All posts by h716a5.icu

The Central Districts primary schoolboys’ tournament (six District teams) was held last week at Wanganui

13-Dec-2002The Central Districts primary schoolboys’ tournament (six District teams) was held last week at Wanganui.Tournament winners Nelson received the Harry Findlay Cup. Harry Findlay is a long-serving cricket administrator based in Hawke’s Bay with particular interest originally in the primary school area. Findlay is the principal of Richmond School in Napier.The following teams have been chosen to represent Central Districts at the Central Zone Tournament with Wellington at Palmerston North from January 12-14.Central Districts Green: Brady Barnett (Nelson), Thomas Beaumont (Nelson), Kane Hughes (Taranaki), Bud Jackson (Nelson), Aiden Jones (Wairarapa), Joel Macklin (Wairarapa), Josh Poole (Marlborough), Dean Robinson (Taranaki), Liam Rukuwai (Hawke’s Bay), Steven Smidt (Hawke’s Bay), Zeb Walden (Manawatu), George Worker (Manawatu). Coach: Tony Pothan. Manager: Jim Cotterell.Central Districts Gold: Matthew Ball (Manawatu), Latham Berry (Wanganui), Sam Broadmore (Taranaki), Callum Coker (Wanganui), Regan Cotter (Wanganui), Andrew Gargiulo (Nelson), Nick Hooper (Marlborough), Zachary Lewis (Taranaki), Bronson Meehan (Hawke’s Bay), William Meehan (Hawke’s Bay), Tristan Palmer (Nelson), Joshua Rurawhe (Wanganui). Coach: Scott Larsen. Manager Jack Rurawhe.

Crystal Palace posted a video of England manager Gareth Southgate during his playing days for the Eagles on Wednesday morning, and a number of supporters were quick to react to the footage on social media.

Southgate, who came through the Palace youth system and spent seven years as a professional at Selhurst Park, guided England to their first major final since 1966 after a 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday night at Euro 2020.

The 50-year-old made 75 Premier League appearances for the Eagles and, on the day of the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley, Palace featured the England boss in their Goal of the Day.

Southgate picked up the ball in his own half, advanced upfield and unleashed an unstoppable strike in front of the Palace faithful, which is available to view here.

Palace fans react

Palace posted the video on their official Twitter page and here is what these Eagles fans had to say in reply, with one supporter describing it as ‘class’.

“I’m so proud of Gareth Southgate. Palace we’re taking this win, we’ve produced one of England’s all time greatest managers and a lovely bloke too. Up the Palace!”Credit: @se25jg”How had I forgotten this strike – magnificent”Credit: @rickyj555″Class”Credit: @amancpfc”There’s nothing the man can’t do”Credit: @James_SE22″Was thinking the other day that getting England to a major final would finally out do this stupendous goal as the best thing I’ve seen Gareth Southgate do. Glad the site are tweeting this though because probably only Palace fans of a certain age are even aware of this goal”Credit: @tashkat81″What a hit!”Credit: @Dave_Winbod

In other news: ‘Is there anything worse?’, ‘Ugh’ – Many Crystal Palace fans react as ‘awful’ news is confirmed, find out more here. 

Second chances don’t come around very often, especially at Celtic Football Club.

For a club etched in so much history, it’s a team that will chew you up and spit you back out if disappointing performances arise.

Just ask a certain Leigh Griffiths, a man who’s had several chances to prove his worth at Parkhead.

Considering his record, the 30-year-old deserves to be respected a little bit more. He formed part of the teams that won nine in a row as he scored 123 goals in 262 appearances.

However, after a laborious attacking campaign in 2020/21 for Griffiths, he was called into question.

The Scot scored just seven goals and ended up being left out of Steve Clarke’s for the European Championships. It looked like he wouldn’t sign a new deal with Celtic either.

Though, Ange Postecoglou and Dominic McKay handed him another bite of the cherry by extending his deal by an extra year last week. It’s already started in torrid circumstances for Griffiths who has been sent home from the club’s training camp in Wales.

Griffiths will no doubt receive another opportunity to get into this side but if they sign another forward, he should remain on the sidelines.

The Hoops have been linked with a move for Kevin Nisbet, a man who may cost around the £4m mark this summer.

He was the second top scorer in the Premiership last term and made three substitute appearances at Euro 2020.

Improving all the time, the striker has been described as a “wonderful player” by pundit Frank McAvennie.

He scored 18 goals last term and if Celtic are able to lure him to Paradise, he could be another Griffiths.

Nisbet isn’t as hot-headed as the Hoops forward but his ability to find the back of the net is remarkably similar. They also both proved themselves with Hibs before being linked with pastures new.

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Celtic’s current number nine spent two years on loan at Easter Road from Wolves where he was in the form of his life.

