Sports

San Francisco wins second title in three seasons

No team in the league has forced opponents into more third-and-long situations than Seattle. That fact is evidence of the Seahawks' fortitude against the run and an ability to hold their ground on first and second downs.

SAN FRANCISCO 24 ARIZONA 3 Three touchdown passes, one incomplete pass. Not a bad night for Alex Smith, and it could have been better, considering that the one incomplete pass was dropped by a wide-open receiver.

Bill Bestwick usually has to wait three games to witness his Victoria Grizzlies score seven goals, so it was very much an afternoon of riches in Sunday's 7-4 road victory over the Merritt Centennials.

The New Eng-land Patriots made sure they can enjoy their transatlantic flight back to the United States after a victorious visit to London. For the St. Louis Rams, the journey will seem a lot longer - and so will the road to making the playoffs.

The father of a Saanich boy, who suffered a ruptured spleen following a Sept. 23 minor hockey game in Nanaimo, has asked police to investigate the incident.

The Winter Classic is next on the chopping block. Barring unexpected progress in the NHL's labour talks this week, the league's signature Jan. 1 event will follow the 326 regular-season games already wiped from the schedule.

Stu Anderson advanced to Stage 2 of the PGA Qualifying school on Saturday, but Cory Renfrew's attempt fell painfully one-shot shy.

Broadcaster John McKeachie remembers being five-years-old and receiving a stick signed by the Island hockey legend Lester Patrick himself.

Manchester City and Arsenal responded to midweek Champions League setbacks by scraping unconvincing 1-0 wins in the English Premier League on Saturday.