Moon Rugby Union – Six Nations B Round 3 & Americas Rugby Championship Round 5

Rugby Union Internationals

Six Nations B – Round 3

Six Nations B – Round 3 Round Up

Georgia were looking at a potential shock defeat as Spain led 10-3 at half time in Medina Del Campo. Tries from Giorgi Tkhilaishvili and test debutante Soso Matiashvili eventually saw the Six nations B Champions home 20-10. Romania comfortably saw off Russia 30-10 with the pick of the tries being Jody Rose’s interception try going 40 yards to complete the score. Belgium found themselves 21-0 down against Germany but threatened an unlikely comeback when Andy Williams went over to close the gap to just 5, however a try from Jaco Otto secured the victory for Germany who have two wins out of three.

Reports (Rugbyworldcup.com)

Americas Rugby Championship – Round 5

Americas Rugby Championship – Round 5 Round Up

The USA are the Americas Rugby Champions for the first time in a thrilling decider against Argentina. David Tameilau went over from a driving maul to give the USA a surprise 15-3 lead. However two penalty tries brought Argentina back into it and when full back Gabriel Ascarte went over in the corner Argentina had a 12 point lead. Cam Dolan got a try six minutes from time to bring the American back within a score it but they still needed a converted try to level and take the title. Tameilau was the hero breaking a tackle to score from close range for his second try, Ben Cima nailed the conversion for a 27-27 draw and due to previous bonus points it was enough for the USA to win the title for the first time.

In the other final games Freitas Alleges and Leivas Ballestrino got two tires each as Uruguay comfortably thrashed Chile 45-14, Chile finish bottom of the table. Finally Brazil scored an impressive upset win over Canada 24-23 in another tight finish. Winger Ze Tranqez got the winning score in the very last minute to give Brazil victory in Sao Paulo.

Reports – Bra v Can  Uru v Chile Arg v USA (Americas Rugby News)

________________________________________________________________

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

Rugby Union Results

Six Nations B – Round 1

Russia 10 – Romania 30 – At The Sochi Central Stadium, Sochi, Russia

Germany 34 – Belgium 29 – At The Sparda Bank Hessen Stadium, Offenbach, Germany

Spain 10 – Georgia 20 – At The Estadio Municipal, Medina Del Campo, Spain

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Soso Matiashvili (Georgia) 

Americas Rugby Championship – Round 5

Brazil 24 – Canada 23 – At The Pacaembu Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Uruguay 45 – Chile 14 – At The Estadio Charrua, Montivideo, Uruguay

Argentina 27 – USA 27 – At The Estadio Municipal, Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina

USA Win the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship

 MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – David Tameilau (USA)

________________________________________________________________

Moon Of Liberty Rugby Union – Six Nations B Round 1 & Americas Rugby Championship Round 2

Rugby Union

Six Nations B – Round 1

Six Nations B – Round 1 Round Up

*Georgia get defense off to a great start

*Germany score historic win over Romania

*Spain edge past Russia in Madrid

Georgia began the defense of their Six Nations B title with a comfortable 31-6 victory over newly promoted Belgium. Giorgi Tkhilashvili and Giorgi Koshadze went over to give the defending champions a commanding 17-0 lead at half time, two more second half tries saw Georgia easisy home. Germany scored an upset victory over Romania in a thrilling contest. Romania lead 38-27 going into the final 10 minutes but tries from Dash Barber, his second of the game, and Marcel Cotezee six minutes from time completed the comeback for Germany to claim their first win against the Romanians for 70 years. Finally Spain got off to a winning start against Russia. Mathieu Belie got the only try of the game for the Spanish as they won the game 16-6.

