Murray hails best ever year despite ATP loss November 11, 2012 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray remained upbeat last night despite losing in straight sets to Roger Federer, insisting that the ATP World Tour Finals defeat has not marred the best year of his career to date. The Scot, who earlier this year won an Olympic gold medal before also claiming his first Major title at the US [...]
Broad and Finn close in on first Test fitness goal November 11, 2012 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook has received a welcome boost ahead of his side’s opening Test against India on Thursday after key seamers Stuart Broad and Steven Finn came through a practice session unscathed. Cook played in England’s final warm-up game yesterday, which ended in a draw against Haryana, yet attention quickly turned to the nets [...]
Evolving England can blow big beasts out of water, insists Goode November 11, 2012 ENGLAND full-back Alex Goode believes the burgeoning attacking threat displayed in Saturday’s rout of Fiji proves they are capable of dismantling the southern hemisphere’s big beasts. Goode was named man of the match for an influential display as Stuart Lancaster’s men began their autumn internationals campaign with an erratic yet emphatic 54-12 victory over the [...]
Spurs beaten at death by supersub Dzeko November 11, 2012 MANCHESTER CITY 2 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas could only praise Manchester City supersub Edin Dzeko last night after the Bosnian climbed off the bench to volley a superb winner two minutes from time. Spurs defender Steven Caulker gave the visitors a first-half lead as the north Londoners threatened to end the [...]
Rugby must stop hindering smaller nations November 11, 2012 THOSE of you reading this who went to Twickenham on Saturday to see England’s demolition of Fiji know you were sold something of a pup. The blame lies at the door of the International Rugby Board who continue to allow the distinction between the haves and have nots of the game to be a blight [...]
Crystal Palace starlet Zaha earns first call-up as Hodgson patches up his injury-hit squad November 11, 2012 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson last night handed a first call-up to in-demand Crystal Palace prodigy Wilfried Zaha amid a spate of injury concerns before Wednesday’s friendly in Sweden. Versatile forward Zaha, 20, has scored four goals this season in Palace’s charge to the top of the Championship and has been scouted by a host of [...]
McIlroy emulates Donald to capture Euro and American double November 11, 2012 WORLD No1 Rory McIlroy hailed “the icing on the cake” of a historic season after his third place finish in Singapore saw him complete the European and US money list double. South African Louis Oosthuizen’s failure to win the Singapore Open ensured McIlroy can no longer be caught in the Race to Dubai, the European [...]
Allarydce talks up ex-Toon duo after steely win November 11, 2012 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 vs WEST HAM UNITED 1 WEST HAM manager Sam Allardyce praised his former Newcastle players Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll after the pair helped their new team to an impressive win at St James’ Park. A 37th minute goal from Nolan gave the visitors the advantage at the break, and Allardyce’s team [...]
Irish fight back as Welsh crash out of LV= Cup November 11, 2012 LONDON Irish produced a remarkable second-half turnaround to gain revenge over Sale Sharks yesterday with a 34-28 bonus-point win in the LV= Cup. Matt Garvey was the hero, crossing twice for the Exiles as George Skivington and Shane Geraghty also went over for the home side. London Welsh, however, were put to the sword by [...]
All Blacks too strong for Scotland November 11, 2012 Three tries late in the first half saw New Zealand crush Scotland’s resistance and win 51-22 at Murrayfield yesterday. Wing Tim Visser crossed twice as Scotland became the first side this year to score three tries against the All Blacks, but the visitors, who face England next month, responded through Julian Savea (2), Israel Dagg, [...]