Moon Snooker – UK Masters

Moon Snooker

UK MASTERS

UK Masters Final

Mark Allen (Northern Ireland) 10

Kyren Wilson (England) 7

AT THE ALEXANDRA PALACE, HARINGEY, LONDON

Northern Ireland has a new sporting star as Mark Allen won his first ever major Snooker title at the Alexandra Palace. It was Allen’s second attempt at a major after losing to Judd Trump at the UK Championship in 2014, his opponent Kyren Wilson was appearing in his first major final. A nervy opening session left the contest in the balance. Wilson took a 4-3 lead and should have taken the last of the afternoon session but missed a key brown allowing Allen in the level at 4-4

The two men shared the first two frames of the evening session but at that point Allen opened up the gap. with breaks of 73 and 119 putting him 7-5 ahead. Wilson had a chance in the next but could not take advantage and let Allen in for a 50 break to move three frames up. Wilson showed some character and proved why he was in the final though to win a tight 13th frame and then took another to pull it back to 8-7.

That though would be as close as Wilson would get. A break of 69 meant Allen went one frame away and when he got his chance in frame 17 he made no mistake delivering a break of 71 to get over the finish line at the first attempt and take the title 10-7. The small nation that has given us Dennis Taylor, Carl Frampton & Rory McIlroy has now produced another potential sporting star. Allen has won 3 ranking tournaments in the past but this is by far the biggest victory of his career that could really kickstart his move into the big time going forward.

Full Report (Worldsnooker.com)

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Moon Of Liberty News & Politics – News Digest

News Digest – 12th Jan 2017 @ 4.10 pm

New Statesman comment – Green Party Co-Leader Caroline Lucas on why Jeremy Corbyn should make the case for Freedom of Movement

Reuters – Oil price rises as Saudi’s tell Asian customers of output cuts

CNN – Confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s Secretary of State pick Rex Tillerson begins

Independent – Theresa May says Norther Ireland devolution collapse will not delay invoking Article 50

CNN – Allies of Paul Ryan are spending $1bn to pitch replacement for Obamacare

Spectator Comment – Obama fell on his own myth – Daniel McCarthy

NBC News – Kellyanne Conway defends Donald Trump’s use of Twitter in appearence on the Seth Myers show

The Moon Of Liberty – Yesterday’s PMQ’s verdict – Kevin Alcock

LBC – Donald Trump accuses intelligence claims about him to be all fake news

Daily Mail – Donald Trump calls intelligence dossier against him a ‘disgrace’

Sky News – Donald Trump vows to be the greatest job creator

The London Economic – Study finds Trump and Farage are more trusted as they don’t speak like normal politicians

BBC News – Bank Of England Governor Mark Carney says Brexit risks to the UK now much lower

Trading Buddy.com – FTSE on course for new record highs.

Haaretz – Top Israeli diplomat to visit Turkey in symbol of thawing relations

CNN – Donald Trump says he was offered $2bn of business in Dubai over the weekend, he turned it down.

Reuters – China aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Straight in symbolic show of aggression

Dayton (Ohio) News – Publication asks what was President Obama’s biggest achievement?

Daily Mail & The Sun – Heartless teachers at Broad Oak Community School in ST Helens tell five year old alopcia sufferer to take off her wig, ST Helens Council hide behind ‘Health and Safety’ to justify it

Wall Street Journal – Ex British intelligence office Christopher Steele named as the man behind the Donald Trump dossier

Fox News – James Mattis says he will bolster the US military if confirmed as new US Defence Secretary

London Evening Standard – US ethics committee not impressed by Donald Trump’s plans for his businesses while President

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Moon Of Liberty News & Politics – News Digest

News Digest – 11th Jan 2017 @ 2.00 pm

BBC Sport – Historic Kempton Park racecourse could be closed for new housing

Spectator Comment – A maximum wage is Corbyn’s most stupid idea yet – Brendan O’Neill

CNN – Confirmation hearing for Attourney general nominee Jeff Sessions begins

BBC – Look at inequality in the UK shows it has not got wider in the last decade

The Moon Of Liberty Editorial – The Moon editor Kevin Alcock on May, Corbyn and Trump v Hollywood

Reuters – Mexican Foreign Minister says there is now way Mexico will pay for Donald Trump’s wall

Telegraph Comment– Punishing Britain over Brexit could hasten the EU’s own end – Peter Foster

London Evening Standard – Switzerland wins key ECHR ruling on Muslim girls and mixed swimming lessons

