Higgins suffers Masters defeat January 14, 2015 NORTHERN IRELAND’S Mark Allen pinpointed his ability to thrive under pressure after recording a 6-4 Masters victory over two-time champion John Higgins at Alexandra Palace yesterday. The pair were locked at 3-3 before Allen surged into a 5-3 lead, sealing victory after Higgins had reduced the arrears and then missed a yellow when poised for [...]
Trott double ton sends message to Test selectors January 14, 2015 BATSMAN Jonathan Trott accelerated his claims for an international recall by striking a double century for England Lions as their first unofficial Test against South Africa A at Paarl ended in stalemate yesterday. Trott was at his obstinate best as he amassed an unbeaten 211, batting for almost 11 hours and racking up 17 fours [...]
Coventry hails Exiles’ ambition January 14, 2015 LONDON Irish head-coach-in-waiting Tom Coventry has revealed that the Premiership club’s ambitious plans convinced him to abandon his native New Zealand and replace Brian Smith. Coventry has agreed to join the Exiles in the summer, it was confirmed yesterday, after Smith was allowed to bring forward his planned departure on compassionate grounds. The 48-year-old is [...]
Broken collarbone places Dowsett hour-record bid in grave doubt January 14, 2015 BRITAIN’S Alex Dowsett has suffered a major blow in his bid to smash cycling’s hour record after the Commonwealth Games time trial champion sustained a fractured collarbone in training. The 26-year-old is scheduled to try and beat 51.852km, the benchmark set by Austria’s Matthias Brandle in October, at the Lee Valley VeloPark on Friday, 27 [...]
Murray seeded sixth for Australian Open January 14, 2015 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray will be seeded sixth for the Australian Open when the draw for the year’s first Major, which starts on Monday, takes place tonight. The three-time finalist is ranked behind top seed Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori. Compatriot Heather Watson is afforded no protection in the women’s [...]
FA Cup: Allardyce pleas for clean sheets after cup thriller January 13, 2015 WEST HAM UNITED 2 EVERTON 2 (West Ham win 9-8 on penalties) WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce reiterated the need for his defence to register a greater proportion of clean sheets after the Hammers threw away another lead before navigating an enthralling cup tie 9-8 on penalties at Upton Park last night. Spanish keeper Adrian [...]
Pietersen: New skipper Morgan keen to pick me January 13, 2015 ENGLAND outcast Kevin Pietersen has risked alienating cricket chiefs further by claiming new one-day international (ODI) skipper Eoin Morgan would select him if allowed. Pietersen has been discarded by England since his sacking last February, while a series of controversial revelations in his autobiography aggravated already fractured relationships. The 34-year-old is England’s highest run scorer [...]
Hodgson forced to cancel planned dinner date with England players January 13, 2015 ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson was last night forced to cancel a dinner meeting with his players after various Premier League clubs objected to the concept due to busy fixture schedules. Hodgson had planned to organize a get-together at the end of the month to conduct a tactical review of November’s 3-1 friendly win over Scotland, [...]
Kruis handed Six Nations pardon despite receiving tip-tackle ban January 13, 2015 ENGLAND second row George Kruis was last night handed a Six Nations reprieve after being served a threeweek ban for his tip tackle on Gloucester wing David Halaifonua. Saracens forward Kruis pleaded guilty at a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing in central London and will be suspended until Monday 2 February following his dangerous tackle [...]
Stifling Ings key to Tottenham’s FA Cup progress January 13, 2015 TOTTENHAM defender Eric Dier insists shackling the attacking potency of Burnley’s England Under-21 striker Danny Ings is pivotal to his side navigating tonight’s FA Cup third round replay at White Hart Lane. Burnley salvaged a replay last week after Wales hitman Sam Vokes shrugged off a nine-month injury nightmare to cancel out Nacer Chadli’s opener. [...]