The experienced attacker beat the goalkeeper on 38 occasions in 78 times for the Edinburgh club before earning his move to one of the biggest clubs in Scotland.

That meant he scored a goal every 164 minutes. Compare that to Nisbet and he has found the net on 18 occasions in 45 outings for Hibs; a goal every 197 minutes.

The Celtic target’s record might not be quite as impressive but he is still young at the age of 24, meaning he has plenty of time to develop and improve on that tally.

Postecoglou’s side have already proven in the past that luring the best forward players in Scotland to the club is a successful recipe.

Scott McDonald proved that by moving from Motherwell to the Hoops and scoring 59 times in 117 appearances.

They must use their experience there and with Griffiths to weigh up the pros and cons of landing Nisbet.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano delivers exciting Celtic transfer update, fans should be buzzing…

Bevan Griggs has become something of a match-saver in recent times for Central Districts and he produced the goods again to give his side a winning advantage in their opening State Shield match with Canterbury in Nelson today

Lynn McConnell28-Dec-2002Bevan Griggs has become something of a match-saver in recent times for Central Districts and he produced the goods again to give his side a winning advantage in their opening State Shield match with Canterbury in Nelson today.He scored his maiden first-class century against India for CD earlier in the season and today his maiden Shield half-century, scored during a vital 103-run partnership with fellow wicket-keeper Ian Sandbrook gave CD the winning impetus in their match.CD were in dire straits in their innings at 85/5, a disappointing situation given they had chosen to bat first, but the glovemen knuckled down and took their chances to help their side to 208/8 which, if not outstanding, was at least competitive.Griggs scored 59 off 61 balls hitting seven fours while debutant Sandbrook took a more supportive role in scoring 57 off 104 balls with five fours and a six.Earlier, Glen Sulzberger had done a good job in restoring order for his side with 29 runs off 62 balls which set the scene for the later recovery.Canterbury must have been delighted to remove Craig Spearman, before he got into his stride, for one run while Jesse Ryder, making his debut, was out for five.Stephen Cunis with three for 32 from his 10 overs and three for 34 to Ryan Burson off nine were the key performers for Canterbury although Chris Martin with one for 30 off eight overs and Carl Anderson with one for 34 provided outstanding support.But needing a good start, Canterbury fell into the same hole as the CD top order and they were 13 for two with Paul Wiseman out for a duck and Michael Papps for 10 with only 13 runs on the board.Shanan Stewart and Gary Stead attempted a recovery, but Stewart was out for 17 and followed soon after by Chris Harris for a duck which meant Canterbury were 36/4 and facing a huge task against CD’s bowlers who were relishing the conditions.Michael Mason suggested he had benefited from his time in the TelstraClear Black Caps camp by conceding only seven runs from the seven overs he bowled and he eventually finished with two for 14 from his 10.Peter Fulton wasn’t prepared to be dictated to however, and he joined with Anderson and Cunis to get Canterbury up to 169 before he was out for 64 scored off 87 balls.He couldn’t avoid the home town bowling of Andrew Schwass and was held at mid off by Brent Hefford who had to have two attempts to make the catch.Cunis maintained the assault but the pressure was on and he was also a victim of Schwass halfway through the 48th over for 33 runs scored off 31 balls.Schwass finished with three for 31 from his 10 overs while the contrast between CD’s off-spinners was remarkable. Campbell Furlong took one for 20, that one being the vital wicket of Stead, while Sulzberger took none for 56 from 10 overs.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes the Whites will continue in their attempts to sign Rangers winger Ryan Kent this summer.

The Lowdown: Leeds show Kent interest

Marcelo Bielsa is believed to be interested in signing the former Liverpool man, with Leeds tipped to sign him a number of times in recent months as well as a rejected bid last summer.

Kent has been a key player for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side, scoring eight goals and registering seven assists in last season’s title-winning campaign, not to mention being hailed as ‘sensational’ by his manager.

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The Latest: Whelan makes bold call

While the Englishman is yet to agree a move to Leeds, Whelan, who recently found new employment at Elland Road helping in the community, told Football Insider that his club will persist in their interest in the wide man:

“This has been rumbling on now for what, three years?

“Bielsa, Leeds, they’re not going anywhere. They still want this man to be playing for Leeds United. He’s had three more years of experience under his belt at Rangers.

“He’s been under a good manager and in a successful team, which will only bring a bit more confidence to the player. He’ll have that experience you need in big games and playing in front of fans.

“He is a special player, there’s no doubt about that. That’s the reason why Steven Gerrard went out there to bring him in. He wasn’t just picking Ryan Kent because he was available.

“He picked him because he was going to improve the team that he was managing. No different to Marcelo Bielsa. We’ve got great wingers there.

