Search Results

Paul Coll works a forehand lob in his semfiinal win over Mohamed ElShorbagy in the semis in London PHOTO: PSA WORLD TOUR Paul Coll has reached the final of the Optasia Championships in London after a comeback from two sets down in his semifinal. He defeated Egyptian-born Englishman Mohamed ElShorbagy in 81 minutes 9-11, 9-11, 11-3, 12-10, 11-8 to edge closer to defending his title. LATEST HEADLINES: Harrington big air freeski champion Airs rout Hawks, Jets fend off Sharks Phoenix denied three points by a late goal Moana Pasifika charge past the Crusaders Black Caps defeat Pakistan in opening ODI Coll, who defeated ElShorbagy’s younger brother Marwan in five games just 24 hours earlier had to fight for every point throughout the match. The opening two games saw ElShorbagy burst out of the blocks with scintillating attacking squash, pushing up on the ’T’ line and putting Coll under severe amounts of pressure across the court. However, after powering to a two-game advantage, ElShorbagy required a physio break for a back injury, with Coll capitalising on this period of troubled movement to take a one-sided third game and reduce the deficit. Despite ElShorbagy still not being back to his physical best in the fourth game, the Englishman managed to go toe-to-toe with Coll in a thrilling finale. ElShorbagy reeled off seven straight points in the mid stages of the fourth game to sit on the cusp of victory, but Coll refused to give in, pulling off a double dive point when 9-8 down to keep himself in the contest. After securing the subsequent fourth-game tie-break, the pair remained inseparable, with ElShorbagy narrowly edging ahead at 8-7 up in the decider. However, from there it was No.2 seed Coll who managed to grab the momentum at just the right time, taking four straight points to take victory after 81 minutes of enthralling play. “It was a match that I had to work my way into. It probably wasn’t my smoothest match, but I think at the back end of the second I really found something that was missing in those last two days,” said Coll. “When I get in the zone and I need to get every ball back, the dives just come out. I’m proud of my fight today and like I said I felt I played well in the last three games, but when Mohamed gets a sniff he can just be so hard to play against.” Second seed Coll will face Egyptian Mostafa Asal in the final.

Luca Harrington, the freeski big air world champion. PHOTO: MIHA MATAVZ FIS PARK & PIPE Wanaka's Luca Harrington has been crowned the 2025 FIS freeski big air world champion. It's the first time a New Zealand freeskier has won the freeski big air world title and also is Harrington’s first world championship title. LATEST HEADLINES: Airs rout Hawks, Jets fend off Sharks Phoenix denied three points by a late goal Moana Pasifika charge past the Crusaders Black Caps defeat Pakistan in opening ODI Ko, Fox race up leaderboard at US events Harrington was the top qualifier in the Corvatch finals in Switzerland, giving him the advantageous position of dropping last into each of the three finals runs. Big air format takes the best two scoring tricks (that must be performed in two different directions) and combines them for a total overall score. “I am so honoured, this season has been just incredible for me and to top it all off with the world champs win is such an honour, it is a dream of mine coming true and I am so grateful to be here right now," said the 21-year-old Harrington put down a right triple corked 1980 safety grab for his first run, scoring a 92.00 which was a great first score on the board. Dropping into his second run, Harrington stomped his one-of-a-kind trademark switch right triple corked 1800 esco grab. The judges loved it and rewarded him with a massive 96.75, the highest score of the competition. “Honestly, after my first run I was a little surprised but super stoked on what the judges scored it and that gave me a lot of confidence to send it on my second run. “That trick [triple corked 1800 esco grab] is my speciality and I knew I could put it down. That was the cleanest I had landed it here, it was crazy and I was in shock, I just couldn’t believe it!” As the last athlete to drop, Harrington’s third and final run was a victory lap but knowing he could execute his first run trick more cleanly, Harrington went all in an put down a textbook right triple corked 1980 safety grab to up his score on this trick to a 95.25. With a total combined score of 192.00, Harrington took the world title by significant margin, 7.75 points ahead of his nearest competitor. Elias Syrja of Finland secured his first career major podium finishing in second and Beijing 2022 big air gold medalist and 2025 slopestyle world champion Birk Ruud of Norway rounded out the podium in third. Harrinton had five World Cup podiums, including two gold, X Games gold and two silver medals, New Zealand’s first-ever FIS Freeski Crystal Globe and now a world championship title in his season. He will now take a break from competition as Europe changes seasons into spring.

