Harrington slump shocks Rory June 24, 2009 GOLF: Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has backed Open champion Padraig Harrington to rediscover his form in time for next month’s defence at Turnberry. Harrington won two majors in a glorious 2008 season but has missed five of the last six cuts. McIlroy said: “I think everyone is surprised. A three-time major winner then to have [...]
Tigers kick off defence at Sale June 24, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Premiership champions Leicester will begin their defence away to Sale on the first weekend in September. The traditional curtain-raising London double-header at Twickenham will see Saracens play last-year’s runners-up London Irish and Wasps face Harlequins. Gloucester host a west country derby against Bath while newly-promoted Leeds Carnegie meet Newcastle. Northampton will play Worcester, [...]
Queensland clinch State of Origin June 24, 2009 RUGBY LEAGUE: Queensland sealed a record fourth successive victory in the State of Origin series with a 24-14 win over New South Wales yesterday. The Maroons capitalised on early errors to storm into an 18-0 lead in front of a capacity crowd of more than 80,000 at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. And despite a [...]
FOOTBALL IN BRIEF June 24, 2009 Pato prefers Milan to ChelseaAC MILAN striker Alexandre Pato has delivered a snub to Chelsea by insisting he wants to remain at the Italian club. Pato, 19, is reported to be wanted at Stamford Bridge by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was until last month his coach at Milan. But the £30m-rated Brazilian said: “Pato will [...]
Murray stretched as gutsy Kendrick gives Scot a scare June 23, 2009 IF Andy Murray had been under any illusion that his Wimbledon campaign would be a mere procession to the final then he was rudely snapped out of it yesterday by Robert Kendrick. World No3 Murray may have beaten his American opponent 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4 to reach round two, but not before his title [...]
Brit Elena shows teary Keothavong how to do it June 23, 2009 BRITISH women’s No2 Elena Baltacha provided the silver lining after seeing all her compatriots, including No1 Anne Keothavong, dumped out in the first round. Baltacha, who reached the third round in 2002, sprung a major upset by beating world No33 Alona Bondarenko 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Scot, ranked No106, punished an error-ridden performance from her [...]
Chelsea’s Essien lured by La Liga but Sturridge set to sign June 23, 2009 CHELSEA’S ambitious summer rebuilding plans were dealt another blow yesterday when it emerged midfielder Michael Essien is considering leaving Stamford Bridge. The Blues have already received high-profile snubs in the transfer market this month, with top targets preferring to join Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Essien, a key part of Chelsea’s first team, is [...]
Lions pegged back in last gasp drama June 23, 2009 EMERGING SPRINGBOKS (13) vs. BRITISH LIONS (13)BRITISH and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan blamed atrocious conditions after seeing his side denied victory by a last-minute touchline conversion. The Lions looked to have sewn up the tour match when replacement fly-half James Hook slotted a penalty three minutes from time. That sent them 13-6 ahead, [...]
Mosley hints at U-turn as row heats up June 23, 2009 EMBATTLED motorsport chief Max Mosley yesterday lashed out at recent criticism and threatened to go back on his decision to stand down later this year. Mosley’s comments came on the eve of today’s potentially explosive meeting of the sport’s powerbrokers in Paris and are sure to inflame the bitter row raging over the future of [...]
POSITIVE TEST June 23, 2009 WIGAN and England forward Gareth Hock has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine. The 25-year-old second row faces a two-year ban if his B sample is also found to be positive when tested next week. Former Super League Young Player of the Year Hock returned his positive sample following a match against Salford [...]