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INTERBET NEWSLETTER.
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Swimming
The extraordinary display of speed and power that was put on at the Water Cube - Beijing's Olympic swimming pool - on Sunday night seems to be the result of a number of factors: the new technology in the swimsuits, the depth of talent and the inspiration of athletes. Twelve Olympic and three world records were broken in one unbelievable evening.
While the South African 4x100-metre team - labelled the Awesome Foursome - broke the Olympic record of 3:13:17 seconds they had set in Athens in 2004, they trailed behind five other teams in this year's event, with the USA taking gold with a new record of 3:12:46
"The times are amazing," said Darian Townsend, who anchored the South African team on Sunday night. "They're a little crazy, actually, if you think that we broke the 2004 Olympic record, swam faster than we ever have before and still finished sixth."
The same team was reunited for this event, but swam in a different order: Lyndon Ferns started, Roland Schoeman was second, Ryk Neethling third and Townsend, brought it home with a 47.50secs section.
Other South Africans to qualify were: Jean Basson for the semifinals of the 200m freestyle, Gerhard Zandberg for the semifinals of the 100m backstroke and Suzaan van Biljon for the semifinals of the 100m breaststroke. All of these events are due to take place early on Monday.
Although the media had expected much of Cameron van den Burgh in the 100m breaststroke semifinal, he came up short, as did George du Rand (100m backstroke), Wendy Trott and Melissa Corfe (400m freestyle).
South African medals & placing to date
Archery: Calvin Hartley, men's individual ranking round - finishes 37th overall
Cycling: John-Lee Augustyn, road race, 27th place (6 hr 26 minutes 17 seconds; David George, road race, 80th place (6:39.42); Robert Hunter, road race, did not finish. Fencing: Jyoti Chetty, women's individual sabre round of 64 - lost 15-2 to Azza Besbes of Tunisia; Elvira Wood, women's individual sabre round of 64 - lost 15-2 to Sandra Sassine of Canada. Rowing: Rika Geyser, women's single scull, 3rd place (2:14.11) - qualifies for quarterfinals Monday. Sailing: Penny Alison, Dominique Proveyuer, Belinda Kim Rew, Yngling fleet class, 13th place - race again on Monday.
Swimming: Riaam Schoeman, 400 individual medley (4.14.09 SA record) - does not go through; Mandy Loots, 100m butterfly (58.61 sec SA record) - does not qualify; Lize-Marie Retief, 100m butterfly (58.20 SA record - qualifies for semifinals; Jean Basson, 400m freestyle (3:52.90) - does not qualify; Kathryn Meaklim, 400 individual medley (4.37.11 SA record) - does not qualify; Jessica Pengelly, 400m individual medley (4.41.04 SA record) - does not qualify; Cameron van der Burgh, 100m breaststroke (59.69 SA record) - qualifies for semifinals; Melissa Corfe, Wendy Trott, Many Loots, Kathryn Meaklim, women's 4x100 freestyle relay (3.51.14) - do not qualify. Suzaan van Biljon, women's 100 breaststroke (Heat 7), 3rd (1:07.55) - qualifies for semifinals.
SA's Twiggy Baker rides another monster wave
He said that it took five years of planning, and patient waiting for perfect conditions, before Durban-born big wave surfer Grant "Twiggy" Baker successfully rode a 70-foot wave at an until-now-unsurfed Cape Town reef named Tafelberg on Saturday - a reef that is 2km further out to sea than the world famous Dungeons.
Baker, the winner of the 2008 Red Bull Big Wave Africa contest at Hout Bay's Dungeons Reef in July this year, took his exceptional and daring ride that is the biggest ever ridden off the African continent. He told the Cape Times on Sunday that the mammoth wave was "definitely the biggest I've ever ridden in South Africa" and ranked alongside the biggest waves he'd tackled at several American breaks, including the famous Cortes Banks.
Baker said he and fellow big wave surfer, Greg Long, had been studying Tafelberg Reef for five years and had been waiting for perfect conditions: "a massive swell, no wind, low tide". Long used a jetski to tow Baker into the giant set on Saturday afternoon, after the pair had already spent four hours surfing nearby Dungeons.
When he dropped into the wave, Baker said: "My adrenaline was pumping, I was hyperventilating. It was terrifying." He said the wave had measured between 65 and 70 feet - the sort of size that is "very scary even for big wave surfers". Baker rode the wave "in a straight line for 400m".
