Issue 5, 6th December 1995: SPORTING ROUNDUP
By Charles Hirst.
Forest Hold Out Lyon to Remain in European
Contention(6/12/95)
Coventry Springing Leaks(4/12/95)
Arsenal Draw a Blank With Blackburn(27/11/95)
England Rediscover Goal Scring Touch(16/11/95)
Forest Hold Out Lyon to Remain in European Contention(6/12/95)
Notts Forest 0 Lyon 0. (Forest win 1 0 on aggregate)
Nottingham Forest resisted a barrage of Lyon attacks in their UEFA cup game last night (5/12/95), to hold on for the draw that they needed to take them through to the quarter finals of the competition.
The single goal scored by McGregor for Forest in the first leg, was enough to secure the tie for them. Before they could celebrate their triumph however, Forest had to endure a barrage of Lyon assaults at their goal.
Frank Clark's team were pinned into their own half and often found it difficult even to break out of thier own penalty area, let alone into the french teams territory. Wave upon wave of white shirts came at Forest, but their resistance remained firm, none more so than Colin Cooper who stood out amongst the best of the Forest defenders. All of them, though deserved the credit of the 2000 or so travelling Nottingham fans, who rejoiced in the lock out.
The frustration of the Lyon team became increasingly evident, as Crossley made a series of excellent saves, as the shots rained in. Maurice and Giully again looked the pick of the French outfit, although Claude Rivenet looked mennacing on the right flank and Bardon probed down the left.
The only times Forest did mannage to break, it was mostly through Steve Stone, who scampered down the right wing, teasing the French backs with his runs. But these outings were far and few between, as Forest played predominantly with their backs to the wall. With Forest maintaining English interest in Europe, they have brought a modicum of achievement back to our representation in European competition. The next round will be played in March, after what will be a tiring period of domestic fixtures.
Coventry Springing Leaks(4/12/95)
Sheff Wednesday 4 Cventry City 3
Coventry City are a sinking ship. They are springing leaks in their defense that no amount of good work up front, is able to patch up. Dion Dublin scored his first hatrick for the club against Sheff Wed, but still saw his team lose the game. Dublin put City into the lead three times, only for his defence to conceed four.
Dublin scored his first in the 16th minute, but Guy Whittingham struck for Wednesday six minutes later. Dublin's second was a tap in after Pressman failed to collect Salako's shot, but three minutes later, Hirst equalized again. Dublin's hatrick came as he headed in from a corner, but Degryse and Bright combined to set up Wednesday's third. Bright secured Wednesday's first home victory since August in the 72nd minute, leaving City to rue their defensive lapses. Coventry have now not won a game for 14 matches, and are taking on water at a rate that even big Ron Atkinson will be alarmed at.
The City boys better start bailing out and fast, ir premiership gallian wil sink.
Arsenal Draw a Blank With Blackburn(27/11/95)
Arsenal 0 Blackburn 0
A dreary afternoon at Highbury, saw no relief provided by the football, as Arsenal drew a blank with last seasons champions, Blackburn. Billed as a crucial clash for both parties, it appeared that they had missed out on the hype, as both teams looked content to sit back and accept the draw.
Arsenal were forced to reshape their over defensive formation, when Martin Keown took a knock mid way through the first half and failed to run it off. He was replaced by Glen Helder, who immediatley brought life to the game, lighting up the left flank with his deft touches and electric pace.
Few chances were made, but Blackburn had a great effort blocked by Dixon, who slid in to deny Newell on the line. Paul Merson cracked a 25 yarder, which Flowers did well to push round his left upright.
Match referee, Graham Poll, inflicted the crowd to a dreadful stop - start regime, blowing his whistle it seemed almost at random. He booked a total of seven players, in a game that was never over aggresive.
The second half brought a little more entertainment, with Merson becoming fully deployed in his typical roving role. Blackburn's defence, however, held firm under the leadership of Colin Hendry. Platt and Hartson both had good efforts saved by Flowers as Arsenal put their foot down on the pressure pedal. The Gunners won a total of 9 corners to Blackburn's 1, but Blackburn perhaps had the best chance of the game.
Le Saux took a free kick from just outside the area, Shearer headed back across the goal for Newell to head goalbound. Seaman made an acrobatic save to keep Arsenal in the game.