Ardie Savea inspired Moana Pasifika to its first win over the Crusaders PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Moana Pasifika have caused a major Super Rugby upset beating the Crusaders 45-29 in Christchurch. It is the first win for Moana Pasifika over the Crusaders despite having lost their previous encounters by an average of 25 points. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps beat Pakistan in first ODI Ko, Fox race up US event leaderboards Whai, Bulls improve to 4-1 records in NBL Hurricanes rout Tahs; Highlanders beaten NZ's Coll closes in on London title defence Inspirational captain Ardie Savea crossed for a double in the first 15 minutes as a yellow card to Cullen Grace opened the door for a Moana Pasifika side doing everything right to strike. Late starter Danny Toala barged over the line to extend Moana Pasifika’s lead to 21-10, only for Patrick Pellegrini to add to it in the 34th minute. The Crusaders were left all at sea as the visitors dominated the stats counter heading into the break. Macca Springer inspired hope for a comeback and when Codie Taylor crossed from the bench, it seemed inevitable the Crusaders would come all the way back and deny Moana Pasifika the win. Miracle Faiilagi continued his breakout season with a crucial try just after the hour mark to hand them a 16-point lead. When Pepesana Patafilo dived over three minutes later, the result was secured for the bottom ranked side. Mitchell Drummond got a late consolation try for the Crusaders but it was all about Moana Pasifika as they soaked up the famous win. It sees the visitors leap into ninth position ahead of defending champions and cross-town rivals Blues. As for the Crusaders, they are left to lament a missed chance to go top, with the Queensland Reds now able to rise to the top of the ladder with a win over the Reds. Moana Pasifika 45 (Ardie Savea 2, Pepesana Patafilo, Danny Toala, Miracle Faiilagi, Patrick Pellegrini tries, Pellegrini 6 con, 1 pen) Crusaders 29 (Ioane Moanau, Macca Springer, Codie Taylor, Mitchell Drummond tries, James O'Connor 2 con, 1 pen, Rivez Reihana con)

A late Western Sydney Wanderers goal has denied the Wellington Phoenix their first home win of 2025. Forward Nicolas Milanovic scored in the 89th minute to secure Wanderers a 2-2 draw with an understrength but impressive Phoenix at Wellington's Sky Stadium in A-League Round 24 on Saturday. LATEST HEADLINES: Moana Pasifika charge past the Crusaders Black Caps defeat Pakistan in opening ODI Ko, Fox race up leaderboard at US events Whai, Bulls improve to 4-1 records in NBL Hurricanes rout Tahs; Highlanders beaten The Nix had led 1-0 and 2-1 thanks to goals from Corban Piper and Chico Geraldes only to be pegged back by equalisers from former fan favourite Bozhidar Kraev and then Milanovic. “I’m disappointed,” a frustrated head coach Giancarlo Italiano said post-match. “I thought we should have held out. I think the boys merited, especially in the second half, a win. “There was good energy first 15-20 minutes. Even towards the end there, we had a couple of good chances but couldn’t capitalise. “But credit to them, they’re a good team, they throw numbers forward very quickly, very dangerously.“I thought we alleviated that threat the first half. Second half we were a little bit more spent physically, especially the last 10.” Italiano made four changes to the XI which started the 1-1 draw with Sydney FC before the international break, with Piper, Hideki Ishige, Kazuki Nagasawa and Luke Brooke-Smith replacing suspended captain Alex Rufer and the injured trio of Scott Wootton, Paulo Retre and Isaac Hughes. Tim Payne led the Phoenix in Rufer’s absence. Payne also deputised at centre back, alongside Matt Sheridan, with Piper and Sam Sutton the two fullbacks. “I was very happy with our makeshift backline. Having Shez and Payney as my two centre backs, and I thought Corbs defended well for large parts as well.“I was happy that we built on the week before. “You could see there were glimpses against Sydney of Chico, Kosta, Rufs coming back. My worry was today that we had a lot of players that had different loading, but very happy with the effort.” Corban Piper heads in the Wellington Phoenix's first goal against Wanderers. