Happened on this day - 31 July

2001: England beat Wales 42-33 in a rugby league international at Wrexham.

1999: Rod Harrington becomes the first man to retain darts' World Matchplay Crown with a nail-biting 19-17 victory over Peter Manley at Blackpool.

1996: Nigeria come from 3-1 down to beat Brazil 4-3 with a golden goal in the Olympic football semi-finals in Atlanta.

1956: On this day in 1956, England's Jim Laker completes a match haul of 19-90 against Australia at Old Trafford.

He had taken nine for 37 in the first innings and all 10 for 53 in the second. England won the Test by an innings and 170 runs.

1902: Former England cricket captain Gubby Allen is born. The fast bowler was three months short of his 46th birthday when he played his 25th and last Test match in the West Indies in 1948.