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There hasn't been much for the Blues (in red) from left - Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett and Mark Tele'a to celelbrate of late but they managed to beat the Hurricanes PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPNHY The Blues have held on for an important 19-18 victory over the Hurricanes, just their second win of the season. Beauden Barrett was the difference contributing 16 points in a tense encounter dominated by defence. The Hurricanes had a late chance to win the game when they stole a Hurricanes lineout with 90 seconds to go. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland City held to draw in OFC league Black Caps cleansweep Pakistan in ODI's Auckland FC held to draw by Wanderers First back-to-back wins for Moana Pasifika Tuatara, Nuggets soar to NBL road victories However, Barrett and Mark Tele’a bundled Kini Naholo into touch for the victory. The Blues were forced to fight hard after captain Patrick Tuipulotu went to the bin for a high shot. They managed the numbers perfectly, with Barrett adding first points before the Hurricanes’ Peter Lakai was denied a try for obstruction. Fellow back-rower Braydon Iose couldn’t be denied minutes later as they marched into the lead. The five-pointer was quickly answered by prop Marcel Renata, diving over from a quick tap play to allow Barrett to level the scores before half-time. Ngantungane Punivai gave the Hurricanes the lead on the hour mark when the winger waltzed over the line for an 18-16 lead. Barrett stepped up and nailed the long-range penalty goal that would prove the difference. The Blues face cross-town rivals Moana Pasifika, next round. The Hurricanes keep their spot in the top six after their losing bonus point, but face a tough task home to the Crusaders. Dscipline let the Highlanders down in their clash with the Force in Perth which ended in a 29-20 defeat. The Highlanders were ahead 20-7 near the end of the first half , but the home side then scored the next 22 points to seal the five-tries-to-two win. A big turning point came in the 45th minute when Force winger Harry Potter busted over for a try with the home side trailing 20-19. As Potter went over, Highlanders No.8 Sean Withy slid in knees first and collected the Force winger in the head. Potter went off for a HIA assessment, while Withy was given a yellow card, which was soon upgraded to a red. It meant the Highlanders were reduced to 14 men for the next 20 minutes and the Force extended their lead to 29-20 when substitute George Poolman went over following a slicing run from Max Burey. Force centre Sio Tomkinson was yellow carded three minutes later after tipping his opponent off the ball, but the Highlanders briefly went down to 13 men when Jona Nareki was sent off for his team's repeated penalties. Meanwhile the Crusaders bounced back in convincing style, overpowering Fijian Drua 31-14 for their first-ever Super Rugby win at Suva's ANZ Stadium. Halfback Noah Hotham had the visitors on top quickly, scoring in the corner in the third minute, with lock Antonio Shalfoon and winger Chay Fihaki following suit for a 17-0 halftime advantage. Both teams made a number of handling errors in the hot and humid conditions, but the Crusaders put the game beyond reach, when wing Macca Springer and hooker Ioane Moananu added two more tries in the second half. Down 31-0, the Drua had back-to-back tries by Isikeli Rabitu and Etonia Waqa from deep inside their own half but weren't able to sustain their effort. Western Force 29 ( Carlo Tizzano, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Mac Grealy, Harry Potter, George Poolman tries; Ben Donaldson 2 con) Highlanders 20 (Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert tries; Gilbert 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 19-20. Blues 19  (Marcel Renata try; Beauden Barrett 1 con 4 pen)  Hurricanes 18  (Ngatungane Punivai, Braydon Iose; Cons: Rile Hohepa 1 con 2 pen) Crusaders 31 (Noah Hotham, Antonio Shalfoon, Chay Fihaki, Macca Springer, Ioane Moananu; Taha Kemara 2 con, James O'Connor con) Fijian Drua 14 ( Isikeli Rabitu, Etonia Waqa tries; Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2 con). HT: 17-0

