Well, that's a wrap for 2014

All photos now taken for 2014 unless there is a need for something on Christmas Day (but a compact will just as easily handle that)......so it's time to dust off the gear and pack it away for a well-earned rest until the 4th January 2015.

The last two assignments were completely different but good to do in each of their own ways.

One was to photograph a Pilates class for pregnant women.  I set up my bright white backdrop in the rented hall space and aligned everyone in groups of three so that they all fitted in without too much spilling out over the edges for tidying up afterwards in Photoshop.  The pictures were easy to take as they performed slow stretching movements and as they were all of a similar height they were aligned with the "...biggest bump to the back..."

The other assignment was to photograph the local scouts as they looked to recreate an early photograph of the group after they were formed in December 2014.  Lots of old scout hats and accoutrements in evidence, though after 100 years the scouts looked better fed and less susceptible to ricketts that their predecessors.

The Ronnie O'Sullivan effect

At the start of the 2013 Snooker World Championship I took a photo from the BBC gantry of Ronnie O'Sullivan, the defending champion, walking out to deserved acclaim at the start of the tournament.

Taken with a fish-eye lens it captured the whole of the arena at the Crucible, Ronnie walking out to shake the hand of announcer Rob Walker, and the two-table set up.

It soon made it on to Ronnie's own website (www.ronnieosullivan.tv) and is available to buy at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_553244.html#photos_id=11235541

The author of http://www.prosnookerblog.com (one of the best snooker sites around) liked it so much that he asked for a copy.  This he printed out and at the recent UK Championships in York asked Ronnie to sign it about 10 minutes after he did his 147 break.

Ronnie wrote: "To Matt, the best man for stats in snooker, top man, Ronnie O'Sullivan 147"

Always nice to see your work appreciated.

Jazz Carlin named Athlete of the Year by British Swimming

Congratulations to Jazz Carlin whose fantastic year has been recognized by British Swimming who have named her Athlete of the Year for 2014.

Jazz Carlin captured at the 2013 British Gas Swimming Championships.  See more at:   http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568.html

She became the first Welsh woman in 40 years to win Commonwealth Games gold in the pool at Glasgow 2014 with victory in the 800m freestyle.  She also won 400m and 800m freestyle goldsat the European Championships.   "This year has been amazing, but I am working hard for 2015 and have set my sights on an Olympic spot," she said.
 

She also contributed in February this year to a fantastic world record of 100 swimmers each swimming 100m in aid of SWIM 4 LEUKAEMIA at Ponds Forge Sheffield.  Organised by her boyfriend Lewis Coleman, they smashed the record, completing the course in 1 hour 29 minutes 3 seconds.

Well done to Gemma Steel winning European Cross Country gold in Bulgaria

Gemma Steel who is enjoying a fantastic season led home a Great Britain one-two with Kate Avery in the women's race at the European Cross Country Championships in Bulgaria.

In conditions which seemed to level the field, three Britsh females (Avery, Steel and team-mate Steph Twell) were part of the leading pack before Steel won in a sprint finish.

 Gemma Steel with her fourth consecutive Great Yorkshire Run title, Sheffield, 2014.  See more at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_639905.html

It was a consecutive improvment for Gemma Steel as she had won bronze in 2011 and silver last year at the same event but went one better this time around after edging a tussle with compatriot Kate Avery with both timed at 28 minutes 27 seconds. 

Alan Sugar - looking tired and losing the plot?

The Apprentice gave us another reason last night for thinking that it is selecting it's candidates purely on the basis of their (quirky) personality.

Katie Bulmer-Cooke who had been one of the more competent and sensible candidates over the 10 weeks was dismissed as her business idea wasn't going to be "big business".  Sorry Alan....didn't you know that 10 weeks ago?

This comes hard on the heels of him over-throwing the results of the buying competition the previous week in a desire to make a point over a paper skeleton that fitted the buying specification.  If you want to have a go at somebody, have a look at whoever wrote about buying an Anatomical Skeleton, minimum 150cm tall.  Nothing much in there about what it has to do/be made out of.  On that evidence Lord Sugar - you're fired!

The best part of the programme is still the start of the boardroom segment when  Lord Sugar comes out from behind the glass doors, looking like he has just returned from the gents.  Cue a flood of east-end accents: "I'd give it five minutes in there if I were you....."

Nick Matthew wins British Squash Grand Prix

Sheffield's Nick Matthew became only the ninth player to win 30 Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour titles by beating Mathieu Castagnet in the British Grand Prix final.

