CARDIFF, Dec 1 (Reuters) – A shiner developing under his right eye as a final memento from 116 test appearances, Australia captain Nathan Sharpe said farewell to rugby for good on Saturday as he signed off with a 14-12 victory over Wales.

Still in kit and his eyes, the bruising apart, glazing over with emotion, the most-capped Wallaby forward reflected on his long career.

CARDIFF (Reuters) – Wales coach Warren Gatland said his embattled side paid the price for naivety as they again went close but ultimately failed to take a southern hemisphere scalp and end a torrid few months on a high.

Time was almost up at the Millennium Stadium when Australia’s Kurtley Beale took an inside pass from Dave Dennis and left a tired Welsh defence to score the game’s only try and secure a 14-12 victory.

CARDIFF, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Wales coach Warren Gatland said his embattled side paid the price for naivety as they again went close but ultimately failed to take a southern hemisphere scalp and end a torrid few months on a high.

Time was almost up at the Millennium Stadium when Australia’s Kurtley Beale took an inside pass from Dave Dennis and left a tired Welsh defence to score the game’s only try and secure a 14-12 victory.

CARDIFF (Reuters) – A last-gasp try to Kurtley Beale gave Australia a thrilling 14-12 victory over Wales on Saturday which condemned the Welsh to a seventh successive defeat and left them facing a daunting World Cup challenge.

Flyhalf Beale dived over in the corner with 20 seconds of time left under a closed roof at the Millennium stadium.

CARDIFF, Dec 1 (Reuters) – A last-gasp try to Kurtley Beale gave Australia a thrilling 14-12 victory over Wales on Saturday which condemned the Welsh to a seventh successive defeat and left them facing a daunting World Cup challenge.

Flyhalf Beale dived over in the corner with 20 seconds of time left under a closed roof at the Millennium stadium.

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Robin van Persie scored the fastest goal of the Premier League season – timed at 31 seconds – to keep leaders Manchester United a point clear at the summit after a 1-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday.

Second-half goals from the recalled Mario Balotelli, his first league goal of the season, and James Milner gave second-placed Manchester City a 2-0 victory at Wigan Athletic.

LONDON (Reuters) – Robin van Persie scored the fastest goal of the Premier League season – timed at 31 seconds – to keep leaders Manchester United a point clear at the summit after a 1-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday.

Second-half goals from the recalled Mario Balotelli, his first league goal of the season, and James Milner gave second-placed Manchester City a 2-0 victory at Wigan Athletic.

LONDON (Reuters) – In the months that followed Chris Hoy becoming Britain’s most successful Olympian, he has been coveted at civic receptions, saluted during open top bus rides, flown in fighter jets and received the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh.

Away from the track distractions have passed in a whirlwind since he stood on the podium for the final time in August, tears streaming, with the realisation that his monumental Olympic journey was over.

LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) – In the months that followed Chris Hoy becoming Britain’s most successful Olympian, he has been coveted at civic receptions, saluted during open top bus rides, flown in fighter jets and received the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh.

Away from the track distractions have passed in a whirlwind since he stood on the podium for the final time in August, tears streaming, with the realisation that his monumental Olympic journey was over.

LONDON (Reuters) – As far as ringing endorsements go, Chelsea’s new interim manager Rafael Benitez would have got a better reception had he walked out at Stamford Bridge to announce his resignation.

The Premier League club’s ninth manager of the Roman Abramovich era was afforded the kind of hostile welcome on Sunday normally reserved for the managers, players and fans of bitter rivals.