2018 Southland Conference Baseball Season Begins Friday
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders – Preseason Ranking: 10 – 2017 Record: 22-32 (14-16 SLC)Entering 2018 with 11th-year head coach Scott Malone, the Islanders aim to return to winning ways with a group of 23 upperclassmen on this season’s roster. They are led by senior outfielder Dalton Stark, a second team preseason all-conference pick. Stark enters the 2018 season as the Islanders’ highest profile hitter after leading the team in batting average (.325), doubles (15) and total bases (99) in 2017, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition. Corpus Christi is the only Southland team beginning its season with a true road game, heading north for a three-game series at UT Arlington to begin this year’s campaign. Central Arkansas Bears – Preseason Ranking: 4 – 2017 Record: 34-26 (16-13 SLC)The Bears, who had three preseason all-conference picks in pitcher Tyler Gray, outfielder Keaton Presley and first baseman Hunter Strong, are coming off a 34-26 season a year ago. Central Arkansas tied their best league mark with 17 conference victories and advanced to the conference tournament championship game for the third time in five seasons, falling to the Bearkats in the title game. UCA’s nonconference lineup includes three-game series against Northern Illinois, Missouri State and Creighton before opening Southland play on March 9 at McNeese. First Game: vs. Illinois, Feb. 16, 6 p.m. (Cardinal Classic hosted by Lamar) First Game: vs. Kent State, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. First Game: vs. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Feb. 16, 6 p.m. First Game: vs. Northern Illinois, Feb. 16, 3 p.m. Defending Southland tournament champion Sam Houston State is the heavy favorite for the 2018 regular season crown, earning 18 first-place votes and the top spot in the league preseason poll. The Bearkats advanced to the NCAA Super Regional last year, becoming the first conference program to ever do so. Lamar Cardinals – Preseason Ranking: 6 – 2017 Record: 33-25 (16-14 SLC)Second-year head coach Will Davis aims to build on a strong 2017 season where the Cardinals went 33-25 (16-14 SLC) in his inaugural campaign in Beaumont. LU returns five lineup starters and three starting pitchers but brings in a promising group of 20 newcomers, including 11 freshmen and nine junior college transfers. The Cardinals open the season hosting the Cardinal Classic where they will face Illinois, Missouri State and Texas Southern before heading to Austin for a lone matchup with Texas on Feb. 21. They begin conference play with a three-game series versus preseason favorite Sam Houston State at home starting March 9. First Game: vs. Central Michigan, Feb. 16, 3 p.m. (Al Ogletree Classic hosted by UTRGV) First Game: vs. Stony Brook, Feb. 16, 7:05 p.m. Southeastern Louisiana Lions – Preseason Ranking: 2 – 2017 Record: 37-22 (20-10 SLC)Southeastern is coming off a second-place regular season finish. The team earned an at-large bid to the 2017 NCAA Tournament, becoming the only non-Power Five program to earn back-to-back at-large selections. The Lions are tied for the conference lead for preseason all-conference selections with three, including the return of Taylor Schwaner (Player of the Year and first team third baseman), Drew Avans (second team utility player and all-defensive team outfielder) and Corey Gaconi (third team pitcher). Schwaner was also named to the 2018 Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-America Third Team and the NCBWA Preseason All-America Second Team. Northwestern State Demons – Preseason Ranking: 11 – 2017 Record: 20-34 (10-20 SLC)Following an 11th-place finish last season, the Demons return 13 letterwinners in addition to 18 newcomers. Northwestern State’s most prolific hitter in David Fry headlines the returnees. The senior first baseman played in all 53 games last season, hitting .340 in overall games with a .591 slugging percentage and a team-high 10 home runs. NSU opens the 2018 season at home with a three-game series against Binghamton before heading to ULM for a lone matchup and hosting another three-game series against Penn next week. The schedule also includes a two-game swing at Texas A&M on March 6 and 7 and a series at Nebraska from March 16-18. Sam Houston State Bearkats – Preseason Ranking: 1 – 2017 Record: 44-23 (19-11 SLC)Fresh off a conference-first NCAA Super Regional appearance, the Bearkats are the preseason favorites for the 2018 regular season title. Sam Houston has eight regular season crowns to its name along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances. The team returns 23 letterwinners, including five positional starters and three starting pitchers. Sophomore pitcher Nick Mikolajchak was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List The team’s nonconference slate is highlighted by a trio of SEC clashes at the Shriners Hospital for Children College Classic in Houston from March 2-4 when the Bearkats will square off with Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Mississippi State. First Game: at UT Arlington, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. Nicholls Colonels – Preseason Ranking: 9 – 2017 Record: 29-27 (15-15 SLC)After narrowly missing out on a conference tournament berth in 2017, Nicholls will look to bounce back with a wealth of returning talent. The Colonels return five starters, 15 letterwinners and add 10 total newcomers to the roster for 2018 under eighth-year head coach Seth Thibodeaux. Nicholls opens the season with a four-game series this weekend at home against Stony Brook, followed by a lone game away at Prairie View A&M before heading south for the Whataburger Classic in Corpus Christi. The Colonels will face league opponent Texas A&M-Corpus Christi along with Mississippi State and UC Santa Barbara. 2018 Southland Conference Baseball Week One Notes (PDF)FRISCO, Texas – The 55th season of Southland Conference baseball gets underway this weekend with 42 games slated from Friday to Monday. First pitch is set for Friday at 2 p.m. CT when Houston Baptist welcomes Western Michigan in the first of a three-game series. First Game: vs. North Dakota State, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m.. