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Premiership: Harlequins 17-10 Saracens – Quins end derby drought

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Premiership: Harlequins 17-10 Saracens - Quins end derby drought

Sarries racked up 90 points in the two matches between the two sides last season, including 52 in their most recent meeting in March.

However, from the off, the game was fiercely contested by two star-studded sides with Smith back at fly-half for Quins and full-back Leigh Halfpenny returning for Quins, plus Maro Itoje back from a knee problem to skipper Saracens.

After a cagey start, Onyeama-Christie suffered a serious injury driving for the line after a close-range line-out just seven minutes in, leading to a lengthy stoppage.

The 25-year-old missed the end of last season after suffering a broken arm in April but had begun this campaign in style – however, he now looks certain to miss at least Scotland’s autumn international campaign which starts against Fiji at Murrayfield on 2 November.

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The Quins defence stood firm against concerted Sarries pressure, despite losing James Chisholm to the sin-bin in the opening 20 minutes.

Then, Saracens’ Ben Earl was penalised for shouting at referee Christophe Ridley during a ruck in midfield, allowing Smith to kick to the corner.

The line-out paved the way for Stephan Lewies to barrel forward and Baxter to eventually plunge over from close range on 27 minutes, with Smith slotting the conversion to make it seven points from Quins’ first visit to the Saracens 22.

Juan Martin Gonzalez was also forced off for Sarries but the Quins defence stood up to a fresh onslaught from the visitors as they repelled phase after phase and won a series of key penalties at breakdowns.

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The Sarries pressure resumed after the break and Quins’ resistance was eventually broken when Tizard dived over from close range after more than a dozen phases of pressure on 48 minutes, with Lozowski adding the extras.

It took just four minutes for Quins to get back in front, however, as Smith darted through midfield and offloaded to Will Porter who flung the ball wide right for Anyanwu to scorch over the line.

Tobias Elliott saw a break down the Sarries right ended by another fine tackle from Halfpenny as he sought a fourth try in as many appearances while Lozowski missed a penalty attempt after Joe Launchbury was penalised for going over the top just after the hour.

Smith made no mistake at the other end after Earl was penalised nine minutes from time, slotting the hosts into a 10-point lead and though Lozowski set up a tense finale with a penalty three minutes later, Quins kept their visitors at bay.

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Craig Bellamy: Why are new coach’s Wales tailing off in games?

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Craig Bellamy: Why are new coach's Wales tailing off in games?

Bellamy’s mantra when he first walked through the door as Wales head coach was all about forging an identity. A natural-born winner, results were always important – but the pressing priority was about Wales finding themselves as a team.

Meetings, analysis and Bellamy not swaying from what he wants his team to look like have all been geared to a new way of playing.

And, ultimately, players are still getting used to new demands and new instructions.

All during the limited time on camp with their new coach.

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So perhaps expecting it to be nailed down for 90 minutes just three games in is just not realistic.

“It’s consistency in the game, that’s what you’re pushing for, to consistently be good with the ball and without the ball,” said Bellamy, who added it is not only about players getting used to the game plan, but also adapting within matches.

He cited players still coming to terms with what he is asking of them and maybe reverting to a default setting when up against it in difficult moments.

“But I see these things as quite normal,” he added.

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“We’ve spent a number of meetings since then showing that discipline will allow you to have good habits. Good habits allow you to be consistent and if you’re consistent, then you can grow.

“We’re just in that period at the moment. It’s trying to create that consistency for us in how we see we would like this team to become.”

Ben Davies – captain in the injury absence of Aaron Ramsey – admitted the biggest difference under Bellamy is the style of play.

“We’re trying to dominate with the ball and we’re trying to show that we can be good without it,” said Davies.

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“It’s about maintaining those levels. You’ve seen in the games we’ve played that we have tried to start on the front foot, dominate the ball and create as many chances as we can.

“There’s a period of adaptation that’s expected. I feel that it’s gone pretty well and that as a group there’s a lot more to come from us.”

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Race Rewind: Playoff pressure peaks at the Charlotte Roval

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Luke Humphries’ incredible stats put him in same company as Phil Taylor and just one other darts star amid stunning run

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Luke Humphries' incredible stats put him in same company as Phil Taylor and just one other darts star amid stunning run

LUKE Humphries is in the final of the World Grand Prix after some incredible performances this week.

The world champion, 29, demonstrated his prowess when he defeated Ryan Joyce 5-0 in a devastating display on Saturday night.

Luke Humphries celebrates his epic win over Ryan Joyce on Saturday night

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Luke Humphries celebrates his epic win over Ryan Joyce on Saturday night
Cool Hand Luke's performance was compared to vintage Phil Taylor

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Cool Hand Luke’s performance was compared to vintage Phil Taylor
Michael Van Gerwen has been the dominant force of darts in the past decade

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Michael Van Gerwen has been the dominant force of darts in the past decade

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Cool Hand Luke averaged 100.30 during the contest, which is only the second time an average of a ton plus has been recorded at the semi-final stage – the other being Phil Taylor.

He is also in his sixth straight TV ranking final, with Michael Van Gerwen in 2016-2017 and Taylor the only people to do that.

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Afterwards, former darts star Wayne Mardle compared his numbers to the legendary Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.

But modest Humphries revealed if he is to be compared to Taylor he would have to consistently be in that kind of form.

“I don’t need to compare myself to Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen,” he said.

