All Sport Club

Laval remains on top, Queen’s up to No. 2

OTTAWA (CIS) – For the fourth consecutive week, the Laval Rouge et Or are a unanimous choice as the top team in CIS football.

The five-time defending QUFL champions improved to 4-0 in conference play on Sunday with a hard-fought, 21-12 win over Concordia, their second victory in as many weeks against the No. 8-ranked Stingers (2-2).

Laval has led all five national rankings this season and has now been ranked No. 1 in 44 of the past 45 CIS polls, dating back to 2005. The Rouge et Or are undefeated at the midway point of the regular season for the fourth consecutive year and show a remarkable 41-3 conference record since the start of 2003.

Next up for Laval is a road date with winless McGill (0-4) Friday night at Montreal. The game will be televised live on RDS at 7 p.m. The Rouge et Or are riding a 10-game winning streak against the Redmen dating back to a 29-23 setback on Oct. 27, 2001.

Things are getting interesting in the CIS Top 10 behind top-ranked Laval as only one other team, No. 3 Saint Mary’s, maintained its position from a week ago. The 2007 Vanier Cup finalist Huskies also improved to 4-0 over the weekend with a 28-23 win over Acadia (0-4).

The Queen’s Gaels (5-0) move up two spots to No. 2 following an impressive 43-16 victory over the Western Ontario Mustangs (4-1), in what was a battle for sole possession of first position in the OUA. The loss drops Western three Top 10 spots to No. 5.

Queen’s, which received seven second-place votes and four third-place nods from the 11-member media panel, had last reached No. 2 in the final poll of the 2002 campaign.

The Saskatchewan Huskies (3-1) also gain two spots after a convincing 35-12 win over Alberta (1-4) and return to No. 4, where they started the season.

The Huskies are tied atop the Canada West standings with the No. 6 Calgary Dinos (3-2) and No. 10 Simon Fraser Clan (3-2), with one game in hand.

Calgary, which hasn’t been ranked this high nationally since 2003, was the biggest winner in the new Top 10 improving four places following a 24-11 win over UBC (2-3), while Simon Fraser is down three positions following its worst performance of the season, a 31-7 defeat at the hands of Regina (2-2).

Rounding out this week’s poll are the No. 7 Ottawa Gee-Gees (3-2), down two ranks after a surprise 40-38 loss to Windsor (3-2), No. 8 Concordia Stingers (2-2), up one spot following a valiant effort against top-ranked Laval, and No. 9 Bishop’s Gaiters (2-2), back in the Top 10 for the first time since the first poll of the season following a 15-10 defeat of cross-town rival Sherbrooke (3-1).

MITSUBISHI TOP 10 (#5)

Voting is based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 point system, with a first-place vote worth 10 points. The CIS Football Top Ten Committee is made up of 11 members of media from across Canada. A total of nine national rankings will be released for the 2008 season, with the final Top 10 being released once all teams have completed the regular season.

Pts (1st place) Last week
1. Laval (4-0) 110 (11) 1
2. Queen’s (5-0) 95 4
3. Saint Mary’s (4-0) 89 3
4. Saskatchewan (3-1) 78 6
5. Western Ontario (4-1) 55 * 2
6. Calgary (3-2) 55 * 10
7. Ottawa (3-2) 25 5
8. Concordia (2-2) 22 9
9. Bishop’s (2-2) 20 NR
10. Simon Fraser (3-2) 17 7

Other teams receiving votes: Sherbrooke (16), Montreal (12), Regina (5), Laurier (4), Windsor (2).

* Western Ontario was ranked higher than Calgary based on number of higher-placed votes.

