Laird secures Open spot May 25, 2010 GOLF: Scotland’s Martin Laird fired a second round 63 to earn a place at the Open Championship in his homeland at St Andrews in July. The 27-year-old finished fourth in the 36-hole qualifier in Texas on eight-under-par, three shots behind winner Tim Petrovic. Of the big names to miss out were England’s Brian Davis, Boo [...]
Catt laps up new Exiles deal May 25, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Mike Catt has signed a contract extension at London Irish – just days after ending his 17-year playing career. The World Cup winner, who joined the Exiles in 2004, has followed the lead of Toby Booth and Dave Ellis in penning long-term deals with the club and will continue his role as a [...]
Capello’s rant gives England good send-off May 24, 2010 ENGLAND (3) vs MEXICO (1) FABIO CAPELLO had to give his lacklustre England side a half-time dressing down to inspire a unconvincing World Cup warm-up win over Mexico at Wembley last night. The Mexicans were allowed to dominate long periods of the first half and would have had England on the rack but for two [...]
Lennon’s maturity gives him the edge May 24, 2010 FABIO CAPELLO has a thing or two to ponder over the next seven easy before reducing his 30 down to 23 – but he certainly would have learned a thing or two from last night’s display at Wembley. Firstly, Aaron Lennon showed in one brief burst into the Mexican box late on why he should [...]
Barry given more time to prove World Cup fitness May 24, 2010 GARETH BARRY will today find out whether his World Cup dream has turned into nightmare. The Manchester City midfielder is set to see a specialist to discover whether his damaged knee ligaments will force him to sit out the showcase in South Africa. Barry’s appointment was initially due yesterday, but the centre midfielder has been [...]
Brave Murray powers past Gasquet in five-set thriller May 24, 2010 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray fought back from two sets down to overpower Richard Gasquet in an epic French Open opener at Roland Garros. Gasquet, fresh from his ATP Tour victory in Nice at the weekend, produced a blistering start, taking Murray to the brink of defeat by claiming the first two sets. But in a [...]
I’m an Arsenal fan but don’t want to invest in club, says Nigerian tycoon May 24, 2010 NIGERIA’S wealthiest man Aliko Dangote has emphatically ruled out buying a stake in Arsenal, following reports he could snap up Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith’s 15.9 per cent shareholding. Dangote, who is estimated to be worth £1.5bn, was said to be interested in acquiring Lady Bracewell-Smith’s shares, which would be expected to fetch around £100m. But while [...]
Keane back with hunger for his Tottenham return May 24, 2010 ROBBIE KEANE says he returns to Tottenham with hunger and confidence restored following his successful loan stint at Celtic. The Republic of Ireland captain scored 16 goals in 19 appearances during his brief four-month spell at Parkhead, where he was also named Player of the Year. Now, the 29-year-old believes he can reclaim his place [...]
It’s so great to beat the Aussies, admits Cameron May 24, 2010 PRIME MINISTER David Cameron gave England’s cricket heroes a big thumbs-up for their World Twenty20 success, admitting: It’s great to get one over the Aussies. Cameron invited the victorious squad, led by captain Paul Collingwood, to show off their trophy in the sun-drenched garden of Number 10 yesterday. The PM told the players how they [...]
Champion Khan brought down to earth with a bump May 24, 2010 IT’S perhaps the nature of golf these days that just hours after claiming the biggest win of his career and a cheque for £650,000, Simon Khan then failed to qualify for the US Open. Khan looked every inch a champion at Wentworth on Sunday, firing a final round 66 to complete the biggest comeback victory [...]