James will say sorry to Gatland March 29, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Exiled wing Tom James will apologise to Wales coach Warren Gatland following his walk-out before the 33-10 Six Nations win over Italy. The 22-year-old stormed out of the camp three days before the game after hearing Gatland had handed a debut to 18-year-old Ospreys starlet Tom Prydie. James’ Blues coach Dai Young said: [...]
Banned Yousuf calls it a day March 29, 2010 CRICKET: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has officially retired from international cricket in protest of his indefinite suspension. The 35-year-old batsman was banned along with team-mate Younus Khan following an enquiry into the recent tour of Australia where “infighting brought down the whole team”. Yousuf said: “I always played for my country and if my [...]
Pink balls receive punishment March 29, 2010 CRICKET: Opening pair Michael Di Venuto (131) and Kyle Coetzer (123no) both made mincemeat of the revolutionary pink balls as Durham kicked off the start of the English cricket season with a run feast in Abu Dhabi. Taking on an MCC XI in the historic season opener, the county champions raced to 329-3 at the [...]
Ruiz plots Haye downfall March 29, 2010 BOXING: Veteran challenger John Ruiz is looking to out-punch David Haye in their WBA heavyweight showdown in Manchester on Saturday. Ruiz, 38, is preparing for an 11th world title fight and believes he needs to hit Haye at a rate of around 50 punches a round to dethrone the Londoner in his first title defence. [...]
Wily Button sews up Melbourne triumph March 28, 2010 WORLD champion Jenson Button admitted his shock after recording his first victory with new team McLaren at an incident-filled Australian Grand Prix. Button outfoxed his rivals by changing to dry-weather tyres early in the race and reaped the rewards to claim his maiden win of the 2010 season. He was also aided by pole-sitter Sebastian [...]
Lethal Torres has Liverpool firing again March 28, 2010 LIVERPOOL (3) vs SUNDERLAND (0) LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez revelled in a vindication of his tactics after seeing his team reignite their charge for a Champions League spot with a devastating attacking display. Striker Fernando Torres, whose return to fitness could yet prove a major factor in deciding who finishes in the much-coveted fourth place, [...]
Swashbuckling Chelsea strengthen Carlo’s claims March 28, 2010 CARLO ANCELOTTI’S unshakeable confidence less than a week ago that he would still be Chelsea manager next season provoked raised eyebrows among some observers. The doubters are biting their tongues for now, however, after the Blues ran riot for a second successive game, tearing Aston Villa to shreds 7-1 on Saturday. That romp came just [...]
Sea air proves Sarries tonic March 28, 2010 SARACENS (58) vs NEWCASTLE (15) A SEASIDE break in Brighton helped Saracens shake off a four-match losing streak and breathe fresh life into their flagging play-off hopes. The Premiership’s early pace-setters got back on track with a seven-try mauling of Newcastle, with Schalk Brits and Ernst Joubert both touching down twice. Further scores from Noah [...]
British joy at Clancy triumph tempered by outrage at Pendleton controversy March 28, 2010 TEAM stalwart Ed Clancy enjoyed a first solo success by claiming gold for Britain in the omnium at the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen. But there was controversy on the final day of the competition as Victoria Pendleton was forced to settle for silver in the keirin. Clancy, pictured right, clinched his surprise triumph [...]
Dramatic contest the ideal retort to F1 critics March 28, 2010 THOSE who expected the driving drama in Melbourne to be restricted to Lewis Hamilton’s boy racer-style road car stunts had a pleasant surprise yesterday. And those who predicted a tedious season sorely lacking in daredevil antics and chassis-shredding scrapes were proved wrong in the most emphatic fashion. Because, right from the first corner, drama and [...]