Northampton

We could spend every Monday of the Premiership schedule waxing lyrical about the league’s young, gifted back-rowers. A number of them caught the eye this weekend. Ben and Tom Curry both returned for Sale Sharks. Lewis Ludlow led Gloucester past Bath. Tommy Reffell and Ben Earl continued their terrific form. Tom Pearson and Jack Willis staged a fantastic duel in Brentford . Lewis Ludlam was excellent for Northampton again. Only last month, he was the subject of this column . But another Saints flanker, with a rather different story, produced a performance that was significant in different ways. If nothing else, it reinforced that the sliding-doors nature of professional sport can throw up unexpected opportunities. With budgets tightening around the Premiership, clubs are eager to polish rough diamonds. Aaron Hinkley has endured a testing couple of years. After an all-action campaign with England Under-20 in 2019, he moved from Gloucester to Exeter for the 2020-21 season . … [Read more...] about Inside Line: How a tenacious trialist helped Northampton Saints keep their season alive

Published 10 November 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Two police officers were injured when a kettle of boiling water was thrown at them, the force said. One of the officers will require plastic surgery following the attack in Northampton on Saturday night. Northamptonshire Chief Constable Nick Adderley said it was an "appalling attack" that demonstrated the challenges police face every day. A 15-year-old girl has appeared before magistrates charged with grievous bodily harm. Mr Adderley, who was divisional commander in Manchester when PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were killed in a gun and grenade attack by Dale Cregan, in 2012 , has often spoken of the dangers of the job . He said that shortly before midnight on Saturday the officers were "called to deal with an extremely vulnerable young person" at an address in Abington. They were both later … [Read more...] about Northamptonshire Police officers hurt in boiling water attack

Published 16 May 2014 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The parents of a four-year-old girl found out she had a rare eye cancer after a photograph was posted on Facebook. Gracie Hyland, from Northampton, was two when a friend saw the image and noticed a glow in her left eye. It was discovered Gracie had eye cancer, or retinoblastoma, and had to have the eye removed in 2011. Parents Jodine and Russell Hyland want to raise awareness of the condition and the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT). Mrs Hyland said the loss of Gracie's eye was "heartbreaking". "It's a special bond between you and your daughter - looking into their eyes," she said. "So for me it was a massive loss." The family were supported by CHECT, one of the only charities that helps children with eye cancer and their families. 'Early diagnosis' "It's quite a fast-growing cancer, so … [Read more...] about Facebook photo revealed two-year-old’s eye cancer

Records tumbled and scoreboards whirred during round 24 of the regular Premiership schedule. Domestic competition now takes a two-week break for Europe. And just as well. We need to get our breath back. 15. Max Malins, Saracens Back in his preferred position, if only temporarily, Malins bagged four tries at Sixways to bring his tally for the Premiership season to a chart-topping 15. He cut incisive angles and showed sharp pace. Huw Jones, George Furbank, Santiago Carreras and Freddie Steward shone before Henry Arundell’s stunning cameo on Sunday. 14. Chris Ashton, Leicester Tigers Three contrasting tries comprised the hat-trick that gives Ashton some breathing space at the top of the all-time list of Premiership finishers. His swerving support line behind Ben Youngs completed the treble in style. Louis Rees-Zammit and Francois Hougaard are unlucky. 13. Matías Moroni, Leicester Tigers Again, there was a queue for this position. Joe Marchant’s jumping flick to set up Huw … [Read more...] about Premiership team of the weekend: Chris Ashton leads trio of Leicester Tigers in all-star XV

JOEY BARTON is the frontrunner for the Burnley job. That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who've SLASHED odds on Barton's appointment at Turf Moor over the last 24 hours. Money Back as Cash up to £20 if your first bet loses* The Bristol Rovers gaffer was over 33/1 for the position, which has been vacant since Sean Dyche was sacked on April 15. But he's been backed into 11/8 favourite after a frenzy of activity in the betting markets. Barton's stock has risen since guiding Bristol Rovers to an automatic promotion to League One. Rovers thumped Scunthorpe United 7-0 to leapfrog Northampton Town on the final day of the season on goals scored. It's been described as a "footballing miracle". But that miracle may have been his last for the Gas with odds suggesting he's heading back to Burnley. Burnley next manager Betfair odds Joey Barton - 11/8 Chris Wilder - 5/2 Vincent Kompany - 11/4 Wayne Rooney - 7/2 Kjetil Knutsen - 12/1 Carlos Carvalhal … [Read more...] about Burnley next manager odds: Joey Barton favourite after huge price SLASH overnight, Wilder, Rooney and Kompany in behind

