third round french open 30-5-14

We are at the point that seeds play each other as we can say who are going to be the stronger players in the French open

WOMENS

First is Agneska Radvanska vs Ajla Tomljanovic Radvanska is very high in the seeded order so is expected to win in this match and I think that she can do it in 2 but will probably do it in 3 sets

I feel that Maria Sharapova is a lot better player than Paula Ormaecha and should get past her in 2 sets but I would not ne surpiised if there was a tie break in those 2 sets

Domimica Cibulkova will have this as the seeds must take control of this French open again as Sam Stoser can win this match and I feel that it will go to 3 sets but the Slovak will win it

 MENS

I feel that Roger Federrer will beat Demitry Tursonov in 4 sets as he has got the right mentality to get this win

I feel that this might be the first big shock of the French open as Giles Simon will beat Milos Ranoc in 5 sets and I feel that there might be 2 tie breakers in this match as the French crowd get on Simons back

Novac Djockavic is expected to win this match over Marin Cilic but I think that this might be his first test of a champion as to be one he has to win this game in three sets to show that he has the form to beat Rafa and win the title I feel that it might take him 4 sets to win this match  

 

barrys french predictions 29-5-14

Women’s

First is Jelena Jankavic vs Kurumi Nara as Jankavic is the seed in this match I would expect her to win in 3 sets

Ana Ivonavic vs Elina Svitlona Ivonavic I think is definitely a strong player and will get through this from the outside and I do feel that this is will not be easy in any way shape or form I think that all 3 sets will be close

Alison Riske vs Kristona Mladenovic you have been hoping for an American coming through but as these players are unseeded it is difficult to define between the two players I think that Riske will win this tie in 2 sets but both will be close.

Pera Kitova vs Marina Erakovic with the way that this tournament is going anything can happen but Petra should be able to get through this tie wit some ease but we can not be certain and anything can happen with the seeded players

Men’s

Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem I have seen that Nadal has got the enough form to make this quite easy for him and I should see Nadal break twice in all sets and show why he is the best on clay

Richard Gasguet vs Carlos Belocq.  Gasguet is quite possibly the player the pressure of the home fans could get to him and I could see Gasguet winning in 4  

Simone Bololi vs David Ferrer Ferrer on clay should be able to get past this second round tie as he can get past this in 3 or 4 sets

 

 

mens tennis 28-5-14

MENS TENNIS

FERRER SHOWS CLASS

 

Spain’s David Ferrer showed how he can win the title as he got better throughout this match against Igor Sisjling as he won 6-4 6-3 6-1 we saw Ferrers potential to be a champion and whether he can do enough to be a champion on clay and in my opinion if he is to take some form of control of a competition this is the one he should focus on.

HAPPY FRENCH AS MONFISE GOES THROUGH

 

Gail Monfise of France could be a bit of a surprise package as he did fall under the French pressure a set in this first round tie against Victor Hanescu of Rominia as he won   6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. He is very high in the French rankings so there will be a lot of pressure on him but he came through and I feel that there is potential for a quarter final positions here 

ANOTHER FRENCHMAN THROUGH

 

Another Frenchman through to the second round as Richard Gasguet secured a 6-2, 6-1 7-5 against Bernard Tomic of Australia. Gasguet looks ready for anybody as Tomic is not a particularly difficult opponent in this tournament and with the round. I feel that he could reach the quarters if the crowd get behind him which I think they will.

BIG BRIT THROUGH

 

Andy Murray showed why he could be the best of the rest as he defeated Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 but this does not to me show that there is enough to beat any of the big guns in the men’s draw. A quarter final might be as far as he goes as the big 2 will be there to beat him in the Quarter finals if he manages to get there. Murray does need to get better as dropping sets at this stage says you are on a bad road   

   

womens tennis 28-5-14 no pictures

WOMENS TENNIS

HALEP CRUISES THROUGH

Simona Halep of Romania cruised through to the second round with a seeding of number 4 I feel that she can set to a final of this tournament but we do not know enough about her in this round as it was too easy against Alisa Kleybanova of Russia as she won 6-0 6-2 there was no contrast here and you will need to see what she can do when she goes further in the competition

