WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Christchurch weighs damage

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Christchurch weighs damage; Highlanders dominate

28/02/11 Executive sport summary– An overview of the major sporting events – Results, key moments and talking points – Everything you need to know to foot it at the water cooler this week.

By Jonathan McKeown

In a poignant mark of respect for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake all Rugby matches, including internationals and many other sports observed a moment of silence. It was a tribute from the sporting community to a region that has long represented determination and achievement at the highest level.

Reports are coming in from sporting organisations around Christchurch of the devastation to facilities. Just one of the tragic stories is that of the rowing boathouses, home to the Avon Rowing Club, Union, Christ’s College and Canterbury Rowing Association, it is likely they will not be able to be saved.

But as the region begins to heal in the future, you can be certain that sport and the resolute attitude of Cantabrians will play a big part in the process. It begins this weekend as the champion Crusaders restart their campaign for glory from their temporary home at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

SUPER RUGBY: The Highlanders’ continued their super start to the season as the Otago outfit beat the winless Waikato Chiefs 23-13 in Dunedin. A lacklustre performance from the Auckland Blues saw the Sharks win 26-12 in Durban while the Crusaders and Hurricanes match was abandoned and declared a draw due to the earthquake.

Across the ditch the New South Wales Waratahs eased to their second bonus point victory, in the traditional grudge match New South Wales beat the Queensland Reds 30-6 in Sydney. In a game of firsts the Melbourne Rebels secured a last minute victory, Danny Cipriani scored the first points and captain Stirling Mortlock the first try. The Rebels turned a 0-43 defeat to the Waratahs into a 25-24 victory over the Brumbies

SIX NATIONS: England are now favourites to claim the Six Nation crown after a 17-9 victory over France. Johnny Wilkinson replaced Dan Carter as the leading point scorer in Tests with 1,190. The England pivot is now two points ahead of Carter. In Rome, Italy dominated possession and territory but could not convert that into points. Wales' defence was solid as they claimed a 24-16 win at the StadioFlaminio.

CRICKET WORLD CUP: Shahid Afridi led Pakistan to an 11 run victory over Sri Lanka. Pakistan made 277-7 batting first with Misbah-ul-Haq unbeaten on 83 and Younus Khan 72, Afridi (4-34) then picked up four valuable wickets to stop Sri Lanka in their tracks.

India and England played out a record-breaking 676 run thriller. India set a daunting 339-run target but the ended with a dramatic tie off the last ball

RUGBY LEAGUE: The 2011 NRL season is approaching as teams complete trial matches. The Warriors were pipped 14-12 by the Manly Sea Eagles at North Harbour Stadium. The match began with a moment of silence and ended with proceeds going to the Christchurch earthquake appeal. Elsewhere Gold Coast scored in the final minute to claim a 24-22 over North Queensland Cowboys and the Bulldogs punished Canberra Raiders running out 30-18 winners at Scully Park.

A-LEAGUE: Over 25,000 fans watched Brisbane Roar clinch a home Grand Final. A late equaliser against Central Coast Mariners sealed a 2-2 result and Brisbane progressed to the A-League grand final 4-2 on aggregate.

TENNIS: Novak Djokovic has beaten Roger Federer to win the Dubai Championship. Djokovic last beat Federer in the semi-finals on his way to winning the Australian Open.The Serbian national maintained his superiority to beat the Swiss master 6-3, 6-3.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Jermaine Beckford scored a double as Everton beat Sunderland 2-0. Manchester United moved four points clear at the top with a 4-0 rout of struggling Wigan.Birmingham City claimed a 2-1 upset win over Arsenal in the League Cup final.

(A service provided by Content Ltd.)

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