Double Seven out for season January 5, 2015 EARLY Grand National fancy Double Seven has been ruled out for the season after suffering an injury. The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old was third at Aintree under Tony McCoy in April, six lengths behind winner Pineau De Re, and was among the early favourites for this year’s renewal. “It’s a shame he won’t be there this [...]
Pietersen stars for Melbourne in big bash January 5, 2015 ENGLAND exile Kevin Pietersen struck his second half-century of the Big Bash campaign to steer Melbourne Stars to a super-over victory against Michael Lumb-inspired Sydney Sixers yesterday. Pietersen smashed eight fours and a six in his 37-ball 50, while his knock of 54 helped the Stars post 150-6 after former England batsman Lumb smashed 80.
Mercury soars to 44C in Murray’s Aussie warm-up January 5, 2015 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray overcame scorching 44C heat and a shoulder injury to boost his Australian Open preparations with two wins at the Hopman Cup in Perth yesterday. Murray beat Benoit Paire in straight sets and then joined Heather Watson to defeat Paire and Alize Cornet in an epic deciding mixed doubles clash to earn Great [...]
Wiggins signs Sky deal for Paris-Roubaix bid January 5, 2015 CYCLIST Sir Bradley Wiggins has confirmed plans for a final attempt at winning one of the sport’s most iconic events, the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic, before he swaps road for track racing later this year. Former Tour de France winner Wiggins has agreed a short-term contract with Team Sky that will take him into a sixth [...]
Burgess admits tackling rugby union is tougher than expected January 5, 2015 CODE-SWITCHER Sam Burgess has revealed the conversion to rugby union from league is proving a harder task to master than he initially envisaged. Surgery to fix a broken cheekbone delayed his union debut until November but after a smattering of cameos the 26-year-old made his first start for Bath in their 17-8 Premiership defeat to [...]
Serena enjoys instant boost January 5, 2015 RETURNING to work in the New Year is enough to make anyone reach for a coffee, and world No1 Serena Williams showed she was no different at the Hopman Cup in Australia yesterday. Williams called for the drink after losing the first set of her singles match with Italy’s Flavia Pennetta to love and the [...]
January transfer window 2015: Chelsea and Manchester City top list of Premier League’s winter spenders January 5, 2015
Oldham Athletic face sponsor exodus should club re-sign convicted rapist Ched Evans January 5, 2015 Two sponsors of Oldham Athletic have threatened to end their association with the football club should they sign convicted rapist Ched Evans. Former Wales international Evans has been linked with a return to football with the Greater Manchester club after being released from prison in October having served half of a five-year sentence for [...]
FA Cup: Blades cut QPR down in FA Cup and warn Spurs they are next January 4, 2015 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0 SHEFFIELD UNITED 3 SHEFFIELD United issued a warning to Tottenham yesterday after underlining their giant-killing credentials by dumping QPR out of the FA Cup – their fifth top-flight scalp in the last 12 months. The League One side’s top scorer Marc McNulty put them in front after 36 minutes and midfielder [...]
FA Cup: Mourinho vows to keep Cech as Schwarzer departs for Leicester January 4, 2015 CHELSEA 3 WATFORD 0 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho ruled out letting Petr Cech leave in January following yesterday’s comfortable FA Cup win against Watford. The Blues coasted into round four with second-half goals from midfielder Willian, forward Loic Remy and defender Kurt Zouma. Mourinho confirmed veteran stopper Mark Schwarzer is to join Leicester, adding there [...]