De Luca banned for the season February 27, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Scotland centre Nick De Luca is set to miss the rest of the season through suspension, after being handed a 13-week ban for a tip tackle during Edinburgh’s defeat to Ospreys last week.
Mutiny? Blues players right behind me, says Benitez February 26, 2013 CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez has played down suggestions of a training ground bust-up with captain John Terry and admits he will have failed if the Blues miss out on a top three Premier League finish. The Blues lost 2-0 to champions Manchester City on Sunday and a frank discussion between Benitez and his squad took [...]
Tragic Maynard was drunk and high on drugs February 26, 2013 SURREY cricketer Tom Maynard was drunk and high on cocaine and ecstasy when he was electrocuted by rail tracks and hit by a London Underground train in June, an inquest heard yesterday. The 23-year-old, who had played for England Lions and was tipped to become a senior international, died at Wimbledon Park station after fleeing [...]
Returning O’Sullivan sets sights on a fifth World Championship February 26, 2013 WORLD snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is convinced he can defend his title despite playing just one competitive match in the last 10 months, after announcing his comeback yesterday. The 37-year-old lost to rank outsider Simon Bedford in a Players Tour Championship event in September – his only ranking event since winning a fourth world title [...]
Exiles may get points docked February 26, 2013 LONDON Welsh could face a points deduction after being charged with fielding an ineligible player by the Rugby Football Union. The Premiership club have been summoned to a hearing on 5 March relating to scrum-half Tyson Keats, who has played 13 times in the top flight this season. Sale were penalised one point and fined [...]
Everton reach FA Cup quarter-final February 26, 2013 GOALS from Kevin Mirallas, Leighton Baines and Leon Osman earned Everton a 3-1 win against League One club Oldham Athletic in an FA Cup fifth round replay at Goodison Park last night. Towering striker Matt Smith netted the consolation for Oldham. Everton will play at home to Wigan in the quarter final on 9 March.
McClaren makes Twente exit February 26, 2013 FOOTBALL: Former England manager Steve McClaren has left his post as coach of Dutch club FC Twente. The 51-year-old was enjoying his second spell with the club he led to the Eredivisie title in 2010. But after six games without a win and Twente fifth in the table McClaren has left the club after talks with [...]
Moates to leave Irish for Wasps February 26, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Scrum-half Jack Moates will join London Wasps from Aviva Premiership rivals London Irish at the end of the season. The 20-year-old has featured 17 times for the Exiles this term, including an appearance in Sunday’s 30-19 win over Wasps. Fellow No9 Pat Phibbs, on loan from Leicester Tigers, has signed permanently for Irish.
Review: Mama February 26, 2013 FILM MAMA Cert 15 *** AFTER producing the deliciously terrifying The Orphanage and directing the superb horror fantasy Pan’s Labyrinth, you would bet your house on Guillermo del Toro nailing what is essentially a stripped down, monster-in-the-house horror movie. This is why I’m not a gambling man. It starts off convincingly enough. The plot – [...]
Review: Money The Game Show February 26, 2013 In Clare Duffy’s new play, Money The Game Show, two ex-bankers, Queenie and Casino (Lucy Ellinson and Brian Ferguson), explain the financial crisis through a series of audience participation games. Two halves of the audience face each other and in the centre is a platform, complete with cartoon noises and colourful flashing lights that combine [...]