Kidney focus switches to Italy after Russia romp September 25, 2011 IRELAND (62) vs RUSSIA (12) IRELAND coach Declan Kidney is refusing to take Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final presence for granted despite yesterday’s crushing win over Russia. Kidney sent out a largely second string side following last weekend’s win over Australia, but the understudies ran in nine tries and Ronan O’Gara landed 15 points with the [...]
England’s end of summer party falls flat September 25, 2011 ENGLAND’S interim Twenty20 captain Graeme Swann branded last night’s collapse against the West Indies a “horror show” as his side were bowled out for 88. After summer of almost unprecedented success, slipping to a 25-run defeat last night at the Oval, which saw the tourists square the two-match series, was a less than fitting way [...]
Europe come back from brink to win Solheim Cup September 25, 2011 EUROPE’S women produced a stunning comeback at Killeen Castle in Ireland to end an eight-year wait to regain the Solheim Cup with a 15-13 win over USA. The home side had led 10-8 and 11-9, but were pegged back and defeat looked on the cards when they trailed 12.5 – 11.5 with only four matches [...]
Wasps stung by Exeter September 25, 2011 Exeter produced a fine second-half performance to climb to third in the Premiership with a 21-11 victory over Wasps. The London side led 6-5 at the break as their No10 Ryan Davis kicked two penalties either side of Tom Johnson’s try for Exeter. Fly-half Ignacio Mieres slotted two penalties and replacement Gareth Steenson another to [...]
Arsenal play down Walcott fears September 25, 2011 Arsenal winger Theo Walcott could be available for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Olympiacos after the injury he suffered in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Bolton was found to be not as serious as first feared. Walcott hobbled off in the closing stages with a knee injury but the problem was yesterday described as “minor”.
Ferrie ends long wait for a title September 25, 2011 Kenneth Ferrie won the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg after a play-off with fellow Englishman Simon Wakefield. It was the 32-year-old’s first European Tour title since winning at the Smurfit European Open in 2005. Both Ferrie and Wakefield ended on 12 under, both of them carding five-under 67s on the final day.
Haas enjoys bumper $10m payday September 25, 2011 America’s Bill Haas claimed the season-ending Tour Championship along with the with FedExCup honors and a $10m bonus after a thrilling sudden-death play-off against compatriot Hunter Mahan. The pair finished the 72 regulation holes on eight-under-par 272, while British world No1 Luke Donald birdied three of the last five holes for a 69 to finish [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 25, 2011 SAMOA STILL IN THE HUNT TUSI PISI helped Samoa keep alive their quarter-final hopes as they overcame Fiji 27-7 at Eden Park. Samoa must beat South Africa in their final pool match – or hope Fiji can do them a favourite against Wales – if they are to reach the last eight. Pisi landed four [...]
Harsh glare of spotlight fortifies us, insists Cueto September 22, 2011 ENGLAND vs ROMANIA ENGLAND wing Mark Cueto insists the negative publicity surrounding their World Cup campaign has only made them more determined to repeat the heroics of 2003 and return with the Webb Ellis Trophy. The team’s preparations for tomorrow’s Pool B clash with Romania have been surrounded by controversy over the off-field behaviour of [...]
Tindall grilling prompts fed-up Johnson to round on press pack September 22, 2011 IRATE England manager Martin Johnson stepped in to swat away questions about Mike Tindall’s private life yesterday when the vice-captain faced the media ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup match with Romania. Tindall answered one question relating to his much-publicised visit to a Queenstown bar, and the tabloid storm that has subsequently stalked the squad, in [...]