So it was yesterday as the field gradually filtered over to the far rail. The 11-2 shot was towards the centre, her wide, thrashing stride clear at the head of the field.Two furlongs out was supposed to be where Attraction’s sinews would give up, but, just at that point, it became clear that neither was she stopping nor those in behind making much progress. The injuries kept coming with increasing frequency.From the New Year, however, there were no further problems. She remains a thrillingly unbeaten commodity.The daughter of Efisio first advertised her effectiveness in a blistering high summer last season, studded by five wins in 10 weeks. Then she suffered an overreach while swimming and cracked a pedal bone in September, by when bony changes had been identified in her front knees.
With Mark Johnston’s filly, though, looks are most deceptive.
Not only did Attraction’s legs survive the dip of the Rowley Mile, they also moved faster than any of her opponents’ as her stamina lasted out in a stalls-to-line success. McCord returned, but by the time he scored Jet’s first basket of the second half, Stewart had sparked a 7-0 run to give Sheffield a 51-40 lead.After Saturday night’s 17-point comeback to beat Brighton Bears 80-79 in the semi-final, Jets still had the energy to throw a full court press, panicking the Sharks into conceding seven straight points.Rob Yanders steadied Sheffield with two soft baskets inside to give Sheffield a 60-55 third-quarter lead and Sheffield pulled away to make up for previous disappointments and finally lift the play-off title.. A summary glance at the 16 runners in the paddock before yesterday’s 1,000 Guineas would have identified the one filly which could not possibly win. Attraction’s front legs look as if they have been through a mangle, while a huge backside was clear evidence that her’s would be a sprinter’s tendency, unsuited to the Classic mile. Sheffield’s athletic 6ft 8in forward Lynard Stewart immediately capitalised exploiting McCord’s replacement, the lumbering Billy Singleton, under Chester’s basket to open a 39-34 lead.H L Coleman’s three-pointer then put Sheffield 44-38 ahead at the half.
Two penalty stroke saves from Katy Roberts gave Chelmsford 3-2 victory in the shootout.. Sheffield Sharks fought injury-hit Chester Jets to a standstill at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena last night to win the British Basketball League play-off final 86-74. In the women’s event Chelmsford needed a penalty stroke contest, which they won 3-2, to get the better of Canterbury after extra time had ended at 1-1.
In a seesawing game at Cannock, it was two former Great Britain forwards who steered the League champions, missing four first-team players, through, Nick Thompson scoring four times, with Chris Mayer adding the fifth.Canterbury, missing three internationals, did well to hold Chelmsford to a 1-1 draw after extra time, Nicky Dalby equalising a 49th-minute goal from Chelmsford captain Lisa Wooding. The old guard were prominent as Cannock progressed to the Premiership final against Reading next Sunday following their 5-4 win against Loughborough Students in the second stage of the play-offs.
Sadly, on Saturday night it was not quite enough.Cook, at 29, must now try and secure a slightly more meaningful fight for either one of boxing’s more prestigious world titles or go back over old ground and win his European belt once again.. Fights often turn out differently than many people expect and Saturday night at the Bridgend Recreation Centre saw the eagerly anticipated meeting between Jason Cook and Kevin Bennett end as a total letdown. But if that’s the case, how come nobody has ever bid Sir Norbert Stiles to arise? There are only two Englishmen who have won a World Cup and a European Cup, the supreme footballing double Sir Bobby Charlton is one; plain Nobby Stiles the other. I look forward to your considered thought on this matter.But in the meantime, I don’t want anything written above to detract from my sincerity in wishing Sir Henry Cooper, a good boxer and a lovely man, an extremely happy 70th birthday.b.viner independent.co.uk.