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks – Preseason Ranking: 8 – 2017 Record: 29-28 (17-13 SLC)The Lumberjacks have a healthy amount of talent returning from their 2017 season, including 14 letterwinners, four starting position players and two starting pitchers to go along with 21 newcomers. SFA tied for fifth in last year’s regular season standings, earning the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament. The ‘Jacks earned one first team preseason all-conference pick in senior designated hitter Josh Evans while junior Tyler Sparks was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List. The team opens 2018 in Edinburg, Texas, at UTRGV’s Al Ogletree Classic where they will face both Central Michigan and UTRGV twice. McNeese Cowboys – Preseason Ranking: 3 – 2017 Record: 37-20 (22-8 SLC)The defending regular season champions enter the 2018 campaign picked to finish third in the conference standings. McNeese won its first nine league games last season while winning the first 13 home conference games, compiling a 15-3 home league record at Joe Miller Ballpark. McNeese returns five position starters and three starting pitchers from last season, including first team all-conference selections Joe Provenzano and Shane Selman. Selman was the league’s Hitter of the Year in 2017, hitting .362 against conference opponents in 127 at-bats, tallying 10 home runs. Houston Baptist Huskies – Preseason Ranking: 5 – 2017 Record: 29-25 (18-12 SLC)The Huskies enter 2018 ranked at No. 5 in the preseason poll after a fourth-place finish a year ago. HBU returns two league standouts in Tyler Depreta-Johnson and JT Newton. Depreta-Johnson made the all-conference second team and was the shortstop on the league’s all-defensive team last season. The Rancho Santa Margarita, California, native hit .309 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs, 23 RBIs, 34 runs and five stolen bases in 2017. Newton, who has already been tabbed a Collegiate Baseball Preseason Third Team All-American and NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List candidate, was the conference’s Relief Pitcher of the Year and earned second-team all-conference honors last season. He made 23 appearances and went 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA, six saves, 43 strikeouts and 17 walks in 54.1 innings. New Orleans Privateers – Preseason Ranking: 7 – 2017 Record: 30-28-1 (16-14 SLC)The Privateers head into 2018 after a 16-14 season that saw them tie for seventh place in the regular season. UNO went 1-1 against Southeastern Louisiana in the conference tournament before falling to eventual champion Sam Houston State in the semifinals. New Orleans earned three first team picks to the Southland Preseason All-Conference Teams: Bryan Warzek, John Cable and Orynn Veillon. The team opens its season in New Orleans, taking part in the Andre Dawson Classic where they will face Illinois-Chicago, Alabama State and Southern. Their nonconference slate also includes matchups with LSU, Virginia Tech, Iowa and Texas. First Game: vs. Western Michigan, Feb. 16, 2 p.m. First Game: vs. Wichita State, Feb. 16, 6 p.m. First Game: vs. Quinnipiac, Feb. 16, 4 p.m. The 2018 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament will be held from May 23-26 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. Abilene Christian Wildcats – Preseason Ranking: 12 – 2017 Record: 13-43 (3-27 SLC)In ACU’s first season as a postseason-eligible NCAA Division I team, the Wildcats hit the ground running with a series of high profile nonconference matchups. The season opens in Abilene with a three-game series against Quinnipiac before hosting UTSA and heading to Oklahoma next week. Peppered among the conference slate are two matchups with UT Arlington, two with TCU and one at Texas A&M. The Wildcats earned one preseason all-conference selection in senior Luis Trevino. The catcher/first basemen/designated hitter led the team in 2017 with 22 multi-hit games, which included six three-hit efforts and three four-hit performances vs. UT Arlington, Houston Baptist and national powerhouse Oregon State. UIW Cardinals – Preseason Ranking: 13 – 2017 Record: 20-36 (8-22 SLC)UIW aims to turn over a new leaf in 2018 under first-year head coach Patrick Hallmark. The Houston native spent last season at Missouri as the pitching coach after 11 years with Rice, his alma mater. Junior shortstop Ryan Gonzales earned preseason all-conference second team distinction for the Cardinals. He made 26 starts in 2017, batting .271 on the year. The Corpus Christi native registered 26 hits, drove in 14 runs and scored 12 more. At shortstop, he committed only six errors while helping to generate 19 double plays. He finished the season with a .954 fielding percentage. The Cardinals open 2018 with a four-game swing at home against North Dakota State before competing in Notre Dame’s annual Irish Alamo Classic in San Antonio, where they will face the Fighting Irish, Purdue and Saint Louis. First Game: vs. Binghamton, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. First Game: vs. Illinois Chicago, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. (MLB Andre Dawson Classic, New Orleans)
Baseball: Sam Houston State at McNeeseFriday 6 pm CTSaturday 3 pm CTSunday 1 pm CTNational TV Coverage:LIVE Friday and SaturdayDELAYED Sunday (7 pm CT)Eleven SportsDirecTV 623Full channel listings – http://sland.social/find11Stream:LIVE Friday, Saturday and SundaySouthland DIgital NetworkSouthland.org/liveSouthland Conference appsStream:LIVE SundayEleven Sports PrimeTwitch.tv/elevensportsprimeTwitch appsTalent:Chuck Licata, play-by-playJim Gilligan, analyst FRISCO, Texas — Eleven Sports is set to televise this weekend’s Sam Houston State vs. McNeese three-game series. Friday’s and Saturday’s matchups will air live nationwide to a national audience. Sunday’s affair will be televised on a tape-delayed basis, while streaming live on Eleven Sports Prime via Twitch.All three games will stream live on the Southland Conference Digital Network.Eleven Sports is available nationally on DirecTV 623 and various other providers. Southland Digital Network programming can be seen at Southland.org/live and the Southland Conference apps.
