Heart says Wasps; head doesn’t April 7, 2011 AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: HARLEQUINS V WASPS THIS is where the tournament starts to get really exciting. Neither team is in great form and, to be brutally honest, this is both sides’ only chance of silverware this season. There isn’t much between the two sides and, going by the Amlin Opta Index, the key [...]
Fraser concerned for the condition of county game April 7, 2011 FROM Mumbai to Middlesex; the contrast couldn’t be any greater as cricket’s focus switches from the glitz of a World Cup and start of the IPL to the more mundane matters of the county season, which commences today. While the state of the international game appears to be in a happier place following a successfully [...]
Rooney had it coming, insists ex-ref Winter April 7, 2011 FORMER top-flight referee Jeff Winter has praised chiefs for throwing the book at Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and blasted those who have tried to make light of his foul-mouthed outburst. The Football Association yesterday upheld Rooney’s two-match ban for swearing repeatedly into a live TV camera at West Ham on Saturday, meaning he will miss [...]
Confidence still an issue for Sergio April 7, 2011 SPAIN’S Sergio Garcia rolled back the years with a first round 69 at the Masters but admitted he was still dogged by moments of self doubt. The former Ryder Cup star has faded into relative anonymity in recent years having slid to as low as 82 in the world rankings and last month conceded “I [...]
Terry rails at penalty injustice April 7, 2011 FOOTBALL: Chelsea’s John Terry insists he would be banned if he spoke truthfully about his disappointment at being denied a penalty in their Champions League defeat to Manchester United. He said: “I think the most frustrating thing for the players is that we can’t come out here and be honest about it.”
Denman beaten, Big Buck’s wins April 7, 2011 RACING: Favourite Denman was beaten by Nacarat at the feature race, The Totesport Bowl, at the Grand National meeting at Aintree yesterday. Big Buck’s completed a hat-trick of victories in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle.
Weld’s Concorde looks Majestic National bet each-way at 33/1 April 7, 2011 The John Smith’s Grand National really is the race of dreams; the stuff of legend. Anyone who witnessed Tony McCoy’s post-race reaction to finally landing the world’s most famous race at the 15th attempt last year, will know how much it means to a jockey to have this race on his CV. However, trying to [...]
Albertas Run can take another Melling Chase April 7, 2011 TONY McCoy warmed up for his Grand National success last year by taking Friday’s Grade 1 Melling Chase (3.05pm) aboard ALBERTAS RUN and I fully expect them to be in the winner’s enclosure again this afternoon. The key to Jonjo O’Neill’s high class 10-year-old is having genuine good ground and the sun on his back. [...]
Friend in high places April 7, 2011 SOME jockeys riding in the Grand National are very superstitious. Several will walk out of Aintree’s weighing room just before 4pm tomorrow with lucky charms tucked away, others will wear undergarments that have supposedly brought them luck in the past. Not 27-year-old Daryl Jacob, the man chosen to partner the well fancied What A Friend [...]
Rooney and referee give Carlo Blues April 6, 2011 CHELSEA (1) vs MANCHESTER UTD (0) CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti accused the referee of cowardice after being denied a late penalty in a defeat that leaves his side facing an uphill task to keep their Champions League quest alive. A first half strike from in-form striker Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United the lead but the [...]