The Guardian – Meryl Streep took aim at MMA as well as Trump, UFC Owner Dana White responds

The Guardian – Boris Johnson says Moscow is up to all kinds of dirty tricks

New Statesman – Guy Verhofstadt’s attempt to form alliance between Liberals and Italy’s 5 Star movement fails, much to UKIP’s delight

Moon Of Liberty Polling – Breakdown of ICM Poll & Cardiff University Welsh poll

Breibart London – Senior US Republican Bob Corker says Britain is in the front seat for a US trade deal

Independent Comment – Labour’s rotten day – Tom Peck

BBC News – Snapchat sets up International office in London

Daily Express – Ex Australian PM Tony Abbott backs Britain over Brexit

Order Order – UK Industrial production surges

The Sun Comment – Suing Newspapers for telling the truth? no thank you – Rod Little

Political Betting Comment – On the Northern Ireland situation – Lucian Fletcher

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Moon Of Liberty News & Politics – News Digest

News Digest – 09 Jan 2017 @ 5.00 pm

NBC News – Chinese Government moves to tackle ‘masculinity’ crisis

Daily Express – Czech President warns Muslim Migrants are creating ‘No Go Zones’

The Independent – UN visits Myanmar among concerns of genocide

The Sun – Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad says peace talks could lead to his resignation

ITV News – Donald Trump v Meryl Streep in war of words after Golden Globes

Politicus.com – US House Speaker Paul Ryan says Trump won ‘Fair and square’ despite Russian hacking claims

Daily Mail Comment – Meryl Streep’s attack on Donald Trump was hypocrisy and fuels America’s divisions – Piers Morgan

Conservative Home Comment – The dream of home ownership should be open to all – Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi

Sky News – Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness to resign

ITV News – Donald Trump praises car company Fiat Chrysler

ABC News – Manhunt underway regarding Fort Lauderdale shootings, Florida Governer Rick Scott speaks about the incident

Heat Street – Celebrities too sad to party at Golden Globes because of Donald Trump’s win

Bloomberg – Boris Johnson tries to woo Donald Trump regarding Brexit

BBC 5 Live – Martin Lewis on how to keep your financial New Year resolutions

Independent Comment – Greedy FIFA will do irreparable damage to the World Cup with 48 Team plan – Ian Herbs

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Moon Of Liberty Cricket – Eng v Pak, Ire v Afg

Cricket

Test Game 1 – England v Pakistan

10 wickets across both innings from Yasir Shah led Pakistan to victory in the first test against England at Lords. Misbah Ul-Haq’s 114 in the first innings enabled Pakistan to to post 339. Despite Alistair Cook’s 81, Shah’s 6 wicket hall restricted England’s reply to 272.

England were left chasing the game being set 282 to win but and fell 75 runs short of the eventual target with Shah taking another four wickets including the key middle order of Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow who had threatened with decent knocks to put England in with a shout. These wickets were to keep the pressure on England and and help seal the win and a 1-0 lead for Pakistan.

ODI Game 4 – Ireland v Afghanistan

Rashid Khan produced an outstanding performance with the bat and ball as Afghanistan took a 2-1 lead in their one day series with Ireland.Khan hit 60 Not Out with Mohammad Nabi making 50 as Afghanistan put 229 on the board. Khan then was to take four wickets as the hosts were skittled out for 150 as only Kevin O’Brien with 34 put up any real resistance. It means Afghanistan cannot lose the series with ony one game left.

Eng V Pak Full Report (ICC.com)

Ire v Afg Full Report (ICC.com)

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MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

CRICKET

TEST MATCH Game 1 – At Lords, City Of Westminster, London

England v Pakistan

Pakistan 1st Inns – 339 ALL OUT – (Ul-Haq 114, Hafeez 40, Woakes 6-70)

England 1st Inns – 272 ALL OUT – (Cook 81, Root 48, Shah 6-72)

Pakistan 2nd Inns – 215 ALL OUT – (Shafiq 49, Ahmed 45, Woakes 5-32)

England 2nd Inns – 207 ALL OUT – (Bairstow 48, Ballance 43, Vince 42, Shah 4-69)

Pakistan win by 75 Runs

Pakistan lead the series 1-0

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Yasir Shah (Pakistan)

ODI Game 4 – At The Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Ireland v Afghanistan

Afghanistan – 229/7 (50 Overs) – (Khan 60*, Nabi 50)

