Lancaster’s side lead way in top player election March 23, 2015 ENGLAND’S ultimately forlorn Six Nations title bid has not prevented Stuart Lancaster’s side snagging the largest representation on a 12-strong shortlist for player of the tournament. The Red Rose finished runners-up for the fourth year in succession after falling agonisingly short of holders Ireland on points difference, despite dispatching France 55-35 on a frantic final [...]
Fresh riddle over Alonso crash as driver prepares for F1 return March 23, 2015 MCLAREN have added to the intrigue surrounding double world champion Fernando Alonso’s pre-season crash by revealing previously unknown details of the mystery shunt. Alonso missed the season-opening Australian Grand Prix due to concussion suffered in the high-speed accident in Barcelona last month but is set to race in Malaysia this week, pending final medical checks. [...]
Golf Comment: Stenson may have been innocent but officials entitled to hurry him March 23, 2015 IT WASN’T obvious that Henrik Stenson was being hurried along towards the end of his thwarted challenge at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, but he made his displeasure about it clear soon afterwards. The Swede complained that he felt hurried into missing putts by officials keen to enforce speedier play over the final few [...]
Clarke: McIlroy will win Masters and complete career grand slam March 23, 2015 EUROPE’S Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke harbours no doubt that world No1 Rory McIlroy will one day win the Masters and complete a career grand slam. Only five golfers have won each of golf’s four Major tournaments, with the illustrious group containing American quartet Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, as well [...]
Easter snow: A comprehensive guide to the best places to bag a late skiing holiday March 22, 2015 FAMILY FRIENDLY Watching Franz Klammer skiing on the edge of disaster at the 1976 Winter Olympics is not for the faint-hearted. His gold medal-winning run at Innsbruck looked sure to end in catastrophe on several turns. How do you learn to ski like that? According to Klammer – who insists he was perfectly in control [...]
Premier League: Mourinho talks up title as edgy Blues pull away March 22, 2015 HULL CITY 2 CHELSEA 3 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho admits he is now “pretty confident” of clinching the club’s first Premier League title for five years after inching six points clear with a nervy victory in Hull yesterday. The Blues needed a late winner from substitute Loic Remy after squandering an early two-goal lead, earned [...]
Premier League: Gerrard sorry for instant red card March 22, 2015 LIVERPOOL 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard apologised to team-mates, supporters and manager Brendan Rodgers after being sent off just 40 seconds after coming off the bench in yesterday’s defeat to Manchester United. Gerrard was dismissed for stamping on Ander Herrera early in the second half, as the Reds saw their five-match winning [...]
Premier League: Ramsey: QPR need a miraculous run of form March 22, 2015 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1 EVERTON 2 QUEENS Park Rangers interim boss Chris Ramsey admitted his side require a freakish upturn in results in order to avoid relegation after slumping to their ninth Premier League defeat in 10 matches against Everton yesterday. Tottenham loanee Aaron Lennon scored the visitors’ winner after QPR substitute Eduardo Vargas netted [...]
Football Comment: Chelsea home but United in form March 22, 2015 THE COMPETITIVENESS of the Premier League means it is never over until it’s mathematically decided, but I cannot see Jose Mourinho letting it slip from here. The title is Chelsea’s; it’s now about who finishes second, third and fourth. Chelsea’s win at Hull yesterday was massive. They’d got away with a couple of poor performances [...]
Farah sets new European best in half-marathon March 22, 2015 DOUBLE Olympic champion Mo Farah enjoyed an early birthday present as he won the Lisbon Half Marathon in a new European record time yesterday. The long-distance runner clocked 59 minutes and 32 seconds as he pipped Kenyan Micah Kogo. The time was 20 seconds quicker than Spaniard Fabian Roncero’s previous best over 13.1 miles, set [...]