Compiled by Larry Gardner

WIMBLEDON TITLE FOR BRITISH YOUNGSTER

BRITISH SUCCESS at Wimbledon has been severely sparse over the years, but a spark of hope and a dream of better things to come, came in the form of Laura Robson, who won the junior girls singles title. The 14-year-old Londoner who actually lives in Wimbledon, beat 16-year-old Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.Its the first time a British youngster has won this title since Annabel Croft won it in 1984. She was the youngest player in the draw.

“Its weird seeing yourself on the front page of every newspaper,” said the new teenage champion, who admitted. “I’m still in a bit of shock.”

Four days into Wimbledon, only the Murray brothers, Andy and Jamie, remained of the British challenge. Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothavong and Chris Eaton had first round victories but fell at the second hurdle. Andy Murray progressed to the quarter-finals before number two seed Rafael Nadal torched the Scot 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Murray had earlier eliminated Fabrio Santoro, Xavier Malisse, Tommy Haas, and had half the TV viewership in Britain, watching as he spectacularly came back from two sets down to beat Richard Gasquet of France. Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Jamie Murray and new partner Liezel Huber of the US, went out in the semi-finals to eventual winners Bob Bryan (US) and Samantha Stosur (Aus) 2-6, 7-6 (7-6) 6-4. Murray and Max Mirnyi were beaten 6-2, 7-5, 6-3, in the men’s doubles third round by Daniel Nestor (US) and Nenad Simonjic (Serb).

The top four seeds in the women’s singles were eliminated by the first week leaving the coast clear for the Williams sisters, where Venus earned her fifth Wimbledon crown to the detriment of sister Serena. The Williams sisters went on to win the women’s doubles beating Lisa Raymond (US) and Samantha Stosur (Aus) 6-2, 6-2. A titanic struggle in the men’s singles witnessed the longest final in Wimbledon history as Rafael Nadal won his fifth Grand Slam ousting six time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.

CRICKET: KIWIS CONCLUDE TOUR

New Zealand ended their English tour with a five match series of ODIs that they won 3-1. England needed to win the final match at Lord’s to tie the series which had included one game abandoned through bad weather. At Lord’s the Kiwis won by 51 runs.

New Zealand 266-5 at 50 overs. England 215 all out. The tourists then went to Aberdeen, to play Ireland, where they entered the record books with the highest total in a 50 overs match beating the Irish by 290 runs. New Zealand 402-2 (James Marshall 161, Brendon McCullum 166) at 50 overs. Ireland 112. At Mannofield, they beat Scotland by eight wickets to win the Lloyd’s TSB tri-series. Scotland 101 (33.2 overs) New Zealand 102-2 after 14.4 overs.

ENGLAND . . . WELCOME SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa began their summer tour of England with a drawn three dayer against Somerset at Taunton. Somerset 249 and 115-3 dec. South Africa 515 (Hashim Amla 172,Jacques Kallis 160)- 3 dec and 215-6 at close. The First Test at Lord’s was drawn.

England 593 (Kevin Pietersen 152, Ian Bell 199)-8 dec. South Africa 247 (Ashwell Prince 101) and 393 (Graeme Smith 107, Neil Mckenzie 138, Hashim Amla 104) three at close.

The six nations, 50 over Asia Cup tournament saw Sri Lanka beat India by 100 runs in the final, July 6.

THE COUNTY GAME

The semi-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy witnessed Kent beat holders Durham by 83 runs at Chester-le-Street. Kent 310 (Joe Denly 102, Martin van Jaarsveld 122) 8 at 50 overs. Durham 218. At Chelmsford, in the other semi-final, Essex conquered Yorkshire by 87 runs. Essex 285-8 at 50 overs. Yorks 198. The final is at Lords, August 16.

The County Championship mid-July witnessed Durham batter Surrey by ten wickets at Guildford, to lead the county table by a single point (106pts) over Somerset after eight games. Surrey 220 (Scott Newman 133) and 323. Durham 410 (Will Smith 201 not out) and 134-0 at close. Warwickshire (125pts) extended their lead in division two by 30pts after smashing Middlesex by an innings and 56 runs at Uxbridge. Warwicks 393. Middlesex 170 and 167.

TWO FOR LEWIS HAMILTON

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, July 6. Starting on grid four, he was in the lead by the fifth lap and never lost it. He went to lead the driver’s table (48pts apiece) jointly with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. It was his third win of the year. After failing to win any points in his last two races, Hamilton called it, “The best victory I’ve ever had!”