Reports – Georgia v Belgium (Agenda.ge)   Germany v Romania (Wide World of sport)

Game breakdown – Spain v Russia (Ultimate Rugby)

Americas Rugby Championship – Round 2

Americas Rugby Championship – Round 2 Round up

*Argentina in nine try demolition of Uruguay

*USA thrash Brazil

*Paris hat trick sees Canada to victory

Favourites Argentina got their second bonus point victory of the Championshp with an easy 57-12 thrashing of Uruguay. Sebastan Cancellier got a hat trick in a nine try demolition in Bahia Blanca. The USA also made it two out of two with Lock Tony Lamborn going over twice as part of eight tries in a 51-3 thrashing of Brazil. The final game saw Canada get their first win of the championship over Chile. Left winger Taylor Paris got a hat trick of tries to help Canada to a 36-15 victory.

Reports – Argentina v Uruguay (Americas Rugby News)   USA v Brazil (ESPN)   Canada v Chile (Americas Rugby News)

________________________________________________________________

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

Rugby Union Results

Six Nations B – Round 1

Germany 41 – Romania 38 – At The Sparda Bank Hessen Stadium, Offenbach, Germany

Belgium 6 – Georgia 31 – At The King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium

Spain 16 – Russia 6 – At The Estadio Nacional Compultense, Madrid, Spain

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Dash Barber (Germany)

Americas Rugby Championship – Round 2

Argentina 57 – Uruguay 12 – At The Estadio Villa Mitre, Bahir Blanca, Argentina

USA 51 – Brazil 3 – At Dell Diamond, Round Rock, Texas, USA

Canada 36 – Chile 15 – At Westhills Stadium, Langford, British Colombia, Canada

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Taylor Paris (Canada)

________________________________________________________________

 

 

Moon Of Liberty Tennis – Women’s Canadian Open

Tennis

WTA Tour – Canadian Open

Simona Halep continued her recent excellent form picking up her second title in three weeks with a straight sets win over American Madison Keys. Helep raced into a 4-2 to lead early on but Keys fought back to break and force a first set tie break. Halep controlled the breaker however taking it easily 7-2. She confirmed her dominance to break Keys n the third game of the second set and from there continued to hold serve. Keys hung in taking it to 5-4 and made it to 30-30 to put pressure on the Halep serve. Halep though stood strong to win the next two points to claim her third WTA title of the season.

Full Report (Eurosport)

________________________________

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

TENNIS

WTA Canadian Open Final – At The Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Canada 

Simona Halep (Romania) Beat Madison Keys (USA) – 2-0 (7-6, 6-3)

Moon Of Liberty Tennis – Canadian Open

Tennis

ATP Tour – Canadian Open

Novak Djokovic won his 30th Masters event with a commanding straight sets win over Kei Nishikori of Japan. Djokovic broke three times on his way to secure a comfortable victory before announcing ominously for the competition, that he would be at the Olympic Games. Nishikori did not help himself with 28 unforced errors as he lost his serve twice in the second set. He competed better in the second set but was broken at 5-6 to hand Djokovic an straight forward 6-3. 7-5 win that never looked in doubt.

Report (ATP World Tour.com)

________________________________

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

TENNIS

Canadian Open Final – At The Aviva Centre, Toronto, Canada

Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Beat Kei Nishikori (Japan) 2-0 (6-3, 7-5)

Moon of Liberty Boxing – WBC Light Heavyweight Title

Boxing

WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP IN QUEBEC

Adonis Stevenson scored a hugely impressive defence of his Light Heavyweight title on home soil in Quebec against American Thomas Williams Junior. Stevenson went to work on his opponent straight away scoring a knockdown in the first round. He went on to dominate the next tqo round before finally putting his opponent away was a stunning knockout in Round 4. The win was the Canadians seventh defence and with Stevenson, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward moving up to light heavyweight and Bernard Hopkins still around awaiting his chance at these big guns, this is an exciting weight category moving forward with some great potential fights to look forward to.

