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Post by raliverpool on Jul 23, 2017 18:41:53 GMT 1
There are two more additions to this list today.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jul 23, 2017 21:48:26 GMT 1
ENGLAND WOMEN'S CRICKET TEAMAn exceptionally tense finish saw England beat India by 9 runs with 8 balls to spare, in the World Cup Final. The match was played at Lord's in front of a full house of 25,000 spectators, setting a new all-time world record for a women's cricket match. England came into the tournament ranked #2 in the world. But they lost their first match to India, who were ranked #4. It proved to be the wake-up call they needed, as England then beat Australia (#1), New Zealand (#3), South Africa (#5), West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their other group matches. I was lucky enough to go to the game against New Zealand, played at Derby, which revealed to me the exceptionally high standard of the women's game these days. Having won the qualifying group, England dispatched South Africa in the semi-final, whilst India saw off Australia in the other game. England had won the previous two World Cups staged in Britain, in 1973 and 1993, plus the 2009 tournament which was hosted by Australia. Anya Shrubsole was one of England's heroes, taking 12 wickets in the competition, including 6-46 in the final. Tammy Beaumont was top scorer and player of the tournament, with 410 runs at an average of 45.6. Wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor's athleticism was regularly applauded, and she contributed 396 runs. Natalie Sciver was top all-rounder, with 2 centuries, 6 catches and 7 wickets. And captain Heather Knight led by example - 364 runs and 8 wickets. If they don't win SPOTY Team of the Year, it will be a travesty.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jul 23, 2017 22:03:25 GMT 1
CHRIS FROOME, SIMON YATES, GERAINT THOMAS & TEAM SKYThe Tour de France is cycling's greatest race. Historic, beautiful, and challenging beyond measure. Brits excelled in 2017. Chris Froome won the race for the 4th time. That puts him 5th in the all-time list, behind two Frenchmen, a Belgian and a Spaniard, all of whom won the race 5 times. His 2017 achievement is all the more credible, because the race organisers tried to design a route and format which would dramatically reduce his chances of winning, to avoid the event becoming too dull. Simon Yates finished 7th overall, and won the Best Young Rider competition, for cyclists aged 26 or younger. Simon's twin brother, Adam Yates, was the Best Young Rider in 2016. Froome's team-mate, Geraint Thomas won the 1st stage of the 2017 Tour de France - a time trial in Dusseldorf. This meant he led the race after the 1st day, and he retained the yellow jersey of the leader for the next 4 days, until Froome overtook him. Thomas crashed out of the race on stage 9, breaking his collarbone. The British-based Team Sky, captained by Luke Rowe, were the best team at the 2017 Tour de France. This prize is awarded based on the cumulative times of the best 3 riders on each stage. Team Sky are the best funded professional cycling team, and their team of international all-stars rode superbly to protect Froome, and pace him to victory.
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Post by rubcale on Jul 25, 2017 10:26:46 GMT 1
The England's Women's Cricket Team win was amazing.
At one point the semi against South Africa was looking dodgy and again in the final at one stage they looked dead and buried until Anya Shrubsole ran amok.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jul 28, 2017 7:12:40 GMT 1
ADAM PEATYThe Uttoxeter-born breaststroker deserves a post of his own, following his exploits at the World Championships this week in Budapest. He won gold in the 50m and 100m events. In the 50m be broke his own world record in the heats, and broke it again in the semi-finals. His time in the final was the 2nd fastest ever, just 0.04 seconds behind the world record he set in the semis. Peaty is now Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Champion in the 100m breaststroke, and World and European Champion at 50m. He holds the world record at both distances. He isn't Olympic champion at 50m solely because it isn't an Olympic event; so his only medal gap is as a result of only finishing second in the 2014 Commonwealth Games 50m, a mere 0.02 seconds behind the winner.
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Post by Panda on Jul 29, 2017 17:37:24 GMT 1
Oh, I thought you were aware as you've posted about the wheelchair successes in the past? In fact your posts made me realise I should get back into following wheelchair tennis again (though last year's Paralympics did rather pass me by in this respect).
Jordanne Whiley won women's doubles, and the all Brit pairing of Alfie Hewitt and Gordon Reid won the men's. Watched a good chunk of the men's before the rain delay and then after the women's singles final and watching a match live rather than just the odd clip on the main coverage later really makes you appreciate the skill involved. I would say it was a good match but Alfie and Gordon did try to throw it away at the end! From what I saw Alfie was the stand-out player (and this was also confirmed by the commentators), it's hard to believe he's only 19.
The womens wasn't so exciting, but then I only saw a set and a bit and her and her partner went on to win the final set 6-0 so maybe the standard improved. Incredible win for them against the 2nd seeds given that they lost the first set 6-2. I did wonder what had happened to Jordanne Whiley, she's not really done much since her dominance in the doubles in the past, but then discovered she was out for 8 months through injury since her last Wimbledon title.
Anyway, that should cover it, said a lot more than I was planning to say!
And it turns out Jordanne Whiley won whilst 11 weeks pregnant!
