They like the sensationalism."What these people miss is that a lot of the time what they say will get back to me. "The fact that I haven't been charged seems to have no bearing on it."I'm confident that I'm going to be totally exonerated and no charges are going to be brought, but there is still the `no smoke without fire brigade' out there."The Jockey Club turned up when the nastiness started at the burning scene three weeks ago, with hoses in hand. Some might suggest that is where the police and Jockey Club belong for their handling of the case of the "weighing-room three". Jamie is rather uncomfortable with the way his honour has been impugned and is already wondering how to crumble the brickbats that have come his way "My reputation has suffered hugely," he told Jim McGrath. IT MAY have been purely chance, but then again the backcloth to Jamie Osborne's first interview since his arrest could have been rather illuminating.
Sampras defeated John Van Lottum, the young Dutch qualifier, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in an earlier semi-final. Chang has been in a serious slump since the US Open last September and Agassi has not won a title in 18 months, but the two brought out the best in each other.Agassi, ranked only 71 in the world, but showing signs of regaining his form, took control of the big points of the match showing great timing on service winners and backhands down the lines.Against the 21-year-old Van Lottum, Sampras recovered from a lapse of concentration in the second set and used his familiar potion of serve- and-volley tennis and stinging forehands to win the match.At the St Petersburg Open Richard Krajicek was too good for Switzerland's Marc Rosset, winning 6-4, 7-6 in the final. Ian Smales's conversion attempt drifted wide, however, after an Ikram Butt try, and Ellenborough joined Egremont, who beat Workington Town on Friday, in the hat for the next round.There were few surprises elsewhere as Wigan ran in 14 tries to humiliate Keighley 76-0 and the reigning champions, St Helens, saw off Featherstone Rovers 56-24 at Post Office Road. Agassi, who advanced to his first ATP final since August of 1996, was due to meet Pete Sampras in last night's final, their first meeting since Sampras humiliated Agassi 6-2, 6-1 at the 1996 ATP Championships. IN A match reminiscent of their glory days, Andre Agassi beat Michael Chang 6-4, 7-6 in an emotional, hard fought semi-final on Saturday at the Sybase Open. Shaun Edwards marked his competitive debut for Bradford with a try as the Super League champions beat Rochdale 48-10, while Martin Offiah grabbed a hat-trick of tries as London Broncos fought off a determined effort by Batley Bulldogs to win 44-20.. A frantic 10-minute period just before half-time cost Hunslet dear as their second row forward Bob Wilson and the scrum-half, Chris Ross, were sent off for throwing punches. The winger Paul Southwell was the hero for Gary Murdock's side with two tries, but Hunslet had the chance to square the match in injury time.
Ellenborough followed their fellow Cumbrians, Egremont, through the fourth round with a 14-12 win over Hunslet. We took our chances but they missed a couple of theirs and we are just pleased to be in the hat for the next round."Halifax: Gibson; Tuilagi, Bouveng, Pearson, Powell; Chester, Clinch; Harrison, Rowley, Skerrett, Mercer, Clark, Moana. Substitutes used: Baldwin, Gillespie, Marshall.Huddersfield: Cook; Cheetham, Weston, Barton, Arnold; Booth, Orr; Harmon, Russell, Wittenberg, King, Bowes, Sturm. Substitutes used: Belle, Berry, Jackson, Milner.Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).. TWO non-league clubs will be in the fifth round draw of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup today for the first time since records began in 1904. Pearson put over his fifth goal to complete the scoring.A 20-point winning margin flattered an effort that was, at best, hard working and competent."It was a workmanlike performance," said the Halifax coach, John Pendlebury, relieved not to be one of only two Super League clubs to go out at this fourth-round stage."I was satisfied with our defensive effort. After the pressure in the first half we came in happy not to have conceded anymore points.
