Williams new engines

Australia's last-wicket pair secured a draw in a desperately tense finish to the third Test at Old Trafford to keep the Ashes series level at 1-1.

Captain Ricky Ponting batted for six hours for 156 but was dismissed with 25 balls left, leaving Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath to see Australia to safety.

Man of the match Ponting put on 81 with Michael Clarke (39) and 76 with number nine batsman Shane Warne (34).

Andrew Flintoff took 4-71 but could not claim the vital last wicket.

After two of the most exciting Tests in history - this match following England's two-run win at Edgbaston - the series moves to Trent Bridge for the fourth Test of five with everything to play for.

I worked really hard but I thought I'd cocked it up at the end

It was the first time in 10 years that Australia have been forced to bat out a draw against their Ashes rivals.

And the tension was at its height as a crowd of 21,000 roared Flintoff on as he came in to bowl the penultimate over to Lee with seven fielders in the slip cordon.

Lee saw that out and punched the ground in triumph as he pushed a full toss from Harmison to the fine leg boundary to save the match.

Australia were 24-0 overnight, needing to bat out a minimum of 98 overs to salvage a draw, or score a record 423 for victory, while England needed 10 wickets.

And at times during an adrenaline-fuelled final day, all three results seemed possible.

The series is really well poised and we are looking forward to the last two Tests now

England's bid for victory began in ideal fashion as Matthew Hoggard got his first delivery, in the second over, to seam away from Justin Langer and induce an edge behind.

The momentum moved slowly in Australia's direction as Ponting survived a difficult start to secure the first century by an Australian in the series so far.

With Clarke in tandem with his captain, Australia could really consider the prospect of snatching a win as England began to look bereft of ideas.

Warne survived on 30, when Hampshire team-mate Kevin Pietersen put down a difficult chance at midwicket.

But he appeared to have helped Ponting secure the stalemate before a dramatic dismissal that second slip Andrew Strauss parried to a diving Geraint Jones with 59 balls remaining.

When Ponting was the ninth wicket to fall, victory for England appeared a formality despite the ticking clock, but Lee and McGrath stood firm.

Ponting survived a stumping chance off Ashley Giles while in single figures, and took a good while to settle again before going to make his highest score against England.


A gritty stand of 71 with Matthew Hayden was undone by a brilliant piece of planning from Flintoff, who repeatedly angled deliveries across left-hander Hayden before moving over the wicket to take out his leg stump.

Neither Damien Martyn, controversially given out lbw for 19 when replays showed an inside edge onto his pads, nor Simon Katich were able to capitalise on comfortable starts.

Flintoff dismissed Katich for 12 and Adam Gilchrist for four in a fine mid-afternoon spell, both men edging behind square with ill-advised wafting shots outside off stump.

Clarke's participation in the match had been limited to two overs in the field and 19 minutes at the crease in the first innings.


But he showed few signs of the back trouble that has seen him confined to his hotel bed for much of the match.

Both he and Ponting took particular pleasure in taking on Giles, driving through the off side with abandon to force England to withdraw the spinner from the attack.

Clarke did not even have a shot to offer Jones, whose fourth ball of a long-awaited new spell swung in wildly to take out his off stump.

But England then took the second new ball, allowing Warne crucial time to find his feet and extend Australia's defence just long enough.

The novel Memoirs of a Geisha was the first published autobiography by a woman who lived as a geisha.

How much wire - in feet - dies it take to make a standard Slinky toy?

Economic outlook positive – Standard Bank
Published 12/05/2005

The outlook for the domestic economy is quite positive, according to a report recently released by Standard Bank.

The report states that the positive outlook is supported by brisk local demand, which is, in turn, fuelled by shallow inflation, relatively low interest rates and growth-enhancing fiscal policy.

A relatively benign global environment, characterised by low inflation and interest rates and strong commodity prices, also supports the favourable domestic outlook.

However, the report says that the deceleration in world growth, global economic imbalances and high oil prices pose risks to the positive prospects. The relatively strong rand, which underpins rising import substitution and disappointing exports, also negatively impacts on growth prospects.

