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Joined: 29-04-2024
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Subject :CARDIFF -- Wales survived a second-half fightback by Italy to launch the defence of its Six Nations
CARDIFF -- Wales survived a second-half fightback by Italy to launch the defence of its Six Nations title with an unconvincing 23-15 win at Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Nike Roshe One Nere . First-half tries by Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams combined with flawless kicking by Leigh Halfpenny to give the Welsh a 17-3 lead at the break. Unlucky to be so far behind, Italy dominated the second half, with Michele Campagnaro scoring two tries to leave his team just five points behind with 11 minutes left. However, another penalty by Halfpenny ensured Wales preserved its unbeaten home record against the Italians and saw the fullback finish the match with a personal haul of 13 points. "It will focus the minds for next week," said Wales coach Warren Gatland, referring to Saturdays match in Ireland. "It wasnt an easy run-out -- it was tough, which was the way we wanted it." The Welsh are seeking an unprecedented third straight title since the tournament expanded in 2000, and have been installed as favourites by most pundits and bookmakers. Yet they were given a real scare by Italy, and with the score at 20-15 after Campagnaros second try, there was a real danger that Wales would lose its opening match -- like it did last year to Ireland. In the end, Wales limped to victory and there were muted celebrations by the players after the final whistle. "We certainly made it hard for ourselves," Wales centre Jamie Roberts said. "We have to tighten up those mistakes in our game. If we dont, then well lose against Ireland." It had all looked so different after just four minutes, when covering winger Angelo Esposito failed to gather a grubber kick by Wales flyhalf Rhys Priestland. The ball slithered through into the in-goal area and the inrushing Cuthbert had the simple task of collecting and diving over for a try that was converted by Halfpenny. The Italians didnt buckle, though. And after Allan and Halfpenny traded penalties to leave the score 10-3 after 29 minutes, Sergio Parisse was denied a try in the 35th by the video referee, who adjudged the Italy captain to have knocked on as he challenged for a high ball with George North. Somewhat against the run of play, Wales scored its second try three minutes later when Roberts broke a tackle in midfield before passing inside to centre partner Williams, who cantered over to ground near the posts. Italys comeback was launched in the 43rd, though, when Campagnaro chased down Leonardo Sartos smart kick down the line and dived over just before the ball went dead. Crucially, Allan missed the conversion, then a penalty in the 50th. Halfpenny booted another penalty in the 67th but blotted his performance by sending over a floated pass that was intercepted by Campagnaro, who raced clear from inside his own half to dive over. Italy couldnt complete the recovery, and remains with just one away win in the Six Nations -- at Scotland. "As a captain, I am very proud of what the youngsters achieved today," Parisse said. "They were facing some of the most talented backs on the international stage, but they showed they can compete at this level." Nike Huarache Rosse . With timely hitting and good pitching, the Marlins are one win away from sweeping the slumping Houston Astros. Nike Roshe One Grigie . Tepesch, back from the minor leagues, earned his first major league victory in more than 10 months and the Rangers edged the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Wednesday. http://www.scapredarunningnike.it/scarpe-roshe-two/roshe-two-uomo.html . Spieth again showed game well beyond his 20 years with a 9-under 63 on the North Course, giving him a one-shot lead over Stewart Cink going into the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open.BALTIMORE -- When the game went into extra innings, the Baltimore Orioles figured it would only be a matter of time before they would be celebrating a win over the New York Yankees. Sure enough, it wasnt long before the Orioles joyfully gathered at home plate immediately following a 3-2 victory Friday night. Manny Machado led off the 10th inning with a double and scored on a one-out single by Nick Hundley to give Baltimore its ninth win in 11 games. The AL East-leading Orioles improved to a season-high 10 games over .500 (51-41) and stretched their advantage over third-place New York to five games. Baltimore has gone to extra innings in three of its last five games and won in the 10th, 11th and 12th innings. "Usually, its pitching and the bullpen doing well," manager Buck Showalter offered as an explanation. In this one, the Orioles got eight sharp innings from starter Miguel Gonzalez, a scoreless ninth from closer Zach Britton and a perfect 10th from T.J. McFarland (3-2). It all added up to Baltimores ninth win in 12 extra-inning games this season. "I think it really speaks to the depth of our bullpen, the quality of our bullpen," Hundley said. "T.J. McFarland comes in, does a great job going through the beginning of their order, a tough part, 1-2-3. And then with the offence that we have and the staunch bullpen, that combination lends itself to be successful -- either late in the game or extra innings." Machado began the game-winning uprising with a liner into the right-field corner off Adam Warren (1-5). After Ryan Flaherty struck out, Hundley hit an off-speed pitch into left-centre that enabled Machado to score easily. "He just left a breaking ball up, thats all," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Warren. "Hes pitched extremely well for us, but he just left a breaking ball up. Theres not much room for error there." Playing as a visitor at Camden Yards for the first time, Yankees second baseman Brian Roberts homered on the first pitch he saw. Roberts spent his first 13 seasons with the Orioles before signing as a free agent with New York in January. Kelly Johnson also hit a soolo shot for the Yankees, who entered with a major league-best 27-17 record in games decided by two runs or fewer. Nike Roshe One Donna. Now, however, they are only 5-5 in extra innings. This one hurt a little bit more because of the separation it created between the teams. "It definitely does," Warren said. "Were trying to gain games on these guys, and it just didnt go our way tonight." New York starter Hiroki Kuroda gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings. Although he didnt issue a walk, Kuroda hit two batters and threw three wild pitches. Gonzalez allowed two runs and six hits over eight innings. After giving up a fourth-inning double to Ichiro Suzuki, the right-hander retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced. Gonzalez struck out five and walked none. The eight innings matched his career high, set three times previously, including his last start against Boston. Roberts fifth homer put the Yankees up 1-0, and Johnson connected leading off the third. A single by Brian McCann and Suzukis second double of the game put runners on second and third with one out in the fourth, but Gonzalez worked out of the jam. Baltimore took advantage of a wild spell by Kuroda to tie it at 2 in the bottom half. The right-hander hit two batters -- doubling his total for the season -- and threw two wild pitches, the first of which allowed a run to score. "Looking back, obviously that inning was a (big) moment in the game," Kuroda said through an interpreter. Showalter said, "We were fortunate there to push a couple across. We got a little help." Gonzalez, meanwhile, got 10 straight outs before hitting Johnson with a pitch in the seventh with two outs. NOTES: The Orioles placed RHP Ubaldo Jimenez on the 15-day DL with a sprained right ankle, an injury he sustained in the parking lot of his apartment complex. Jimenez was supposed to start Saturday and will be replaced by either Chris Tillman or Kevin Gausman. Shane Greene will pitch for New York. ... Britton has 23 consecutive scoreless appearances at home. ... Yankees RHP Dellin Betances struck out three to increase his total to 84, most among big league relievers. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' |
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