Red Bull Big Wave Africa contest director Gary Linden, who watched Baker's feat from a jetski, said the wave had been "beyond 60 feet for sure". He said the biggest wave ridden by a contestant at this year's Big Wave Africa contest had been between 50 and 55 feet.
To put that height into perspective, it's nearly 7 apartment stories high - I'd get vertigo just looking down, never mind throwing myself into that turbulent vortex!
Harrington claims PGA title
Padraig Harrington lifted the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday as he captured his third major championship, and in doing so, snapped Europe's 78-year drought in the PGA Championship. The two-time reigning British Open champion hit a final round of four-under 66 for a three-under-277 total, winning by two strokes over Spain's Sergio Garcia and American Ben Curtis. The 36-year old is the first European to win the British Open and PGA Championship in the same year and the first European to win consecutive major golf championships. Harrington also joins Walter Hagen, Nick Price and Tiger Woods (2000 and 2006) as the only players to win both events in the same year.
"I like the fact no other European has won two majors consecutively," Harrington said. "I obviously hold a lot of European players who I grew up watching in high esteem. To achieve something that they hadn't is very special."
Garcia shot a two-under 68 and finished in a tie for second with third round leader Curtis (71) at the Oakland Hills Country Club course, while Argentina's Camilo Villegas (68) and Sweden's Henrik Stenson (72) placed fourth, four strokes back of Harrington, who is also the first European golfer to win the PGA Championship since Tommy Armour in 1930.
"Once I got to the weekend and made a few putts it was a question of adrenaline keeping me going," said Harrington who earned $1.35 million for the victory. "You just have to give it a go. From my experience in majors I know that nobody goes without making mistakes. I knew I would get my opportunity and it was going to be my day. I took that opportunity."
He rolled in six birdies, including four on the back nine, in a marathon Sunday in which both he and playing partner Garcia had to play 36 holes. The third round was called off late on Saturday after a series of thunderstorms rumbled through the Detroit-area course.
"When I started making putts I just stuck in there and it brought my game up. The more I got into it the better I played," said Harrington, who is the second player behind Tiger Woods to follow back-to-back British Open titles with a PGA Championship. Two-time defending champion Woods didn't play at Oakland Hills after having season-ending knee surgery.
Man U: Another shoot-out win
Manchester United's spot-kick capabilities came up trumps again as they won the Community Shield 3-1 on penalties after a drab goalless draw against Portsmouth at Wembley on Sunday. With just three months since Man United were crowned kings of Europe, Alex Ferguson's side lifted another trophy through their ability to kick from the spot.
The Premier League champions, who also won the Shield on penalties against Chelsea last season, scored all three of their spot-kicks, while Portsmouth missed three of their four. But although United left London victorious, there were a few worrying signs for Ferguson after an unconvincing display from his Premier League champions in the curtain raiser to the new English season. United had the better of Portsmouth after a boring encounter, but only seven days before they begin their title defence against Newcastle, Ferguson must be concerned by his side's lack of cutting edge: Wayne Rooney is sidelined by a virus and Cristiano Ronaldo is recovering from ankle surgery, depriving Ferguson of his two most dynamic forwards.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp set up his midfield with the intention of stifling United and they carried out their instructions perfectly in the early stages, however, Ferguson's attacking trio of Carlos Tevez, Ryan Giggs and Nani gradually found some momentum after Giggs surged clear down the left and forced David James into action for the first time.
Portsmouth were completely impotent as an attacking force. Peter Crouch's partnership with fellow England international Jermain Defoe will undoubtedly improve but they offered no threat to United centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
South Africa out-muscle Argentina 63-9!
At the outset, the Bok's were bedevilled with an abundance of bungled possession at the breakdown which allowed the Argentine Pumas to upset the Springboks in defence, putting them deservedly in the lead and an upset seemed on the cards, but then the Boks got their act together.
Ricky Januarie's shocking pass may have been the stimulus, but that set the pace for an exciting spell for the last 50 minutes that saw the Boks notch up a try for every point the visitors scored on the day. Januarie's pass missed his intended recipient, Butch James, but found Jean de Villiers instead, and he broke the line, bolted upfield, drew the last line of Puma defence and fed centre partner Adrian Jacobs for the Boks' first try.
After this, Argentina were run off their feet by a combination of Bok pace, power and coordinated efforts, where the backs and forwards intuitively interlinked. Had this lucky break not occurred for the Boks, and had their opponents been a more worthy side, the final result may have been quite different.