CIS FOOTBALL WEEK 7 SCHEDULE (all times LOCAL)

Friday, Oct. 3
7:00 pm Toronto (2-3) at McMaster (2-3)
7:00 pm No. 1 Laval (4-0) at McGill (0-4), RDS
7:00 pm Manitoba (2-2) at No. 10 Simon Fraser (3-2)

Saturday, Oct. 4
12:30 pm Laurier (3-2) at No. 7 Ottawa (3-2), The Score
1:00 pm Guelph (2-3) at Waterloo (1-4)
1:00 pm No. 2 Queen’s (5-0) at York (0-5), Rogers
1:00 pm No. 8 Concordia (2-2) at Montreal (2-2)
2:00 pm Windsor (3-2) at No. 5 Western (4-1), Rogers
2:00 pm Mount Allison (1-3) at Acadia (0-4)
2:00 pm No. 3 Saint Mary’s (4-0) at StFX (2-2), EastLink
3:00 pm Alberta (1-4) at Regina (2-2)
4:00 pm No. 9 Bishop’s (2-2) at Sherbrooke (3-1)
7:00 pm UBC (2-3) at No. 4 Saskatchewan (3-1)

About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Fifty-two universities, 10,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. The CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, and 32 World University Championships. For further information, visit www.universitysport.ca.

-CIS-

For more information contact:

Michel Bélanger
Communications Manager
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Ph: (613) 562-5670 ext. 25
Cell: (613) 447-6334
Fax: (613) 562-5669
belanger@universitysport.ca
www.universitysport.ca

Berbatov celebrates his first United goal.
BERBA BRACE IN UNITED CRUISE

Dimitar Berbatov scored twice as Manchester United beat Aalborg 3-0 in Denmark.

The 30.75million man netted his first United goals to add gloss to the scoreline after Wayne Rooney’s first-half opener.

Rafael Da Silva was in impressive form and showed a willingness to get forward, starting the attack which saw Nani blast a shot at Aalborg skipper Thomas Augustinussen.

And there were only five minutes on the clock when Berbatov fired wide of an open goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson was forced into a change after just 15 minutes when Scholes appeared to jar his knee as he tried to take possession, prompting the entry of Ryan Giggs.

And it was Giggs who laid on the opening goal on 22 minutes. The Welshman collected a short pass from Nani before feeding through an inch-perfect pass for Rooney to take in his stride and slot home from inside the penalty area.

Andreas Johansson failed to get his header on target as he tried to turn home Martin Pedersen’s cross, then Nani came agonisingly close to netting another for the visitors.

United made it 2-0 after a horrendous mistake from Augustinussen.

The defender failed to control a routine square ball on the edge of the box and Berbatov made no mistake lashing the ball into the net with 55 minutes gone.

Nani then got away down left and his shot was saved by Karim Kaza before sub Carlos Tevez converted the loose ball, but the goal was chalked off for handball.

United were breaking through the Aalborg defence at will and Cristiano Ronaldo got away down the right before chipping the ball in for Berbatov (79), who acrobatically volleyed in his second of the night.

Ferguson’s delight at the victory was tempered by the injuries to three players. United lost Scholes, Rooney and Rafael to injury with Ferguson forced to replace the trio during the game.

“We are happy to get the points even though we missed a lot of chances tonight, but we have picked up some injuries so maybe that was the cost to pay for the game,” Ferguson told ITV4.

“But four points from two games is a good return and where we want to be.

“Dimitar Berbatov scored two fantastic goals - the second was a lovely goal. Obviously he has come for a lot of money and that will help his confidence.”

Berbatov was pleased to find the net for the first time since his move from Tottenham.

He added: “I knew it would come sooner of later, but of course the team winning was the most important thing and it was just another goal.”

van Persie celebrates his first goal.
FOUR-STAR ARSENAL CRUSH PORTO

Arsenal put their weekend woes behind them as they moved to the top of Champions League Group G with an impressive 4-0 home win over Porto.

Robin van Persie (31 and 48) and Emmanuel Adebayor (40 and 71 pen) both scored twice at the Emirates Stadium to put the Gunners in charge of the group.

Manager Arsene Wenger failed to make the anticipated reshuffle following Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League home defeat to Hull, with the only change being Samir Nasri returning from injury in place of Emmanuel Eboue.

Porto, who had never won in 10 previous visits to England, put Arsenal under some early pressure but their goalkeeper Helton was soon called into action to deny first Theo Walcott and then van Persie.

However, the Portuguese champions then almost snatched the lead when Tomas Costa’s right-wing cross found Cristian Rodriguez - but his diving header hit the ground before deflecting off the crossbar.

