Cavendish becomes World Champion

Cav crosses the line as the 2011 World Champion.

Mark Cavendish capped a phenomenal year by becoming the first British man for 46 years to win the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. Not since Tom Simpson in 1965 has a Brit stood on the top step of the world road race podium, but once he got in front, he ably held off Austrailian HTC teammate Matt Goss, and former teammate Andre Greipel from Germany.

Since the course was announced the British team had targeted the win, with Cav’ as the man to deliver. An extraordinary amount of pressure to put on a man who whilst undoubtedly the fastest finisher in the world, was without the usual HTC Highroad team lead-out train that had served him so well in his career so far.

Throughout the season Cavendish’s British teammates were out collecting the required amount of points in order to send the strongest team possible. Despite the early breakaway, Team GB dominated, dictated and delivered the Manx Missile to the finish and once in position, there was little doubt what the outcome would be.

The Green Jersey winner from the Tour de France

Despite the fact that in the cycling world, on the continent especially, Cavendish is a superstar, the Jonny Wilkinson or David Beckham of cycling, he was quick as always to praise his team. Bradley Wiggins in particular, fresh from his third in the Vuelta a Espana and a sensational silver in the individual time trial earlier in the week, was a man possessed in bringing the breakaway back to the main peloton, before ceding to his now fresher teammates, Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas in particular to set up the rider from the Isle of Man.

Still only 26 years old the world really is at his feet now. His twenty stage wins at the Tour de France place him sixth on the all time list, just behind seven time winner Lance Armstrong. Yet to confirm which team he will race for, after the failure of HTC to find a sponsor left him free to join a new outfit, Team Sky have looked the favourites to sign the current Green Sprint Jersey holder from this years tour, and one of the few to be able to offer him the salary he deserves.

The Rainbow Jersey belongs to a Brit for the first time in 46 years.

Barring an England rugby World Cup win, Cav surely is a nailed on cert for Sports Personality of the Year, and a never a more deserving candidate indeed. He will now be able to wear the much coveted 'Rainbow Jersey' worn with distinction by Thor Hushovd this year.

The one remaining target now is the London Olympic gold medal. After his huge disappointment of 2008 where he was the only track cyclist to return without a medal after he and Wiggins could only finish ninth few would bet against another medal adorning the walls of the Cavendish household.

Off and Stumbling

The All Blacks signal their intent with the trademark 'Haka'

The Rugby World Cup kicked off with all the style, razzmatazz and passion that you can expect from the rugby obsessed nation of New Zealand. The All Blacks took on Tonga in the opening match, expecting to win and win well. That they did, but not before they exchanged the stunning spectacle that is the Haka. The debate as to whether or not this has a place in elite sport should have been put to bed long before now, as it is a remarkable spectacle and sets the tone for what is after all, a war of attrition, a physical conflict between the countries best.

The hosts 41-10 victory came from a first half in which their tactical superiority and skill set, won over the Tongans heart and desire. A 29-3 half time score, led to New Zealand taking the foot off the pedal in the second half having secured the try bonus point. The All Blacks have never lost a pool match in the history of the finals, and France aside they should add to this record. Whether or not the favourites can lose the tag of ‘chokers’ we will find out soon enough.

Simon Danielle spares Scottish blushes.

The northern hemisphere sides France, Scotland and England all started with wins. All bar the latter with a try bonus point, but it was far from easy. Scotland were indebted to two late tries from Simon Danielle to squeeze past rugby minnows Romania 34-24. Romania who led 24-21 with twelve minutes remaining showed that no match in this pool will be easy. Scotland will have to raise their game considerably to qualify for the quarter finals.



Julian Pierre opens France's account.



France took on Japan, who have only ever won one match at the finals, back in 1987, looked as though they would have no trouble dispatching the side who have been hit with ‘cricket scores’ in the past. 20-3 up and in complete control France were pegged back to 25-21. With Japan in the ascendency and looking hungry for more, it appeared that the enigmatic French were on the verge of one if not the greatest World Cup upset. Dramatic it was, but romantic it was not, as the French found another gear to score three tries in the last ten minutes to take the win.

Ben Youngs provided the inspiration for a below par England

England took a huge step to the quarter finals after an attritional win over a solid rumbustious Argentinean side. Played under the roof of the Otago stadium, the only fully enclosed arena in world rugby, the ‘perfect conditions’ were made a mockery of by the fact that between them, eleven penalty kicks were missed! The fact that many of these were from distance, such was the tightness of this match, we should not overlook the fact that against a more clinical side, a lack of discipline at the breakdown will be punished more severely. As it was England were down and out, 9-3 behind lacking in ideas with just over ten minutes to go before sub Ben Youngs changed the match with a trademark dash to score under the posts.