The Boks conceded 10 turnovers, gave away possession in attack by leaving the ball-carrier isolated, and infringed in defence by not committing enough men to the breakdown. The initial debacle at the rucks, which was solved by simply committing more men, highlighted the looming problem for the Bok coaches of how to play Luke Watson effectively. Deputising for the resting Schalk Burger yesterday, Watson clearly hasn't the physicality of the 'blond enforcer'.
But we shouldn't get too excited by the result, the Argentines simply were not that good. This was their first match after spending only 20 days together as a team, and it showed as they ran themselves ragged in the first half. Further, this was also a performance that will have done little to further the Boks' Tri-Nations ambitions, given that they should be resting when not playing in the competition.
We've had such a positive response from our e-newsletter subscribers that we'd like to hear from more of you. We welcome your feedback - whether it's to do with the design, content or navigation - and we would like to know more about what interests you. We're trying to give you a broad view of the weekly sporting highlights, and create expectations of the events ahead.
If you should have any ideas on how we could make our newsletter better, please contact us on +27 21 4657340 or email us at info@interbet.co.za
Interbet will make site more user-friendly
Interbet's Johnny Stark has responded to criticism levelled against the site on the freeracer Discussion Forum: He said: "We are aware that the site can be confusing for the first-time user so we are currently reworking the look and feel of the trading pages and hope that this will make betting on the site more intuitive. While we are committed to great service, are always striving to improve the site and appreciate constructive criticism, we do realise that the Interbet model is not the be-all and end-all for all punters.
"Our research shows that many of our regular customers use Interbet in tandem with other betting services. If you are price-sensitive and have figured out that if you wait until a few minutes before the race you get fantastic odds on Interbet, and that in the long run betting at better odds will make the difference between profit and loss, then Interbet is definitely for you."
"Furthermore all trading is anonymous so if you are determined to keep your betting confidential then Interbet is also the place for you. If you are have difficulty getting started our telephone support team are on standby 7 days a week to help new customers."
Mail johnny@interbetsa.co.za to send comments or queries.
Ebor Festival - York (19-22 August 2008)
The highlight is the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes. The 2000m race has been won in recent years by Electrocutionist (2005), Sulamani (2004) Falbrav (2003) and Nayef (2002).
The Group 1 Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes, run over the straight 1000m, is one of the main battlegrounds for the European sprint crown, while the Group 1 Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks brings together many of the leading three-year-old fillies over the classic 2400m.
There are three Group 2 contests. The Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes and Jaguar Lowther Stakes are big targets for the leading juvenile colts and fillies respectively, while the Daily Telegraph Great Voltigeur Stakes is one of the main trials for the following month's St Leger.
The meeting also features Britain's richest handicap, the totesport-Ebor, over the marathon trip of a 2800m. Ebor derives from the Roman name for York (Eboracum) and the city can trace its racing roots back to Roman times, with the first modern meeting taking place in 1754.
EQUUS AWARDS
Equus Awards will be handed out on 14 August.
The 2008 Equus Award winners will be announced at the annual Equus Banquet on the 14th August. There are three strong contenders for Horse Of The Year, including Pocket Power (above), but will the Selection Panel pick joint winners again?
Joint winners are announced so that none of the influential connections throw their toys out of their cots and (possibly) withdraw their support from the industry. If the most prestigious award is to be shared again, the ceremony will be entirely farcical! It's all about big egos being stroked so that everyone can stick their chests out and pat each other on the back afterwards. To the panel: Have the balls for once and select a single winner!