JOSE MOURINHO wants to give Mauricio Pochettino more time to “process” his sacking before contacting him – but has spoken to his son in Tottenham’s academy.And new Spurs boss Mourinho says he is happy for the axed Argentinian to meet his old players at the club any time, with or without him being there.2 Since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked last week, Jose Mourinho has spoken to Poch Junior, Spurs starlet Maurizio, but not yet to his dadCredit: Instagram @maurizio.82 Jose Mourinho says he understands how sacked predecessor Mauricio Pochettino feels – so will give him time to process the situationCredit: Alamy Live NewsMourinho continued the humble, more considered persona unveiled at his first press conference in charge, when he insisted any success he achieves at Tottenham would be down to Poch.And having opened with Saturday’s 3-2 win at West Ham, ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager Mourinho again held his arms wide open to his predecessor.Asked if he had spoken to Poch, Mourinho said: “I didn’t because I know what he’s feeling.”I’ve been there and I know that there is a period where the best thing for us sometimes is to process our feelings, to process what happened with us.’LET HIM PROCESS’‘And then, in a couple of weeks – depends two, three weeks – I think then we are open again to the world.”We are open again to embrace a different period in our lives. So I want to respect that and give that feeling to him.”But Mourinho has chatted to Poch’s younger son Maurizio, 18, who is already in Spurs’ Under-23s after signing his first professional deal in the summer.ACCA WITH LADBROKES Pick up a whole load of acca features to help you land the big oneThe Portuguese said: “I spoke with his son, who is a player in our youth categories, and I think through his boy he can understand my feelings too.”And of course I will call him. But I want to let him process.”I also told the players in contact with him to make him feel completely free to come here any time he wants.most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’NEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by Celtic”If he wants to come for a training session, great. If he wants to come for a dinner in the lodge with the boys, perfect.”If he wants me to be here, I will. If he doesn’t want me to be, and he just wants to be with the boys, let’s do that way.”Pochettino’s elder son Sebastiano quit his job as head of Tottenham’s Sports Science team the day after his dad was axed.
POLICE want to question Eric Dier, his brother and a fan after the star’s crowd confrontation at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, according to a report.Cops are said to have already spoken to Spurs after Dier climbed over stairs to challenge a supporter following Wednesday night’s FA Cup exit at home to Norwich.4 Reports state that Eric Dier is set to be questioned by police over a flare-up that saw him clamber up the stands at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium4 Fans and stewards are said to have intervened to calm the situation down after Eric Dier was caught in a verbal clash with a supporterCredit: PA:Empics Sport4 Tottenham and England ace Eric Dier shows the tension as he reacts to alleged comments after Norwich beat Spurs in an FA Cup shootoutiCredit: Rex FeaturesSpurs and the FA are already investigating after a flare-up allegedly sparked by a fan confronting Dier’s younger brother Patrick and hurling “horrendous” abuse at the Tottenham defender.But as The Times claim the Metropolitan Police have now intervened, these two other probes will almost certainly be delayed.A friend of Dyer revealed the 26-year-old fears a suspension as the FA could decide his actions put supporters at risk.Meanwhile, a fan close to the flare-up said Dier looked like the “Incredible Hulk” and yelled “he’s my brother” as fans and stewards restrained him.SPURS NEWS LIVE: Follow for the latest news on SpursNeil, a regular at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, told talkSPORT: “There were two guys who were fighting after the match.”They were in the crowd pushing and trying to fight, and, I don’t know, but it looked like it could have been his brother – that’s what (Jose) Mourinho said.“But then Eric Dier lost the plot, and the next thing you know he is bounding up the stairs.”There must have been about 20 fans trying to hold him back. He was like the Incredible Hulk.4“It was really sad to see actually, he lost the plot, lost it, and I feel sorry for him. He actually had a good game, as well.“A Spurs fan then put his hands up and tried to get out of the ground and Dier just went after him and was going bananas.“There were people holding him back, there were phones in his face, we’ve got videos, it’s all over social media.”According to The Times, a friend of Dier’s says the 6’2″ ace tries to make eye contact with his family and pals after every game.most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’ExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidNEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticMAKE YOUR DEBUT Bet £5 get £20 in free bets for new customers at LadbrokesAnd when he did this time he spotted his brother in apparent trouble.Spurs boss Mourinho said straight after the game: “I don’t think that belongs to the game. The game was a fantastic representation of the FA Cup, but I cannot run away from the question.”I think Eric Dier did what we as professionals cannot do but when someone insults you and your family is involved, especially your younger brother.”Tottenham fan’s extraordinary eyewitness account of Eric Dier row in stands says ‘he lost plot, he was like Incredible Hulk’