Argentina finished third in 2007, and whilst they have lost key players, they are still a force, winning ‘ugly’ after all is still winning. Having spent just over four minutes in the opposition ‘22’ compared to Argentina who almost doubled that shows just how tight the match was. Finishing top of the group should mean that a quarter final against the French and not the host nation beckons. But on this performance England will need to raise their game, curb the penalties and increase the energy from what was a largely flat performance. Scotland, Georgia and Romania will not lie down and Martin Johnson needs to find a way to utilise his speedsters when it matters.

Never leave home without your Jonny...

With the Rugby World Cup just a matter of days away, one player, who was seemingly on the outside of the England team, now looks set to take centre stage once again.

Wilkinson is so much more to England than kicking alone

Despite all his injuries, loss of form and the fact that his is now the wrong side of thirty, England’s Jonny Wilkinson now looks set to usurp his old protégé, Toby Flood, the pretender to the throne that is England’s number ten. Whatever route Martin Johnson takes on Saturday, Wilkinson will be forever mentioned in the same sporting breath as Sir Geoff Hurst. Hurst famous for his World Cup winning hat-trick in football, synonymous with drama, even able to inspire the theme tune of a popular sporting quiz (with the commentary of Kenneth Wolstenholme). Wilkinson, despite a couple of wobbles during the 2003 tournament, held his nerve to slot not only his penalties, but the winning drop goal (remarkably with his weaker foot!) in their epic extra time final win against the hosts Australia.

The trademark Wilkinson stance.

Wilkinson at the absolute pinnacle of his sport, despite his age, (then only in his early twenties) paid the price for his tough tackling, all or nothing style. He missed the next thirty of England’s test matches before the World Cup of 2007, where he returned (after yet another injury) to steer a battered England, (having been thrashed in their first game without Wilkinson), to the final against South Africa. But for a bit of luck England could have gone on to win that tournament, but the fact that they made the final at all was almost astonishing and owed a lot to the experience and game play of their talisman.

Toby Flood can consider himself unfortunate. He did no wrong in the Six Nations, at least until the final match in Dublin. If this game was a one off for Flood, then his form has since plummeted and the Wales matches have forced manager Johnson into a rethink. Recalling Wilkinson for the final pre-finals match against the Irish, proved that the three time finalist Wilkinson still has what it takes to compete at the very highest level.

Wilkinson should extend his incredible record at the finals. Picked in 1999 he was dropped for the Quarter final defeat against the Springboks, but was first choice ever since (if fit). Not only will this be Wilkinson’s fourth World Cup, only eleven other players share this record, but he is the highest points scorer in the history of the tournament, has kicked the most penalties, and also has the highest amount of drop goals to his name.

With injury behind him can Jonny inspire England once again

Team mate and speedster Chris Ashton has waxed lyrical about his teammate this week. Wilkinson despite being surrounded by younger quicker teammates has been topping the shuttle run charts, proving that whilst he has the temperament and talent, he still has the athleticism to run the England side. The fact that he was the all time leading scorer in test history earlier this year, (before Dan Carter retook this title), having lost at least four years of his career, is also astonishing.

Pivotal in 2003, Johnson and Wilkinson have equally important roles in 2011

England have a tough task in New Zealand. If they are to win the group, they will need to start off with a convincing performance. Group B contains the aggressive Argentineans, the Scots, a banana skin in Georgia and also Romania. Sterner tests await. Winning the group should give them a quarter final against the French, the in-form Aussies in the semi should they overcome that, before the final. With ‘our Jonny’ playing and playing well, then anything is possible.

The Fall and Rise of Bradley Wiggins

The finger of Sky's Chris Froome points to the new race favourite.

A little under two months have passed since Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky’s hopes of general classification glory in the Tour de France were ended, after an innocuous accident resulting in a broken collarbone and subsequent retirement from the race. Team director Dave Brailsford had stated that Wiggins was in fantastic form, his ‘numbers’ were superb and was coming off the back of an amazing win in the Criterium Dauphine de Libere, pushing Cadel Evans into second place. (Evans was to be the eventual winner of the 2011 Tour de France).

Many riders who fall by the wayside will always say ‘what if this’ and ‘what if that’ but there was a general feeling that Wiggins could at least challenge for a podium spot, if not for an actual win in cycling’s premier road race.