EQUUS AWARD 2008 NOMINEES
Champion 2YO Filly
CONSENSUAL
The late Mr L Jaffee and Mrs J D Jaffee
The late Mr and Mrs L Jaffee
M W Bass
GEE PEE S
Mr B E Miskin, Nic Classen and A R Rapp
Bred by Daytona Stud (Nom Mr R D Hamilton)
ON HER TOES
Mrs Vanashree and Mr Anant Singh and Team Valor (Barry Irwin)
M G Azzie
Highlands Stud
GYPSY'S WARNING
Mr R A Griffiths
Rathmor Stud (Nom: Mr B J McHardy)
Mr D C Howells
MERLENE DE LAGO
Mrs I and Mr M Jooste
Strawberry Hill Stud
Charles Laird
Champion 2YO Colt
WARM WHITE NIGHT
Mrs I and Mr M Jooste
Highlands Farm Stud
Charles Laird
FOREST PATH
Mrs B D Oppenheimer
Mauritzfontein Stud
M F de Kock
ROCKS OFF (ARG)
Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
Arroyo de Luna
M F de Kock
Champion Sprinter
JJ THE JET PLANE
Messers H du Preez, M Houdalakis, C Strydom and Ms T Boyens
M Houdalakis
Champion 3YO Miler Female (1400-1800m) CAPTAINS LOVER
Mrs Vanashree and Mr Anant Singh and Team Valor (Barry Irwin)
Breeder: W J Engelbrecht Jnr
J Snaith
URABAMBA
Mr A J McNabb and E Miliotis
Bosworth Farm Stud
R R Sage
REI REI
Messrs M I Fullard, J H Drew and D Watson-Smith
D Cohen and Sons
S Elley
GLENROSSAL
Mr P E White
Clifton Stud
D N Stenger
Champion 3YO Miler Male (1400-1800m)
POINTING NORTH
Messrs J Shill, G Barber, G L Blank, L M Nestadt, W V Nsele, R J Segall, F Wilensky, D Yutah, H N Yutah
Northwood Stud
R Sage
KINGS GAMBIT
The Late Mr J P Herholdt (Wanda Heroldt)
Lance Wiid
Danika Stud (Nominee Mrs R A Bartlett)
IMBONGI
M D Fleischer, O V Leibbrandt, B S Clements, RS and BA Napier and Summerhill Stud Syndicate (Nominee Mr M J Goss)
Summerhill Stud
M F de Kock
Champion 3YO Middle Distance Female (1800-2450m)
WENDYWOOD
Mr C J H van Niekerk
Rathmor Stud (Nom Mr B J McHardy)
S G Tarry
HAPPY SPIRIT
Mr A Geemooi
Maine Chance Farms
Mr W H Marwing
FRONT HOUSE
Mrs John Magnier and Wilgebosdrift (Pty) Limited (Mrs M Slack)
Triermore Stud
M F de Kock
Champion 3YO Middle Distance Male (1800-2450m)
KINGS GAMBIT
The Late Mr J P Herholdt (Wanda Heroldt)
Lance Wiid
Danika Stud (Nominee Mrs R A Bartlett)
EDDINGTON
Messrs G L O'Brien, A R Burke, W Oakley
D Cohen and Sons
D Zaki
RUSSIAN SAGE
Messrs L M Nestadt, G Barber and Team Valor (Nom. Mr B Irwin)
Highlands Farm Stud
J S Snaith
Champion Older Miler Female (1400-1800m)
DANCER'S DAUGHTER
Mr G J and Mrs R D Beck
Mrs D O Joly
Mr J S Snaith
STRATOS
Team Valor (Nom: Barry Irwin)
D Cohen and Sons
M G Azzie
Champion Older Miler Male (1400-1800m)
POCKET POWER
Mr N M Shirtliff, Mr and Mrs A D Webber
Zandvliet Stud
M W Bass
BUY AND SELL
Mr C J H van Niekerk
Mr and Mrs Bruce le Roux
S G Tarry
OUR GIANT
Mrs I Jooste and Mr M J Jooste
Mr D R Fleming NSW
Charles Laird
Champion Older Middle Distance (1800-2450m) (gender immaterial)
POCKET POWER
Mr N M Shirtliff, Mr and Mrs A D Webber
Zandvliet Stud
M W Bass
DANCER'S DAUGHTER
Mr G J and Mrs R D Beck
Mrs D O Joly
Mr J S Snaith
Champion Stayer (2400m and further) (age and gender immaterial)
THUNDERING STAR
Messrs M F de Kock, G M Grant, C S Heyns, Mr and Mrs H J Wolfaardt
Breeder: T L Bailes, C T Elphick, S C McCarthy, S J Saunders
M F de Kock
PRINCE ASAD
Mrs P J and Mr H C Devine
Highlands Farm Stud
G V Woodruff
KINGS GAMBIT
The Late Mr J P Herholdt (Wanda Heroldt)
Lance Wiid
Danika Stud (Nominee Mrs R A Bartlett)
EQUAL IMAGE
Mr Tony Moodley
Abolengo
M F de Kock
PACIFIC WARRIOR
Mr G W Reimer
Mr G W Reimer
J Vos
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Swimming
The extraordinary display of speed and power that was put on at the Water Cube - Beijing's Olympic swimming pool - on Sunday night seems to be the result of a number of factors: the new technology in the swimsuits, the depth of talent and the inspiration of athletes. Twelve Olympic and three world records were broken in one unbelievable evening.