Full Report (Sky Sports)

________________________________

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

BOXING

WBC Light Heavyweight Title – At The Videotron Centre, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Adonis Stevenson (Canada) Beat Thomas Williams Jr (USA) by KO in Round 4

Still the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion… Adonis Tevenson (Canada)

Moon Reflection – It’s time to talk about the EU

Politics

Reflection of the Moon comment

It’s time to talk about the EU

Whichever side you fall, it is an historic time for Britain. The referendum to determine if the United Kingdom should remain inside or leave the European Union will take place on Thursday 23rd June. The Prime Minister David Cameron, after two whole days in Brussels, has finalised the basis on which the Referendum will be fought. He argues his deal means Britain will be ‘Stronger, safer and better off in the European Union.’ That quote is important, as it is already clear from those who want to remain in the EU that those points are going to be the basis of the Remain sides argument.

So what of the deal? One of the big points Cameron has been fighting on is an emergency break for migrant benefits and a stop on them sending benefits home to their children in other countries. Skeptics say this was always small beet compared to the big issues of controlling boarders and reducing migrant numbers, currently running at around a net of 300.000 a year. What has been agreed is a pretty confusing 7 year break with benefits to be phased back in after four years. It also will not be renewed after the seven years, which ties the hands of a successor who has no room to agree an extension. The right to send benefits to another country has also not been stopped as Cameron wanted, but child benefit will be paid on the basis of living standards in each country for new claimants and will be phased in for existing claimants from 2020.The costs of setting this system up will likely be more than will be saved in paying lower benefits, as a result it is hard to see what exactly has been gained at all.

There is a specific commitment to Britain not being part of ‘Ever Closer Union.’This is something to be cautiously welcomed, however it is broad and open to wide interpretation. As UKIP MEP Roger Helmer pointed out on 5 Live’s Steven Nolan show last night, every regulation from Brussels is in a way ever closer union because every directive is one more law they are imposing on us that we cannot decide ourselves.What it likely means in reality is that should there be further treaty discussions, it gives a future British PM an negotiating position of saying something disliked is ‘ever closer union’ and therefore the UK should have an opt out. This could lead to countless hours of wrangling in future summits and at home of which points meet this criteria. It also means the idea this Referendum will end Euro battles if we vote to remain is a fallacy, it ensures the issue will not go away as every future fight is grounds for another EU argument. David Cameron has claimed this point means we will never be part of the Euro or Schengen, but then we had opt outs on these anyway. He claims it means we could never be part of an EU army, that is certainly welcome, and we will never be part of a European Superstate, whatever that means in reality, I suspect few who support it even really know.

The deal also addresses concerns that non Euro countries could be discriminated against due to decision of the Eurozone. What has been agreed is that any nation can raise this concern, although all it appears to trigger is a European council meeting where as far as I can figure out, the Eurozone countries can then vote for the measure anyway.Cameron thinks this is important in protecting the city of London, given it’s a small technical EU process device, this appears to be a very grand claim.

So not everything in the deal is unwelcome and at least will give a future PM a standing on which to fight for Britain should we vote to remain in the EU. But it does not really deal with the big issues of boarder controls, sovereignty and the freedom of the nation state one hoped would be on the table. Looking ahead to the Referendum this deal is not substantial enough to base a decision of whether to stay or leave. The Prime Minister’s quote of ‘stronger, safer and better off’ are actually a better basis to assess the real issues.

So we would be stronger in the EU according to the Prime Minister? This is the most difficult of the three areas to look at as what does ‘stronger’ mean? Does it mean our place in the world? Britain will still be in the UN, the Commonwealth, NATO and have a permanent seat on the UN security council, indeed that particular role would be more secure outside the EU as that seat is something the EU has long eyed and wanted to take off the UK, something it would not be able to contemplate if we were not in the club. Outside the EU we could also join the World Trade Organisation as Britain (This also would restrict tariffs the EU could place on Britain if the EU decided to play tariff war after we left.) Currently we rely on the EU to speak for us in the WTO. We of course would have no influence on what the EU does itself. You can argue that is sufficient a loss of influence in itself to weaken the UK and thus were are ‘stronger’ in the EU, it is an argument that is difficult to sustain however.Why would we want influence in an organisation we are no longer a part of anyway?

