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Cricket ACT defends Comets' first-class future focus

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Adelaide Strikers opener Jono Dean hasn't been picked for the ACT Comets in the Futures League this season. Photo: Paul Kane

Cricket ACT high performance manager Andrew Dawsonmakes no apologies for the ACT Comets narrowing their focus to produce more cricketers who can progress to first-class level.

A record-low three players from the Canberra first-grade competition were in the Comets line-up for this week's four-day Futures League match against Tasmania at Manuka Oval.

The remaining players were drawn from Sydney grade cricket a mix of former Canberra players and those with a country NSW background.

This year, there has also been a memorandum of understanding signed between Cricket ACT and Cricket NSW to having joint ACT/Country NSW junior teams at national carnivals.

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Concerns have been raised among Canberra clubs that there is too much of a focus on high performance at the detriment of the grassroots level.

Eastlake batsman Michael Spaseski told The Canberra Times this week the standard of the Canberra first-grade competition had declined as a result of Cricket Australia's guidelines on how Cricket ACT selects the Comets team.

Dawsonsaid the changes had reduced the opportunities for Canberra-based players in the second-tier Futures League, but was part of a broader objective designed to produce first-class cricketers.

"The message from Cricket Australia is that if you're not in a first-class system by 23 or 24, then Australian cricket will severely question the investment into that player," Dawson said.

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Cricket ACT defends Comets' first-class future focus

Exploring Comets and Asteroids is an International Endeavor

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NASA and space agencies across the globe are opening up new possibilities for space exploration with missions to comets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies.

Following NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spacecraft observations of the close flyby of Mars by comet Siding Spring in October, and the successful November landing of ESA's Philae lander on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched its Hayabusa2 mission on Dec. 3 to rendezvous with an asteroid, land a small probe plus three mini rovers on its surface, and then return samples to Earth.

NASA and JAXA are cooperating on the science of the mission and NASA will receive a portion of the Hayabusa2 sample in exchange for providing Deep Space Network communications and navigation support for the mission.

Hayabusa2 builds on lessons learned from JAXA's initial Hayabusa mission, which collected samples from a small asteroid named Itokawa and returned them to Earth in June 2010. Hayabusa2's target is a 750 meter- wide asteroid named 1999 JU3, because of the year when it was discovered by the NASA-sponsored Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research project, Lexington, Massachusetts.

This is a C-type asteroid which are thought to contain more organic material than other asteroids. Scientists hope to better understand how the solar system evolved by studying samples from these asteroids.

"We think of C-type asteroids as being less altered than others," says Lucy McFadden, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "Bringing that material back and being able to look at it in the lab - I think it's going to be very exciting."

On Nov. 17, NASA and JAXA signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on the Hayabusa2 mission and NASA's Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission to mutually maximize their missions' results.

OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to launch in 2016. It will be the first U.S. asteroid sample return mission. OSIRIS-REx will rendezvous with the 500-meter-sized asteroid Bennu in 2019 for detailed reconnaissance and a return of samples to Earth in 2023.

Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx will further strengthen the two space agencies' relationship in asteroid exploration.

The missions will also help NASA choose its target for the first-ever mission to capture and redirect an asteroid. NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) in the 2020s will help NASA test new technologies needed for future human missions for the Journey to Mars.

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Exploring Comets and Asteroids is an International Endeavor

Clinton Comets Appreciation Night Will be December 13

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December 5, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets The Utica Comets are proud to announce that the club will celebrate this year's Clinton Comets Appreciation Night on Friday, Dec. 13 prior to the Comets game against the Syracuse Crunch.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a special pregame celebration that will begin at 6:45 p.m. Former Comets players Bill Bannerman, Howie Dietrich and Pat Kelly will be honored during the ceremony. All three players will have their jersey numbers displayed at The AUD alongside the eight players that were honored last season.

The player that were honored last year were: Dave Armstrong, Archie Burton, Tim Hook, Jack Kane, Tom Mitchell, Borden Smith, Pete Prevost, and the late Ian Anderson.

