WHAT wonderful drama in Birmingham's National Indoor Arena over the Easter weekend, with Oxfordshire's Tim Henman at centre stage of the action that became compulsive armchair viewing.

Day 1 gave the United States first blood in this highly-watchable Davis Cup drama, as Henman and Greg Rusedski both lost.

On Saturday, the pair redeemed themselves with a magnificent doubles victory.

Then, on Sunday, in the climax to a memorable tie, Henman achieved the best win of his career, over Todd Martin, and Rusedski went so close in a nail-biting deciding match with Jim Courier.

In the end, Courier stayed ice-cool to give the US the narrowest of victories. The performance of both Henman and Rusedski was one few of us will ever forget.

Tennis was the overall winner and, in Britain's case, this was certainly a case of glory in defeat.

I SPENT the last week in my native North Wales, with many an evening huddled in the pub, plotting the downfall of the English - English rugby I mean.

The debate was the likely outcome of the upcoming Wembley clash in the Five Nations. And the result of the unofficial talks? Wales to win of course!

FOOTBALL fortunes often turn on a favour from an unlikely source. For example, Oxford United won at Sheffield United ten days ago to ease their relegation fears and do the team I follow - Wolves - a favour in their quest for promotion.

Last Tuesday, Wolves wallopped Crewe to cement their top six place and slap down one of the U's main rivals in the fight to stay in the First Division.

On Saturday, United held promotion hopefuls Bolton to a draw, while Wolves kept Portsmouth near the basement.

All very helpful stuff. And I'd like to believe that in fighting their own causes, there can be a happy outcome all round - U's steering clear of relegation and Wolves holding on to a play-off place.

SPARE a thought for former U's goalkeeper Phil Whitehead who has conceded more goals at Sunderland's Stadium of Light than Sunderland's own keeeper Thomas Sorensen, who has let in just nine.

Whitehead leaked seven in the U's resounding thrashing early in the season and then three for his new club West Brom last Saturday.

But it gets worse . . . on Bank Holiday Monday, poor Phil let in five at home to Crewe!

THE plan to wire up Premiership refs next season, so they can decide when the ball crosses the goal-line, may not be as simple as it sounds.

Sensors in the goal posts and crossbar will determine if the ball is over the line and bleep a signal to the ref.

Sounds fine, but my worry is that, during a goalmouth scramble, will the sensor know whether it's the ball that's over the line or a stray foot or arm?

Technical explanations to me at the Witney office please!

Story date: Thursday 08 April

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