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Tom
Member
*Of Royal Blood*
Posts: 15,419
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Post by Tom on Jul 29, 2017 20:48:05 GMT 1
Wow for Jordanne Whiley but I think I was hoping that title was a sign that she was returning to her best.. Still, if that's the last slam she plays for a while a good way to go out!
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Post by Shireblogger on Aug 4, 2017 22:27:53 GMT 1
I'll do an athletics wrap-up next week.
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Post by Shireblogger on Aug 14, 2017 10:24:21 GMT 1
MO FARAHMo bows out of track competition with a world gold (10,000m) and a world silver (5,000m) in London. As a salute to one of Britain's greatest ever athletes, here is a quick reminder of his palmares:- OLYMPICS: 4 golds (2012-16) WORLD CHAMPS: 6 golds, 1 silver (2011-17) WORLD HALF-MARATHON CHAMPS: 1 bronze (2016) EUROPEAN CHAMPS: 5 golds, 1 silver (2006-14) EUROPEAN INDOOR CHAMPS: 2 golds (2009-11) EUROPEAN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPS: 1 gold, 2 silvers (2006-09) EUROPEAN U-23 CHAMPS: 2 silvers (2003-05) EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPS: 1 gold (2001) EUROPEAN RECORDS: 7 (1500m, 2 miles, 10,000m, 10km road, 15km road, 20km road, half marathon) BRITISH RECORDS: 9 (European + 3000m, 5000m) WORLD INDOOR RECORDS: 1 (2 miles) EUROPEAN INDOOR RECORDS: 2 (World + 5000m) BRITISH INDOOR RECORDS: 3 (European + 3000m) KNIGHTHOOD: 2017 CBE: 2013 BRITISH ATHLETICS WRITERS' AWARDS: 5 BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: 3rd (2011)
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Post by Shireblogger on Aug 14, 2017 10:43:21 GMT 1
GB & NI RELAY TEAMSAn unprecedented, and absolute brilliant, set of 4 medals from the 4 relays at the 2017 World Championships in London. GOLD - MEN'S 4x100mChijindu Ujah (23, London) Adam Gemili (23, London) Danny Talbot (26, Somerset) Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (23, London) SILVER - WOMEN'S 4x100mAsha Philip (26, London) Desiree Henry (21, London) Dina Asher-Smith (21, London) Daryll Neita (20, London) SILVER - WOMEN'S 4x400mZoey Clark (22, Aberdeen) Laviai Nielsen (21, London) Eilidh Doyle (30, Perth) Emily Diamond (26, Bristol) + Perri Shakes-Drayton (28, London)- ran in the semi-final & earns a medal BRONZE - MEN'S 4x400mMatthew Hudson-Smith (22, Wolverhampton) Rabah Yousif (30, Sudan) Dwayne Cowan (32, London) Martyn Rooney (30, London) + Jack Green (25, Maidstone) - ran in the semi-final & earns a medal GREAT Britain & NORTHERN IRELAND finished 6th in the medal table, with 2 golds, 3 silvers & 1 bronze; behind USA, Kenya, South Africa, France & China.
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Post by rubcale on Aug 14, 2017 11:16:13 GMT 1
Adam Gemili had a point to prove - he should really have been given a place in the individuals.
Both the sprint relays were very exciting.
To some extent the success of the relay teams has covered up an overall disappointing performance by quite a few of the GB team.
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Post by Shireblogger on Aug 14, 2017 12:03:00 GMT 1
To some extent the success of the relay teams has covered up an overall disappointing performance by quite a few of the GB team. I partly agree and partly disagree with you. A few of our athletes did have disappointing championships. CJT probably the most, but Sophie Hitchon was clearly distraught about her result too. But some over-performed amazingly - Dina Asher-Smith, Callum Hawkins, Nathaneel M-B, Laura Muir (two Top 6s) and Kyle Langford especially. The relay success was earned. We've put huge effort into those events recently, ensuring that the sum is greater than the parts. We've build up relay squads, practised hard, and developed winning strategies. That should be applauded. We're in danger of becoming a medals-by-entitlement nation. Sure, we invest quite a lot of money in athletics; but it still ranks much lower than the major team sports (football, rugby, cricket), plus tennis, golf and motor racing, and possibly cycling, in terms of public interest. But when we finish 6th in the medals table, ahead of Jamaica, Germany and Australia, to name just 3, and people start complaining about it being a poor performance, it irritates me. They were a great championships, showcasing how well Brits organise major sporting events. And the British competitors did very well. Not outstanding, but nothing to denigrate either.
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Post by rubcale on Aug 14, 2017 18:12:47 GMT 1
Certainly a great championship and while the crowd supported the home athletes they were very fair and gave the other competing athletes a great reception.
I agree with most of the names you mention above but imo Sophie Hitchon underperformed and Laura Muir threw away a medal in the 1500m by running badly tactically - getting boxed inand having to expend energy fighting her way out and catching up with the leaders taking sa toll on her legs in the last 20m or so.