The point secured from the draw, takes Arsenal one point clear of Aston Villa, into third place. Ahead of them are Man Utd, who have a game in hand and Newcastle, who are currently six points clear at the top.
FA Carling Premiership Results
Monday 4th December
Sheff Wed 4 Coventry 3
Sunday 3rd December
Wimbledon 3 Newcastle 3
Saturday 2nd December
Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 1
Blackburn 4 West Ham 2
Bolton 1 Forest 1
Leeds 0 Man City 1
Liverpool 1 Southampton 1
Man Utd 1 Chelsea 1
QPR 1 Middlesbrough 1
Tottenham 0 Everton 0
Monday 27th November
Notts Forest 1 Man Utd 1
Sunday 26th November
Arsenal 0 Blackburn 0
Saturday 25th November
Chelsea 0 Spurs 0
Coventry 3 Wimbledon 3
Everton 2 Sheff Wed 2
Man City 1 Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 2 Liverpool 1
Newcastle 2 Leeds 1
Southampton 1 Bolton 0
West Ham 1 QPR 0
Wednesday 22 November
Chelsea 3 Bolton 2
Coventry 0 Man Utd 4
Everton 2 QPR 0
Man City 1 Wimbledon 0
West Ham 0 Liverpool 0
Tuesday 21 November
Arsenal 4 Sheff Wed 2
Middlesbrough 0 Tottenham 1
Monday 20th November
Southampton 0 Aston Villa 1
Sunday 19th November
QPR 1 Coventry 1
Saturday 18th November
Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1
Blackburn 7 Notts Forest 0
Bolton 0 West Ham 3
Leeds 1 Chelsea 0
Liverpool 1 Everton 2
Man Utd 4 Southampton 1
Sheff Wed 1 Man City 1
Tottenham 2 Arsenal 1
Wimbledon 0 Middlesbrough 0
FA Carling Premiership League Table
P W D L F A W D L F A Pts
Newcastle 16 8 0 0 20 4 4 3 1 16 10 39
Man Utd 16 6 2 0 18 6 4 2 2 15 9 34
Arsenal 16 5 3 0 14 6 3 2 2 8 5 29
Aston Villa 16 4 3 1 10 5 4 1 3 10 7 28
Tottenham 16 3 2 3 9 9 4 4 0 13 8 27
Middlesbrough 16 5 2 1 10 4 2 4 2 5 6 27
Nottm Forest 15 4 3 0 15 7 2 5 1 10 15 26
Liverpool 16 5 2 1 18 5 2 2 4 10 10 25
Leeds 15 5 0 3 10 8 2 3 2 10 9 24
Blackburn 16 6 1 1 24 7 0 2 6 3 12 21
Chelsea 16 3 4 1 10 8 2 2 4 5 10 21
Everton 16 3 2 3 11 11 2 3 3 8 8 20
West Ham 16 2 3 3 8 12 3 2 3 9 8 20
Sheff Wed 16 2 2 4 8 12 2 3 3 10 11 17
Southamton 16 3 2 3 9 9 1 2 5 7 17 16
Man City 16 3 2 3 4 5 1 1 6 4 17 15
Wimbledon 16 2 3 3 12 14 1 1 6 10 22 13
QPR 16 1 3 4 8 15 2 0 6 4 9 12
Bolton 16 2 3 3 7 11 0 0 8 8 20 9
Coventry 16 1 3 4 8 16 0 3 5 9 20 9
FA Carling Premiership Leading Goalscorers
L F C E O T
Shearer (Blackburn) 16 0 5 0 0 21
Ferdinand (Newcastle) 17 0 3 0 0 20
Fowler (Liverpool) 11 0 2 0 0 13
Sheringham (Tottenham) 10 0 3 0 0 13
Yeboah (Leeds) 9 0 1 3 0 13
Wright (Arsenal) 7 0 5 0 0 12
Scholes (Man Utd) 7 0 2 1 0 10
Holdsworth (Wimbledon) 6 0 4 0 0 10
Bergkamp (Arsenal) 6 0 3 0 0 9
Yorke (Aston Villa) 6 0 3 0 0 9
L=League, F=FA Cup, C=Coca Cola Cup,
E=European, O=Other, T=Total.