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY It was a cagey start to the match with few attacking opportunities for either side. Milanovic created the first chance out of nothing in the ninth minute when he turned and volleyed to draw a good reflex save from Josh Oluwayemi. The Phoenix scored from the next shot on target in the 21st minute, with Piper giving Wellington the lead when he met a left-wing corner from Hideki Ishige with a thumping header. Western Sydney had a good period after going behind with Bozhidar Kraev shooting over the bar after finding some space outside the penalty area before Zach Sapsford had a shot deflect wide of goal. Phoenix goalscorer Chico Geraldes celebrates with Sam Sutton. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Chico Geraldes also had a blasted a shot over Wanderers’ goal from distance before Kraev drew the visitors’ level in the 36th minute. He slotted home into an unguarded net after a well-placed cutback from Milanovic, who drew Oluwayemi out of his goal at the near post. The Nix threatened to level almost immediately, with Western Sydney ‘keeper Lawrence Thomas doing well to keep out a dangerous left-wing corner from Ishige. Back down the other end of the pitch Oluwayemi also did well to keep out a powerful effort from Socceroo Brandon Borrello to ensure it remained level at halftime. Wellington made a strong start to the second with Geraldes producing a spectacular volley from long-range that drew a good save from Thomas. The Phoenix earned a free-kick soon after and Wanderers did well to scramble clear the initial danger before blocking Brooke-Smith’s follow up. Ishige drew another save from Thomas shortly before the hour mark and the Nix managed to deny Western Sydney clear goalscoring opportunities. Geraldes put Wellington back in front in the 69th minute with a well-taken goal. The final pass came from Kosta Barbarouses moving him clear at the top as the A-League’s all-time assist leader with 46. Western Sydney had a good spell after going behind, with Milanovic a constant threat. He produced a stinging long-range shot that Oluwayemi managed to push around his near post and then shot wide of goal after being slipped in behind by Kraev. Milanovic made no mistake in the 89th minute when he cut into the box and smashed a shot into the back of the net. Both sides had chances in time added on. Oluwayemi made a good save to deny Wanderers substitute Marcus Antonsson before Piper shot over the bar from six yards out after a left-wing cross from Barbarouses narrowly missed the head of Nathan Walker, who was one of two Nix players to come off the bench in the second half. The Phoenix are back across the Tasman next week to play Newcastle Jets on Sunday (kick-off 7pm NZ Time). Wellington Phoenix 2 (Corban Piper 21', Francisco Geraldes 69') Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Bozhidar Kraev 36', Nicolas Milanovic 89'). HT: 1-1

Mark Chapman celebrates scoring a century in the first ODI against Pakistan PHOTO: ICC The Black Caps have cruised to a 73 run win in the first One Day Internationl against Pakistan played in Napier. Things didn't start so well for the home side on a pitch which aided the bowlers and had the Black Caps 50-3 after Will Young was out for one, debutant Nick Kelly 15 and Henry Nicholls 11. LATEST HEADLINES: Ko, Fox race up US event leaderboards Whai, Bulls improve to 4-1 records in NBL Hurricanes rout Tahs; Highlanders beaten NZ's Coll closes in on London title defence Boucher switches from BBNZ to Breakers However a 199 run stand by Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell set things straight from a slow build up to some explosive hitting helped take the 344-9 in the 50 overs. Chapman scored 132 from 111 balls including six sixes and 13 fours. Mitchell ended up wiht 76 runs from 84 balls. NewcomerMuhammad Abbas scored 52 from 26 balls with three sixes and and three fours totake the total well above 300 The Pakistan bowlers were almost unplayable early on, but eventually bled a staggering 43 extras In their turn at bat Pakistan had an opening stand of 83 between Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan with 36 and 39 respectively. Stars Bbar Azzm and and Mohammad Rizwan made 78 and 30 each and Salman Agha 58 as the top order looked solid. But some inspired bowling by Will O'Rourke 1-38 from 10 overs as well as Jacob Duffy taking 2-57 and Nathan Smith 4-60. Michael Bracewell took one wicket as did Abbas as the visitors were all out for 271 after 44.1 overs. Game two of the three-match series is on Wednesday in Hamilton.

