Neues » reach such heights again in the future

The Waratahs slumped to a 34-28 defeat against the Blues but maintain a slim chance of reaching the quarter-finals after earning a losing bonus point. Alexander Mattison Jersey . The Tahs were outscored five tries to four at Eden Park as the Blues staunchly defended their lead, bouncing back whenever the visitors looked like reeling them in.The Waratahs entered the match level with the Brumbies on 39 points at the top of the Australian Conference and desperate to claw ahead of their rivals. The Australian Conference winner qualifies for the quarter-finals but the season will be over for the runner-up, with final placings decided when the Brumbies play the Western Force on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 10.30am.The loss means the Waratahs, the 2014 champions, need the Force to spring a massive upset against the Brumbies.You never know, stranger things have happened. Well wait and see, said Waratahs captain Michael Hooper.Wet conditions hampered the Waratahs preferred running rugby style and they initially struggled with turnovers and knock-ons but built pressure through the forwards.They were rewarded with a penalty try in the 22nd minute after their dominant scrum drew a string of infringements from the Blues. Israel Folau is tackled by Blues full-back Melani Nanai But the Aucklanders hit back four minutes later when Patrick Tuipulotu latched onto Tevita Lis pass and crashed over in the corner.The Blues then took a 12-7 lead with a penalty try of their own when the Waratahs collapsed a driving maul as the Blues were bearing down on the line and poised to score.Referee Mike Fraser awarded the third penalty try of the match early in the second half, this time to the Waratahs after more scrum woes for the Blues. English centre Piers Francis (middle) is congratulated after scoring the Blues second try But they were able to hit back again almost immediately when English centre Piers Francis went on a jinking run and weaved past five tacklers before touching down.A Francis penalty extended the Blues lead to 22-14 and they looked like running away with the game until Israel Folau burst into open space for the Waratahs third try.The tit-for-tat scoring continued with Malani Nanai adding a fourth for the Blues, then Angus Taavao doing the same for the Waratahs.George Moala finally sealed it for the Blues in the 76th minute after the Waratahs defence was stretched by a lineout drive. Kirk Cousins Vikings Jersey . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Fran Tarkenton Vikings Jersey . Chris Capuano. Shane Greene. And now, Esmil Rogers. http://www.authenticvikingspro.com/Brett-favre-vikings-jersey/ . Louis Cardinals continued their offensive tear with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series.Having confirmed his intention to take up the post of Durham CCC chairman, Sir Ian Botham faces the unenviable task of trying to reverse the fortunes of a club burdened by financial troubles. The situation came to a head when the county were relegated from the County Championships top flight last month after accepting significant financial support from the ECB. But how did it come to that? What now for Durham? And are any other counties in danger?Read on as we endeavour to provide you with the answers to those questions and more… How did it come to this?Durham are believed to have debts amounting to around £7.5m, with the local council and the ECB among those owed money. This year alone, the ECB brought forward the payment of county clubs annual fees to ensure that Durham remained afloat throughout the summer and also provided further loans to the north east club, reportedly worth up to £1m. Durham had to pay £923,000 to stage the second England v Sri Lanka Test in May In addition to this, the ECB rescheduled the staging fee (£923,000) for the Riverside Test against Sri Lanka in May. Following a report in The Times, detailing Durhams debts and receipt of loans from the governing body in order for the club to remain viable this summer, the ECB released a short statement confirming the club may face sanctions.What was the penalty?While English crickets governing body provided Durham with the finances to help ease their financial problems, it came at a cost. Given that a financial penalty would have been counter-productive in the extreme, the Riverside club were relegated to County Championship Division Two and will start the 2017 season on -48 points. They have also been given a four-point penalty for next seasons NatWest T20 Blast and a two-point deduction in the Royal London One-Day Cup.Who takes their place in Division One? Hampshire will remain in Division One following Durhams relegation The chief beneficiaries of Durhams misfortune are Hampshire. The south coast county were beaten by Durham in the final game of the season and, as a result, finished eighth in Division One - some 45 points behind Durham. That should have seen them relegated to Division Two along with Nottinghamshire but Durhams troubles have seen them handed a reprieve.Why were Kent not promoted?A change to the format of the Specsavers County Championship from next season - eight counties will make up the top division with 10 competing in the second tier - led to the decision that two clubs would be relegated from Division One with only one going up, rather than the two up, two down of previous years. Sam Northeast and Kent will remain in Division Two as things stand The result was that Kent, who finished second in Division Two, missed out on promotion. Dru Samia Womens Jersey. When the prospect of Durham being relegation became known, Kent fans could have been forgiven for believing their side would take their place in Division One. However, the ECB have stuck by their decision to relegate two sides and promote just one, meaning Kent miss out.The matter has remains open though with Kent having written to the ECB asking for independent arbitration of the decision.What now for Durham?As well as relegation and points deductions, Durham have been informed that their Riverside ground is no longer eligible to host Test matches, although they will still be allowed to apply to stage ODIs and T20Is. Keaton Jennings signed a four-year deal in August to stay at Durham From April 2017 until April 2020, the county must also adhere to a revised salary cap - determined annually - set by the ECB Board. That could see some of the countys big name players join Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick in heading for the exit. However, there is hope given that Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Keaton Jennings and Paul Collingwood have all recently signed new contracts to keep them in the north east.Are any other counties in danger?Durham are by no means the only county with financial troubles - Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Glamorgan are among those known to have had similar problems. However, while the ECB has provided loans to other counties in the past, the amounts provided are dwarfed by £3.8m Durham will receive. Old Trafford has played host to Beyonce and Rihanna concerts as well as cricket this summer The issue for Durham is that while other clubs may have larger debt, they are also able to generate more revenue thanks to their location and through diversification - Lancashires Old Trafford ground, for example, has staged both Rihanna and Beyonce concerts during 2016.While many believe that the sanctions imposed on Durham were harsh, especially given the circumstances that led to their predicament, a season in Division Two with strict financial restraints is a reality they must accept.The challenge for Botham is to help the county to overcome those hurdles and ensure that a club with three County Championship triumphs in the last decade are in a position to reach such heights again in the future.Botham will be part of our team in India for all five of the Tests between India and England live on Sky Sports 2, starting with the first Test from 3.30am on Wednesday 9th November. Or watch the whole of the first Test for £10.99 with no contract, with a week pass from NOW TV. Also See: Durham down after ECB sanction Botham named chairman County Championship Div One table County Championship Div Two table ' ' '