Get Your Kit On: Part 3, Aston Villa new shirt

Thank you to our friends at FootballShirtCulture.com for the picture.  This is next seasons Villa home shirt, why not contact us for the Sponsorship details that we have available at the club. info@sporttrades.co.uk

Get Your Kit On: Part 2 of our catch up with premier kits for 2011/2012

These pictures are kindly provided by our friends at FootballShirtCulture.com and footballshirts.com. If this is getting 'Life of Brianish' I'm sorry. No injunctions in here I imogen.  New kit included in this batch from Newcastle, Fulham, Wolves, Bolton, Everton (leaked photo), Sunderland and Stoke City.

Get Your Kit On: The Top clubs new gear for 2011/2012

GYKO is back! Better late than never.

The gear that your teams will be running out in next season.  We will catch up with as many as physically possible. So in this posting are the following kits for the 2011/2012 season. We will feature Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester Uniteds home kit and also Manchester City and Liverpools away kit. Look carefully at the Man U kit, can you Imogen Ryan running out in that. What injunction, worry about the ash cloud.

Thanks to our friends at football-shirt.co.uk for providing the pictures.

Rugby League: Brave effort but Skolars losing run continues

I apologise for the break in reports from the London Skolars.  The Skolars have upgraded their website and it looks very impressive, well worth a visit, plus other commitments to our staff at Pulse we have neglected you.  So back on track with your fix of Championship Rugby League.  Thank you to Howard Kramer and the staff at the Skolars, for providing all information and match reports.

London Skolars 12 Workington Town 33


15th May 2011

Co-operative Championship 1 – 15th May 2011

Skolars’ losing run continued as they fell to a strong second half display from Workington, which made the most of a downfield wind that grew as the game progressed. After the first half had seen the sides go in 12 apiece, Darren Holt’s kicking constantly forced Skolars to defend deep in their own half and rarely had a chance to attack for any meaningful period.

Workington’s joint coach Gary Charlton felt that, “We tightened up at half time and asked a few questions of their defence. We played a good kick chase game in the second half. We’ve been working on our defence and that’s heading in the right direction”.

Whilst the final scoreline might not have reflected Skolars’ efforts, the first half scoreline didn’t reflect Town’s dominance in the first quarter. Darren Holt and Scott Kaighan worked well in creating opportunites, along with Jack Pedley’s speed from dummy half. They went ahead early on from a Holt break which saw Kaighan backing up well to finish the move. They again combined in quick passing move across the field, but Elliott Miller had little space when he received the ball on the wing and was bundled into touch.

But whilst the Cumbrians enjoyed possession, they couldn’t break the defence with John Paxton and Olly Purslow working hard for Skolars. The home side levelled the score when Dylan Skee chipped the ball off the side of his foot with James Anthony timing his run to perfection. Strong running from Lamont Bryan (on loan from Quins) and Austen Aggrey saw Skolars attack again. Skee’s grubber kick rebounded off a Town player back to Skee who switched the ball to the left and Dave Arnot’s pass put Ade Adebisi through to put London into the lead.

Things didn’t look good for Town when Jarrad Stack limped off with an ankle injury. But from the next move. Holt got the ball to Mike Whitehead who crashed over, Holt’s conversion levelling the scores.

They might have gone ahead when Darren Holt’s kick looked to be good for a 40-20, but when the ball took an odd bounce away from the touchline and with no decision from touchjudge or referee, Neil Frazer was alert to pick up the ball and run to the tryline. After consultation, the officials agreed that the ball had found touch and the try was ruled out.

Two tries early in the second half put Town into control. Darren Holt’s kick was gathered by Jason Mossop and Darren King finished the move off. Then a well-timed pass from John Patrick found Miller with just enough space for him to race to the line.

Stack’s return to the field almost led to an instant try, but after his inside pass to Kaighan, the final pass to wing left no room for Frazer. Holt then kicked a penalty goal and his drop goal soon afterwards put Town more than two scores ahead. When Skolars were offside at the kick-off, he then elected to make the most of the strong wind blowing downfield and slotted over a penalty from halfway. Skolars restart then went straight into touch.

Holt was regularly kicking deep, often early in the tackle count, which reduced Skolars’ opportunities for a meaningful attack. Their one real chance came after Skee had forced a drop-out, but the subsequent move saw on-loan Ben Bolger bundled into the corner flag.

Stack rounded off the game for Town, racing through from 10 metres out to score in the last minute.

Lamont Bryan won The Mall Wood Green Man of the Match award for his strong running in attack.

Team News and other info

LONDON SKOLARS

31 Jack Latus
18 Aaron Small
30 John Paxton
17 Dave Arnot
5 Ade Adebisi
7 Dylan Skee
3 James Anthony
34 Michael Sykes
9 Gareth Honor
10 Jason Hart
35 Ben Bolger
15 Olly Purslow
- Lamont Byran

Subs (all used)

32 Sam Gee
22 Saqib Murtza
25 Austen Aggrey
33 Dave Williams

Tries: Anthony (25), Adebisi (30)

Goals: Skee 2/2

WORKINGTON

1 Brett Carter
2 Elliott Miller
3 Jason Mossop
21 John Patrick
5 Neil Frazer
24 Darren Holt
7 Scott Kaighan
16 Ryan Macdonald
14 Jack Pedley
10 Kris Coward
11 Mike Whitehead
12 Jarrad Stack
26 Darren King

Subs (all used)

4 Aaron Low
15 Ruairi McGoff
19 Marc Shickley
17 James Robinson

Tries: Kaighan (11), Whitehead (34), King (41), Miller (47), Stack (80)

Goals: Holt 6/7

Drop-goal: Holt

Penalty count: 7-7

Half-time: 12-12

Referee: Chris Leatherbarrow

Attendance: 398

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote take slender lead to the mainland for 2nd Leg

Ian Lane was at a full and rocking stadium, as Lanzarote win and take a slender lead to the mainland.
 
LANZAROTE 2 BURGOS CF 1


Next Week Lanzarote will travel to the North of Spain with a slight advantage following a passionate and dramatic last minute winner in highly emotional scenes with the largest crowd since the glorious Copa Del Rey days some five years ago.

The Club decided to stick to its cheap pricing policy which they have maintained all season which paid dividends and led to a vociferous 2500 strong crowd aiding a magnificent atmosphere.

In the Spanish Tercera Division (fourth tier) there are 18 league groups dotted all over mainland Spain and its territories. The 18 Champions were all put into a draw with the winners of a two leg match given safe passage to Segunda B (third tier). There were three teams that all the other sides wanted to avoid, they were Toledo, Valencia Mestalla and Burgos CF.

Lanzarote knew they were in a battle but in a one off match the Rojillos credentials in such circumstances are second to none.

The game began at a fast pace with the Rojillos enjoying possession but unable to create any clear chances. In the 26th minute the visitors had the ball in the back of the net. A free kick dangerously swung in at pace from the left was volleyed home by winger Pablo Alvarez but thankfully and to the joy of 95 per cent of the crowd the linesman flagged for offside and the Ref signaled for a free kick amid a huge sense of relief.

The Castilla y León district Champions began to come to terms with the astro turf surface and their passing became fast and accurate and with winger Troiteiro displaying his dazzling talents the Rojillos were at times chasing shadows.

In the 36th minute Burgos broke the deadlock with a beauty. Danger man Troiteiro weaved his way along the edge of the area and with the home defence cautious about tackling the quick footed winger he neatly passed the ball, splitting the Lanzarote back four to team mate Lobera who calmly slotted the ball wide of Rojillos keeper Ruymán and into the far corner of the net. The classy winger Troiteiro added to his portfolio of talent after last weeks Messi type goal, check it on youtube.

It was now important for Lanzarote to hold firm as it was only a goal and away goals do not count as double. Should the tie be level after the two legs then penalties will be the deciding factor. Burgos on the other hand was in search of their sixth consecutive away win and seemed to be on track.

Two minutes before the break and the Conejeros (locals) thought they had leveled. Centre back Eliot seemed to have beaten the Burgos keeper to the ball with his outstretched leg nudging the ball into the net with his toe but for some reason the official awarded a free kick for an infringement on the keeper.

