Compiled by Larry Gardner

LONDON MARATHON

MARTIN LEL of Kenya won his third London Marathon in four years, with a record time of two hours five minutes and 15 seconds.

Fellow countryman Samuel Wanjiru was second and Morocco’s Abderrahim Goumri third. The three runners had broken from a tight field with four miles left to run. Wet conditions did not deter some 35,000 runners eager to take part in Britain’s most prestigious running event. Dan Robinson was the top Brit finisher in a personal best time of two hours thirteen minutes and eleven seconds that put him in twelfth place.

Germany’s Irina Mikitenko, running in her first London Marathon, won the women’s event with a time of two hours, 24min 14 sec. Svetlana Zahkarova of Russia was second with Ethiopia’s Gete Wami third. Top finishing Brits were Liz Yelling in ninth and Hayley Haining three places back. It was only Mikitenko’s second marathon and she distanced herself from the field around the 23nd mile mark. Wami was the hot women’s favourite but took a tumble at the Canary Wharf, which hampered her motion for the remainder of the race.

Disabled athlete David Weir won his third London Marathon in his wheelchair, beating defending champion Shelly Woods, who came in third. Switzerland’s Sandra Graf won the women’s wheelchair race in record time.

A pungent smell of gas had the Fire Brigade rush to the Old Rose Pub in Wapping, and as an emergency measure re-routed the runners and spectators around the odiferous hazard. BBC host Sue Barker interviewed celebrities and runners along the course.

CYCLING GOLDS FOR BRITAIN

Britain took a bunch of gold medals at the Track Cycling World Championships in Manchester at the start of last month.

Bradley Wiggins nailed three gold, winning the 4,000m individual pursuit, the team pursuit with Edward Clancy, Geraint Thomas and Paul Manning. He got his third paired with Mark Cavendish in the Madison. Chris Hoy took double gold in the sprint and the keirin race.

Rebecca Romero won the women’s individual pursuit, while Victoria Pendleton took the individual sprint, and, with Shanze Reade, won the pairs sprint. Pendleton also got a silver in the keirin. Para-Olympic cyclist Sarah Storey scored gold in the 2km time trial.

THE BOAT RACE

The 154th University Boat Race suffered cross winds and choppy waters as Oxford recorded their 74th victory, some six lengths clear of Cambridge. Oxford cox Nick Brodie got his boat off to a flier of a start and pundits guessed the race was run. But Cambridge mastered the tempestuous conditions, and, for a time, had snuck ahead at Hammersmith Bridge. But Oxford came back winning in 20 minutes 20 seconds. It was the slowest time in over fifty years, but then these were some of the windiest conditions in living memory.

SWIMMING GOLDS

The World Short-Course Swimming Championship took place at Manchester last month, with the British team using the competition as a rehearsal for the coming summer Beijing Olympics. Edinburgh’s Kris Gilchrist found the gold first for Britain, winning the 200m breast-stroke. After winning two silvers in the 50m backstroke and the 200m individual medley, Liam Tancock captured a gold in the 100m backstroke. Rebecca Adlington got a gold in the 800m freestyle. Britain captured 24 medals throughout the five-day championship which concluded April 13.

CRICKET: ENGLAND READIES FOR
SUMMER TEST SERIES

England sealed a 2-1 Test series over New Zealand by winning the third and final Test by 121 runs. England 253 (Kevin Pietersen 129) and 467 (Andy Strauss 177, Ian Bell 110)-7 dec. New Zealand 168 and 431. They will play the Kiwis again early summer in England, starting with the first of a three-match Test series at Lords, May 15. A Test series against South Africa will follow.

The County Championship commenced April 16, with Nottinghamshire blasting Kent by 10 wickets at Canterbury.

Kent 162 and 293 (Azhar Mahmmod 116)-9 dec. Notts 434 (Mark Ealham 130 not out)-9 dec and 24-0 at close. The other Division One matches were drawn.

In the Caribbean, Sri Lanka bested the West Indies by 121 runs in Guyana to win the first Test encounter. Sri Lanka 476 (Warnupura 120, Mahala Jayawardene 136)-8 dec and 240-7 dec. West Indies 280 and 315. The short series was drawn at Trinidad, however, with the Windies winning by six wickets. Sri Lanka 278 and 268 (Thilan Sameraweera 125) West Indies 294 and 254 (Ramnaresh Sarwan 102)-5 at close.

