Cricket

Try telling the Middlesex CCC players that sport and politics don't mix.

Everything was rosy in the Lord's gardens when the county won their first trophy in two decades when they landed the Twenty20 Cup back in July.

Not only did it save Middlesex from another total wash-out of a season, having failed again to win promotion back to the County Championship top flight.

But it also meant an extended profile, not to mention promises of riches, during cricket's lean winter months with the first Stanford Series and Twenty20 Champions League.

Having performed poorly in the West Indies and failing to grab the cash-rich top prize, there was at least the lucrative Champions League in India to come.

But the day before Middlesex were due to arrive, Mumbai was hit by a string of terrorist attacks, in the wake of which both the tournament and England's Test matches in India were postponed.

The loss of life far outweighed the monetary concerns, but with a £2m pot ready to be dipped into, the actions of the terrorists had farreaching implications.

Middlesex were hoping the Champions League would be rearranged for sometime in the new year.

However, the final blow came when it was announced earlier this month that the 2008 competition would be scrapped altogether.

The county is now pinning it hopes on gaining a wildcard entry in the 2009 Champions League - either that or retaining their domestic Twenty20 crown.

Non-league football

It's been a meteoric rise these last two years for HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH - and it so nearly hit unprecedented levels this year.

Having worked their way into the Blue Square South last year, the club's highest-ever position, they looked set for a place in the Conference after making the playoff final.

But despite outplaying Eastbourne Borough in the showdown at Stevenage Borough FC, Hampton lost 2-0 and the south coast side were promoted instead.

Old rivals AFC WIMBLEDON joined Hampton in the Blue Square South after winning their play-off final, in the Ryman Premier, beating STAINES TOWN. Tenants KINGSTONIAN, flying high in Ryman One South, look on course for a promotion of their own this season.

Down in the Combined Counties League, BEDFONT GREEN hit their highest-ever league position last month when they topped the Premier following a 5-0 win over Chertsey Town.

It's exciting times for BEDFONT too, having appointed former QPR and West Ham defender Rufus Brevett as assistant manager.

In Division One, it was a bitter-sweet year for HANWORTH VILLA, who finished in their highest-ever league position, second in Division One, but failed to be promoted as their ground was deemed unsuitable.

Villa have since put floodlights in an erected a new stand at Rectory Meadow, meaning they can go up if they repeat last season's feats.

While Villa have built up their existing home, Division One rivals FELTHAM and CB HOUNSLOW UNITED unveiled plans to progress up the non-league ladder by moving to new homes.

Feltham's long-standing plan to move back to Feltham Arena is moving along slowly, while CB are eyeing a site Feltham once planned to move to.

Rugby Union

Tales of excessive drinking, nightclub frolics and sex stories in the next day's papers - it's a bit more football than rugby, isn't it?

There was a time when rugby players would drink aftershave as a pre-match tipple, now the likes of Danny Cipriani probably splash half-a-litre of it on before entering the field of play.

Yep, since England won the World Cup five years ago, rugby union has been dragged into the sort of tabloid spotlight normally reserved for England players sitting in nightclub dentists chairs having eight bottles of spirits poured down their necks.

And even Harlequins - that very traditional bastion of old school rugby - had its 15 seconds of fame, 21st century style - this year.

Three of their players - David Strettle, Mike Brown and Danny Care - were caught up in an alleged sex scandal while touring New Zealand with England in the summer following allegations made by a Kiwi woman.

No charges were ever brought, but its fair to say Adrian Stoop would have been turning in his grave!

On the pitch, Quins had their best year in the Guinness Premiership for some years and are currently on course for a good run in the Heineken Cup, following their brilliant recent win over Stade Francais in Paris.

Down in London Leagues, Richmond joined co-tenants London Scottish back in the national leagues by winning the Division One title.

Both Richmond and Scottish had been kicked out of rugby's top flight nine years ago amidst financial difficulties.