Rugby 7s
Thunderbolts pipped
In an impressive performance on home turf, the Ozzie Thunderbolts reached the final of the Sydney 7s Rugby Tournament. Having dropped perennial newsprint and digital ink favourite Quade Cooper from the squad for turning up too late, the young Thunderbolts qualified after defeating our favourite team to beat England 12-7 in the quarter final and then South Arica 12-7 in the semis. New Zealand went on to win the tournament, defeating the Australian Thunderbolts 27-24 in the final.
Cricket
Aussies win – Usman Khawaja finally in team
In an effort that could have resembled a bird in the direction of chief selector Bacchus, Khawaja belted a crisp half century ably supported by Dave Warner’s 98, Australia managed to chase down NZ total of 9/281.
Top half and bottom half of the order are looking good, obviously something is disagreeing with Maxwell, Smith and Baily’s diet as they have a distinct lack of runs, probiotics may help. Too many prunes. Do they have Yakult in NZ, if not send it over.
Watto goes for $1.98 million
There is something in the Indian system that makes Watto attractive. He performs in the sub-continent and was rewarded with an extraordinary bid for his services. Perhaps the lower pitches and lack of DRS helps his legside dominant style of play.
Aussie women lose to India in third ODI to avoid whitewash – sounds familiar?
Rugby League
Parra Eels defeat NZ Once were Worriers 22-4 to take out Auckland 9s.
Maroons have found another 6 recruits to ban for breaking team curfew. The curfew is having an impact on the development of the Maroons squad in the shadows of Mal Meninga’s departure. To their credit players came forward and prevented a witch hunt by media.
In the words of new coach Kevvy Walters,
“We went to the Story Bridge (Hotel) and we did have a couple of drinks. Everyone was aware of what was expected of them.
“Unfortunately, some didn’t respect those words and they’ve paid the price for it.
“We’ve got to be responsible … if we can’t be responsible we don’t drink.
Seems there is an issue of players identifying what is responsible behaviour after they’ve had a few, or a few too many.
Speaking of which, keep an eye out for the Almanac Season Launch and bonding session.
A-League vs Fans flare up
In what sounds like a scratched record FFA boss Giddy Up has warned supporters there is no place for flares. He went on to say, “This is a clear reminder of the type of people we do not want in our game and that will be reflected in the final outcomes of our enquiries.” Seems like we have been there before and maybe this time discussions can be held without fans getting too fanatical because FFA want to ban you.
Adelaide United v Sydney FC 2 -2
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City 2 – 1
Melbourne Victory v WS Wanderers 1 – 1
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast 4 – 0
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory 0 – 1
In a strange night, Melbourne City seemed to cop the bad pea of the ref’s whistle with a couple of decisions that you had to be on the spot to understand. Arnies happy with his lot at Sydney FC, who cares about entertaining, just here to win, except you have to win Arnie. Reds went on to 10th game without a loss. Victory dominated but no cigar, Berisha loves to hassle and annoy, what’s new. Brisbane continue with their late season form.
AFL – Garlett wants another chance again.
Dayle Garlett wants his sentence quashed in the WA Courts in order to resurrect his football career. Prodigious talent makes for a start but perhaps Garlett’s window of opportunity is closing faster than his run down a wing. Is there a club out there willing to give him another chance?
Port’s request to replace banned Essendon players denied, ok, Caveat Emptor Kotchy or is it cabinet empty?
Cycling – A Brit and a Brit and an Aussie
Team Sky rider Chris Froome won the Herald-Sun Tour in a training drill for his northern hemisphere season. In an impressive display of hill climbing, Cols and Alps its not, Arthurs Seat provided the backdrop for the final stage. Interest in the general Classification came down to two Australian riders, Jack Bobridge from Trek Segafredo and Orica’s Damien Howson. Bobridge held third position in the General Classification but after a gut busting final stage, Howson finished second n the stage and knocked jack off the podium by 3 seconds.
Cycling – National Track Championships
Adelaide’s SuperDrome hosted this year’s national Championships. Anna Meares is back, after being bettered by her compatriot Steph Morton in recent events, meares sent a message to everyone that she is “on Track”. Winning three gold medals and finally getting gthe jump on team mate Steph, the final of the women’s Keirin was vintage Meares.
In the Men’s, Alex Edmondson also won three golds in the endurance events, signalling his intent with Rio looming.
The men’s endurance events at Rio will only consist of Team Pursuit and Omnium and unfortunately Edmo will have to showcase his talent at next month’s World Championships in London.
Perko won the Men’s Keirin in a performance that reminded selectors of their decision not to award him an AIS scholarship this year.
In the juniors, rising talent Kelland O’Brien from Victoria was impressive in the endurance events, winning them all. Depth in the Australia Cycling Events has never been better.
Baseball
South American Caribbean Series
Aragua 13 Cangrejeros 3
Mazatlan 7 Ciego de Avila 2
English Football
Man City 1 – 3 Leicester City
Aston Villa 2 – 0 Norwich
Liverpool 2 – 2 Sunderland
Newcastle 1 – 0 West Brom
Stoke 0 – 3 Everton
Swansea 1 – 1 Crystal Palace
Tottenham 1 – 0 Watford
Southampton 1 – 0 West Ham
If you would like to share your EPL team’s results over the weekend, please post in the comments section.
Spain Primera Division
Atl. Madrid 3 – 1 Eibar
Vallecano 2 – 0 Las Palmas
Ath. Bilbao 0 – 0 Villarreal
Gijon 1 – 1 La Coruna
Levante 0 – 1 Barcelona
NBA
Houston Rockets 79 Portland Trail Blazers 96
Charlotte Hornets 108 Washington Wizards 104
Indiana Pacers 112 Detroit Pistons 104
Cleveland Cavaliers 99 New Orleans Pelicans 84
Philadelphia 76ers 103 Brooklyn Nets 98
Memphis Grizzlies 110 Dallas Mavericks 114
Minnesota Timberwolves 112 Chicago Bulls 105
San Antonio Spurs 106 Los Angeles Lakers 102
Golden State Warriors 116 Oklahoma City Thunder 108
Phoenix Suns 89 Utah Jazz 98
Six Nations Rugby
France 23 Italy 21
Scotland 9 England 15
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