The Sports Photo Gallery 2013 Review - Part 5

Justin Rose became the first Englishman to win the US Open for 43 years and in doing so won his first major title.

On an exhilarating final day, the 32-year-old won by two shots from now six-time runner-up Phil Mickelson and Jason Day.

Rose, also the first Englishman to win a major since Nick Faldo in 1996, fired a level-par 70 to end one over as overnight leader Mickelson carded 74.

Australian Day took 71 as England's Luke Donald (75) collapsed to six over on the treacherous Merion course.

Rose led by one going up the difficult 18th and hit a stunning four-iron approach to set up a par four.

After tapping in his final putt, he looked up to the sky with tears in his eyes, and admitted later to thinking of his father and long-time mentor Ken, who died from leukaemia in 2002.

The Sports Photo Gallery 2013 Review - Part 4

Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as Manchester United manager at the end of May 2013 after 26 years in charge.

The 71 year old, won an incredible 38 trophies during his epic reign at Old Trafford and will now become a director and ambassador for the club.

His haul includes 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

Here he pictured alongside one of 2013's greatest losses the late great Nelson Mandela.

The Sports Photo Gallery 2013 Review - Part 3

Back in May Arjen Robben scored a late winner to exorcise the demons that have haunted him and German champions in the Champions League, as Bayern won a pulsating all-German encounter against Borussia Dortmund.

Looking back at the tournament's recent history, there has been little but unrelenting misery for Robben and Bayern - but the pain ended after a energetic, engaging final that confirmed Germany as the leading country in European football.

Bayern had lost two finals in three years, including the defeat to Chelsea on penalties in their own ground 12 months before. Many will also remember the injury time defeat to Manchester United in 1999, however on this occasion they finally claimed the top prize.

Only Real Madrid (nine) and AC Milan (seven) have won this tournament more times and the taste of victory was even sweeter for 29-year-old Robben and veteran Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes who left to be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.

Robben, was the central figure as he set up Mario Mandzukic's first for Bayern on the hour but Dortmund, under the guidance of charismatic coach Jurgen Klopp, quickly equalised through Ilkay Gundogan's penalty after Dante fouled Marco Reus.

Bayern were not to be haulted, as Robben finally had his revenge on a competition that has been unrelentingly cruel to him in the past, he showed composure and class to take Frank Ribery's flick in his stride in the 89th minute and beat Dortmund's keeper Roman Weidenfeller.

The Sports Photo Gallery 2013 Review - Part 2

In April Auroras Encore won the 166th Grand National at Aintree by nine lengths as a 66-1 outsider.

Rider Ryan Mania guided the 11-year-old trained by Sue Smith home, jumping superbly throughout, as 17 of the 40 runners finished the race.

Cappa Bleu (12-1) was second, Teaforthree (10-1) third and 2011 runner-up Oscar Time (66-1) fourth, ahead of Rare Bob (16-1).

11-2 favourite Seabass ridden jockey Katie Walsh who sought to become the first female rider to win the famous steeplechase. But her mount faded, eventually finishing 13th.

After a series of disappointing unplaced runs Auroras Encore went largely ignored by punters. But the drying ground may well have been the key to the gelding's improvement as Smith became the third female trainer to win the race after Jenny Pitman (Corbiere and Royal Athlete) and Venetia Williams (Mon Mome).

After two fatalities in each of the two previous runnings, all 40 horses and jockeys returned safely. Only two horses fell with six jockeys unseated, while it was the first time in the race's history that the entire field were still in contention up to Canal Turn, the eighth fence.

The Sports Photo Gallery 2013 Review - Part 1

Despite not reaching the levels of wild hysteria seen during the Olympics last year, 2013 has still been a great year for sport. We've been blogging and commenting on the winners and losers throughout the year and thought we should remind you all of the great moments that we've witnessed.

Part 1 - The Six Nations

In February 2013 the Six Nations kicked off and despite what some people will tell you, this was not a classic tournament. The weather, for much of it, played a massive party in dictating the style of play. It became all about strong defences and three-pointers in the middle of the tournament, though both the first and last weeks saw some fantastic rugby being played.

This tournament was characterised not its quality, but the unpredictability of it. At the start of the tournament, few would have picked Wales to seal it in such style after a nightmare Autumn Internationals, whilst many thought France would take the title.

However in the final game, it wasn't even close. Wales retained the championship title for the first time since 1979, a year when they defeated England 27-3 in Cardiff. They went three points better in the final game of the tournament recording their biggest victory over the team they enjoy beating most, overpowering them up front, destroying them at the breakdown and even outclassing them behind.

We're looking forward to the 2014 tournament to see if Wales can retain the title for a third time. Although after the performances of most of the Six Nations sides in the recent Autumn internationals, it looks set to be a much closer competition.

Reflections from the Autumn Internationals...

1) Southern Comfort

Out of the eleven tests involving the Six Nations and Sanzar countries, Europe only claimed one victory and that was in the first game when England defeated Australia at Twickenham. This was also unique in that it was the only time a home team scored more tries than their opponents. Overall the Sanzar teams were vastly superior at try-scoring running up 32 to the Europeans 13. Although the penalty conversion count swung in the European teams favour, stats and common sense would show that the majority of tests are won by the team that scores the most tries. The Southern Hemisphere teams ability to create greater try scoring opportunities mean they are well placed going into next years World Cup.

New Zealand have won 14 out of 14 this year, South Africa have made great strides under coach Mayer and even Australia, after a limp display against England, have ended the year with four back to back victories and renewed hope. The World Cup next year is likely to throw up some classic match ups, not least South Africa vs New Zealand.

2) Guess whos Back

In an era in which lots of teams base their game on physically dominating opponents, the Southern hemisphere teams have backs who provide some genuine excitement and a change of tact. South Africa have Willie La Roux, Quade Cooper was excellent for Australia and New Zealand with Dan Carter inconsistently available could call on Julian Savea, Israel Dagg and Ma’a Nonu. The ability to move the ball fast and wide is something the Southern Hemisphere excelled at and the North appears to lack the craft for which they have paid the cost.

3) World Cup Predictions

Of the Six Nations sides England had the best month, despite being without a number of players, beating Australia and leading for most of the match against New Zealand. Stuart Lancaster has brought about a stability and consistency, they are unlikely to lose, but neither are they spectacular. Wales, six nations winners for the past two years, have the muscle but lack flair; Ireland are inconsistent, as likely to be brilliant as terrible; Scotland are likely to struggle, like Italy; while France have had a terrible year with their only victories coming against Scotland and Tonga but in Wesley Fofana they have the outstanding three-quarter in Europe. Things can only get better.

4) Refereeing

The Southern Hemisphere sides complained that the European side were able to slow down the ball, with Australia and New Zealand struggling to deal with refereeing of breakdowns in Europe. As the World Cup is hosted by England in two years, they will have to get used to it. It is a ridiculous that in an international game the refereeing varies in approach between hemispheres, why it is like this only the International Rugby Board can answer but. The forward pass has become confusing with physics being applied to the law. In certain instances a pass may now go forward as, if the passer's hands are pointing backwards, it does not matter where the ball ends up. Wales coach, Warren Gatland, moaned about Australia's third try but Wales's second against Tonga the previous week came after a moreb latantly forward pass. The television referees are in for a packed World Cup.