Sky regrouped after this low point, and managed another stage win through Edvald Boassen Hagen but the time lost whilst waiting for Wiggins after the crash meant that any hopes of a decent G.C. placing for the rest of the team were gone.

Sky decided subsequent to this that Wiggins’ form could not be left to waste, and entered him into the Vuelta a Espana, the Spanish version of the Tour, and the third great stage race of the season, (the Giro de Italia is raced first).

A shocking start to the Vuelta in the team time trial set back all of the teams hopes. In a stage where Sky were expected to do well, if not win, then at least put some serious time into their chief rivals who are more specialised mountain climbers. (Mountain specialists are seen to do better at the Vuelta than the Giro and the Tour). An untimely crash in stage one left Wiggins with a time deficit on most if not all of the riders expected to challenge. Wiggins and his team rode on and whilst languishing off the pace did look strong.

Coming into stage ten’s individual time trial, Wiggins was expected to reduce his deficit, (of around one minute) and put time into his rivals to pull on the race leaders Red Jersey. He did not factor in the time trial of his life by team mate Christopher Froome, who whilst only finishing in second place on the stage (to Wiggins’ third) he became one of only a handful of British riders to lead this illustrious race.

The next big mountain stage saw Froome sacrifice himself for team leader Wiggins who took over as leader (by seven seconds to Froome) showing how much faith the team leadership and its riders have in their main man.

The odds of this scene being repeated in Madrid have tumbled.

So to Saturday’s stage, Wiggins was expected to suffer. With 2010 winner Vincenzo Nibali having reduced the gap to just four seconds, (with time bonuses for the stage winner) the race lead was expected to change again. This was not the case as both Froome and Wiggins took the race by the scruff of the neck and on the one year anniversary of the death of one of Sky’s soigneurs (Txema Gonzalez) ripped the race apart to distance themselves from virtually all of the contenders.

The race is far from over, Wiggins is only one accident, one bad day from falling off his perch, and with some of the mountains having a ridiculous gradient of over 20% including the finish of Sundays stage 15 it is all still possible. But even if he is to lose some time, Wiggins now has to be considered one of, if not the favourite to complete his transformation from Olympic gold medal track cyclist, to elite road racing champion.

Sports review 28-8-11

Wigan Warriors celebrate their record 18th Challenge Cup win after a sensational match against the Leeds Rhinos

Rugby League:

Wigan Warriors won the Challenge Cup at Wembley for a record eighteenth time. It was Wigans first visit to Wembley since their eight year winning run ended after the 1995 win against Saturdays opponents Leeds, (they beat St Helens in 2002 at Murrayfield). Wigan flew out of the blocks with three early tries, Leeds did fight back to within a score at half time, but the Super League holders and current leaders just had too much for their Yorkshire rivals and edged ahead to win a fantastic final, 28-18. Leeds have now lost the last five finals they have played in, Wigan now face second placed Warrington in a game that should decide who finishes as leaders going into the playoffs.

Rugby Union:

England went to Dublin to face an Irish side in poor form. Despite beating the English in the Six Nations and having a record against them at home that would be the envy of many, they were no match for an England side clearly fired up and looking to cement their places ahead of the opening World Cup game against Argentina. England will go away now battle hardened and with high confidence after condemning the Irish to a sixth defeat in eight. In the Tri Nations, Australia beat New Zealand 25-20 in a stunning game in Brisbane. The second defeat in two games left the Wallabies with their first Tri Nations title for ten years and they leave for the World Cup in fantastic form.

100m sensation Usain Bolt is disqualified after a false start

World Championship Athletics:

The biggest stories coming out of the Daegu championships are the high profile disqualifications of two British medal hopes, Christine Ohuruogu in the 400m and Dwaine Chambers in the 100m, but also of the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt. Bolt who also false started leaving training partner Yohan Blake to take the glory. In another British disappointment, Mo Farrah was overtaken by Ibrahim Jeilan of Ethiopia with just metres remaining in the 10,000m. Farrah the fastest man in the world this year had looked in complete control before Jeilan’s late surge relegated the Brit to Silver.

South African ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius finished in third place in his heat to qualify for the semi-finals of the 400m. The first amputee athlete to race in the able-bodied competition is already a multi Gold medal winner in the Paralympics.