CRICKET IN INDIA

India drew their first Test with South Africa at Chennai, where Rahul Dravid’s 111 made him the sixth batsmen in Test cricket history to make 10,000 runs, while Virender Sehwag hit a majestic treble century of 319. South Africa 540 and 331 (Neil Mackenzie 155 not out)-five at close. India 627. At Ahmebadad, the South Africans savaged the hosts dismissing them for just 76 runs in the first innings, winning the second Test by an innings and 90 runs. South Africa 494 (Jacques Kallis 132, AB de Villiers 217)-7 dec. India 71 and 328. The Indians won the final Test at Kanpur by eight wickets to tie the series.

South Africa 265 and 121. India 325 and 64-2 at close.

The inaugural Indian Premier League started April 18 in Bangalore, where the Kolkata Knight-Riders easily beat their hosts, the Bangalore Royal Challengers in this twenty-over competition. Rahul Dravid led the Royals with Sourav Ganguly skippering the Knight-Riders. The Knight-Riders 222 (Brendon McCullum 158 not out)-3 at 20 overs. The Royals 82. The eight teams will play a round-robin series against one another with the top two sides playing a grand final June 1.

FAVOURITE WINS GRAND NATIONAL

Comply or Die won the John Smith Grand National at Aintree April 5, giving jockey Timmy Murphy his first win on his 12th attempt. Trained by David Pipe and owned by David Johnson, the 7-1 joint-favourite won by four lengths. Kings John Castle (20-1) was second, Snowy Morning (16-1) third and Slim Pickens (10-1) fourth. 40 ran.

A clutch of horses were in contention as the final jumps of the four and half mile course came into view, but David Pipe’s nine-year-old was the strongest over the last fence and pulled away from the field. A week previous, the US horse of the year, Curtin (4-11f), won the world’s richest race, the $6m Dubai World Cup, by seven and three quarters of a length. Ridden by Robbie Albarado, the horse blitzed the 12-horse field with an extraordinary display of speed.

GOLF: PLAYOFFS & MORE PLAYOFFS

Scottish golfer Alastair Forsyth earned his first European title, winning the Madiera Open after a play-off against Hennie Otto.

A week later, 19-year-old Englishman Oliver Fisher proved not as fortunate as the Scot, when he lost a play-off against Thomas Levet at the Andulacia Open in Marbella, Spain. It would have been a maiden victory for the teenager who finished tied with a four round total of 272 with the Frenchman. Playoffs seem to be a problem for Brits at the Portugese Open too. An 18 under 266 saw Scot Alastair Forsyth and Englishman David Howell and Gregory Bourdy go the extra holes with the Frenchman coming out the winner.

THE MASTERS

Colin Montgomerie missed the Masters this year in only the second time in 17 years. He needed to finish amongst the top fifty golfers in the world for inclusion, but was 75th. The American media was heavily focused on Tiger Woods as usual, but the first round at Augusta had Justin Rose sharing the lead with a four under par 68 with a trio of leaders including Trevor Immelman. Brit Lee Westwood was a stroke distant with Ian Poulter two strokes away. Rose’s fine start collapsed in the second round with a 78, however, that put him back amongst the field. Immelman held his lead after the second round, with Poulter three distant and Paul Casey four behind. Luke Donald was the only Brit who did not survive the cut. Going into the final round, the South African led by two strokes, with Casey four strokes distant. Immelman took the year’s first Major with an eight under 280, keeping second man Tiger Woods (-5) at bay and becoming the first man to lead the Masters from start to finish in a very long time. Top finishing Brits were Casey and Westwood with even pars 288.

BOXING: NO FLORIDA SUNSHINE FOR CLINTON WOODS

Clinton Woods (41-3-1) lost his IBF and IBO light-heavyweight titles at Tampa Bay, Florida, April 12, when Antonio Tarver (26-4) carved out a unanimous points victory over the British fighter.

The 39-year-old experienced American, the star of the recent Rocky Balboa movie, brought his craft and expertise to bear on the Sheffield fighter who did not have a good night, resulting in a defensive strategy that suited Tarver. Also on the card was former British Champion and conqueror of Mike Tyson, Danny Williams. The Brixton man (39-6) put Tuscaloosa’s Marcus McGee on the canvas twice during their six-rounder before taking a unanimous decision.

Earlier, British lightweight champion Jon Thaxton (33-8) failed to remove the European crown off Belarus’ Yuri Romanov (21-2) at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, April 4. The Norwich fighter took the full brunt of an aggressive bout where a vicious right hand opened the eye of the Briton and the fight was stopped in the fifth.

April 5,at the Bolton Arena, local favourite Amir Khan pushed his unbeaten record to 17-0, with a seventh round stoppage of Denmark’s Martin Kristjansen.