Felipe Gallegos celebrates the goal for Auckland Fc in the draw with the Wanderers PHOTO: AUCKLAND FC Auckland FC and Western Sydney Wanderers have played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at a packed Mt Smart Stadium Western Sydney dominated the first-half but it was Auckland FC who led at the break; Felipe Gallegos curling his strike into the back of the net from the edge of the box after he was gifted the ball off an errant pass by Wanderers goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas. LATEST HEADLINES: First back-to-back wins for Moana Pasifika Tuatara, Nuggets soar to NBL road victories Chiefs defeat Reds in damp top-of-table clash Lawson improving in Japanese GP practice Weather chaos at NZ Stroke Play tournament The visitors put themselves level in the 51st minute though as forward Nicolas Milanovic bagged his 11th goal of the season with a fierce low shot that caught goalkeeper Alex Paulsen off-guard. The result sees Auckland FC extend their lead out to eight points at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder. The Wanderers looked much the more likely when it came to opening the scoring and it was form Wellington Phoenix midfielder Bozhidar Kraev who was at the heart of the action. First, the Bulgarian was denied by goalkeeper Paulsen from close range after slamming the ball straight at the keeper’s head as he raced off his line to close the angle. Kraev then thought he’d bagged the opener in the 29th minute after finishing off a stunning team move however the goal was eventually chalked off following a VAR review with the officials highlighting forward Zac Sapsford as having been in an offside position when receiving the first pass. In typical Auckland FC fashion they then punished their opponents right before half-time. Minutes after defender Marlee Francois was denied by Thomas and Francis De Vries then slammed the follow-up off the outside of the post following a scramble inside the box, Seemingly under no pressure when attempting to play out from the back, Thomas slipped as he tried to lift the ball over the Auckland press and played it straight to the feet of Gallegos and the Chilean did the rest net to make it 1-0. Then Max Mata thought he’d scored one of the goals of the season with an outrageous bicycle kick only to see his effort tipped over the bar by Thomas. Despite being dealt that hammer blow before half-time though the Wanderers responded well after the break and soon levelled things up. Receiving the ball on the right edge of the Auckland box, Milanovic cut inside on his left foot and sent a fizzing low shot towards goal which caught keeper Paulsen by surprise as Brandon Borrello ran across his line of sight and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Close makring in Auckland City FC's draw with Rewa FC in the OFC Champions League PHOTO: OFC Auckland City FC have been held to a 1-1 draw by Fijian football side Rewa FC to complete their OFC Men's Champions League 2025 group stage at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. Auckland led for the vast majority of the game but were pegged back by a dramatic late Rewa equaliser in injury-time from Solomon Islands international John Orobulu. It's a result that changes neither team's fate though, with Auckland City FC having secured top spot in Group A and safe passage to the semi-finals, and Rewa having already been eliminated. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps cleansweep Pakistan in ODI's Auckland FC held to draw by Wanderers First back-to-back wins for Moana Pasifika Tuatara, Nuggets soar to NBL road victories Chiefs defeat Reds in damp top-of-table clash Auckland City coach Paul Posa made nine changes to his starting eleven from the win over AS Tiga Sport with his side's place in the last four secured. Despite the new combinations, it took just twelve minutes to open the scoring, as the Navy Blues settled into their work straight away. Haris Zeb backed up his injury-time goal in the previous group game with another, turning onto his left foot and picking out the top right corner of the net with a stunning strike from the top of the penalty box to give Auckland City the early lead. Rewa stopped the floodgates from opening though and really should have scored when