WILLIAN is set to join Tottenham or PSG for FREE after Barcelona reportedly rejected the chance to sign the Chelsea star. The Brazilian ace will be a free agent at the end of the season after he failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension.CHELSEA NEWS LIVE: Follow for the latest Blues news2 Willian is reportedly set to join Spurs or PSG for free after Barcelona rejected a transfer for the Chelsea starCredit: PA:Press AssociationWillian, 31, and Chelsea were both hoping to come to a deal, but the winger wanted a three-year term while the Blues only offered two.The Blues ace has scored 59 goals in 329 games while winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and last season’s Europa League.According to Sport, his agent Kia Joorabchian, who also represents his Brazil teammate, Philippe Coutinho, had been eyeing a move to Barcelona.The Spanish giants have been linked with him for a while and made a failed £50million bid in 2018.The Chelsea winger has reportedly asked for a megabucks salary and a three-year deal but the La Liga outfit would prefer to focus on signing younger talents this summer.2PSG and Spurs are now leading the charge to scoop up the winger this summer.It is worth remembering that from January 1, players with six months left on their deal are allowed to talk to clubs outside of the country they play in.They can sign pre-contract agreements and begin to negotiate their next move – or their club could come in with a late contract extension.So Willian – who is set to leave on a Bosman free transfer – can negotiate a move to PSG and even sign for the French club now for next season but wouldn’t be able to do so with Jose Mourinho’s side.Spurs could be plotting revenge on Chelsea by securing Willian on a free – almost seven years after the Blues hijacked their transfer.The Brazilian ace has hinted that his preference is to remain in England, with capital rivals Arsenal also understood to be interested.most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’ExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidNEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticPSG have been linked Willian since the last deadline day but a move failed to materialise.The French giants face losing Neymar to Real or Barca, but may go back in for Willian regardless of whether they keep his Brazil team-mate.Willian has scored seven times and registered six assists in 37 matches for Chelsea this season.‘Lionel Messi can leave Barcelona for free at the end of the season’ says ESPN’s Sid Lowe
It’s the Lions first loss in the 10-match series after just scraping past the Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei just four days ago.The Lions controlled territory and possession in the first few minutes of the game in front of a 40,639-strong crowd, but the Blues were first to score off the back of some patient attack that started in their own half.The visitors tried to put the Blues under pressure early, coming off their defensive line with a great deal of urgency but the Blues quickly found an overlap 20m out that resulted in five points to winger Reiko Ioane.The Blues’ inexperienced first five, Stephen Perofeta, was unable to add the two points and then almost cost his side five points off the kick off when he fumbled a pass from halfback Augustine Pulu.The Lions made the most of the mistake and pushed the ball out wide where they had a big overlap but centre Jared Payne was deemed to have out his hand in touch before putting the ball down over the try line.Despite the missed opportunity the Lions continued to dominate in territory and possession in the first 20 minutes and were rewarded for their patience with a try.Number eight CJ Stander scored the Lions first points when he dotted down at the back of a strong rolling maul and more points more were added by full back Leigh Halfpenny to take the lead.The early mistakes played into the hands of the Lions whose set piece proved a handful for the Blues, gifting the visitors an easy three points right out in front when their scrum collapsed.The last 10 minutes of the first half was scrappy from both sides as the rain began to fall at Eden Park.The Blues were given one final opportunity right on half time when Steven Luatua was collected high in a tackle but Perofeta failed to convert the three points right out in front.However, Perofeta’s bad luck proved good for the Blues. His kick hit the left upright post, ricocheting back into the field which the Blues pounced on, resulting in Sonny Bill Williams grounding a try.Williams try was a crucial, if not contentious, point in the match, sending the Blues into half time with a 12-10 lead after struggling for territory and possession for most of the first half.The Blues were the first to add to the points tally in the second half when replacement first five Ihaia West kicked a penalty from 20m out.The Lions were reduced to 14 men in the 56th minute after replacement outside back, Liam Williams was yellow carded for taking out Blues wing Matt Duffie twice in the space of two minutes.Despite one disallowed try, the Blues failed to capitalise on the extra man on the field and it was the Lions who turned it into points.Rhys Webb slotted an easy three points right out in front of the posts after Augustine Pulu was penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown.Webb added another three points at the 70 minute mark to give the Lions the lead 16-15 after the Blues scrum was again penalised.As the crowd began to quieten down in the final 10 minutes a break from Sonny Bill Williams in the middle of the field opened up a channel for Ihaia West who scooted past Leigh Halfpenny with some fast feet to score right under the posts.He then converted his own try to give the Blues a six-point lead with five minutes left in the match.The Lions were quick to counter, creeping deep into the Blues’ 22 for the final minutes of the game.However, they were unable to make use of their possession, giving away an attacking line out in the final play of the game to go down 22-16.
The teams are warming up on the court.Ranked 5th in the Pacific, PNG will be hoping to get much support from their home crowd to help them grab a win.The BSP Arena is 80 percent full with PNG supporters.In other results today, Fiji defeated New Caledonia 29-12 and Solomon Islands lost to American Samoa 80-44.
