Sometimes you need both the brains and brawns to beat your peers as that’s big time sports for you this week.
We saw Chase Elliott hugging the winners baton non-stop the minute/moment he took over the race lead at Texas.
Then there’s the best of Australian Super Rugby teams battling it out between Reds & Brumbies when free-to-air Super Rugby finally returned this year on Channel Nine but only based on flex scheduling.
Finally, we have quick drills of ANZ Premiership Netball to finish the usual sports weekend for Week 4/10 with Southern Steel v Central Pulse.
Sports Benches is the place to go for your weekly sports news highlights including General Hospital where unexpected things happen unannounced in Port Charles.
NASCAR Cup Series: Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway
Chase Elliott: his race-winning drive carried the most resistance & impeccable timing.
Once he touched wood for the first time of the afternoon, his race lead have continued to flex his muscles plus restarts while keeping fuel in check — so it lasts.
Now that’s a good day for Chase & his No.9 Hendrick Chevy team.
So close from Denny Hamlin in 2nd whose No.11 Toyota Camry for Gibbs was threatening under green, particularly long runs.
It’s just that one tiny bit of restarts to another is what Denny & his CC Chris Gayle needs to finish off well with the polish next time.
And Chris Buescher continued to show good Top 7-10 speed following a near win last weekend at Talladega.
Not the best earlier on going up and down as Chris would’ve liked but saved for last though matching his true form as this week’s Ford driver in the No.17 Mustang for RFK Racing.
Super Rugby Week 12/16: Reds v ACT Brumbies
This was a physical game by two Australian Super Rugby teams currently on the Top 6 playoffs radar: Queensland Reds & ACT Brumbies.
Although great to have free-to-air Super Rugby back on the Nine Network this year in light of their new TV rights contract with Rugby Australia when nearly all games are Stan Sport exclusives.
There’s another one next weekend for Brumbies v Western Force as it remains to be seen if more FTA screenings would come at Finals time.
Reds win again this time at Suncorp Stadium by 30-21 whose forwards did their homework courtesy of this strong defensive unit despite some line-out issues.
These Brumbies numbers had a hard time getting over the line before Reds exploited some bit of space off breakdowns that blew everyone away.
From calm & composed to flattening cross-kick creativity, the Reds do mean business.
Fraser McReight on the open 7 had a tremendous game by ripping off opposition passages & again when setting up tries.
Same goes to Josh Flook on the outside mid 13 — gave the forwards a breather defensively plus registered some amazing screamers past the in-goal line.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto who has that towering stature provided continuity so Reds don’t lose sight on the second row 5.
Meanwhile, David Feliuai’s been fighting like as if he’s in Mixed Martial Arts with tackle busts & strong carries off his running rugby on the Brumbies inside 12 following their stop-start.
Unfortunately, a lack of variety and miscalculated executions favoured Reds.
ANZ Premiership Netball Week 4/10: Southern Steel v Central Pulse
Looks like Southern Steel had a great run lately over these past three weeks now sitting 2nd behind defending champions Mainland Tactix.
Not only they doubled down the Stars tall shooting duo of Amelia Walmsley & Martina Salmon, they also won games against the Northern Mystics (another Auckland side) last Sunday & now Central Pulse by 54-47.
Having Kimiora Poi to C instead of WA allowed her to pinpoint and play those passage passes seamlessly — a huge tactical difference deployed by Steel legend & current head coach Wendy Frew.
They’ve got a good attacking dynamic set up like Georgia Heffernan who does than shooting buckets including super shots whenever possible at goal attack.
With Pulse, South African International Ine-Marí Venter had a field day at goal shoot following the team’s okay start.
However, Pulse wasn’t up to restrict that Steel attacking flow unfortunately, particularly their back three & sometimes the mid-court once play has progressed in between the HT break.