Leaving the EU also means we can make our own free trade agreements. In the EU we have to impose a common external tariff on goods coming outside the EU. Outside the EU this would no longer be an obligation. This would cut costs for exporters outside the EU that a report this week showed was hugely on the increase (With exports to the EU falling.) We can have a free trade agreement that suits the UK with Canada, the USA, Iceland, Norway, China, Russia, India and any other nation outside the EU. As of now this can only be done through the EU on the EU’s terms. It could be argued such a power would make Britain stronger not weaker outside the EU.

So if being stronger is impossible to prove, how about being ‘safer.’ The Prime Minister sites the European Arrest Warrant should we want to extradite a terrorist from another EU country. So could this not be done before the European Arrest Warrant? Of course, there was still huge co-operation and agreements between nations before the European arrest warrants indeed all the EWA did was merge existing agreements. Is there no co-operation with nations outside the EU, of course there is. For example this agreement on wider cyber security between Britain and the UK. The idea Europol will stop co-operating with a nation that has MI5, MI6 & GCHQ, the best security agencies in Europe is nonsense. Leaving the EU also has no baring on our membership of the much more important ‘five eyes’ intelligence group including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA.Besides which, the European Arrest Warrant, if it has any benefit at all, is merely to chase those who have already committed the crime, it does not prevent it which is what would actually make us safer.

In that respect Europol, the EU creation to share intelligence across boarders, is a failure. Simply look at the recent Paris attacks which failures in communication played a big part. Those coordinating the attacks were not based in France, they were based elsewhere in Europe. They were able to take full advantage of the boarderless areas of the EU to move around and put everything in place. Some call it ‘a free passport for terrorists.’ If the EU did not exist and all the nations had their own boarder controls, would that attack have been easier or more difficult to pull off? More difficult of course as their room for movement would have been restricted.. Are we therefore ‘safer’ in the EU? While not being in Scehngen protects us, free movement would still be part of what we have to accept that means we are not immune. If an attack like that is easier to pull off because it is in the EU and harder if we were individual nations, it is clear we are not safer in the EU and the attempt to create an EU wide police and security force is a failure.  Long standing and respected Telegraph defence correspondent Con Coughlin has also written about the subject of safety within the EU in detail. He also concludes the EU is making us less, not more safe.

So how about ‘better off.’ This now comes down to the economic argument. Some of which I have already covered in the ‘stronger’ debate but the better off also covers a central claim of the Remain side namely that ‘3 million jobs are linked to the EU.’ It should be noted first the change of language from the Remain side, they used to claim this number of jobs were ‘at risk’ or ‘would be lost’ if we left the EU. Now they are only ‘linked’ which in itself is a victory for the leave side. A 2014 report from the Center for Business and Economics research Quoted in a report called ‘The Jobs Myth’ page 10-11, also found that there were 4.2 million EU jobs ‘linked’ to the UK, meaning they have more jobs linked to us than we do them.

This balance means the chances of the EU not wanting to quickly agree a free trade agreement with us are small. The same report refutes that millions of jobs would be at risk even if not however, due to protections under WTO rules. So what about the wider economy? What would be the full impact of leaving and would we be worse off? This is a question Woodford investments wanted to get to the bottom of. They asked Capital Economics to do an independent report on the full impact of the balance of risks of staying in and leaving the EU. The report can be found here.

Now the report does not claim everything about the EU is bad, nor does it cover the fact that there will be some losers if we leave the EU. For example, there would be at least a short period where exporters into the EU would face some tariffs they currently don’t, that is fact and to claim otherwise would be wrong. However, overall the conclusion is the economic impact of leaving the EU is neutral, with pros and cons, losses against opportunities and the balance of those who again and those who lose would ultimately be neutral in terms of the overall UK economy. Those who advocate leave should not overestimate any claims about us being hugely better off, but neither is the economic impact a reason not to leave the European Union. The conclusion is that we would neither be particularly worse or better off, and the decision to stay or leave therefore should not be based on the economic impact.

