He had a dream career but glory days were over June 28, 2009 HIS omission from the Ashes training squad was the final nail in the coffin for Michael Vaughan’s career at the highest level. But if, as expected, he bows out tomorrow he will finish his playing days with the utmost respect of everyone in the game. Vaughan has had his glory days – and more glorious [...]
Burger gets eight-week ban for eye gouging June 28, 2009 SOUTH AFRICA flanker Schalk Burger was last night hit with an eight-week ban for gouging British and Irish Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald’s eyes in Saturday’s brutal clash. Burger was cited after the Springboks clinched the series with a 28-25 victory in an incident-packed dramatic second Test in Pretoria. His team-mate Bakkies Botha was also banned [...]
ENGLAND’S HART FAILURE June 28, 2009 ENGLAND Under 21s will be without first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart for tonight’s European Championship final after an appeal against his suspension was rejected. Hart misses the clash with Germany in Malmo after picking up a booking in Friday’s semi-final. England protested the yellow card, for talking to opponents during the penalty shoot-out, but governing [...]
Brazil dodge shock to claim cup June 28, 2009 FOOTBALL: Brazil overturned a two-goal half-time deficit to beat USA 3-2 and win the Confederations Cup last night in South Africa.Strikes from Fulham’s Clint Demsey and forward Landon Donovan gave the underdogs a surprise lead. Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano pulled one back straight after the interval and the nodded an equaliser before defender Lucio completed [...]
Dougherty triumphs in Munich June 28, 2009 GOLF: England’s Nick Dougherty survived a huge scare before clinching his third European Tour title at the BMW International Open in Munich yesterday.Dougherty was four shots clear and coasting when Argentina’s Rafa Echenique holed a 243-yard albatross at the 18th hole, slashing the lead to one shot. But Dougherty stayed calm to complete an eight-under-par [...]
House upsets home stars June 28, 2009 CYCLING: Unheralded Canterbury rider Kristian House trumped a field boasting Olympic champions to win the British National Road Race Championship yesterday in Wales.Beijing gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins finished in the peloton, while Mark Cavendish, a victor in four Tour de France stages, was further back. Olympic pursuit champion Geraint Thomas failed to finish the [...]
Lomu set for Marseille move June 28, 2009 RUGBY UNION: New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu has confirmed he is set to sign for French third division side Marseille. Winger Lomu, who won 63 caps before illness halted his All Black career but has since played for Cardiff, took a year off for the birth of his child.The 34-year-old said: “Everyone thought I’d ended [...]
As well as tennis, Wimbledon has south London’s most lavish home June 25, 2009 WHILE most of what’s said about SW19 involves tennis, and occasionally Wombles, there’s much to be said for Wimbledon as a place to live. As befits the home of the All England Tennis Club, it’sthe very height of leafy southwest London – genteel, classy and far enough from the centre of town to feel you’ve [...]
Speed Ticket looks ideal for the Plate June 25, 2009 THE NORTHUMBERLAND Plate is traditionally one of the most open and competitive handicaps of the season and tomorrow’s renewal certainly doesn’t disappoint on that front. There are six runners currently vying for favouritism and at least 12 runners priced between 8/1 and 14/1. It will therefore be no surprise that only two favourites have obliged [...]
THE INSIDER June 25, 2009 COULD tomorrow be the day? It’s almost two years since WINKER WATSON won the 2007 July Stakes, but since then, he hasn’t troubled the judge once. However, the combination of a drop in trip, a new partner in Adrian McCarthy and most importantly, the added assistance of blinkers, means that I am prepared to give [...]