Wakefield Wildcats 30 Leeds Rhinos 32
Wakefield Wildcats were 33 seconds from a first home victory against Leeds Rhinos, their big-city rivals, at the thirteenth attempt in the engage Super League last night. Scott Donald denied them with a coruscating last-gasp try as the Rhinos won 32-30.
In a last throw of the dice, Leeds, who had trailed 30-16 with 15 minutes left, swept out of their half and Brent Webb, who had just returned from the sin-bin, was dragged down short of the posts but got the ball away. Although Danny McGuire lost his footing, he popped the pass out to the exultant Donald in an extraordinary finish.
Leeds had been paralysed by Danny Brough’s stunning game with the boot, which was instrumental in Wakefield going to the brink of a memorable win against the champions. Their desperation to record a first home win against Leeds since 1992 was borne out by ten of their first-half points coming during the ten minutes they were left short-handed by Steve Snitch’s yellow card.
Sam Obst stabbed a kick through for Matt Blaymire to touch down after a searing break by Brough, who added the conversion and two penalty goals.
A rattled Leeds squandered possession and lost their discipline, despite Carl Ablett’s tip-toeing charge up the touchline in dispatching Jamie Jones-Buchanan for the opening try.
Leeds briefly drew level through Keith Senior’s charge in carrying Ryan Atkins over the line. But Senior’s subsequent error handed Wakefield the ball and Obst jinked his way over. Had Matt Petersen reached Brough’s crossfield kick in the last act of the half, the home side would have been comfortably in front.
Instead, Rob Burrow raced over within a minute of the resumption to achieve parity. Ablett, though, was penalised a second time for dissent in gifting Brough two more points and the scrum half created two further tries in ten minutes. His chip to the left wing fell invitingly for Scott Grix to touch down, before a steepling kick to the right corner was missed by Ryan Hall and Atkins scrambled over.
Brough’s touchline conversion looked to make Wakefield safe, before Ali Lauitiiti’s try and a second by Burrow initiated the Leeds revival.
Pat Richards converted a late try by Darrell Goulding as Wigan Warriors edged past Catalans Dragons 24-22.
Wakefield Wildcats: Tries: Blaymire, Obst, Grix, Atkins. Goals: Brough 7. Leeds Rhinos: Tries: Jones-Buchanan, Senior, Burrow 2, Lauitiiti, Donald. Goals: Sinfield 3, Smith. HT: 16-10. Att: 6,425.
Source:The times
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Unexposed Ra Junior can master his elders in York showpiece
Three-year-olds have a good record in the John Smith's Cup and that augurs well for the Brian Meehan-trained colt.
Ra Junior is one of the few unexposed runners in the 50th John Smith's Cup (3.10) at York today and, likely to improve now that he steps up in distance, can cause an upset.
Not many three-year-olds make the cut for this competitive contest, but they have a good record when they do, winning five of the past 17 renewals. Just two run this time around and, with Alazeyab being handed an unfavourably high draw, Ra Junior looks the one to be on.
He showed progressive form at the end of last season, beating the useful Emirates Roadshow by five lengths in a maiden at Newmarket before chasing home On Our Way in a conditions race at the same track in October. Ra Junior failed to handle the dirt surface when stepped up to group two company on his reappearance in Dubai in March, but has been given plenty of time to recover from that trip and returns on a potentially lenient mark.
David Probert, the excellent apprentice, takes off a further 3lb, while this step up in trip is sure to suit on breeding as his dam was runner-up in the 12-furlong Galtres Stakes here. His bare form gives him solid claims and, open to plenty of improvement after just five starts, he looks much too big at the 40-1 offered by William Hill.
Despite being two years older, Riggins is even more lightly raced and won in tidy fashion at Goodwood last time. He will be a threat if proving as effective over this extra quarter-mile.
Of the remainder, Sweet Lightning and Moonquake have fair form claims but are drawn higher than ideal. Seeking The Buck, unsuited by a slow pace when beaten for the first time this year at Lingfield, makes more appeal.
Mark Johnston has his stable in rude health and Quai D'Orsay may be hard to pass in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Silver Cup (3.45). He showed a good attitude when fending off allcomers at Haydock last time, shaping as though this longer trip would see him in an even better light. He can defy a 4lb rise in the weights.
