The Journal

Point to Point

Geordies Express has been a great servant over the years for his Bonchester Bridge owner-trainer George Bewley and the 12-year- old showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with by landing the featured West Percy Men's Open at Alnwick yesterday. Kevin Anderson always had him lying handy and, after taking it up three out, settled the issue in a matter of strides before cruising home 12 lengths ahead of Just Barney Boy. Bewley was delighted with his charge's performance as he had never pr...

Regional Athletics Round-Up

The North-East again came away with a sizeable collection of medals from Saturday's North of England Cross Country Championships at Sherdley Park, St Helens. Individual golds went to Lewis Timmins of Gosforth (under-17 men) and Mary Ferrier of Gateshead (under-17 women). while Morpeth Harriers won team gold in the under-20 women's event.

German Comes Good for First Tour Win

Germany's Marcel Siem (pictured) made it third time lucky to claim his maiden European Tour win at the Dunhill Championship at Houghton Country Club. The 23-year-old missed eagle putts to clinch the title on the first two holes of a sudden-death play-off with French duo Raphael Jacquelin and Gregory Havret, but held his nerve on the third extra hole to earn a two-year European Tour exemption.

Sport Shorts

Dusty Too Is Looking Ready to Clean Up

Dusty Too, smooth winner of two races in the autumn, can make a successful return from a three-month break at Fontwell today. After scoring in good style at the West Sussex track in September and at Plumpton in early October, the six-year-old grey mare was given time off by her trainer Amanda Perrett. It has been quite a time waiting to complete the hat-trick, but Dusty Too can chalk up win number three in the EBF/Crandon Park Stud Mares' Only 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier).

Sport Shorts

Wasps' Triumph Brings Woe for England

England were dealt another RBS 6 Nations Championship injury blow when Stuart Abbott limped off during Wasps' 46-13 Heineken Cup victory over Calvisano at the Causeway Stadium yesterday. The centre damaged an ankle and was replaced by Ayoola Erinle in the 13th minute, but Wasps still moved to the top of Pool Six.

Montferrand 26 Saracens 10

Sport Shorts

Athletics: Tributes have been paid to Holland's Fanny Blankers- Koen, regarded as the greatest female athlete of the 20th century, after her death yesterday at the age of 85. The 'Flying Housewife' will be remembered for winning four gold medals at the London Olympics in 1948 after successes in 80m hurdles, 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. International Amateur Athletics Federation president Lamine Diack said: "The whole athletics world mourns the parting of this great ambassador for our sport wh...

Henman Upbeat Despite Defeat

There were few positives Tim Henman could draw from his Australian Open defeat to Guillermo Canas on Saturday, the wounds were still too sore. But after throwing away a two-set lead, and then a 4-1 advantage in the decider, the British number one remained convinced there were, at least, not too many negatives.

Cricket Chiefs Want Talks On Tour Plans

The England and Wales Cricket Board will seek more talks with the Government before deciding whether to tour Zimbabwe this year. ECB chief executive Tim Lamb last night confirmed that face-to- face talks were needed after Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's correspondence last week.

Sport Shorts

Pool Struggling to Join the Big Boys

Former Newcastle United player Brian Tinnion loves to visit his native North-East. But he loved the latest trip more than most. The County Durham-born midfield man is a veteran of 35 now, but he's rarely scored a better goal than the one that sank Hartlepool at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Revival Takes a Dive with Dismal Showing

Carlisle went into this game with high expectations after a run that had seen 13 points taken from a possible 18. But a dismal performance put the brakes on their revival and they can have few complaints as Wayne Carlisle again put in a match- winning show for Rovers.

Gretna On Road for Promotion

Gretna's promotion challenge in the Bell's Scottish League Division Three is back on course after their win at Cowdenbeath. Only a save by David Mathieson prevented former Gretna player Stephen Skinner scoring for the home side early on.

Seadog Hero Cryan Shedding No Tears

Colin Cryan will leave Scarborough this week with no regrets about missing out on his Ronnie Radford moment. Cryan could have become an FA Cup name to conjure with for decades to come if his 80th-minute header had beaten Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini at the McCain Stadium on Saturday.

Everton Boss Relieved at Draw

David Moyes breathed a sign of relief after Francis Jeffers' first goal of the season kept Everton in the FA Cup. The on-loan Arsenal striker has not scored since returning to Goodison Park at the beginning of the season.

We Can Go All the Way - Pardew

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is beginning to suspect this year's FA Cup might have the Hammers' name on it after his side's 3-1 fourth- round defeat of Wolves at Molineux. The Hammers' 1-0 Cup final victory over Arsenal in 1980 was the last occasion a side from outside the top flight won the world's oldest knockout competition.

Blades Easily Chop Down the Forest

Chris Morgan responded to the pre-match threat made by boss Neil Warnock by helping to fire the Blades to the FA Cup fifth round in spectacular fashion. Centre-back Morgan was sent off on his last visit to City Ground in September when United lost 3-1 in a first division encounter.

Women's Round-Up

The last minute of the first half and the opening minute of the second saw the end of the region's last representatives in the Women's FA Cup. Until Jane Ludlow struck on 44 minutes to add to Leanne Sanderson's opener, underdogs Middlesbrough had been in contention against Premiership giants Arsenal.