Prior to the race, David Coulthard announced his retirement from Formula One at the end of this year. The 36 year Scottish driver has spent 14 years on the F1 circuit, driving for Williams, McClaren and presently the Red Bull team. He has 13 career Grand Prix victories. His car spun off early in the Silverstone race.

At Hockenheim, July 20, Lewis Hamilton earned his fourth victory of the year in the German Grand Prix, where he put his skills to good use after some debatable pitting strategies. He was fourth after a 50th lap pit stop, but ten laps later was infront and stayed there.

DARIO LOSES HIS DRIVE

Dario Franchitti’s Nascar hopes took a tumble last month when owner Chip Ganessi terminated the Scot’s No 40 Dodge team because of a lack of sponsorship. The reigning Indy Car Champion and 2007 Indianapolis winner has tussled with the new bumper to bumper format and a broken ankle that had him out for five races during May and June did not help. Ganessi has two other Nascar teams which will continue to race. The Scot feels there is still a place for him in motor-racing, and will keep his options open.

MARK CAVENDISH MAKES CYCLING HISTORY

The Tour de France has been beset with controversy over the last few years, but Isle Man rider Mark Cavendish, part of Team Colombia made some British history of his own last month. He won four stages of the greatest cycle race on earth, putting him in the history books as the most successful Brit ever in this competition. Previously, Barry Hoban had been the only Brit to win two stages back in 1973. After winning the second stage he would win at Toulouse, Narbonne and Nimes. Later, the 23-year-old was forced to withdraw from the race citing fatigue and a desire to ready himself for the Beijing Olympics. The Tour de France concluded July 27.

DARTS, IRISH DERBY, RUGBY

Former 13 times world dart champion Phil Taylor may not be the reigning champion anymore, but his extra-ordinary talent still makes opponents nervous. He won his fourth Las Vegas Desert Classic last month at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel. Facing fellow Englishman James Wade in the 25 leg final, the Stoke-on-Trent player won 13-7 and collected the winner’s purse of £20,000.

Frozen Fire (16-1) won the Irish Derby at the Curragh, giving trainer Aidan O’Brien his third consecutive Irish Derby success Seamus Heffermen rode the winner. 11 ran. Epsom Derby winner New Approach was scheduled to run, but was pulled out on the morning of the race with a hoof injury.

More rugby internationals last month. In Rosario, Italy edged Argentina 13-12. Australia first tamed the French 34-13, and in the second game won 40-10. In the tri-nations, New Zealand took South Africa 19-8, and following week lost the second game 30-28. Australia beat South Africa 16-9, July 19.

GOLF WINS FOR FISHER AND MCDOWELL

Fisher broke the course record with a 63 in the first round of the European Open in Ash, England, July 6, and never looked back. The 27-year-old Englishman continued with a series of birdies during the following rounds finishing with a 20 under 268, for his second career European circuit victory. He was seven strokes clear of the field.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell grabbed the Scottish Open title at Loch Lomond, July 13, where a 13 under 271, gave him a two stroke difference over South African, James Kingston. McDowell put a string of consecutive birdies together during the final round to claim his second tournament of the year. A winner’s cheque for half a million pounds and the guarantee of a Ryder Cup place left the Irishman in very good spirits.

GREG NORMAN SHINES, IRISHMAN
SCOOPS THE GLORY

Royal Birkdale, Southport, the site of this year’s 137th British Open is notorious for its 25mph winds coming of the Irish Sea and it did not disappoint last month. 1985 winner Sandy Lyle, and former PGA champion Rich Beem, walked off after a disastrous first nine, much to the chagrin of many players and officials. Tiger Woods was missing from the fray, but his nemesis Rocco Mediate shot a one under par 69, to share the lead with Ulsterman Graeme McDowell and Aussie Robert Allenby. Tucked in a shot distant was newlywed Greg Norman. Korea’s CJ Choi led the second round with a one under, with 53-year-old Greg Norman just a stroke behind. McDowell was +2, and Ian Poulter +3. By the third round the wind had got damned right ferocious and three tees where moved to give the players a little protection from reputed 50mph wind gusts. Starting the final round the Great White Shark was leading with two over par. Brits Simon Wakefield +4 and Ross Fisher +7 were close. But it was last year’s winner, Dubliner, Padraig Harrington, who produced a superb final round against the continuing wind finishing with a three over 283, three strokes clear of Ian Poulter. Greg “The Great White Shark,” Norman, finished joint third with a +9. English amateur Chris Wood was the second Brit finisher with a +10.