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Tom
Member
*Of Royal Blood*
Posts: 15,419
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Post by Tom on Aug 14, 2017 19:00:27 GMT 1
To some extent the success of the relay teams has covered up an overall disappointing performance by quite a few of the GB team. I partly agree and partly disagree with you. A few of our athletes did have disappointing championships. CJT probably the most, but Sophie Hitchon was clearly distraught about her result too. But some over-performed amazingly - Dina Asher-Smith, Callum Hawkins, Nathaneel M-B, Laura Muir (two Top 6s) and Kyle Langford especially. The relay success was earned. We've put huge effort into those events recently, ensuring that the sum is greater than the parts. We've build up relay squads, practised hard, and developed winning strategies. That should be applauded. We're in danger of becoming a medals-by-entitlement nation. Sure, we invest quite a lot of money in athletics; but it still ranks much lower than the major team sports (football, rugby, cricket), plus tennis, golf and motor racing, and possibly cycling, in terms of public interest. But when we finish 6th in the medals table, ahead of Jamaica, Germany and Australia, to name just 3, and people start complaining about it being a poor performance, it irritates me. They were a great championships, showcasing how well Brits organise major sporting events. And the British competitors did very well. Not outstanding, but nothing to denigrate either. I'm not sure we could have done much better. KJT definitely should have got a medal, and I actually thought Laura Muir should have got a 1500m medal too, I was disappointed she missed out, and I suspect she expected a medal too. But the bronze in the men's 4x400 relay was a bonus which all equates to only 1 down. As you say there were some great performances to get 4th, though I wasn't as impressed with DAS as maybe others were. Certainly impressive but I don't know whether it's because I have high expectations of her, or I wasn't as into the athletics that night as I might have been (think it was the only event I watched that day) but I never thought she'd be at the back in the final thinking she'd be in the middle. Even more sure now than I was 2/3 years ago that she'll be getting medals in the future though.
As for Hitchon disagree with any idea that she underperformed, as Toni Minichello said if anything she overperformed based on her ranking! I also read that the competition was stronger than it was in Rio.
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Post by Shireblogger on Aug 15, 2017 21:46:13 GMT 1
ANDY MURRAYNow enjoying his 41st and final week as world #1. He'll be dethroned by Nadal on Monday. Here is a complete list of Britain's other Top 10 ranked tennis players since 1975, when men's and women's world rankings came on stream:- Virginia Wade: 2nd Sue Barker: 3rd Greg Rusedski: 4th Tim Henman: 4th Johanna Konta: 4th Jo Durie: 5th Reinforces how good Murray is.
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Post by rubcale on Aug 16, 2017 10:56:36 GMT 1
Hope you're wrong that this is Andy's "final" week at #1 and it's only temporary although I've a bad feeling about it.
While injury has played a big part he's also taken a lot out of himself in achieving it. I'm just not sure if the hunger is still there.
Hard to believe that a couple of years ago everyone was saying Federer and Nadal were washed up and now Federer looks set to replace Nadal at the top shortly.
Ann Jones retired just before the computer rankings began.
If you just ranked on a points system the Virginia Wade would emerge as the top British woman tennis player because of her longevity. Many years reaching quarter finals rake in the points but for me Mrs Jones deserves the accolade although it is hard to judge one era against another.
While Virginia won Wimbledon, US and Australian they were all on grass (at that time) while Ann's Wimbledon and 2 French were achieved on grass and clay.
Moreover she reached another 6 Finals (3 on grass and 3 clay as opposed to none from Virginia) and attained 21 (yes twenty one semis).
Andy or Fred Perry for the men - too tough to call.
Me
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Post by Shireblogger on Aug 20, 2017 18:43:24 GMT 1
GB 3-DAY EVENTING TEAMEuropean gold for Nicola Watson, Tina Cook, Ros Canter and Gemma Tattersall in Strzegom, Poland. Watson also took bronze in the individual event, with Cook 4th, Canter 5th and Tattesall 7th. The European Eventing Championships are held every 2 years. Britain has an excellent record, winning the team competition 22 times since the competition's inauguration in 1953. Other countries have won just 11 times.
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Post by rubcale on Aug 22, 2017 10:41:34 GMT 1
Without Pippa Funnell too.
Good to see them back in their usual form.
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Post by Shireblogger on Aug 24, 2017 6:34:14 GMT 1
I won't be posting anything here for the next 2 weeks, because I'll be off-line. Therefore, I'd be grateful is anyone else wants to write up any noteworthy performances.
England v New Zealand in the Women's Rugby World Cup Final, in Belfast, on 26th August, is obviously worth watching, and worthy of a post, regardless of whether England win or lose.
And both England teams (men and women) are through to the Euro Hockey semi-finals, where both face off against the Netherlands this weekend.
In Spain, Chris Froome currently leads in the Vuelta a Espana, with the Yates twins, Adam and Simon, both in the Top 10. We're not far into this 3-week race, so lots could happen. My box is set to record the highlights of each day, so we'll have a feast of cycling when we return home.
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Post by suedehead on Aug 24, 2017 8:32:14 GMT 1
Have a good holiday (assuming that is the reason for your absence).
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