Lydia Ko is top-10 at the LPGA tournament in Arizona after a successsful second round PHOTO: LPGA A couple of startling second rounds for both Lydia Ko and Ryan Fox at LPGA and PGA tournaments in the United States. Fox had his round suspended by bad weather in Texas and is tied eighth with three holes to be completed. LATEST HEADLINES: Whai, Bulls improve to 4-1 records in NBL Hurricanes rout Tahs; Highlanders beaten NZ's Coll closes in on London title defence Boucher switches from BBNZ to Breakers Webster fined after sign-kicking incident However Ko did finish her second round with a 67 to go with her first round 68 and is tied ninth at Chandler, Arizona. Ko had five birdies in her round, including an eagle on the 17th. She bogeyed just one hole, the 12th in a round which improved throughout the day to finish nine-under. She is now just five shots behind the leader Lilia Vu from the United States. For Fox the day started with five par holes before he birdied the sixth, seventh and eighth holes. He continued the trend on the back nine with birdies on the 12th and 13th to sit at seven-under overall American Scottie Scheffler is the leader at 11 under having finished his round.

The Tauranga Whai and Franklin Bulls have moved to the top of the National Basketball League (NBL) standings after road victories. The Whai routed the still-makeshift Indian Panthers 102-73 at South Auckland's Pulman Arena, while the Bulls took care of the Nelson Giants 94-83 at the Trafalgar Centre in Sal’s NBL action on Friday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Hurricanes rout Tahs; Highlanders beaten NZ's Coll closes in on London title defence Boucher switches from BBNZ to Breakers Webster fined after sign-kicking incident Red Bull drop Lawson after just two races NZ Breakers squad member Sean Bairstow was a major force for the Whai, the Australian forward flirting with a triple-double before finishing with 19 points (8/16 FG, 2/3 3pt), 11 rebounds and six assists. Former Tall Blacks guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt also scored 19 points (7/16 FG, 5/10 3pt), while American point guard Chris Jones put up 17 points (7/17 FG, 3/4 FG), six boards, five assist and four steals. Import big man Talib Zanna had 12 points (5/11 FG), nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks, and Jayden Bezzant and Xanda Marsters both scored 10 points off the bench. The Panthers were again led by import point guard Alex Robinson Jr, who scored 18 points (6/15 FG, 2/4 3pt), four boards and two steals. The Tauranga Whai eased to a 29-point road victory over the Indian Panthers. PHOTO: NBL Jaylen Gerrand managed 16 points (5/11 FG, 2/7 3pt), Dante Matakatea 12 points (5/11 FG) and five blocks off the bench, and recent arrival Aaron Blessen 10 points and nine rebounds. The Panthers led by three after the first period but the Whai out-scored them 50-28 in the middle quarters and then piled on with a 27-16 fourth period. The Whai (4-1) are now off until next Saturday (tip-off 7.30pm) when they host the Hawke's Bay Hawks (3-1) at Mount Maunganui, while the Panthers (0-4) will hope for their first win, at home against the Otago Nuggets (2-2) on Friday (tip-off 7.30pm). The Panthers picked up their second Sky Broadband Rapid League win, with new arrival Tushal Singh putting up 14 points and four rebounds in a 33-31 win. Tauranga Whai 102  (Kruz Perrott-Hunt 19, Sean Bairstow 19, Chris Jones 17, Talib Zanna 12, Jayden Bezzant 10, Xanda Marsters 10) Indian Panthers 73  (Alex Robinson Jr 18, Jaylen Gerrand 16, Dante Matakatea 12, Aaron Blessen 10). 