While the South African 4x100-metre team - labelled the Awesome Foursome - broke the Olympic record of 3:13:17 seconds they had set in Athens in 2004, they trailed behind five other teams in this year's event, with the USA taking gold with a new record of 3:12:46
"The times are amazing," said Darian Townsend, who anchored the South African team on Sunday night. "They're a little crazy, actually, if you think that we broke the 2004 Olympic record, swam faster than we ever have before and still finished sixth."
The same team was reunited for this event, but swam in a different order: Lyndon Ferns started, Roland Schoeman was second, Ryk Neethling third and Townsend, brought it home with a 47.50secs section.
Other South Africans to qualify were: Jean Basson for the semifinals of the 200m freestyle, Gerhard Zandberg for the semifinals of the 100m backstroke and Suzaan van Biljon for the semifinals of the 100m breaststroke. All of these events are due to take place early on Monday.
Although the media had expected much of Cameron van den Burgh in the 100m breaststroke semifinal, he came up short, as did George du Rand (100m backstroke), Wendy Trott and Melissa Corfe (400m freestyle).
South African medals & placing to date
Archery: Calvin Hartley, men's individual ranking round - finishes 37th overall
Cycling: John-Lee Augustyn, road race, 27th place (6 hr 26 minutes 17 seconds; David George, road race, 80th place (6:39.42); Robert Hunter, road race, did not finish. Fencing: Jyoti Chetty, women's individual sabre round of 64 - lost 15-2 to Azza Besbes of Tunisia; Elvira Wood, women's individual sabre round of 64 - lost 15-2 to Sandra Sassine of Canada. Rowing: Rika Geyser, women's single scull, 3rd place (2:14.11) - qualifies for quarterfinals Monday. Sailing: Penny Alison, Dominique Proveyuer, Belinda Kim Rew, Yngling fleet class, 13th place - race again on Monday.
Swimming: Riaam Schoeman, 400 individual medley (4.14.09 SA record) - does not go through; Mandy Loots, 100m butterfly (58.61 sec SA record) - does not qualify; Lize-Marie Retief, 100m butterfly (58.20 SA record - qualifies for semifinals; Jean Basson, 400m freestyle (3:52.90) - does not qualify; Kathryn Meaklim, 400 individual medley (4.37.11 SA record) - does not qualify; Jessica Pengelly, 400m individual medley (4.41.04 SA record) - does not qualify; Cameron van der Burgh, 100m breaststroke (59.69 SA record) - qualifies for semifinals; Melissa Corfe, Wendy Trott, Many Loots, Kathryn Meaklim, women's 4x100 freestyle relay (3.51.14) - do not qualify. Suzaan van Biljon, women's 100 breaststroke (Heat 7), 3rd (1:07.55) - qualifies for semifinals.
SA's Twiggy Baker rides another monster wave
He said that it took five years of planning, and patient waiting for perfect conditions, before Durban-born big wave surfer Grant "Twiggy" Baker successfully rode a 70-foot wave at an until-now-unsurfed Cape Town reef named Tafelberg on Saturday - a reef that is 2km further out to sea than the world famous Dungeons.
Baker, the winner of the 2008 Red Bull Big Wave Africa contest at Hout Bay's Dungeons Reef in July this year, took his exceptional and daring ride that is the biggest ever ridden off the African continent. He told the Cape Times on Sunday that the mammoth wave was "definitely the biggest I've ever ridden in South Africa" and ranked alongside the biggest waves he'd tackled at several American breaks, including the famous Cortes Banks.
Baker said he and fellow big wave surfer, Greg Long, had been studying Tafelberg Reef for five years and had been waiting for perfect conditions: "a massive swell, no wind, low tide". Long used a jetski to tow Baker into the giant set on Saturday afternoon, after the pair had already spent four hours surfing nearby Dungeons.
When he dropped into the wave, Baker said: "My adrenaline was pumping, I was hyperventilating. It was terrifying." He said the wave had measured between 65 and 70 feet - the sort of size that is "very scary even for big wave surfers". Baker rode the wave "in a straight line for 400m".