McLarens Lewis Hamilton crashes out

Belgium Grand Prix:

Sebastian Vettel once again dominated the ‘Spa’ race to increase his remarkable lead even further. Team mate Mark Webber fought back from a poor start to finish second just ahead of McLarens Jenson Button. Lewis Hamilton crashed out after contact whilst leading the race. Vettel is now 92 points ahead of Webber after his seventh win in the last twelve races.

Tennis:

Britains Laura Robson has qualified for the US Open. Now ranked 173 in the world, Robson will hope that the aftermath of Hurricane Irene will not hamper her progress and that she can make an impact as the fourth Brit woman in the main draw along with Andy Murray in the mens singles.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger cuts a lonely figure at Old Trafford

Football:

In the Barclays Premier League, the lead changed hands five times over the weekend as first Wolves led, then Chelsea, before Liverpool took the top spot for the first time in two years overnight. Manchester City’s thumping of Spurs put them top on Sunday, before Manchester United’s astonishing 8-2 win over an increasingly desperate Arsenal, left the champions looking down at the rest after the first three games. At this early stage the title cannot be won, but it can certainly be lost, and with both North London clubs (Arsenal and Spurs) suffering two defeats apiece to top four rivals, it could be a season of trial and tribulation for them both.

Rugby World Cup 2011

Radike Samo scores for Australia in their win over New Zealand

All the pre-World Cup warm up/Tri Nations matches have now been completed. The squad lists are in. The countdown to the 9^th September and the opening game is well and truly on the horizon. Ireland versus England in Dublin was the final warm up game for the home nations and with England’s terrible record on Irish soil, one win in nine before today, they were out to lay down a marker after the disappointing game against the Welsh last time out. With New Zealand born Riki Flutey perhaps the only big name surprise left out of the England side (due to Danny Care’s untimely injury) manager Martin Johnson wanted to head off to the Southern Hemisphere with a confidence boost. In fact not since Johnson was captain, in the Grand Slam/World Cup winning year of 2003 did the English put the Irish to the sword. Perhaps more importantly was Irelands need to win having gone three straight lacklustre defeats in their warm up games. Discipline will be key in the tight matches, sin binned players usually come at a cost of about ten points, so for Ireland to ship a try during one of those periods will be sending warning signals throughout the country. England came to erase the poor performance of last time out and will take inspiration from this performance as well as the 20-9 win itself.

Have England found a new star in Manu Tuilagi?

England do have injury concerns, taking one or two players not fully fit in the hopes of them being ready later on in the tournament seems the order of the day for several sides. With Captain Lewis Moody and scrum half Ben Youngs being so pivotal Johnson feels this is a risk worth taking. Fitness in the first of the two Wales’ games was criticised, but the performance in the second at Cardiff was poor, forwards aside. For a side that looked so dominant in the Six Nations, (Ireland aside), it was a big come down to lose in this way. England really have to top their group, this way they should avoid the hosts. Whether they can beat a fast moving French side is anyones guess. The England side of the Spring would be confident, this current side perhaps a little less so, but regaining the winning habit will help no end.

Ireland’s biggest problem seems to be in the centres, despite the abundance of talent at back row forward, meshing an effective 12/13 position is a worry for manager Declan Kidney. As shown against the dominant French, giving away penalties is an easy way to lose a game, especially those on a knife edge. Discipline will be key for them in New Zealand. They can take solace from the fact that pre 2007 South Africa also looked poor, before going on to dominate the tournament. Ireland failed to make the knockout stages last time out, a poor showing losing two of four games, (nearly losing to Georgia as well). This time out it will not be easy as they face the always tough tackling USA and a growing Italy. Although I still expect Ireland to qualify from the group, (even on this form), edging out the Azzurri, but it will be as runners up to an ever improving Australia. Whether they can kick on from there will be very difficult as they may well face the improving Springboks in the quarters.

The Welsh sprung a surprise by not only leaving out Martin Williams, but also by naming Sam Warburton as captain at the tender age of 22. A fantastic season may have cemented his place in the side, but Warren Gatland has taken a risk in naming him as the skipper. Back to back wins at home to England and Argentina sees the Welsh off in good form, but with Fiji and Samoa vying for second spot behind Australia, the men from the valleys will have to maintain this good run as well as surviving the attritional war that will be the physical Samoans. Australia should be their target in the next stage.