As a result there is no clear evidence, as the remain campaign will claim, that we are stronger, safer or better off in the EU. Stronger is more a matter of opinion,we would on balance probably be safer outside the EU and the economic impact is neutral. That does not mean we are better off (Financially and economically) out either and those who will claim that on the leave side are in my view exaggerating their case.This Referendum will open other cans of worms, especially if England and Scotland vote different ways. Scottish Nationalism could raise it’s head again.My view has always been that is a matter for the Scots, it is not a reason to colour ones view of the Referendum, however much some will try and skew it that way. If the Scottish Nationalists can use this for their own independence agenda, bully for them.

It also means normally great friends and allies will disagree, as David Cameron and Michael Gove have demonstrated already. and David Cameron’s position may be on the line. To be clear I respect what David Cameron has done, I respect his work in the negotiation, I respect the fact he has delivered the Referendum. (Ed Miliband would not have even given us one) He remains far superior an option as Prime Minister to the alternatives available, but on this issue, sadly, as with many people I respect who will back remain, I can’t agree with his conclusion. I am also acutely aware this will put me in the same camp as a number of people I have no time for whatsoever, as Nigel Farage’s extraordinary unveiling of George Galloway last night night shows only too well.

So how to vote if stronger is questionable, safer is dubious and better off is really economically neutral? Ultimately it comes down to the big picture. What sort of nation, or perhaps not do you want Britain to be? If you believe in Europe, working together ultimately being better then you should vote to remain. If you believe Britain should be a free nation state with laws determined by the people you elect, you should vote to leave. I call my blog the Moon Of Liberty because freedom is my top priority. Free nation states are an important aspect of freedom. I believe this is actually an exciting opportunity to explore a different path, form new friendship, create new alliances based on freedom and democracy rather than remain in a depressing, one size fits all EU with authoritarian, financially irresponsible (The EU has not has it’s accounts audited for over a decade) values. as a result I through this blog in an activities elsewhere, will advocate a vote to leave the European Union.

 

Moon Boxing – Kovalev v Pascal

Boxing

IBF, WBA & WBO Light Heavyweight Championship from Montreal

 Kovalev punishes Pascal in seven clinical rounds

Sergey Kovalev retained his reputation as one of the world’s best pound for pound fighters with a one sided destruction of Canadian Jean Pascal. The challenger who was getting his second crack at Kovalev and past has shown his heart by defeating Lucian Bute and going the distance with Bernard Hopkins and Carl Froch, was out of his depth stepping up to light heavyweight facing a great Champion. Kovalev controlled the fight from the first bell. Pascal went down in the first round to what looked like a clean jab but the referee ruled it a slip.

After that Pascal got a beating as Kovalev took his time and completely controlled every round. The Canadian could barely throw a punch in Round 4 as Kovalev began to take him apart, Pascal was then staggered in the fifth in a round the referee clearly considered stopping the contest on a couple of occasions. The onslaught continued in the sixth and Pascal trainer Freddie Roach threw in the towel after the same pattern continued into the seventh. Bernard Hopkins at ringside described the demolition as ‘torture.’ Kovalev said afterwards that is exactly what he intended after a very personal build up which included Pascal accusing Kovalev of racism. A unification fight with WBC Champion Adonis Stevenson, or a mega fight contest with the returning and undefeated Andre Ward, who is stepping up to Light-Heavyweight,  are both options for Kovalev in the future.