The Rojillos came out for the second period eager in their search for a goal. In the 57th minute Vladi made a surging run down the left wing and back heeled the ball to Toñito whose precise cross was nodded home at the far post by the in form Ayoze which sent the local fans wild with joy.

Lanzarote were now on top and the fans urged their team forward to snatch a winner. The intensity of the match made it a great spectacle to watch with the Rojillos winning every 50/50 challenge and intent on taking some sort of advantage with them to Burgos next Sunday.

In the 89th minute Lanzarote were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Ayoze struck the ball low which went through the wall and goalkeeper Aurreko failed to hold, the rebound fell in front of the six yard box and first to pounce was Lanzarote´s leading striker Rosmen to blast home and give his side a deserved 2-1 win as the Arrecife stadium rocked like it hasn’t rocked for years.

GOALS

0-1min 36 Lobera
1-1min 57 Ayoze
2-1 min 89 Rosmen

Baseball: Captains fight back to slay the Dragons

The Lake County Captains overcame a three run deficit after five innings to gain a 9-5 come from behind victory over the Dayton Dragons on Friday night. This was only the second time this season that the Dragons have lost after leading through five innings (17-2).


The Dragons put up a run in the bottom of the first inning when Captains starter Cole Cook walked Billy Hamilton who proceeded to steal second base. A fly out moved Hamilton to third and then Dominic D'Anna delivered a single that scored Hamilton and the Dragons lead 1-0. Hamilton lead of the top of the third inning with a single and moved to third on a double by Jefry Sierra. D'Anna grounded out allowing Hamilton to score and it was 2-0. Donald Lutz led off the bottom of the fourth inning with his eighth home run of the year to make it 3-0.

The Captains tied it up at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning when Nick Bartolone singled and went to third base on a single by Carlos Moncrief. Bartolone scored when Argenis Martinez reached on an error moving Moncrief to second base. Two batters later, Jesus Aguilar doubled home Moncrief and Alex Monsalve followed with a single to score Giovanny Urshela.

Dragons got the lead back in the bottom of the sixth inning off of reliever J.D. Reichenbach when D'Anna knocked in another run with a single and David Vidal followed with a RBI single as well and it was 5-3. The Captains took the lead in the top of the seventh inning when Martinez plated a run on a ground out and Urshela singled home the tying run. The go ahead run scored when Monsalve reached on an error and then Dwight Childs walked with the bases loaded and the Captains led 7-5.

Cook took a no decision working five innings allowing three runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out two. Reichenbach (3-1) came on in the sixth inning and worked three innings to pick up the win. He allowed two unearned runs on three hits while striking out three. Nick Sarianides worked a scoreless ninth inning striking out two.

Dragons starter Daniel Renken did not get a decision either pitching six innings allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits while striking out six. Pat Doyle (2-1) took the loss lasting on .2 of an inning allowing four runs, two earned on two hits, walking two and striking out one.

The Captains and Dragons play game two of their four game series on Saturday at 7:07 PM with the Captains sending RHP Mike Goodnight (3-3 2.93) to the mound to face RHP Josh Smith (3-3, 1.91). The game can be heard on AM 1330 WELW and on the internet at captainsbaseball.com.

Individual game tickets are on sale at the Classic Park box office, online at captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Full season tickets plans, 7-, 12-, 20-, and 35-game mini ticket plans for the 2011 season are on sale now at great prices complete with several exclusive benefits. Information can be found at the Captains website www.captainsbaseball.com.

Super Rugby: Cheetahs prey on Rebels flaws

Thank you to our friends at the Rebels Media Unit for this report.

The Cheetahs continued their excellent form on Saturday night, outpointing the RaboDirect Rebels 41-21 in Bloemfontein. The home side’s clinical finishing proved the difference in what, for the most part, was an even contest. By the final reckoning the Free State side’s five tries had earned a bonus point win; a franchise-record fourth in succession. The late sending off of Ryno Benjamin failed to take the gloss off a deserved victory in front of a raucous home support.


The Rebels played their part throughout in an entertaining game, but were punished for costly mistakes as the club’s first South African tour ended without a win. James Hilgendorf, a late replacement for Julian Huxley, kept the Rebels moving, with his side’s forwards consistently crossing the gain line. Luke Jones, in particular, can take much away from a promising debut.

Both sides struggled with the underfoot conditions in the Free State Stadium, with the turf cutting up badly, preventing either side from executing sharp changes of direction.

The first half followed a frustratingly familiar pattern for the Rebels, who once again dominated the ball but turned it over too frequently to convert possession into points. The in-form Cheetahs capitalised on almost every opportunity they were handed and led by three tries to one at the break.

Despite the Rebels starting the better of the two sides, the Cheetahs scrum had plenty of early success and it was this platform that created the game’s first score. The home side’s second consecutive scrum win against the feed gave them a put-in of their own and from a much more secure base scrumhalf Sarel Pretorious sniped off the back and as he burst for the line, his inside centre, Corne Uys, was on hand to run over unopposed.

Again the Rebels controlled play for most of the next phase of the game but despite an impressive ball-carrying display from the forwards they failed to carve out any clear opportunities. Any half-breaks were curtailed by the poor conditions underfoot leading to inopportune slips and pressure was often released with innocuous turnovers.

After 20 minutes the Rebels were made to pay for one such disappointing turnover. A long downfield kick put Luke Rooney under pressure on the edge of his own 22 but Ryno Benjamin chased the kick at speed and charged down his attempted clearance. The ball bounced kindly for the South African who used his momentum to sidestep the covering defender and launch himself across the line.

Characteristically, the Rebels refused to let these early setbacks affect their game and this positive attitude paid dividends on 26 minutes as a training ground set-piece unlocked the home defence.

Hugh Pyle gathered a lineout 20-metres from the Cheetahs line and he quickly fed Jarrod Saffy while all supporting forwards shaped for a driving maul. However, instead of the ball being enclosed and shunted forward, the Rebels’ platform separated, creating a channel for Ged Robinson to smash through and reduce the deficit. Goal kicker for the night, Richard Kingi, converted from just right of the posts.

The Rebels looked the most likely to add the next points to the scoreboard but another poor turnover cost them dearly.

After 36 minutes the Cheetahs intercepted a risky midfield pass and took play deep into attacking territory. They calmly recycled the ball through a series of phases, allowing captain, Adriaan Strauss, the space to become the second try-scoring hooker for the night.

Sias Ebersohn converted all three Cheetahs tries and the prolific five-eighth began the second half with two sweetly struck penalties to extend his side’s lead. The second, from inside his own half, came after Richard Kingi had missed the Rebels’ first three-point attempt.

Better was to come from Kingi though, as the Rebels fullback’s next kick sailed between the posts, to maximise the reward for Mark Gerrard’s 29th Super Rugby try. A patient build up was capitalised upon by a bulldozing Cooper Vuna run and after he had drawn defenders into the contest, Mark Gerrard straightened up to take advantage of the overlap and finish safely.

After a slow start to the second half, that 57th-minute try sparked the game back into life.

Immediately after the restart Ebersohn missed his first shot for goal but that was quickly forgotten when Corne Uys scored his second try of the night, in quite extraordinary fashion.

A Sias Ebersohn chip through was crumbed by Ryno Benjamin and in a scintillating movement he dived forward, flicked the ball behind him into the hands of Uys who himself dived for the corner and successfully grounded the ball despite almost all his body being outside the field of play – in mid air. The spectacular try received an equally eye-catching conversion as Ebersohn’s wicked low slice form the touchline just dipped over at the last moment.

This was the signal for the Cheetahs to turn the screw and their dominance was rewarded with captain Strauss’ second try, after 68 minutes.

The game soured late on as ill-discipline meant the home side finished with just 13 men and the Rebels 14. First, on 75-minutes, Ryno Benjamin was sent off for head butting Stirling Mortlock, with the Rebels captain subsequently sin-binned for retaliating. Then, in the closing seconds, the Rebels were awarded a penalty try as an early Riaan Viljoen tackle halted a promising breakaway. The fullback’s yellow card barely registered however, as the siren had already sounded before he had chance to leave the field.

