Latest news with #Cleary
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Experts share simple 49p plant that will keep wasps out of your garden this summer
Wasps will be out in force over the weekend as soaring temperatures will see a surge in insects. Garden experts have shared a simple 49p plant that will keep them at bay this summer As Brits gear up for a sunny weekend in the garden, they're warned to watch out for unwanted visitors, as the warmer weather is expected to bring about an increase in wasp numbers. With the removal of unexpected nests possibly setting one back by £250, there's an affordable preventative measure in a common 49p plant. Gardeners are advised by Liam Cleary, an outdoor plants specialist at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, that planting lavender can offer not just aesthetic delight, but also act as a deterrent to wasps. Cleary advised: "Wasps are highly sensitive to strong scents, and lavender is one they really don't like. Planting it near seating areas, doorways, or patios can help mask the smells that attract them, like food, sugary drinks or perfumes." Why lavender keeps wasps away The reason why wasps steer clear of lavender lies in the plant's essential oils, namely linalool and camphor, which create a heady floral scent adored by humans and beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, but repugnant to wasps. Wasps depend heavily on their sense of smell to find sustenance. Lavender's ease of cultivation and tolerance for drought make it a top choice for gardens. It's ideal for adding charm to any area, including compact varieties for balconies or expansive types to line walkways, all lined up for National Lavender Day coming on July 9, reports Devon Live. You can get hold of a pot of lavender for £6, or opt for lavender seeds at just 49p. Liam commented: "It's low maintenance, smells incredible, and keeps your garden feeling calm, all while helping you enjoy a wasp-free zone." Pointers for the best results Find a sunny position: Lavender thrives in full sunshine and soil that drains well, so bypass any spots that are shaded or waterlogged. Opt for containers or raised beds: These allow for greater flexibility in positioning the plants, proving ideal for patios or balcony spaces. Resist the urge to over-irrigate: Given that lavender is tolerant to drought and favours dryish conditions, too much watering might lead to its demise. Combine with other natural repellents: To increase your safeguarding against wasps, consider growing lavender in the company of mint, thyme, or lemongrass for added defence. Be aware that wasps become more tenacious from late June through August as their colonies expand and they experience a decline in natural sources of food, which makes them venture closer to humans, eyeing up our sweet edibles and tipples. Ensure food and beverages are covered Steer clear of vivid attire and potent fragrances Keep refuse and composting areas tightly sealed
The Age
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Their season is in the balance. Inequities of NRL draw could tip Panthers over the edge
As well as the travel, there are also the short turnarounds to factor in. As Knights coach Adam O'Brien said after his team's recent loss to St George Illawarra, when he begrudgingly rested Kalyn Ponga so that the Queensland Origin star wasn't playing three games in eight days: 'In this battle, we lost to the scheduling and the draw. Whoever does the draws either hasn't lived it or doesn't care, so I don't know which one it is.' Some may have felt O'Brien's comments were a bit rich, given that a week earlier, the Knights had enjoyed the rub of the green, beating a Penrith side minus their five-man Origin contingent. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary copped that loss on the chin and was disappointed that his depleted team had been unable to give a better account of themselves. It's not in Cleary's unflappable nature to complain publicly or to create controversy but, after Penrith's 18-14 win against Wests Tigers two weeks ago, he made an exception. Cleary's concern was not the game the Panthers had just played, but the double whammy looming on the horizon, after his team's round 15 bye. First Penrith face the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday, barely 72 hours after their Origin stars – Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin – were on duty with NSW in Perth. It's basically a day in transit from Western Australia to New Zealand, once time zones, connecting flights and layovers at airports are factored in. Not long enough, the coach said, to risk taking his NSW reps across the ditch. 'The Origin players won't be playing, because they can't,' he said. 'That's another story. I don't think it's fair. We should be able to make that decision. And just through flights, we can't get them there.' Front-rower Lindsay Smith, who was a stand-by player for NSW in Perth, is nonetheless expected to rack up some frequent flyer points and suit up for the Panthers on Saturday. Cleary found an unexpected ally in Phil Gould, formerly his mentor at Penrith before a well-documented falling-out. 'What about the ridiculous scheduling for the poor old Panthers this week?' Gould said on his Six Tackles With Gus podcast. 'They are playing on Wednesday night in Perth, all these Origin players … how would they expect those players to back up? It's terrible. If I was the Panthers club, I would be blowing up deluxe.' Gould may have been thinking two moves ahead, given the Panthers' next assignment after Auckland is the Canterbury club he oversees, on Thursday next week. Penrith's Origin quintet should be nicely freshened up for their clash with the table-topping Bulldogs, although Cleary was again disappointed with the scheduling, saying the rest of his players faced a five-day turnaround, which included the trip home from New Zealand. In recent seasons, Cleary has happily rested his Origin players during this phase of the season. In 2022, he gave seven state representatives the weekend off and their back-ups were too good for cellar-dwellers the Wests Tigers. A year later, Penrith beat the Knights with their five NSW players watching from the stand. This season, he doesn't have the same luxury as the reigning four-time champions face a dogfight to make the finals. And perhaps that is the crux of the issue. Loading We all realise the draw has flaws in it. NRL officials understand that, even though they are loath to publicly admit it. Instead, they try their best to juggle myriad complex issues and requests while keeping any inequities to a minimum. Impartial observers might form the view that it's all swings and roundabouts and that it usually evens itself out in the long run. That's all well and good until you're in Cleary's shoes, preparing for two tough games, five days apart in different countries, with your whole season potentially hanging on the outcome. Dynasties don't last forever. In Penrith's case, they can only hope the next two games don't prove to be the draw that broke the camel's back.
