Schleck keeps his nose in front of rival Contador July 18, 2010 YELLOW jersey holder Andy Schleck edged closer to his first Tour de France title after a cat-and-mouse duel with defending champion Alberto Contador in the Pyrenees. Frenchman Christophe Riblon was the surprise winner of the 14th stage – the first of four consecutive energy-sapping days in the mountains. But the most significant action was unfolding [...]
McKenzie earns vital win to send Hants through July 18, 2010 BATSMAN Neil McKenzie guided Hampshire to a 45-run win over Sussex and booked them a Friends Provident t20 quarter-final with Warwickshire. McKenzie’s unbeaten 67 helped the home side to 195-5 and earned them the victory they needed to progress to the last eight. Sussex also advanced despite the defeat and will meet Northamptonshire, who claimed [...]
Rossi denied a podium place on comeback July 18, 2010 SIX-TIME champion Valentino Rossi capped a stunning early comeback from injury by claiming fourth place at the German Grand Prix. Exactly six weeks after suffering a broken leg that experts warned would keep him sidelined for months the Italian roared back into action. Yamaha rider Rossi only narrowly missed out on a podium place after [...]
FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF July 18, 2010 Pletikosa set to join Spurs TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp says he is close to finally signing experienced Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. The Spartak Moscow stopper almost joined Spurs last summer before injury scuppered the deal, but Redknapp did not drop his interest altogether. “I might be taking another goalkeeper from Croatia – Pletikosa,” said Redknapp. [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS July 18, 2010 A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house. WINNER – PAUL THE OCTOPUS So popular is the psychic cephalopod that his German keepers have snubbed a cash-plus-animals bid [...]
McIlroy off to flying start as records go tumbling July 15, 2010 RORY MCILROY rewrote the record books with a scintillating opening round in the Open Championship at St Andrews yesterday and then admitted: “the course was there to be taken apart”. The 21-year-old fired seven birdies and an eagle at the par-four ninth for a flawless 63 – only the second nine-under-par round in Open history. [...]
Tiger looks menacing on a day of low scores July 15, 2010 TIGER WOODS says he is “getting better every week” after leaving himself perfectly poised to challenge for a third successive Open victory at St Andrews. The world No1, who won the Open title here in 2000 and 2005, fired a five-under-par 67 to lie four shots adrift of overnight leader Rory McIlroy. Woods has been [...]
Heskey quits England duty before Capello swings axe July 15, 2010 ENGLAND striker Emile Heskey has retired from international duty at the age of 32. Heskey was never prolific for his country, scoring just seven times in 62 appearances, but endured a particularly disappointing World Cup. “I have enjoyed every moment of my England career and worn the shirt with pride every time I have been [...]
HMRC scuppers Pompey bid to exit administration July 15, 2010 PORTSMOUTH face more months of uncertainty after the taxman blocked their attempt to come out of administration. HM Revenue and Customs yesterday lodged an appeal at the High Court against Pompey’s proposed Company Voluntary Arrangement. A hearing is not expected to be held before October, leaving the club hampered by a transfer embargo as they [...]
Goodbye Wild Thing and hello Mild Thing July 15, 2010 JOHN DALY rolled back the years with a stunning 66 to continue his love affair with St Andrews. The 44-year-old won the Open here 15 years ago, showed he’s lost none of his touch around the famous links with a stunning opening round which consisted of seven birdies and just the one bogey on the [...]