Soon after, Manuel Almunia had to get across to keep out a curling Lisandro Lopez effort as Porto gamely matched their hosts’ counter-attacking brio.

But it was Arsenal who broke the deadlock on 31 minutes, Adebayor and van Persie combining expertly down the right of the area, creating space for the Togo international to look up and delay his pass to the onrushing van Persie who prodded the ball home.

The Gunners surged further ahead with five minutes of the half remaining when Adebayor leapt above Rolando to head van Persie’s corner towards the ground.

The ball bounced awkwardly for Helton and defender Nelson Benitez, who was stationed on the line, and the duo watched as it sailed over their heads and into the net.

On 48 minutes, van Persie grabbed his second goal. Walcott did the initial damage before the ball found its way to the Dutchman, who showed strength to fend off Bruno Alves and stab home.

Wenger made three substitutions in the space of seven minutes, with Nicklas Bendtner, Eboue and then Carlos Vela replacing van Persie, Nasri and Walcott.

The fourth goal then arrived from the penalty spot, Adebayor netting with ease after Freddy Guarin’s clumsy foul on Bendtner at the top of the box.

Arsenal will therefore travel to Sunderland for Saturday’s league game in good spirits, with their next European assignment away to Fenerbahce on October 21.

Two-goal hero van Persie said victory would go some way to making up for Saturday’s shock defeat.

He told ITV1: “After Saturday we were disappointed and today was a good day to make it up and make it right.

“It was a good game and good spirit from all of us and we deserved the win.”

Despite the European masterclass from his team, van Persie insisted Arsenal are not yet the finished article.

“It’s still early - it’s only the second game,” he said.

“It shows a little bit that we can play but we knew that before.”

Balshaw goes over for his first try.
WILKINSON INJURED IN FALCONS DEFEAT

Jonny Wilkinson’s injury jinx struck once again to leave Newcastle and England fretting over his fitness as his side slumped to a 39-23 defeat at Gloucester.

Wilkinson, whose Test career has been blighted by repeated injury setbacks since his drop-goal won England the 2003 World Cup, lasted just 25 minutes at Kingsholm as Gloucester posted a bonus-point Guinness Premiership victory.

He was helped away after appearing to hurt his knee when he was cleared out of a ruck which formed following a trademark Wilkinson tackle on Gloucester full-back Olly Morgan.

Newcastle battled bravely without their talisman as Gloucester struggled to impose themselves on the contest until late on.

The Falcons were ultimately undone by Gloucester wing Iain Balshaw’s hat-trick of tries and a late James Simpson-Daniel double, while fly-half Olly Barkley - an England autumn Test contender - booted four penalties and Willie Walker slotted a late conversion.

Hooker Matt Thompson’s opportunist 47th-minute touchdown from a lineout and centre Tom May’s breakaway score briefly cut the Gloucester advantage to just three points.

The Falcons finally wilted when Balshaw completed his hat-trick 13 minutes from time, although Newcastle still had enough about them to register a third try when captain Phil Dowson went over.

Wilkinson kicked a penalty, as did his replacement Rory Clegg, who also converted Dowson’s score.

JUVE BATTLE BACK TO DRAW

Vincenzo Iaquinta struck twice to help Juventus avoid an embarrassing defeat and escape from a tricky away trip to underdogs BATE Borisov with a 2-2 draw.

Sergei Krivets opened the scoring for the Belarus outfit in the 17th minute and Igor Stasevich doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute.

But Italy international Iaquinta headed home in the 29th minute and then levelled the scores just before the half-time break.

Elsewhere in the group, Real Madrid ran out 2-1 winners against Zenit St Petersburg thanks to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 31st-minute winner after Danny Alves had earlier equalised Tomas Hubocan’s own-goal.

Brazilian Ze Roberto secured a 1-1 draw for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich against Lyon, scoring in the 52nd minute to cancel out Juninho’s 26th-minute opener.

Group F’s other fixture saw Fiorentina held to a goalless draw by Steaua Bucharest.

Arsenal’s Group G rivals Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev drew 0-0 in Turkey.