IVANAVIC FINDS IT EASY

Anna Ivanovic of Serbia cruised into the second round of the French open with a 6-3 6-1 win over Caroline Garcia of France. Sometimes you can lean a lot from a person but in this match there is very little to learn for Ivanovic and if she does go far I think that she will be very happy with this performance but will learn very little from it of herself a Quarter final is a good goal for her but if she can keep this up maybe a semi final is an achievable goal

LI OUT IN BIG SHOCK

 

No 2 seed Na Li of China was dumped out of this years French yesterday after loosing to Kristina Mladenovic and the home fans liked it as she came from France loosing the first set 7-5 but Na Li did take the second 6-3 to bring the game into the final set. The final set Li could not get started at all and lost 6-1 but you do not know how good this woman is all I can say is that this will not help Chinese tennis 

gaa weekend 27-5-14

GAELIC FOOTBALL

Donegal defend the way to win

Donegal pulled off a shock as they defeated Derry by 1.11 to 0.11. But the game itself was won at the start of the second half when Donegal scored 1-5 without reply. The people who controlled the game for Donegal at this stage of the game were Murphy Mc Hugh and Thomson. Derry did not have a leader in this period of the match. The goal itself a ball from the half way line down the left side of the pitch who passes to two players in the centre where Frank Mc Lone was who gets an easy finish.

IS there hope for London as Galway cruise to semis

Galway cruised into the Connacht semi finals with a 3.17 to 0.7 win it looks like the heroes of London will not be coming this year or do Galway have the luck

Tyrone show why they can be so good

Down got an early penalty as Morgan saves a penalty that did not have this much power on it at the start of the match. Tyrone got an early goal from Ceiron Mc Ginley as he has a simple path to go from a good pass and put into the corner. Down were beginning to have momentum in this match that was slowed by a Ceiron Mc Ginley goal this left Tyrone having complete control of the match. Especially when Peter Harte scored a penalty that did not look like a penalty.

HURLING

Cork pull miracle draw from the death  

What a comeback from Cork it looked like this game was over as Waterford lead by 1-15 to 0-7 at this period Waterford man takes on 2 players from the half wine running past 2 defenders shooting and putting it in the net and with Cork getting a quality goal as for this one as the ball went into the small parallagram and the forward put it in the net   and a perfect point it gave them momentum that they were able to hold onto and equalise at 1-20 each with both teams getting another score each this game was going to a replay.   

Antrim get important win

Antrim secured a win and a chance in their quarter final but the match itself could have went either way in this close encounter but Antrim could only win it 0.22 to 0.20. Antrim will now play Wexford in the quarter finals which will be easier as Laois will play potential all Ireland champions Galway  

yesterday french open 26-5-14

ANNA NEEDS FORM

In the first bit of the match no one was winning a service game until Radvanska went and won 9 successive games and took complete control of this match winning in 1 hour and 2 minutes

GOLDEN OLDIE SHOWS WHY HE IS STILL SO GOOD

Roger Federrer got his first ser off to a good start but the first few games were very tight but Federrer then began to take control and win the first set. The second set was also very tight and Federrer could not get rid of his opponent as he was leading 4-3 but he had the ability to turn on a light to win the third set quite comfortably he was unbelievable in the final game he as he did not loose a single point.

Micheal Jusney was 2 sets to love down but managed to win by 3 sets to 2

BOTH WILLAMS CRUISE THROUGH

Venus went into the second round by beating Belona Belic 6-4 6-1 and looks now like she could compete with the big girls. She did look a lot better than her no 29 seed in this match but that is not saying too much. She could beat a big gun in a later round but the last 16 would be as far as she can go

Serena cruised into the second round with a 6-2 6-2 win and she looked quite incredible in it. It does look like the Williams sisters are doing well at the early stages of the French

JO TRIES IT HIS OWN WAY

Jo Wilfred Tsonga did things his own way as he needed a tie break to win the first set. Edward Roger Vasili is becoming a very difficult opponent as he lost 3 games in a row to loose the second set. He gains the third winning 7-5 but Tsonga eases through to the next round winning the final set 6-2

heniken cup amlin and play offs

STRONG SECCOND HALF KILLS OFF BATH

A breakaway try was the difference between the two teams at half time as Northampton play the ball Louw is able to take his pace and run to the other side of the pitch. You could see how important this match was to both sides.

