WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Alonso wins one for Ferrari

WEEKLY SPORTS DIGEST: Alonso wins one for Ferrari, Aussies take netball

11/07/11 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

FORMULA ONE: Ferrari has finally fired a shot in the 2011 F1GP as Fernando Alonso drove to victory in the British Grand Prix. Although Alonso drove an error free race, it was wheel-nut problems that prevented Red Bull’s world champion Sebastian Vettel from claiming yet another victory.

Despite the nut problem at his second pit stop Vettel still managed to take second ahead of team mate Mark Webber. Controversy erupted when Webber refused a Red Bull radio order to settle for third place and made his teammate work for second spot. Vettel held on and now leads Webber by 80 points in the championship race.

NETBALL: The 2011 World Netball Championships have drawn to a close in Singapore and the epic final between New Zealand and Australia provided a fitting end. Once again extra-time was required to separate the world’s top-two teams but on this occasion it was the Australian Diamonds who came from six goals down to triumph 58-57.

The Aussies were overjoyed at gaining revenge for their double-overtime loss in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games. England were too strong for Jamaica 70-49 in the play-off for third place

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: The All Blacks have named their first squad of Rugby World Cup year. There is one new cap with Taranaki and Highlanders hard-man Jarrod Hoeata named at lock. Colin Slade edged Aaron Cruden to be named as back-up playmaker to Dan Carter. The selection of Ali Williams at lock after two-years out with injury exemplifies the motivational power of the All Black Jersey.

The first test of the year is against Fiji in Dunedin in two weeks, followed a week later by the first Tri-Nations Test against the Springboks in Wellington. Meanwhile Australia have named no less than 15 Queensland Reds players in their first squad of the season. Their danger lies in extremely creative backs from 9 to 15.

SUPER RUGBY: The Queensland Reds beat the Crusaders 18-13 to win the Super
Rugby final. The young Reds side then celebrated victory in front of a record crowd of over 52,000 at Suncorp Stadium. Brutal defence and fierce breakdown battle had the scores locked for most of the match and although the Crusaders played one of their scrappiest games in months they were still in with a chance.

The game breaker came when electric Queensland halfback Will Genia scored a scorching solo 65m try to seal victory. His captain James Horwill got emotional as he picked Genia up off the deck saying "I love you”.

Crusader captain Richie McCaw was honest in his appraisal – “We came up against a really good Reds team that played well and took their opportunities”.

Even reaching the play-offs was a fantastic achievement but a loss is never easy to handle with Carter saying – “It's frustrating because we got so close to creating something special”. It has been a tough season for the Crusaders who have achieved so much through adversity, coach Todd Blackadder summed it up – “I think they've done the people of Christchurch and Pike River proud”.

RUGBY LEAGUE: The New Zealand Warriors have ended a four match losing streak with a 22-6 home victory over the Gold Coast Titans. Youth returned to the squad as Shaun Johnson and Kevin Locke brought a spark on attack.

OTHER RESULTS: New Zealand’s Scott Dixon avoided the many accidents to drive to a second place finish in the Indy Car series in Toronto.

Holden’s Jamie Whincup took out the Townsville leg of the V8 Supercar championship, moving another place closer to a series victory.

A Frenchman has taken the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, Thomas Voeckler holds a 49 second lead over stage nine winner Spanish cyclist Luis Leon Sanchez.

England’s Luke Donald tightened his grip on golf’s world No.1 ranking with victory at the rain affected Scottish Open. Michael Campbell had his best finish in some time finishing in a tie for 49th.

(A service provided by Content Ltd.)

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