John Orubulu was played through on-goal. He poked the ball wide of the bottom left corner with just Connor Tracey to beat before Josaia Sela failed to put his foot on the end of a promising delivery to the back post moments later. The Fijians were creating chances but lacked accuracy and that was emphasised by Bruce Hughes who lashed a shot wide of the right post after running onto a long ball in-behind the Auckland City defence on the half-hour mark. Haris Zeb almost added a second goal when he traded passes with Ryan de Vries near the edge of the box but struck his left-footed effort into the side-netting. Despite opportunities for both sides, it remained just a one-goal advantage for Auckland City FC at the half-time break. Paul Posa’s side dished out a lesson in game management in the second half, slowing it down and controlling the tempo. Twice, Otto Ingham had the chance to score his first goal in Auckland City colours but sent a long-range effort wide of the bottom right corner, before blasting a volley over the top after being set up by Gerard Garriga in front of goal. Matty Ellis should have added the nail in the coffin late in injury-time but shanked his effort over the crossbar from point-blank range after a good delivery from Jerson Lagos. With fifteen minutes to play, Rewa pressed forward in an attempt to claim a late equaliser and finish their campaign on a high. John Orobulu capitalised on a defensive error down the right flank but flashed a hopeful shot just over the crossbar from a tight angle out wide. He had the last laugh deep into the fifth minute of injury-time storming forward into the penalty box and nudging the ball past Connor Tracey to level the game and end Rewa's campaign on a positive note. Auckland City FC will move on to face the runners-up from Group B in Wednesday's semi-final at the National Stadium in Honiara, whilst Rewa FC head back to Fiji having been eliminated. Rewa FC 1 (John Or0bulu 90+5') Auckland City FC 1 (Haris ZEB 12’) HT: 0-1

Australian Will Hickey has made an immediate impact for the Auckland Tuatara in the National Basketball League (NBL). Hickey, the defacto MVP of the Australian NBL Finals series last month, recorded the first triple-double of the NBL season on Friday night, pushing the Tuatara to a 92-82 win over the Southland Sharks in Invercargill. LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs defeat Reds in damp top-of-table clash Lawson improving in Japanese GP practice Weather chaos at NZ Stroke Play tournament Season-ending injury for Nix import Geraldes All Whites rise to highest ranking since 2013 Hickey racked up 29 points (11/20 FG, 6/7 FT) in his first game in the New Zealand league, adding 11 rebounds and 11 assists to his stat-line, with the Sharks unable to contain the 6-foot-5 guard. American guard Charles Pride had his best game in Tuatara teal, finishing with 19 points (5/14 FG, 3/9 3pt, 6/6 FT), 13 boards and six steals, while Tall Blacks centre Rob Loe had 16 points (5/8 FG, 3/6 3pt) and four rebounds, and Tom Vodanovich 14 points (5/14 FG, 3/11 3pt) and two steals. Import forward Keylan Boone was equally unstoppable for Southland, going off for 35 points (13/30 FG, 6/16 3pt), eight rebounds and three steals, but did not have the scoring support Hickey received. Will Hickey recorded the first triple-double of the NBL season in his first game for the Tuatara. PHOTO: NBL Fellow Americans Josiah Allick went for 19 points (7/12 FG, 2/3 3pt) and seven boards, and Caleb Asberry 16 points (6/10 FG), six rebounds and six steals. Alonzo Burton also had nine points and five boards. Auckland never trailed in the game, with an 11-0 run early in the second quarter putting them up 12 points. Southland closed within five in the third period but the Tuatara's lead hovered between 10-15 points most of the fourth. The Tuatara (2-3) complete the Deep South Double-Header against the Otago Nuggets (3-2) in Dunedin on Sunday (tip-off 1pm), while the Sharks (1-4) are away to the Indian Panthers (0-5) later in the day (tip-off 6.30pm). The Sharks avoided the sweep, winning the Sky Broadband Rapid League game 43-38, with Dane Bertinshaw and Tukaha Cooper each scoring 11 points. In Friday night's other game, the Otago Nuggets won their third straight, surging