Pirates offer Falcons hope May 7, 2012 CORNISH Pirates secured a 45-24 first-leg Championship play-off semi-final lead over Bristol yesterday to boost Newcastle’s hopes of avoiding Premiership relegation. In the event of Pirates winning the play-offs, they will not gain promotion as their stadium does not fulfill the necessary criteria, thus saving the bottom-placed Falcons. Tries from James Merriman and Will Helu [...]
O’SULLIVAN STORMS TO FOURTH WORLD TITLE May 7, 2012 RONNIE “The Rocket” O’Sullivan wrapped up a convincing 18-11 frame win against Ali Carter last night, to claim his fourth World Snooker Championship title. The popular maverick made three centuries during the final at the Crucible in Sheffield, before sealing victory with a break of 61. After the win O’Sullivan said he will take some [...]
England’s Wright in dengue scare May 7, 2012 England and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright is suffering from suspected dengue fever, caught while playing for Indian Premier League side Pune Warriors. He has undergone blood tests to determine whether he has the virus, the symptoms of which include fever, headache and joint pain. “Can’t remember feeling as bad as I have the last few [...]
McCLean makes Irish Euro squad May 7, 2012 Coach Giovanni Trapattoni has announced his 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012. Sunderland winger James McClean has been included after an impressive season, though Wigan midfielder James McCarthy withdrew after learning of his father’s diagnosis with cancer. Five players, including Everton’s Seamus Coleman, are on standby.
Mayweather revels in Cotto victory May 7, 2012 Undefeated Floyd Mayweather says he is glad to have finally delivered a “toe-to-toe battle” in Saturday’s points victory over Miguel Cotto. American Mayweather, who took Cotto’s WBA light middleweight title, is known for favouring a defensive fighting style. “I could have stayed on the outside and just out-boxed him,” said Mayweather. “But I looked for [...]
Hodgson ticks all boxes for England post, says Curbishley May 3, 2012 FORMER West Ham and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has backed Roy Hodgson to succeed as England’s new boss, but says a major overhaul of the national coaching set-up is long overdue. Curbishley, out of management since resigning from West Ham in 2008, also admits he misses day-to-day involvment in the game and revealed to City [...]
Mikel: Forget the league, we want the cups May 3, 2012 CHELSEA midfielder Jon Obi Mikel has urged his team-mates to forget the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League’s top four before it consumes their hopes of a famous Champions League and FA Cup double. Wednesday evening’s 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle effectively ended any chance Chelsea had of domestically securing Champions League [...]
Liverpool blame £50m loss on £35m stadium move write-off May 3, 2012 LIVERPOOL have announced a huge loss of almost £50m, which Anfield chiefs have blamed largely on wasted spending on abandoned plans to build a new stadium. Managing director Ian Ayre said £35m in design fees and legal and administrative costs relating to the proposed move to Stanley Park contributed to £59m of exceptional items and [...]
American truck tycoon closes in on £11m Rangers takeover May 3, 2012 PROSPECTIVE Rangers owner Bill Miller has vowed to make the club live within its means – “no excuses” – if, as expected, he seals a £11m takeover of the financially stricken Scottish side next week. Administrators made Miller preferred bidder yesterday after the American tycoon removed conditions from his offer, raising hope that Rangers will [...]
WHO IS BILL MILLER? May 3, 2012 Founded and grown rich from Tennessee towing and recovery truck company Miller Industries Now 65, he grew up in Detroit and has a degree and MBA in engineering Failed with TRAC racing venture, which was set up as a rival to NASCAR