“I do believe there’s a place up (for grabs) because I don’t think Helder Costa has been doing it for me. I do believe we need another winger there to just test the waters of the other players. See how they react by putting that competition directly in their faces.

“He could be one that can play a number 10, out on the wings, in the central midfield area. A player that’s versatile. That versatility that he brings to the team could put him in a number of positions in that forward line.”

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The Verdict: Ideal squad player

Kent may still be unproven in the Premier League, which does make a potential move risky, but he could be an ideal squad addition ahead of next season.

Raphinha and Jack Harrison could do with more competition and a chance to rest and rotate, in order to keep them on their toes, and the Rangers man’s pace, directness and work rate could all suit Bielsa’s style.

While Kent is most known for his on-the-ball ability, he still managed to average 0.8 tackles and 0.6 interceptions per game in the Scottish Premiership last season, showing he also has the ability to press from the front in Bielsa’s system.

In other news, one Leeds player is reportedly close to leaving the club. Find out who it is here.

There is likely to be no television coverage of this summer’s ODI fixture between Scotland and England

Neil Drysdale17-Jun-2008Roddy Smith, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, has expressed his disappointment at the fact there is likely to be no television coverage of this summer’s ODI fixture between Scotland and England.Smith, who has been working with the ECB in an attempt to secure a TV deal for what he describes as the “biggest match” in his organisation’s history, at the Citylets Grange in Edinburgh on August 18, is now almost resigned to the prospect of the game being ignored by broadcasters, in much the same fashion as Scotland’s newly-completed rugby tour of Argentina.”Sky had first refusal, but they have a lot of other cricket commitments in August, so have decided not to pursue their interest in the game, whilst the BBC are dedicating so many resources to their coverage of the Olympic Games [in Beijing] that they are not able to fit us into their schedules,” said Smith, who further revealed that the cameras will be absent from his country’s meeting with New Zealand in Aberdeen next month.”We are still talking to [satellite company] Setanta, but the SPL will have started again by the time the England team come up here, and the chances in that direction are receding. It is disappointing, because there is obviously an awful lot of interest from the public on both sides of the Border over the Scotland v England contest, and, as matters stand, the only people who will see the game are the [6000] spectators who come to the Grange on the day. We appreciate, though, that the BBC have a massive commitment to the Olympics, and they will be covering all the action on radio, in the shape of Test Match Special, but clearly, it would have been good if they could have shown it on television too.”Smith, ever the diplomat, is entitled to be quietly furious at this turn of events. After all, the BBC screened full coverage of last year’s meeting between Ireland and England, and it seems frankly absurd that they have ruled out any involvement in a match which is certain to generate significant attention from the cricketing sphere and also the wider world. It isn’t even as if the match will clash with any major weekend pursuits, because the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and possibly Andrew Flintoff will lock horns with Ryan Watson on a Monday, but the decision appears to be cut and dried.Smith also confirmed that the Scotland squad for the triangular series involving Ireland and New Zealand will be announced at the end of this week and he is hopeful that the Scottish trio, Kyle Coetzer, Navdeep Poonia and Calum MacLeod, will be released by their counties (Durham and Warwickshire) to participate in the brace of ODIs.

Nigel Bennett, who captained Surrey in 1946, has died at the age of 95

Martin Williamson03-Aug-2008Nigel Bennett, who captained Surrey in 1946, has died at the age of 95.Bennett’s one summer in first-class cricket is shrouded in confusion and his appointment for the first post-war season was generally assumed to have been a case of mistaken identity. Legend goes that the intention had been to offer the position to Major Leo Bennett, a well-known amateur, but Nigel Bennett, whose only regular cricket was some club games before the war, accepted before the error came to light. Given that his appointment was announced in February, giving the committee almost three months to realise their mistake, this seems unlikely.The outcome was sadly inevitable. Wisden reflected that “want of knowledge on the field presented an unconquerable hindrance to the satisfactory accomplishment of the Major’s arduous duties… which prejudiced the general work of the side.” Surrey slumped to 11th, their worst finish ever, and at the end of the season Bennett departed back the anonymity from where he came.Bennett had spent two years in the Stowe XI and topped the averages in 1930, but otherwise he was almost unknown when picked.

There will always be a manager ready to gamble on Wolves’ Adama Traore, claims Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Traore continues to be linked with some big clubs, including Premier League rivals Chelsea as they look to build on their European success.

According to The Athletic, the Blues maintain an interest in the £27m-rated 25-year-old, with Thomas Tuchel keen to strengthen his options out wide.

Last season, Traore was not at his best. He scored just two goals and provided the same amount of assists, a drop off from the nine he registered the campaign prior.

