Props for new boy Auterac in Sarries win December 2, 2012 SARACENS boss Mark McCall believes prop Nick Auterac is an England star in the making after his performance in yesterday’s 28-23 Aviva Premiership win over Gloucester. Charlie Hodgson’s 23 points and Richard Wigglesworth’s try gave Sarries a five-point lead to defend but in-form Gloucester piled on the late pressure. They were awarded three scrums a [...]
Cazorla at a loss to explain Arsenal woes December 2, 2012 ARSENAL midfielder Santi Cazorla admits they have no idea what is behind a dreadful start to the season that has raised fresh questions about manager Arsene Wenger’s future. Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Swansea at Emirates Stadium marked a new low, leaving them with 21 points from 15 games, their worst start to a [...]
Benitez won’t be sacked yet, says Wilkins December 2, 2012 FORMER Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins insists the team’s under-fire interim boss Rafael Benitez will not face the sack before the end of the season. Benitez has endured a horrid start, with two draws and then a first defeat coming away to West Ham on Saturday. The Spaniard, who played his part in a fierce [...]
Black cats caught in relegation dog fight December 2, 2012 SUNDERLAND boss Martin O’Neill (inset) admitted his team are scrapping for survival after a 2-1 defeat at Norwich yesterday left them one point above the drop zone. “Our position in the league, with a couple of teams all tight together, would suggest that [we are in a relegation battle],” he said. A Kevin Pilkington strike [...]
Champion Trumped in first round December 2, 2012 World No1 Judd Trump’s defence of his UK Championship title ended in shock defeat at the first hurdle last night. Journeyman Mark Joyce, ranked 49 places below Trump, came from 5-2 down to win 6-5 and set up a second-round tie with Ali Carter, who beat veteran Steve Davis.
Fury eyes Price before WBC title December 2, 2012 Britain’s Tyson Fury could face compatriot David Price in a crunch heavyweight showdown, after defeating America’s Kevin Johnson in Belfast on Saturday night. The victory paves the way for Fury to take a shot at the WBC title, yet he may opt to fight Price at an earlier date.
McDowell wins World Challenge December 2, 2012 Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell won the World Challenge in California by three shots last night, holding off a challenge from American Keegan Bradley to finish 17 under par. Host Tiger Woods finished way off the pace on nine under par. Earlier in the day Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer won the Nedbank Challenge in South [...]
Norovirus hits All Blacks for England clash November 29, 2012 ENGLAND’S hopes of ending the year on a high were boosted yesterday when it emerged tomorrow’s opponents New Zealand have been ravaged by the norovirus. The winter vomiting and diarrhoea bug has affected all but two of the All Blacks squad, disrupting their preparations for the Test at Twickenham. No8 Kieran Read said they had [...]
Finn return to fitness heightens pressure on under-fire Broad November 29, 2012 ENGLAND fast bowler Steven Finn has recovered from a thigh strain to travel with the squad to Kolkata for next week’s third Test against India, after coming through a warm-up game unscathed. Finn took 4-50 on Tuesday and bowled seven overs yesterday to prove his fitness during an England Performance Programme innings and 193-run victory [...]
Defoe no to Redknapp reunion November 29, 2012 TOTTENHAM striker Jermain Defoe has dismissed a possible reunion with Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers and pledged to see out his career at White Hart Lane. Redknapp has prioritised signing a forward as he looks to reverse his new club’s disastrous start to the season and drag them off the bottom of the Premier [...]