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England Squad Announced; Still no Place for Ince(6/12/95)
Terry Venables has announced his England squad, for next weeks friendly against Portugal. There were some notable absentees from his list or recruits, such as Paul Ince who has again been ingnored. Also passed over was the in form Arsenal man, Paul Merson.
Venables has issued assurances that at this stage his squad is still open to changes before next summer's European Finals to be hosted in England. However those who are left out will be feeling increasingly adrift as the squad is taking a familiar look to it.
Ince has been overlooked since turning down his place for England during last summer's Umbro Cup competition. His lack fo commitment to the England squad then, has obviously impeeded his chances of a recall. The only change to the squad is the inclusion of Nick Barmby, who comes back after injury, in place of Pallister, who is unavaillable.
The Squad
Seaman (Arsenal), Flowers (Blackburn), Walker (Spurs), Neville (Man Utd), Jones (Liverpool), Adams (Arsenal), Howey (Newcastle), Pearce (Notts Forest), Le Saux (Blackburn), Southgate (Aston Villa), Sinclair (QPR), Stone (Forest),Redknapp (Liverpool), Platt (Arsenal), Gascoigne (Rangers), Lee (Newcastle), McManaman (Liverpool), Wise (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Newcastle), Beardsley (Newcastle), Barmby (Middlesbrough), Sheringham (Spurs), Shearer (Blackburn).
Sellars Moves to Bolton
Scott Sellars has signed for Bolton Wanderers from Newcastle, for GBP750,000. He is expected to make his debut for them this Saturday against Liverpool. Sellars has failed to reclaim his first team place with Newcastle after recovering from a knee ligament operation last October. Bolton have also spent GBP100,000 on Plymouth midfielder Wayne Burnet.
Newcastle have two tough cup clashes ahead of them, having drawn Chelsea in the FA Cup and Arsenal in the Coca Cola Cup. Other major FA draws include Derby at home to Leeds and the holders, Everton play Rochdale, as Arsenal take on Sheff Utd.
Blackburn Players Bring Disgrace on England(23/11/95)
Graeme Le Saux, David Batty and Tim Sherwood were involved in a disgraceful brawl during their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Spartak Moscow. Incredibly the fight was amongst themselves, as Batty and Le Saux went to claim the same ball and ended up colliding. Le Saux preceded to rain punches at Batty, who retaliated and Sherwood piled in as an aggressive peace keeper.
Blackburn have been flying the flag for England in European competition this season, albeit at half mast, with only one point and one goal from five games. This pitch battle, on the European stage has brought another blow to British football's reputation, having only recently been allowed back into European action.
The club is expected to bring disciplinary action against the players, but a ban impeeded by the FA would not be too heavy a recompense for this unseemly affair.
Bath v Wigan; Proposed Union and League Challenge(6/12/95)
The proposal of a two match series to be played between the champions of Rugby Union and Rugby League, may be set for next May. The games could possibly be held at Twickenham and Old Trafford,a nd would be regarded as a symbolic gesture between the two rival bodies.
The clash would probably generate something in the region of two millio pounds if it went ahead. Negotiations are currently under way, but it is believed that both clubs a keen on the fixture.
The proposal comes at a time that the RFU are coming under attack from northern Labour MPs, for discriminating against Rugby League. Anger has been expressed over the RFU's refusal to lift it's archaic ban on "returning" Rugby League players. Orrell, who have been attempting to recrute the forces of Nigel Heslop and Martin Strett, have been frustrated by the RFU's ban.
Latest scores from Englands tour of South Africa
First Test is Washed Out.