In the second half Northampton took complete with a change if intensity which allowed for  control of the game with 2 tries of their own from Dowden and Foden.

Bath feel that they have had a poor season as they have not had a trophy but they did finish fifth which means European Champions cup and get to the semi final of the LV= cup to me this would be a good season but it is good to see teams set their ambitions high.

WASPS FIND A WAY TO EUROPE

Barnell scored a perfect kick pass to start the move and through some good passing from one side of the pitch to the other Wasps get a try in the corner which is converted

Stade then had some bad luck as a try was disallowed from Hascal but when they went to the TMO they had realised that there was a high tackle

Stade kick 2 penalties to be within 1. Wasps then hit back with a penalty of their own to lead by 10 points to 6 at half time

The fairness of all of this is balanced out as wasps have a try disallowed for a knock on

 

Wasps then score a try from a kick and go as Johnson passes to Thomson who puts the ball on the Stade line.

Goode scores a penalty which puts Stade out of the contest

TOLON SHOW THEIR CLASS

Saracens started like a dream as a Tolon error left a bad scrum which lead to the penalty

Tolon then show why they are the best team in Europe by getting a try on the half hour as a Kick fro Gueto and a hand pass to Michell who puts the ball on the ground to give Tolon the lead Wilkinson converts

Tolon then get a drop goal from a line out which leads to a scrum and Johhny Wilkinson hitting a penalty to allow Tolon to take total control 13-3 at half time

Tolon then get a try on 60 minutes by Lobbe as a Saracens error starts the move to create the gap to flick back inside to maybe win the match Johnny converts so they now lead 20-6

Wilkinson gets a penalty to seal the cup as tolon win 23-6   

play off and champions league

QPR SNEEK INTO PREMIERSHIP WITH LAST MINUTE GOAL

This game was a very defensive game as both teams were afraid to loose it at any stage  

Charlie Austin had the shot of the match on 56 minutes which was a cross that was touched slightly wide of the goal

Gary O Neil had been sent off as he tackled the man just outside the box and as he was seen to be the last man  the referee could clearly see it

Dawkins then had a simple chance to score on 74 minutes as the ball went into the box and all he had to do was touch it but Green was able to save which gave QPR the excitement to take control of the match

Bobby Zamora scores the winning goal just before full time as QPR have a throw and a solid Derby tackle gives QPR the ball back for a cross that has got the time and space to head it into the net 1-0 on 90 minutes  QPR and Derby do not have the time to react

 REAL OUTCLASS ATHLETICO IN EXTRA TIME

Athletico take the lead on 35 minutes from Gordan which could have been offside. Corner goes to the outside of the box brought back to the middle with a tap header and Gordan puts the ball in the net

Real Madrid equalise from Gareth Bale just before full time as he is able to slide through defenders to get a one on one with the goalkeeper and misses

Real equalise from a Moderic corner perfectly set to Ramoses head who puts the ball in the net 1-1

The game goes to extra time

Gareth bale scores a header on 110 minutes to give real control of this match Great shot from wide and Bale puts it in

Marcello signs seals and delivers the trophy as a decent passing move allows Marcello to run past 3 defenders and get 1 on 1 with the real keeper

Ronaldo gets and scores a penalty that looked quite clear as he was pulled back. The penalty itself he puts to the left centre

Real Madrid win the tie 4-1 but it did have to go to extra time

 

 

 

premiere league darts final

This was the big semi final in the PDC Premiere league as we would see who is the strongest darts player in the world

Van Gerwin survives into final

 

 

 

Gary Anderson broke in the 9^th leg of this very fast match with Michael Van Gerwin. Michael breaks back in the 10^th to gain control of the match again. Both players had over 100 averages and a very similar percentage of doubles so you saw that this would be a very close match and no one would run away with it. The game goes to a final leg Michael Van Gerwin does have the chance to take him out with a double but it does take four shots. At the end you did get the chance to see why Michael Van Gerwin was the most consistent player in the league as Michael van Gerwin averaged 101 at the end of the match.  