Red Bull Big Wave Africa contest director Gary Linden, who watched Baker's feat from a jetski, said the wave had been "beyond 60 feet for sure". He said the biggest wave ridden by a contestant at this year's Big Wave Africa contest had been between 50 and 55 feet.
To put that height into perspective, it's nearly 7 apartment stories high - I'd get vertigo just looking down, never mind throwing myself into that turbulent vortex!
Harrington claims PGA title
Padraig Harrington lifted the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday as he captured his third major championship, and in doing so, snapped Europe's 78-year drought in the PGA Championship. The two-time reigning British Open champion hit a final round of four-under 66 for a three-under-277 total, winning by two strokes over Spain's Sergio Garcia and American Ben Curtis. The 36-year old is the first European to win the British Open and PGA Championship in the same year and the first European to win consecutive major golf championships. Harrington also joins Walter Hagen, Nick Price and Tiger Woods (2000 and 2006) as the only players to win both events in the same year.
"I like the fact no other European has won two majors consecutively," Harrington said. "I obviously hold a lot of European players who I grew up watching in high esteem. To achieve something that they hadn't is very special."
Garcia shot a two-under 68 and finished in a tie for second with third round leader Curtis (71) at the Oakland Hills Country Club course, while Argentina's Camilo Villegas (68) and Sweden's Henrik Stenson (72) placed fourth, four strokes back of Harrington, who is also the first European golfer to win the PGA Championship since Tommy Armour in 1930.
"Once I got to the weekend and made a few putts it was a question of adrenaline keeping me going," said Harrington who earned $1.35 million for the victory. "You just have to give it a go. From my experience in majors I know that nobody goes without making mistakes. I knew I would get my opportunity and it was going to be my day. I took that opportunity."
He rolled in six birdies, including four on the back nine, in a marathon Sunday in which both he and playing partner Garcia had to play 36 holes. The third round was called off late on Saturday after a series of thunderstorms rumbled through the Detroit-area course.
"When I started making putts I just stuck in there and it brought my game up. The more I got into it the better I played," said Harrington, who is the second player behind Tiger Woods to follow back-to-back British Open titles with a PGA Championship. Two-time defending champion Woods didn't play at Oakland Hills after having season-ending knee surgery.
Man U: Another shoot-out win
Manchester United's spot-kick capabilities came up trumps again as they won the Community Shield 3-1 on penalties after a drab goalless draw against Portsmouth at Wembley on Sunday. With just three months since Man United were crowned kings of Europe, Alex Ferguson's side lifted another trophy through their ability to kick from the spot.
The Premier League champions, who also won the Shield on penalties against Chelsea last season, scored all three of their spot-kicks, while Portsmouth missed three of their four. But although United left London victorious, there were a few worrying signs for Ferguson after an unconvincing display from his Premier League champions in the curtain raiser to the new English season. United had the better of Portsmouth after a boring encounter, but only seven days before they begin their title defence against Newcastle, Ferguson must be concerned by his side's lack of cutting edge: Wayne Rooney is sidelined by a virus and Cristiano Ronaldo is recovering from ankle surgery, depriving Ferguson of his two most dynamic forwards.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp set up his midfield with the intention of stifling United and they carried out their instructions perfectly in the early stages, however, Ferguson's attacking trio of Carlos Tevez, Ryan Giggs and Nani gradually found some momentum after Giggs surged clear down the left and forced David James into action for the first time.
Portsmouth were completely impotent as an attacking force. Peter Crouch's partnership with fellow England international Jermain Defoe will undoubtedly improve but they offered no threat to United centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
South Africa out-muscle Argentina 63-9!
At the outset, the Bok's were bedevilled with an abundance of bungled possession at the breakdown which allowed the Argentine Pumas to upset the Springboks in defence, putting them deservedly in the lead and an upset seemed on the cards, but then the Boks got their act together.
Ricky Januarie's shocking pass may have been the stimulus, but that set the pace for an exciting spell for the last 50 minutes that saw the Boks notch up a try for every point the visitors scored on the day. Januarie's pass missed his intended recipient, Butch James, but found Jean de Villiers instead, and he broke the line, bolted upfield, drew the last line of Puma defence and fed centre partner Adrian Jacobs for the Boks' first try.
After this, Argentina were run off their feet by a combination of Bok pace, power and coordinated efforts, where the backs and forwards intuitively interlinked. Had this lucky break not occurred for the Boks, and had their opponents been a more worthy side, the final result may have been quite different.