“Phil would do this game in game out, I have one out of five of them games so you can’t compare me to Phil, never.

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“And he’ll always have achieved more than any single player the world has ever seen. No one will ever be able to do what he’s done.”

Taylor boasts an incredible career record, including winning 14 World Championships.

He was also a World Matchplay winner 14 times, won the World Grand Prix on 11 occasions and has six Premier League titles to his name.

Luke Humphries fumes ‘I just can’t be bothered’ as he warns rowdy crowd ‘leave it at home’ after World Grand Prix

The Crafty Potter amassed a £6million fortune from the arrows, securing his status as the best player the game’s ever seen.

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Humphries, looking to retain the title he won last year against Gerwyn Price, is looking forward to his match against Mike De Decker.

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He said: “I think it’s a dream final, it really is.

“We’ve had so many battles and it’s going to be a good game. Mike’s playing well and I know I’m going to have to be at my best again.”

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Guardians vs. Yankees ALCS Game 1 Preview: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz | MLB on FOX

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Guardians vs. Yankees ALCS Game 1 Preview: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz




Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz previewed the Game 1 matchup in the ALCS between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees.



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Motorsports

IndyCar’s Arlington circuit layout will leave drivers “exposed,” but keep things entertaining

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IndyCar’s announcement earlier this week of inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington set for 2026 has brought a high level of widespread anticipation, with the street circuit layout also getting everyone’s attention. 

A collaborative effort between Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys, and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers, the IndyCar Series will return to the Lone Star State following a two-year absence in 2024-25. North America’s premier open-wheel championship previously ran at Texas Motor Speedway, based nearby in Fort Worth, from 1997-2023. 

 

While the collective group of partners will play a significant part in raising the event to heights the sport is striving for, the main attraction still remains on track with the 14-turn, 2.73-mile street circuit. For reference, the longest street circuit the series raced on this past season was the 1.968-mile layout in Long Beach. 

The full unveiling of the track layout took place on Tuesday at Texas Live!, an entertainment center located between AT&T Stadium, home of the Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of the Rangers. 

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The circuit, which was designed by IndyCar’s longtime street track architect Tony Cotman, certainly raised plenty of eyebrows with a modern flow that rivals that of Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix, which wraps around the stadium of the Miami Dolphins. 

Arlington Grand Prix track map

Arlington Grand Prix track map

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

The Arlington street course features a straightaway that extends .9-mile, which is likely to see drivers push over 180 mph before being challenged with an enticing braking before a hard-braking point of a right-hander in Turn 10. There are other obvious passing zones in Turn 1, Turn 12 and Turn 14, while also presenting a unique “horseshoe” carousel that makes up Turn 6. A double-sided pit lane, similar to what is currently used for the Detroit street race, will also be highlighted. Additionally, the track will go underneath hospitality and suites in two different areas. 

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden was among those in attendance at the unveiling in Arlington, along with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou and AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci. 

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Arlington Grand Prix track map

Arlington Grand Prix track map

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

Newgarden, the two-time defending winner of the Indianapolis 500 and a two-time IndyCar Series champion, shared his thoughts on the track and what kind of racing could be expected.

“Yeah, it’s kind of got everything,” Newgarden told Motorsport.com. “It’s got the typical low-speed sections that you would find on a street course, but then it has some complex double apex corners that kind of wrap around the stadium seating, so that will be really unique for fans. It’s got one pretty high-speed corner that leads onto the longest straight. And then the straightaways are very long, so I think understanding efficiency with downforce is going to be a topic here that’s not necessarily a topic on other street circuits. So, that could be an interesting element.

“How are you going to stay out front if you’re leading this thing? I think you’re going to be exposed around a track like this. So, it could be very entertaining to watch. It could be a draft fest on that long straightaway. So yeah, that’s what you’re going to be dealing with and we’ll figure it out as we do.”

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Open de France: England’s Daniel Bradbury wins DP World Tour title

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Open de France: England's Daniel Bradbury wins DP World Tour title

England’s Dan Bradbury fired three consecutive birdies on the back nine to emerge from a pack of title contenders and win the Open de France at Le Golf National.

Bradbury carded a 66 in the final round to finish on 16 under par and take his second title on the DP World Tour.

The 25-year-old made par at the 18th before watching his closest rivals, including compatriot Sam Bairstow, finish one shot behind.

Germany’s Yannik Paul and the Danish pair of Jeff Winther and Thorbjorn Olesen tied with Bairstow for second place.

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Bradbury, who began the day two shots behind overnight leader Jesper Svensson from Sweden, said he was due some good fortune as his tee shot on the 15th stopped short of water.

“Obviously got lucky off the tee, but I feel like I’ve had a few bad breaks this week so quite nice to get a good one there,” Bradbury, who won the Joburg Open in November 2022, told Sky Sports.

“And then I just pushed it [the second shot], straight up pushed it, and luckily it stayed on [the green]. Hit a horrendous putt that went in and sometimes you just need that.

“Once I’d done that, I was like ‘it doesn’t feel like my day, but there’s definitely something going for me’.”

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He made birdies at 14, 15 and 16 as he came through to win.

Victory for Bradbury, who earns £420,000 and climbs to 25th in the Race to Dubai, also ensured his qualification for the season-ending play-off events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“The goal this week was to make the cut so I don’t have to go to Korea and try to keep my card, to be honest with you, so to hear that sounds pretty good,” he said.

“I guess I’ll be looking at flights to Dubai then.”

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