5 h. ago India defy insects to cruise to frosty Women’s World Cup defeat of Pakistan

India, 247, beat Pakistan, 159, by 88 runsCaptains echo men in refusing to shake hands during tossThe seam bowler Kranti Goud and the spinner Deepti Sharma took three wickets each as India routed Pakistan by 88 runs in their Women’s World Cup match, which began like recent ones between the countries men’s teams without a handshake from the captains and then featured a disputed run-out of a Pakistan opener.India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, did not shake hands with Pakistan’s Fatima Sana during the toss and the teams walked off without greeting each other after the match amid political tensions between the two south Asian neighbours. Continue reading...

Politics

51 h. ago Ruben Amorim will not walk from United but admits sack beckons if results do not improve

On current fortunes, Amorim says: ‘Nobody here is naive’His Manchester United side host Sunderland on SaturdayRuben Amorim insists he will not walk away from Manchester United despite the team’s struggles but accepts he will be sacked if results do not improve.The head coach has picked up 34 points in his 33 Premier League games and the club are 14th in the table having finished 15th last season. United have won two of their opening seven matches in the current campaign, which includes a Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby, and their defeat by Brentford last Saturday extended Amorim’s search for his first back-to-back league victories since arriving 11 months ago. Sunderland visit Old Trafford on Saturday and another defeat would put Amorim under greater scrutiny. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago What can Americans learn from the UK? How to cope with national sporting despair | Adrian Chiles

America’s Ryder Cup defeat sparked some ugly behaviour among their fans. But, as some of us know all too well, losing can be a bonding experienceI feel a bit sorry for Americans. They don’t go through enough national sporting despair. OK, they had an invigorating shot of misery last Sunday night losing the Ryder Cup, but that was a rare thing for them. It’s rare because they’re so dominant in all the team sports they really care about, not least because their biggest team sports – certainly NFL and baseball – aren’t played by anyone else. Or at least not to the extent that another nation is ever going to come close to beating them in any meaningful “world cup” competition. Basketball, to be fair, is widely played around the world but essentially the same applies – the US men have been Olympic champions 17 times out of 20; for the women it’s nine out of 12. Ice hockey is slightly different. Here, Americans haven’t had it all their own way, and in Canada have a genuine local rival. Th...

Politics

6 d. ago ‘It’s obvious to everybody’ – Keegan Bradley calls for immediate Ryder Cup rule change after Team USA defeat

KEEGAN BRADLEY has called for an immediate Ryder Cup rule change atfer Team Europe's victory. The Team USA captain oversaw a spirited fightback in the Singles on Sunday but it was not enough to avoid a first defeat on home soil since 2012. But the task was made harder for Bradley and his players before...

Politics

6 d. ago Fans, players celebrate in London after England defeat Canada in Women's Rugby World Cup final

Fans, players celebrate in London after England defeat Canada in Women's Rugby World Cup final  Yahoo

Sport

7 d. ago Keegan Bradley says blame for Ryder Cup defeat lies with him

The US captain saw his side slip to a record 11.5-4.5 deficit before almost completing a ‘miracle’ comeback in the singles.

Politics

7 d. ago Whining Keegan Bradley calls for Ryder Cup rule change but Luke Donald clamps Team USA moaner

Bradley threw his toys out of the pram after another Ryder Cup defeat

Politics

8 d. ago ‘Kildunne and Dusted’: Red Roses dialled up to 11 for emotional World Cup victory | Robert Kitson

Shaggy-haired secret weapon Ellie Kildunne settles England’s early nerves against Canada for a feelgood triumph that will echo down the yearsThey think it’s all over. And finally, for England’s women, it is now. The last time the Red Roses lifted the World Cup was 11 years ago and defeat on home turf in front of a world-record 81,885 crowd would have been beyond devastating. Hence the tears of relief and shared collective joy at the final whistle as they finally brought the big one home.Among other things this trophy has brought them the validation they dearly wanted and, in truth, needed. Since the introduction of full-time professional contracts in 2019, the Red Roses have won 74 of the 76 matches they have contested. The number of registered female participants in Canadian rugby would barely fill half of England’s towering citadel. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Auchinleck Talbot defeat fierce rivals Cumnock in Scottish Cup

Ewan Thomson's 91st minute penalty saw Auchinleck Talbot defeat Cumnock 2-1 under the lights at Beechwood Park.