France have drawn the short straw, initially at least, facing New Zealand in the group stages. Much like England losing to South Africa in 2007, they may well be put to the sword by the host nation, but could very well go all the way to the final should they hit form. Tonga aside they should have a relatively easy passage to the last eight as I do not expect either Canada or Japan to offer much resistance. They will then face the winner of Englands group for a place in the semi finals. Seeded fourth in the current IRB rankings and winning away in Dublin will give the French real belief that they can challenge again this time around. Thirteen survive from the squad beaten in the semis by England in 2007, few would be genuinely surprised should they go one better. Power and pace in the backs would generally be seen to be the French strengths. Fast hard grounds will be as key to their chances as the players form.

Scotland have regrouped from a poor Six Nations campaign to give themselves plenty of confidence in the build up to New Zealand. An opening game against Romania should give the team a big boost, as will the knowledge that their two biggest rivals in the group, England and Argentina play each other the same day in what will surely be a war of attrition with these two big rivals. With the runner up in the group surely playing New Zealand in the quarter finals, winning this group is key. However, despite the improvement, I just cannot see how they can top the group, runners up surely is the ceiling of their ambitions.

No one really expects Argentina to replicate their third place finish of 2007 where they only lost to eventual winners South Africa. Retirements have hit the side hard and they have been in a rebuilding phase since then. The lack of tournament rugby hinders them, surprisingly still to join the Tri Nations series, (2012 is possible). The loss to Wales was hardly confidence boosting, and the fact that they will play the biggest team in the group (England) first up leaves them with no room for error. I still expect them to qualify for the quarters but if England play to potential it will only be as runners up, leaving them with a match surely versus New Zealand.

Australia sprung a surprise by leaving out Matt Giteau, a player who would walk into the majority of Northern Hemisphere sides. Perhaps due to a fall out with the A.R.U? Will they come to rue this decision? With a far from fit Berrick Barnes in the squad they may well qualify as group winners, but from then on they will miss Giteau's skills and influence. With captain Rocky Elsom picked for the squad, but replaced by James Horwill as skipper, the second best side in test rugby according to the rankings will have genuine beliefs that they can do well again, that’s if they can break their English hoodoo, having lost in the last three tournaments, including the final on home soil in 2003. Their first Tri-Nations success in ten years, included a wonderful win at home to the All Blacks will push their confidence through the roof.

The South Africans showed that there are weaknesses in the juggernaught that is New Zealand as they got their only success in the Tri Nations series with a classic win last weekend. Whilst the All Blacks were not at full strength, it was still a huge result for the Springboks and showed that with intensity and a huge scrambling defensive effort, coupled with discipline and a bit of luck no team is unbeatable. However, back on home turf it will be a different story. South African rugby took a bit of a pasting in the opening two games of this series, fielding weakened sides, they gave the fringe players a chance, which did not pay off. A huge ask for them to repeat the win of 2007, even with eighteen members of the victorious squad from last time out selected again, but they should win what looks to be the toughest of the four groups.

New Zealand it seems will never have a better chance of winning a second Rugby World Cup. On home soil, manager Graham Henry has selected the most experienced squad in their history, nine of their squad boasting over 50 caps. Thirteen have played in two World Cups, five of those have starred in three. Daniel Carter has the most points in test history, (pushing Jonny Wilkinson back to second). Looking at some of the players they have left out only emphasises how strong the squad is. They are most people’s outstanding favourites, despite back to back losses to their biggest rivals. New Zealand has been here before, only for the pressure to overcome this hugely iconic rugby nation. Only a brave man would back against them with home support, and most neutrals will be supporting this team, playing the most exciting and expansive rugby around at this current time.

World's best England white-wash India



Victorious England celebrate



England completed a stunning white wash of previous World number one, India (their first since 1974), and in the process cemented themselves as the best of all the test sides. With rain hampering the fourth and final test, and with India at last showing some fight in response to England’s 591-6 declared in the first innings. 300 all out, forced into following on they looked set to tie the match at 262-3 and save face if nothing else.

But this England side has that something special, the something extra that separates the good from the great, and led by Graham Swann’s 6-106 India were dismissed for 283 giving England the win by an innings and 8 runs. Even the majestic Sachin Tendulkar, who by his own admissions had been poor in his search for a historic 100^th test century, was taken by Tim Bresnan for 91. True, India looked desolate and disconsolate as they strove to prevent what amounts to a hammering, and even the discovery of several young players who will learn from this lesson, but dropping to third in the world will mean that this ‘straw’ is scant consolation.