in the second half to a 98-77 win over the winless Panthers at Pulman Arena. American guard Donald Carey Jr scored 22 points (9/15 FG, 3/6 3pt), six rebounds and six assists, supported by 19 points (7/15 FG, 3/8 3pt) and six boards from one-game Tall Black Jono Janssen and 18 points (6/12 FG, 6/9 FT), nine rebounds, 13 assists and two steals from import forward Jose Perez. Kiwi guard Jaylen Gerrand put up a game-high 29 points (10/18 FG, 5/8 3pt, 4/6 FT) for the Panthers, with American guard Alex Robinson Jr managing 18 points (6/16 FG, 2/6 3pt, 4/5 FT), eight boards and seven assists. Like the Tuatara, the Nuggets never trailed, gradually building their lead throughout, before a 22-7 stretch in the fourth period turned it into a blowout. The Nuggets return to the Edgar Centre to host the Tuatara on Sunday, while the Panthers host the Sharks in Pukekohe later in the day. Patrick Freeman scored 16 points and Matthew Bardsley 10 points as the Nuggets pulled away for a 47-26 win over the Panthers in the Rapid League contest. Auckland Tuatara 102  (Davo Hickey 29, Charles Pride 19, Rob Loe 16, Tom Vodanovich 14) Southland Sharks 92  (Keylan Boone 35, Josiah Allick 19, Caleb Asberry 16). 1Q: 30-27, HT: 56-39, 3Q: 78-64 Otago Nuggets 98 (Donald Carey Jr 22, Jono Janssen 19, Jaylen Sebree 18, Jose Perez 18) Indian Panthers 77 (Jaylen Gerrand 29, Alex Robinson Jr 18, Tushal Singh 11). 1Q: 22-15, HT: 50-44, 3Q: 72-58

A fifth place in practice two of the Japanese GP for Liam Lawson PHOTO: RED BULL RACING Liam Lawson has looked impressive in his second practice for the Racing Bulls at the Japanese Formula 1 race. Lawson, whose spot at Red Bull was taken by Yuki Tsunoda post-China, finished a disrupted day at the Suzuka Circuit – 13th in the first practice and fifth in the second. LATEST HEADLINES: Weather chaos at NZ Stroke Play golf Nix import Geraldes season end injury All Whites highest ranking since 2013 Saints hold on for win over Bulls in NBL Routliffe into semis; Watts, Reynolds win In the later practice he was behind only Oscar Piastri, Landon Norris, team mate Isack Hadjar and Lewis Hamilton. . More importantly he finished ahead of Max Verstappen in eighth and Tsuonda in 18th. Asked for his thoughts after stepping out of the car, Lawson said: “It was a good day. Nice to be driving, nice to be driving at Suzuka again. “It’s a very cool track. With the resurfacing, Sector 1 is even faster now, so it just feels like it’s tearing your head off, which is quite exciting. “But yeah, all in all a good day. Obviously tomorrow’s the more important one.”

James Watt (left) and Finn Reynolds are into the final of a US$100k Challenger in Mexico PHOTO: MORELOS OPEN A huge result for the New Zealand doubles pair of Finn Reynolds and James Watt at the US$100,000 Morelos Open Challenger. They beat third seeds Francis Alcantara (Philippines) and Pruchya Isaro (Thailand) 6-3 2-6 17-15 in 1 hour 22 minutes to reach the final in Mexico on Friday (Saturday NZ Time). LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs defeat Reds in Super Rugby clash Weather chaos at NZ Stroke Play tournament Season-ending injury for Nix import Geraldes All Whites rise to highest ranking since 2013 Saints start fast, hold on to beat Bulls in NBL In the previous round Reynolds and Watts defeated Ray Ho (Chinese Taipei) and Govind Nanda (USA) 6-4 6-3. Watt has an ATP ranking of 301 and Reynolds 185. By making the final the 50 rankings points will push them to new career highs. Meanwhile world No 45 Lulu Sun will headline the New Zealand Billie Jean King Cup team as they seek promotion in their Asia/Oceania Group 1 event, held in Pune, India from 8-12 April. The event features Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, India, Korea Republic and Thailand alongside New Zealand, with the top two teams qualifying for World Group Play-Offs in November. The New Zealand squad will be seeded fourth and also features kiwi No 2 Monique Barry who has a WTA ranking of 486 and 263 in singles and doubles respectively and three young debutants in Aishi Das, Sasha Situe and Renee Zhang. Erin Routliffe, who has been a regular feature in the New Zealand team is unavailable for the April event due to her schedule conflicts. A number of other players were unable to be released from college and schedule commitments. Matt Hair returns as team captain after leading the side in last year in China where New Zealand finished third on count-back. The event features a round-robin format, with national teams competing in head-to-head ties each day, made up of two singles and one doubles rubber

