SPORT | IN BRIEF March 22, 2010 Sarries land prop Du Plessis RUGBY UNION: Saracens have freshened up their crumbling Premiership title campaign by completing the signing of South African front row forward Petrus Du Plessis, from Nottingham. The 27-year-old tight-head prop had been lined up to join Sarries for the start of next season but director of rugby Brendan Venter has [...]
Woods fears hostile crowd reaction on his return March 21, 2010 “I tried to stop and I couldn’t – it was horrific” Therapy has given world No1 new-found strength CRESTFALLEN world No1 Tiger Woods last night admitted he is nervous about his impending return to competition following the scandal over his numerous affairs. In his first media interviews since the storm surrounding his private life broke, [...]
England: Who shone and who faded March 21, 2010 ENGLAND’S final Six Nations match, the 12-10 defeat to France, was an afternoon of mixed emotions for all concerned. An attacking display crowned by a fine try offered hope that Martin Johnson can yet mould his squad into a feared force before next year’s World Cup, but there was frustration also in the failure to [...]
Rising star Foden delights in silencing his critics March 21, 2010 FULL-BACK Ben Foden has hit back at his critics after stealing the show on his first international start, insisting he does not fear the high ball. The Northampton star had been accused of lacking the steel to handle an aerial barrage in the build-up to England’s visit to the Stade de France. But even though [...]
Saints snatch glory in cup final thriller March 21, 2010 NORTHAMPTON boss Jim Mallinder hailed his side after completing the first phase of a potential treble with a scintillating victory in the LV= Cup final. Saints edged it with tries from prop Soane Tonga’uiha, centre James Downey and scrum-half Lee Dickson in a match in which the lead changed hands five times. Fly-half Stephen Myler’s [...]
United win sparks boss war March 21, 2010 MANCHESTER UTD (2) vs LIVERPOOL (1) TOUCHLINE squabbling between the two managers over a penalty decision provided a diverting sideshow but obscured what is now beyond debate: that the title is Manchester United’s to lose. A fifth-minute header from Fernando Torres gave credence to pre-match suspicions that Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford would be one [...]
Chelsea slip to third as Mourinho malaise lingers March 21, 2010 BLACKBURN (1) vs CHELSEA (1) TWICE Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to the Premier League title; this year he appears to have knocked the trophy from his former team’s grasp. The Blues travelled to Ewood Park desperate to show they had recovered from the midweek blow of a Champions League exit to Mourinho’s Inter Milan and [...]
Pompey bidder to stay secret March 21, 2010 PORTSMOUTH have inched closer to having a fifth owner of the season – but the man fronting the bid insists his main backer is not ready to reveal his identity. Property developer Rob Lloyd has been granted access to the crisis club’s books this week in order to carry out due diligence. Lloyd says he [...]
City stay on Spurs’ heels March 21, 2010 FULHAM (1) vs MANCHESTER CITY (2) MANCHESTER City kept up their chase for a top four finish by despatching Fulham’s European heroes without fuss at Craven Cottage. City went ahead early on when Roque Santa Cruz tapped in after Craig Bellamy had hit a post and Carlos Tevez doubled the lead from close range with [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF March 21, 2010 YAMAUCHI TRIUMPHS IN NEW YORK ATHLETICS: Britain’s Mara Yamauchi stepped up her preparations for next month’s London Marathon by winning the New York Half Marathon. Yamauchi set a new course record of one hour, nine minutes and 17 seconds and succeeds fellow Briton Paul Radcliffe as winner. The 36-year-old chased down American Deena Kastor and [...]