Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers

Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers

Hunter Stadium, Newcastle, Monday 5pm (GMT+8:00)
Last meeting: Round 13 2011 - Tigers 17 bt Knights 16 at Leichhardt Oval
Head-to-head: Knights 7 Tigers 9
Referees: Gerard Sutton/Phil Haines
TV: Live, FoxSports 2
TAB Sportsbet: Knights $2.63 Tigers $1.43

Greg Prichard writes: The Knights are in all sorts of trouble. They lost two in a row before their first bye, and then lost three straight coming out of it. Now they are coming out of their second bye. The Tigers won seven in a row before losing to the Roosters last weekend, when captain Robbie Farah was a late withdrawal following his mother’s death. Expect the Tigers to be very hard to beat here.

AAP writes: The Knights are experiencing one of the toughest periods in their proud history and a win any way they can get it will be a godsend. But they, including coach Wayne Bennett, look clueless as how to achieve that. The Tigers will be highly motivated to put a tough week behind them with an emphatic win and that will move Bennett closer to an almost unthinkable wooden spoon.

Key: Robbie Farah. The grieving hooker has asked to play but a final decision on his availability will be made closer to kick-off.

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By snookerman with No comments

Knockout joy for Barby

BARBY have won the Northamptonshire section of the National Village Knockout for the second year in a row after defeating Middleton Cheney by 56 runs on Sunday.

The start was delayed at the BCG in order to allow the outfield to dry following overnight rain but when the action did begin, Barby but were put in after losing the toss.

The pitch proved damp and slow following all of the recent rain and scoring was slow as a result.

Barby's innings was held together by Rob Field's excellent 80 as he stayed in the middle for the majority of the home side's overs.

It appeared the visitors were getting on top at 50-2 after 20 overs but Field came to the fore and aided by some big hitting from Tom Gleghorn (25) and Joel Gleghorn (18no) helped push the final total to 172-6. Neil Hillman was the pick of the Middleton Cheney attack with 2-26.

Bikran Singh (3-20) picked up three quick wickets at the start of the visitor's reply but Middleton Cheney dug deep and rebuilt through Matt Stevens (32) and Neil Hillman (18).

However, in the space of two overs Phil Beagley (2-25) removed Stevens and Adam Shay (3-28) dismissed Hillman.

That saw Barby take control and wickets fell steadily from that point with the last one going with the total on 116. Two late wickets for Dan Dury saw the end of a competitive but sporting contest.

Barby now move on to a home draw with the winners of the Leicestershire section on July 1.

Saturday's trip to Atherstone Town was rained off but the 2nds did see some action in the reverse fixture, winning by five wickets.

Having been put in, Atherstone's opener Manny Alcock proved the pick of the batsmen has he made 33 but he struggled to find support.

With several rain breaks also disrupting Atherstone, they were dismissed for 101 as Tom Middleton (5-37) and Stev Stipanovic (4-21) proved the pick of the attack. Adam Shay took the other wicket to fall.

Barby looked to be heading to an easy win in reply with Liam Perryman (22) and Nigel Hancock batting well.

However, Hancock suffered what at first looked like a career threatening injury and had to limp off. That led to a couple of quick wickets and Barby were struggling at 50-4.

Shay hit a steadying knock of 22, supported by a dogged 13no from Phil Beagley, before being run out. That led to Hancock (23no) hobbling back onto the pitch and both him and Barby limped over the line at 102-5.

Source: therugbyobserver.co.uk/2012/06/20/sport-Knockout-joy-for-Barby-42922.html 

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By snookerman with No comments

GREECE TO FACE ZECH REPUBLIC AGAIN AFTER 8 YEARS

Czech Republic (N) vs. Greece LIVE 12:00 AM GMT+8 @ 12BET.COM

Group A makes its second match day foray into Euro 2012 action as Greece take on the Czech Republic on Tuesday June 12 at the Municipal Stadium Wroclaw, Wroclaw.

With Greece having churned out a 1-1 draw with Poland, and the Czech Republic having been thumped by Russia 4-1, there is plenty to play for going into this clash.

Having the more attacking potential, Greece and has the additional option of Dimitris Salpingidis, a substitute against Poland who came on to score the equalizer and win the penalty that was subsequently missed.

Undefeated in the tournament qualifiers and plucky winners eight years ago, Greece provides both inspiration to other small footballing nations and hope to its fans so in need of a sporting distraction.

Greece contributed admirably to the thrilling tournament opener and, in Giorgos Samaras and Theofanis Gekas, coach Fernando Santos has two frustrating yet proven goal scorers to call on. 

Playing for Eintracht Frankfurt during the 2010-2011 season, Gekas scored so many goals that his underrated team was in the top four of the top German league with around half all matches played. Then, mysteriously, he stopped scoring, and Eintracht was relegated.

However, Jaroslav Plasil and Petr Jiracek are part of a Czech midfield that should be able to dominate the central parts of the pitch. Plasil, in particular, is one to watch after setting up five of his side's first eight shots against Russia, according to Opta Sports.

Completing a tricky trio is Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky. Arsene Wenger, his club coach, when recently asked about Rosicky said simply, "I love Tomas Rosicky, personally, as a man and as a player."

By snookerman with No comments