Nick Matthew winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.  See more at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_622920.html

Three-time world champion Matthew beat the Frenchman 11-7 11-6 11-5 in 50 minutes in Manchester to cap a great year for him after he won gold in Glasgow following knee surgery.

Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Judd Trump to win UK Championship

Ronnie O'Sullivan managed to hold off an epic Judd Trump comeback on top of a broken ankle to claim his fifth UK Championship title in York.  Right from the off Ronnie loked in control and led 5-1 at  the end of the first session.  Judd Trump pulled two frames back to stay within touching distance before then trailing 9-4.  A classic revival saw Trump return from the brink, making breaks of 120 and 127 to level the contest at 9-9 and taking the contest to the last frame. It was all going down to the wire until Trump fouled from a snooker in the last as O'Sullivan won 10-9.



Still one of my favourite shots of Ronnie in action - look at how the rest is being held in place.  See more at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_549149.html

Sheffield Stars of the Commonwealth Games treated to a Civic Reception

Some of the many sporting stars from or who train in Sheffield and who were at this year's Commonwealth Games were invited to a Civic Reception today.

Held in the grand setting of the Mayor's Parlour, the Lord Mayor, Peter Rippon congratulated them on being part of the most successful England team ever.
 

Pictured: Nick Matthew (squash); Freddie Woodward (diving) and coach Tom Owens; swimmers
Nick Grainger, Lewis Coleman, Ellie Faulkner, Max Litchfield and Becky Turner and coach Russ Barber.

A special mention to Nick Matthew who signed photographs of himself from this year's event in aid of the Lord Mayor's auction which will take place in the spring of 2015.

Sheffield Saints make Bradford Dragons lose their puff

Sheffield Junior Saints U14 basketball team kept up their 100% start to the season (7-0) with a fantastic win over the only other undefeated team in this year's North division, Bradford Dragons.

Cheered on by a partisan crowd, Bradford kept it tight until half-time when the Saints started to pull away.  The strength of their bench showed as they put in a real team performace to run out 64-94 winners with everyone getting on the scoresheet.

http://junior-saints.co.uk/

http://www.basketballengland.co.uk/

Contenders for the 2014 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

Ten contenders are on the shortlist for the 2014 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

2014 was a fantastic year for Adam Peaty as he became a double Commonwealth gold medallist and a four-time European champion.  At the XX Commonwealths in Glasgow he took gold in the 100m breaststroke and 4x100m relay medley, and a silver in the 50m breaststroke. He followed that up by breaking the 50m breaststroke world record at the European Championships in berlin, on his way to winning gold in four different disciplines.




Also in the running are:
Gareth Bale
Charlotte Dujardin
Carl Froch
Kelly Gallagher & Charlotte Evans
Lewis Hamilton
Rory McIlroy
Jo Pavey
Max Whitlock
Lizzy Yarnold
Find out more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/30179284

Good turn out for the Cavendish Cancer Care 10k

The rain held off long enough this morning to let over 100 runners enjoy the muddy trails of Ecclesall Woods in running 10K for http://cavcare.org.uk/

Old boys from Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, including Mel Sterland and Imrie Varadi, started the race.

World's tallest basketballer joins Cheshire Phoenix

Paul Sturgess, the world's tallest basketball player has signed for British Basketball League side Cheshire Phoenix.

The 7ft 7in player who wears size 20 boots spent two years with exhibition team Harlem Globetrotters and has been at Springfield Armour and Texas Legends.  'Tiny' as he was called during his time with the Harlem Globetrotters is seen above dwarfing his team mates on the bench during an exhibition game at Sheffield Arena in 2012.



Doughnut makers in Sheffield looking at possible redundancies

The tradition at Sheffield Junior Saints basketball is that the player who scores the 100th point in a game brings doughnuts to training the following week.

The first four matches of the season each resulted in scores well over 100, but this last weekend Leeds Force restricted them to a measly 96 points....

The league table still looks good, even though there will be doughnuts going stale on the shelves this week.

Cavendish Cancer Care 10k

This Sunday, 23rd November sees the two halves of Sheffield coming together for the Cavendish Cancer Care 10k run.  Starting at 10am in Endcliffe Woods, the recent rains will make for some interesting going in what is becoming a popular annual event.  Check bak early next week for some photos.

