Black vows to be even harder on GB stars than Van Commenee September 13, 2012 UK ATHLETICS’ new performance director Neil Black has warned Britain’s track and field stars that he will be even harder on them than controversial outgoing head coach Charles van Commenee. Van Commenee lived up to his reputation as an uncompromising taskmaster by falling on his sword earlier this week, having failed to meet his own [...]
Cavendish out of running in Tour of Britain September 13, 2012 TEAM Sky’s Mark Cavendish saw his chances of winning the Tour of Britain disappear as Dutchman Marc de Maar recovered from a late fall to snatch stage five in Stoke. Cavendish, who began the day with the leader’s golden jersey and a six-second lead over Australian cyclist Leigh Howard, finished almost 12 minutes behind De [...]
Wenger coy on new contract talk despite Arsenal’s overtures September 13, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits he may reject the offer of a new contract if he feels that he has fallen short of his own personal standards. Gunners chiefs have made it clear they want the 62-year-old to stay beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of next season, despite the club’s failure [...]
Pietersen decision is Flower’s toughest yet September 13, 2012 THIS hasn’t been the easiest of summers for the England cricket team. A difficult Test series against South Africa resulting in the loss of the No1 ranking, the resignation and retirement of captain Andrew Strauss and the distraction of the Kevin Pietersen controversy. But one man to have emerged with great credit is Andy Flower. [...]
Sarries can win plaudits as well as trophies, says flanker Fraser September 13, 2012 SARACENS flanker Will Fraser insists they will prove their critics wrong this season, delighting and dominating in equal measure as they bid to reclaim the Aviva Premiership crown. Sarries, who face Leicester Tigers at Wembley tomorrow, reached the play-offs last season but came in for criticism for failing to excite – an accusation Flanker believes [...]
Heineken Cup successor will dazzle, say BT September 13, 2012 THE HEINEKEN Cup will be superseded by a “dazzling new European tournament” in two years’ time, says BT Vision chairman Marc Watson. English and French clubs’ breakaway plans gathered pace this week when BT Vision struck a £152m deal with Premiership Rugby that they say gives them the rights to show European games involving English [...]
Carroll comeback hopes hit September 13, 2012 WEST HAM manager Sam Allardyce has played down suggestions that on-loan striker Andy Carroll could return from injury as soon as next week. Carroll was ruled out until mid-October after tearing his hamstring on debut two weeks ago, but Allardyce said yesterday: “We have got no time on it really. He is improving well.”
Derbyshire and Yorkshire go up September 13, 2012 CRICKET: Derbyshire clinched an historic first promotion and Yorkshire ensured an instant return to Division One after Division Two rivals Kent lost to Glamorgan yesterday. Derbyshire will go up as champions if they beat Hampshire, who finished day three 142-6, a lead of 139, but if they slip up today Yorkshire could take the title [...]
Motorsport mourns Watkins September 13, 2012 FORMULA ONE: Professor Sid Watkins, who was credited with overhauling F1’s safety protocol during more than 30 years in the sport, has died, aged 84. The Whitechapel Hospital neurosurgeon, as trackside doctor, played a key role in saving the lives of Rubens Barrichello and Mika Hakkinen after crashes in the mid-1990s. “It was Sid Watkins [...]
Peacock calls on Diamond League September 13, 2012 PARALYMPICS: British T44 100m gold medallist Jonnie Peacock has called for more disability events to be added to top athletics meetings. “Incorporating Paralympic sport into the Diamond League and giving it air-time, that’s the aim,” said Peacock, who beat Oscar Pistorius at London 2012. “You wouldn’t sell 80,000 tickets every single day for every single [...]