O’Connor’s Irish debut ends in narrow defeat to Northampton November 3, 2013 NEW London Irish signing James O’Connor’s Aviva Premiership debut ended in a 19-14 defeat to Northampton Saints. The Australia back set up the Exiles’ only try, scored by Sailosi Tagicakibau, but 14 points from the boot of Stephen Myler earned victory for the Saints. Meanwhile, Saracens inflicted a 40-3 defeat on Newcastle Falcons, Harlequins triumphed [...]
Champ Vettel on track to match 60-year record November 3, 2013 WORLD champion Sebastian Vettel lavished praise on his Red Bull car yesterday after cruising to a seventh straight win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Vettel passed the chequered flag over 30 seconds ahead of his team-mate Mark Webber, matching a modern-day record for consecutive victories held by his boyhood hero Michael Schumacher. The all-time [...]
Aussie ace tips Djokovic for London glory November 3, 2013 THIS week’s ATP World Tour Finals is set to be a titanic duel between reigning champion Novak Djokovic and world No1 Rafael Nadal, says former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis. The Australian is tipping Djokovic to defend his title in London and warns that big-serving Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro and in-form Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka are [...]
Matthew wins mental battle to lift world title November 3, 2013 DOUBLE Commonwealth champion Nick Matthew revealed he had to dig deep to find the mental strength to recover from a mid-match wobble to win the World Squash Championship in Manchester last night. The 33-year-old beat second seed Gregory Gaultier 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-2. Matthew’s triumph was his third in four years, though admitted the [...]
Johnson beats Brits in Shanghai November 3, 2013 GOLF: Former Open runner-up Dustin Johnson won his first World Golf Championship event in Shanghai, holding off the challenge of England’s Ian Poulter by three shots. Johnson carded a final round 66 at the WGC-HSBC Champions, with Poulter runner-up and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell a further shot behind. Compatriot Rory McIlroy finished nine shots behind [...]
Wales suffer shock World Cup exit November 3, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: Wales became the first side to be knocked out of the World Cup, following a surprise 24-16 defeat to competition debutants the United States in Wrexham.
Lancaster tips Tomkins to handle the pressure October 31, 2013 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster has revealed he had no hesitation in awarding Joel Tomkins his first cap against Australia tomorrow due to the centre’s ability to handle big-game pressure. The 26-year-old will line up alongside four Saracens team-mates in Chris Ashton – the second most experienced player in the team – and fly-half Owen Farrell, [...]
No war between Dickson brothers as Karl backs Lee October 31, 2013 THE SUPERB form of England’s Lee Dickson means brother Karl will play second fiddle to Danny Care for Harlequins this weekend, though the scrum-half insists he has nothing but support for his younger sibling. Care was released back to Quins by England and is eligible for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers, while Lee [...]
Cautious Murray casts doubt over his Australian Open participation October 31, 2013 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray admits he is yet to hit a ball almost six weeks after his back operation and fears he may not be ready for the Australian Open. The Wimbledon champion is desperate to play in Melbourne, where he has reached the final three times in four years, but is adamant he will only [...]
McIlroy rediscovers his touch in Shanghai October 31, 2013 REJUVENATED Rory McIlroy believes his nightmare spell is behind him after he shot a seven-under-par round of 65 to take a first-round lead at the WGC HSBC Champions yesterday in Shanghai. The former world No1 has suffered a barren and arduous 2013 and needs a sparkling performance this week if he is to qualify for [...]