The Rebels now return to Australia for a well-earned bye before returning to AAMI Park to take on the Stormers in round sixteen.

Rebels

1. Greg Somerville, 2. Ged Robinson, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Alister Campbell 5. Hugh Pyle, 6. Luke Jones, 7. Jarrod Saffy, 8. Tim Davidson (vc), 9. Nick Phipps, 10. James Hilgendorf, 11. Luke Rooney, 12. Stirling Mortlock (c), 13. Mark Gerrard, 14. Cooper Vuna, 15. Richard Kingi

Reserves: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Rodney Blake, 18. Kevin O’Neill, 19. Michael Lipman, 20. Lachlan Mitchell, 21. Afusipa Taumoepeau 22. Peter Betham

Head Coach: Rod Macqueen

Cheetahs

1. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Adriaan Strauss (C) 3. W.P. Nel, 4. Francois Uys, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 6. Kabamba Floors, 7. Ashley Johnson, 8. Davon Raubenheimer, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 11. Ryno Benjamin, 12. Corne Uys, 13. Robert Ebersohn (vc) 14. Riaan Smit, 15. Riaan Viljoen

Reserves: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Martin Muller, 19. Johan Wessels, 20. Tewis De Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Hennie Daniller

Head Coach: Naka Drotske

SportTrades calling Planet Cricket.

Last season we followed the exploits of Breadsall CC, we thank them for their efforts.  The season has started and we are seeking a club to 'adopt' for 2011.

Those barmy summer days are fast approaching, when village greens will be full of the sound of local cricket clubs chasing glory.

We need a club to take over the reins of Breadsall and provide a Sports Pulse account of the season.  The postings can be as frequent and as many as you want.  This feature , is called 'Outside the Long Room'.

Your club can be within the UK or abroad and the postings can include anything regarding the cricket and social side. 

Contact info@sporttrades.co.uk if you are interested.

Stateside Soccer: Brooklyn suffer 2-1 defeat in Boston

A brief statement regarding the opening game of Brooklyn Italians season.  They travelled to Boston at the weekend.

We hope to offer you more detailed match reports soon and will post them weekly. If you are a supporter, player or official of the Italians and want to post reports of your teams matches throughout the season  contact us at info@sporttrades.co.uk.

BOSTON -- The Brooklyn Italians open their National Premier Soccer League season, dropping a 2-1 decision to Mass United FC on Sunday.


The italians’ lone goal was scored by 18-year-old home grown product Alex Gotsabina in the 40th minute as the Italians took the lead.

"We had the opportunity to win the game, but we were not able to convert our opportunities," Italians coach Tony Noto said.

On May 27, Brooklyn Italians travel to Lehigh University’s Ulrich Sports Complex in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to take on FC Sonic. The winner receives National Premier Soccer League automatic berth in the Lamar US Open Cup.

Two days later on May 29, Brooklyn Italians plays its first home games of the National Premier Soccer League, as they host Mass United FC at 5:00 PM at John Dewey High School.

Baseball: Captains shut out TinCaps for 4-0 win

Steven Wright threw six shutout innings and LeVon Washington accounted for three of the Captains four runs as the Lake County Captains shutout the Fort Wayne Tincaps 4-0 on Wednesday afternoon. It was the Captains second shutout of the season.


The Captains got on the board in the first inning when LeVon Washington walked and stole second. He went to third on a ground out and scored on an infield single by Jesus Aguilar and the Captains lead 1-0. The Captains lead went to 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning when Washington drove in Alex Lavisky and Nick Bartolone scored on a balk by Tincaps starter Andrew Werner. The Captains added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Giovanny Urshela hit a sacrifice fly that scored Washington and it was 4-0.

Captains starter Steven Wright (1-0) got the win working six scoreless innings allowing only one hit, walking three and striking out three. J.D. Reichenbach came on in the seventh inning and threw a scoreless inning striking out one. Dale Dickerson worked a scoreless the eighth inning walking one and striking out one and Nick Sarianides threw a scoreless ninth inning.

Werner (1-4) took the loss pitching five innings allowing three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out one.

The Captains and Tincaps conclude their three game series with a doubleheader on Thursday with game one beginning at 6:00 PM. The Captains will send RHP Kyle Blair (2-1, 3.78) in game one and RHP Cole Cook (1-4, 4.63) in game two. The games can be heard on AM 1330 WELW and on the internet at captainsbaseball.com.

Thirsty Thursdays, presented by ESPN 850 WKNR, will feature a dime beer Happy Hour for one hour before game time and half-price draft beer and soda until 9 PM. Thursday will also be Date Night, presented by Fisher's Jewelers at Shoregate, which gives couples the opportunity to purchase two tickets to The Officer's Club and two meal vouchers, a $56 value, for only $25. As an added bonus, anyone who purchases the Date Night package will be entered into a grand prize drawing at the end of the season in which a grand prize will be awarded, courtesy of Fisher's Jewelers.

Individual game tickets are on sale at the Classic Park box office, online at captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Full season tickets plans, 7-, 12-, 20-, and 35-game mini ticket plans for the 2011 season are on sale now at great prices complete with several exclusive benefits. Information can be found at the Captains website www.captainsbaseball.com.

The Lake County Captains are a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and play their home games at Classic Park in Eastlake, at the corners of State Route 91 and Vine Street. For more information on the Captains, please visit the team's official website at www.CaptainsBaseball.com.

Keep an eye out for McVities Mix Up a Medley Tour

Keep an eye out in your mainline train stations country wide in the UK throughout this month and next for some funky moves & tricks. All part of the country wide McVities Mix Up a Medley Tour

Kult & Punk: Lights go out on Bundesliga as season shuts down at the Mainz

The boys report from FSV Mainz, as St Pauli head towards 2 Bundesliga. Kult & Punk would like to thank you for following St Pauli's efforts in trying to keep in the big time. We thank all who visited us at Zoe's Bar. Thanks to all the darts teams who came and all thosee who challenged us on the 'sit down' space invaders. Finally a big thank you to Andy James, without who you would have missed more match reports, thanks to heavy guest ales.   Have a good summer break.  We will be back with Kult & Punk 2, in September.


1. FSV Mainz 05 2-1 FC St. Pauli


A game of departures for both teams ended with Mainz edging victory to seal fifth place in the table at the end of the club's most successful season ever.

For FSV, it was their final competitive game in the Stadion am Bruchweg, while for the visitors it was the final game in the Bundesliga, for another season at the least. St. Pauli at any rate had the consolation of bowing out with a decent performance, in the wake of last weekend's 8-1 home drubbing by FC Bayern.

Advantage St. Pauli

Mainz, who by contrast had already wrapped up their place in the Europa League with victory at Schalke on Matchday 33, started brightly and with nine minutes played Andreas Ivanschitz rattled the visitors' bar with a header. A further effort wide by Ivanschitz ten minutes later was FSV's only other chance of note though before St. Pauli started carving out opportunities of their own.

Fin Bartels was foiled at close range by home keeper Christian Wetklo (21'), while Max Kruse squandered a couple of excellent openings on the break. Thus, it was little surprise when the Hamburg outfit did then go in front in the 42nd minute. Marius Ebbers shrugged off three opponents before cutting the ball back for Matthias Lehmann to finish with a low drive into the corner.

Last goal at the Bruchweg goes to Allagui

Mainz started to make a bit of headway again in the early stages of the second half, with St. Pauli goalie Thomas Kessler at full stretch to turn a Lewis Holtby shot round the post in the 54th minute. Four minutes later, the hosts were back on level terms, courtesy of a dubious penalty for a tackle by Fabio Morena on sub Sami Allagui. Andre Schürrle duly slammed home his 15th goal of the season from the spot.