The NSW Waratahs announced on Tuesday they would not table an offer to Hayne.But Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis said on Wednesday his client was still interested in playing rugby.One major sticking point with the move is the fact Hayne can’t play for the Wallabies as he has played sevens for Fiji.That prevents the Australian Rugby Union topping up his contract with any Super Rugby franchise.But a possible Test against Fiji next year, that could come just matches into Hayne’s rugby career, would provide a marketing dream for the ARU and significantly swell its coffers.The ARU hasn’t confirmed its schedule for next year, but a Test against Fiji, likely in Melbourne, is sure to garner plenty of interest if Hayne is in the visiting side.However, such a blockbuster remains only a possibility with the NRL’s Parramatta the favourites to sign Hayne.But Beavis said rugby wasn’t out of the picture.“We never talked to the Waratahs, we only talked with the ARU and we remain open to all offers,” he told AAP.“When the time comes, I will sit down with Jarryd, put all the offers in front of him and he will make a decision then.”Parramatta, who is undergoing significant governance reform following NSW government intervention, is in no rush to sign their former superstar.Off-contract playmaker Corey Norman is a priority for the Eels.But the club is also in no rush to secure Norman’s signature, given he has been suspended for the remainder of the NRL season due to his off-field indiscretions and has indicated he won’t take up a big money move to St George Illawarra.The Eels are yet to release Kieran Foran from his million-dollar-a-year contract, which would open up the money to sign Hayne.That release is a formality but the Kiwi international is likely to receive less than the $200,000 severance package he is seeking.Coach Trent Robinson on Wednesday again ruled the Sydney Roosters out of the running for Hayne.That leaves Gold Coast and Parramatta as possibly Hayne’s only NRL destinations.Hayne had previously said he would only rejoin the Eels in any return to the NRL.“There has been no formal offer from Parramatta,” Beavis said.Hayne and Beavis met ARU boss Bill Pulver, who said he believed the ex-Eels fullback had a genuine desire to play rugby.However, many within rugby circles believe the code is being played by Hayne in a bid to drive up his asking price.Hayne could earn considerably more money in union than league, with a third-party deal of around $200,000 possibly added to his salary of about $300,000.Hayne could also earn about $1 million a season in Japanese rugby.But he would have to renege on his formerly stated desire to stay in Sydney and possibly move to Brisbane, Melbourne or Canberra.
Special and emotional are qualifiers that perfectly define what three players feel at the moment Mirandés, which are on loan at the rojillo club by the Royal Society: Martín Merquelanz, Jon Guridi and Modibo Sagnan. There will be no fear clause, although only two may be of the game at Reale Stadium since the French center is injured. “It’s a nice game, but it’s still a life or death tie and this year we have to defend the shirt of the Mirandés. It is expected that Anoeta It is full. I have seen several games there and the atmosphere is spectacular. It will be their encouragement, but you have to go through everything. We will try to enjoy the moment ”, points the irundarra end. The set of Andoni Iraola he had bad times in the first two qualifiers before Second B clubs, but then eliminated in Anduva to Celta, Seville and Villarreal With a football from another category. Now the story will be very different since the semifinals are played in double duel. “The game in Anoeta will be complicated, but we must get away with the idea of winning. We will release the new Anoeta playing with the Mirandés. Destiny has wanted it to be that way. The tie happens because in the first leg we get a good result and then in Anduva finish the job. They sent me some data with the goals that we have put away from home and the truth is that we have scored enough. It is the line to follow ”, both players stand out. Gravity injuries ballasted his sporting career as blue and white. Now they have regained their smile at the Mirandés where they are having a great season. “We are assigned. My idea is to return to San Sebastián and then you will see what there is. There are many people in my position and I may not have minutes and have to leave. It will be seen ”, emphasizes the midfielder of Azpeitia, while Merquelanz does not take away his dream:“ I have one more year left on my contract. Soccer goes around a lot and today I’m not worried. ”No one doubts their professionalism on the lawn. At present they defend the colors of the rojillo team and also dream, like an entire city, in disputing the final of the Copa del Rey: “We will both give everything because in the end we are professionals. Whoever doubts us, skinny favor does us. The first injured by lowering the piston would be us. Being a protagonist or not is what matters least to me. I want Mirandés to pass the tie. In the end you face teammates with whom you have spent many years, but an athlete is prepared for these types of situations, ”they point out in unison.Long lines and up to four hours of waiting to get a ticket to the clubhouse. The Red Rock fans respond again and will try to take their players on their wings even though they will be in the minority in the Donostiarra fief: “We just run out of adjectives to describe the fans. We have no words left. All home games are on our side. We are comfortable with them and the other day in Gijón we did not expect so many people. Your support is noted and appreciated. It is a pride that they accompany us to many places. Going to Anoeta means a lot to the club and the city. It is a semifinal of the Copa del Rey.
The veteran German tennis participant Philipp Kohlschreiber believes that the disaster attributable to the coronavirus can have a robust affect on the world of sports activities and confirmed his want that this sports activities break does not trigger him to have to speed up his retirementto. “This disaster will change the entire sport,” Kohlschreiber, 36, informed the German newspaper ‘Augsburger Allgemeine’. “Our occupation as tennis gamers is hit arduous by this disaster as a result of we journey loads to different international locations,” he added.Since final week, The German can prepare once more due to an distinctive allow for professionals. Nevertheless, he mentioned that he’s nonetheless doing virtually nothing. “I stroll a bit with the canine. When issues turn into extra concrete, that’s to say, if it may be continued in three and a half months, I’ll communicate with my coach and bodily coach in regards to the coaching plans“famous Kohlschreiber, who normally travels greater than 200 days a 12 months. “After all there are limitations, and the consequences of the virus are actually great, however personally I get pleasure from having the ability to share the day to day with my spouse, one thing that I did not have till now,” mentioned the tennis participant from Augsburg, who’s making an attempt “be taught once more what it’s like to be at dwelling “ inside the framework of this pressured pause. Kohlschreiber hopes that the coronavirus pandemic does not imply the end of his career. “After all I don’t want to end my career like this, within the midst of this disaster. I want to return to the tennis court docket, “mentioned the present 74 on the planet.
