Federer’s O2 mystery hands rival Djokovic third Tour Finals crown November 16, 2014 WORLD No2 Roger Federer refused to speak to the media last night after forfeiting the ATP World Tour Finals title in London amid rumours of a bust-up with compatriot Stan Wawrinka. Six-time champion Federer’s withdrawal ahead of his scheduled showdown with rival Novak Djokovic at the season-ending competition – the first final walkover in the [...]
McCall raps Saracens after Tigers claw back a draw in last minute November 16, 2014 SARACENS boss Mark McCall criticised his team for a lack of discipline after they allowed Leicester to snatch a 21-21 draw with a last-minute penalty in yesterday’s Premiership clash. Sarries led for almost the entire contest at Welford Road, despite having Marcelo Bosch sent to the sin-bin, but were pegged back at the death when [...]
Wasps destroy London Welsh to mark end of era in clinical style November 16, 2014 WASPS boss Dai Young stressed his relief after his players showcased a clinical streak and ran in 11 tries during a 71-7 mauling of beleaguered London Welsh in the Coventry-bound club’s final Premiership game at Adams Park. Wing Christian Wade and Ashley Johnson both scored hat-tricks as Wasps moved to fifth in the league table, [...]
Racing pays tribute as trainer Dessie Hughes dies, aged 71 November 16, 2014 HORSE racing mourned “a proper gentleman” yesterday following the death of popular trainer Dessie Hughes, the father of champion jockey Richard Hughes, aged 71. Hughes, who won the Champion Hurdle as a jockey before repeating the feat in a successful training career, had been fighting illness. The Irishman rode Davy Lad to victory in the [...]
Ireland’s second string enjoy rout November 16, 2014 IRELAND’S understudies ran in six tries during a comprehensive 49-7 victory against Georgia in Dublin yesterday after head coach Joe Schmidt made 13 changes from the side which dispatched South Africa last weekend. Ireland held a 9-0 advantage at the break before prop Dave Kilcoyne and hooker Richardt Strauss both crossed the line as the [...]
Absent McIlroy wins his second Race to Dubai November 16, 2014 WORLD No1 Rory McIlroy was crowned Race to Dubai winner for a second time in three years without even lifting a club yesterday as American Brooks Koepka won the Turkish Airlines Open. Koepka’s maiden European Tour title ensured McIlroy will take an unassailable lead in the money list into this week’s season finale, the DP [...]
Hodgson ready to shuffle pack for Scotland friendly November 16, 2014 Hart is rested as England coach plans changes in Celtic Park game ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that goalkeeper Joe Hart is to be rested for tomorrow’s friendly against Scotland and indicated that he intends to use the fixture to experiment. Hodgson is set to hand a rare start to either Southampton’s Fraser Forster [...]
Wales secure crucial away point as Euro bandwagon marches on November 16, 2014 WALES maintained their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 after a goalless draw against Belgium in Brussels last night. Keeper Wayne Hennessey denied Tottenham forward Nacer Chadli as Nicolas Lombaerts struck the woodwork before Gareth Bale fired wide in the second period as the visitors grew into the game. Wales temporarily topped Group B although [...]
Photography review: Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize November 14, 2014 National Portrait Gallery | ★★★★☆ The National Portrait Gallery’s immensely popular Taylor Wessing portrait prize exhibition is back. This week it was announced that the winning image was fashion photographer David Titlow’s atmospheric portrait of his baby son interacting with a dog. The judges selected the image from over 4,000 submissions from 1,793 photographers. [...]
Theatre review: Not About Heroes at Trafalgar Studios November 14, 2014 Trafalgar Studios 2 | ★★★★☆ In a life otherwise blighted by misfortune, Wilfred Owen had one show-stopping moment of luck. When forced to take leave from the front line because of shell-shock in 1917, he happened to be referred to Craiglockhart War Hospital at the same time that established celebrity poet Siegfried Sassoon was interned there. [...]