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Their season is in the balance. Inequities of NRL draw could tip Panthers over the edge
As well as the travel, there are also the short turnarounds to factor in. As Knights coach Adam O'Brien said after his team's recent loss to St George Illawarra, when he begrudgingly rested Kalyn Ponga so that the Queensland Origin star wasn't playing three games in eight days: 'In this battle, we lost to the scheduling and the draw. Whoever does the draws either hasn't lived it or doesn't care, so I don't know which one it is.' Some may have felt O'Brien's comments were a bit rich, given that a week earlier, the Knights had enjoyed the rub of the green, beating a Penrith side minus their five-man Origin contingent. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary copped that loss on the chin and was disappointed that his depleted team had been unable to give a better account of themselves. It's not in Cleary's unflappable nature to complain publicly or to create controversy but, after Penrith's 18-14 win against Wests Tigers two weeks ago, he made an exception. Cleary's concern was not the game the Panthers had just played, but the double whammy looming on the horizon, after his team's round 15 bye. First Penrith face the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday, barely 72 hours after their Origin stars – Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin – were on duty with NSW in Perth. It's basically a day in transit from Western Australia to New Zealand, once time zones, connecting flights and layovers at airports are factored in. Not long enough, the coach said, to risk taking his NSW reps across the ditch. 'The Origin players won't be playing, because they can't,' he said. 'That's another story. I don't think it's fair. We should be able to make that decision. And just through flights, we can't get them there.' Front-rower Lindsay Smith, who was a stand-by player for NSW in Perth, is nonetheless expected to rack up some frequent flyer points and suit up for the Panthers on Saturday. Cleary found an unexpected ally in Phil Gould, formerly his mentor at Penrith before a well-documented falling-out. 'What about the ridiculous scheduling for the poor old Panthers this week?' Gould said on his Six Tackles With Gus podcast. 'They are playing on Wednesday night in Perth, all these Origin players … how would they expect those players to back up? It's terrible. If I was the Panthers club, I would be blowing up deluxe.' Gould may have been thinking two moves ahead, given the Panthers' next assignment after Auckland is the Canterbury club he oversees, on Thursday next week. Penrith's Origin quintet should be nicely freshened up for their clash with the table-topping Bulldogs, although Cleary was again disappointed with the scheduling, saying the rest of his players faced a five-day turnaround, which included the trip home from New Zealand. In recent seasons, Cleary has happily rested his Origin players during this phase of the season. In 2022, he gave seven state representatives the weekend off and their back-ups were too good for cellar-dwellers the Wests Tigers. A year later, Penrith beat the Knights with their five NSW players watching from the stand. This season, he doesn't have the same luxury as the reigning four-time champions face a dogfight to make the finals. And perhaps that is the crux of the issue. Loading We all realise the draw has flaws in it. NRL officials understand that, even though they are loath to publicly admit it. Instead, they try their best to juggle myriad complex issues and requests while keeping any inequities to a minimum. Impartial observers might form the view that it's all swings and roundabouts and that it usually evens itself out in the long run. That's all well and good until you're in Cleary's shoes, preparing for two tough games, five days apart in different countries, with your whole season potentially hanging on the outcome. Dynasties don't last forever. In Penrith's case, they can only hope the next two games don't prove to be the draw that broke the camel's back.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Mississippi River blitzs rivals at Leopardstown
Aidan O'Brien built on his spectacular Royal Ascot treble when Mississippi River, in first-time blinkers, blitzed his rivals in the BoyleSports Smart Racecard Rated Race in Leopardstown. Stable apprentice Jack Cleary seized this latest opportunity on the powerfully-built Lope De Vega colt, dictating the pace, with Wizard Of Odds for company. But, when Cleary allowed the 11/8 favourite to stretch clear off the home-turn, the outcome was in in no doubt. And Cleary could afford to ease him down close home and still have four and a quarter lengths to spare over runner-up Joyful Princess. Cleary, who also partnered Mississippi River to his maiden success in Navan, explained 'Just like Navan, I kept it simple. He was nice and relaxed early but picked-up when the other horse eye-balled him. He jumped, travelled and really picked-up. He's comfortable at that trip (a mile), but should stay a mile and a quarter.' And Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong added 'We declared him. for the 'Britannia' (at Royal Ascot earlier yesterday), but he was third reserve and not getting in, and this looked a lovely opportunity for him. He's in two handicaps at the Curragh next week and might go there.' Having his third run on the flat, and his first over a realistic trip, A Dream To Share, trained for JP McManus by John and Thomas Kiely, delivered in the concluding Leopardstown Members (Amateur) Race. Re-united with John Gleeson and smashed in the betting into ½, the seven-year-old, a five-time, bumper-winner, brushed aside his rivals under hands and heels riding, beating Royal Hollow, readily, by a length and a half. Gleeson commented 'I'm delighted to get back on him and to get his head back in front – he's been a very good horse for me. We went steady and I was able to pick-up the pieces in the straight.' And Frank Berry stated 'They didn't go quick, but he travelled away nicely and picked up – he couldn't have done it any better. 