How have England achieved this remarkable rise from the depths of sixth in the world, to head and shoulders above the rest? The Twenty20 World Cup win was the first ‘turning point’ in that it gave the England players the belief and confidence to take on the best, in the knowledge that they were good enough. The confidence instilled to them by Andy Flower, the man behind the scenes (and seemingly happy to be there), whilst having a massive psychological effect on his team, Andrew Strauss in particular. Graham Gooch as batting coach clearly is having a massive effect. Between these men, the discipline of the players to do exactly as they are told means that the confidence works both ways, allowing them to not only express themselves, but to enjoy it as well.

If form is temporary, then class is permanent. It is true that several players have hit form this summer. First up was Sri Lanka, and then India, but England’s players have slowly been creeping up the world order, Alistair Cook and Jonathan Trott both hitting double centuries this series, the former unlucky not to hit a treble. Backed up ably by Ian Bell and Kevin Pieterson who have been magnificent throughout the summer. Matt Prior, whilst he was always key to England’s hopes with the gloves at wicket keeper, now adds batting prowess to his repertoire, arguably the best number seven around today. England also possesses several key all-rounders, man of the series, Stuart Broad, taking the most wickets in the India series, including a sensational hat-trick, also not forgetting the pace and power of the rising Tim Bresnan. The bowlers, Graham Swann, Steven Finn, Chris Tremlett, not forgetting the talisman that is Jimmy Anderson. The Indians had no answer to his line and length.

To emphasis England’s strength, four of the batsmen are in the top eight in the world, Bell, Cook (joint third), Trott and Pieterson. The bowler’s even better with five in the top eleven, Anderson second,  Swann, Broad, Tremlett and Bresnan. The strength in depth of this England side with Trott, Steven Finn and Tremlett (not even in the side for the final test) to name a few waiting in the wings, and the age of the squad would suggest that they will reign for some time to come.

English Premier League kick off.

Luis Suarez scores the first goal of the 2011-12 season.

So the English Premier League kicked off, and as though we were never away, the action and drama was no less entertaining than on the final day of last season. The constant calls for the ‘eye in the sky’ video referee may not have been answered, the goal line technology is still a season away, but retrospective discipline is available must be taken and taken now by the F.A. before it really gets out of hand.

The issue of diving, simulating, play acting or gamesmanship, whatever you like to call it has been the most negative side effect of the Premier League since its inception twenty odd seasons ago. A lot of foreign imports have been blamed for bringing in this ‘disease’. Regardless when it started it is now rife throughout the game as money talks and players will do all they can to get ahead. With the punishment for simulation, (which seems to be the preferred word for cheating), minimal, I firmly believe retrospective banning of the players would reduce this dramatically.

The incident at St James Park on Saturday however was initially not so clear cut. At first glance it would appear that an Arsenal player took a tumble, but there was contact. Minimal, and in a fair world the player would have got up and carried on, or more to the point not fallen over in the first place. There were incidents that were much more blatant, not just in this game that would make the game a much more enjoyable spectacle in my opinion were they to be stamped out.

Love him or hate him, Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal has always sent his teams out with a bit of steel in their play. Accusing the powers that be, of a vendetta against his side, he can have no arguments in the red card issued to new signing Gervinho. Whilst it was a feeble slap to the face of the controversial Joey Barton, raising your hands to an opponent’s face is a red card. End of story. Gervinho can count himself unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty, but the manner to which he fell did him no favours in the referee’s eyes. Barton was also involved in the most sinister event of the opening Saturday as he was stamped on, unseen by the busier than usual referee, by Alexander Song. Song should have gone, and one hopes that the discipline panel decide that a retrospective ban is mandatory as there is no place in any game for actions of that sort.

Song and Barton took the headlines for the wrong reasons.

That aside the game failed to live up to the hype of last season’s remarkable 4-4 and with Captain Cesc Fabregas and star man Samir Nasri both on their way out, one wonders if this is a season too far for the North London giants to maintain their status as one of the ‘big four’. The next few games, home to Liverpool in the league and a Champions League qualifier against Italian side Udinese could shape a season still in its infancy.

Two of the biggest spenders in Liverpool and Sunderland went head to head on the opening day, with the home side flying out of the traps. Again the talking point was over a red card, or lack of one to Sunderland’s Kieran Richardson, after bringing down Luis Suarez as he was about to score. You can’t help but feel if the incident had been in the second half instead of in the first couple of minutes, or not in the opening day game Richardson would have walked. Leniency from the referee is all well and good when the game is done and dusted and whilst no one likes to see players sent off, ultimately it cost Liverpool the win as after a blistering start where they could have scored four, Sunderland came back into the game to claim a well deserved point.