Jelena Ostapenko (left) and Erin Routliffe share a joke during their quarterfinal win in Charleston PHOTO: CHARLESTON OPEN A couple of New Zealand doubles pairings have had success in the United States this week. Erin Routliffe and Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko are into the semifinals of the WTA's Charleston Open after scoring a 2-6 6-3 10-2 victory over Viktoriya Tomova from Bulgaria and America’s Katie Volynets in the first round. LATEST HEADLINES: Duffy top of ICC T20I bowling rankings Rams shoot to road win over Airs in NBL Auckland City advance to OFC semifinals Late Black Caps batting wins second ODI Tactix confirm Pedersen as 2025 captain In the quarters, they then defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova from Russia and China’s Zhang Shuai 7-5 6-3 on the green clay surface. At the ATP Challenger event at Morelos, Mexico, the Kiwi combination of Finn Reynolds and James Watt have defeated Americans George Goldhoff and Trey Hilderbrand in the first round. The 7-6(11) 6-4 win over the second seeds at the US$100,000 tournament will give the New Zealand duo 16 ATP doubles ranking points. In the semifinals, Reynolds and Watts face Ray Ho (Chiese Taipei) and Govind Nanda (United States). At the US$125 WTA tournament in Antalya, Turkey, Paige Hourigan and Rutuja Bhosale, from India, are still awaiting the start of their first round doubles match.

The Chiefs have moved into Super Rugby Pacific's top spot after edging the Queensland Reds 27-15 in a tough battle. Damian McKenzie's boot proved the difference - accounting for 12 points - as both teams scored three tries in the driving rain in the top-of-the-table clash at Hamilton's FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Weather chaos at NZ Stroke Play tournament Season-ending injury for Nix import Geraldes All Whites rise to highest ranking since 2013 Saints start fast, hold on to beat Bulls in NBL Jacob Duffy top of ICC T20I bowling rankings In wing Shaun Stevenson's 100th Super Rugby match for the Chiefs, captain Luke Jacobson, reserve hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and replacement halfback Xavier Roe crossed the line for last year's beaten finalists. McKenzie went perfect off the tee, kicking three conversions and two penalties, while Queensland's Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Tom Lynagh combined to miss all three conversion attempts in the wet. Jacobson got the Chiefs on the board just three minutes into the match, running one-off a ruck in the shadow of the posts and muscling his way over through the tackle attempts of three Reds players. The Chiefs scored two late tries to seal their victory over the Queensland Reds. PHOTO: SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC The Reds, coming in as Super Rugby's leading side for the first time since 2012, hit back through hooker Matt Faessler and flanker Joe Brial, while McKenzie added his first penalty as the teams went to the break level at 10-10. There were question marks over Brial's grounding but they were waved away by the television match official, who was thrust into the spotlight again after the break when McLaughlin-Phillips beat the line and was awarded the try as he slid onto the line. But the five-pointer was reversed when the TMO adjudged the first-five to have lost the ball before reaching the line. Former Hurricanes prop Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen was yellow-carded in the 42nd minute for making high contact at a ruck but the Chiefs could not capitalise with the man-advantage. However, McKenzie did kick his second penalty to put the home side ahead 13-10. The Reds' resilience continued with key defensive plays from Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson and Filipo Daugunu to stall the host's charge. But eventually their line was breached for a second time when Taukei'aho rolled over behind a maul in the 