Find out more at: www.cavcare.org.uk/

If you can’t take part you can still show your support: https://www.justgiving.com/thecavendishcentre

Missing - Coffee; Wanted - thief

There are some comforts on a Monday morning, one is which is a nice cup of coffee, but on arriving at work this morning where there should have been something like this on my desk.......

.....there was a space.  Back to the cheap stuff in the canteen and a trip to Security to report the theft of a half-full jar of coffee.

It's bad when people start nicking stuff like this.  Police are looking for a thief who has trouble sleeping at night.

Ched Evans - Jessica Ennis-Hill warns Sheffield United

Jessica Ennis-Hill has said today that she wants her name removed from the Sheffield United away stand if the club gives Ched Evans a contract.  The Olympic gold medallist - in whose honour the club's Bramall Lane stand was named after her London 2012 triumph - said re-signing the convicted rapist would "completely contradict" her beliefs.

She is the latest high-profile figure/sponsor to warn Sheffield United that ties will be cut if Evans is given a chance to play again for the club.  She said in a statement: "I believe being a role model to young people is a huge honour and those in positions of influence in communities should respect the role they play in young people's lives and set a good example.  If [Ched] Evans was to be re-signed by the club it would completely contradict these beliefs."

An interview with John Lane

Olympic gold medalists Daley Thompson and Jessica Ennis Hill tend to make most people's list of famous British decathletes and heptathletes.  Breaking onto the scene is 25 year old British athlete John Lane who is the UK indoor heptathlon record holder after breaking Olympian Alex Kruger’s 19-year-old record.

Read all about it in the online Leeds City Magazine:  http://leedscitymagazine.co.uk/interview-john-lane/

Ched Evans: Charlie Webster resigns as Sheffield United patron

Television presenter Charlie Webster has resigned as a patron of Sheffield United after the club allowed convicted rapist Ched Evans to train.  The club said earlier this week that it had granted their former player permission to train with the side following a request from the Professional Footballers' Association.

Ms Webster told BBC's Newsnight that "at no point" had the club acknowledged the "extremity of his crime".  She also said that "nobody" was making a decision about Evans, adding: "I suppose I feel I need to make a decision as a patron of Sheffield United.  My decision is made on the fact that I don't believe a convicted rapist, as in Ched Evans, should go back to a club that I am patron of and should go back into the community to represent the community."

Charlie Webster pictured at the Great Yorkshire Run in September 2014 where she ran on behalf of Sheffield United's community appeal.

The former Wales international footballer was jailed for five years in April 2012 for raping a woman in a hotel room in Rhyl but was released last month after serving half of his sentence.

Ricky Walden beats Mark Allen to International Championship Snooker title

Well done to England's Ricky Walden who has defeated world number eight Mark Allen 10-7 to take the International Championship title in Chengdu, China.

The world number 11 comprehensively took frames 15, 16 and 17 after a closely fought first session to claim the £125,000 top prize.  He had previously beaten Robert Milkins 9-2 in the semi-final where Mark Allen beat two-time world champion Mark Williams.

Of his third world ranking title, Ricky said "It's a dream come true, "I couldn't be happier. "It was a tough first session today, then I got better in the second session."

Hope to see you back at the Crucible next spring Ricky!

Sheffield Saints clip the wings of the York Eagles

Sheffield Saints U14 basketball team made the best possible start to their new season with a comprehensive 126-15 victory over the York Eagles at All Saints in Sheffield today.

Right from the off, Saint were out to show their coaches how they mean to go on this season and as the first quarter came to an end the score was an impresive 42-2.  All 10 team members played up and made a good contribution to a team that is aiming for a place in the final four this season, having lost out so narrowly last year.  Read more at: http://junior-saints.co.uk/

Looks like doughnuts at training tomorrow!

Great Yorkshire Run - Gemma Steel makes it 4 on the trot

On a warm September Sunday in Sheffield, the ninth Great Yorkshire Run attracted a field of over 6,000 runners for the 10k course.

Gemma Steel (Charnwood) who had won the last three Women's races triumphed again in 33:19 ahead of Julie Briscoe (Wakefield Harriers) in 36:13 and Jo Maddick (Kingston upon Hull) in 36:25

In the Men's race there was a tight finish as Ross Millington (Stockport Harriers) won in 30:20 ahead of last year's winner Ryan McLeod (Tipton Harriers) in 30:22 with Matthew Hynes (Gateshead Harriers) in third in 30:26.

Novice Josh Bolt with regular Dean Andrews.