Cesare will be a warm order in the totesport.com Summer Mile Stakes (2.50) at Ascot, but he seems most effective on a straight track and preference is for Confront. The latter lost a shoe when a good second at Epsom in June before being unsuited by a slow early pace when fourth at Sandown eight days ago. He can bounce back to form.
Secret Society ran a cracker when beaten a head by Fareer in the Britannia Handicap and can make the most of an easier assignment in the totescoop6 Stakes (1.50). He travelled with notable ease through that race until weakening in the dying strides and promises to be even more effective over this shorter trip.
The Euro Earthworks Handicap (2.20) can go to Mabuya. He is getting better with each start and had plenty in hand when powering clear of his rivals at Salisbury last time. A 6lb rise in the weights should not be enough to prevent a repeat.
Borderlescott has yet to rediscover the form that saw him land the group one Nunthorpe Stakes last summer, but should be too classy for his rivals in the toteswinger City Wall Stakes (3.30) at Chester. He was badly drawn when beaten a nose by Green Manalishi in this a year ago and, well-berthed this time around, can go one better.
Nashmiah has been well beaten in group one company on two of her past four starts, but has won the other two in listed company and looks the one to beat in the totepool City Plate (2.25).
Source :The times
Ra Junior is one of the few unexposed runners in the 50th John Smith's Cup (3.10) at York today and, likely to improve now that he steps up in distance, can cause an upset.
Not many three-year-olds make the cut for this competitive contest, but they have a good record when they do, winning five of the past 17 renewals. Just two run this time around and, with Alazeyab being handed an unfavourably high draw, Ra Junior looks the one to be on.
He showed progressive form at the end of last season, beating the useful Emirates Roadshow by five lengths in a maiden at Newmarket before chasing home On Our Way in a conditions race at the same track in October. Ra Junior failed to handle the dirt surface when stepped up to group two company on his reappearance in Dubai in March, but has been given plenty of time to recover from that trip and returns on a potentially lenient mark.
David Probert, the excellent apprentice, takes off a further 3lb, while this step up in trip is sure to suit on breeding as his dam was runner-up in the 12-furlong Galtres Stakes here. His bare form gives him solid claims and, open to plenty of improvement after just five starts, he looks much too big at the 40-1 offered by William Hill.
Despite being two years older, Riggins is even more lightly raced and won in tidy fashion at Goodwood last time. He will be a threat if proving as effective over this extra quarter-mile.
Of the remainder, Sweet Lightning and Moonquake have fair form claims but are drawn higher than ideal. Seeking The Buck, unsuited by a slow pace when beaten for the first time this year at Lingfield, makes more appeal.
Mark Johnston has his stable in rude health and Quai D'Orsay may be hard to pass in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Silver Cup (3.45). He showed a good attitude when fending off allcomers at Haydock last time, shaping as though this longer trip would see him in an even better light. He can defy a 4lb rise in the weights.
Cesare will be a warm order in the totesport.com Summer Mile Stakes (2.50) at Ascot, but he seems most effective on a straight track and preference is for Confront. The latter lost a shoe when a good second at Epsom in June before being unsuited by a slow early pace when fourth at Sandown eight days ago. He can bounce back to form.
Secret Society ran a cracker when beaten a head by Fareer in the Britannia Handicap and can make the most of an easier assignment in the totescoop6 Stakes (1.50). He travelled with notable ease through that race until weakening in the dying strides and promises to be even more effective over this shorter trip.
The Euro Earthworks Handicap (2.20) can go to Mabuya. He is getting better with each start and had plenty in hand when powering clear of his rivals at Salisbury last time. A 6lb rise in the weights should not be enough to prevent a repeat.
Borderlescott has yet to rediscover the form that saw him land the group one Nunthorpe Stakes last summer, but should be too classy for his rivals in the toteswinger City Wall Stakes (3.30) at Chester. He was badly drawn when beaten a nose by Green Manalishi in this a year ago and, well-berthed this time around, can go one better.
Nashmiah has been well beaten in group one company on two of her past four starts, but has won the other two in listed company and looks the one to beat in the totepool City Plate (2.25).
