"Tottenham played very well. We had an early lead and we were

LE HAVRE, France -- France ended a four-match losing streak by defeating Tonga 38-18, with both sides reduced to 14 men soon after halftime on Saturday. Bill Walton Blazers Jersey . France always had the match in hand with four tries to two, however Tonga humbled the home defence frequently with all the breaks it made but couldnt make any links to support. Tonga prop Alisona Taumalolo and France lock Yoann Maestri were ejected in the 41st minute for trading punches. It hardly mattered as France was in command at 21-6. "We made small mistakes but the most important thing is to regain confidence with a victory," France fullback Brice Dulin said. "Maybe we got carried away at times. We wanted so much to do well and score tries. We were sometimes a bit messy, but that will boost our morale." After an early penalty, winger Sofiane Guitoune, the Top 14s top try-scorer making his test debut, collected a high ball from Morgan Parra to score an unconverted try in the right corner in the fifth minute. Parra punished more Tonga indiscipline with penalties in the 17th and the 29th for 14-0. The visitors came close to a try in the 22nd, but flanker Sione Kalamafoni ignored two free teammates to his right and lost possession. France started feeling Tongas physical impact at the breakdown. Flanker Thierry Dusautoir failed to roll away after a tackle and Fangatapu Apikotoa landed a penalty from 45 metres in the 31st. The Tonga flyhalf capitalized on a Frenchman offside in the 37th to cut the deficit to 14-6. "We were a bit on the backfoot in the first half," Dusautoir said. "We didnt manage to be well organized. They are very strong and we missed a lot of first tackles." On the stroke of halftime, France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina was stopped five meters from the line. Tonga lost its nerve as scrumhalf Taniela Moa was sent to the sin-bin for elbowing hooker Dimitri Szarzewski. No. 8 Damien Chouly relied on Frances powerful scrum to score a converted try for 21-6. The break did not help to cool tempers. Seconds after the restart, Maestri and Taumalolo were red-carded for trading head punches. Maestri, teary-eyed, had words with Taumalolo as he walked off. Guitoune sent Dulin in for another converted try but despite the growing deficit, Tonga kept fighting and created space with a multi-phase buildup that stretched the France defence. A big miss-out pass freed winger Fetuu Vainikolo to slide over in the left corner. Vainikolo conceded the next penalty which Parra goaled, then another rolling maul drove in replacement Benjamin Kayser to secure Frances first win after four defeats to New Zealand. In the last minute, Vainikolo escaped a tackle from a cramping Guitoune to smack the left corner flag as he touched down for his ninth career try. France faces South Africa next Saturday, while Tonga, after a second straight loss in Europe, visits Wales on Friday. Anfernee Simons Jersey .3 seconds remaining, and No. 7 North Carolina held off a resilient No. 25 Virginia team, 54-51, on Saturday. John Henson contributed a double-double with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who have won five straight and 10 of 11. Terry Porter Jersey . 1. AMIR JOHNSON: Nice to see him back in the lineup Tuesday night in Washington DC. Played with great energy and purpose. Its amazing when a guy gets those few precious days to recover what it does to the bounce in their step and overall game/confidence. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Jusuf-Nurkic-Blazers-Jersey/ . Mako Vunipola was promoted from the reserves, with Matt Mullan called up to the bench on Thursday. "It is important that Joe is with his partner at this exciting time," England coach Stuart Lancaster said.LONDON, England - Arsenal kept up the pace in the race for the Premier League title with a 1-0 away win over archrival Tottenham on Sunday. On the ground where they last won the title, the Gunners took full advantage of leader Chelseas loss to Aston Villa on Saturday to close the gap to the leader. "It was a must-win game. We maintained the focus to not make the mistake that would cost us," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. He watched his side take the lead inside two minutes when midfielder Tomas Rosicky rifled in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area. Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain should have doubled the visitors lead in the 15th when he raced clear on goal, but his attempted lob sailed well wide of goal of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris goal. Another swift counterattack by Arsenal eventually saw Oliver Giroud square the ball across goal in the 26th, but Oxlade-Chamberlains shot deflected wide. Tottenhams striker Emmanuel Adebayor was unable to divert his shot inside the far post following a right-wing cross from Townsend shortly before the half-hour mark. Oxlade-Chamberlain blazed high over the bar from the edge of the penalty area,, after Rosicky had rolled the ball into his path, having robbed Danny Rose in the 41st. Damian Lillard Jersey. The hosts started the second half with real purpose, and should have equalized in the 46th through Nacer Chadli. However, he failed to convert from close range after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny fumbled the ball in the area. Spurs continued to press forward and Chadli missed another opportunity in the 52nd. The Belgian international attempted an extravagant flick deep inside the penalty area following Andros Townsends right-wing cross. "Tottenham played very well. We had an early lead and we were juggling between protecting the lead and finishing the game off," Wenger said. That win lifts the Gunners into third place on 62 points, four adrift of league leader Chelsea, which it faces next Saturday. "Its a great result for us," Rosicky said. "I think it is a great race for the fans and for us the players. As Ive said many times, I think it will be until the last game of the season." Tottenham remains in fifth place, seven points adrift of the final Champions League berth with eight games remaining. ' ' '