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 [...]
Gohouri stunner condemns Tigers May 3, 2010 STEVE GOHOURI netted a spectacular injury-time equaliser to deny Hull a first away victory in over a year and confirm their relegation from the Premier League. The Ivorian centre-back struck with an acrobatic overhead kick to hammer the final nail in the Tigers’ top-flight coffin. Victor Moses gave Wigan the lead on the half-hour, but [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF May 3, 2010 Tapner takes Badminton title EQUESTRIAN: Paul Tapner denied veteran Mary King a piece of history to become the third Australian to win the Badminton Horse Trials in five years. Overnight leader Tapner held his nerve on the last run aboard Inonothing, while Briton King downed a fence on Imperial Cavalier to drop from second to [...]