71st minute, before Roe's try iced the contest for the hosts. Wilson showed his class with a left-footed grubber to gift Lynagh a Reds try in injury-time. "It was a sloppy scene out there," Jacobson said post-match. "We've just got to be clinical. It's tough in weather like this but you don't make excuses and there was some awesome play out there tonight, so we've got to be happy." In Round 9, the Chiefs (6-0-1, 26 points) head to Sydney to take on the fifth-placed NSW Waratahs on Friday (kick-off 9.35pm NZ Time, while the Reds (5-0-2, 23 points) must regroup ahead of a home clash with the fourth-placed ACT Brumbies next Saturday. Chiefs 27 (Luke Jacobson, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Xavier Roe tries; Damian McKenzie 3 con, 2 pen) Queensland Reds 15 (Matt Faessler, Joe Brial, Tom Lynagh tries). HT: 10-10

Phoenix import player Frnacisco Geraldes is out injured for the remainder of the season PHOTO: WELLINGTON PHOENIX The Wellington Phoenix will be without Francisco ‘Chico’ Geraldes for the remainder of the 2024-25 A-League. The Portuguese midfielder has injured the meniscus in his left knee and will be sidelined for the next three months. LATEST HEADLINES: All Whites highest ranking since 2013 Saints hold on for win over Bulls in NBL Routliffe into semis; Watts, Reynolds win Duffy on top of ICC T20I bowling rankings Rams shoot way to NBL road win over Airs Geraldes joined the Phoenix on loan in February and has started the men’s past five A-League matches, quickly showing his quality. He provided the final pass for Kosta Barbarouses’ equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Sydney FC last month before scoring his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers in Wellington last Saturday. The injury is a major setback for Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano. “It’s very disappointing because for a large part Chico’s given us a different dimension,” Italiano said. “We were starting to build a bit of continuity and were starting to look very dangerous moving forward. “That’s not to say we can’t get the job done without Chico, but it does put a dent in our preparation.” Italiano is keen to extend Geraldes’ stay in the capital beyond this season. “I think he’d be a great addition, not only to our team but the A-League in general. “You can see what kind of skill he has. He’s a great dribbler of the ball, he’s very composed on the ball, he’s not scared of taking players on and he can score. “I’d love to have him next year. I think he’d be great. If we can make it happen, we’ll make it happen, but unfortunately it’s not straightforward. “There’s a lot of water to go under that bridge, but the intention is if I can make it happen I will make it happen.”

Defending NZ Stroke Play champion Robby Turnbull is in second after two weather disrupted rounds PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The New Zealand Stroke Play Championship on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour has been battered by bad weather at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club for 2025. Over 144 golfers have been tested by the conditions on the first two days. The majortity of competitors finishing their second round, LATEST HEADLINES: Nix import Geraldes season end injury All Whites highest ranking since 2013 Saints hold on for win over Bulls in NBL Routliffe into semis; Watts, Reynolds win Duffy on top of ICC T20I bowling rankings Tyler Wood leads the men's tournament by one shot at six-under after a 70 in his first round, however he has completed just half of his second round. At five-under are Kerry Mountcastle, Cooper Moore and Robby Turnbull who won as a 17-year-old amateur last year. Jake Meenhorst sits alone at four-under in fifth place however he's finished just four holes of his second round at two-over after a 65 in the first round. Other notable names down the order include Gareth Paddison and Josh Geary at one-under in 10th place while Tyler Hodge is one-over midway through his second round. Meanwhile the women's tournament has had some high scoring. Emma Zheng leads at even-par through eight holes of her second round after a 71 in the first. At six-over are Chloe So and Yuetong Xin and the scoring gets worse from there.

