England’s group opener may prove pivotal today

November 30, 2012

dubai_rug

Dubai, November 30: England’s opening game against South Africa at 11.20am today will be an early barometer of the Red Roses’ contention for an Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens hat-trick this weekend. Having won here in Dubai for the last two seasons, Ben Ryan’s squad now face tough early tests in Pool C against the Springboks, Samoa and Portugal. After a bowl final loss to Spain in round one of the nine leg HSBC Sevens World Series at Australia’s Gold Coast Sevens last month, England are now 10th in the overall series standings with all to play for in round two in Dubai.

South Africa meanwhile finished third in Australia, losing out to eventual winners Fiji in the semi-finals of the Cup.

Samoa, who England play at 3.28pm today, also topped their group in Australia beating England in the group phase 19-17.

Portugal, whom England lost to 14-12 during the group phase of 2010 Dubai Rugby Sevens, are also no pushovers. England will play them in their last game of the day at 5.44pm. The Portuguese are tied for 15th in the standings with Tonga on one point apiece. They finished bottom of their group at the Gold Coast and failed to score on their way to a Shield semi-final exit.

Fiji and New Zealand pose the biggest threat should England emerge from their group unscathed. Winning at Gold Coast, thanks to an all-star performance from Joji Ragamate who top scored with 59 points, the Fijians are now on course for a hat-trick of consecutive events. They ended last season with victory in London and maintained form heading into the new campaign this season with honours at the Gold Coast.

Playing Spain first up in Pool A from 9.50am Friday, the Fijians then play Scotland at 1.36pm and Kenya at 6.58pm, in what appears to be an easy route into the competition.

Kenya, managed by former England coach Mike Friday, however, could provide an upset having knocked out hosts Australia in the Gold Coast in the Cup quarters 21-14, only to lose to the Kiwis in the semis. While Fiji top the standings on 22 points, Kenya are fourth on 15 points and demand recognition in one of their strongest starts to a campaign.

Ten times series champions and the current series holders New Zealand are second on 19 points and face Wales at 10.36am, Russia at 2.22pm and Argentina at 7.22pm in Pool B.

An improving Argentine side, fifth in the tables on 13 points pose the Kiwis biggest hurdle, but the Welsh will be looking to salvage pride from a difficult opener.




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Agencies
April 12,2020

London, Apr 12: Former Formula 1 legendary driver Stirling Moss died at the age of 90 on Sunday.

"All at F1 send our heartfelt condolences to Lady Susie and Sir Stirling's family and friends," Formula 1 said in a statement.

Often referred to as the greatest driver never to win the world championship, Moss contested 66 Grands Prix from 1951 to 1961, driving for the likes of Vanwall, Maserati and Mercedes, where he famously formed a contented and ruthlessly effective partnership with lead driver Juan Manuel Fangio.

In his 10-year-long stint at the tracks, Moss took 16 wins, some of which rank among the truly iconic drives in the sport's history - his 1961 victories in Monaco and Germany in particular often held up as all-time classics.

Moss won the 1955 Mille Miglia on public roads for Mercedes at an average speed of close to 100mph, while he also competed in rallies and land-speed attempts.

Following an enforced retirement from racing (barring a brief comeback in saloon cars in the 1980s) after a major crash at Goodwood in 1962, Moss maintained a presence in Formula 1 as both a sports correspondent and an interested observer, before retiring from public life in January of 2018.

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News Network
February 29,2020

Feb 29: India were all out for 242 in their first innings following a stunning battling collapse, triggered by paceman Kyle Jamieson on the opening day of the second cricket Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, here on Saturday.

India were steady at 194 for five at tea but lost wickets in quick succession after the play resumed. Jamieson returned figures of 14-3-45-5.

Hanuma Vihari top-scored for India with his combative 55 while Prithvi Shaw (54) and Cheteshwar Pujara (54) hit contrasting half-centuries.

Virat Kohli's (3) poor run continued while his deputy Ajikya Rahane (7) also fell cheaply.

India lost last five wickets for 48 runs, of which 26 were contributed by last-wicket pair of Mohammed Shami (16) and Jasprit Bumrah (10).

Brief Scores:

India 1st innings: 242 all out in 63 overs. (H Vihari 55, P Shaw 54, C Pujara 54 batting; Kyle Jamieson 5/45, Tim Southee 2/38, ).

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Agencies
February 20,2020

New Delhi, Feb 20: Grappler Divya Kakran on Thursday became the second Indian woman to win a gold medal at the ongoing Asian Wrestling Championship.

Divya, a bronze medallist at Asian Games 2018, earned her first gold by winning all her four bouts against Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Japan.

Her final bout against Naruha Matsuyuki of Japan was the closest one but she managed to outclass her opponent 6-4 to seal her name on the gold medal. The 68 kg category was played in round-robin format as only five wrestlers were in the fray.

India is likely to add some more medals to its tally when Nirmala Devi, Pinki, and Sarita go out to grapple for the yellow metal in their respective weight categories.

Three-time Commonwealth championship gold medallist, Nirmala Devi (50 kg) first defeated Munkhnar Byambasuren of Mongolia in the quarterfinals by 6-4 to reach the semis.

In the semi-finals, Nirmala got the better of Dauletbike Yakhshimuratova of Uzbekistan by 10-0 and will play against 2018 Under-23 World Champion Miho Igarashi of Japan for the gold medal.

Pinki (55 kg) started her day on a winning note against Shokhida Akhmedova of Uzbekistan by 12-4 in round 3 and lost to Kana Higashikawa of Japan to enter the semis where she defeated Marina Zuyeva of Kazakistan by a score of 6-0.

Pinki will play in the gold medal bout against Dulguun Bolormaa of Mongolia.

Sarita (59 kg) will now face Battsetseg Altantsetseg of Mongolia in the gold medal bout after winning against her opponents in the qualifiers, quarterfinals and semi-final by a score of 10-0, 11-0 and 10-3, respectively.

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