A revitalised Mainz then upped the tempo further, Schürrle pulling two more fine stops out of Kessler (68', 81'). St. Pauli had certainly not given up the ghost though and remained a constant threat on the counter-attack. In the end however, victory was to go to Thomas Tuchel's troops, the winner falling in the 82nd minute. Schürrle freed up Marcel Risse, fres off the bench, and he ploughed down the right before playing in a ball to the far post that required only the simplest of tap-ins from Allagui.

Sports Pulse would like to thank Kult & Punk and also Andy James for their help in this feature. We are delighted they have agreed to do it all again next season.

Barking Abbey Named GB's First Regional Institute of Basketball

Posted by our friends at Hoopsfix, report by Sam Neter


Barking Abbey Basketball Academy was named the first ever Regional Institute of Basketball (RIB) on Friday as part of British Basketball and England Basketball’s Toward 2016 (T16) strategy.

Barking Abbey academy, launched only in 2005, was identified in 2009 by British Basketball as a potential RIB after having become quickly recognised as one of the premier academies for developing basketball student-athletes. A one year pilot period was established to help review the existing program and establish a framework as well as looking at a further roll out of the RIB model to other regions in the home countries.

Now after a thorough review period, British Basketball, in partnership with England Basketball and Barking Abbey School, will establish the UK’s first Regional Institute of Basketball which is secured for the next four years.

At its heart, the RIB initiative aims to provide an elite training and coaching environment in England for future national team players. Current or former Barking Abbey students made up 25% of all 2010 National teams (England U15 boys, U16 boys and girls, U18 boys and girls and GB U20s men and women) whilst there are currently 23 former BA students now on scholarships in the United States.

British Basketball Chairman, Roger Moreland, commented on the day of the launch:

“Today is an exciting day for basketball in the UK and a key element of the initiative within our T16 development. We are pleased that we have a very good partner in the Barking Abbey School to establish the first Regional Institute of Basketball.”

The RIB is a tri-party arrangement between British Basketball, England basketball and the Barking Abbey School. The RIB is the point where the nation’s home talents have the opportunity to meet the lower reaches of the GB performance beam through working to a national curriculum designed to develop international senior players. The RIB supports players and coaches in areas that are important for development of international standard players and coaches.

The vision for the Regional Institutes of Basketball is to be the premier player and coach organisation for British players on home soil that is equal to, or better than, any equivalent of the best national federation programmes in the world for 16 to 19 year olds. It is expected that there will be four RIBS in operation by 2015, with British Basketball keeping their cards close to their chest as to where they will be. Head of Performance at British Basketball, Warwick Cann, explained:

“There’s places I’m looking at and I will go and talk. It’s not the place I’m interested in, it’s the potential to develop the capability that exists in those particular areas. There’s about three at the moment and Scotland should develop one in it’s own right. We need a partnership with a school that is prepared to commit and willing to invest.”

“There’s two (main places they’re looking at), one is probably ahead of the other, one has the right things but has a long way to go and the other has always been a traditional hotbed which needs to be created a little differently because it’s a different model”

The next pilot RIB is expected to be announced in the next 12 months. Cann added:

“We want to establish a professional, well managed performance unit which develops national youth players in a competitive training environment.

“We also want to support the student players and coaches with key high performance services to increase our international competitiveness at European, and ultimately, Olympic levels. The RIB is very important for player development in the home countries.”

Barking Abbey School Basketball Director, Mark Clark (pictured above), is excited about what being an RIB means for Barking Abbey:

“It’s an incredible opportunity so I’m really excited. It’s an opportunity for us to build on what we’ve done already and hopefully with the federation’s support, with GB and EB, we can take this programme to the next level. It’s recognition of what we’ve done already and sets a platform for us going forward.”

“It gives us a badge to become part of the ‘official programme’ if that makes sense, in the same way the INSEP in France is recognised as that’s the route international players need to go, the Regional Institute programme is where we want to manage our players development. Going to the states becomes one option, going to Europe is another option, but hopefully channeled through and managed through a network of regional institutes.”

“It also gives us the scope to access more funding, and improve facilities which is what the kids really need to develop.”

He also gave his thoughts on what sets Barking Abbey apart allowing them to gain RIB status:

“We focus on developing individuals. The resources we put into this are independent of any external funding, the school commits to this programme so we’re able to give the kids the hours on the court already. We look to Europe and Internationally more than any other programme does. And our objective here isn’t to win national championships, that’s a nice plus, if we win them that’s great but the biggest plus is people like Joe (Ikhinmwin, who was at the launch talking about what Barking Abbey did for him) who come back, and you’d hope can develop a professional career. Now our next challenge is to give him a way to develop that professional career here.”

The objective of the RIBs is to be pioneering educational and elite youth basketball learning centres in the UK. As a leading youth basketball performance development centre the RIB will offer a viable alternative to US high school and European Academies. This will enable British players to develop their basketball to an elite level without prejudice while completing their British schooling and living closer to family at a crucial time for players and families.

Speedway: Diamonds begin the defence of the PL Knockout Cup

The Diamonds had a busy weekend with a double header in the PL K/O Cup. Lawrence Heppell with the reports.
Rye House Rockets v Newcastle Diamond

Sat 14 May 2011,  Hoddesdon Raceway, PL KnockOut Cup
Newcastle’s Sapphire Engineering Diamonds started their Knockout Cup defence in excellent style last night, pulling off an unexpected draw in a match abandoned after Heat 13 thanks to heavy rain, but – the result stands.

The level-pegging match is now set perfectly for the climactic second leg due to take place this evening at the Newcastle Stadium (6.30pm) with the final 15 races determining who progressed through to the Cup quarter finals.

With black clouds brewing over the Hoddesdon track it was the Rockets who took off to a soaring start with an untroubled home 5-1 from Jordan Frampton and freshly back from injury, Luke Bowen who left Newcastle’s guest Leigh Lanham and skipper Derek Sneddon in their dust.

An eventful Heat Two saw Kyle Newman penalised under the two minute rule as his cut out line snapped before the tapes went up requiring a new one to be fitted.

Once the race got underway with Newman off a 15 metre handicap, Richie Worrall was well out in front when Tyson Nelson made a crazy move and fell, stopping the race and was excluded from the restart, in which Worrall just couldn’t make the same start, ending up in second behind Ben Morley in a shared race.

Stuart Robson shot out to win a fine battle with Chris Neath in the third, and with Sneddon in third the gap was reduces to two, 10-8, but with a Jason Doyle win in the fourth as part of Rocket’s 4-2 the four point deficit was restored.

With another 4-2 going the home side’s way in Heat Five and the sixth being shared once more, going into the seventh Newcastle were on catch-up duty, 21-15 down, until Robson again shot out from the gate in Heat Eight to take a very straightforward win and with Nelson biting the dust again the 2-4 narrowed that gap to only two once more.

Neath and Ritchie Hawkins outclassed Claes Nedermark and Newman to record another home max, but with guest rider, Lanham now on his second machine, having ditched his poor-performing first, scorched to a huge win in Heat 11 over Doyle who had no answer for the former Rocket in a visitors’ 2-4, taking the score to 35-31.

Lanham’s revival was vital to Newcastle keeping the final score on level terms with Rye, as he again launched himself to win Heat 13 with ease ahead of Newcastle’s Dane, Nedermark over Frampton and Doyle in the 1-5 that took the score to 39-39.

As the riders were at the tapes for the start of Heat 14 the heavens opened with the thunderstorm style rain instantly brining the match to a premature end, but with the result standing, there were no complaints from the Newcastle camp.

Diamonds’ team manager, George English was a satisfied man, saying: “That was another excellent performance at Rye House from our Diamonds and they all deserve credit for a very fine showing. I have to say I honestly believe that had the rain not intervened, then with Newcastle having grasped the momentum big style, there was only going to be one team winning this match and that was us…. The rain robbed us of our victory but at least it’s tight for the second leg at Brough Park.”

For this evening’s second leg, Jason Lyons, former Newcastle skipper now with the Redcar Bears, taking the guest booking over from Lanham in place of the injured Mark Lemon.