Imagine … It was an amazing thing. The quality it had in the ball controls with both profiles, good punch with both legs and let’s not even talk about the aerial game. He was wonderful and was able to continue with the progression that we predicted in his day.What did he say when Madrid tried to sign him?I convinced him to reject it. He told Lautaro that he had not yet shown anything in Racing and that better offers were going to come. He already knew beforehand that in the future both he and the club would have more benefits than at that time. His head has always been shiny and it was like that at the time. Do you see him better at Barça or Madrid? He would handle himself very well in any entity, but I think that in Barcelona he would be more decisive for the players he has in the midfield and for being next to Messi. It looks for the spaces very well and above it does not fail. Barça are a possession team and I think they would be more comfortable there, but it is so good that it does not matter in the club they play.Do you think it would be the natural replacement for Suarez?Luis has shown how great a player he is and he still has football, but I think it would be ideal. Lautaro is capable of meeting any challenge, just as he is doing at Inter.How many goals do you think you will make in your entire career?He will score 400-500 goals throughout his career. In all the Racing categories, he showed that he is a true killer and not only that, but he also knows how to defend at times when the team needs him.With which player do you see a greater similarity?It is the future Aguero of world football by qualities, physique and way of facing. Time to time but I have been saying that for a long time.Finally, how has Racing evolved in these years?We have eight spaces and great talents such as Vietto, De Paul, Roger Martínez, Centurión, Gastón, Lautaro … All this has been thanks to the work of many people. 12 years ago this was not the case. I’m in charge of managing the money raised in talent and there are already more than 100 million dollars. Adrián Rubén Fernandez has been the President of Amateur and Children’s Soccer for Racing for more than 12 years. He was key in the signing of Lautaro by the Argentine club and also in the player’s refusal to Madrid when he was 18 years old.When do you observe Lautaro?Fabio Radaelli saw it in the month of November 2016 in Bahia Blanca in a test at the Club Liniers. He came to the Lautaro club a week and in 20 minutes we resolved to sign him.You are also part of the professional department of the club, how did they react when they saw you?
MUMBAI, India (AP): India’s limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina will play for new franchises Pune and Rajkot for the coming two seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pune and Rajkot are temporary replacements for Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who are suspended for two years over corruption and spot-fixing in 2013. Players from Chennai and Rajasthan were made available in a draft yesterday for the two teams to pick five players each at the salary they were getting with their old teams. Dhoni was earning $2 million per season at Chennai, while Raina used to get $1.5 million. Australian captain Steven Smith, South African batsman Faf du Plessis and Indians Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin were also selected by Pune. Rajkot picked India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, flamboyant New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum, Australian all-rounder James Faulkner and West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. The remaining players from Chennai and Rajasthan will be available to Pune and Rajkot in an auction to be conducted in February. Last week, New Rising Consortium-owned Pune and mobile phone manufacturer Intex-owned Rajkot were selected as the replacement franchises following a reverse-bidding process in which bidders were asked to discount their annual revenue share of $6 million. New Rising gave up that revenue entirely and also committed to pay $2.4 million per year to the BCCI. Intex will pay $1.5 million per year.
KINGSTON:Edwin Allen High School’s girls and St Jago High School’s boys were the big winners, taking the champion school titles at the 2016 Digicel Grand Prix Athletics Championship, which came to an end at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport on Saturday.Edwin Allen retained the girls title they won in 2015, finishing with 215 points, well ahead of Holmwood Technical on 153, while St Jago’s boys tallied 234 points to finish ahead of Calabar, with 164.Michael Dyke, head coach of Edwin Allen’s girls team, credited retaining the title with proper planning.”Based on our experience with the Grand Prix after winning last year, we were able to properly distribute our athletes across the events and the meets. I must also