minute but Marcus Tudgay dragged Steve McClaren’s Forest level for a third time – only for defender Coloccini to have the [...]
MAMMA MIA! ITALY ROUT RUSSIA September 20, 2011 ITALY romped to their biggest ever World Cup win with a nine-try, 53-17 thrashing of Russia in Pool C yesterday. Giulio Toniolatt and Tommaso Benvenuti scored two tries apiece, Sergio Parisse, Edoardo Gori, Luke McLean and Alessandro Zanni also touched down and their ninth was a penalty try. The win leaves Italy third in the [...]
Villas-Boas contacts ref boss September 20, 2011 FOOTBALL: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has lodged a complaint with referees chiefs over the officials’ performance in Sunday’s defeat at Manchester United. United’s first two goals in the 3-1 win were allowed despite suspicions of offside and Villas-Boas said: “I’m very unhappy with a poor display from the referees that had a decisive role in [...]
Trainer Jarvis dies, aged 73 September 20, 2011 HORSE RACING: Former trainer Michael Jarvis, who saddled 1989 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Carroll House, has died aged 73. Newmarket-based Jarvis, who also won the 2005 Epsom Oaks with Eswarah, had suffered from heart problems and prostate cancer in recent years.
Pooley title defence falls short September 20, 2011 CYCLING: Britain’s Emma Pooley, the defending champion, was beaten into bronze medal position at the World Road Championships in Copenhagen yesterday. Germany’s Judith Arndt won gold in the time trial and New Zealand’s Linda Willumsen silver, with Pooley third, less than 30 seconds behind Arndt.