Super 14 ref will make for a lively game February 25, 2010 IRELAND’S trip to face England in the Six Nations this weekend is the most fascinating northern hemisphere match-up there has been in a long, long time. Much of the reason for that is South African official Mark Lawrence, who takes over the whistle for Saturday having officiated in Super 14 matches this season. Mark, as [...]
We must step up our game to beat French, says Williams February 25, 2010 FLANKER Martyn Williams insists Wales have to step up to the mark when they host tournament favourites France in Cardiff tonight. The Cardiff Blues star is set to equal Colin Charvis’ 94-cap Test best for a Wales forward, but knows there will need to be a significant improvement if it is to prove a winning [...]
Every start is precious for Kellock after Azzurri axe February 25, 2010 SECOND-ROW Alastair Kellock will be hoping history does not repeat itself when his Scotland side face Italy tomorrow – even though they rallied to a record win. The Glasgow Warrior was making his first international start in two years against the Azzurri at Murrayfield 12 months ago – and helped them record a biggest ever [...]
We’ve not under-performed insist British Olympic chiefs February 25, 2010 BRITISH Olympic Association officials have defended the performance of their team in Vancouver after admitting they would miss the three medal target set by UK Sport. Chief executive Andy Hunt was keen to accentuate the positive, underlining his point with statistics. While skeleton gold for Amy Williams represents an improvement on Shelley Rudman’s solitary silver [...]
Minichiello horror as British pair crash out February 25, 2010 DEVASTATED Nicola Minichiello spoke of her heartache after crashing out of the bobsleigh to cap a disappointing night for Great Britain’s medal hopefuls. Minichiello’s medal dreams were dashed when she lost control of the sled on the third run, causing it to flip over and trap her and partner Gillian Cooke inside. The pair were [...]
Prior shows his mettle to lead England to victory February 25, 2010 HALF-CENTURIES from captain Alastair Cook and Matt Prior helped England to a second warm-up victory over a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Fatullah. Opener Cook retired on 52, while Prior, who left wicketkeeping duties to new sensation Craig Kieswetter, added a fine 64no off 57 balls as the tourists cruised to a seven-wicket success. But [...]
Djokovic safely through but more seeds fall February 25, 2010 SERB Novak Djokovic is the only player in the world’s top 10 remaining in the Dubai Championship after more big-name casualties crashed out yesterday. The world No2 came from a set down to beat unseeded Ivan Lubicic 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the semi-finals. He will be joined in the last four by world No31 [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF February 25, 2010 Little rest for the Little Master CRICKET: India’s Sachin Tendulkar has been rewarded for becoming the first-ever batsman to score 200 runs in a one-day innings on Wednesday by being handed a well-earned rest for tomorrow’s third ODI against South Africa in Jaipur. Tendulkar, 36, is rested along with fellow opening batsman Virender Sehwag as [...]
In-form Toffees come unstuck in Portugal February 25, 2010 SPORTING LISBON (3) v/s EVERTON (0) EVERTON’S recent revival, and their European adventure, were brought to an abrupt halt after they were well beaten in Portugal. The Toffees took a 2-1 lead into the second leg and, in the face of bombardment, managed to keep it that way until after the hour mark. But in [...]
Champions are dethroned by plucky Fulham February 25, 2010 SHAKHTAR DONETSK (1) v/s FULHAM (1) BRAVE Fulham held their nerve to clinch a famous victory over champions Shakhtar and set up a mouth-watering last 16 clash with Italian giants Juventus. Roy Hodgson’s men survived a wave of late attacks by the Ukrainians and even had to make do with 10 men after Danny Murphy [...]