Source :The times
Phillips Idowu heads athletes in commercial rights row
Britain’s top medal prospects in athletics, including Phillips Idowu and Kelly Sotherton, face renewed pressure this weekend to sign a controversial contract to raise sponsorship for the 2012 Olympics campaign. The Aviva World Trials & UK Championships in Birmingham is expected to raise tensions as athletes refuse to sign the Team 2012 agreement that would grant certain image rights to a sponsor.
It is thought that Visa or BT are in line to buy a £5 million package of rights, including three appearances a year from each athlete in a deal mixing medal-winners with unknowns in promotional campaigns. Agents say that the scheme will limit their clients’ earning potential and questioned the timing with the World Championships in Berlin looming next month.
“Athletes should have performance on their minds without pressure being exerted on them to sign such a significant document,” Jonathan Marks, who represents Idowu and Sotherton, said. “Athletes believe that between now and 2012 this will compromise their commercial value.”
UK Sport, via governing bodies, has issued veiled threats to withdraw funding to anyone who does not sign the contract. In a leaked letter, Niels de Vos, the UK Athletics (UKA) chief executive, said it was essential that the Games’ biggest sport supported the initiative. UKA is under pressure to bring its athletes into line or risk its future funding.
“I fully appreciate that your primary focus right now is preparation for Berlin but unfortunately our funding agreement with UK Sport means we cannot delay action on Team 2012 until post-Berlin,” De Vos said. UKA said athletes’ performance this weekend would not be compromised.
The 200 Lottery-funded athletes resisting Team 2012 include the biggest stars from last year’s Beijing Olympics, such as Victoria Pendleton and Rebecca Adlington. They have yet to receive their annual Lottery grants, worth up to £70,000 a head, which were due in April.
The Team 2012 scheme was devised to fill a £50 million financial hole after the Beijing Games. UK Sport has persuaded 1,000 athletes that they can opt out if subsequently offered a conflicting sponsorship deal.
Source:The times
It is thought that Visa or BT are in line to buy a £5 million package of rights, including three appearances a year from each athlete in a deal mixing medal-winners with unknowns in promotional campaigns. Agents say that the scheme will limit their clients’ earning potential and questioned the timing with the World Championships in Berlin looming next month.
“Athletes should have performance on their minds without pressure being exerted on them to sign such a significant document,” Jonathan Marks, who represents Idowu and Sotherton, said. “Athletes believe that between now and 2012 this will compromise their commercial value.”
UK Sport, via governing bodies, has issued veiled threats to withdraw funding to anyone who does not sign the contract. In a leaked letter, Niels de Vos, the UK Athletics (UKA) chief executive, said it was essential that the Games’ biggest sport supported the initiative. UKA is under pressure to bring its athletes into line or risk its future funding.
“I fully appreciate that your primary focus right now is preparation for Berlin but unfortunately our funding agreement with UK Sport means we cannot delay action on Team 2012 until post-Berlin,” De Vos said. UKA said athletes’ performance this weekend would not be compromised.
The 200 Lottery-funded athletes resisting Team 2012 include the biggest stars from last year’s Beijing Olympics, such as Victoria Pendleton and Rebecca Adlington. They have yet to receive their annual Lottery grants, worth up to £70,000 a head, which were due in April.
The Team 2012 scheme was devised to fill a £50 million financial hole after the Beijing Games. UK Sport has persuaded 1,000 athletes that they can opt out if subsequently offered a conflicting sponsorship deal.
Source:The times
Max Mosley will stand down, Bernie Ecclestone promises
Max Mosley, the president of the FIA, will not stand for election again. It is official. How do we know that? Because his old friend, Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One promoter, is absolutely sure of it.
Speaking to The Times about motor racing for the first time since giving an interview to the newspaper last weekend in which he praised Adolf Hitler — something he bitterly regrets — Ecclestone said at the Nürburgring on Friday that he had not even a scintilla of doubt that Mosley will honour an agreement to stand down in October.
Ecclestone, the Formula One commercial rights-holder, has chosen to keep a lower profile than normal during his visit to Nürburg for Sunday’s German Grand Prix and he was determined not to comment further on the Hitler issue, after making a series of apologies to Jewish groups and others. The scandal has been fighting for airtime with renewed talk from teams of a possible breakaway series if Mosley tries to hang on.