A WOMAN who let her dog die inside a cage while she jetted off on a 14-day holiday has been spared jail. Jade Roberts, 26, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to her Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Daisy, after abandoning the pet at her Liverpool home. Daisy had been last seen alive on July 31, 2021, before Robertson jetted off for a 14-day vacation. RSPCA inspector Leanne Cragg visited the property where she found Daisy dead in August 2021 after receiving a welfare call. Ms Cragg said: "On entering the property I was hit by an overpowering stench of decomposing flesh. There were a lot of live flies flying about the property." Roberts had claimed a friend was supposed to be looking after the dog. Read more News BABY HORROR Parents warning as car thief throws baby out of window before stealing motor NO JUSTICE Drink-driver who killed baby in hit-& -run pram crash could be free in 2 YEARS Upon … [Read more...] about Woman, 26, avoids jail after leaving dog to die in CAGE while she jetted off on 14-day holiday

By Nic Rigby and Shaun Peel Published 3 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Proper regulation and enforcement of rules is vital if private e-scooters are to be made legal, say communities where the vehicles have been piloted. The government announced a Transport Bill in the Queen's Speech that is expected to legalise their use. Rented e-scooters have been tested out in 57 towns and cities in the UK. BBC Politics East has talked to people in Great Yarmouth and Basildon to get their views. The first pilot schemes were announced in June 2020 by then Transport Minister Rachel Maclean. She said the trials would test whether e-scooters offered "clean and cost-effective travel that may also help ease the burden on the transport network, provide another green alternative to get around and allow for social distancing". Trials have been taking place in towns … [Read more...] about Private e-scooters: What should happen next?

Published 3 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A man who lost both his legs and an arm when he tried to take his own life says his life is much better now. Craig Bowler, from Olney, Buckinghamshire, said he did not talk about his feelings, he had no control over them and they eventually "exploded". His message to anyone going through issues was to talk about them, he said. He is now preparing to represent England in para bowling at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham. Fifteen years ago, Mr Bowler said he was in a very different state. "My brain just exploded. "There wasn't any build-up, people didn't notice a difference in me. I had a good job, good career, lots of friends, I was quite a popular person. "Something must have triggered it, I had no control over it" he said. He said despite losing three limbs, and being in a coma for … [Read more...] about ‘When I woke up, I was just happy I didn’t die’

Published 2 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The Queen's Baton Relay will travel through the East of England ahead of the Commonwealth Games this summer. The baton will visit Stoke Mandeville on 6 July before starting a tour of the region two days later. It will be carried through Tilbury, Basildon, Southend-on-Sea and Maldon on 8 July, and leave the area via Northamptonshire on 10 July. Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said it would be a "great celebration". In total the national tour will cover 2,500 miles (4,000 km) and 180 communities over 29 days, visiting towns and cities across England . It has already been carried around the world . The baton ends its journey at Birmingham's Aston Hall on 28 July, the day of the games' opening ceremony. Tour of the East On 8 July the baton will start its tour of the East in … [Read more...] about Commonwealth Games: Queen’s Baton Relay to visit East of England

BRACE yourselves football fans as the League Two play-off final is round the corner - and it is shaping up to be a classic. Four teams have the chance to boost themselves up to League One football next season. But there's only one golden ticket remaining to join Forest Green and Exeter who have already qualified automatically. Find out more details on the League Two play-off final below... When is the League Two play-off final 2022? The mouth-watering event will take place on Saturday, May 28. It is scheduled to kick off at 4pm UK time. Wembley Stadium is set to host the huge event with can hold approximately 90,000 fans. Morecambe marginally beat Newport County 1-0 in last season's League Two play-off final. What TV channel is the League Two play-off final 2022 on and can I live stream it? The League Two play-off final will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports but the specific channel is yet to be confirmed. A coverage time will be allocated once … [Read more...] about League Two playoff final: Date, TV channel and live stream for MAJOR Wembley event