Brilliant gameplan gets England within two minutes of the Rugby World Cup final

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Brilliant gameplan gets England within two minutes of the Rugby World Cup final PARIS (AP) — A gameplan perfectly suited to disrupting South Africa in rainy conditions was two minutes away from lifting England into the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.The English just couldn’t hold up their last scrums, however, and a last-gasp penalty kick by South Africa’s Handre Pollard doomed them to a 16-15 defeat at Stade de France.England never looked like scoring a try but four penalties and a drop goal by captain Owen Farrell had them leading from the third minute until the 78th.“We came here with a plan to win the game. We fell short, only a little bit but we fell short,” England coach Steve Borthwick said. “My players were incredibly well led by Owen. They showed what it means to play for England, they played their hearts out.”The World Cup holders ran down England with a converted try and late penalty on the back of four consecutive overpowering scrums.“They found the way to gain the advantage around the scrum and that gave them the field position,” Borthwick...

Man United gets emotional victory to pay tribute to Bobby Charlton. Man City and Liverpool also win

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Man United gets emotional victory to pay tribute to Bobby Charlton. Man City and Liverpool also win LONDON (AP) — As red smoke spread over the away end at Bramall Lane, the chants of “There’s only one Bobby Charlton” rang out from the Manchester United supporters toward the end of its game against Sheffield United. On the day when United mourned the passing of the club’s greatest ever player, a thundering strike by Diogo Dalot made sure that the team and its fans could celebrate his life with a win. Dalot’s long-range curler in the 77th minute secured a 2-1 win at Sheffield United in an emotionally charged evening game that was played only hours after the death of the England great was announced. It began with United captain Bruno Fernandes laying down a wreath at the center circle before the kickoff, and ended with the chorus of chants in Charlton’s honor that were sparked by Dalot’s late goal. “We had to show our respect for him and I think we did that today,” United manager Erik ten Hag said. “We wanted to celebrate but also to remember...

Terion Stewart scores 3 touchdowns to highlight Bowling Green’s 41-14 victory over Akron

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Terion Stewart scores 3 touchdowns to highlight Bowling Green’s 41-14 victory over Akron BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP) — Terion Stewart ran for 131 yards and scored three touchdowns, leading Bowling Green to a 41-14 victory over Akron on Saturday.A short TD run by Stewart gave the Falcons a 10-7 lead in the second quarter. He added two more scores as Bowling Green broke open the game with a 21-point third quarter. Connor Bazelak’s 36-yard scoring pass gave the Falcons a 34-7 lead in the third quarter and backup QB Camden Orth made it 41-7 when he hit Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim for an 8-yard score in the fourth quarter.Akron got touchdown runs of 13 yards from Lorenzo Lingard in the first quarter and 4 yards from Drake Anderson late in the fourth.Stewart led a ground game that churned out 214 yards for the Falcons (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American Conference). Bazelak was 6-for-11 passing for 69 yards and Orth was 2-for-3 for 14 yards. Each QB had one touchdown pass.Jeff Undercuffler Jr. completed 22 of 39 passes for 234 yards for the Zips (1-7, 0-4). He was intercepted twice.___ Get ale...

Medway family stuck in Gaza recall harrowing attempt to cross border into Egypt

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Medway family stuck in Gaza recall harrowing attempt to cross border into Egypt A Medway family that is still stuck in Gaza say they’re worried about what may come after failing to cross the border into Egypt as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion.Trucks with much-needed aid were allowed through the border crossing at Rafah on Saturday but no people were permitted to cross, including Abood Okal and his wife, who became trapped in Gaza with their 1-year-old child when war broke out while they were visiting relatives. “We mourn every civilian and innocent life on all sides, no matter what belief or religion or faith they have,” he told CNN.Okal said he received three messages to head to the Rafah crossing but no further communication after arriving there with his wife and son.“We’ve moved to what’s supposed to be a safe zone in the southern Gaza Strip, we’re about 10 minutes away from the border and yesterday there was an airstrike about 100 meters away from the house. There’s constant shelling, constant ...

Reading police investing series of vehicle thefts, break-ins overnight

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Reading police investing series of vehicle thefts, break-ins overnight The Reading Police Department is turning to the public for help as it investigates three incidents involving stolen motor vehicles and series of vehicle break-ins overnight, officials said.Officers responding to a report of an idling vehicle on Main Street around 5 a.m. determined the vehicle was running with its lights on and no driver or occupants in the area, according to Reading Police Chief David Clark. Soon after, police learned the vehicle had been reported stolen in Melrose and they were able to contact the owner and return the vehicle.Then, around 8:20 a.m., police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on Spring Street. It was located a short while later in Somerville and returned to its owner.Another vehicle was reported stolen on Prospect Street. That vehicle hasn’t been found.There were also nine calls from residents who reported their vehicle had been entered overnight on Locust Street, Middlesex Avenue, Condor Road, Copeland Road, and in almost all cases the ...