Mighty Mike the Magnificent
Scoreboard
England vs South Africa (2nd Test)
South Africa 1st Innings A C Hudson c Stewart b Cork 0 G Kirsten c Russell b Malcolm 110 W J Cronje c Russell b Cork 35 D J Cullinan c Russell b Hick 69 J N Rhodes c Russell b Cork 5 B M McMillan lbw b Cork 35 D J Richardson c Russell b Malcolm 0 S M Pollock c Smith b Malcolm 33 C E Eksteen c Russell b Cork 13 M W Pringle not out 10 A A Donald b Malcolm 0 Extras 22 Total 332 2nd Innings A C Hudson c Russell b Fraser 17 G Kirsten c Russell b Malcolm 1 W J Cronje c Russell b Cork 48 D J Cullinan c Gough b Cork 61 J N Rhodes c Russell b Fraser 57 B M McMillan not out 100 D Richardson c Ramprakash b Malcolm 23 S M Pollock lbw Cork 5 C E Eksteen c Russell b Cork 2 M W Pringle c Hick b Fraser 2 A A Donald not out 9 Extras 21 Total (9 wckts dec) 346 England 1st Innings M A Atherton b Donald 9 A J Stewart c Kirsten b Pringle 45 M R Ramprakash b Donald 4 G P Thorpe c Kirsten b Eksteen 34 G A Hick c and b Eksteen 6 R A Smith c and b McMillan 52 R C Russell c Rhodes b Eksteen 12 D G Cork c Cullinan b Pollock 8 D Gough c and b Pollock 2 A R C Fraser lbw Pollock 0 D E Malcolm not out 0 Extras 28 Total 200 2nd Innings M A Atherton not out 185 A J Stewart b McMillan 38 M R Ramprakash b McMillan 0 G P Thorpe lbw Pringle 17 G A Hick c Richardson b Donald 4 R A Smith c Pollock b Donald 44 R C Russell not out 29 Extras 34 Total (5 wckts) 351 Result: Draw
England 1st Innings M A Atherton c Donald b Pollcock 78 A J Stewart c Matthews b Schultz 6 M R Ramprakash c Richardson b Donald 9 G P Thorpe c Richardson b Pollock 13 G A Hick lbw b Pollock 141 R A Smith b McMillan 43 R C Russell not out 50 D G Cork c Matthews b McMillan 13 D Gough b McMillan 0 R K Illingworth b Donald 0 A R Fraser not out 4 Extras 24 Total 9 wkts 381 Result: Draw (rain stopped play)
England vs South Africa A
South Africa A - 1st Innings Total : 490-9 dec Second Innings Total : 148-4 England 1st Innings Total : 308 Second Innings Total : 309 Reult : South Africa A won by 6 wkts
Mike Atherton staged one of the all time epic rearguard innings in the history of test cricket, to save the second Test for England. In a magnificent display of courage and concentration, Atherton stood firm in his crease for ten and three quarter hours, staving off the South African pace attack.
England approached the final day of the Test in a seemingly impossible position, having reached 167-4 on the fourth day. But Atherton's stuborn denial, alongside his teammate Jack Russell, caused a sensation at the Wanderers ground in Johannesburg. Atherton finished his remarkable innings on an unbeaten 185.
Robin Smith's was the only wicket to fall, 45 minutes before the lunch break, having made a steady 44. The South African crowd had swelled in numbers by then, in anticipation of the expected victory, but what was to unfold before them, was an individual victory of heroic proportions. Whether they appreciated this quite as much as the preferred home teams win was unlikely, but the slow handclapping that occaisionally rang around the ground, could only have come from the uneducated who did not know what they were witnessing.
It was a titanic effort that required immeasurable concentration and patience. Russell, who earlier in the match had taken a world record of 11 catches, played his part in the innings without fault. He blocked out the steaming pace of the South African bowlers, demoralising them as he crept to 29 runs from 339 balls!
Ray Illingworth, the England coach, called Atherton's innings "one of the greatest innings of all time". Atherton probably could not be on a higher pedestal within the team and from this dizzy height can expect to command absolute authority over his troops, and inspire a fresh fighting spirit that has been absent from the England team of late.
Mark Ramprakash had another failed outing into Test cricket, scoring a total of 4 in his two innings. It is likely that John Crawly will step in to replace him at the number three spot, for the third Test.
After getting away to a good start in their first innings, England were forced to retreat to the pavilion and watch all their hard work pour down the drain. Heavy rain impeeded play, forcing the result of a draw.
During the first days play and on the morning of the second, Graeme Hick had guided England to safety with a marvellous 141. Hick was well supported by his captain, Michael Atherton who made 78. They shared a third wicket partnership of 142, to steady the innings after an early slump of 64 for 3.
