Williams: We’ll spoil the O’Driscoll party March 10, 2010 STAND-IN Wales captain Martyn Williams has vowed to spoil Brian O’Driscoll’s home party at Croke Park on Saturday. Irish skipper O’Driscoll will make his 100th international appearance in the crunch Six Nations clash with the Welsh. But Williams, who himself wins his 95th cap ?– a new record for a Wales forward – claims to [...]
Binocular and Solwhit eye up Champion Hurdle hopes March 10, 2010 DOUBTFUL duo Binocular and Solwhit have both been left in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at the six-day stage after both impressed their trainers this week. Binocular had been expected to miss the Cheltenham Festival after a recent injury, while pre-race favourite Solwhit was on the verge of being withdrawn after scoping badly on Monday. [...]
Pakistan duo receive bans for life March 10, 2010 FORMER Pakistan captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf have been sensationally barred from playing for their country for life as part of a crackdown on player discipline. The experienced pair, arguably Pakistan’s top two performers, were at the forefront of a Pakistan Cricket Board enquiry into the recent tour of Australia where “infighting brought down [...]
Semi-final place is the minimum requirement, insists boss Capello March 10, 2010 ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello has targeted a semi-final place at this summer’s World Cup – at the very least. The Three Lions are among the favourites in South Africa but have failed to make it past the quarter-finals since the 1990 tournament. But Capello said: “I hope the semi-finals is a minimum. We have good [...]
Chester are liquidated by HMRC March 10, 2010 CHESTER CITY were wound-up by the High Court yesterday, although Cardiff City and Southend United were handed lifelines. Blue Square Premier side Chester owed HM Revenue & Customs £26,125 in unpaid taxes and were liquidated after 126 years in existence. But a fans group have vowed to resurrect the club by setting up a ‘phoenix’ [...]
McIlroy sets sights on Doral March 10, 2010 GOLF: Rory McIlroy says he is looking forward to his match-up with world No3 Phil Mickelson when the pair go head-to-head at the WGC-CA Championship. The Northern Irish youngster has been paired with Mickelson and South African Retief Goosen for the event, which starts in Doral tonight. McIlroy and Mickelson played together at the HSBC [...]
Athletes set Euro medal target March 10, 2010 OLYMPICS: Great Britain’s athletes have been set a target of at least 10 medals at this summer’s European Athletics Championships by the national funding body. UK Sport wants between 10-15 medals from the event in Barcelona in July as it builds towards the London Olympics in 2012. At the same time, British swimmers have been [...]
Baltacha through to Indian Wells March 10, 2010 TENNIS: British No1 Elena Baltacha qualified for the main draw of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after securing a 6-3, 6-4 win over Russian Ekaterina Bychkova. She will now play American wildcard Alexa Glatch in the first round on Wednesday, joining fellow Brit Anne Keothavong and men’s No4 Andy Murray in California. Murray [...]
Portsmouth make 85 redundant March 10, 2010 ADMINISTRATORS at Portsmouth have been forced to make 85 staff redundant as a result of ongoing cost-cutting measures. Administrator Andrew Andronikou revealed Peter Storrie would remain as chief executive at the club, but has taken a 40 per cent wage cut.
Chelsea are up first March 10, 2010 HOLDERS Chelsea will take on Aston Villa in the first FA?Cup semi-final at Wembley on 10 April (ko 5pm). The following day sees 2008 winners. Portsmouth face either Fulham or Tottenham, with a 4pm kick-off.