Even so, Hatfield believes managers will always be attracted to the Spain international. He told FFC:

“With Traore, I think everyone will always take a punt on him. There’ll always be a manager willing to take a punt on someone like Traore, particularly at that higher level where they think, you know, they can coach the best out of him.

“We’ve not seen a consistent Adama Traore really, maybe apart from the season before last. If he can get back to that, he’s certainly a player who’s worth a serious amount of money.”

While his end product is still not quite there yet, or at least not consistently, Traore still brings a lot with his dribbling.

Averaging 4.1 dribbles per game last term, no Premier League player made more (via WhoScored), so you can see why the former Middlesbrough man is attracting interest this summer.

West Ham United continued their pre-season preparations with a comprehensive 6-2 victory over Scottish giants Celtic at Parkhead [West Ham United FC Official].

In an enthralling encounter, the Hammers were in cruise control as efforts from Michael Antonio, Mark Noble, Said Benrahma, Jarrod Bowen and Armstrong Oko-Flex sealed an impressive triumph [Football London].

Edging closer to their first fixture of the Premier League campaign, the Irons will take part in friendlies against newly-promoted top-flight outfit Brentford and Serie A side Atalanta in a bid to reach peak fitness for 2021/22.

Seemingly building momentum at the right time, the East Londoners will be desperate to continue their clinical mentality in front of goal against Celtic into their opening competitive match of the season away to Newcastle United on August 15th [NUFC Official].

In light of this positivity, no wonder plenty of West Ham diehards took to Twitter to revel in the convincing win.

West Ham fans react:

Replying to the West Ham United official Twitter account, here is what some happy supporters had to say about their successful exploits in Glasgow:

“Absolutely beautiful! Come on you Irons”

Credit: @MrWood007″light work”Credit: @DQuinncroft”Europa League is ours”Credit: @STFCchaz”Only a friendly but some lovely football and some great finishes – excited for this season- looks like we have some good youngsters coming through – They will do well under Moyes.”Credit: @steved281″Benrahma’s flicked assist for Bowen’s goal. Wow.”Credit: @TheCam01491612″Well done lads”Credit: @colbyjaytaitIn other news, West Ham fans rage at a reported transfer pursuit.

England players who have been involved in all forms of cricket during the season will be given an extended break after the one-day series against South Africa and won’t be available for their counties for the rest of the summer

Cricinfo staff01-Sep-2008Player availabilityUnavailable for rest of season Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook (except a Pro40 fixture & T20 floodlit challenge), Andrew Flintoff, Ryan Sidebottom (due to injury)Available for rest of season Tim Ambrose, Ravi Bopara, Stephen Harmison, Samit Patel, Monty Panesar, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Andrew Strauss, Graeme Swann, Luke WrightEngland players who have been involved in all forms of cricket during the season will be given an extended break after the one-day series against South Africa, and won’t be available for their counties for the rest of the summer. Andrew Flintoff, despite only returning to international cricket in the middle of July, is also unavailable as England coach Peter Moores looks ahead to a packed calendar from the end of October.Durham will be relieved that Steve Harmison has been made available as they chase their first Championship title, but will have to do without Paul Collingwood. Nottinghamshire’s challenge is boosted with Graeme Swann and Samit Patel returning from international duty, but Ryan Sidebottom has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his injury problems. Sussex, too, will be strengthened with the availability of Matt Prior and Luke Wright.The postponement of the Champions Trophy has provided an unexpected chance for some players to return to their counties. However, Moores said it was important for those with a heavy workload to take advantage of the rare opportunity of an extended rest ahead of the Stanford Super Series and India tour.”It has been a gruelling summer schedule and it’s important for those players involved in both the Test and ODI squads to be rested ahead of what promises to be a hectic winter,” Moores said. “It is important the players use that interval to refresh themselves mentally and physically ahead of a schedule that has little respite over the next 12 months.”Alastair Cook is available for two one-day matches for Essex – a Pro40 against Warwickshire and a floodlit challenge game – but won’t have any Championship action. This is despite him only playing two days of cricket since the final Test against South Africa finished on August 11.”Alastair has not featured in the current series and after working hard on his one-day game during recent weeks he is available Essex,” explained Moores.For those players with no more cricket this season, after Cardiff on Wednesday, there is now an eight-week break before the week of matches in Antigua for the Stanford Super Series. After a week in the Caribbean, England begin their seven-match one-day series in India on November 14 before two Tests before Christmas. The first Test in West Indies begins on February 4 in Jamaica and the final ODI is on April 3.England’s next home season includes a two-Test series against Sri Lanka before the ICC World Twenty20 and the Ashes series. That is followed by seven ODIs against Australia, then there is the chance of a rescheduled Champions Trophy.