According to the report, the drivers of domestic economic growth include:
- Positive global growth;
- Firm consumer and business confidence;
- Expansion in real wages and employment;
- Increased foreign tourism;
- Low inflation;
- The lagged impact of interest rate cuts; and
- Growth-enhancing fiscal policy

The report goes on to predict that the average growth rates are likely to be positive for all sectors over the next five years.

Source: Standard Bank

Lions feast on some beefy Bulls
Saturday August 13 2005
Defending champions go down heavily
It may be a meaningless result, but the Lions earned bragging rights by handing the Blue Bulls one of their biggest Currie Cup defeats ever - beating the defending champions 46-17 in the final qualifying match at Ellis Park on Saturday.





The Lions were in complete command from the outset and even though the Bulls score three second half tries, two of those were consolation efforts inside the final five minutes.

The Bulls pack were completely outplayed and it is clear they miss their Springboks - Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Jacques Cronjé and Pedrie Wannenburg.

The only effect this have is that the Lions finish the qualifying stages in second place on the standings, ahead of the Bulls, and have the easier fixture in the first round of the competition proper.

The Lions will face Griquas in their opening Premier Division match at Ellis Park, while the Bulls will meet the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

But as Lions captain Wikus van Heerden admitted after the match, the real deal starts next week. This was just a good confidence booster.

"It was a great team effort, but next week the real competition starts and then we must do it again," Van Heerden said.

Bulls captain Anton Leonard refused to use the spate of injuries that decimated his team as an excuse, saying that the Lions played well and deserved their win.

On the day the Bulls were simply not up for it, being bullied in all departments - losing several of their line-outs (something you won't find when they have the likes of Matfield and Botha), being beaten at the breakdown regularly throughout the game and slipping far too many tackles.

The Bulls were humiliated at times, twice conceding tries from mauls that started out at line-outs as the bigger and more experienced Lions pack out-muscled them on the day.

The Lions scored six great tries, but the best was set up by captain Wikus van Heerden. From a line-out he busted through in midfield and offloaded to flying winger Wylie Human, who went over in the 66th minute.

It has to be said that this is as close to a Bulls second string selection as you'll get, with about 12 frontline players out - either on Bok duty or injured.

But the Lions deserve all the plaudits they get, because they were thoroughly professional and on Saturday's form will be a real threat in the Currie Cup this year.

The scorers:

For the Lions:
Tries: Schoeman, Van der Merwe, Brits, Stoltz, Human, Penalty try
Cons: Fourie 4, Snyman
Pens: Fourie 2

For the Blue Bulls:
Tries: Mametsa, Steyn, Fredericks
Con: Steyn

This husband of mine wants crumpets at this time of night! -cant find a recipe so please can someone post one that does not have yeast in it! I have a pancake recipe and I think the crumpet one just needs more flour but not quite sure .... thanks peeps

Think about them one at a time BEFORE going on to the next one..
IT DOES MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, especially the thought at the end.


1. Falling in love.

2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.

3. A hot shower.

4. No lines at the supermarket

5. A special glance.

6 Getting mail

7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.

8 Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer..

11. Chocolate milkshake. (or vanilla or strawberry!)

12. A bubble bath.

13. Giggling.

14. A good conversation.

15. The beach

16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat f rom last winter.

17. Laughing at yourself.

18. Holding a newborn baby.

19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.

20. Running through sprinklers.

21. Laughing for absolutely n! o reason at all.

22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

23. Laughing at an inside joke.

24. Friends.

25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).

28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

29. Playing with a new puppy.

30 Having someone play with your hair.

31. Sweet dreams.

32. Hot chocolate.

33. Road trips with friends.

34. Swinging on swings.

35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.

36. Making chocolate chip cookies.

37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.

38. Holding hands with someone you care about.

39. Running into an old friend and realizing
that some t hings (good or bad) never change.

40. Watching the _expression on someone's face
as they open a much desired present from you.

41. Watching the sunrise.

42. Getting out of bed every morning and
being grateful for another beautiful day.

43. Knowing that somebody misses you.

44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.

45. Knowing you've done the right thing,
no matter what other people think.

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE! :lovef:

Last Updated: Saturday, 13 August 2005, 07:45 GMT 08:45 UK

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Rain threatens to hold up England
Third Ashes Test, Old Trafford, day three: England 444 v Australia 210-7
Play due to resume at 1030 BST
Full scorecard

Andrew Flintoff celebrates a wicket for England

Bad weather is threatening to hold up England's bid to tighten their grip on the third Ashes Test against Australia at Old Trafford.

