The weekend in sport was a masterclass of highlights and drama – from the ridiculously good shot-making of Jon Rahm at the Genesis Open to Stormers thrilling victory at Loftus! Football fans were also treated to a tense finish between Arsenal and Aston Villa, with fate ultimately favouring the Gunners.
All in all, then, it was another fantastic weekend that showed us why sports are so wonderful. Let’s take a look at what went down.
1. The Stormers hold out for victory at Loftus
Since storming to the inaugural URC Title in June of last year, the Stormers have enjoyed an incredible run of form. Despite a horrid start to the 2021/22 URC competition, the Stormers managed to turn things around with an impressive streak of wins at home, culminating in a grand final victory over the Bulls. This past weekend saw yet another notch made on the Stormers belt for North-South Derby wins.
As a Stormers fan, beating the Bulls over a weekend is always a cause for celebration, but doing so at a near-capacity Loftus Versfeld is a euphoric experience on a whole other level.
The match was on a knife’s edge up until the final whistle, with the Stormers holding a four-point lead as the match reached its conclusion. The Bulls launched one onslaught after the other, but the Stormers remained rock-steady in defence, refusing to allow the Bulls through.
Watch the Stormers overcome the Bulls:
2. Arsenal return to the top of the EPL table
The Gunners lead the way once again.
Arsenal fired out of the blocks at the start of the 2022/23 season, but they have hit a stumbling block of late. A few losses and draws saw chasers and current title holders, Manchester City wipe out a near 10-point lead. The Citizens ultimately regained control atop the log this past week.
However, following a dramatic weekend of English Premier League football, where nearly everything went Arsenal’s way, they are back up top, with a bit of a buffer.
The Gunners nearly dropped points at Villa Park. They had to catch up to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa twice. Then, with the score locked at 2-2, and the clock ticking past the regular 90-minute mark, it happened.
In a series of fortunate events for Arsenal, the ball found its way into the back of the net, which earned the Gunners a full haul of three points.
Watch the Gunners score a spectacular late goal:
Over in Nottingham, Manchester City left two points of the cutting room floor.
The Citizens dominated play, but could only score once. While many expected the match to end 1-0, hosts Nottingham Forrest had other plans. The City Ground erupted into pure madness, as Chris Wood brought his side level.
Watch Nottingham Forrest secure an unlikely draw against the Champions:
3. Jon Rahm wins a third PGA tournament
The Genesis Open was a resounding success for Jon Rahm, who emerged victorious after a thrilling battle with Max Homa at the iconic Riviera Country Club.
The 32-year-old Homa pushed Rahm to the limit throughout the weekend, but the 28-year-old Spaniard proved too strong, clinching the win by two strokes and taking home the top prize of $3,600,000. Homa was rewarded for his valiant effort with a runner-up prize of $2,180,000.
Relive the excitement of the final round:
Rahm now boasts three PGA Tour wins in 2023.
4. Proteas lose against Australia, but the door is still open for SemiFinal place.
The defending ICC T20 Women’s World Cup champions, Australia, have been utterly dominant in this campaign so far. They have steamrolled every team they have faced in the Group Stages, with their victory over the South African ladies being the closest they have come to a challenge.
That should have been the biggest objective for the Momentum Proteas, and they achieved it. South Africa still boasts a positive net run rate, which will play a huge part in them advancing to the final four. All they have to do is beat Bangladesh on Tuesday night.
Four wins from four!
Australia have eased to a comfortable win over South Africa.
📝: https://t.co/4OTjtl4gEZ#SAvAUS | #T20WorldCup | #TurnItUp pic.twitter.com/9FPHOGoN0y
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 18, 2023
If the Proteas do make it through, they will owe New Zealand a huge debt of gratitude. This is due to the White Ferns’ win over Sri Lanka in Paarl on Sunday evening. However, the Kiwi ladies will be rooting for Bangladesh in Tuesday evening’s final round-robin match. If the Proteas fall to a defeat, it will be New Zealand who will progress to the Knockouts.
The White Ferns produced a classy knock at Boland Park and ultimately blew Sri Lanka out of the water.
New Zealand wrap up a huge win over Sri Lanka 💪
📝: https://t.co/sF4ZFxmL9s#NZvSL | #T20WorldCup | #TurnItUp pic.twitter.com/ljbPtRgkiZ
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 19, 2023
