Tiger and Harrington renew duel at the top August 13, 2009 WORLD No1 Tiger Woods renewed his battle with Padraig Harrington as the pair started the US PGA Championship as they finished last week’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational – on top of the leaderboard. Woods wasted no time in throwing down the gauntlet in the final Major of the season, firing a five-under-par 67 to take the [...]
GIRL POWER UNLEASHED IN 2012 August 13, 2009 WOMEN boxers will get the chance to go for gold at the London 2012 Games following a landmark decision by the International Olympic Committee. Boxing had been the only Olympic event with female participants but yesterday’s decision ensures women, like British hopeful Savannah Marshall, above, will now compete at three weight divisions in 2012 with [...]
Defoe brace rescues England August 12, 2009 HOLLAND (2) vs ENGLAND (2) ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello insisted he remained calm at half-time after substitute Jermain Defoe spared his side’s blushes in Amsterdam last night. Comedy defensive errors from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry handed the Netherlands a 2-0 lead at the break before Defoe climbed off the bench to earn his side [...]
Burley still buoyant as Scots crash August 12, 2009 SCOTLAND boss George Burley insists his team are still on course for a World Cup qualifying play-off spot despite crashing to a 4-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo. The Scots had defender Gary Caldwell sent off on 34 minutes for two bookable offences, prompting Norway to take control and open up a two-goal lead at [...]
Ramprakash tells England: I’m all yours August 12, 2009 MARK RAMPRAKASH last night issued a “come and get me” plea to the England selectors on the day his rivals for a batting spot in next week’s Ashes decider flopped on their county returns. The 39-year-old averages an impressive 100.75 with the bat for Surrey this season and is being strongly linked with a return [...]
Harrington has mindset to defend US PGA title August 12, 2009 DEFENDING champion Padraig Harrington admits he may still be six months away from perfecting his swing, but the Irishman is confident of retaining the US PGA Championship this weekend. Harrington posted his best result of the year on Sunday, when he finished in a tie for second behind Tiger Woods at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. [...]
Quins chief is sorry for blood feigning saga August 12, 2009 HARLEQUINS chief Mark Evans has written to the club’s fans to apologise for the blood-feigning affair. Winger Tom Williams was banned for 12 months after being found guilty of faking an injury in against Leinster in April. “We have to accept we have been found guilty of behaviour that cannot be accepted or condoned and [...]
Cattermole joins Black Cats August 12, 2009 FOOTBALL: Sunderland last night completed the £6m signing of England Under-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole from Wigan. Cattermole has penned a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light, where he will again work under manager Steve Bruce, who signed him for Wigan from Middlesbrough last summer. The combative 21-year-old is in line to make his Black [...]
Leeds land ex-Quin Gomarsall August 12, 2009 RUGBY UNION: World Cup-winning former England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall has signed for Leeds. Gomarsall, who was released by Harlequins at the end of last season, has agreed a one-year deal with their Premiership rivals. The 35-year-old said: “I considered retiring, but when Leeds got in touch I jumped at the chance to come here.”
Capello rules out Almunia England call August 11, 2009 FABIO CAPELLO last night dismissed speculation that Manuel Almunia will be drafted in to ease England’s goalkeeper crisis.With first-choice David James ruled out through injury and Ben Foster withdrawing with a knee problem, reports resurfaced once again linking the Spanish-born Arsenal shot-stopper with an unlikely call-up. Almunia, 32, is now eligible to play for England [...]