Rye House also make a chance for tonight, with their temporary signing, Jason Doyle now leaving the club again as Steve Boxall, recently sidelined with an arm injury, returns to join his old team mates for the first time in 2011, and as Boxall is also a former Diamond it could make tonight’s clash a fascinating affair indeed.

Newcastle Diamonds v Rye House Rockets

Sun 15 May 2011,  Newcastle Stadium,  PL KnockOut Cup

Newcastle’s Sapphire Engineering Diamonds completed their entrance exam and passed into the Knockout Cup quarter finals last night as they completed a good win over the Rye House Rockets at the Newcastle Stadium in the first stage of their defence of the trophy they won last season.

A mid-meeting bout of indigestion nearly scuppered the home side, and caused a few fans to lie down in a darkened room, but the Diamonds shone brightly to the end and alleviated all fears.

A Heat One 4-2 was gifted to Newcastle when the chasing Jordan Frampton crashed out on the last lap with the result awarded, whilst Heat Two was fortunate to end up a shared 3-3 with both Rocket Ben Morley and Diamond Richie Worrall fell, but the Newcastle man remounted and finished to score his point.

The Diamonds wound on the power from Heat Four with Matej Ferjan taking his first win in the black and white, with Worrall just taking third after a fine battle with both Rockets, Steve Boxall and Tyson Nelson to warm up the crowd on a chilly night with the score at 14-10, and on aggregate 53-49.

Stuart Robson and Claes Nedermark took a notable 5-1 over Frampton and Luke Bowen in the fifth, whilst guest man from Redcar, Jason Lyons scorched a fast win in Heat Six with skipper Sneddon succumbing to Boxall’s rearguard attention in the eventual 4-2, Newcastle now well ahead 23-13.

Heat Seven came to a grinding halt when Newman went down hard on bend three on the opening lap, but the fall was awkward and fast as he was launched into the fence, requiring extensive medical attention but amazingly walked back to the track and continued with his meeting, whilst the re-run was a disappointing 1-5 to the Rockets.

Heat Eight opened a can of worms with Nelson of Rye House lifting and falling on bend one, causing Worrall to fall as well, but the referee decreed that instead of an all four restart, or a one-man exclusion, he was excluding both fallers as he believed both fell in separate incidents, leading to a host of vociferous phone calls between managers and the official in charge.

The eventual re-run, a match race between Sneddon and Bowen ended up a win for the Rockets’ man in a 2-3 tightening the score to 25-21, and overall 65-60 with the Diamonds clinging on.

Ritchie Hawkins took a surprise win in the 10th, but it was Chris Neath who won a Titanic battle with Sneddon with passing and re-passing throughout to give Rye a dangerous 1-5 with the match and the tie now teetering on a knife edge, 30-29 on the night and 69-68 overall.

The Rockets amazingly took the lead in Heat 11 when Newman, having held out Bowen magnificently all race, made a monumental error which sent him to the rear as Rye took a 2-4, who led 32-33.

A miraculous ride from Ferjan took a big win in the 13th race and with Lyons expertly fending off both Boxall and Frampton, the vital home 5-1 put Newcastle back in front in the tie 79-76 (40-37 on the night) leading to a riveting climax to a great meeting.

Newman took the lead early in Heat 14, with Robson rounding Nelson on lap two to form a fine Newcastle 5-1 that brought the house down, and put the Diamonds into an unassailable lead, taking the tie and place in the place in the quarter finals against Somerset with one race left on the card.

Heat 15 took nearly 25 minutes to complete with the initial attempt being stopped by a starting gate failure, followed by a heavy fall for Nedermark on bend two which again stopped the race with the Diamond (suffering a left hand injury) excluded from the second re-start.

The fated Heat 15 came to a halt for a third time when Ritchie Hawkins fell on the third bend and again excluded from the fourth re-run, in which Boxall’s engine lost all power, leaving him on a bike doing half it’s normal speed resulting in his exclusion from the race for being lapped by Ferjan and Robson off the last bend of the race.

Team Manager George English said: “The lads gave us an unnecessary bout of nerves mid-match with too many points going to Rye House, but thankfully their class shone through again and we got the undoubted result we deserved by progressing to meet Somerset in the next round. Maybe next time they will eliminate the tense heart-in-your-mouth moments.”

Sol y Futbol: Champions, but still more games to win until promotion.

Ian joined in the celebrations but yet still had time to post his report - a star. Come on Lanzarote

LANZAROTE 3 C.D. VERA 1


U.D. Lanzarote are Champions of the Third division (fourth tier) following a comfortable home win and with the help of our good friends in Tenerife that beat Las Palmas B the Rojillos win the league title by a point.

The day began with Las Palmas B league leaders by two points but still needing a win away in Tenerife against 14th placed side C.D. Laguna. There was no way any Tenerife side even with nothing to play for would help their Canarian neighbours in any sporting contest so the Rojillos knew that if they did their job then all was up for grabs.

The Rojillos looked nervous in the opening stages and the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession but lacked ideas further up field.

In the 18th minute the Rojillos early nervousness all but ended when they were awarded a penalty following a push on striker Rosman. Rubén Rodriguez hit low towards the right hand post and even though the keeper got a hand to the ball the pace of the spot kick was too much and Lanzarote were 1-0 up.

The visitor’s best moment of the half came in the 34th minute; a goal bound shot inside the area by defender Aaron was blocked by a Lanzarote defender with a goal saving lunge.

Three minutes before the interval and Lanzarote put themselves in a commanding position. January signing Pedro controlled the ball inside the area and toe pocked his shot under the advancing keeper sending the Rojillos in for their half time cuppa with a 2-0 advantage.

Lanzarote came out for the second period with the determination to end the match as a contest as quickly as possible. Five minutes in and Pedro fed fellow striker Rosman but from 12 yards the Rojillos leading scorer blasted high and over.

The blistering heat was taking its toll on both sides and the game lacked a little penetration and errors for both sides were inevitable.

With 20 minutes remaining an error in the Rojillo defence allowed striker Yonny to squeeze between the two Lanzarote centre backs and fire home, putting his side within touching distance at 2-1.

If the local fans thought they might be in for a nervous ending Toñito eased the tension by restoring the two goal advantage two minutes after conceding. The Lanzarote winger fired in a beauty from 15 yards low and powerful beating the outstretched keeper and in to the left hand corner.

For the remainder of the match the Rojillos held possession and with the visitors having to chase the game in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees this proved to be an impossible task.

Lanzarote had now done what they had set out to do by beating the opposition so it was just an anxious few minutes to confirm that Laguna had beaten Las Palmas B and Lanzarote to be announced as Champions of the Third Division. With that confirmed the celebrations began.

As automatic promotion for sides below the second tier of football in Spain does not exist Lanzarote are still two games off an immediate return to Segunda B (league1).

On Monday evening the draw will take place to see which mainland club the Rojillos will face. The first play off will be Sunday coming and the return leg is a week later. When the time and date are announced I will update the page.

Whichever club wins will be promoted and the losers will still have another chance by joining the three remaining clubs who finished in the play off positions with one space available for promotion. In reality this means that there could still be another six matches remaining before the players can enjoy their summer holidays.

Whatever does happen this has been a fantastic season for Lanzarote by already qualifying for the Copa Del Rey and finishing as Champions. The Canary Isles has produced some quality players of late, David Silva (Man City) from Gran Canaria and Pedro (Barcelona) from Tenerife to name but a few. Many of Las Palmas first team are foreigners as are Tenerife whereas 90 per cent of Lanzarote´s squad are born and bred Conejeros (locals) so hats off to the Rojillos for finishing above both of their second teams.

An extra spur for the Rojillos is knowing that the relegation of Tenerife from Segunda A (Championship) will produce a memorable derby match should promotion be achieved.

GOALS

1-0min 18 Rubén Rodríguez (penalty)
2-0min 42 Pedro
2-1 min 70 Yonny
3-1 min 72 Toñito

NEWS UPDATE

Lanzarote´s next home game is the first leg of the play off final for promotion to Segunda B (league1) in Arrecife on Sunday 22nd May versus Burgos CF at (time to be confirmed)

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote in a nervous end to the season.

