Benitez quit rumours still rife despite fresh agent claims May 4, 2010 RAFAEL BENITEZ’S future as manager of Liverpool remained under scrutiny last night despite the Spaniard’s agent insisting he wants to stay at Anfield. Just weeks after suggesting Benitez was ready to join Juventus, Manuel Garcia Quilon now says the 50-year-old is committed to working with any new owners to revive the club’s fortunes. Those comments [...]
World Cup star Catt hangs up his boots May 4, 2010 WORLD CUP-winning legend Mike Catt will bring an end to his glittering playing career when he makes a final appearance for London Irish against Northampton on Saturday. The 38-year-old versatile back made over 300 club appearances for both the Exiles and Bath in a career spanning 18 years, while also winning 75 caps for England [...]
Low-flying Falcons knock boss Bates off his perch May 4, 2010 NEWCASTLE have sacked boss Steve Bates after narrowly avoiding relegation in another disappointing season at Kingston Park. Victory over Sale 12 days ago secured their Premiership status but, with the Falcons lying 10th ahead of Saturday’s final fixture of the campaign, was not enough to save Bates. Bates said: “I’m disappointed at the outcome of [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF May 4, 2010 Murray back at Queen’s TENNIS: British No1 Andy Murray will defend his Aegon Championships title at Queen’s Club next month. The 22-year-old became the first British player to win the grass court title last year since Bunny Austin in 1938 after beating James Blake in the final. Joining a line-up including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic [...]
Higgins vows to clear name in ‘fix’ probe May 3, 2010 ACCUSED John Higgins admits he faces the biggest match of his life to clear his name of match-fixing allegations. World No1 Higgins has been suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association after it was alleged in a Sunday newspaper that he agreed to throw frames for money. But the 2009 world champion vehemently [...]
ROBERTSON CLAIMS WORLD TITLE May 3, 2010 NEIL ROBERTSON became the first Australian player to win the World Championship after coming through a marathon showdown with Graeme Dott at the Crucible last night. The 28-year-old clinched the last three frames to claim a 18-13 victory in a tense, error-strewn finale, which eventually finished shortly before 1am. Robertson, whose mum flew over from [...]
Colly calls for rule review as Windies reign May 3, 2010 FRUSTRATED England captain Paul Collingwood last night called for a review of the controversial Duckworth-Lewis method as his side were sent spinning to defeat by the West Indies in farcical circumstances in Guyana. Collingwood’s men scored the equal highest total of the tournament so far after a blistering 95-run partnership from Eoin Morgan (55) and Luke [...]
Wenger laments ‘unfair’ Rovers as Gunners crash May 3, 2010 BLACKBURN (2) vs ARSENAL (1) ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger accused Blackburn of being “unfair” to goalkeeper Lucasz Fabianski as his side sunk to a third straight away defeat. Wenger said Rovers regularly impeding the Polish stopper during periods of aerial bombardment and blamed referee Martin Atkinson for failing to protect his side. Fabianski has been [...]
Magnificent Rory has the golfing world at his feet May 3, 2010 RORY MCILROY’S decision to ply his trade on the PGA Tour was met with criticism at the start of the season – now it has been well and truly justified. The young Irishman was magnificent in claiming his first Tour victory at the Quail Hollow Championship at the weekend, including one of the best final [...]
Four-star Kirtley denies part-time Unicorns’ first win May 3, 2010 THE Unicorns’ search for a first-ever Clydesdale Bank 40 victory came to a spectacular end after the loss of six wickets for just four runs robbed them of the points against Sussex at Hove. The newly-formed part-time team, made up of the best players outside first-class cricket, were closing in on Sussex’s total of 255-8 [...]