Less rain, more wind on Sunday

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Less rain, more wind on Sunday After yet another soggy Saturday, windy conditions take over for Sunday as the storm that brought us the rain moves offshore. Winds could gust anywhere from 40-55 mph on Sunday, with a Wind Advisory in effect for the Cape & Islands until 8am. Wind gusts will subside into the afternoon, going down to a stiff breeze by late afternoon. Conditions will also remain chilly, with highs in the 50s both Sunday and Monday, and a chance for a first frost on Tuesday for some.

Franklin teen found safe, her former whereabouts remain under investigation

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Franklin teen found safe, her former whereabouts remain under investigation A 15-year-old Franklin girl who was missing for more than a week was found alive and safe Saturday afternoon.Jazlyn “Jazzy” Rodrigues, 15, disappeared around 7 p.m. from her home on 200 Woodview Way in Franklin on Oct. 10. Both the local police and her mother issued pleas for help finding the girl her mother, Jessica Negron, described in a statement as “a beautiful, loving, and very smart girl.”“She is being reunited with her family. No further information is available at this time,” Sgt. Connor Crosman of the Franklin Police Department wrote in a statement.The police said in two statements while she was missing that “the investigation suggests that Jazlyn left her home on her own free will and there is no evidence of any criminal activity or foul play.”In the brief statement released upon locating her, they said “The investigation into Jazlyn’s whereabouts remains ongoing.”

Harvard body parts trafficking scandal lawsuits could merge into one big one

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Harvard body parts trafficking scandal lawsuits could merge into one big one The mess of lawsuits filed in the wake of the Harvard Medical School body-parts trafficking scandal could become less complicated if a motion to consolidate the cases filed in a state court succeeds.The motion seeks to combine eight lawsuits filed in Suffolk Superior Court targeting Harvard for culpability, arguing that the “cases arising out of the desecration and mishandling of remains entrusted to Harvard’s Anatomical Gift Program … all involve common questions of law and fact.“Consolidation will avoid unnecessary duplication and waste of judicial resources, will streamline and simplify the proceedings, will prevent undue delay of the case, will provide parties with greater efficiency and will assist in securing the ‘just, speedy and expensive’ determination of the issues in this case,” the motion continues.It also designates two attorneys, Jeffrey Catalano and Kathryn Barnett, as co-lead counsel in the proposed merger of the lawsuits, with other attorneys who had filed lawsuits ...

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey questionable vs. Lions with illness; OLB Odafe Oweh set to return

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey questionable vs. Lions with illness; OLB Odafe Oweh set to return For the first time since Week 2, the Ravens will have Odafe Oweh back on the field.The third-year outside linebacker was a full participant in practice for a second straight day Friday in Owings Mills and did not have an injury designation for Sunday’s home game against the Detroit Lions (5-1). Oweh had been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury against the Bengals in Cincinnati and returned to practice earlier this week.His return is a welcome one for a group that has leaned on veteran additions Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy the past few weeks. The Ravens, though, are tied with the Buffalo Bills for the league lead with 24 sacks.“He looked good,” coach John Harbaugh said Friday of Oweh, who has eight sacks in 34 games after being drafted No. 31 overall in 2021. “It was good to see him back out there.”The only Ravens who did not practice Friday were safety Marcus Williams (hamstring) and cornerback Kevon Seymour (ankle). Both are out for Sunday,...

Dover-Sherborn starts fast, downs Masconomet in the rain

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:49:14 GMT

Dover-Sherborn starts fast, downs Masconomet in the rain DOVER — Rain poured down the entire game, but the slickest part of the Dover-Sherborn field hockey team’s nonleague matchup with Masconomet on Saturday was its fast start in a signature 4-1 win.Consistent offensive pressure allotted the Raiders (11-2-2) seven corners in the first half, who then used two of them to help score three goals in a mostly dominant effort before the break. None came quicker than freshman Annie Liebhoff’s goal just 2:27 into the match.Masconomet’s speed and goaltender Sam Serio (10 saves) played a major factor in keeping the game within reach, but four different players found the back of the goal for Dover-Sherborn.“I’m really thrilled with the way we came out strong, right from the opening whistle,” said Raiders head coach Molly McGill. “I love playing in the rain … I just feel like it’s the great equalizer. Everyone’s dealing with the same elements, and it adds a kind of fun, dramatic element to it.”An early corner led to a Serio save, but Liebhoff gathere...