Ian Lane reports as Lanzarote head towards a nervous final week after last weekends defeat.

SAN ISIDRO 2 LANZAROTE 0


The Rojillos have had to endure a painful weekend. Losing in Tenerife and Las Palmas B scoring a 95th minute winner has left Lanzarote trailing the Gran Canarian side by two points with only one league match remaining.

The Rojillos can only blame themselves as the second from bottom side outplayed the league leaders and deservedly won the match with two second half goals making it a hat trick of consecutive wins. This has given San Isidro real hope of survival by only being two points from safety and with a game in hand on their rivals.

The home side dominated from the outset. The San Isidro two front men Tarek and Pacha both had chances to put their side in front. In the 20th minute Tarek headed over the bar from inside the six yard box and nine minutes later Pacha´s shot whistled past the upright.

The best chance to break the deadlock fell to the Tenerife side in the 37th minute. Striker Pacha was clean through but wasted too much time to pick his spot which allowed a defender to clear the danger with a last gasp block.

Lanzarote´s only strike in anger in the first half fell to Ayoze four minutes before the break. His effort was superbly saved by goalkeeper José Enrique who at full stretch palmed the ball to safety keeping the game scoreless at the half time interval.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first with the Tenerife side looking the most dangerous. Just after the hour mark the hosts deservedly took the lead. After several blocked shots at goal the ball fell to striker Pacha and he made no mistake firing the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Rojillos manager Quico de Diego made the necessary changes bringing on Jonathan Torres and Rúben Rodriguez but this did not alter the state of play. Only Jonathan Torres looked like producing any danger but when the Rojillos came close they were met by a confident looking goalkeeper.

The final nail in the coffin was hammered in three minutes into added on time. Jotha was adjudged to have brought down sub Jairo and midfielder Aday blasted home from the spot giving his side a deserved 2-0 victory.

With just one match remaining Las Palmas B do have the initiative but the league title is still far from a formality. Lanzarote must win at home next week against mid table side C.D. Vera whilst Las Palmas B have to travel to Tenerife and face 14th placed side C.D. Laguna. The Tenerife side will certainly not make life easy for their arch rivals and should Lanzarote win and Las Palmas B only manage a draw then Lanzarote would be declared league Champions on goal difference.

GOALS

1-0Pacha min 62
2-0Aday min 93 (penalty

Baseball: Big Inning Costs Captains in 9-6 Loss

The Lansing Lugnuts used a huge second inning to build an early lead and made it hold up as they defeated the Lake County Captains 9-6 on Sunday afternoon.


The Lugnuts took a 7-0 in the bottom of the second inning against Captains starter Mike Goodnight. The Lugnuts collected four hits but were aided by three Captains errors in sending eleven men to the plate.

The Captains rallied back in the top of the third inning when with two outs, Tyler cannon singled. Jesus Aguilar would reach on an error. Alex Monsalve would double home Cannon and Anthony Gallas singled home Aguilar and Monsalve and it was 7-3. The Captains tacked on a run in the top of the fourth inning when Carlos Moncrief singled home Nick Bartolone to the cut the Lansing lead to 7-4. It went to 7-5 in the top of the eighth inning when Moncrief singled home Argenis Martinez.

The Lugnuts got two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning when Michael Crouse hit a two run home run, his fifth dinger of the year and it was 9-5. The Captains added a run in the top of the ninth inning when Martinez doubled home Gallas to end the scoring at 9-6.

Goodnight (2-2) took the loss working 1.2 innings and allowing seven runs, three earned on five hits, walking one and striking out one. Jordan Cooper had a solid outing replacing Goodnight and working 3.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit while striking gout two. Nick Sarianides followed Cooper and went three scoreless innings allowing a hit, walking in and striking out one. Clayton Ehlert pitched the eighth inning and allowed two runs.

Lugnuts Starter Egan Smith did not factor in the decision either working three innings allowing three unearned runs on six hits, walking one and striking out four. Alex Pepe (2-1) came on in the fourth inning and threw two innings allowing one run on two hits, walking three and striking out three to get the win.

The Captains and Lugnuts conclude their three game series on Monday at 7:05 PM as the Captains will send LHP Mike Rayl (3-0, 2.08) to the bump against RHP Daniel Webb (2-1, 5.76). The game can be heard on AM 1330 WELW and on the internet at captainsbaseball.com.

The Captains return home on Friday to begin a six game home stand against West Michigan and Fort Wayne.

Individual game tickets are on sale at the Classic Park box office, online at captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Full season tickets plans, 7-, 12-, 20-, and 35-game mini ticket plans for the 2011 season are on sale now at great prices complete with several exclusive benefits. Information can be found at the Captains website www.captainsbaseball.com.

The Lake County Captains are a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and play their home games at Classic Park in Eastlake, at the corners of State Route 91 and Vine Street.

World in Union. Aviva Premiership comes to a thrilling climax, now the play-offs

Thank you to our friends at Aviva for providing us with the Premiership round-up.  This season we started our posts at week 13, we are pleased to announce as from next season it will be from the start of the tournament.  We will also be following the Cornish Pirates in the Championship.

On Saturday, Leicester Tigers, Saracens, Gloucester Rugby and Northampton Saints powered through to the Aviva Premiership Rugby Semi Final finishing in places one to four respectively after an exciting, memorable and hard-fought Aviva Premiership Rugby season at the top of professional club rugby in England.


Leicester Tigers will now face local rivals Northampton Saints in what promises to be an electric Midlands derby on Saturday 14th May at 15.15 at Welford Road. This will be followed the next day by the equally thrilling pairing of Saracens against Gloucester Rugby at 14.30 on Sunday 15th May at Vicarage Road. The winning club from each match will go through to the prestigious Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on Saturday 28th May at Twickenham Stadium where the Aviva Premiership Rugby Champions will be crowned.

Tickets for the Final are still available through Ticketmaster.

This weekend saw all Round 22 matches kick off at the same time on Saturday in a dramatic climax to the regular season.

At The Recreation Ground Bath couldn’t be faulted on effort by scoring four tries before halftime in an improbable chase for an Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final spot. Following the four tries by Sam Vesty, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Matt Carraro and Matt Banahan, Jacques Boussuge added another in the 76th minute. Newcastle replied with tries from Alex Tait and Luke Fielden. Bath settled for fifth place and Heineken Cup qualification while Newcastle Falcons narrowly escaped the relegation zone by finishing in 11th place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table. Final score: Bath Rugby 42, Newcastle Falcons 12.

At Sandy Park Exeter Chiefs finished their season with a flourish as two second-half tries earned them a tenth Aviva Premiership Rugby win of the season to leapfrog London Wasps and finish a very respectable eighth with Wasps in ninth position. Christian Wade scored for Wasps in the first half but Exeter fought back in the second half with tries from Tom Johnson and Matt Jess. Final score: Exeter Chiefs 21, London Wasps 8.

Over at Kingsholm Gloucester Rugby claimed their place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final in style with a crushing win over Sale Sharks. The power of the home pack and some brilliant attacking play from Charlie Sharples and Henry Trinder who scored five of Gloucester’s 10 tries, ensured there was no fairytale ending to the distinguished Sale careers of Charlie Hodgson and Chris Jones. Final score: Gloucester Rugby 68, Sale Sharks 17.

Saracens will head into their Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final against Gloucester on the crest of a wave after rounding off the regular season with an 11th consecutive victory over Harlequins who finished in seventh position. Owen Farrell’s second-half contribution of a try, conversion and penalty ultimately proved the difference after the two sides had been locked 6-6 at a packed Twickenham Stoop Stadium. Final score: Harlequins 13, Saracens 16.

Leeds Carnegie blew a 21-point lead at Franklin’s Gardens and finished bottom of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table to face the relegation drop. The West Yorkshire club’s fate will not be decided for another 11 days when the Championship play-offs are decided. Neil Back’s men gave Heineken Cup finalists Northampton Saints an early shock with tries from England flanker Hendre Fourier, his back-row colleague Rhys Oakley and wing Pete Wackett. Saints, needing two points to secure a title play-off place, were at sixes and sevens at 24-3 adrift before normal service was eventually resumed through scores by skipper Phil Dowson and England wing Chris Ashton either side of a penalty try. Final score: Northampton Saints 31, Leeds Carnegie 24.