Kelly was player, head coach and general manager of the Clinton Comets during his tenure with the club. An Eastern Hockey League all-star nine times as a defenseman and three times as head coach, Kelly led the Comets to three straight Walker Cups (EHL championships). He went on to coach in the AHL, WHA and NHL as well as serving first commissioner of the ECHL.

Bannerman played his entire professional career with the Comets, starting in 1965. He was the right wing on the most prolific scoring line in EHL history with center Kane and left wing Smith. He ranks second all-time in assists (395), third in goals (279) and points (674). He was an EHL Northern Division All-Star in 1968-69 and 1969-70.

Dietrich joined the Comets in 1962 and is one of only four Comets players to reach the 60-goal plateau as part of his 118-point season in 1967-68. He spent six seasons with the Comets and was part of two Walker Cup championship teams.

For a complete schedule of Utica Comets games, as well as ticketing information, visit http://www.uticacomets.com.

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Clinton Comets Appreciation Night Will be December 13

Oswego County Comets Food Drive Scheduled

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NEW HAVEN, NY At its November monthly meeting, the Oswego County Comets Motorcycle Riding Club met to gear up for the holidays.

The Comets will again be giving gift cards at Christmas to families in our local area in need of a little assistance during the holidays.

In addition, we will once again hold our annual canned food drive.

Canned and other non-perishable goods can be dropped off at the home of the Comets, Hazzys Tavern in New Haven, or at Custom Novelty Prints in Mexico, anytime during business hours.

All items collected will be donated to our local food pantries.

The Comets would also like to extend an invitation to join us at our annual Christmas party to be held at Hazzys Tavern on December 13 beginning at 7 p.m.

Comets Food Drive Scheduled

Please bring a dish to pass and remember to bring non-perishable, canned food items for our canned food drive for the holidays.

Pictured are Comets members and our collection boxes ready to be placed throughout the area.

If you see one of these boxes in your local grocery or other area businesses, please help us to help our friends and neighbors and leave your donations in the boxes.

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Oswego County Comets Food Drive Scheduled

Kyle Howarth completes Workington Comets speedway line-up

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Last updated at 08:29, Friday, 05 December 2014

Workington Comets have completed their 2015 line-up by signing popular Mancunian Kyle Howarth.

Kyle Howarth

Howarth follows the announcements of Ricky Wells returning and the signing of Michael Palm Toft earlier this week.

Palm Toft is the fourth Dane in blue and white for the 2015 season, joining Kenneth Hansen, Rene Bach and Nicki Barrett, as well as the returning Aussie Mason Campton.

The 24-year-old was recommended to the club by ex-Comet Craig Cook, who was team-mates with the Dane at Belle Vue last season.

Comets co-promoter Steve Whitehead said: In the end it was quite an easy deal to do. Michael was very keen to join us and team up with the other Danes, and we feel that weve bagged a rider on a bargain average.

Ricky Wells returns on a 6.49 average and final addition Kyle Howarth is back on a 6.57 average. Campton and Barrett will start the season at reserve in a Comets team with impressive strength in depth.

Comets team manager Tony Jackson added: One of the main reasons we signed Ricky last season was for his away form and he starts next season on an average that he is more than capable of adding to by some way.

Ricky is very professional and ambitious in his outlook and I am very much looking forward to working with him again next season.

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Kyle Howarth completes Workington Comets speedway line-up

Catonsville boys basketball leans on size and experience

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Catonsville's boys basketball team went 10-10 during the regular season last year, but for the third year in a row the Comets lost a first-round playoff game.

Catonsville coach Matt Fannon is hoping to break that streak in his fourth season as coach.

Our goal is to get past that first hump in the playoffs, get a home game and get to the second round, Fannon said.

Leading the charge in the frontcourt are a pair of 6-foot-6 bookends Antwan Pearson and Musa Wichhart.

Behind them, Fannon can also call on 6-6 sophomore Ross Kidd or 6-6 junior Kajaun Jeter, who both move up from the junior varsity.

