Sports Benches presents your weekly blockbuster sports news report going virtual worldwide from Nashville to Sydney, then Budapest and back again.
A Toyota Camry has returned to victory lane following a last lap frenzy between just three Gibbs drivers into none by Denny Hamlin.
We also had State v State of New South Wales and Queensland across Rugby League & Super Netball on top of the UEFA Champions League Final with Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain.
Don’t forget there’s GH recaps if you want more Sports Benches fix every Saturday where Rocco & Britt became fugitives, Ethan’s really connected to Delilah with the baby Chase & Brook Lynn adored so much and Kristina aspires to be a doctor.
NASCAR Cup Series: Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway
It’s been another wild Sunday’s night racing where Denny Hamlin is your winner for the second time this year in the No.11 Toyota Camry with Joe Gibbs Racing.
As said, it wasn’t the smoothest of races having difficulties retaining the lead in between restarts & long runs against his Gibbs team-mates Christopher Bell & Chase Briscoe.
But at least he kept his cool where Bell & Briscoe eventually fell off & unable to keep up at the white flag before Denny was right on time to drive away towards this race win.
Then Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from Hyak Motorsports finished 4th justifying his good work mainly at medium to large tracks.
Never mind the early momentum, he knows how to reach the finish line that’s uniquely his schtick, as this No.47 Chevy Camaro paid dividends just inside Top 5.
Finally, not much luck from these Ford Mustangs currently bereft with the front-running package needed badly to win races.
You have Ryan Blaney repeating Top 10 in 8th at Penske following an up & down night not helped by repeated yellows but had to settle with a back-up plan called stability.
Meanwhile, Zane Smith deserves rave applause who ran longer on used tires including an extended front row battle against three Gibbs drivers.
Although it could’ve been any good had the race abruptly finished again early like last week’s race in Charlotte but 9th ain’t bad nonetheless.
Big Event Sports Showcase: From State of Origin I to Champions League Final
What just happened?
We thought the QLD Maroons were the favourites right away before NSW Blues somehow won from behind with only 5 seconds remaining by 22-20.
Yes, there were some controversial refereeing, however, it was worth the chaos & entertainment.
Maroons fired off well but were woeful with cohension + poor defense on the back foot— don’t know why whilst leading.
Meanwhile, Blues went all out attack through some critical interchanges like high balls & clever 40/20s kicks (a bit like rugby’s own 50/22 these days) turning pressure into tries/conversions.
Blues lead the three-match series, 1-0 — it’s do or die for the Maroons otherwise it will be NSW’s year.
Then we fast forward virtually to Budapest’s Puskas Arena for the Champions League Final between Arsenal v Paris Saint Germain where the result also went the same way but on penalty kicks.
Arsenal may have scored the early strike but likewise with the Maroons, there were hit & misses.
PSG regrouped themselves for the equaliser & held firm on extra time before they finally stunned the new PL champs with back-to-back European silverware.
Next up, bring on the upcoming FIFA World Cup with the Socceroos & NZ’s All Whites.
Super Netball RD12: NSW Swifts v Queensland Firebirds
We’re back with Super Netball on-site at Ken Rosewall Arena this time for Grace Nweke’s Swifts v Kelly Jackson & Maddy Gordon’s Firebirds.
Swifts were unreal with little to no problems processing passage plays into the net.
As for Firebirds, a few tweaks + subs allowed themselves back in the fight via super shots but then their 1st half run left a lot to be desired.
Final score was Swifts 68, Firebirds 62.
The “Grace x2” shooting combo became the highlights reel starting with Nweke’s consistent next level execution while youngster Grace Whyte stepped up in place of the injured Helen Housby.
G.Whyte plays just like Housby but with a bit more love to two-point shots.
If I have to pick a standout long-time Swift, it’s Maddy Turner with her amazing defensive coverage both GD & relief GK.
With Firebirds, England International Imogen Allison closed the gap off the bench at WD to help Maddy Gordon (C than WA) control retention better.
They cannot hold the ball for too long though leading more unforced turnovers & silly mistakes before Firebirds simply couldn’t arrest Swifts upon full-time.