say that I’m very happy we won as this victory will help us to continue to enhance the track and field programme at Edwin Allen.”Gary Walsh, coach of the St Jago boys’ team, is happy with the boost that the school’s track and field team will get courtesy of their outstanding performance.”Winning the Digicel Grand Prix is a big boost to our confidence, especially for the athletes who will be performing at the Championships in another two weeks. But more important, the money that we’ve won is going to go a far way in helping us to prepare ourselves, get additional equipment for our gym, and so on,” said Walsh.”The St Jago team really came out and performed at the highest levels and they certainly deserve this win. I’m very proud of them,” he added.Five records were established at the Grand Prix final, which was staged during the G.C. Foster Classics.Sanique Walker of Vere Technical clocked 55.17 seconds to win the girls Under-17 400m, lowering the previous best of 55.77.Edwin Allen’s Shannon Kalawan set a new meet record, 53.19 seconds, in the Under-20 girls 400m, lowering the previous record held by Sashene Gayle.Excelsior High’s Shanice Love continued her march through the girls Under-20 discus, throwing 50.39m to win the event and improving the old mark, 45.16m, thrown by Shadae Lawrence of Hydel High last year.Fiona Richards, who was second, also improved on the record, with a distance of 45.36m.Kimone Reid of Edwin Allen High threw a new record, 38.08 metres to win the girls Under-17 discus, bettering the previous distance of 34.59m set by Vere’s Avery Pryce last year.NEW RECORDShevan Parks of Bellefield High clocked a record in the boys’ Under-20 800m, coming in at 1:52.73, lowering the previous mark of 1:55.89 held by Kingston College’s Chad Miller.Basilia Haughton of Rusea’s jumped a junior record 5.03m to finish fifth in the girls Under-20 long jump, which was won by Telecia Briscoe of Edwin Allen, with a leap of 5.72m.Damar Marshall of St Jago also cleared a junior record 1.85m to finish second in the boys’ Under-17 high jump, as the winner, Andrew Betton of Calabar High, registered a similar height.Meanwhile, Xavior Angus of Calabar High and Patrice Moody of Edwin Allen claimed the blue riband Under-20 boys and girls’ 100m titles, respectively.Angus was in superb form, outclassing his teammate Fabian Hewitt to win in 10.79 seconds. Hewitt ran 11 seconds flat.Moody was smooth as she claimed the girls’ equivalent in 12.17 seconds ahead of Camperdown High’s Rushelle Burton in 12.38.Kimone Shaw of St Jago continued her sprint dominance, taking the Under-17 girls 100m in a time of 12.33 seconds ahead of Sashieka Steele of Holmwood Technical in 12.55.The Under-17 boys 100m was won by Calabar’s Tyreke Wilson in 11.34, with Malik Shepherd of Wolmer’s Boys’ second in 11.71 seconds.Nigel Ellis of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) showed his class over the short sprints. Having claimed the Under-20 boys’ 100m title in 2015, he went on to win the boys’ Under-20 200m this year in a time of 21.37 ahead of his teammate Hujaye Cornwall, 21.75.Kevona Davis of Edwin Allen was a winner in the Under-17 girls 200m, posting 24.63 seconds ahead of Dazsay Freeman of Manchester in 24.88.Anthony Cox of St Jago won the boys’ equivalent in 23.00 ahead of Excelsior’s Craig Campbell in 23.01 seconds.Ashley Williams of Holmwood Technical secured the Under-20 girls 200m ahead of Kimone Hinds of Green Island in times of 24.43 and 24.54.Calabar High School’s 16-year-old sensation Christopher Taylor was at his sparkling best, clocking an astounding 45.87 seconds to blow away the field in the Under-17 boys 400m. Javed Black of St Jago was well behind in 49.08 seconds.Collin Sewell of St Jago won the Under-20 boys’ 400m in 47.88, followed by Leonardo Ledgister of STETHS in 48.05 seconds.Junelle Bromfield of STETHS could not be stopped in the Under-20 girls 800m, comfortable enough to look behind at the rest of the field as she blew through the line in 2:09.95 ahead of Holmwood Technical’s Chrissani May in 2:14.25.BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ 800MCamone Donald of Edwin Allen clocked 2:10.63 to win the Under-17 girls 800m, ahead of Britney Campbell of Holmwood in a time of 2:15.60, while Keenan Lawrence of St Jago won the boys’ equivalent in 1:56.66, with Rhodes Hall High’s Rovane Williams almost a full second behind in 1:57.65.Annia Ashley of Edwin Allen won the Under-17 girls long jump with 5.95m, finishing ahead of Holmwood’s Susan Francis, 5.70m.In the final events of the night, STETHS, with Bromfield on anchor, came from behind to win the girls 4x400m in 3:39.26 ahead of St Jago, 3:40.70.In the boys’ event, St Jago won an exciting race, as St George’s College (STGC) led for the first three legs before St Jago stormed through on the final leg to win in 3:13.72. Holmwood Technical ended second in 3:14.59, with STGC fifth in 3:17.52.