Ecclestone offered this reassurance to those who fear that Mosley could yet split Formula One by trying to stay in office for a fifth term as president of the world governing body. “I have no doubt in my mind, as long as I’ve known Max, he’s always done what he said he would do,” Ecclestone said in an upstairs office in one of his motorhomes.
“He’s an honourable person. I’ve always said Max can have a cheque signed by me, without any name or amount on it, because he’s a trustworthy guy. So I have no doubt that he will honour all the things he’s ever said he will do.”
In this case, however, Mosley agreed with the leaders of the teams threatening a breakaway championship that he would step down in October, then reacted to what he saw as subsequent unfair briefing against him in the press by saying that he would keep his options open. He has recently been talking of the sudden pressure on him by ordinary members of the FIA to stand again.
Ecclestone, though, is sure we can relax. “He said his options are open but he didn’t say what they were going to be, did he?” he said. And he offered an explanation for Mosley’s latest apparent attack of indecision about his future. “He was a bit upset after agreements had been made [with Luca Di Montezemolo, the president of Ferrari] to be quiet and not throw stones at each other, and then remarks were made which upset him,” he said.
Ecclestone spoke as Ari Vatanen, the Finnish former world rally champion, said that he will run as a candidate for the FIA presidency in response to requests that he had received from FIA clubs. “The time has come for a change,” Vatanen said. “My main focus is to reconcile views within the FIA and bring transparency to its stakeholders. The duty of the president is to defend a billion automobilists and the great sport of ours.”
Should Mosley stand aside, Vatanen could find himself running against Jean Todt, the former team principal of Ferrari, who is widely viewed as Mosley’s favoured candidate to succeed him.
As much as he is confident on Mosley’s motives, Ecclestone was also pretty certain that the breakaway will not happen. “There are probably a couple of people in all the teams who would like to see it happen,” he said. “But, no, I don’t think it will happen.
“I think people realise that the Formula One World Championship has been going for 60 years, it is well established, we’ve got the best circuits in the world and I don’t think they’ve even thought through really how there could be a breakaway. And if there is, what would our company do?”
The final point was in reference to CVC Capital Partners, which employs Ecclestone to run Formula One and which owns 68 per cent of the sport. Asked to elaborate, he would add only: “Let’s hope we don’t have to.”
On the track, Lewis Hamilton took advantage of changeable weather to set a surprise fastest time in the second session of practice in an updated McLaren Mercedes, but the battle for pole in qualifying today looks to be between Sebastian Vettel, in the Red Bull, who was second-fastest in the afternoon, and the championship leader, Jenson Button, of Brawn GP, who was third.
Source:The times
Speaking to The Times about motor racing for the first time since giving an interview to the newspaper last weekend in which he praised Adolf Hitler — something he bitterly regrets — Ecclestone said at the Nürburgring on Friday that he had not even a scintilla of doubt that Mosley will honour an agreement to stand down in October.
Ecclestone, the Formula One commercial rights-holder, has chosen to keep a lower profile than normal during his visit to Nürburg for Sunday’s German Grand Prix and he was determined not to comment further on the Hitler issue, after making a series of apologies to Jewish groups and others. The scandal has been fighting for airtime with renewed talk from teams of a possible breakaway series if Mosley tries to hang on.
Ecclestone offered this reassurance to those who fear that Mosley could yet split Formula One by trying to stay in office for a fifth term as president of the world governing body. “I have no doubt in my mind, as long as I’ve known Max, he’s always done what he said he would do,” Ecclestone said in an upstairs office in one of his motorhomes.
“He’s an honourable person. I’ve always said Max can have a cheque signed by me, without any name or amount on it, because he’s a trustworthy guy. So I have no doubt that he will honour all the things he’s ever said he will do.”
In this case, however, Mosley agreed with the leaders of the teams threatening a breakaway championship that he would step down in October, then reacted to what he saw as subsequent unfair briefing against him in the press by saying that he would keep his options open. He has recently been talking of the sudden pressure on him by ordinary members of the FIA to stand again.