We have a ton of height this year, Fannon said. You cant teach height, which is a good thing to have.

Fannon noted Pearson averaged in double figures in scoring last season and was close to double digits in rebounding.

Pearson, who played football in the fall, played in the all-star football game for Baltimore County against Baltimore City and led his squad to victory for the third year in a row.

He was also named Most Valuable Player and competed with Comet gridiron teammates Danny Bruno, Garrett Wack, Arsalan Syed and Nate Merrill.

His interior play will be most valuable on the basketball court as well.

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Catonsville boys basketball leans on size and experience

ACT Comets collapse, lose to Tasmania by 217 runs

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Andrew Harriott plays a shot during the Comets innings. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

The ACT Comets crumbled in their second innings for an outright loss to Tasmania as players from both sides remembered Phillip Hughes.

The Comets were rolled for 151 in just 52.3 overs on Thursday to deliver Tasmania a 217-run victory in the Futures League match at Manuka Oval.

Tasmania's left-arm orthodox spinner Clive Rose claimed 6-61 in the innings and match figures of 10-128 in a disappointing batting display from the home side.

Comets captain David Dawson was the mainstay of the first innings on Wednesday, scoring 111 in a total of 7-256 (dec).

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Having played alongside Hughes with NSW, Dawson dedicated his century to him, making it on the same day as the Hughes funeral.

"It was a really tough day and cricket pales into insignificance with the tragic events that we've had," Dawson said.

"In some small way it was something I could do to try to honour Phil in a sense.

"Cricket takes a back seat in the big scheme of things.It was a sad day for everyone but especially the cricket family."

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ACT Comets collapse, lose to Tasmania by 217 runs

Comets Face Chicago and Tulsa in Double Header

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December 3, 2014 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) Missouri Comets INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (December 3, 2014) - The Missouri Comets will try to extend their best ever five-game winning streak to start a season this weekend as they host the reigning PASL Champions Chicago Mustangs for the second time in the season on Friday before heading to Tulsa to face the Revolution on Saturday night.

Tickets are still available for Friday's "Clash of Champions Part 2" at the Independence Events Center. Also, fans that are interested in traveling to Tulsa on Saturday can visit the Comets Nation table on Friday get more information on the road trip to the Cox Business Center.

Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski's team will return home after defeating the Harrisburg Heat 24-10 at the Farm Show Arena, which meant its fifth straight victory after wins against Dallas, Chicago, Milwaukee and Wichita.

After falling to the St. Louis Ambush and the Comets, Chicago hosted the Milwaukee Wave last weekend and came away with a signature 5-4 win. Goalkeeper Jesus Flores returned to form recording 26 saves after going 16-0 in the first three games.

Both teams met for the first time in history last Saturday, November 8 at the Sears Centre in a match that saw the Comets pull out a 12-6 victory and a motivated Leo Gibson who scored four goals.

The Comets stand at the top of the MASL Central Division with an overall record of 5-0 while Chicago sits in third place with a two wins and two defeats.

On Saturday night, the Comets will travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma where they will visit the Tulsa Revolution for the first time in history. The Revolution haven't had the best start to the season and are last in the Central Division with an overall record of 1-3.

Last Saturday, Head Coach David Yates' team fell at home against the Wichita B-52s for the second time this season after losing to the Dallas Sidekicks. Tulsa's only victory dates back to November 14 when they defeated Texas 8-5.

With 23 points (12 goals and 11 assists), Gibson will try to remain at the top of the MASL standings followed by Monterrey's Loureno Andrade and San Diego's Nick Perera both with 20 points.

Missouri Comets (5-0) vs. Chicago Mustangs (2-2)

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Comets Face Chicago and Tulsa in Double Header

Comets 'Pink the Rink' Night Sold Out

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December 2, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets The Utica Comets are proud to announce that the Comets 'Pink the Rink" game scheduled for January 16 vs. the Milwaukee Admirals, is now SOLD OUT.