Taylor bottles it

 

 

Phil Taylor took control of this match against Raymond Van Barnavelle as he won the first 3 legs and looked like he could not loose this in one of the legs he had 7 trebles and was looking good for a 9 dart finish and he averaged 110. Barney broke back in the sixth to level and put the game in the balance. Phil did drop his form as Barney was able to get a lead of 6-4 and looked like he was ready for Phil. Phil then got a leg back. Barney got the leg that was able to take control of the match as he only needed one more leg and he had one on his own throw. He got the 8^th in the next leg which meant that he defeated Phil Taylor in the Premiere league for the first time.  

Barney is king of the world

 

 

The 2 most consistent players in the league as both men had qualified for the semi finals a few weeks before the final day of the league season and both players looked impressive throughout the season. Both Michael van Gerwin and Raymond van Barnavelle came from the Netherlands so you did know that was where the title was going. The thinking was if Michael Van Gerwin could have a good game he would win this before the match started.

MVG started very well with 7 perfect darts but could not finish at the end. Barney was able to get a good leg together to nick it. Barney then broke in the third. Michael was able to get the break back to gain control of the match in the 9^th. Barney broke straight back. Raymond Van Barnavelle had an average of 102 while Michael Van Gerwin had an average of 103. Raymond Van Barnavelle had another break and did not look like loosing the match. Michael Van Gerwin hit a 116 to keep himself in the match. In the next leg on Raymond’s throw he got tops which he missed and then he hit a double 10 to secure the title.      

Last nights boxing

Kamel is a lot better than his opponent

Kamel Yari won his first professional fight yesterday as he showed yesterday that he could knock his opponent out and show why exactly he had to move from the amateur ranks. He looked much the stronger fighter and looks like he can compete with a much stronger opponent. But this was an opening match and you could see why.

No one splits Mc Donnell and Wale

Josh Wale here

 

There was a split decision yesterday in this British bantamweight title decider and a very exciting tie as it went one way and then another and no one could get enough rounds together to win the tie and this was shown by the fact. In most rounds Mc Donnell had control of the first bit of the tie before Wale seems to come back at the end of it. No decision could be made between the three judges as this was one judge gave it to one man another judge to the other man and the third gave it a tie. I would definitely want a re match here so the younger Wale can see how good he is.

Smith looks ready for anyone

 

Liverpool Steve Smith took control of this super featherweight fight as he was able to knockout Mario Moroz of Argentina in the 8^th round as he had control of this match right from the start and never seemed to want to loose it. He had a cool head and has the potential to loose. He could be getting a title eliminator very soon

Commonwealth title stays at home in Leeds

 

This commonwealth title was a very interesting one last night as it was between 2 British title fighters as the more experienced Martin Linsay showed that he did not have enough to defeat Josh Warrinton as it was the judges that defined who won this match. Linsay did not have any control of this match whatsoever and looked not to have any control at any stage. I think that there may be a few big time commonwealth defences before Warrington goes for a world title    

scotish play offs

WORST TEAM IN LEAGUE WILL NOT GET RELEGATED THIS SEASON

 

If Hearts were not deducted 15 points this season due to administration Hibernian would be at the bottom of the table and relegated. But due to this unfortunate incident Hibernian are in this play off.

 

Hibernian were playing Hamilton away from home in their promotion relegation play off The match itself was quite close until just before half time when a good long ball quality control and perfect shot into the centre of the goal by Cummings. Good cross and volley from a wide angle that’s Cummings second but the ball was clearly over the line before the defender was not able to get clear.

I think that looking at this match there is a clear difference between the 2 sides and if you add promoted Rangers(administration problems) and  relegated Hearts in next season it does look like a 2 horse race as there is too much of a gulf in class.

tennis french open first shot

The French open starts on Sunday in Paris  which makes you ask the question who can beat Rafael Nadal on clay as he has only lost twice in a quite long career. I can not imagine him loosing this title on any sort of form.

Novak Djockavic feels that it is his main goal to win this tournament this year as this is what he needs to win his grand slam of titles

David Ferrer also from Spain in my opinion is the other person who I think can win this tournament as he has played on clay all his life

Rodger Federrer may be able to get some form together and reach the semi finals


128 competitors will start on Sunday and be knocked down to one over 2 weeks and we can watch as the emotion starts to build up.