At Welford Road, Leicester Tigers produced an astonishing final 10 minutes to steal a dramatic victory over London Irish, who finished in sixth position. London Irish were leading 23-13 with just 10 minutes to go before Tigers scored three tries courtesy of Anthony Allen, Tom Croft and Alesana Tuilagi, to record a stunning victory and leave London Irish devastated. Final score: Leicester Tigers 32, London Irish 23.

Kult & Punk: St Pauli relegated after Capital Punishment

There is still a match left, but this was relegation for St Pauli.  Kult and Punk were last seen heading into Zoe's Bar.  A game of darts, table football and 'table top space invaders was the order of the day, a bar room olympics. Before you can say Borussia Mönchengladbach the season is over and St Pauli head towards Bundesliga 2.


FC Bayern München put in a devastating display to earn at least a Champions League play-off spot with an 8-1 hammering of FC St. Pauli, whose relegation to the 2. Bundesliga is now confirmed.

Comfortably ahead by the break thanks to goals from Daniel van Buyten and Mario Gomez, the visiting Bavarians tore into their hosts in the second period as Gomez completed a hat-trick and wing wizards Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery each grabbed a brace. Marcel Eger's first goal of the season for St. Pauli between times was hardly worth the consolation as Bayern racked up their highest-ever away victory in the Bundesliga.

Individual errors

With kick-off delayed owing to an emotional standing ovation for departing St. Pauli boss Holger Stanislawski, the hosts appeared to take the atmosphere on board and surprisingly dominated possession during the opening exchanges. However, another individual error so symptomatic of their season left the Kiezkicker trailing with just ten minutes gone. Markus Thorandt was the culprit as he got into all kinds of trouble dealing with a Thomas Müller cross. Gomez took full advantage, bundling past Thomas Kessler for the opener.

Having slipped into the lead, Bayern remained poor value but did go close two minutes later when Bastian Schweinsteiger collected a Ribery pass in the box and struck inches wide, before Müller tested Kessler with another effort from the angle. Still the home side, buoyed by their resident support, matched the Rekordmeister in almost all departments without managnig to threaten themselves.

Thorandt luckless

And so it was all the more frustrating when the Bavarians doubled their lead with another scrappy goal just past the half-hour mark. Robben's inswinging corner was glanced goalwards by van Buyten, but the decisive touch came from the hapless Thorandt, who diverted beyond the flailing Kessler. St. Pauli did eventually ask questions of the Bayern defence when Dennis Daube went through on goal approaching the interval, but FCB keeper Hans-Jörg Butt was alert to the danger and denied well.

St. Pauli made two changes at the break in the hope of still turning the game and offered the Millerntor faithful a glimmer of hope when Florian Lechner whistled a fine right-foot from effort from distance off the bar, but sadly for Stanislawski and his side it was FCB who swiftly seized the second-half initiative. Gomez grabbed his second of the day to make it 3-0, sliding a brilliant ball infield from Robben under Kessler from the right of the box. Just two minutes later and it was four, Robben this time getting in on the act with a simple close-range finish from Müller's square ball.

Ribery rubs it in

Cruising, Bayern really began to enjoy themselves in the latter stages and knocked in their fifth with a quarter of an hour remaining, Ribery tucking in the rebound from a woeful miss by Gomez. Eger did head in Max Kruse's corner at the other end to give the home fans something to cheer, but their smiles soon returned to frowns as Robben headed home free in the box from a Ribery cross.

Still the misery wasn't quite over for what is now certain to be the Bundesliga's bottom club. Gomez did his chances of topping the scoring charts no harm by completing his hat-trick on 86 minutes, just about managing to slot in his 27th of the campaign following some unselfish play in the box by Robben. Ribery then made it an excruciating eight, smashing in from 25 yards to cap an exhibition-like afternoon for the Munich Reds. A miserable end for Stanislawski following an otherwise very happy 18 years at the helm. Bayern are meanwhile unassailable in third - with second place very much still in their sights.

Line-ups:

St. Pauli: Kessler - Lechner, Thorandt (Bruns 46'), Morena, Eger - Daube, Lehmann (Kalla 68') - Bartels, Takyi (Ebbers 46'), Kruse - Asamoah

Bayern: Butt - Lahm, van Buyten, Luiz Gustavo (Badstuber 43'), Contento - Tymoshchuk, Schweinsteiger (Kroos 69') - Robben, T. Müller (Klose 69'), Ribery - Gomez

Goals: 0-1 Gomez (10'), 0-2 van Buyten (32'), 0-3 Gomez (52'), 0-4 Robben (54'), 0-5 Ribery (75'), 1-5 Eger (79'), 1-6 Robben (84'), 1-7 Gomez (86'), 1-8 Ribery (88')

Andy James

Super Rugby. Reds in bonus point win against the Rebels.

The Reds lived up to their pre-match billing as the premier Australian exponents of Super Rugby, triumphing 33-18 against the RaboDirect Rebels at AAMI Park. The bonus point win cements the Reds at the top of the Australian conference and moves them, at least temporarily, into second place on the overall ladder. Compounding the defeat, the Rebels, with a daunting trip to South Africa to follow, lost James Hilgendorf and Mark Gerrard to injuries during an at-times heated contest.


The result was much closer than when these sides met in round five and but for some inaccurate goal-kicking the Rebels could have been in with a shout. Ultimately the potent Reds attack proved too hot for the Rebels to handle.

It wasn’t all bad news for the Rebels as another healthy attendance of 16,593 had the opportunity of stepping onto the AAMI Park turf to celebrate the boutique stadium’s anniversary.

The Rebels fired out of the blocks full of purpose and an early Julian Huxley penalty put the pressure straight on the conference leaders. A second attempt inside the opening ten minutes failed to find the target but the opening phases were all played deep in Reds territory.

The Rebels pressed hard to build on their early score, with the best chance falling to Peter Betham, but the young winger spilled a sharp inside ball ten metres from the line. The home side was left to pay for failing to convert their early dominance, as 3-0 became 3-15 midway through the half.

First, Quade Cooper stroked over a simple penalty to level the scores, before Scott Higginbotham demolished the Rebels’ defence to claim the game’s first try. After Michael Lipman had spilled the ball in midfield, the powerful Reds flanker stormed down the right wing, dismissing three Rebels tackles before taking James Hilgendorf over with him for the score.

Before the Rebels had chance to draw breath, the Reds had extended their lead. Radike Samo the second back-rower to cross after being given the freedom of the Rebels’ midfield. After missing his first attempt Cooper couldn’t fail to convert a second time from underneath the posts.

Another Cooper penalty rewarded more Reds pressure but just as the game looked to be imitating the reverse fixture in Brisbane, the Rebels hit back. James Hilgendorf’s try dragged his side back into the contest but he was dragged out of it in the same passage. A despairing Samo tackle almost denied the Rebels’ flyhalf and in doing so caused the try-scorer to twist both knees badly beneath him. After missing the conversion, Huxley realigned at five-eighth as Hilgendorf was carried off the ground.

Cooper’s third penalty stifled the Rebels’ comeback and his side’s third try restored the healthy lead.

After ploughing through the middle of the ground the Reds had a scarcely believable three-man overlap on the right wing. The widest of the three, Dom Shipperley, was found by a Will Genia kick who had the easiest of tasks in gathering and touching down.

Despite the halftime siren sounding shortly after the restart, there was still time for Huxley to miss his second penalty of the night, resulting in the sides taking a break with the Reds 26-8 in front.

The second half was played with greater circumspection than the first but when Mike Harris was sin-binned on 56-minutes for a deliberate offside, the Rebels sensed the game was still alive.

That sense was strengthened when, from the resulting penalty, Afusipa Taumoepeau scored a try in the left corner. After the tight five probed through the middle, the Rebels cycled the ball wide and an audacious reverse flicked pass from Huxley created the opening for substitute Taumoepeau to dive over. Huxley failed to convert from the touchline, but with a man advantage and the Rebel Army finding its voice, the game was far from over.