__________________________________________________

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

BOXING (Red = Champion, Blue = Challenger, Yellow = New Champion)

At The Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

WBA, IBF & WBO Light Heavyweight Title 

Sergey Kovalev (Russia) Beat Jean Pascal (Canada) by TKO in Round 7

STILL WBA, IBF & WBO Light Heavyweight Champion of the World …… Sergey Kovalev (Russia)

___________________________________________________

Moon Tennis – ATP Tour round-up

TENNIS

ATP Men’s Tour

Three in a row for Wawrinka in India

World number four Stan Wawrinka retained his Chennai Open title in India for the third year in a row with a straight sets win over Borna Coric of Croatia. The odds were against Coric who had come through a tough semi-final with Britain’s Aljaz Bedene while Wawrinka has a much easier passage to the Final. Wawrinka converted his first break point in the sixth game of the first set and never looked back. Taking the set 6-3 and breaking again in the final game of the second set to secure a fourth title at the Indian venue.

Raonic reverses 2015 result

Canada’s Milos Raonic faced a re-match from last year taking on defending Champion Roger Federer in the Final of the Brisbane International Tournament. It was Raonic who got the better this year to take the title. One break in each set was enough for the Canadian to win 6-4 6-4 and Raonic’s play received plenty of praise from Federer afterwards who commented on how Raonic always had the power game, but has improved his use of it in recent times.

Djokovic starts the year in awesome form

Novak Djokovic started 2016 as if he had never left off thrashing Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the final of the Qatar Open in Doha. It took the Serb just over an hour to beat Nadal 6-1 6-2 breaking the Spaniard five times and hitting 16 clean winners in the first set alone. The win gives Djokovic the edge 24-23 in the head to head with Nadal and is Djokovic’s 60th ATP Title.

---

 

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

ATP Tour – Chennai Open – Defending Champion – Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland)

At The SDAT Tennis Stadium, Chennai, India

Final

Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) Beat Borna Coric (Croatia) 2-0 (6-3 7-5)

Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) wins the 2016 Chennai Open (His 3rd win in a row and 4th win overall in Chennai)

___________________________________________________

ATP Tour – Qatar Open – Defending Champion – David Ferrer (Spain)

At The Khalifa Tennis And Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar

Final

Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Beat Rafael Nadal (Spain) 2-0 (6-2 6-1)

Novak Djokovic (Serbia) wins the 2016 Qatar Open

____________________________________________________

ATP Tour – Brisbane International Tournament – Defending Champion – Roger Federer (Switzerland)

At The Queensland Tennis Center, Tennyson, Brisbane

Final

Milos Raonic (Canada) Beat Roger Federer (Switzerland) 2-0 (6-4 6-4)

Milos Raonic (Canada) wins the 2016 Brisbane Internationl Tournament

Moon Darts – BDO World Championship

Darts

BDO World Championship

Scott Waites thrashes Canadian opponent to claim 2nd title

SCOTT WAITES 7 JEFF SMITH 1

Scott Waites of Huddersfield thrashed Canadian opponent Jeff Smith 7 sets to 1 in order to win his second BDO World Darts Title in four years. The title came as a big return to form for Waites, who had been suffering with shoulder injuries after he won his first title in 2013. Waites raced to a 3-0 lead and took the fourth in the decider hitting a 180 and 174 to break Smith’s throw and make it 4-0. Smith finally got on the board in the sixth set with an impressive 161 finish.

That glimpse of what the Canadian could do was as good as it got as Waites went on to take the seventh set as Smith missed four darts to make it 5-2 and instead was looking at a 6-1 deficit. Waites made no mistake and went on to take the eighth set to take the title and become the first Yorkshireman to win the BDO title at the Lakeside twice.

Gulliver takes 10th World title

TRINA GULLIVER 3 DITA HEDMAN 2

In the Women’s final Trina Gulliver denied Dita Hedman, who still cannot quite win the big one having won everything else in the game.The game went to a deciding 5th set after the first four sets had all gone against the throw. Gulliver steadied herself however to win the final set 3-0 and claim her 10th Women’s World title.