RAIPUR (CMC): Chris Gayle flopped again with the bat but grabbed two wickets as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Carlos Brathwaite’s Delhi Daredevils by six wickets, to book their spot in the play-offs of the Indian Premier League here Saturday. Chasing 139 for victory at the International Cricket Stadium, Gayle was dismissed for just one, but captain Virat Kohli extended his incredible run of form with an unbeaten 54 to see RCB home with 11 balls to spare. They finished the preliminaries second on 16 points, just two behind table-toppers Gujarat Lions, with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders also finishing on 16 points to be third and fourth, respectively. Sent in, Delhi rattled up 138 for eight off their 20 overs with opener Quinton de Kock stroking a top score of 60 off 52 balls and fellow South African gathering an unbeaten 27 from 18 deliveries. Batting at number seven, Brathwaite scored just one before scooping a wide delivery from Gayle low to Australian Shane Watson at backward point at 98 for six in the 15th over. Gayle finished with two for 11 from two overs of his unpractised off-spin. In reply, RCB lost the 36-year-old Jamaican in the second over with the score on five when he inside-edged an innocuous delivery from medium Morris on to his stumps. For the West Indies star, it was his sixth single-digit score in eight innings. There were no such problems for his opener partner Kohli, however. He faced 45 balls and counted six fours as he sped to his sixth half-century of the season to move to a massive 919 runs from 14 innings. He has also scored three centuries. Seamer Brathwaite was economical, if not penetrative, finishing with one for 18 from 3.1 overs. At Eden Gardens in Kolkata, West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine grabbed three wickets as Kolkata Knight Riders also clinched a spot in the play-offs with a 22-run victory over Sunrisers. In pursuit of 172 for victory, Sunrisers were hurt by Narine’s spell of three for 26 from four overs to finish on 149 for eight. SIXTH SINGLE-DIGIT SCORE
Denbigh High and Excelsior High were crowned urban and rural senior champions, respectively, at yesterday’s ISSA schoolgirls netball finals at the G.C. Foster College.Denbigh seniors clipped Manchester High 37-35, while Excelsior stopped, Gaynstead High 44-37.In the junior finals, Gaynstead defeated former champions Queen’s 26-23 for the urban title, while Holmwood captured their first junior final in six years after a 23-18 victory over Denbigh.Goal shooter Moya Manning, with 17 goals from 19 attempts, was the leading scorer for Denbigh in the rural senior final. She got good support from Zandria Cohen with 16 from 16, and Dane Thomas 10 from 16. Manchester High’s goal shooter, Janalee Johnson, scored 27 from 33 attempts and goal attack Shaunakaye Morgan, eight from nine.In the urban senior final, Excelsior were inspired by goal shooter Kimberly Hudson with 22 goal, from 24 attempts and goal attack Quannie Walker, 20 from 28. Goal shooter Amanda Pickney top-scored for Gaynstead with 21 from 25, and goal attack Astia Brooks got 16 from 19.The all, island finals will be played next Wednesday, December 7, at the Leila Robinson Courts.
It will be the biggest test of the second round for University of West Indies (UWI) FC when they journey to Wespow Park in Montego Bay to challenge leaders and defending champions Montego Bay United in the Red Stripe Premier League.The team, which is enjoying only its second year in the competition, is coming off a massive 4-0 win over former champions Portmore United and a 0-1 loss to the promoted Jamalco in its last two matches, which speaks to inconsistency. Additionally, they will be without two of their best players in captain and leading scorer Rochane Smith and their defensive rock Deno Schaffe.For the onlooker, the above picture looks like a certain struggle for UWI FC, especially with Montego Bay United’s deep squad and home advantage. However, UWI FC’s coach Marcel Gayle sees things differently.”They are the top, and if you want to go to the top, you have to beat the best, or who are at the top, and if you want to beat the best, you have to play your best football. That is what it is about and that is what we will have to do,” Gayle said, making the assignment seem a simple thing.PAID THE PRICE”I think we got a little bit ahead of ourselves against Jamalco after beating Portmore United. We got complacent and paid the price.”We put in the work in the past week and we hope that everything falls into place and that we get a favourable result,” Gayle added.Gayle added that while Smith and Schaffe are important members of his group, he will not dwell on their absence.”Both players are significant members of our unit, but we have a large squad and, for me, their absence is an opportunity for others to step up. Others such as Kemar Cummings, who was a regular starter last season, and the returning Akeem Thenstead are capable. There is also enough experience in the group to provide leadership,” he explained.Montego Bay United, like UWI FC, are coming off a loss in their last game. They lost 1-2 to Humble Lion and required a late goal from Johan Weatherly to see off Maverley-Hughenden in their previous game. Another loss could see them overtaken by their opponents, as well as Tivoli Gardens, both of whom are on 29 points, two below them.”They have been doing very well and, them being in third position and former leaders, is no fluke. They have ambitions,” Orville Powell of Montego Bay United said of UWI FC.”They came here before that and we won that game. With the ambition that they have, I am sure they are coming with a reversal of that first result or revenge on their mind, so we have to take this game seriously,” added Powell.A win and putting on a good performance for the home fans, Powell said, are very important, and he expects no less. Among the players he will be looking to are the competition’s joint leading scorer Dino Williams, Allan Ottey and veteran midfielder Dwayne Ambusley, who recently made his national debut.Second-placed Tivoli Gardens should be fancied to get the better of 10th-placed Harbour View when the two meet at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, especially with the return of the rejuvenated Jermaine Johnson, while Portmore United should end their mini slump run with a win over Waterhouse at Prison Oval.The Jamalco-Boys’ Town affair should be a tricky one as, while Jamalco, the home team, are coming off a draw and an away win in their last two games, bottom-of-the-table Boys’ Town are showing the kind of fight that have seen them survive when many have written them off. The presence of bright prospect Shamar Nicholson in the Boys’ Town team should be a major plus for them.Home advantage could help Reno clinch a point from their match-up with Humble Lion, while pride should help Arnett Gardens see off Maverley-Hughenden.Today’s Games:o 3 p.m.: Tivoli Gardens FC vs Harbour View FC @ Edward Seaga Sports Complexo 3 p.m.: Portmore United FC vs Waterhouse FC @ Prison Ovalo 3 p.m.:Jamalco FC vs Boys Town FC @ Wembley Centre of Excellenceo 3 p.m.: Montego Bay United FC vs UWI FC @ Wespow Park/Fairfieldo 3 p.m.: Reno FC vs Humble Lion FC @ Frome Complexo 3 p.m.: Arnett Gardens FC vs Maverley-Hughenden FC @ Anthony Spaulding Complex