Cook brushes off wage dispute as England lose to New Zealand February 17, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook insists his team is focused on winning the one-day international (ODI) series in New Zealand, despite falling 1-0 down amid a lingering pay dispute. New Zealand beat England by three wickets in Hamilton yesterday, reaching 259-7 with seven balls remaining, after bowling the tourists out for 258. The defeat coincided with [...]
Vunipola still fighting for Wasps despite nearing exit February 17, 2013 LONDON Wasps No8 Billy Vunipola is heading to Saracens next season but coach Dai Young insists his performance in yesterday’s 33-29 win over Gloucester show his allegiances lie at Adams Park for now. The 20-year-old, who scored a try yesterday, will join brother Mako at Sarries next season but Young has no fears for the [...]
Saracens’ stadium shows there’s no place like home February 17, 2013 FOR all the excitement of the Six Nations and the anticipation of what might happen when the French arrive at Twickenham this coming Saturday, an even more significant event for rugby union took place over the weekend when Saracens played their opening home league match on the new artificial pitch in Barnet. It was important [...]
Mancini: Aguero’s goals can win us Premier League title February 17, 2013 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini hopes striker Sergio Aguero’s double in yesterday’s FA Cup fifth round victory at the Etihad can spark a prolific run of form to help fire his side back into the Premier League title race. The Argentine forward took his goal tally to three in three games and 13 for the [...]
Blade Runner charged with shooting model girlfriend dead February 14, 2013 PARALYMPIC star Oscar Pistorius is due to appear in court today charged with the Valentines Day murder of his model girlfriend after she was shot dead at his home in South Africa early yesterday morning. Pistorius – dubbed Blade Runner for his trademark prosthetic legs – was arrested at his luxury home in a gated [...]
Brilliant Bale brace hands Spurs crucial first-leg advantage February 14, 2013 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 vs OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS 1 WINGER Gareth Bale scored two stunning free-kicks to earn Tottenham victory in their Europa League last 32, first leg clash last night and the Wales star insisted: it was no fluke. Bale showcased his talent with two perfectly executed dead ball strikes, either side of Samuel Umtiti’s blistering [...]
Oscar rescues Blues as Torres angst persists February 14, 2013 SPARTA PRAGUE 0 vs CHELSEA 1 CHELSEA substitute Oscar spared Fernando Torres’ blushes by firing a late winner in last night’s Europa League last 32, first leg clash at Sparta Prague. Torres, who has scored just once in 13 games, missed a host of chances before Brazil midfielder Oscar started and finished a slick move [...]
Allianz Park will take Sarries to a whole new level, says Strettle February 14, 2013 SARACENS winger David Strettle believes the official opening of the club’s new £20m Allianz Park home tomorrow marks the dawning of a new era for one of English rugby’s biggest clubs. After 15 years of sharing a ground with Watford at Vicarage Road, Sarries have relocated to their new development on the site of the [...]
Froome grabs red jersey in Oman February 14, 2013 CYCLING: Britain’s Chris Froome leads the Tour of Oman, after finishing second in the fourth stage of the race yesterday. The Team Sky rider holds a 24-second lead with two stages to go.
Lancaster plays down Lions fears February 14, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Coach Stuart Lancaster has reassured his England players that selection for the British and Irish Lions squad’s tour to Australia this summer will be based “solely on merit”, after Lions coach Warren Gatland admitted to concerns over picking too many Englishmen.