Daily Post

Football: Veteran Owen Steals Limelight with Treble ; Colombia 2 England 3

THE tour had been about unearthing new England talent for the 2006 World Cup but it was an old hand in Michael Owen who grabbed the final headlines with a stunning hat-trick against Colombia in the Giants Stadium. The Real Madrid striker's previous treble for his country - in the 5-1 demolition of Germany in Munich in 2001 - might have carried greater significance in pointing England towards the World Cup finals in Japan.

Rugby Union: Rugby 'Ruination ; Scarlets Chief Blasts League's Collapse

LLANELLI Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher last night warned that the decision by the Scots and Irish to throw the four Welsh regions out of the Celtic League next season could be the 'ruination of Celtic rugby.' After a stormy meeting at Heathrow airport between the three Celtic nations yesterday the Scottish and Irish representatives left clutching a slimmeddown version of the Celtic League involving their seven professional clubs, while WRU chairman David Pickering and chief execut...

Football: Barca Told to Back Off Henry

ARSENE WENGER has stressed his commitment to keeping his squad together as the club look certain to do their utmost to resist any approach from BARCELONA for THIERRY HENRY. Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard publicly admitted his interest in the France striker, but the Arsenal boss revealed he was not looking to be too busy in the transfer market this summer.

Racing: Dunlop's Night to Remember

A CRACKING day's racing is in store today with the highlight being the evening card at Beverley, where the Hilary Needler Trophy over the minimum trip is the main event. This race can throw up a smart sort, although only time will tell if there is another Attraction lurking among this year's hopefuls.

Athletics: Shamed Sprinter Back in Action

MARK LEWIS-FRANCIS is set to compete for the first time since the recent revelations about his positive test for cannabis after winning the 60metres silver medal at the European Indoor Championships. Britain's most gifted sprinter appears at the IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Milan today, a fixture which was always in his schedule even before the dramatic announcement he had been given a public warning after failing the drugs test in Madrid on March 5.

150 Memorable Welsh Sporting Moments

STEVE WATKIN TAKES FIVE WICKETS ON HIS TEST DEBUT, JUNE 10 1991 GLAMORGAN bowler Watkin took two wickets for England against the West Indies in the tourists' first innings at Headingley. In the second, he added another three to destroy the Windies' resistance - and help England to a 115-run victory - with overall figures of 5- 93.

Cricket: Lewis Is Dreaming of Double Debut

JON LEWIS is the only uncapped player to be named in England's squads for this week's second npower Test against Bangladesh and the forthcoming one-day challenges announced yesterday. The Gloucestershire seamer, who was called into the squad for England's emphatic innings and 261 runs opening Test triumph at Lord's but failed to make the starting line-up, was included again yesterday in a 12-man squad to face Bangladesh again in the next Test starting on Friday at Chester-le-Street.

Cricket: Itsshowtime ; Pietersen Aiming to Take His Big Chance

KEVIN PIETERSEN has been handed the opportunity to stake his claim for an Ashes Test place after being named in England's one- day squad. The Hampshire batsman, who hit three centuries during the 4-1 series defeat in South Africa, has been included in a 14-man squad which will contest England's first ever Twenty20 international against Australia at the Rose Bowl on June 13 and the NatWest Triangular series.

Cricket: Ganguly: I Can Get This Club Backon Right Track

TEST star Sourav Ganguly hopes he can turn around the fortunes of Glamorgan's young guns - just like he did with India. Glamorgan's youthful side have struggled to make an impact on the County Championship's top tier and go into today's clash with Sussex at Swansea having lost all five of their opening matches.

Cricket: Llay Welfare Go Top After 30-Point Haul

LLAY Welfare landed their second successive 30-point haul with a 76-run victory over Dolgellau to take over at the top of the Readers Romida North Wales League Division One. Llay set a challenging 269- 9 declared (John Parry 70, James Bale 61as John Lloyd picked up 4- 61. Dolgellau were dismissed for 193 (Phil Leeds 77). Llay are now 25 points clear of Marchwiel-Wrexham and Gresford. Shotton skipper Gary Threadgold snapped up 8-25 at home to Gwersyllt Park who lost their last seven wickets fo...