 Premier League and World Cup referee Howard Webb.

TV presenter and Sheffield-born Charlie Webster with Allen Leech (Tom Branson in Downton Abbey)

 Freestyle skiier Katie Summerhayes one of the race starters

 The men's 1-2-3

 Gemma Steel getting used to this

 Ross Millington (Stockport Harriers) crosses the line

 Gemma Steel (Charnwood) crosses the line

 Charlie Webster

Allen Leech

Subway 5k Family Run in the Sheffield sunshine

There were plenty of blue skies over Endcliffe Park this morning for the Subway 5k Family Run.

There was plenty of entertertainment to keep the crowds amused and a picnic area at the end for everyone to enjoy their lunch.

Starters were local stars Nick Matthew, Ellie Faulkner and Mukhtar Mohammed

Athletics at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

A selection of images from the evening athletics session at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday 28th July 2014.

 Ashley Bryant (England) on his way to clearing 1.99m in the Men's Decathlon where he went on to win silver behind Damien Warner of Canada.

 Libby Clegg (Scotland) and Mikail Huggins (guide) on a celebration lap having won the Women's Para-Sport 100m - T12 in a time of 12.20 seconds ahead of Maria elisa Muchavo (Mozambique) and Anelton Tinga (guide) and Lahja Ishitile (Namibia) and David Ndeilenga (guide).

 Margaret Adeoye (England) on her way to a season's best time of 52.48 in the 3rd semi-final of the Women's 400m

 The second semi-final of the Men's 100m, won by Adam Gemili (England) in 10.07 seconds, and followed by Jason Livermore (Jamaica) 10.11; Mark Jelks (Nigeria)10.13 and Ramon Gittens (Barbados) 10.15

O'Dayne Richards (Jamaica) lit up the stadium with his smile on his celebration lap having won the Men's shot put in a Games record distance of 21.61m

Nick Matthew retains his gold medal in the Men's Singles Squash at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Nick Matthew retains his gold medal in the Men's Singles Squash at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Having beaten Peter Barker in the semi-finals 11-3; 13-11; 11-6, he had a tougher final against James Willstrop which went to five sets 11-9; 8-11; 11-5; 6-11; 11-5

Men's Marathon, XX Commonwealth Games, Glasgow

Well, I've finally got round to processing some photos from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and these are some from the Men's Marathon, won by Michael Shelley of Australia:

Andrew Davies (Wales)

Ben Moreau (England)

Derek Hawkins (Scotland)

Francis Khanje (Malawi)

Martin Dent (Australia)

Michael Shelley (Australia) leading from the front

Ross Houston (Scotland)

Tsepo Ramonene (Lesotho)

The full results were:

1	Michael Shelley	Aus	02:11:15
2	Stephen Chemlany	Ken	02:11:58	+0:43
3	Abraham Kiplimo	Uga	02:12:23	+1:08
4	Munyo Solomon Mutai	Uga	02:12:26	+1:11
5	John Ekiru Kelai	Ken	02:12:41	+1:26
6	Erick Ndiema	Ken	02:13:44	+2:29
7	Liam Adams	Aus	02:13:49	+2:34
8	Philip Kiplimo	Uga	02:14:09	+2:54
9	Derek Hawkins	Sco	02:14:15	+3:00
10	Steven Way	Eng	02:15:16	+4:01
11	Fabiano Joseph Naasi	Tan	02:15:21	+4:06
12	Tsepo Ramonene	Les	02:16:21	+5:06
13	Nicholas Torry	Eng	02:16:34	+5:19
14	Ben Moreau	Eng	02:16:50	+5:35
15	Ramolefi Motsieloa	Les	02:17:12	+5:57
16	Ross Houston	Sco	02:18:42	+7:27
17	Andrew Davies	Wal	02:18:59	+7:44
18	Dieudonne Disi	Rwa	02:19:04	+7:49
19	Martin Dent	Aus	02:19:22	+8:07
20	Jean Vilbrim	Mri	02:25:39	+14:24
21	Jean Pierre Mvuyekure	Rwa	02:26:40	+15:25
22	Francis Khanje	Maw	02:31:19	+20:04
23	Mohammed Kassim	Gha	02:33:37	+22:22
24	Tongia Vakaafi	Tga	02:58:57	+47:42
DNF	John Leonard Karori	Tan
DNF	Namupala Reonard	Nam
DNS	Ying Ren Mok	Sin