Sentinel, The; Stoke-on-Trent (UK)

STOKE Easy Rider Potters edged their way into the Young Shield semi-finals despite going down to a 49-43 defeat against the Somerset Rebels at the Oak Tree Arena last night giving the Potters a 95-92 aggregate victory in a thrilling encounter. Potters number one Jason Bunyan got the Potters off to a flying start as he took victory after passing Simon Walker in heat number one, but unfortunately his partner Jesper Kristiansen was unable to fight his way past home skipper Steve Johnston for a d...

Players Riding High After National Victory

NEWCASTLE'S reputation for youth development has received a further boost after a teenage squad secured a shock National Cup victory. The 'B' team that played Kent side Dartford last Sunday had an average age of 17, and only one player over the age of 20.

Day Stands in Way of Cope's Hopes in Glasgow

STOKE potter Jamie Cope is quietly confident he is in good shape for this season's Glasgow Grand Prix. The Longton cueman locks horns with Welshman Ryan Day tomorrow in the first round of this year's Pounds 502,100 tournament at the Kelvin Hall. And having been a runner-up at the Grand Prix in 2006, it's no wonder Cope has fond memories of his time on Scottish soil. "I remember getting to the final a few years ago, that was when I really made my breakthrough," recalled the 24-year-old.

'The Power' Aims for Ninth Title Win ; Taylor Off to Dublin for Grand Prix Showdown Darts

PHIL Taylor will be bidding for a record-extending ninth World Grand Prix crown when he opens the defence of his title in Dublin on Monday night. 'The Power' will also have his eye on the Pounds 100,000 first prize at the Citywest Hotel when he plays Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan in the opening round.

Place: Hanley, Stoke and Newcastle

Woodhouse's Soapbox

THE Woolpack's Marlon is a somewhat volatile cook. Rarely receptive to criticism, they had to cut short his appearance on Masterchef: The Professionals after he lunged at Gregg Wallace with an egg-whisk when he made a comment about the consistency of his lemon curd. Recent arrival Moira can be forgiven for not realising she's working with a cardcarrying member of the tin-openerwielding community. But next week she gets a wake-up call when Marlon marches her into the pub kitchen ranting about ...

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Pick of the Week

WATCH Jack Said (Cert 18), Optimum Home Entertainment, Pounds 12.99 UNDERCOVER police officer Jack Adleth (Simon Phillips) is involved in an operation to infiltrate a powerful gang fronted by the notorious Guv'nor (David Hahn) and his psychotic daughter, Natalie (Ashlie Walker). Jack has been slowly gaining the trust of old acquaintance Nathan (Danny Dyer). However, Jack is unaware that Nathan has a plan of his own: to rip off the Guv'nor and leave in a hurry. Natalie catches the double-cross...

Sport From Down Under Finds Home with Potters ; Woodhouse Meets...

AUSSIE Rules - what is it? To most, it's a game of apparently few rules played by men in outlandishly small shorts. Add to that the fact that it's homeland is 10,000 miles away and you can see why there's never been an outcry over its lack of exposure on BBC sport.

Players Turn Up for Training to Learn Boss has Gone

CREWE'S players have been left stunned by Gudjon Thordarson's sudden exit. The Icelander was heading for the car park at the Reaseheath training ground carrying a bin bag of possessions less than an hour after informing them of his demise. Thordarson's 10-month reign was formally ended at a board meeting on Thursday night.

Club Right to Act Swiftly On Worrying Alex Slump

THE news of Gudjon Thordarson and the Alex parting company reached me just after 10.30am yesterday. I'd been at the club chatting to a friend about the manager just 15 minutes earlier, suggesting that the board should avoid letting the current situation descend into farce as it did for Steve Holland. So, for once, I have to congratulate John Bowler et al for taking a tough, but important decision so soon.

Chill Wind at Crewe Saw Iceman Frozen Out ; Backroom Tension and Bad Results Too Much for Board Gwyn Griffiths Looks at the Background to Gudjon Thordarson's Dismissal As Crewe Alexandra Manager

CREWE have no immediate plans to look for a successor to Gudjon Thordarson. Instead, legendary Alex figurehead Dario Gradi has been charged with the task of reviving a League Two campaign which has been hurtling down the wrong track for the past month.

Brazil Gets Games Nod ; Olympics

RIO de Janeiro claimed victory in the race to host the 2016 Olympics as favourites Chicago slumped to a crushing defeat. Brazil will become the first South American country to host the Games after a historic vote by the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen last night. Rio will stage the summer Games just two years after Brazil host the 2014 football World Cup, and the announcement led to wild celebrations among the 50,000 people at a party on the famous Copacabana beach.