Ireland – 150 ALL OUT (41 Overs) – (O’Brien 34, Khan 4-21

Afghanistan win by 79 Runs

Afghanistan lead the Series 2-1

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

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Moon Of Liberty Cricket – Ire v Afg ODI Game 3

Cricket

ODI Game 3 – Ireland v Afghanistan – Joyce century guides Ireland to victory

IRELAND WIN BY 6 WICKETS – SERIES TIED 1-1

Ed Joyce with 105 not out including 8 fours and a six was key to Ireland’s victory over Afghanistan in Belfast. Kevin O’Brien assisted with 75 as Ireland easily chased down the 237 they were set to win. Mohammad Shahzad continued his good form with the bat for Afghanistan top scoring with 81. O’Brien impressed with the ball as well taking 3-27 but it was Joyce who batted from start to finish of the Irish innings who saw them home to level the 5 match series at 1-1.

Full Report (From ICC.com)

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MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

CRICKET

ODI Game 3 – At the Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Ireland v Afghanistan

Afghanistan – 236/10 in 49.1 Overs – (Shahzad 81, Nabi 40, K O’Brien 3-328)

Ireland – 237/4 in 47.3 Overs – (Joyce 105*, K O’Brien 75)

Ireland win by 6 Wickets

Series tied 1-1

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Ed Joyce (Ireland)

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Moon Politics – PMQ’s 03 Feb 2016

Politics

Prime Minister’s Questions 12:00 PM Tuesday 03 Feb 2016 – From the House of Commons, The Palace of Westminster

Cancer policy exchange leaves one wondering about Corbyn’s listening skills

With the Prime Minister on the ropes with the press and his backbenchers over his EU ‘deal’ PMQ’s will have been a relief for David Cameron. Given there was a statement on the EU issue to come later it would have been odd if Jeremy Corbyn had led on that in this exchange. He instead went on the issue of cancer and the NHS generally. He started in regard to cancer waiting times that were not being met. Cameron conceded one of his three targets, a target around treatment within 62 days, was not being met but stated this was one of three targets around cancer treatment and the other two were being met, which, you have guessed it, were not under Labour.

Corbyn moved on to ask about cuts in radiologists. At first Cameron appeared stumped and went on to make general points about NHS investment. It was not until Corbyn had asked his third question about cuts in public health funds that he found the bit in his file that I assume had the figures. Radiologists were up 15% since he became PM, He also contradicted the public heath cuts point, then having dealt with the substantive points, his wider context began to make more sense. The Tories can do these things because they invested, unlike Labour who have cut the NHS in Wales, and he (Corbyn) was responsible for Labour.

Corbyn then resorted to a trait that looked as bad this week as it was last. Accusing the PM of not answering the question when he actually had. He then did this again when asking about ESA cuts. Cameron rightly pointed out someone with cancer would be in the support group whose benefit would not be cut even under the new proposals. On this Cameron gave a very specific and targeted answer, yet Corbyn still accused him of not answering. It makes it look like he is not listening and comes across very badly. To compound this he asked the same question again via an email from ‘Martin,’ using his failed ‘Peoples Question’ regime, and fell into an easily avoidable trap had he been listening the first time by reading out a scenario in which, as Cameron had already explained, the benefits would not be cut in that scenario anyway. An easy one for the PM to dispatch, with some added extra digs at the Welsh NHS including numerous areas where Labour run Wales were doing much worse Tory run England to boot.

Elsewhere the SNP leader in the commons Angus Robertson challenged the PM on the EU Referendum timing regarding a letter signed by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness asking the Referendum should not be in June out of respect to other election. Cameron’s response was revealing, stating he agreed with Alex Salmond that it should not be ‘within six weeks.’ Given the rumoured date is 23rd June, exactly seven weeks after these elections, the response was more telling than normal. Beyond that David Rutley (Con MP for Macclesfield) had some fun at the expense of SNP and Labour Trident policy asking whose policy was more dangerous, Cameron responded Labour now wanted to use the submarines to move defence personnel around ‘The most expensive Uber service by boat.’ Overall another easy day for David Cameron, While his opponent needs to start listening before assuming the question has not been answered in something that is becoming an increasingly poor trait.

MOON OF LIBERTY VERDICT (Out of 5)

David Cameron 3 – Jeremy Corbyn 1 – Not as clear cut as last week, but another very easy win for David Cameron, as Corbyn continues to fall into all sorts of avoidable traps.

