Hook handed full-back role November 2, 2009 RUGBY UNION: James Hook will start at full-back for Wales’ opening autumn international against New Zealand at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday. Coach Warren Gatland has opted for the versatile Hook to fill the void left by injured Lee Byrne, while Gareth Cooper gets his chance to impress at scrum-half in place of the injured [...]
Haye eyeing the killer knockout November 2, 2009 BOXING: David Haye’s trainer Adam Booth says the Londoner will go for the killer blow to become the first boxer to floor 7ft 2in giant Nikolai Valuev in their WBA heavyweight title on Saturday. “Heavyweight boxing should be exciting,” Booth said. “David always looks to try to knock someone out. It’s obvious to say it [...]
Vettel bows out in style to fire warning to Brit rivals November 1, 2009 SEBASTIAN VETTEL fired an early warning to his British title rivals in 2010 after producing a faultless drive to win the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – the sport’s first-ever day-night race. The German driver swept through the magnificent £800m Yas Marina circuit for a fourth victory of the season ahead of Red Bull team-mate [...]
I don’t need to win trophies, declares under-fire Benitez November 1, 2009 UNDER-FIRE Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has attempted to diffuse the mounting pressure on him, insisting he does not have to win a trophy this season to save his job. The Reds suffered their fifth Premier League defeat of the season at Fulham on Saturday and now face a must-win game against Lyon on Wednesday in [...]
Kennedy gets nod after Blaze is put out November 1, 2009 LONDON IRISH lock Nick Kennedy was yesterday added to Martin Johnson’s injury-ravaged England squad for the autumn Test series against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Kennedy was given the nod after uncapped Richard Blaze limped out of Leicester’s victory over Northampton Saints on Saturday with a foot injury. Johnson is set to name his matchday [...]
New Hull chief set for crisis talks with Brown November 1, 2009 HULL CITY boss Phil Brown will hold crisis talks with chairman-in-waiting Adam Pearson today in a desperate bid to save his job. Pearson is rejoining the club after leaving Derby County last week and will be unveiled at the KCStadium later today. And Brown, appointed as manager by Pearson during his previous stint with the [...]
Given to the rescue for shaky City November 1, 2009 MARK HUGHES admitted his superstar Manchester City line-up were second best as keeper Shay Given saved them from the brink of defeat at St Andrews. Given kept out a second half penalty from Blues striker James McFadden to earn City the point they needed to take them into the Premier League top four. But Hughes [...]
Hanks raps Wasps after Leeds sham November 1, 2009 WASPS director of rugby Tony Hanks blasted his below-par side after they crashed to a shock defeat against bottom-of-the-table Leeds at Adams Park. Andy Key’s Tykes stunned their hosts with a first league win of the season, while also denying the London side the chance to move up to second in the Premiership table. In [...]
Fisher’s victory seals double November 1, 2009 ROSS FISHER completed a famous English double after clinching the biggest win of his career in the World Match Play Championship. The 28-year-old defeated American Anthony Kim 4&3 in yesterday’s final in Casares, southern Spain, to claim a third Tour victory and the £750,000 winner’s cheque. And victory also put the seal on a momentous [...]
Clean sweep for Hoy as Brits stay top of the world November 1, 2009 SIR CHRIS HOY completed a stunning clean sweep in Manchester by leading his three-man sprint team to victory to ensure his 2010 World Championships qualification. In an all-British final, Hoy, Ross Edgar and Jamie Staff, in Team Sky+HD colours, finished 0.395 seconds ahead of Team GB’s Matthew Crampton, David Daniell and Jason Kenny. And Hoy, [...]