Ecclestone, though, is sure we can relax. “He said his options are open but he didn’t say what they were going to be, did he?” he said. And he offered an explanation for Mosley’s latest apparent attack of indecision about his future. “He was a bit upset after agreements had been made [with Luca Di Montezemolo, the president of Ferrari] to be quiet and not throw stones at each other, and then remarks were made which upset him,” he said.
Ecclestone spoke as Ari Vatanen, the Finnish former world rally champion, said that he will run as a candidate for the FIA presidency in response to requests that he had received from FIA clubs. “The time has come for a change,” Vatanen said. “My main focus is to reconcile views within the FIA and bring transparency to its stakeholders. The duty of the president is to defend a billion automobilists and the great sport of ours.”
Should Mosley stand aside, Vatanen could find himself running against Jean Todt, the former team principal of Ferrari, who is widely viewed as Mosley’s favoured candidate to succeed him.
As much as he is confident on Mosley’s motives, Ecclestone was also pretty certain that the breakaway will not happen. “There are probably a couple of people in all the teams who would like to see it happen,” he said. “But, no, I don’t think it will happen.
“I think people realise that the Formula One World Championship has been going for 60 years, it is well established, we’ve got the best circuits in the world and I don’t think they’ve even thought through really how there could be a breakaway. And if there is, what would our company do?”
The final point was in reference to CVC Capital Partners, which employs Ecclestone to run Formula One and which owns 68 per cent of the sport. Asked to elaborate, he would add only: “Let’s hope we don’t have to.”
On the track, Lewis Hamilton took advantage of changeable weather to set a surprise fastest time in the second session of practice in an updated McLaren Mercedes, but the battle for pole in qualifying today looks to be between Sebastian Vettel, in the Red Bull, who was second-fastest in the afternoon, and the championship leader, Jenson Button, of Brawn GP, who was third.
Source:The times
Steve Bruce makes Fraizer Campbell his first signing
Sunderland manager pays initial £3.5m for Manchester United striker while Rafael Benitez signs promising French defender.
Sunderland have completed the signing of striker Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United on a four-year deal for an initial fee of £3.5million, potentially rising to £6million, the club have announced on their website. The England Under-21 striker was close to agreeing a deal with Hull City but instead becomes Steve Bruce's first signing as Sunderland manager.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have signed Chris Mavinga from Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed fee.
The 18-year-old left back, who can also play in the centre of defence, has played for France at Under-18 level and teams up with former PSG striker David Ngog, who moved to Anfield a year ago.
Liverpool also announced on Saturday that Moroccan attacking midfielder Nabil El Zhar had signed an extension to his contract to keep him at Anfield until 2012. El Zhar, who made 19 appearances for the Reds last season, joined the club from Saint-Etienne in October 2006.
Source:The times
Sunderland have completed the signing of striker Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United on a four-year deal for an initial fee of £3.5million, potentially rising to £6million, the club have announced on their website. The England Under-21 striker was close to agreeing a deal with Hull City but instead becomes Steve Bruce's first signing as Sunderland manager.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have signed Chris Mavinga from Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed fee.
The 18-year-old left back, who can also play in the centre of defence, has played for France at Under-18 level and teams up with former PSG striker David Ngog, who moved to Anfield a year ago.
Liverpool also announced on Saturday that Moroccan attacking midfielder Nabil El Zhar had signed an extension to his contract to keep him at Anfield until 2012. El Zhar, who made 19 appearances for the Reds last season, joined the club from Saint-Etienne in October 2006.
Source:The times
Welsh weather comes to England's rescue
Australia moved with ruthless professionalism on Saturday towards victory in the first Ashes test against England before rain brought a premature end to the fourth day.
Marcus North, with 125 not out, and Brad Haddin, who scored 121, put on exactly 200 for the sixth wicket to join Simon Katich (122) and captain Ricky Ponting (150) among the centurions.
It was the first time in Ashes history that four Australians have scored centuries in one innings and Australia's 674 for six declared, compiled over more than 12 hours, was their fourth-highest total against England.
Ponting's declaration after Haddin was caught on the boundary attempting a fourth six meant England needed 239 to make Australia bat again.
A distant target looked beyond reach when Alastair Cook (6) and Ravi Bopara (1) were both out lbw playing across the line in the half hour before tea. England were 20 for two but as they left the field the rain started to fall and play was finally called off at 5.37 pm.