 

 

Sunday Sportsround – Cycling, Cricket, Tennis, Snooker & Boxing

Cycling – Froome in control of the tour

German sprinters dominated the 15th stage of the Tour De France today. The stage was won by Andre Griepel who won his third stage of the tour in the French town of Valance.Compatriot John Degenklob came second. Chris Froom who took a big lead in the mountain stages of the Pyrenees earlier in the week has maintained a 3 minute lead over his nearest contenders and is now red hot favourite to win his second tour in three years, which would be a third British victory in four years if he is successful.

Froome’s control has not been without controversy however. Some of the French media have cast aspersions of doping against Team Sky, which includes Froome, Sir Dave Brailsford the team boss has even complained of equipment being stolen by those desperate to try and find something on the team. It should be said there is not a shred of serious evidence to back up the accusations and jealousy may be part of this as Brailsford as head of Team Sky and Previously the British Olympic Team has led many to unprecedented success. This blog believes in innocent until proven guilty, and does not believe the allegations.

Tennis – Britain makes first Semi since 1981

Great Britain defeated 2014 finalists France in their Davis Cup Quarter Final at Queen’s Club in London. The first singles went to plan as Gilles Simon defeated James Ward and Andy Murray beat Joe-Wilfred Tsonga in straight sets on the opening Friday. Captain Leon Smith decided to play Andy Murray alongside his brother Jamie in the doubles on the Saturday and this was where the crowd really got involved in the battle. Nicholas Mahut and Joe-Wilfred Tsonga won the first set but the Murray’s battled back to take the second and then win an epic third set tie-break to take control. They went on to win the third to take a 2-1 lead into the Sunday.

A very tired Andy Murray struggled early on against Gilles Simon with Simon winning the first set and going up a break in the second. However Murray fought back to win the second on the tie-break and going on to defeat his French opponent in four sets including a 6-0 victory in the fourth As Simon wilted towards the end. Britain will play Australia after they came back from 2-0 down in Darwin against Kazakhstan, Veteran Leyton Hewitt won the final rubber to secure a 3-2 win. elsewhere Belgium will face Argentina, Belgium beat Canada and Argentina got the better of Serbia who were without World Number 1 Novak Djokovic.

Cricket – Australia hit back thrashing England at Lords

Australia won a crucial toss on a very good batting wicket at Lords and made England pay by racking up a huge score. Steven Smith scored 215 and opener Rogers got 173. Broad was the only bowler who put up any fight taking four wickets as Austtralia declared on a score of 588. The England response under big scoreboard pressure began badly losing four wickets quickly before Captain Alaistair Cook and Ben Stokes recovered the position. Cook fell just short of a century with 96 and that failure for anyone to get a big score left England well over 200 behind from the first innings.

Australia decided not to enforce the follow on and smith got another half century as did David Warner who top scored with 83. Scoring at speed Australia added another 254 before declaring leaving England with an unlikely target of over 500. However the English batting line up collapsed, summed up by a ridiculous run out of Stokes. Broad top scored with a mere 25 as Johnson took three wickets and Australia bowled England out for 103 to level the Ashes series at 1-1 and take all the momentum into the third game in Birmingham in two weeks time.

Snooker – John Higgins wins the Australian Open

John Higgins has won his 27th ranking title in Bendigo, Australia beating Martin Gould in a final frame decider. The match was close throughout with the game locked at 4-4 at the mid interval and then 7-7 after Gould had come back from 7-4 down. Higgins took a scrappy frame to take an 8-7 lead but Gould hit back to level again and take the final into a final frame. Higgins took his first chance in that final frame with a break of 89 to take the title. With Higgins 13th on the ranking list, the win should help him retain a top 16 place with his first win since the Welsh Open in February.

Boxing – Two new champions crowned

In a big night of Boxing all around the world Puerto Rican Mcjoe Arroyo became the new IBF Super Flyweight champion in Texas defeating Arthur Villanueva of Mexico after the fight went to the scorecards after the referee called a halt to proceedings after a cut to the Mexican. Arroyo was comfortably ahead on all three cards. On the same card Northern Ireland’s Carl Frampton recovered from two knock downs early to defeat Alenjandro Gonzalez Jr by a comfortable unanimous decision to defend his Super Bantamweight title.

Two Manchester fighters had differing fortunes as they got home town World Title fight opportunities at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Scott Quigg defended his version of the Super Bantamweight title knocking out Kiko Martinez of Spain in two rounds and a unification fight with Carl Frampton remains a possibility. Meanwhile Anthony Crolla took on Colombian Lightweight champion Darleys Perez. Many thought the challenger had done enough to win the fight, especially given Perez had two points deducted for low blows.However the judges delivered a verdict of a split decision draw meaning Perez retains his title. A rematch is certainly a possibility.