Cricket: Keedy Back for Lancs

GARY KEEDY returns to the Lancashire squad for the visit of Northamptonshire in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two after missing their totesport League demolition of Gloucestershire. Lancashire routed the Gladiators for 86 on their way to a six- wicket victory on Monday and the left-arm spinner is included along with batsman Iain Sutcliffe in their return to Championship action.

Rugby Union: Jones Refuses to Be Drawn Over Wilkinson Rivalry

IF Stephen Jones can sidestep the All Blacks defence as neatly as he does questions on his rivalry with Jonny Wilkinson, then the Welsh fly-half could end up one of the heroes of this Lions tour. Jones belatedly arrived in New Zealand yesterday after helping his French club side, Clermont Auvergne, qualify for next season's Heineken Cup and was immediately quizzed on where he feels he now sits in the Lions pecking order.

Rugby Union: Ormond: We're Ready for Lions Challenge

BAY OF PLENTY STEAMERS captain Wayne Ormond has vowed his team will front up against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. Despite the Lions fielding a strong side, Ormond claims his side are ready for the challenge.

Rugby Union: Welsh Angry As Celtic League Cancelled

THE Welsh Rugby Union have delivered a withering response to the decision by their Irish and Scottish counterparts to cancel the 2005- 06 Celtic League season. The Celtic League Association announced the move yesterday following a meeting where the Welsh announced they had signed an agreement with the Rugby Football Union to compete in the AngloWelsh Cup.

Rugby Union: Stars Are Out for Howley

ROB HOWLEY believes his Rest of the World XV for Sunday's Tribute to the Legends match at the Millennium Stadium 'is strong enough to take on and beat most international sides.' While Scott Quinnell was set to name his Britain & Ireland XV today, Howley set the tone by picking six former Test captains, 12 current Zurich Premiership or Celtic League players and a total of 594 caps.

Formula One: Wheldon: I'd Love Switch to F1

VICTORIOUS Indianapolis 500 driver Dan Wheldon has admitted he would consider a move to Formula One. The 27-year-old became the first Briton to win US motorsport's biggest race since Graham Hill in 1966.

Rugby Union: Focus On Lions Tour of New Zealand: Jones Eager to Chase His Dream

IF Stephen Jones can sidestep the All Blacks defence as neatly as he does questions on his rivalry with Jonny Wilkinson, then the Welsh fly-half could end up one of the heroes of this Lions tour. Jones belatedly arrived in New Zealand yesterday after helping his French club side, Clermont Auvergne, qualify for next season's Heineken Cup and was immediately quizzed on where he feels he now sits in the Lions pecking order.

Motor Racing: Renault Confident of Life in Engines

CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Renault insist they are not worried about next month's Canadian Grand Prix, despite predicting a very demanding race for their engines. New rules for 2005 mean engines must last two races and after a hard weekend at the Nurburgring in unseasonable heat, the same power plants will be shipped across the Atlantic to Montreal next week. But Renault engine chief Denis Chevrier said: 'The Nurburgring is quite a demanding circuit for the engines, and Montreal is certainly a very...

Athletics: Lewis-Francis Back in Action

MARK LEWISFRANCIS is set to compete this week for the first time since the recent revelations about his positive test for cannabis after winning the 60metres silver medal at the European Indoor Championships. Britain's most gifted sprinter appears at the IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Milan today, a fixture which was in his schedule even before the announcement he had been given a public warning after failing the drugs test in Madrid on March 5.

Rugby League: Sculthorpe Ruled Out As Brother Is Charged

ST HELENS will be without Great Britain captain Paul Sculthorpe for this weekend's engage Super League clash with Bradford. The 27-year-old loose forward suffered a fresh hamstring injury in Friday's victory over Leeds.