The Comets have sold out The AUD eight times now. In the previous six sold out games at The AUD, the Comets have compiled a perfect 6-0-0-0 record. Through 10 games at The Utica Memorial Auditorium, The AUD has seen 36,920 fans walk through the door to attend a Comets game. Comets games average 3,692 fans per game, which is 96.7% capacity. Last year Comets games averaged 3,435 fans, which was 90% of The AUD's capacity.

Details for special "Pink the Rink" Night promotions will be announced at a later date.

There are still seats available for the games on December 10 vs the Rochester Americans, and December 12 vs the Toronto Marlies.

Tickets to the all remaining games are now on sale at the Utica Memorial Auditorium box office and online through Ticketmaster. For more information, call 315-790-9070 or visit http://www.uticacomets.com.

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Comets 'Pink the Rink' Night Sold Out

Break in ACT Comets match for Phillip Hughes' funeral

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ACT Comets skipper David Dawson has applauded the move to suspend play in the clash with Tasmania for Phillip Hughes' funeral, saying "honouring Phil's life is much more important than cricket."

The third day of the Futures League match at Manuka Oval on Wednesday will be suspended for an hour from 2pm to allow players to pay their respects and watch television coverage of the funeral.

Dawson played alongside Hughes for NSW in his last Sheffield Shield game before he moved to South Australia.

The opener finished unbeaten on 84 to help the Comets to 1-133 in reply to Tasmania's 8-538 (dec) at stumps on day two on Tuesday.

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Earlier, Australia Twenty20 player Ben Dunk belted 215 for the Tigers, with Trent Keep (106) scoring a ton on debut.

"It's going to be a pretty sad day, cricket's going to come second," Dawson said.

"Honouring Phil's life is much more important than a game of cricket.

"It's obviously very difficult for a lot of players, there's been a lot of leeway afforded to give guys from both sides time if they need it.

"Everyone grieves in different ways.

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Break in ACT Comets match for Phillip Hughes' funeral

OT Dooms Comets in OK City

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December 2, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets A 1-0 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Barons Tuesday night wasn't the turnout the Comets hoped for to start their four-game road trip. The Comets have now lost two in a row, while the Barons have extended their win streak to six.

Joacim Eriksson earned his team one point for the night after stopping 33 shots on the 34 he faced from Oklahoma City. Eriksson improved his goals against average to 2.14 and his save percentage to .922 after tonight's game. Baron's goaltender Richard Bachman was billed as the first star of the game and stopped all 34 shots he faced from the Comets.

No one found the net through three periods of play, however, having played nine games that have gone to overtime this season, the Barons had the experience they needed to see it through.

At 4:33 in to the overtime period, Curtis Hamilton rushed it down the left wing to eventually feed it over to Jason Williams. Williams let loose a quick shot from the slot that found it's way between Eriksson's legs for the 1-0 game winner.

With the overtime loss, the Comets now have 31 points and are sitting in second place in the Western Conference directly behind the Rockford Icehogs.

The Comets won't have much time to rest as they are heading further south to face the Texas Stars for an 8:30 p.m. ET match-up in what will be their second meeting this year. The Comets fell to the Stars in 1-0 loss in their third game this season.

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OT Dooms Comets in OK City

Patrick Kennedy Rejoins Comets

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December 1, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher announced today that the Comets have recalled forward Patrick Kennedy from the ECHL's Evansville Icemen.

Kennedy, 25, has appeared in three games this season with Utica from Nov. 8-14. He is ranks third on Evansville with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) but has done so in just nine games. After starting last season with the Icemen, Kennedy was signed by the Comets and played in 40 AHL games with Utica. He recorded a goal and four assists with 10 penalty minutes.

A native of Dorchester, ON, Kennedy played his college hockey in central New York at Cornell University (2007-11).

The Comets hit the road on Tuesday to kick off a three-game trip in Oklahoma City. All games can be heard on 94.9 FM KROCK or online through http://www.krock.com. For a complete schedule of Utica Comets games, as well as ticketing information, visit http://www.uticacomets.com.

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