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.

The 10 Year Anniversay of Englands Rugby World Cup Win

Can you believe it’s a full ten years since England won the Rugby World Cup?

England celebrated a glorious victory, taking the glory with a breathtaking Jonny Wilkinson drop goal, just 26 seconds from the final whistle of a thrilling final in Sydney.

A TV audience of millions, in the UK and around the world, watched as captain Martin Johnson became the first to lead a northern hemisphere team to the world title.

After a dramatic match, in which extra time could not separate the teams, it was Wilkinson’s last gasp effort that separated the sides. The closeness of the game was testament to Australia's battling performance, but in the end they fell just short. The final win represented four years of improvement from the England team and could provide a blueprint for this rapidly improving side heading into the next world cup in 2015.

The battling display in Sydney saw England wrestled the cup away from an Aussie side who fought tooth and nail to become the first team to retain the trophy.

The match started with Australia in the ascendency as Tuqiri out-jumped Jason Robinson to a huge Stephen Larkham kick with just six minutes on the clock. Australia deserved their initial lead and it was three Wilkinson penalties that brought England back into contention.

Other notable performances included Martin Johnson, who led from the front with a towering performance and Dallaglio and flanker Richard Hill caused numerous problems down the middle of the pitch.
Just as England looked set to establish themselves and cruise to victory, two sloppy penalties allowed Australia to claw back into contention.

Referee Andre Watson prepared to blow for full time and Flatley converted his third kick of the half to push the match into extra time.

The players looked understandably exhausted after giving their all to this amazing encounter.

But nothing could deny this England team and Wilkinson sealed a deserved victory, which has gone down as the most memorable result in English rugby history. Can the class of 2015 repeat this feat?

To commemorate England’s historic win we are offering 10% OFF photos from the final, find them here.

After England's defeat to New Zealand, what are their chances leading up to World Cup 2015.

It may have been a slightly subdued end to the autumn series compared to last years fantastic victory, but England’s defeat to New Zealand on Saturday still gave us plenty of reasons to be optimistic. We were left feeling that amongst the short term pain of a defeat, a long term gain looks like a distinct possibility.

If you talk to head coach Stuart Lancaster, he is adamant progress has been achieved.

"We are definitely better than when met up four weeks ago," he said. "The players have worked hard to get to the level we expect of them. We can't allow those standards to slip now."

We are now two years away from the next World Cup in 2015, fifty percent of the journey is still to go and a lot of room for greater progress is available. England’s victory over Australia and Argentina provided encouragement, but their performance against the world champions gave real hope.  England have further chances to test themselves against New Zealand next year in a three test series and we should know if England really are closer to usurping the best team in the world.

So what have England shown over the Autumn internationals and where do they need to improve moving forward to the World Cup in 2015?

Pack to the Future Its the return of the pack for this England team, in 2003 their success was built on a ferocious and effective pack, and there are signs of the traditional strength and power associated with team coming back in 2013.

Hooker Dylan Hartley provides a hard edge, and his leadership has seen him move ahead of Tom Youngs. Lock Courtney Lawes finally looks like the international player it was assumed he would become after bursting onto the scene in 2009 and Joe Launchbury is building on the potential he has shown in his first season.

Top Class Competition

In top class international sport the aim is to have as many high quality option as possible. In rugby with the World Cup approaching it is ideal to build a squad with at least two or three players of genuine Test quality fighting for every spot.

Lock Geoff Parling was a Lions Test player in the summer, but now finds himself facing an uphill battle for a start in his own national side, such has been the growing competition within the team.

It is a similar story throughout with many headaches popping up for the coach.

Missing in Midfield

England have shown that they require more power and guile in midfield, many players were missing because of the Lions tour and no one was missed more than Manu Tuilagi. His ability to breach the defensive line is unparalleled within the rest of the squad. England also often lacked the precision in their passing and will require more fluency if they are to have more of a cutting edge.

Outflanked by New Zealand

England's wingers have not been up to scratch recently and there has been little threat from wide positions. Chris Ashton has yet to regain his form and the comparison between England and New Zealand’s wingers couldn't be starker. New Zealand brought their two wingers into play at every opportunity, whether swiftly moving the ball wide to give them space to work in, or sending up inviting kicks for them to chase.

England fans have hope going into 2014…

England may never be able match the All Blacks’ mastery of the basics when it comes to creating and seizing a try-scoring chance.