Jack Russell played a characteristic terrier like innings on the second days play, to reach 50 not out, and Robin Smith opened his account on his return to his birthplace with a quickfire 43.
South Africa's stratergy of playing five strike fast bowlers, in an attempt to intimidate the English batsmen, came to nothing as Graeme Hick dug in alongside Mike Atherton for a crucial stand.
The Second Test against South Africa starts on Thursday 30th November.
Villeneuve Proves his Steel(6/12/95)
Jacques Villuneuve has arrived on the Formula 1 scene and already made his impact. During his first practice in the Williams car at Silverstone, he clocked in at only a second slower than his teammate Damon Hill. In another practice session at Estoril, he came in quiker than Shumacher, who was test driving his new Ferrari. At the same meeting, Gerhard Berger struggled with the Benneton and lost control. The car was a write off, so he was unable to complete his practice.
McRae Powers to Rally World Crown
Colin McRae powered his Subaru to an historic victory, to clinch the World RAC Drivers Championship. In doing so, McRae became Britain's first ever champion. He pipped his Subaru teammate, Carlos Sainz, to victory by 36 seconds.
McRae showed a bulldog spirit and supperb driving ability, to fight back from a puncture in the second stage. He overhauled a 1 minute 14sec defecit, as his Spanish teammate seemed to crack under the pressure. Sainz continually itterated that he couldn't drive any faster, as McRae stormed home through the muddy forests of Wales, over 28 special stages and 317 miles of treacherous terrain, to take the well deserved title.
The Scot finished with an overall total of 85 points, to Sainz's 80. The lead however would have been greater had he not been forced to accept team orders and allow Sainz to win the Spanish stage of the competition. McRae, though showed his ultimate supremacy by dominating the final meeting of the competition in Wales, being quickest on 17 of the 28 stages.
Hill Ends on a High(14/11/95)
The last race of the season ended in a noble victory for Damon Hill. Having suffered serious media critisism and scrutiny of late, Hill preferred not to counter attack the press, after his victory in Adellade.
"It's too easy mate" he said in an aussie twang, after seeing all his main rivals drop away from contention in a race packed with incident. Hill started from pole, but was beaten to the first corner by Coulthard, his team mate. Both the Ferraris squeezed past Schumacher from the start, but they could not hold him up for long, as he battled back to retake third spot.
The race seemed to be be running along innocuously enough, with little incident, until Coulthard dramatically hit the pit wall. This set a precedence for all but eight of the cars to drop out. Significantly, Alesi hit Schummacher to end both their races and Berger's engine blew. This left Hill to race away, pulling two laps ahead of the rest of the field. Irvine, Herbert, Frentzen and Barrichello all failed to finish, having moved into second, leaving Olivier Panis to pick up his equal best finish in his carreer.
Mikka Hakkinen who was involved in a serious accident, during qualifying, was said to be recovering in hospital from major concusion.
There is a revolution brewing in the world of windsurfing. The most gruelling of all races has been planned to reshape the image of what was once the fastest growing sport in the UK. An International TransAtlantic competition is set to place the flagging sport back in the forefront of the world stage.
The event, which has interested major television rites, has been set for July 1997 and is expected to attract the worlds leading competitors. The race will be staged over a series of legs, using a tagging system between team mates. Each team will consist of two competitors, representing their country. The partnerships are likely to be formed between a high wind specialist and an endurance, light wind expert.
In an exclusive interview with race organiser, Miles Sutherland Pilch, he
expressed his anticipation of the big event.
"I'm very excited. It should produce the greateast endurance test possible for
those who enter."
Pilch is well qualified to know about endurance, having been missing in the
Atlantic for three days, during high seas. He was presumed dead, but incredibly
survived adrift in his dingy. He refused to be drawn into the subject however,
preffering to talk about the safety measures for the race.
"We're negotiating a high speed 160ft US Naval vessel providing the backbone of the
coordination. A large ice breaker will be at hand, as the mothership, with full
accomodation for the competitors. There is a helicopter also covering the event
with a fully trained rescue team."
The event is certain to raise the profile of windsurfing, both nationally and world wide. If you think it's hard work surfing the net, imagine 17 days endurance on the Atlantic!
For further information on the event, the race organisers can be reached at tel: 0171 924 7748, fax: 0171 924 6617
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