Ballabriggs eyes Aintree double April 11, 2011 HORSE RACING: Grand National winning trainer Donald McCain is hopeful that Saturday’s Aintree hero Ballabriggs will return to the Merseyside course next April in an attempt to claim back-to-back victories in the world’s most famous steeplechase. He said: “He’ll go home for the summer and I don’t see any reason why it won’t all be [...]
Collins keeps Villa out of danger April 11, 2011 FOOTBALL: Aston Villa eased their relegation worries with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle which takes them five points clear of the Premier League’s bottom three. Defender James Collins headed the winning goal in the 24th minute and afterwards said: “We knew before the game it was massive for us so to get one goal up [...]
Crouch pleased to make amends April 11, 2011 FOOTBALL: Peter Crouch has admitted his sending off against Real Madrid was the lowest point of his entire career. Crouch picked up a red card for two rash challenges in the early stages of last Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash at the Bernabeu. The striker, who scored twice in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Stoke, said: [...]
MASTERFUL MCILROY April 7, 2011 Flawless first round puts Northern Irish youngster in contention to break his Major duck at Augusta RYDER CUP star Rory McIlroy insists he’s taking nothing for granted after he roared to the top of the Masters leaderboard with a brilliant first round 65. The 21-year-old had never broken 70 in his previous three visits to [...]
Rooney cries foul after FA stand firm and uphold two-match ban April 7, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney will miss the FA Cup semi-final against rivals Manchester City after failing to have his two-match swearing ban reduced. Football Association chiefs did not accept Rooney’s claim that the punishment, for shouting an obscenity into a TV camera, was excessive. Rooney said he was “gutted” to miss the City match [...]
Heart says Wasps; head doesn’t April 7, 2011 AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: HARLEQUINS V WASPS THIS is where the tournament starts to get really exciting. Neither team is in great form and, to be brutally honest, this is both sides’ only chance of silverware this season. There isn’t much between the two sides and, going by the Amlin Opta Index, the key [...]
Fraser concerned for the condition of county game April 7, 2011 FROM Mumbai to Middlesex; the contrast couldn’t be any greater as cricket’s focus switches from the glitz of a World Cup and start of the IPL to the more mundane matters of the county season, which commences today. While the state of the international game appears to be in a happier place following a successfully [...]
Rooney had it coming, insists ex-ref Winter April 7, 2011 FORMER top-flight referee Jeff Winter has praised chiefs for throwing the book at Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and blasted those who have tried to make light of his foul-mouthed outburst. The Football Association yesterday upheld Rooney’s two-match ban for swearing repeatedly into a live TV camera at West Ham on Saturday, meaning he will miss [...]
Confidence still an issue for Sergio April 7, 2011 SPAIN’S Sergio Garcia rolled back the years with a first round 69 at the Masters but admitted he was still dogged by moments of self doubt. The former Ryder Cup star has faded into relative anonymity in recent years having slid to as low as 82 in the world rankings and last month conceded “I [...]
Terry rails at penalty injustice April 7, 2011 FOOTBALL: Chelsea’s John Terry insists he would be banned if he spoke truthfully about his disappointment at being denied a penalty in their Champions League defeat to Manchester United. He said: “I think the most frustrating thing for the players is that we can’t come out here and be honest about it.”