---

 

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

BDO World Darts Championship – Defending Champion Scott Mitchell (England)

At The Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey

Results (From the Quarter-Finals)

Quarter-Finals (Best of 9)

Jamie Hughes (England) 5 Wesley Harms (Holland) 1

Glen Durrant (England) 4 Scott Waites (England) 5

Jeff Smith (Canada) 5 Dennis Harbour (England) 2

Scott Mitchell (England) 3 Richard Veenstra (Holland) 5

_________________________________________

Semi-Finals (Best of 11)

Scott Waites (England) 6 Jamie Smith (England) 1

Jeff Smith (Canada) 6 Richard Veenstra (Holland) 5

__________________________________________

Final (Best of 13)

Scott Waites (England) 7 Jeff Smith (Canada) 1

Scott Waites (England) wins the BDO World Darts Championship for the 2nd time

__________________________________________________

BDO Women’s World Darts Championship – Defending Champion Lisa Ashton (England)

At The Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey

Final (Best of 5)

Trina Gulliver (England) 3 Dita Hedman (England) 2

Trina Gulliver (England) wins the BDO Women’s World Darts Championship for the 10th time

 

 

 

Rugby Round up

Rugby League

The Grand final was a close affair at Old Trafford but it was Leeds who edged out Wigan to take the trophey in the end and complete the League Leaders shield, Challenge Cup and Grand Final treble.Wigan took the elad through a Joe Burgess try bit Leed hit back immiedately with a try from Danny McGuire after a kick through from Kevin Sinfield, who was playing his final game before heading to Rugby Union. Joel Moon went over for a second for Leeds before McGurie scored again to give Leeds a commanding 16-6 lead at half time.

Wigan fought back in the second half, Ryan Hall stole the ball which set up a play for Dom Manfredi to get a try back for Wigan two goals and a try from Matty Bowen which he converted moved Wigan ahead and the momentum appeared to have shifted. However after more fine work from Sinfield, 20 year old Josh Waters was the hero for Leeds as he crossed and Sinfield gave Leeds the lead back with a touchline conversion. This was the final score of the game as Leeds ran the clock down to seal a 22-20 victory, the first time Leeds have beaten Wigan in a major final. The winning points coming from Sinfield after a masterclass of a display, a fitting end to his Rugby League career/

Rugby Union World Cup

Pool A – Australia, England, Wales, Fiji, Uruguay

As expected this came down to two of three between Australia, England and Wales. Fiji were surprisingly poor throughout and did not really compete with the big three at any stage, Uruguay were whitewashed as expected. Wales despite countless injuries scored a magnificent comeback to beat England at Twickenham 28-25 with a superb kicking performance from Dan Biggar. Australia then gave a superb performance of running rubgy to send England out of their own tournament. The game to decide who topped the pool was won by Australia, 15-6 over Wales with no tries but a great defensive performance despite being down to 13 men for part of the second half.

Pool B – South Africa, Scotland, Japan, USA, Samoa

This pool ended as expected, but it got there in a round about way. Japan stunned group favourites South Africa in the opening game with a try with the very last play of the game giving them a 34-32, but the schedule meant after the heroic effort they had to play Scotland just four days latter while Scotland were coming in fresh. This told in the second half when Scotland ran away with the game. Japan won all the rest of their game but are not in the Quarter Finals after South Africa comfortably beat Scotland, meaning all three sides had won three games but South Aftrica and Scotland had more bonus points. Scotland secured their Quarter Final place after a nail biting 36-33 win over Samoa who until then had been very disappoining. Harsh on Japan, but Eddie Jones and his side can be proud of their efforts.

Pool C – New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia, Tonga, Namibia

No upsets here, Argentina gave the All Blacks a scare in the opening game leading after 60 minutes but New Zealand had too much in the end running out 26-16 winners. Both sides coasted through the rest of the group to comfortably qualify for the Quarter Finals. The surprise package were Georgia who scored a shock win over Tonga and gave the All Blacks a very good game for 50 minutes before New Zealand ran away with it.