Smith - cleared to play.
SMITH BOOST FOR RHINOS

Leeds winger Lee Smith has been cleared to play in Saturday’s engage Super League Grand Final against St Helens.

Smith was placed on report for kicking Wigan second-rower Phil Bailey in the face during last Friday’s 18-14 play-off victory over the Warriors and was subsequently charged with a grade C offence.

The 22-year-old Smith, who scored two tries against Wigan and one in last year’s 33-6 Grand Final win over Saints, had faced a suspension of up to four matches when he appeared in front of the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary hearing.

Although he was found guilty at today’s hearing, which was held at the league’s Red Hall headquarters, of recklessly striking out, the panel decided not to impose a ban but fined him 300.

Ryan Hall, 20, who has shared the right-wing duties with Smith this year, would have been a straight replacement but Leeds coach Brian McClennan expressed his confidence that Smith would be cleared and he is set to name an unchanged team.

That will mean just one alteration to the side that beat Saints at Old Trafford a year ago.

Prop forward Nick Scruton, who has played in 29 of the Rhinos’ 34 competitive games this season, missed out last year through injury and will be appearing in his first major domestic showpiece after being a non-playing member of Leeds’ squad for the 2004 and 2005 Grand Finals.

The Leeds-born front-rower, who replaces injured centre Clinton Toopi with Carl Ablett switching from the pack to the threequarters, will be making his final appearance for the club before joining arch rivals Bradford on a three-year deal.

Cipriani (right) - will start on Wednesday.
McGEECHAN HAILS CIPRIANI RECOVERY

Wasps boss Ian McGeechan has hailed Danny Cipriani’s “fantastic recovery” from an horrific ankle injury.

England fly-half Cipriani will be back in Wasps’ number 10 shirt on Wednesday night - six weeks ahead of schedule.

Guinness Premiership opponents Bath are the Adams Park visitors, as they were more than four months ago when Cipriani suffered a fracture dislocation of his right ankle during Wasps’ 21-10 play-off victory.

The injury sidelined him for England’s summer tour to New Zealand, amid initial fears that he might struggle to play again this year.

McGeechan said: “Danny has made a fantastic recovery six weeks ahead of schedule.

“His attitude has been superb, and the work of the support staff at the club in ensuring this has been very impressive.

“We are delighted to see him back out on the pitch, and we hope that he is able to enjoy his return to action in front of a home crowd.”

Cipriani, 20, won three caps last season, making his first start during England’s impressive 33-10 victory over Ireland at Twickenham, when he kicked 18 points.

The subsequent injury though, meant he missed out on Wasps’ Premiership title success, in addition to England’s two Tests against the All Blacks.

But he resumed full contact training last week, and a successful run of games could now thrust him back into England contention.

Because of Cipriani’s injury, he was named in the second-tier England Saxons squad by manager Martin Johnson during the summer.

At the time, there appeared little hope of Cipriani being fit for England’s Test programme in November, which features Twickenham clashes against the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Johnson, technically, is only allowed to promote to his elite 32-man senior squad in the event of injury until January, when a window exists for up to five players being traded or called up.

Cipriani’s return is headline news for Wasps, who lost their opening three Premiership games before defeating Leicester at Welford Road last time out, and are less than a fortnight away from launching another Heineken Cup campaign.

Cipriani replaces Jeremy Staunton in the starting XV, while England back-row forward James Haskell has been named among the replacements after serving a one-week Rugby Football Union ban.

McGeechan added: “On the back of a great display at Leicester, especially in the second-half when we saw a lot of discipline in our performance, it is important we maintain this and continue to improve.”

Leaders Sale Sharks tackle Madejski Stadium hosts London Irish as new holders of an impressive Premiership record.

Sale have gone four league games without conceding a try this term, keeping their line intact since Irish centre Seilala Mapusua crossed at Edgeley Park 321 competitive minutes ago and ended Sharks’ title play-off hopes.

Irish though, have plenty of weapons in their attacking armoury, and they will start with the team that finished last Saturday’s gripping 28-27 victory over Harlequins.

Exiles head coach Toby Booth said: “Our players have performed well to date.

“They’ve shown a willingness to compete for the full 80 minutes, and in doing so have put themselves in a position to take points. That will be important against Sale.”

Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder expects to encounter a “fuming” Leicester side in tomorrow night’s East Midlands derby at Welford Road.

Mallinder, who hands scrum-half Ben Foden a first Saints start, said: “Welford Road is always a challenging place to go.

“Leicester will be fuming from losing (against Wasps), and they will be going all out for the win.”

Northampton flanker Neil Best, who faced an RFU disciplinary hearing today, misses his second successive Premiership game, but Leicester are boosted by the return of fit-again England players Dan Hipkiss and Harry Ellis.

Bristol, the only club without a Premiership win this season, suffered their 10th successive league loss when they were beaten by Newcastle four days ago.

In-form Saracens arrive at the Memorial Stadium tomorrow, albeit minus injured New Zealand star Chris Jack, with Bristol boss Richard Hill hoping home advantage can play its part.

Hill said: “We hope the home atmosphere will give the players a real lift. It was excellent against Sale earlier this month, and, under lights, created that special atmosphere we get down at Bristol.”

Mascherano talks to the press on Tuesday.
MASCHERANO EYES KING CARLOS’ CROWN

Javier Mascherano aims to emulate his friend Carlos Tevez and win the Champions League.

Mascherano, 24, admits that he was delighted for his fellow Argentina international when he claimed a winner’s medal in last season’s final for Manchester United.

The midfielder was perhaps oblivious to the fact that he was probably the only person of a Liverpool persuasion who felt that way watching the final in Moscow last May, when the Red Devils beat Chelsea on penalties.

But having arrived in England alongside his friend Tevez at West Ham, he can probably be forgiven for such sentiment.

Mascherano said: “I have a good relationship with Carlos. He is playing for Manchester United and me for Liverpool, but it does not matter because we are friends.

“I am happy for him that he has done well, that he has won the Champions League.

“When we play against each other, of course, I want to win, to beat him. But he is my friend and I am happy for him when he is successful.

“He had the chance to win the Champions League, and when he was in Argentina he won the Libertadores Cup. So he has many winner’s medals now.

“But we need to separate things. On one side there is football where we are rivals, but on the other in our private lives we are friends.

“I have a good friendship with him and his family, football will not change that.

“I spoke to Carlos after the Champions League final and I told him I was happy for him, but now I want to win it like him.”

Mascherano has recovered from a calf injury to be in Liverpool’s squad to face PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday in their second Champions League Group D match, having won their first at Marseille.

Liverpool, still unbeaten this season and with only two defeats in their last 29 games in all competitions, have hit the sort of form that gives their fans belief that the Premier League title can be claimed.

Mascherano said: “I am fit, I can play if the manager wants. I have had a short rest with the injury, which coming after the Olympics and my busy schedule was good. Now I feel ready to play.

“Now we want to fight for every competition, we want to compete for the league and in Europe, so we must maintain this level.

“There will be many difficult games but we must make sure that we keep playing the way we are.

“I want to win everything, and I know the Champions League and the Premier League together are difficult. But let us see where we are at the end.

“As long as we keep going, keep doing the right things, we will see where that takes us.”

Mascherano warned his team-mates, still buoyant from Saturday’s derby victory over Everton, that they cannot ease off against their Dutch opponents on Wednesday night.

He added: “But we must not lose our concentration. PSV have lost their first game in this group, so they will be dangerous. They will want to surprise us so we must not allow our level to drop.

“We are stronger than last season, we have more and more options. We have players who can perform just as well in several positions, so that is good for the manager and the team.

“We have more mental strength than last season, and we are able to recover from poor results much better. We have reached a certain level now and the aim is to keep it going all season.

“We have improved and we can fight for the title and Champions League.”

Keane - set for new deal.
QUINN CONFIDENT OF NEW KEANE DEAL

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is confident manager Roy Keane will sign a new contract within weeks.

The Black Cats boss embarked upon the final year of his current three-year deal at the start of the new season, but has repeatedly insisted he is relaxed about the future.

However, Quinn revealed initial talks with Keane’s solicitor, Michael Kennedy, began last week after funding for the next two years was secured, and he is optimistic of a positive outcome in the near future.

