Beijing Olympic Kickabout - Week Two

We brought news of the historic performance given by Team GB to find them 7th in the medal table on Saturday, in front of the likes of Russia and Ukraine. The day started well for Britain in the Water Cube as Rebecca Adlington went down in swimming history by winning her second gold medal and smashing swimming's longest-standing world record. She is officially our most successful swimmer of the past 100 years.

Britain's performance, on the day some were referring to as 'Super Saturday', was further enhanced in the Laoshan velodrome as every British cyclist to appear on track so far had managed to win a medal - Chris Hoy becoming Scotland's most successful Olympic athlete in history adding two more olympic golds to his collection.

Usain Bolt broke the world record as he claimed a remarkable gold medal in the men's 100m, with the 21 year-old as good as coasting towards the end of his run.

The start of the Premier League season had us bringing a result from the first match of the year, with Arsenal's 1-0 win over West Brom. Samir Nasrir scored on his debut at the Emirates stadium.

Stoke failed to do more than score a last minute goal as they went down 3-1 at Bolton on their return to top-flight football. 

Paul Ince's debut as a Premiership manager had Blackburn beating Everton by three goals to two. Hull managed a win on their debut with Geovanni and Folan scoring against Fulham. Spurs fans must have been less than happy with their defeat as they travelled to Middlesbrough, especially as the last-minute goal that sealed their fate was a Huth og. 

West Ham fan Russell Phillips came on the phone after seeing his team beat Wigan 2-1 and gave his views on the home team performance on day one of their campaign, reflecting in a great performance for the first 20 minutes and a poor show in the second half - he also predicted that Alan Curbishley's days at the Boleyn Ground will be numbered if there are many more performances like that one. 

Although it is very early days, Dan Westram was pleased to report the situation in the Premier League table, with Bolton leading Blackburn, Hull third on day one and Middlesbrough fourth. Early days, though with West Ham fifth.

Closer to home we spoke to Brentwood FC Chairman Keith Woodcock, who was reasonably pleased with his team's 1-1 draw at home to Concord Rangers. Billericay lost 1-0 as they started their season by travelling to Staines.


Essex cricket's resurgence continued with the Friends Provident Trophy final going down to the wire, Kent losing to Essex by five wickets at Lord's.



We also had a few words from the World Snooker Champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, on what he's been enjoying as he was watching the Olympics.  On next week's Saturday Kickabout we will have the full interview with 'The Rocket' fresh from his 3rd place in the Little Havens 5K at Gloucester Park. All the action, as usual, begins at 4pm.