Recently by Simon Hayes

West Ham 2 Aston Villa 2

Dean Ashton's late strike earned West Ham a share of the spoils at Upton Park, and then learned he's made Fabio Capello's latest England squad.

The 24-year-old forward's 88th minute goal, a superb first time effort from the edge of the box, rescued a point for the Hammers after Villa looked set to snatch a win on the last day of the Premier League season.

The point, coupled with Tottenham's 2-0 home defeat against Liverpool, meant West Ham finished 10th in the table, although for most of the second half the most likely outcome looked to be a comprehensive defeat against a determined and enterprising Villa side.

FORMER Home Secretary David Blunkett was handing out awards in Canary Wharf this week, and was full of praise for those who overcome adversity to succeed in business.

Mr Blunkett and Attorney General Baroness Scotland were the keynote speakers at the National Mentoring Consortium awards at Lehman Brothers headquarters in Bank Street on Tuesday.

The scheme, set up 14 years ago, has successfully developed links between universities, including the University of East London, and employers such as Lehman Brothers and Barclays, giving disabled students or those from ethnic minorities the opportunity to gain valuable advice and experience from business people in a work environment.

West Ham wrap up their season on Sunday when Aston Villa travel to Upton Park in a game that has significance for both clubs.

The Hammers need to win to guarantee tenth place, ahead of bitter rivals Tottenham who lie just two points behind them in the Premier League table.

Spurs' superior goal difference means Alan Curbishley's men could be overtaken if they draw and Tottenham beat Liverpool, something that would be unpalatable to the majority of the Upton Park faithful.

Millwall striker Neil Harris has been rewarded with the offer of a new contract after a strong finish to the season.

The 30-year-old was all set to leave the club after last Saturday's final League One game at Swindon, but was desperate to extend his stay at The Den, a plea he put in print in The Wharf last week.

But Harris' man-of-the-match display against Carlisle on April 26 seems to have persuaded Lions' boss Kenny Jackett to reconsider his decision to allow him to leave on a free transfer.

SIGN UP for a major corporate challenge next month and you’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with one of rugby’s greats.

Rory Underwood, England’s flying winger during the ’80s and ’90s, is taking part in the Microsoft UK Challenge.

He will join teams from several Canary Wharf companies, including HSBC and Barclays.

The former sporting giant, who now runs high performance development consultancy UPH, said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m doing a couple of events, although I don’t quite know what they involve – but then that’s the whole point.

RORY UNDERWOOD is backing Martin Johnson to do the business as England team manager, but thinks people need to give him time.

Underwood, who won 85 caps between 1984 and 1996, believes Johnson, England’s world cup winning captain, has all the attributes for the job he inherited from Brian Ashton.

He said: “Martin’s got great personal qualities. He’ll bring clearer leadership and direction to the team. He’s not at the same coaching level as Brian Ashton but he has nous to pass on.

Betbrokers' Nigel Seeley - The "Wizard of Odds" - picks his selections for Wharf punters to back.

Oi Oi you punters! That was the cheer when all three of our selections went in at the weekend netting us a very healthy £107.76 profit.

This weekend’s conclusion to the Premier League offers some of the best punting opportunities of the year. Manchester United are going for the title while Wigan have lost every game to United in their history. But are they 16/1 pokes at home? No!

If this game was played five weeks ago Wigan would be no bigger than 7/1 to win. Just because United need to win to retain the title bookies have doubled their price. It’s the age long argument with gambling – putting reason before value. 16/1 on Wigan winning is too big for a team which defeated Aston Villa and held Chelsea 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

IT SHOULD be Manchester United, but Chelsea will be ready to capitalise on any mistakes.

That’s the view of ex-Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux on this weekend’s Premier League climax, which sees the two clubs both in with a shout of clinching the title.

Le Saux, speaking at the launch of the Real Man Cycling Challenge yesterday, thinks defending champions United hold the aces.

He said: “The advantage is still with Manchester United. They are effectively a point ahead with their goal difference and I don’t think they’ll slip up at Wigan.

“Chelsea are at home to Bolton and that’s not a dead cert. But the atmosphere on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, and the form of the team means they will beat Bolton, so at least they’ll finish the season giving themselves the best chance if Manchester United do slip up.”

THE WHEEL deal rolled into Canary Wharf this morning when a host of cyclists descended on Canada Square to launch the Real Man Cycling Challenge.

The challenge, sponsored by Barclays, takes place on Sunday, September 14, when 2,000 cyclists compete in teams of four over a 35km course starting and finishing at ExCeL London. It will raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Charity and is being held on roads, mainly around Canary Wharf.

Lending his support was Phil Liggett, the familiar voice of cycling over many years of covering the sport on TV. He explained why he was involved.

He said: “I’m an ambassador for the charity. I hope we’ll raise lots of money because they’ve got the corporates involved and they’ve got the influence to get these roads closed. It’s going to be a very interesting concept and I really hope they get big support.”

THIS IS the man who proved Wharfers have big hearts when it comes to raising money for charity.

Alun Thomas, deputy global head at HSBC, raised a magnificent £5,000 in last year’s British Heart Foundation Canary Wharf Jog.

Alun, 49, hopes to exceed that total in this year’s event on June 4, and he’s throwing the gauntlet down to the other banks in Canary Wharf to try and beat him.

He said: “I want other banks to take me and HSBC on. We raised more than £100,000 last year but we can do even better this time. It’s a great cause and a really fun event and the banks can be at the forefront of some really significant fundraising.”

Alun’s efforts saw him pick up The Wharf Trophy for raising the highest individual amount, and he revealed his success was due to revising his strategy.