Quinn said: “We have just opened up negotiations with Roy’s solicitor last week, and that will move along nicely, I hope.

“You never know, we will see, but I am pretty confident we will have something nice to say in the next few weeks.

“I didn’t want to go to Roy Keane with a new contract offer when I couldn’t tell him what was happening in 12 months’ time, because the minimum contract would have been a year.

“Now hopefully this year, we will be okay and maybe a couple after.

“I don’t know. We haven’t quite got to the detail, but I am pretty pleased.

“The great thing about Roy is you are not sitting in here with a big agent talking about money, it’s about direction.

“That’s the biggest thing in the contract talks, and I am confident that on my side of the table, we have got the direction that will please him.

“That’s become apparent in the last week or so, and we will kick on from there.

“It will be a great day if he does sign. It will be a big day for him as a manager too.

“It takes a bit of time and there are a few dots on the i’s and crosses on the t’s.

“Hopefully that’s what it is, but I will keep you posted.”

A confidentiality agreement prevented Quinn from commenting on reports that Irish-American businessman Ellis Short has acquired a 30 per cent stake in Drumaville, the consortium which owns the club, and that it is his financial muscle which has allowed the Wearsiders to present Keane with a two-year blueprint.

However, as chaos reigns at neighbouring Newcastle following Kevin Keegan’s resignation over claims of interference from Board level, the chairman confirmed his manager has no worries on that front.

He said: “We won’t put any restrictions on Roy. He is very aware of the power he has in bringing people to the club, and he will just get our backing to do that.

“He has appointed scouts in 13 countries since we came, which is a big change from where we were two and a bit years ago.

“Slowly but surely, every aspect of the club is going that way.

“He has got the power to appoint scouts, he has got the power to name and choose the players we go after.

“He is the manager in every sense of the word and the fact now that we have a two and a half-year business plan, it is the right and correct time to ask him to commit.”

Quinn’s comments came as he joined forces with Gina Carter, the widow of former Sunderland goalkeeper Tim Carter, at the launch of an appeal to raise 1.2million to build a hydrotherapy pool at the Percy Hedley School in Newcastle.

Carter, whose four-year-old son Jensen attends the special school for children and adults with cerebral palsy, died earlier this year at the age of 40.

Mrs Carter said: “Tim would have been very proud and very humble that people thought so highly of him.

“It was a big passion in Tim’s heart and to have such a centre built in his name will be tremendous.”

Vaughan - will be missed says Fletcher.
FLETCHER: ENGLAND WILL MISS VAUGHAN

Duncan Fletcher says England will miss Michael Vaughan on their tour of India.

Vaughan won’t figure in the touring party to the subcontinent later this year, despite being given a central contract.

The tour snub came after Vaughan had struggled for runs with both England and Yorkshire during a difficult summer.

But former England coach Fletcher says he’ll still be missed when the plane takes off for India.

He told The Guardian: “It’s a big blow for England that Michael Vaughan doesn’t feel in the right frame of mind to tour India. People will wonder what I mean when they look at the difficult season he’s had but I believe they will be in for a nasty shock if they really think he’ll be easy to replace out there.

“Successful batting in India requires skill, character and patience - the three qualities Vaughan demonstrated so superbly when he made a match-saving hundred on a turning pitch against Muttiah Muralitharan at his peak in Kandy a few years ago.

“Who else of the current side can play an innings like that in the heat and humidity they’re likely to encounter in Ahmedabad and Mumbai? It’s a bit of a worry.

“The two openers, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, have the mentality but are both susceptible to spin, and you have to allow Kevin Pietersen to play his natural game. I’m not sure Ian Bell has shown yet he can adopt the mindset necessary to see off Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh for a whole day on a turning track, and Paul Collingwood can struggle early on against spin, however mentally tough he is.”

Fletcher admits there are a couple of improvements that Vaughan needs to make to his game, but nothing more than that.

He added: “I believe that if he’s in line for a return for the West Indies tour in the spring, then he can use the warm-up games there to iron out a couple of technical flaws that I’ve touched on before - mainly the fact that he’s been getting too square on. Any suggestion his eye has gone is rubbish.”