Pool D – Ireland, France, Canada, Italy, Romania

This group built throughout towards the pool decider between France and Ireland. Canada and Romania were not competative and Italy were poor against France, but ran Ireland reasonably close without looking like winning the game. With both sides through France and Ireland met in Cardiff in an incredible atmosphere in which Ireland won the game 24-9 but at the cost of losing captain Paul O’Connell for the rest of the tournament after a hamstring tear. They may also lose man of the match Sean O’Brien to suspension as the disciplinary commitee are to look at a punch thrown. The win however does mean they play Argentina, a tough game but preferable to playing the All Blacks, whom France will now face. They have beaten New Zealand twice on british soil in past World Cups, can lightening strike a third time?

Rugby League

Super League Grand Final – At Old Trafford, Streford, Trafford

Leeds Rhinos (16) 22 (Tries 4 – McGuire 2, Moon,Waters – Goals 3 – Sinfield 3) Wigan Warriors (6) 20 (Tries 3 – Burgess, Manfredi, Bowen – Goals 4 – Bowen 4)

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos)

Leeds Rhinos win the Super League Grand Final

Rugby Union

Rugby Union World Cup Pool Stages

Pool A

England 35 Fiji 11 – At Twickenham, London

Wales 54 Uruguay 9 – At The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

Australia 28 Fiji 13 – At The Millenium Stadium, Cardifff

England 25 Wales 28 – At Twickenham, London

Australia 65 Uruguay 3 – At Villa Park, Birmingham

Wales 23 Fiji 13 – At The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

England 13 Australia 33 – At Twickenham, London

Fiji 47 Uruguay 15 – At Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

Australia 15 Wales 6 – At Twickenham, London

England 60 Uruguay 3 – At The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

AUSTRALIA and WALES Qualify

Pool B

South Africa 32 Japan 34 – At The Amex Stadium, Brighton

Samoa 25 USA 16 – At The Amex Stadium, Brighton

Scotland 45 Japan 10 – At Kingsholm, Gloucester

South Africa 46 Samoa 6 – At Villa Park, Birmingham

Scotland 39 USA 16 – At Elland Road, Leeds

Samoa 5 Japan 26 – At Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

South Africa 34 Scotland 16 – At ST James’ Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne

South Africa 64 USA 0 – At The Olympic Stadium, The Queen Elizabth Olympic Park, Stratford

Samoa 33 Scotland 36 – At ST James’ Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne

USA 18 Japan 28 – At Kingsholm, Gloucester

SOUTH AFRICA and SCOTLAND Qualifty

Pool C

Tonga 10 Georgia 17 – At Kingsholm, Gloucester

New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 – At Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London

New Zealand 58 Namibia 14 – At The Olympic Stadium, The Queen Elizabth Olympic Park, Stratford

Argentina 54 Georgia 9 – At Kingsholm, Gloucester

Tonga 35 Namibia 21 – At Sandy Park, Exeter

New Zealand 43 Georgia 10 – At The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

Argentina 45 Tonga 16 – At The King Power Stadium, Leicester

Georgia 17 Namibia 16 – At Sandy Park, Exeter

New Zealand 47 Tonga 9 – At ST James’ Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Argentina 64 Namibia 19 – At The King Power Stadium, Leicester

NEW ZEALAND and ARGENTINA Qualify

Pool D

Ireland 50 Canada 7 – At The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

France 32 Italy 10 – At Twickenham, London

France 38 Romania 11 – At The Olympic Stadium, The Queen Elizabth Olympic Park, Stratford

Italy 23 Canada 18 – At Elland Road, Leeds

Ireland 44 Romania 10 – At Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London

France 41 Canada 18 – At Stadium, MK, Milton Keynes

Ireland 16 Italy 9 – At The Olympic Stadium, The Queen Elizabth Olympic Park, Stratford

Canada 15 Romania 17 – At The King Power Stadium, Leicester

Italy 32 Romania 22 – At Sandy Park, Exeter

Ireland 24 France 9 – At The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

IRELAND and FRANCE Qualify