The Boks conceded 10 turnovers, gave away possession in attack by leaving the ball-carrier isolated, and infringed in defence by not committing enough men to the breakdown. The initial debacle at the rucks, which was solved by simply committing more men, highlighted the looming problem for the Bok coaches of how to play Luke Watson effectively. Deputising for the resting Schalk Burger yesterday, Watson clearly hasn't the physicality of the 'blond enforcer'.
But we shouldn't get too excited by the result, the Argentines simply were not that good. This was their first match after spending only 20 days together as a team, and it showed as they ran themselves ragged in the first half. Further, this was also a performance that will have done little to further the Boks' Tri-Nations ambitions, given that they should be resting when not playing in the competition.
We've had such a positive response from our e-newsletter subscribers that we'd like to hear from more of you. We welcome your feedback - whether it's to do with the design, content or navigation - and we would like to know more about what interests you. We're trying to give you a broad view of the weekly sporting highlights, and create expectations of the events ahead.
If you should have any ideas on how we could make our newsletter better, please contact us on +27 21 4657340 or email us at info@interbet.co.za
Interbet will make site more user-friendly
Interbet's Johnny Stark has responded to criticism levelled against the site on the freeracer Discussion Forum: He said: "We are aware that the site can be confusing for the first-time user so we are currently reworking the look and feel of the trading pages and hope that this will make betting on the site more intuitive. While we are committed to great service, are always striving to improve the site and appreciate constructive criticism, we do realise that the Interbet model is not the be-all and end-all for all punters.
"Our research shows that many of our regular customers use Interbet in tandem with other betting services. If you are price-sensitive and have figured out that if you wait until a few minutes before the race you get fantastic odds on Interbet, and that in the long run betting at better odds will make the difference between profit and loss, then Interbet is definitely for you."
"Furthermore all trading is anonymous so if you are determined to keep your betting confidential then Interbet is also the place for you. If you are have difficulty getting started our telephone support team are on standby 7 days a week to help new customers."
Mail johnny@interbetsa.co.za to send comments or queries.
Ebor Festival - York (19-22 August 2008)
The highlight is the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes. The 2000m race has been won in recent years by Electrocutionist (2005), Sulamani (2004) Falbrav (2003) and Nayef (2002).
The Group 1 Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes, run over the straight 1000m, is one of the main battlegrounds for the European sprint crown, while the Group 1 Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks brings together many of the leading three-year-old fillies over the classic 2400m.
There are three Group 2 contests. The Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes and Jaguar Lowther Stakes are big targets for the leading juvenile colts and fillies respectively, while the Daily Telegraph Great Voltigeur Stakes is one of the main trials for the following month's St Leger.
The meeting also features Britain's richest handicap, the totesport-Ebor, over the marathon trip of a 2800m. Ebor derives from the Roman name for York (Eboracum) and the city can trace its racing roots back to Roman times, with the first modern meeting taking place in 1754.
EQUUS AWARDS
Equus Awards will be handed out on 14 August.
The 2008 Equus Award winners will be announced at the annual Equus Banquet on the 14th August. There are three strong contenders for Horse Of The Year, including Pocket Power (above), but will the Selection Panel pick joint winners again?
Joint winners are announced so that none of the influential connections throw their toys out of their cots and (possibly) withdraw their support from the industry. If the most prestigious award is to be shared again, the ceremony will be entirely farcical! It's all about big egos being stroked so that everyone can stick their chests out and pat each other on the back afterwards. To the panel: Have the balls for once and select a single winner!