Politics

1 week ago Mitchell insists his previous final defeat can help England to Rugby World Cup glory

No changes in Red Roses 23 to face Canada on SaturdayMitchell accepts men’s team failed to handle 2019 final John Mitchell has learned from his experience of the men’s 2019 Rugby World Cup final and insists he has not made the same mistakes as coach of England’s women as they target the victory over Canada that will deliver Rugby World Cup glory.Mitchell admits that England’s men failed to “handle the emotional tank well” in 2019 when he was their defence coach. In stark contrast, his Red Roses finalists “have managed it”, he says as the head coach looks forward to Saturday’s showpiece at a sold-out Twickenham. Mitchell was one of Eddie Jones’s assistants when they lost to South Africa in Japan after beating New Zealand in the semi-final. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago The inside story of England’s last World Cup final — and the lessons the Red Roses can learn from defeat

With the help of head coach Simon Middleton and several members of the beaten squad, Harry Latham-Coyle chronicles how England’s World Cup dream came crashing down - and how defeat may help them in this year’s tournament decider against Canada

Politics

1 week ago Meghan Markle's ex best pal 'fearful' as 'powerful' Duchess could make huge move

Duchess Meghan and Jess Mulroney were once inseparable, but in recent years, things seem to have become pretty frosty between the two women, with new reports claiming Jess is 'afraid' of her former friend

Politics

1 week ago England will not ‘dwell’ on 2022 defeat before World Cup final against Canada

Red Roses ‘focused on what is ahead’, says Atkin-DaviesSold-out Twickenham to break attendance recordEngland’s heartache at the Women’s Rugby World Cup three years ago has made them ready for the final against Canada on Saturday, says the hooker Lark Atkin-Davies.The Bristol Bears star came off the bench in the 34-31 final defeat against New Zealand at Eden Park in 2022, but says England are a “very different” team this time around. “You can reflect and learn from it but it’s made us ready for now,” Atkin-Davies said. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Great Britain miss out on Billie Jean King Cup final to USA but still take positives from defeat

Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter were both in with a shot of victory

Politics

2 w. ago Ruben Amorim says ‘not even the pope’ can make him change his system at United

Manager determined to stick to his preferred 3-4-3 formationJim Ratcliffe has given Amorim ‘show of support’ this weekRuben Amorim has claimed “not even the pope” could make him deviate from his 3-4-3 formation, despite Manchester United’s poor start to the season.Amorim has drawn criticism for sticking rigidly to one system after a start to the season in which United have taken four points from four league games, suffered a shock exit from the Carabao Cup after a second-round defeat to Grimsby, and generally performed poorly. The Portuguese has insisted throughout that run that he is not for turning, a message he reiterated in emphatic, dramatic fashion prior to Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford this evening. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Ange Postecoglou issues Nottingham Forest demand after Swansea capitulation

Nottingham Forest suffered a 3-2 defeat by Swansea City in the Carabao Cup after the hosts scored twice in stoppage time to win the third-round clash - it left new boss Ange Postecoglou frustrated at the exit

Politics

2 w. ago Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim sack decision 'rumbling' as crisis sparks 'criminal' verdict

Manchester United are in the midst of a crisis after their Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town and 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Ruben Amorim's position under increasing scrutiny

Events

2 w. ago Man United news: Sack warning issued to Ruben Amorim as 'criminal' claim made

Manchester United are in the midst of a crisis after their Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town was followed by a 3-0 defeat in the Manchester Derby, with Ruben Amorim under increasing pressure

Events

3 w. ago Scotland tears after England World Cup defeat carry double meaning as cruel cut beckons

Scots suffer quarter-final defeat but team has come so far

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Fight like heck’: US Eagles seek World Cup spot amid MLR turmoil

Just before Sunday’s crucial qualifier against Samoa in Denver, the American domestic league lost a third team in less than two monthsThe US Eagles men can qualify for the 2027 World Cup on Sunday, by beating Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup fifth-place play-off in Denver. Defeat will not end hopes of making it to Australia, as further play-offs await. But in another horrible week for American men’s rugby, to have one weighty challenge dealt with would be welcome indeed.On Thursday, in a move the Guardian understands caught other team owners by surprise, the Houston SaberCats became the third team to drop out of Major League Rugby this year. That reduced the competition to just seven teams from 11 last season, given the merger of San Diego and LA, announced in August as NOLA Gold and Miami Sharks also called it quits. Houston, San Diego and NOLA were founder clubs in 2018.Martin Pengelly writes on Substack at The National Maul, on rugby in the US Continue reading...

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