I didn’t see the axe coming, insists betrayed boss Hughes December 20, 2009 MARK HUGHES hit back at Manchester City chiefs last night, insisting he was given no warning of his ruthless sacking. Hughes’ 18-month reign as City boss came to an end after Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Sunderland with the club’s billionaire Arabic owners announcing Roberto Mancini as his successor. On reflection, Hughes’ demeanour during Saturday’s match [...]
Barneveld cruises through December 20, 2009 DARTS: World No2 Raymond van Barneveld strolled into the second round of the PDC World Championship with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand part-timer Warren Parry at Alexandra Palace. The Dutchman is joined in round two by last year’s BDO winner, Mark Webster, who opened his account with a 3-2 win over Mark Walsh. Scotland’s [...]
Kempton bid to beat big freeze December 20, 2009 RACING: Officials at Kempton remain hopeful the big freeze will not stand in the way of Kauto Star bidding for an historic fourth straight success in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. The weather has already claimed a number of National Hunt meetings this last week, but clerk of the course, Barney Clifford, [...]
Bollinger sees off Windies December 20, 2009 CRICKET: Doug Bollinger claimed the final wicket to settle a tense third Test with the West Indies in Perth and help Australia wrap up a 2-0 series victory. The tourists resumed on the final morning on 308-9 requiring another 51 for victory. But after Kemar Roach (13) and Gavin Tonge (21) had added 15, Roach [...]
Ramsay claims maiden title December 20, 2009 GOLF: Scotland’s Richie Ramsay beat India’s Shiv Kapur in a play-off to claim his first European Tour title at the South African Open. Ramsay shot a best-of-the-day 65 to join Kapur on 13-under-par before making birdie at the first extra hole to win. Delighted Ramsay said: “There’s no greater feeling than winning and I’m just [...]
Brum run is over while Moyes’ woe continues December 20, 2009 BIRMINGHAM’S five-match winning streak came to an end, while Everton’s problems at home continued as the pair fought out a hard-earned draw at Goodison Park. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s sixth-minute goal gave the Toffees the perfect start only for the Blues to equalise against the run of play through Sebastian Larsson 17 minutes later. Everton controlled the [...]
Sharks freeze out Quins again to keep last eight hopes alive December 20, 2009 SALE kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with a second victory over Premiership rivals Harlequins in the space of a week in the driving snow at Edgeley Park. Victory moved the Sharks to second in Pool Five, a point behind Toulouse, while the Quins are already eliminated after four straight [...]
It’s high fives for Swann as brave England show fight December 17, 2009 SEAMER Graham Onions has warned his England team-mates there is plenty of hard work left to do after the tourists battled back to leave the first Test with South Africa delicately poised at a sun-drenched Centurion. The Durham paceman recovered from a calf strain on the opening day to take 3-86 as he and five-wicket [...]
Wounded Castres are here on a Euro revenge mission December 17, 2009 KICKING INTO TOUCH WITH BRENDAN VENTER THE good news was our performance and result at Castres last weekend has left us on the verge of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup. The bad news is we have to do it all again tomorrow night. Toulon’s 70-point mauling of Rovigo means we will probably [...]
Walder puts the boot in to see off French threat December 17, 2009 BAYONNE (3) vs WASPS (12) FLY-HALF Dave Walder kicked all 12 points as Wasps preserved their 100 per cent European Challenge Cup record with an efficient, yet unspectacular, victory over French side Bayonne. Walder kicked three penalties and a drop goal while the hosts replied through a Cedric Garica spot-kick. Wasps were forced to play [...]