The All Whites are up 86th in the latest FIFa World Rankings PHOTO: OFC/PHOTOTEK New Zealand has improved three places to 86th in the latest FIFA World Rankings their highest ranking since 2013. After defeating Fiji and New Caledonia in the Oceania qualifying New Zealand earned what will be the All Whites third appearance at the World Cup in 2026. LATEST HEADLINES: Saints hold on for win over Bulls in NBL Routliffe into semis; Watts, Reynolds win Duffy on top of ICC T20I bowling rankings Rams shoot way to NBL road win over Airs Auckland City advance to OFC semifinals Overall the highest ranking the All Whites has had is 47th, achieved in August 2002, the lowest is 161st in May 2016. Argentina remain at the top of the men's rankings thanks to impressive away wins against Uruguay (1-0) and at home to Brazil (4-1). Spain have moved up one spot to second with France slipping to third while England are fourth and Brazil fifth. The The Netherlands are sixth swapping with Portugal sevent followed by Gelguim, Italy and Germany rounding out the top 10. Myanmar are the biggest climbers in terms of ranking moving up seven places to 162nd. The next rankings are due in July.

Dominant first and third quarters have boosted the Wellington Saints to their third win of the National Basketball League (NBL) season. Despite scoring just nine points in the fourth period, the Mills Albert Saints held on for a low-scoring 78-72 Sal’s NBL victory over the Logik Franklin Bulls at Wellington's TSB Arena on Thursday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Routliffe into semis; Watts, Reynolds win Duffy on top of ICC T20I bowling rankings Rams shoot way to NBL road win over Airs Auckland City advance to OFC semifinals Late Black Caps batting wins second ODI Tactix confirm Pedersen as 2025 captain The job was done offensively early as the Saints jumped out to a 32-19 lead after the first period, then defensively as they held the Bulls to just eight points in the third quarter, extending their advantage to 22 points. The Saints led by 27 points with 6:15 remaining before completely switching off, not scoring again until four late Shaun Bruce free-throws iced the game, with the Bulls finishing the game on a 27-4 run to ensure a couple of nervous moments. Australian guard Shaun Bruce scored a game-high 21 points (6/15 FG, 3/5 3pt, 6/6 FT) to go with six rebounds and five assists, while American centre Nick Muszynski recorded a double-double, with 14 points (6/9 FG), 10 boards and two steals. Hyrum Harris had 14 points and at least five rebounds, assists and steals for the Saints. PHOTO: SAINTS Wings Hyrum Harris and Nick Marshall also scored 14 points, Harris going 6-of-14 from the field and adding six rebounds, five assists and five steals, and Marshall 6-of-17, along with eight boards. Despite a tough shooting night, Izayah Le'afa managed eight assists and four steals. German centre Till Gloger led the Bulls with 19 points (7/11 FG, 5/6 FT), while naturalised veteran Marcel Jones chimed in with 15 points (6/8 FG, 3/4 3pt) and six boards off the bench. American guard Tae Hardy had 11 points, five assists and two steals, and the Cameron brothers, Flynn and Tobias, each scored 10 points. Flynn Cameron also had six boards, five assists and two steals. The Saints (3-2) head to Palmerston North on Sunday (tip-off 3pm) to take on the Manawatū Jets (3-2), while the Bulls (4-2) host the Canterbury Rams (4-1) next on Wednesday (tip-off 7pm). The Saints went 2-for-2 on the night, with Rangimarie Dougall-Mita top-scoring with nine points and six rebounds in a 32-24 Sky Broadband Rapid League win over the Bulls. Wellington Saints 78 (Shaun Bruce 21, Hyrum Harris 14, Nick Marshall 14, Nick Muszynski 14) Franklin Bulls 72 (Till Gloger 19, Marcel Jones 15, Tae Hardy 11, Flynn Cameron 10, Tobias Cameron 10). 1Q: 32-19, HT: 51-37, 3Q: 69-45