Gary Lemke looks back at a jam-packed sporting weekend as the Hollywoodbets Sharks defied the odds to book a spot in the Currie Cup final, as Max Verstappen had no answer for the all-conquering McLarens at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
LIVERPOOL FALL FOUL OF EPL JINX
Four wins and four clean sheets. That just doesn’t happen in the EPL and yet that’s what was facing Liverpool as they took on Nottingham Forest, at home. History told us that Liverpool wouldn’t keep a clean sheet – and they didn’t. But they themselves failed to score and suffered a first defeat in 55 years to Forest at Anfield.
We’d warned of a tough tipping round and so it proved. When the dust settled, Man City became the only side with a 100 percent record, with Erling Haaland again hitting the net, twice, which takes him to nine goals in four games. In the north London derby, an admittedly injury-hit Arsenal were below par but still managed to come through a test of character, winning 1-0. It’s a long way out, but City and Arsenal again look like the top two sides in the league.
MAX HAS NO ANSWER TO MCLARENS
The fact that Lando Norris started the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 15th place on the grid with Max Verstappen in sixth, and yet the McLaren driver still finished ahead of the world champion confirmed suspicions that the Red Bulls’ wings have been well and truly clipped.
And with Oscar Piastri winning in the other McLaren, after holding off Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari in an intriguing race where the only real over-taking chance was at one corner, things are heating up in the drivers’ championship. Next up is Singapore, under lights, and although Verstappen remains favourite to retain his title with seven races left, there’s life back in the season. As for Piastri, it was his second career win, at the age of 23.
SHARKS DEFY ODDS AGAIN TO REACH FINAL
77 points at Ellis Park, 80 points at Loftus. That was the story of the two Currie Cup semi-finals, which in truth was no surprise as it was an extension of the league season. Heading into the semi, had you taken the average of the Lions and Cheetahs points per game you’d have come up at 43-35. That was almost spot on as the Lions held off the Free Staters 43-34 and booked a home final.
The same pre-game points average scenario up the road at Loftus suggested the Bulls would beat the Hollywoodbets Sharks 38-35. Again, not far off as the final score, after extra time, was 40-40. It was a remarkable result as the Sharks were down to 12 players at one stage. The Sharks celebrated with gusto after progressing from scoring more tries. You would expect the final to be more cagey but I’ll still be interested in seeing what the points spread handicap line is set at.
DVALISHVILI GOES TO GROUND TO WIN
A grappler (wrestler) beat a striker (fists/feet) as the UFC bantamweight belt changed hands at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The odds had suggested it would be a 50-50 fight, but Merab Dvalishvili dominated Sean O’Malley to win the decision.
He came forward throughout and successfully completed takedowns against the champion, earning the approval of the judges. Basically, like a bantamweight Dricus du Plessis. The Georgian extended his winning streak to 11 fights as O’Melley suffered his second defeat in 18.
ALSO WORTH A MENTION …
The United States women ripped the Solheim Cup out of the clutches of their European counterparts when they won the trophy for the first time since 2017. After the scores had been 14-14 in Spain last year, the USA returned to home soil and won 15.5-12.5, after leading 10-6 into the Sunday singles …
Kaizer Chiefs took advantage of Joseph Malongoane’s red card with Mfundo Vilakazi scoring shortly after the incident to see Chiefs beat Marumo Gallants 2-1 to open their Betway PSL season with a win. Champions Sundowns play on Tuesday … One of boxing’s current superstars, Canelo Alvarez, retained his world super-middleweight title with a one-sided points win over Edgar Berlanga. It took his overall record to 62 wins 2 defeats 2 draws … Rain had the final say, washing out the third T20 between England and Australia, with the series ending at 1-1
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