 The women's side of the draw is a lot more open

First is the woman that will never go away Serena Williams as she has seemed to have been in this position for such a long time as one of the best and is does seem like she is not going down the rankings and still is on the top of her game at her age

Next we look at the person that might change the world of sport Li Na as she come from china and there could be a big Chinese revolution in this sport due to her in a few years

Next Anna Radvanska the person who is more in the press for selling herself as a brand than anything else
Samona Halep Victoria Azerenka or Petra Kitova and a few others could also win it

soccer english leagues

                                                                          SOCCER

Play offs

Fleetwood 0-0 York Fleetwood win 1-0 on aggregate

The game itself seemed to be a quite even game but as the game Ran on York knew that they needed a goal that would never come.

 

South end 2-2 Burton Burton win 3-2 on aggregate 

A beautiful ball in from Chris Hussey but Marcus Holmes is able to get ahead of the defender to head the ball from close range 1-0 Burton 21 minutes

Burton fail to defend a corner and the ball falls to Lenard beats Lyons with an acrobatic effort as the ball fell to the Southend midfielder from just outside the area 32 minutes gone 1-1

A great delivery in from Timlin which causes confusion between the Burton defenders. Straker reacts first to power in a header from close range 39 minutes gone Burton lead the tie

A very scruffy goal that gave Burton this tie as Southend fail to defend a free kick and land on a plate with Mc Girk who is able to get a half shot and get the ball beyond the keeper 2-2 which gets Burton to  Wembley as a cup finalist

FA cup final

 Arsenal 3-2 Hull City  

Hull got an early goal on 4 minutes Ball was clipped into the edge of the area ready for Tom Huddlestone to hit it from 25 yards. Instead he mistakenly just got a touch on the ball which bobbled into the area and Chester put it into the net from close range 

Hull then got a second goal on 8 minutes. That was a bit of a disaster in the Arsenal defence. Quinn’s cross was headed in from Alex Bruce and reaction saved by Fabianski and Davis scores a goal from a tight angle

Arsenal pulled one back on 15 minutes as a free kick by Santi Cazorla to the left of the centre perfectly swerved into the top corner. Alex Bruce must be raging as it was him who gave away the free kick in his own half 

Arsenal had equalised on 71 minutes from a left sided corner. Sanga won the header and Koscielhy got in front of the goalie and took a shoot at the ball as it came to him and the ball went flying past Alan Mc Gregor the Hull goalkeeper 2-2

 

109 minutes gone and Arsenal took  the lead Girouds magnificent back heel fed the ball to Ramsay who put it in the net 3-2 Arsenal

 

Arsenal won the FA cup and Arswen Wenger made a short statement saying he will stay but the contract are not signed yet

rugby 19-5-14

Premiership semi finals

NORTHAMPTON 21-20 LEISTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This game was a thriller as Northampton were the team that were able to get over the line in this match. The fact that Northampton scored 2 tries to leisters one was the difference in this match and Wood and North were the try scorers. The truth is that this match could have went any way until the very last minute and it did go from one side to the other

SARACENS 31-17 HARLIQUINS

This was a game that Saracens never seemed to be out of control of from the start and in a play off semi final this game was quite comfortable

Pro 12 Semis

GLASGOW16-15 MUNSTER  

 

Glasgow has had the best season of their professional year and was leading by 9 points to 7 at half time. In the second half Gordon Reid did get a vital try in the corner to give Glasgow control of the match. The whole of Scotland erupted when the final whistle blewand Scotland went nuts as they now can win the title   

LEINSTER 13-9 ULSTER  

Ulster pin Leinster down on their 5 metre line a simple line out Leinster Stagnate enough to concede a penalty on 5 minutes

Ulster then get another penalty before half time as a good scrum but can not score out wide and we look to the TMO to see if Diak has knocked on and Jackson puts the ball over the posts 40 minutes gone and half time its Ulster 6 Leinster 0

Leinster then concede again and Brian O Driscoll is sent to the sin bin as they are penalised for going offside and Jackson converts it

Leinster are able to pull one back as Hodge has a straight arm which sets up the foul which Gopperth hits on 58

They also get a similar penalty on 63 which would be getting every Ulster fan that little bit worried

Ian Madigan gets the vital Leinster try which is what separates these 2 sides as he is able to blast his way past 2 the ball bounces to suit Madigan