'We'll see where we go from here – we might go back over hurdles with him, but we'll need to keep an eye on the ground.' Joseph O'Brien provided Declan McDonogh with the first leg of an early double as newcomer Dial Me In overcame a tardy start and had to weave his way thought the field before getting up on the line to pip gambled-on favourite Sound Bite. 'That didn't go to plan,' said O'Brien's assistant Michael Halford. 'He was very slow out and Declan had to be patient. But the colt showed a lot of courage and grit and just got there. He should improve plenty.' McDonogh followed-up when Ciaran Murphy's filly Finsceal Annie, successful over course and distance (in much soft ground) last week, defied a 7lb penalty in the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Handicap, prompting her rider to comment 'She's a versatile filly, on the up. They're talking about going to Galway – she might be good around there.' *Apprentice Dylan O'Connor received an eight-day whip ban following his handling of El Bello in a division of the Jerry Fish Handicap.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Nathan Cleary reveals ‘frustrating' truth of last-minute State of Origin injury dramas
Penrith and NSW are confident Nathan Cleary's groin problem is not a serious one, after the Panthers superstar played through tightness in the Blues' Perth loss. Cleary's upper right leg emerged as one of the key talking points of State of Origin II, after he did not kick goals and had his thigh bandaged. The issue prevented Cleary from goal-kicking and putting up long kicks in general play during the first half on Wednesday. It proved pivotal with the wayward boot of replacement goal-kicker Zac Lomax ultimately proving the difference between the sides in a 26-24 loss for NSW. On Thursday morning, Cleary revealed he had injured himself while goal-kicking at Tuesday's captain's run but never felt the issue was serious enough to sideline him. 'I always thought it would be fine, it was just sort of the kicking load which was up in the air,' he said. 'I don't actually know the exact thing (injury) but I essentially did it goal-kicking in captain's run. It's a little bit frustrating. 'I can't commend the physios enough, they put a lot of time into me at captain's run and the morning of the game.' Cleary is already set to be rested from Penrith's clash against the Warriors in Auckland due to travel, with the Panthers not backing up any of their five Origin stars. But his fitness after that is crucial with Penrith attempting to revive their season and an Origin decider just three weeks away. NSW have already lost first-choice five-eighth Mitch Moses to a calf injury, with Jarome Luai called in to wear the No.6 jersey on Wednesday night. If Cleary was to be in some doubt, Matt Burton would loom as the most likely option to come into the Blues' side for the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. AAP has been told Cleary did not require scans in the lead-up to Wednesday's match and had been in close contact with Penrith and his father Ivan. The halfback is not expected to undergo scans when he flies home to Sydney, and not scheduled to return to the Panthers until Monday. 'Obviously he is a massive part of both teams,' Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. 'I am sure he will be fine. He will do everything he can to be sweet and I'm sure he will be.' At full-time, NSW coach Laurie Daley took the blame for the Blues' first-half flop and indicated he'd remain loyal to his players for the series decider in Sydney. The Blues gave away eight penalties in the first half alone, completed at 56 per cent and had their defence pulled apart with 22 missed tackles. NSW scored four unanswered tries in the second half as they threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history. But Lomax's three missed conversions and the team's horrific first half was left to haunt them. 'I've got to take responsibility, because we started well (with the first try), but the first half wasn't great,' Daley said. 'So I've got to look at what I've done, because something isn't right.' Daley was protective of his players when asked if he was confident in his current squad or would need to make changes for game three. 'Well, I was confident at half-time,' Daley said. 'I know what this group is capable of, and that's the thing you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity. 'You can't play a half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close. 'So for us, it's a good lesson. We'll go back to the drawing board. 'It's one-all. That's what Origin is all about, and it creates theatre and it creates headlines. 'I'm sure everyone wants a decider, and they've got it now.'