Three sessions still remain in the match and the weather is forecast to improve on Sunday giving Australia every prospect of sealing victory in the first Ashes Test staged in the Welsh capital.
North is confident Australia can push for victory on the final day. He said: "If you keep the opposition in the field for 180 overs then that breeds confidence.
"I think we have ground England down in the past couple of days. Then, when we got out there with the ball we got a couple of wickets, and that has put us in a really good position.
"It is going to be a tough day of Test cricket tomorrow. They have to go out there and try to save the Test match. There is only one team that can win the game, and for us that is a really good position to be in.
"Tomorrow, if we can put the pressure on them for long enough then we hope they will fold under that."
Australia's seamers took both their wickets today, Mitchell Johnson trapping Cook lbw and Ben Hilfenhaus a little lucky to get a similar decision against Bopara. However, spin is expected to play a key role tomorrow - and North, who also bowls off-breaks, will welcome the chance to make use of a wearing wicket.
"Any time you are going into the last day of a five-day game you are looking to get a bowl," he said.
"I hope Ricky [Ponting] throws the ball my way and I hope I can get a couple of wickets for the boys."
Australia resumed on a warm, overcast morning with their first innings score already standing at an intimidating 479 for five.
North, who scored a century on debut against South Africa this year, and wicketkeeper Haddin proceeded to bat England out of the match by adding 98 in the morning session. North reached his second century in three Tests just before the interval.
The pair, both on Ashes debut, accelerated after the interval with Haddin swiping Graeme Swann for a huge six over mid-wicket to bring up the 600.
He reached his 100 from 138 balls before he was finally caught by Bopara off Paul Collingwood. Each of the five frontline England bowlers conceded more than 100 runs.
Source:The times
Marcus North, with 125 not out, and Brad Haddin, who scored 121, put on exactly 200 for the sixth wicket to join Simon Katich (122) and captain Ricky Ponting (150) among the centurions.
It was the first time in Ashes history that four Australians have scored centuries in one innings and Australia's 674 for six declared, compiled over more than 12 hours, was their fourth-highest total against England.
Ponting's declaration after Haddin was caught on the boundary attempting a fourth six meant England needed 239 to make Australia bat again.
A distant target looked beyond reach when Alastair Cook (6) and Ravi Bopara (1) were both out lbw playing across the line in the half hour before tea. England were 20 for two but as they left the field the rain started to fall and play was finally called off at 5.37 pm.
Three sessions still remain in the match and the weather is forecast to improve on Sunday giving Australia every prospect of sealing victory in the first Ashes Test staged in the Welsh capital.
North is confident Australia can push for victory on the final day. He said: "If you keep the opposition in the field for 180 overs then that breeds confidence.
"I think we have ground England down in the past couple of days. Then, when we got out there with the ball we got a couple of wickets, and that has put us in a really good position.
"It is going to be a tough day of Test cricket tomorrow. They have to go out there and try to save the Test match. There is only one team that can win the game, and for us that is a really good position to be in.
"Tomorrow, if we can put the pressure on them for long enough then we hope they will fold under that."
Australia's seamers took both their wickets today, Mitchell Johnson trapping Cook lbw and Ben Hilfenhaus a little lucky to get a similar decision against Bopara. However, spin is expected to play a key role tomorrow - and North, who also bowls off-breaks, will welcome the chance to make use of a wearing wicket.
"Any time you are going into the last day of a five-day game you are looking to get a bowl," he said.
"I hope Ricky [Ponting] throws the ball my way and I hope I can get a couple of wickets for the boys."
Australia resumed on a warm, overcast morning with their first innings score already standing at an intimidating 479 for five.
North, who scored a century on debut against South Africa this year, and wicketkeeper Haddin proceeded to bat England out of the match by adding 98 in the morning session. North reached his second century in three Tests just before the interval.
The pair, both on Ashes debut, accelerated after the interval with Haddin swiping Graeme Swann for a huge six over mid-wicket to bring up the 600.
He reached his 100 from 138 balls before he was finally caught by Bopara off Paul Collingwood. Each of the five frontline England bowlers conceded more than 100 runs.
Source:The times
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