WELSH PRIDE PREVAILS IN LAS VEGAS

Unbeaten world super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe (44-0) was in Las Vegas, April 19, to tackle the light-heavyweight crown of Bernard “the Executioner” Hopkins (48-4-1).

The 43-year-old American is the Welshman’s senior by seven years, but, with victories over Winky Wright, Tarver, Oscar De La Hoya and Britain’s own Howard Eastman, Hopkins was not a man to take lightly. Calzaghe has defended his WBO crown 21 times, but for all his success it was the Welshman’s first fight in America.

The Pennsylvanian had Calzghe on the canvas after just 70 seconds of the first round, but the Briton got up and doggedly began to put his act together. By the last five rounds, Calzaghe was out-jabbing the tiring American, which was enough to give him a split decision. Judges ruled 115-112,116-111,113-114 in Calzaghe’s favour.

“It was a hard earned victory and I had to dig deep,” said the new champion.

On the undercard, British heavyweight Audley Harrison (22-3) scored a five round stoppage of Jason Barnett (10-7).

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
THREE ENGLISH CLUBS MAKE SEMI-FINALS

The two-legged quarter-finals of the Champions League took place April 1-2 and 8-9. Manchester United visited Roma where the Italians played a cautious game and paid the price as Ronaldo (39th) and Wayne Rooney (66th) gave the Reds a 2-0 victory. At Old Trafford, a Carlos Tevez goal in the 70th minute brought the only goal of the game and victory for Fergie’s boys.

The all-English game at the Emirates Stadium saw two early goals from the Arsenal and Liverpool combatants that ended the game with honours shared 1-1. Emmanuel Adebayor put the Gunners ahead in the 23rd minute, with Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt grabbing the equalizer three minutes later. At Anfield, Abou Diaby put the Gunners ahead in the 13th minute, but Sami Hyypia levelled the score on the half hour. Fernando Torres made it 2-1 in the 69th minute, with Adebayor equalizing fifteen minute later. Two minutes later, skipper Steven Gerrard put a penalty away and Ryan Babel made it 4-2 on the whistle.

Chelsea went in front in Turkey against Fenerbahce, after a Florent Malouda cross was deflected in to the net by Deivid in the 13th minute. After the break, the former Bury and Brighton player Colin Kazim-Richards (64th) levelled the score, and later, Deivid atoned for his own goal by grabbing the winner thus giving the hosts a 2-1 win.

At Stamford Bridge, a goal in both halves gave Chelsea a 2-0 win, courtesy of Michael Ballack (4th) and Frank Lampard, three minutes from time.

The other quarter-final saw Barcelona win 1-0 against Schalke 04 in Germany, and, at the Nou Camp, a goal by Ya Ya Toure two minutes before the break proved the only goal of the game that sent Barcelona through to the semis.

UEFA CUP; RANGERS REACH LAST FOUR

Rangers, Britain’s lone survivor in the UEFA Cup, faced Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of the quarter-finals in Glasgow, April 3. The Portuguese gave nothing away as a partisan crowd roared the hosts forward and Walter Smith had to settle for a goal-less draw. In Portugal, the Gers stayed focused against a home side looking for that special break, but a goal by Jean Claude Darchville in the 60th minute left Sporting Lisbon stunned. Steven Whittaker found the net in the closing seconds to give the Gers a resounding 2-0 victory that puts them in the semi-finals. Other quarter-final results saw Bayern Munich beat Getafe after a penalty shootout, Fiorentina beat PSV Eindhoven with a 3-1 aggregate while Zenit St Petersburg beat Bayer Leverkusen after a 4-2 aggregate.

FA CUP FINAL: PORTSMOUTH v CARDIFF

Portsmouth put themselves in to a FA Cup final for the first time in 69 years after winning their semi-final encounter with West Bromich Albion 1-0. A second half goal by ex-Albion striker Kanu decided the match in a game where both sides used lots of caution.

The second semi-final drew an 82,000-plus crowd where, once again, one goal decided the outcome. Joe Ledley found the net for Cardiff in the ninth minute leaving Barnsley chasing an equaliser that never came. Cardiff returns to a FA Cup final, for the first time since 1927,when they beat Arsenal. The final is May 17.

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

Ibrox Stadium resounded to the cheers of a home victory as Rangers beat Celtic 1-0, March 29, which put the Gers six points ahead in the race for the Scottish Championship. Kevin Thomson scored his first goal for Rangers just before the break and it proved a crucial moment to find the net. 50,000 plus fans roared the rivals on.

