Pole vaulter Bleasdale’s joy at triple record feat January 22, 2012 BRITISH pole-vault sensation Holly Bleasdale announced her arrival as one of the best home medal hopes for London 2012 by recording the second highest indoor jump of all time yesterday. Bleasdale, who only took up the sport four years ago, beat her own British indoor record three times as she won in Lyon with a [...]
Narraway handed England chance January 22, 2012 Gloucester No8 Luke Narraway has been drafted into the England squad ahead of the Six Nations as a replacement for injured Northampton back-rower Tom Wood. Narraway, 28, has seven caps, the most recent against Ireland at Croke Park two years ago. Wood, who had been touted as a potential successor to Lewis Moody as England [...]
Drogba on target for Ivory Coast January 22, 2012 Chelsea striker Didier Drogba ensured Ivory Coast got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start by scoring the only goal of their opening Group B clash against Sudan. It took the Elephants 39 minutes to break down Sudan, with Drogba heading home Salomon Kalou’s cross. Ivory Coast face Burkina Faso in [...]
Olazabal rolls back the years January 22, 2012 Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal defied his world ranking of 596 to secure an impressive sixth placed finish at the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt Links in Western Cape. The Spaniard, 45, who hasn’t won a tournament for seven years, finished on eight under, four shots behind winner Branden Grace, who beat Ernie [...]
Pakistan rub salt in wound with England ‘easy’ taunts January 19, 2012 PAKISTAN captain Misbah-ul-Haq taunted England’s demoralised batsmen last night by claiming his side’s astonishing 10-wicket victory in the first Test in Dubai was “easy”. The tourists started day three hopeful of limiting Pakistan to a first innings lead of just over 100, but a spirited rearguard effort from Adnan Akmal (61) ensured England began their [...]
Murray wary of leftie Llodra January 19, 2012 Brit glides past Roger-Vasselin to set up third-round clash with quicksilver veteran HE MAY not be a wild card under by strict tennis definitions but Michael Llodra stands out from most professionals on the circuit – and Britain’s Andy Murray admits he will pose a singular threat when they collide tomorrow at the Australian Open. [...]
Robshaw favourite to lead England as Wood ruled out January 19, 2012 HARLEQUINS back-rower Chris Robshaw appears destined to skipper England for the start of next month’s Six Nations after his principal rival for the role, Tom Wood, was yesterday ruled out of the tournament’s first two matches with a toe injury. England begin their Six Nations defence at Murrayfield against Scotland on 4 February before a [...]
Villas-Boas: Terry OK to play in QPR showdown January 19, 2012 CHELSEA boss Andre Villas-Boas insists he has no qualms about fielding captain John Terry in next week’s powderkeg FA Cup tie with QPR. The Blues return to Loftus Road on Saturday week, four days before Terry is due in court over claims he racially abused Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in October. But, asked whether he [...]
Idowu gold medal boost after champ Evora injured January 19, 2012 BRITISH triple-jump star Phillips Idowu’s hopes of claiming gold at London 2012 have received a boost after reigning Olympic champion Nelson Evora was ruled out. Portuguese Evora, who beat Idowu into silver medal position in Beijing four years ago, suffered a recurrence of a stress fracture on his right shinbone while training. “Given the necessary [...]
Brave Clarke vying for best comeback of 2011 honour January 19, 2012 THERE was no more heart-warming sporting moment in 2011 than Darren Clarke’s victory in the Open Championship. At the age of 42, at his 20th attempt, the odds were decidedly stacked against him. His victory came at the end of difficult personal time for him following the death of his wife four years earlier. As [...]