There was heavy rain at the ground at 0830 BST, two hours before the start of the third day's play, and further showers are expected.

Australia are set to resume on 210-7 in reply to England's 444 all out.

If England can polish off the tail quickly, they would then have the option of making the Aussies follow on.

The tourists have not been in that position in a Test match for 17 years.

But skipper Michael Vaughan may be wary of batting fourth with Shane Warne, the most successful bowler in Test history, in the Australian side.

England's left-arm spinner, Ashley Giles, proved on the second day that spin will be a factor in the outcome of the game by taking 3-66 from 21 overs.

"There is still a long way to go. We need to get 13 more Australia wickets to win the game," said Giles.

"We cannot ease off the accelerator. This is the crunch time and this Test match is vital."

Warne is the key wicket for England and he will resume his innings on 45 not out.

He has scored two Championship hundreds for Hampshire this summer and would be delighted to achieve a first three figure score in Test cricket.

"We've seen at Edgbaston the Australian fightback and I expect there will be a fightback again in this game.

"Whether or not we can manage to either win or draw, let's wait and see. There are three exciting days ahead of us," said Australia coach John Buchanan.

Perth - The Springboks are feeling pretty good about life. Ensconced in the lap of luxury at the five-star Burwood Casino complex in the Perth city centre, they have been given the weekend off by their coach as part of a new approach to beating the overseas hoodoo.

A month ago, when they came to Sydney for the Mandela Plate match, also 10 days before the match, they were hammered, literally until they puked, on the first two days after arrival, before tapering off on the physical side of training.

"And we were diabolical in that match," White said.

"We are changing a few things in our approach in an all-out effort to get the correct mindset to win next week."

'Whatever it takes to get these guys into a zone that makes them comfortable'
White was only half joking when he suggested the team-room should show video tapes of SA TV programmes and that bottles of Mrs Balls Chutney and Koo tomato sauce be placed on the breakfast tables.

"Whatever it takes to get these guys into a zone that makes them comfortable. We're having a team meeting with (team shrink) Henning Gerrike on Monday and we will go over every last thing that can be done to get these guys to feel at home."

South Africa has not won a Test match in Australia since 1998, the year they also beat New Zealand away from home. And Australia have felt just as lost on their trips to South Africa - they have lost their last six Tests away to the Boks.

The Boks arrived in Perth on Thursday morning and immediately got into the swing of things by hitting the casino golf course.

This was to ensure they did not fall into the trap of sleeping during the day, a fatal mistake when trying to beat jet lag.

The Boks have been enjoying their respite from the pressures of Test-match rugby.

After playing Tests on three consecutive Saturdays, and winning them all, the Boks can now sit on their laurels and watch the drama unfolding ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney (noon SA time).

"We look forward to them giving each other a good few 'klaps', while we relax with a quiet beer and watch on the big screen," smiled White.

What would be the ideal scenario for the Boks?

"I guess if Australia win then it sets us up nicely for next week's match, because if we then beat Australia, it will be all over. The title will be ours.

"But I have a feeling the championship will be decided the following week in Dunedin, when we play the All Blacks.

"I reckon the All Blacks are going to be too good this week, after losing to us, and the Wallabies have been hurt by the loss of Stephen Larkham and Chris Latham.

"We do not want to be in the situation where we finish our matches and then the championship is decided the following week in the final match.

"At this stage, our destiny is in our hands.

"If we win in Perth and again in Dunedin, nothing the other teams do can affect the destination of the championship.

"We have never been in such a rosy position. Two games, two wins, top of the log.

"We would really be very disappointed if we did not make the most of this situation."

Meanwhile, the Wallabies' quest for rugby redemption became that little bit tougher with Friday's confirmation that inspirational skipper Tana Umaga was fit to lead the All Blacks today.

The warrior centre was given the all-clear from an ankle injury, which had threatened to keep him out of the trans-Tasman clash.

"The captain's available, fit and well, I'm pleased to announce," coach Graham Henry said last night.