EQUUS AWARD 2008 NOMINEES
Champion 2YO Filly
CONSENSUAL
The late Mr L Jaffee and Mrs J D Jaffee
The late Mr and Mrs L Jaffee
M W Bass
GEE PEE S
Mr B E Miskin, Nic Classen and A R Rapp
Bred by Daytona Stud (Nom Mr R D Hamilton)
ON HER TOES
Mrs Vanashree and Mr Anant Singh and Team Valor (Barry Irwin)
M G Azzie
Highlands Stud
GYPSY'S WARNING
Mr R A Griffiths
Rathmor Stud (Nom: Mr B J McHardy)
Mr D C Howells
MERLENE DE LAGO
Mrs I and Mr M Jooste
Strawberry Hill Stud
Charles Laird
Champion 2YO Colt
WARM WHITE NIGHT
Mrs I and Mr M Jooste
Highlands Farm Stud
Charles Laird
FOREST PATH
Mrs B D Oppenheimer
Mauritzfontein Stud
M F de Kock
ROCKS OFF (ARG)
Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
Arroyo de Luna
M F de Kock
Champion Sprinter
JJ THE JET PLANE
Messers H du Preez, M Houdalakis, C Strydom and Ms T Boyens
M Houdalakis
Champion 3YO Miler Female (1400-1800m) CAPTAINS LOVER
Mrs Vanashree and Mr Anant Singh and Team Valor (Barry Irwin)
Breeder: W J Engelbrecht Jnr
J Snaith
URABAMBA
Mr A J McNabb and E Miliotis
Bosworth Farm Stud
R R Sage
REI REI
Messrs M I Fullard, J H Drew and D Watson-Smith
D Cohen and Sons
S Elley
GLENROSSAL
Mr P E White
Clifton Stud
D N Stenger
Champion 3YO Miler Male (1400-1800m)
POINTING NORTH
Messrs J Shill, G Barber, G L Blank, L M Nestadt, W V Nsele, R J Segall, F Wilensky, D Yutah, H N Yutah
Northwood Stud
R Sage
KINGS GAMBIT
The Late Mr J P Herholdt (Wanda Heroldt)
Lance Wiid
Danika Stud (Nominee Mrs R A Bartlett)
IMBONGI
M D Fleischer, O V Leibbrandt, B S Clements, RS and BA Napier and Summerhill Stud Syndicate (Nominee Mr M J Goss)
Summerhill Stud
M F de Kock
Champion 3YO Middle Distance Female (1800-2450m)
WENDYWOOD
Mr C J H van Niekerk
Rathmor Stud (Nom Mr B J McHardy)
S G Tarry
HAPPY SPIRIT
Mr A Geemooi
Maine Chance Farms
Mr W H Marwing
FRONT HOUSE
Mrs John Magnier and Wilgebosdrift (Pty) Limited (Mrs M Slack)
Triermore Stud
M F de Kock
Champion 3YO Middle Distance Male (1800-2450m)
KINGS GAMBIT
The Late Mr J P Herholdt (Wanda Heroldt)
Lance Wiid
Danika Stud (Nominee Mrs R A Bartlett)
EDDINGTON
Messrs G L O'Brien, A R Burke, W Oakley
D Cohen and Sons
D Zaki
RUSSIAN SAGE
Messrs L M Nestadt, G Barber and Team Valor (Nom. Mr B Irwin)
Highlands Farm Stud
J S Snaith
Champion Older Miler Female (1400-1800m)
DANCER'S DAUGHTER
Mr G J and Mrs R D Beck
Mrs D O Joly
Mr J S Snaith
STRATOS
Team Valor (Nom: Barry Irwin)
D Cohen and Sons
M G Azzie
Champion Older Miler Male (1400-1800m)
POCKET POWER
Mr N M Shirtliff, Mr and Mrs A D Webber
Zandvliet Stud
M W Bass
BUY AND SELL
Mr C J H van Niekerk
Mr and Mrs Bruce le Roux
S G Tarry
OUR GIANT
Mrs I Jooste and Mr M J Jooste
Mr D R Fleming NSW
Charles Laird
Champion Older Middle Distance (1800-2450m) (gender immaterial)
POCKET POWER
Mr N M Shirtliff, Mr and Mrs A D Webber
Zandvliet Stud
M W Bass
DANCER'S DAUGHTER
Mr G J and Mrs R D Beck
Mrs D O Joly
Mr J S Snaith
Champion Stayer (2400m and further) (age and gender immaterial)
THUNDERING STAR
Messrs M F de Kock, G M Grant, C S Heyns, Mr and Mrs H J Wolfaardt
Breeder: T L Bailes, C T Elphick, S C McCarthy, S J Saunders
M F de Kock
PRINCE ASAD
Mrs P J and Mr H C Devine
Highlands Farm Stud
G V Woodruff
KINGS GAMBIT
The Late Mr J P Herholdt (Wanda Heroldt)
Lance Wiid
Danika Stud (Nominee Mrs R A Bartlett)
EQUAL IMAGE
Mr Tony Moodley
Abolengo
M F de Kock
PACIFIC WARRIOR
Mr G W Reimer
Mr G W Reimer
J Vos
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