Celtic’s hope of a trophy of any kind this season diminished considerably April 5, when they lost their season’s unbeaten home record to Motherwell 1-0. Simon Lappin found the net for the visitors in the 35th minute. Six minutes after the break, Motherwell’s Bob Malcolm was sent off, but the Bhoys could not push home their advantage over ten men. Gordon Strachan said it was a game he would erase from his memory. April 16 saw Celtic entertain Rangers at Parkhead, where an injury time netting by Vennegor of Hesselink gave the hosts a 2-1 win in front of a 58,000 plus crowd. Shunsuke Nakamura netted for the Bhoys in the 20th minute, but Nacho Novo hit back for a Rangers equaliser in the 55th minute. Ranger’s Carlos Cuellar was sent off after 70 minutes, but it took until the dying seconds before Celtic could beat ten men. The result left Rangers (74pts) one point ahead of Celtic (73pts) with two games in hand. Mid-April the two rivals were neck and neck for the Scottish championship.

Ross County bounced back in to Division One after relegation last year, winning the Division Two crown April 5, with a 4-0 win over Berwick. Four games left to play and 69 points gave them a 13-point uncatchable lead over Airdrie Utd.

SCOTTISH CUP

Queen of the South put themselves in to a Scottish Cup Final for the first time in their history after 4-3 win over Aberdeen in the semi-final encounter at Hampden Park, April 12. The goal bonanza had the 24,000 plus crowd standing as the play moved from one goal mouth to another. Tosh (22nd) Burns (49th) O’Connor (56th) and Stewart in the 60th minute were the South’s marksmen, while a brace from Considine (36th & 59th) and Nicholson (52nd) found the net for the Dons. Ranger’s fixture back up, due to their European successes, saw them play their sixth round replay at Firhill against Partick Thistle, April 13. The Ibrox side missed a late penalty, but a goal by Nacho Novo in the 27th minute and a Chris Burke header five minutes before the break gave them a 2-0 victory. Rangers got round to their semi-final against St Johnstone April 20, but with the score 0-0 after ninety minutes the game went in to extra time. In the 93rd minute Daniel McBreen scored for St Johnstone, but the advantage was quickly lost after Rutkiewitz brought down Daniel Cousins and Nacho Novo put the penalty away for a 1-1 tie. Rangers won the penalty shootout 4-3 and will meet the Queen of the South in the final, May 24.

MORE FOOTBALL

The final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, March 30, a competition for the first and second division clubs, drew a 56,000-plus crowd at Wembley, were the Milton Keyne Dons beat Grimsby 2-0.

Grimsby missed a first half penalty, but Keith Andrews did not miss his spotkick in the 74th minute. A second by Sean O’Hanlon nine minutes from time settled the issue.

Aldershot will rejoin the Football League after a 16-year absence after winning the Blue Star Premier Conference League. The Welsh Champions are Llanelli, who earn a place in next year’s Champions League.

WORLD CUP 2010

The preliminary qualifying rounds of the 2010 World Cup continued in the Caribbean, central America, and Asian zones late March and April. Biggest goal-feast saw hosts’ Grenada beat the US Virgin Islands 10-0, courtesy of four by Ricky Charles and a brace by Jason Roberts of Blackburn Rovers. Grenada had won the earlier encounter 5-0. Suriname hammered Monserrat 7-1 at an away game in the Caribbean. Disappointment in Asia for Saudi Arabia, who were beaten 3-0 by Uzbekistan in Tashkent, while Bahrain welcomed Japan, which they beat 1-0.

EUROPEAN SEMI-FINALS

The first leg of the Champions League semi-final schedule took place April 22-23. Anfield was heaving at the seams as Liverpool and Chelsea fought it out once again in a major European tournament. Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool ahead three minutes before the break and it looked as if that goal would prove fatal for the Londoners, but John Arne Riise headed the ball into his own net during a goal-mouth fracas during injury time and the game ended 1-1. Manchester United were at the Nou Camp, where a hand-ball by Barcelona in the second minute looked the ideal opportunity for the Reds. But Cristiano Ronaldo hit the penalty wide and the Spaniard’s were off the hook. Barcelona pressed United the remainder of the game, with Rooney and Ronaldo forced to back up a besieged defence, but Fergie’s men held firm and a goal-less draw resulted. The second legs are April 29-30.

The UEFA Cup semi-finals, played April 24, produced another two draws. Rangers drew a big crowd at the Ibrox Stadium for the visit of Fiorentina, where clear cut chances were at a premium. The Italians played confidently and kept possession for long periods while the Scots ably contained any threats. The result, a 0-0 draw. The other semi-final in Germany saw Bayern Munich and Zenit St Petersburg tie 1-1. Second legs are May 1.