However, considering they were under the pump for large parts of the second and third quarters, it was New Zealand's ability to come up with the big play when it counts that set them apart. Overall England did enough to suggest they are catching up fast and the fans can hold up hope of a very competitive England team at the 2015 World Cup.

4000th and counting! Tony McCoy a Horse Racing Legend...

Northern Ireland has its fair share of sporting greats. In boxing and snooker they have had world champions, a number one golfer and one of the greatest footballers to ever kick a ball. However, none of them remained at the top of their sport for as long as Tony McCoy.

Tony McCoy, was born on 4 May 1974 and grew up in the village of Moneyglass, County Antrim.

A 20 year career has seen him win every major trophy in UK horseracing, some titles he has claimed on several occasions and is widely seen as the best National Hunt Jockey of all time.

As a teenager, he learned his craft in Ireland, as an apprentice to County Kilkenny racehorse trainer, Jim Bolger.

Chickabiddy was the name of his first horse, which he rode to victory in 1994 at Exeter.

Few would have predicted that since that first race, he would go on to go over 4,000 career wins. With his nearest rival Richard Johnston, sitting on 2,500 victories this makes his tally even more remarkable.

For 18 Consecutive seasons McCoy has been crowned the Champion Jockey, the award given annually to UK horseracings leading rider.

Even with all this success there was always one prize that alluded the multiple champion, the Grand National. It was a nagging feeling that this was the one missing trophy from his cabinet and he rectified this in April 2010 at his 15th attempt to win the UK’s most watched race.

Later that year he won BBC sports personality of the year, the only jockey to do so.

His continued success is perhaps all the more impressive considering horseracing is one of the world's most dangerous sports around, McCoy has not escaped lightly, breaking almost every bone in his body. Including his leg, arm, ankle, both wrists, shoulder, blades, collar bones, cheekbones and all of his ribs.

"From the first day I've been riding, I've convinced myself I'm unbreakable, the amount of times I've been in the ambulance it is obviously not true. I kind of think I'm like a cat with nine lives sometimes," he told reporters.

In 2011 McCoy was in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, where he was presented with a OBE from the Queen. Another massive achievement from a true champion.

So is this the finishing post for McCoy? Don't bet on it, as he is still looking over his shoulder at the competition, even if they are very far down the track.

"No matter how successful you are in any sport, and no matter how good you think you are or anyone else thinks you are, there will always be someone who will do better, that is something that I think of every day I go out, in that, I know how ever much I'm lucky enough to keep winning, I know that someone's going to win more than me and that's what motivates me.

"And obviously I love doing what I do."

The fall of Roger Federer?

Roger Federer has won everything there is to win in the world of tennis. He is no longer playing for the money or the glory, but an undoubted love of the game that defines true sporting greats.

I don’t think anyone is calling for the retirement of a tennis legend, but for his fans it is tough seeing Federer being beaten in straight sets by players of inferior talent to the great man. One may wonder whether he is still enjoying playing, but there is no other reason for him to remain playing.

There comes a point in a successful sporting careers where their run of dominance starts to slip, opponents no longer feel an impending sense of dread when they face you  and the belief they can win makes them psychologically stronger. People now regard the chance of beating Federer as a fantastic scalp and if they’re relatively unknown, a sign that they have arrived.

If you’re Federer the idea of retirement has to be a consideration, losing all the time cannot be fun for one of the most prolific champions the sport has ever produced.  However, I think he still genuinely does love it: he’s never been the hardest trainer in the world and hasn't needed to be, but he loves the competition. Only he knows if it is worth it.

The idea of him winning another Grand Slam at this stage does seem far fetched, but then again who would have though Pete Sampras would have won his last Slam at Wimbledon after all that time had passed. If Federer is to win another, he probably only has a chance of winning Wimbledon as it is best suited to where his game is at now.

Many of Federer’s fans just want to see more of him and even if he loses it quite often a great sporting spectacle. He is that good, that even when he isn't at his best it is still marvellous to watch.

Recently he was talking about the presses reaction to Nadal’s decline in form, stating ‘You guys write off players a bit too quick’ – and maybe he’s right.

Over the last few weeks he has been talking about next year being a big year. Maybe there will be a renaissance next year – but how big that renaissance will be remains to be seen.

Federer’s claim to being the greatest of all time shouldn't be affected by a slow fade anyway. Let’s say Federer retired after winning Wimbledon. Why would that make his legacy any better than if he spends the next two years hovering around the top 20 without any more major wins? Everything that happened before is still on his résumé and will remain there forever.

To be honest I just feel It is fantastic that we have witnessed one of sports true greats in his prime.