Opening day is surely too soon to be talking of relegation ‘six pointers’ but with Wigan and Norwich both expected to be fighting to retain their place in the top flight, a one all draw was more beneficial to the away side, especially after going behind. Norwich’s chairman Delia Smith would have been happy to have seen her side fight their way back against a side many believe will be going down this season. Steve Keen, manager of Blackburn is the current favourite to be the first to lose his job, and after going a goal up at home to fellow strugglers from last season, Wolves, to have come away with nothing will have increased the pressure tenfold.

Bolton may not be challenging for top honours anytime soon, but they are a solid mid table side, so a visit to newly promoted QPR would have been relished. A lack of investment at Rangers has left the fans questioning whether they can survive this season, even if they can hang onto star player Adel Taarabt. A four nil home drubbing laid the realisation firmly down that this will be a season of struggles for the London club, and on this evidence it will need significant investment if they are able to compete at this level.

Spurs, Everton and Manchester City still have to get off the mark and you would expect two of those to be pushing for a top four finish, but with Chelsea huffing and puffing, ultimately failing to break down a resolute Stoke side, and with champions Man United looking less than assured in their first game despite a win, we really could be in for a season that is open and exciting, and that cannot fail to enthral.

Cook reigns as Wood's stumbles

Alastair Cook celebrates his mammouth score.

Cricket:

Alistair Cook missed out on his treble century by only six runs as England, world number one elect, set India an improbable target. Declaring on 710 for 7, to lead by over 450 runs at the end of the third day of the third test in a series that they have dominated. Cook overshadowed Eoin Morgan's ton, (sharing a stand of 222), as the current best side in test cricket toiled with little reward on the Edgbaston ground. Cook who had batted for over 13 astonishing hours, posted the sixth highest ever score by an Englishman, only second in recent times to Graham Gooch's total of 333, also set against India  back in the 1990 summer series.

700 plus is an amazing score, the third highest in English history. However, the other two scores were set in 'timeless tests' and to be able to declare, resting the bowlers, reaped instant dividend as Verinder Sehwag was out for his second golden duck of the match. The pitch seems to suggest that Stuart Broad could have a big impact as they attempt to wrap up the test with a day to play.

India, the best side according to the rankings, have admittedly been shorn of several top players, but it seems futile to believe that even a full strength side would have been able to slow down this cricket juggernaught, let alone beat them. With Cook nearing his 300, the tactic of pushing men towards the boundary ropes to slow the declaration down and as such take more time up, is a tactic that suggests that they are out of ideas and out of options. Once held on a pedestal in cricket mad India, these same players now seem to be winding up careers unless something dramatic is done, and done soon.

With the Edgbaston lights seemingly sorted after problems throughout the day, only bad weather now will prevent England going three nil up with one to play, and claiming the official title of world's best.
 

Rugby Union:

The second of England's warm-up matches against Wales, this time in Cardiff, showed the strength of the English squad as they made 13 changes to the starting line-up. With Wales only making four changes it only adds to the optimism, result aside, that England have a squad that can actually compete with the best of the Southern Hemisphere. Whether or not they can actually beat the in-form All Blacks on home turf is another matter entirely.

Tiger Woods' troubles continue.

Golf:

In the last major of the year, the US PGA, former world number one Tiger Woods' erratic form caused him to miss the cut. With Woods struggling to regain the form he showed prior to injury and revelations about his private life, his fall from grace has been marked. His second round score of seven over was his second worse score in all of his previous majors, giving him no chance of contesting a tournament he once graced with style and aplomb. Only the second time in 56 majors has Woods previously missed the cut,and he has now stated he will work on his game before competing again in November. The world number 30 clearly has fallen a long way, and whilst he is still big news, you can't help but feel, that with the new generation of up and coming golfers on the scene (Rory McIlroy, Ricky Fowler ) that Woods will struggle to reach the heights he previously attained.

McIlroy, who appeared for the second round with his damaged wrist heavily strapped had a mixed round, and lies seven shots off the leader, American Jason Dufner. British hopes would appear to lie with Lee Westwood (one under), with world number one Luke Donald one over. But after a day where the scores ranged from 65 to 77 amongst the top players, there is a long way to go in this championship.

Woods was not the only big name to crash out however, big names Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke were also a long way off the pace and along with defending champion and former world number one, Martin Kaymer, they will now have the weekend off.

Rugby World Cup Countdown

South Africa 2007 Winners.