Such optimism was extinguished on 63-minutes however, when Victorian, Digby Ioane, jinked his way through to score under the posts and take the Reds’ lead back out to 20 points.

With five minutes remaining, Peter Betham’s try typified the Rebels’ never-say-die attitude. Stirling Mortlock, taking over kicking duties, missed the conversion, the Rebels’ fifth missed kick out of six on the night.

Melbourne Rebels

1. Greg Somerville, 2. Ged Robinson, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Alister Campbell, 5. Hugh Pyle, 6. Hoani Macdonald, 7. Michael Lipman, 8. Gareth Delve (vc), 9. Nick Phipps, 10. James Hilgendorf, 11. Peter Betham, 12. Stirling Mortlock (c), 13. Mark Gerrard, 14. Lachlan Mitchell, 15. Julian Huxley

Reserves: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Nic Henderson, 18. Adam Byrnes, 19. Tim Davidson, 20. Sam Cordingley, 21. Cooper Vuna, 22. Afusipa Taumoepeau

Head Coach: Rod Macqueen

Reds

1. Ben Daley, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. James Slipper, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. James Horwill (c), 6. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Beau Robinson, 8. Radike Samo, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Michael Harris, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 14. Luke Morahan, 15. Ben Lucas

Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Guy Shepherdson, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Jake Schatz, 20. Will Chambers, 22. Dom Shipperley, 25. Ian Prior

Head Coach: Ewen McKenzie

Speedway. Diamonds have anothey very busy weekend.

Another busy weekend for the Diamonds. Lawrence Heppell reports from both meetings.


Somerset Rebels v Newcastle Diamonds



Fri 29 Apr 2011, Oak Tree Arena, Premier League

The Sapphire Engineering Diamonds, with their dire straits in terms of losing two number ones in the space of three weeks were expected to be lambs to the slaughter at the Somerset Rebels last night, but after five races the Tynesiders were still very much in touch, sadly a trend that did not continue.

Newcastle's new Slovenian International, Matej Ferjan finally came good, taking seven excellently fought for points indicating he could well be a new Geordie hero yet.

Leicester's Russian star Sergey Darkin was in as a guest for collar bone victim, Mark Lemon, but struggled to reflect his domination, taking a sedentary third in his first two races.

Come the end of Heat Three the Rebels led 11-7, but new heat leader, Matej Ferjan stormed away from the gate to take a huge win in the fourth and with Richie Worrall successfully held our James Holder for a Diamonds 2-4 advantage narrowing the gap to 13-11.

Sam Masters and Christian Hefenbrock left Darkin and Derek Sneddon in their dust in the Heat Five home maximum, extending the gap to six, which opened the flood gates dramatically despite another great start from Ferjan in the sixth race which he led well until Jason Doyle rounded him on lap one.

Former Newcastle 2010 reserve Dakota North chased down the Slovenian hard and just sneaked round Ferjan too with only a yard left in the race for another Rebels' 5-1 taking the score to 23-13.

Heats Seven and Eight went the same way with two easily take Home 5-1s leaving Newcastle straggling some 18 points down, 33-15, before Ferjan again became the hero of the hour to shoot off at a rate of knots in Heat Nine, heading Hefenbrock into bend one before barnstorming a big win for three points in a Diamonds' 2-4, but the task ahead was still in massive proportions.

With 10 being shared 3-3, Darkin finally found his feet in Heat 11, barging hard his way under Cory Gathercole who had to drift very close to the fence, allowing the Russian through, but fought back, with North, to give Darkin a hard time, but the three points went deservedly to Newcastle in a second shared 3-3 (41-25).

Claes Nedermark was named as the tactical rider in Heat 12 to score double points, and having performed a similar move to Darkin under Hefenbrock on bend one, shot away to win with ease for six points, and with Kyle Newman taking third, the 2-7 to Newcastle narrowed the score by five to 43-32.

Following a home 5-1 in the 13th Stuart Robson came out in Heat 14 as Newcastle's second and final tactical ride and again made a start to die for, shooting out into an unassailable lead for six more good points and again with Newman in third the 2-7 took Newcastle to within 10 once more, 50-40 with the final race shared, overall ten points down could have been a whole lot worse.

Team manager George English said: "We are showing sparks again that we have a team capable of good things, and once we all spark as one, all at the same time I think we'll be getting some good wins, both home and away."

Newcastle Diamonds v Sheffield Tigers

Sun 01 May 2011, Newcastle Stadium, Premier League

Desperate to bounce back from recent defeats, including at Brough Park last Monday the Newcastle “Sapphire Engineering” Diamonds went into last night’s Premier League match against the Sheffield Tigers knowing second best would not be good enough.

The eventual home win however came after the Diamonds were 18-30 down after only seven races, and no chance of a win, but following a lively and animated team talk with team manager George English the team got on with the job in hand and performed one of the most magnificent home comebacks most fans could remember.

Unfortunately the match got off to an awful start for Newcastle, with Kevin Doolan, Diamonds’ guest for the inured Mark Lemon and Derek Sneddon fell asleep at the gate in Heat One as the vibrant Ricky Ashworth and Emiliano Sanchez roared away for a 1-5 result.

A second 1-5 was rescued when both Kyle Newman and Richie Worrall soared round Ashley Birks on lap two to share the race, and with a first race win for Newcastle coming from Stuart Robson in third, initially looking like a home 5-1 until Josh Auty man-handled Claes Nedermark out of the way to reduce the score to 4-2.

The team exchanged more 4-2s in Heats four and five, before Shane Parker, not known for doing well at the Tyneside track took Heat six brilliantly ahead of Doolan in a 2-4, but with Matej Ferjan and Newman out in front, Hugh Skidmore launched himself round both on bend two, whilst Auty repeated the task more sedately passing one then the other on bend four of laps two and three for a Tigers’ 1-5, putting the visitors 17-25 up.

Sanchez and Lambert again used the “home specialist” fast line off bend two to round Sneddon and Worrall in the seventh to put Sheffield 18-30 ahead in a shock collapse of form from the Diamonds.

Robson came out in the ninth as a tactical ride for double points, and shot out of the traps to lead well with Nedermark battling with Parker, and after a dodgy second lap took a good second place to complete a triumphant Newcastle 8-1 to tighten the match nicely to 26-31.

With another Newcastle 4-2 in the 10th, Newman rode the race of his life in Heat 11, racing to the front on the first bend and holding out the vastly experienced pairing of Ashworth and Sanchez out for all four laps to split the heat well and hold the score deficit to 33-36.

Heat 12 came to a bizarre halt on bend two when Auty appeared to have his foot run over by Worrall, with both riders falling, but it was the Tiger who needed extensive medical attention to attend to his injuries after which he walked back into the pits.

That re-run produced another clash between the two before a Sheffield 4-2 was eventually achieved, before Newman produced another cracking race in Heat 13, blasting to the front with Doolan riding a superbly intelligent second place to fend off Ashworth and Parker and preserve a vital 5-1, as Newcastle pulled within one point of Sheffield, 40-41.

Newcastle finally took the lead for the first time as the rejuvenated home side saw Robson lead 14 from the off with Newman again excelling to nab a second place making the score 45-42 with one race to go.

Robson completed an immaculate full maximum by taking Heat 15 in style as part of a Newcastle 4-2, the home side winning 49-44 in the most unbelievable comeback seen in North East speedway for some considerable time.

George English, team manager of the Diamonds, said: “We were dead in the water mid-way through this match, and looked completely incapable of any success, but we had an emergency team meeting in the interval and, well what can I say, the lads responded magnificently with them all upping their game.

"Stuart was simply inspirational in his encouragement and was totally instrumental in our eventual success, not only scoring point on track but motivating our lads in the pits.

“Young Kyle Newman who rode so very well too, was magnificent with his exceptional wins over the best of opposition, and with Kevin piling up good points too we really deserved this win – superb!

“It was very, very satisfying!”