BOXING: WILLIAMS TOO FEISTY FOR McDERMOTT

Reigning British heavyweight champion Danny Williams was deducted three points for nefarious offenses during the defence of his title at Dagenham, July 18. The 35-year-old warrior (40-6) still pulled it out the bag however for a split decision over Basildon’s John McDermott. Dermott (25-4) must have thought he had the edge with the ref deducting points, but two judges saw Williams as the big puncher. Williams weighed in at 265lb and McDermott at 252lb, giving the fans a traditional big man brawl.

“John boxed out of his skin against me,” said the Brixton champion, who acknowledged it was one tough fight.

Earlier in the month. It’s a long time since Herbie Hide (44-4) tusseled with Riddick Bowe for the WBO heavyweight title, but the Norwich man has made a comeback in the cruiser division where he won his ninth consecutive contest with a points win over Nuri Seferi in Instanbul, July 4. Howard “the Battersea Bomber” Eastman (43-6) traveled to his homeland of Guyana to win that nation’s championship with a points win over Denny Dalton in Georgetown, July 5.

SOCCER: INTERTOTO CUP

The preliminary rounds for next season’s European Trophies got under way last month with the minnows facing off against each other. The Intertoto Cup will eventually put eleven sides in the second round of the UEFA Cup. The first round double legs were completed late June, where Premier Welsh side Rhyl, faced the Bohemians in Dublin. Ken Osman put the Welsh in front in the 25th minute but the Irish returned fire scoring five. In North Wales, the Irish attack proved terribly potent and a 4-2 win by the Dubliners saw them progress. The second round saw Hibernian get the new season off to a painful start at Easter Road, where Elfsborg netted with a goal in each half to win 2-0. In Sweden, July 12, with a home pitch advantage another 2-0 defeat put the Scots out.

The third round, first leg had Aston Villa in Denmark against Odense BK, July 20, where a last minute netting by the Danes forced the midlanders to a 2-2 result. John Carew (7th minute) put the Villa ahead before Steve Sidwell (25th) found his own net. The Villa went ahead again in the 76th minute courtesy of Martin Laursen. The second leg was won by Villa 1-0.

CHAMPIONS and UEFA CUP

The first leg, first qualifying round of the Champions League, July 15, saw Welsh Champions Llanelli scoop a 1-0 win over Latvia’s FK Ventspils. Stuart Jones found the net in the 12th minute, as the home side clung to their precious lead. Northern Ireland champions Linfield were beaten 2-0 at home by Dinamo Zagreb.

The first leg of the UEFA Cup qualify round, July 17, saw Manchester City travel to the Faeroe Islands, where two first half goals by Martin Petrov and Dietmar Hamann gave the visitors a 2-0 win over EB Streymur. The two Welsh sides did not come off so well. Bangor City was trounced 6-1 at home in a game against FC Midtylland of Denmark, and The New Saints conceded a goal in the last minute to lose 1-0 in Lithuania to FK Suduva. The second legs July 31.

OFF-PITCH PROBLEMS PERSIST

Luton Town and Bournemouth are facing point deductions for the approaching new season where administration difficulties persist. Broadcaster Nick Owen who recently took over with a consortium at Luton, were ready to start Division two ten points distant, but the FA has since added another 20; meaning the Hatters would started 30 points behind everyone else. Owen’s new management team is absolutely outraged that they are paying the penalties for the previous owners.

Bournemouth were penalized by ten points last year which caused their demotion to Division Two. The FA is still not happy with the financial solutions at the club. Its expected some-kind of point’s deduction will happen again this year, where the Cherries could start the new season 15 points adrift. A Merseyside consortium group Sport-6 just took over the club, and reputedly has money to spend.

Annan Athletic of the East of Scotland league will replace Gretna FC in the third division of the Scottish League.

WORLD CUP 2010

Australia moved into the fourth and final Asia qualifying round, even though a 1-0 defeat by China, in Sydney, ended 27 years without a home defeat in the World Cup. The Socceroos will challenge for a place in South Africa, against Japan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar. The United States convincing wins (8-0h, 1-0a) against Barbados, sees them in the final round grouping with Cuba, Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago. Games start this month.

After six matches, Paraguay’s recent 2-0 win over Brazil in Ascunsion, puts them top of the South America section with 13pts.

Brazil has only won one of there qualifying games so far. Argentina (11pts) and Colombia and Chile 10 points apiece lead the table. Four games into the Africa qualifying section only Nigeria and Burkina Faso can claim four games, four wins. The majority of the European qualifying matches start September.