Monday, September 2, 2013
www.bristolpost.co.uk
Women’s football
Golf
Laura’s stoppage-time spot-kick gives Academy a crucial victory Lincoln Ladies
0
Bristol Academy
1
LAURA Del Rio fired home a stoppage-time penalty to give Bristol Academy a 1-0 win at Lincoln as they resumed their FA Women’s Super League campaign with a crucial victory. The result was vital as leaders Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal also gained three points. It keeps the Vixens in third spot – still with an outside chance of challenging for the title – and strengthens their push for their first top-three finish. Bristol had not played a competitive game for three weeks, and manager Mark Sampson admitted that was a factor in his side’s performance during the first 45 minutes. “It really was a game of two halves,” said Sampson. “In the first, we showed the effects of not playing for three weeks because we were second to the ball. “This was Lincoln’s last game at Sincil Bank and they wanted to end on a high, so were right up for it. But we got better as it went on and I thought we just about deserved the win in the end.” Lincoln – who will operate as Notts County’s women’s side next season in a controversial switch – had a good early chance, but striker Bonnie Horwood was foiled by a fine save from Bristol goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain. Though the home side had the better of the opening period, their best hope of breaking the deadlock came on the hour when the Vixens had a quickfire series of escapes. England skipper Casey Stoney hit the post with a header, and her Three Lionesses team-mate Jess Clarke was the first to react to the loose ball. But Clarke fired her shot straight at the grounded Chamberlain and then
● Laura Del Rio was Bristol Academy’s match-winner at Lincoln yesterday Stoney was again denied by a goal-line clearance, as Lincoln failed to capitalise during the goalmouth flurry. After that, the visitors started to get the upper hand, and Natalia Sanchon squandered a great chance 15 minutes from time when she nodded Grace McCatty’s cross over the top
with the net beckoning. The outcome was finally settled three minutes into stoppage time when good work by Sanchon led to Sophie Walton being penalised for handling, and Del Rio stepped up to sidefoot home the resulting spot-kick. There was barely time for the game to re-start, before the whistle went to
seal Bristol’s third successive away win in the WSL. The Vixens are on the road again on Thursday when they travel to Chelsea, and then have another away game, at Arsenal, next Sunday. Other FA WSL results: Arsenal 3 Doncaster Rovers Belles 1, Birmingham City 2 Liverpool 4, Everton 3 Chelsea 2.
International cricket
This is a massive one-day international series for me, says Wright “It’s a massive series for myself,” he said. “It’s something we have worked for for a long time. Since I got injured and lost my place, I have been desperate to get back into it. “It’s an opportunity to stake a claim. There is a World Cup in 2015 and, whenever you are in front of the selectors, it’s a huge series.” Wright has been in good form for England in Twenty20 cricket, where he remains a first choice, and captained the England Lions in their recent 3-0 series win over Bangladesh A. Wright most notably smashed an unbeaten 143, from 68 balls, in the first game of that series – and just days after a century for Sussex
against Holland – to demand the attention of the selectors. They duly responded with his long-awaited call-up, for a one-off match against Ireland on Tuesday before a five-game series against Australia, along with five uncapped players. Those changes have cast the upcoming games as an audition for the fringe players to prove they should remain when England’s stars return to duty this winter in Australia. “It’s about taking your chance,” said Wright. “I am sure those guys will come back in at some stage, but it’s about taking your opportunities when you get them. “Ultimately, you want to be in that
next squad when it comes to going to Australia and then each one going on to the World Cup. The only way to do that is to take your chance.” Wright admits he is unsure, however, what role he will be asked to play as he bids to earn his place back. The 28-year-old often found himself shunted up and down the order in his initial spell in the team, at one stage being used as an opener. He has made a home for himself at three in Twenty20 cricket, but batted at five for the England Lions. “We will have meetings over the next few days. It’s two different squads as well, so whether I play two different roles I am not too sure,” he said. “I honestly don’t mind where I bat. I have been up and down the order and it gives me a chance to sneak into the side if they need someone at six, seven or to open.”
Nothing seemed to happen for me, says Wood Peter Godsiff epsport@b-nm.co.uk CHRIS Wood’s challenge at the ISPS Handa Welsh Open at Celtic Manor ended in bitter disappointment after the elation of a magnificent start to his ‘home’ tour nament. The Long Ashton player’s early delight, following an excellent opening five-under-par round 66, to end the day in joint second, turned to despair as the weekend unfolded. A combination of missed putts, balls diverted by the swirling wind and occasional misjudgement over a course that proved to be as tough as any on this year’s European Tour, proved costly. But many leading players suffered as well. “I didn’t play well all week,” he said. “It was disappointing and if I hadn’t chipped and putted as well as I did, I would have probably finished last. “Despite everything I did nothing seemed to happen. Yet I could have ended up in the top 20, which would have been a great result considering. “I took five at the 16th and then another five at the short 17th, yet I didn’t hit a bad shot at either hole. I missed my spot by a yard at 17 and the ball plugged in the bunker.” But, as usual, he is taking positives from the week. He said that his back, which kept him out for two months, is now giving him few problems. The other bonus was that his coach Paul Mitchell, the Bristol and Clifton club professional, was able to watch each one of the 288 shots. “I have this week off and we can now work on my game this week before I play my next event, the Dutch Open,” he said. His four-over-par return left him in a share of 39th place, 12 shots behind Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, who emerged from the pack in a dramatic final afternoon and finished with three successive birdies over the hardest holes on the course. The lead changed hands frequently, with third-round leader American Peter Uihlein and Dane Soren Kjeldsen also in the battle. Wood’s ISM stable-mate Chris Lloyd spent the weekend back in Kingswood after missing the cut by one shot for the second successive week. After returning early from the Johnnie Walker at Gleneagles, his total of five-over-par 147 left him on 74th spot at Celtic Manor. Erratic play proved expensive as he made one double bogey, six bogeys and four birdies in an opening 75. His hopes looked even more remote after he dropped three further shots after six holes of his second round. But he has always been a fighter and gradually hauled himself back with a succession of pars, a birdie at the eighth and an eagle at the driveable 15th. Dropping a shot at the tough 16th proved fatal. Meanwhile, Liam Bond, the St Pierre touring player who has dominated the West Country PGA scene this year, faltered after causing a sensation by leading at halfway on five-under-par. Sadly, there was no fairytale ending. He was placed joint 43rd after rounds of 78 and 74.
EPB-E01-S3
ALL-ROUNDER Luke Wright is determined to re-establish himself in England’s one-day international team after more than two years on the fringes. Wright, pictured, has not played a 50-over match in England colours since their World Cup quarter-final exit to Sri Lanka in March 2011. But he has been given the chance to add to his 46 ODI caps in the upcoming matches against Ireland and Australia, following the decision to rest the core of England’s Ashes winners. England’s selectors have been criticised for omitting the likes of skipper Alastair Cook and James Anderson, but it presents an opportunity for players on the periphery, such as Wright, to push their claims as preparations start to begin for the World Cup in 18 months’ time.
17