A grudge match was settled in Halle, Germany where veteran German based Armenian Arthur Abraham knocked out Richard Steiglitz in six rounds to defend his Super Middleweight title. There has been a long war of words going into the fight but Abraham gave a vintage performance kncoking his Russian opponent down in the fourth before finishing the job in the sixth. Finally In Macao, China Argentinian Cesar Cuenta was crowned the new IBF Light-Welterweight title. The belt was vacant and hometown favourite the unbeaten Ik Yang was out of his depth at world level. Cuenta knocked Ik Yang down in the first round and dominated the fight, winning an easy unanimous decision to take the title.

MOON OF LIBERTY SCOREBOARD

CYCLING

Tour De France (Reigning Champion Vincenzo Niebly)

Stage 15 – Mende to Valance

Stage result

1st Andre Greipel (Germany)

2nd John Degenklob (Germany)

3rd Alexander Kristoff (Norway)

Overall Positions

1st Chris Froome (GB)

2nd Nairo Quintana (Colombia) +3 Mins 10 Secs

3rd Teejay Van Garderen (USA) +3 Mins 32 Secs

TENNIS

At Queen’s Tennis Club, West Kensington, London

Davis Cup Quarter Final (Current David Cup Holders Switzerland)

Great Britain V France

Game 1 – G Simon Beat J Ward 3-0 (6-4, 6-4, 6-1)

Game 2 – A Murray Beat J-W Tsonga 3-0 (7-5, 7-6, 6-2)

Game 3 (Doubles) – A Murray & J Murray Beat N Mahut & J-W Tsonga 3-1 (4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-1)

Game 4 – A Murray Beat G Simon 3-1 (4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-0)

Game 5 – Not Played by agreement

FINAL SCORE – Great Britain 3 France 1

CRICKET

At Lords Cricket Ground, ST John’s Wood, London

2nd Ashes Test (Current Ashes Holders Australia)

England V Australia

Australia 1st Inns – 588-8 Declared (Smith 215, Rogers 173, Broad 4-83)

England 1st Inns – 312 ALL OUT (Cook 96, Stokes 87 Johnson 3-53)

Australia 2nd Inns – 254-2 Declared (Warner 83, Smith 58)

England 2nd Inns – 103 ALL OUT (Broad 25, Johnson 3-27)

Australia win by 405 runs

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Steven Smith (Australia)

Series Level at 1-1

BOXING

At The Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester

WBA Super Bantamweight Title (Champion Scott Quigg)

Scott Quigg (England) Beat Kiko Martinez (Spain) by KO in Round 2

STILL WBA Super bantamweight Champion … Scot Quigg

WBA Lightweight Title (Champion Darleys Perez)

Darleys Perez (Colombia) drew with Anthony Crolla (England) after split decision (114-113, 111-116, 113-113)

STILL WBA Lightweight Champion … Darleys Perez

At The Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, Texas

IBF Super Bantamweight Title (Champion Carl Frampton)

Carl Frampton (N Ireland) Beat Alejandro Gonzalez Jr (Mexico) by Unanimous decision (116-108, 116-108, 115-109)

STILL IBF Super Bantamweight Champion … Carl Frampton

IBF Super Flyweight Title (Vacant)

McJoe Arroyo (Puerto Rico) Beat Arthur Villanueva (Philippines) by Unanimous decision (On Scorecards after fight stopped due to a cut after 10 rounds) (97-92, 98-91, 98-91)

NEW IBF Super Flyweight Champion … McJoe Arroyo

At The Gerry Webber Stadium, Halle, Germany

WBO Super Middleweight Title (Champion Arthur Abraham)

Arthur Abraham (Armenia) Beat Robert Stieglitz (Russia) by KO in Round 6

STILL WBO Super Middleweight champion … Arthur Abraham

At The Venetian Casino, Macao, China

IBF Light Welterweight Title (Vacant)

Cesar Cuenca (Argentina) Beat Ik Yang (China) By Unanimous Decision (117-108, 115-110, 116-109)

NEW IBF Light Welterweight Champion … Cesar Cuenca

SNOOKER

At the Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Austrlian Open Snooker Final (Best of 17) (Reigning Champion Judd Trump)

John Higgins (Scotland) 9 Martin Gould (England) 8

John Higgins Wins the Australian Open Snooker Title