With the start of the Rugby World Cup a matter of weeks away, the recent ‘friendlies’ have given the respective managers much to ponder on. South Africa have undergone two fairly resounding beatings in their two Tri-Nations matches, albeit with a much weakened side. New Zealand despatched the Springboks before extending their strong Eden Park unbeaten record   to nine, with a comfortable win over Australia. With the tournament in their own country surely the All Blacks have their best ever chance of finally reclaiming the tournament they last won back in 1987. Pressure from themselves, the fans, and indeed the world, who all expect them to win and win well, may well be their downfall as in other World Cups. And the simple fact that in sport nothing is guaranteed, one sensational performance is all that’s needed to upset the favourites.

Debut try for Manu Tuilagi.

From the Northern Hemisphere, England once again looks to be the stand out team. Winning the six nations, but missing out on the Grand Slam will have done much for their confidence. But the worry is that, with an away defeat in Ireland blotting the seasons C.V. will they have the confidence and the belief to actually take on the might of the Southern Hemisphere. 2015 has been lauded as the year when the English players reach their prime, and as in 2003, the ‘Dad’s Army’ led by now manager Martin Johnson, experience has proven to be the key ingredient in English success in the past.

Lawrence Dallaglio was quoted after the 2003 World Cup as saying, “it was that inner steel, the inner belief within the squad that whatever it takes we will win”. Currently I believe only one side has that belief, backed by a record that strikes fear into the rest of the world, and backed by a knowledgeable  and  passionate home crowd, New Zealand are the team that need to be stopped. But anything can happen in sport, which is why we love it!

I firmly believe that England has what it takes to win their group, with a beatable Scotland and a poorer Argentina side the chief threats. Winning the group is essential, and should this happen then a quarter final match up possibly versus the old enemy, France is on the cards. Once into the knockout stages it really can go either way, but my money is on England reaching the semis, after then, form, injuries and luck will all play a massive part in what will follow.



Captain Richie McCaw with the Bledisloe Cup



So to Saturday’s matches, what have we learnt? Well, on home soil the All Blacks look worryingly clinical, even as Australia get themselves back into the game, the Blacks scored from the  resulting restart.  They have a team packed with pace and power, and now have Daniel Carter as the all time leading points scorer in International rugby, overtaking our own Jonny Wilkinson.  An Australia England semi is on the cards if it goes to form. Law of averages says that the Aussies are due a World Cup win having lost in three consecutive tournaments, and they certainly are ahead of the third Tri-Nations side. South Africa’s squad is not strong enough on the evidence of the last two weeks, but if the big players return and return injury free, then a semi for the holders again surely is achievable.

England were never going to better the 62-5 2003 score line against Wales. In fact it really was more a  fact finding mission for the England coaching staff with several fringe players given the chance to prove their worth ,   and others their fitness . To see the players troop out in the all black second strip will immediately bring comparisons to the tournament hosts. It seems that as many column inches have been written on the fact that England’s change strip is black, like New Zealand. Wales, which will sport the same colours next weekend in Cardiff, seem to have missed this criticism.

To the match, A six point half time lead, courtesy of a James Haskell try, and 3 kicks from 2003 winner Jonny Wilkinson, coming in a half of dominance if not shown in the score line, gave hope that even shorn of a few stars England can compete, at least with the ‘mid table’ Northern Hemisphere teams. Rustiness was the key word and it is wrong to compare the performance with today’s Bledisloe cup match as New Zealand and Australia are both three games ahead of both the European nations.

Manu Tuilagi’s early try in the second half settled the nerves and should have laid the platform for England to express themselves.  But the Welsh are too proud to fold against the ‘enemy’, and a Shane Williams try in the corner gave England something to think about, and with five to go George North’s second try of the game put Wales within four points. But it was the English aggression at the breakdown that was the difference in this first of two, home and away pre tournament match ups, winning 23-19. Both sides’ lost key players through injury, Captain Lewis Moody who missed the entire Six Nations limped off and Wales’ Morgan Stoddart cruelly broke his leg and is definitely out.  It remains to be seen how costly these injuries will become. 

Ireland and Scotland will be aiming for the quarters and on the evidence of this match up neither team will trouble the big names. With both sides missing big name players it was left to a late score from Joe Ansbro to win an uninspiring match 10-9. They will both be better next month, World Cups tend to bring out the best in players,   but one wonders how the Scots will get themselves out of the pool stages with both England and Argentina to play.  Ireland have no easy group either with the Wallabies and Italy to face along with an always physical USA, but they should still progress nonetheless