1Q: 25-28, HT: 51-43, 3Q: 75-57 The Bulls' three imports - David Okwera, Tae Hardy and Till Gloger - combined for 57 points, and Tall Blacks Flynn Cameron and Reuben Te Rangi also scored in double-digits in the pull-away win. Okwera scored a game-high 21 points (9/17 FG), along with six rebounds and four steals, while Hardy had 19 points (6/14 FG, 7/10 FT), five boards and eight assists, and German big Gloger 17 points (7/9 FG), seven rebounds and two steals. Cameron had 15 points (5/12 FG) and five boards off the bench in his first game for the Bulls, just days after appearing in a losing Game 5 of the Australian NBL Finals series for Melbourne United. Brice Johnson top-scored for the Giants, with 18 points (8/14 FG, 2/2 3pt), to go with eight rebounds and two steals, while their other two imports, Callum Dalton and Jaylen Forbes, were also in double-digits. Nelson closed within four early in the fourth on the back of a 9-2 run but the Bulls quickly restored their lead to 10-plus and kept the Giants at arm's-length. Next up, the Bulls (4-1) travel to Wellington to take on the Saints (2-1) on Thursday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Giants (0-3) head to Auckland's North Shore to battle the Tuatara (0-3) on Sunday (tip-off 6.30pm). Hayden Jones, the son of Tall Blacks legend Phill Jones, scored 14 points to lead the Giants to a 41-31 win in the Sky Broadband Rapid League contest. Franklin Bulls 94 (David Okwera 21, Tae Hardy 19, Till Gloger 17, Flynn Cameron 15, Reuben Te Rangi 14) Nelson Giants 83 (Brice Johnson 18, Callum Dalton 13, Jaylen Forbes 12, Lachlan Crate 10). 1Q: 21-15, HT: 44-40, 3Q: 67-59

Paul Coll celebrates his quarterfinal win in London PHOTO: PSA SQUASH TOUR New Zealand’s Paul Coll has won a five-game quarterfinal match over England’s Marwan ElShorbagy to keep his title defence alive at the Optasia Championships in London. Seed seed Coll won 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10 in 79 minutes in yet another tight match between the pair. LATEST HEADLINES: Hurricanes rout Tash: Highlanders lose Boucher from BBNZ to NZ Breakers Webster fined about Nuggets incident Michael Venus beaten Miami Open semis Nuggets hold off Jets in testy encounter Coll made a solid start to the match, getting in front of ElShorbagy and jumping on the volley whenever possible. However, ElShorbagy remained in touching distance on the scoreboard and responded brilliantly to take a one-game lead. The 32-year-old Coll bounced back in terrific fashion in the second, using a nice variation in his game and moving his opponent across all four corners of the court. A punishing rally at 8-8 left ElShorbagy doubled over in fatigue, and the New Zealander jumped at the chance, winning three straight points to level the match. The momentum then swun in Coll’s favour in the third, with the open nature of the rallies working to the Kiwis advantage. Coll moved away in the latter stages of the third game to sit within a game of victory, before ElShorbagy bounced back to decisively take the fourth and force a decider. ElShorbagy and Coll’s then played a 20 minute fifth game including some spectacular rallies where from match ball down, ElShorbagy managed to force a deciding tie-break, but it was Coll who managed to take his second opportunity to win the match, hitting a perfect forehand overhead volley to seal victory in fitting style. “It was a great match. He came out firing,” said Coll. “It was such a high pace, and I found myself getting caught a little bit deeper in the court sometimes. I felt I was playing well though, but he was just chucking in short so well, I felt like I was getting caught off guard.” Coll will face England’s Mohamed Elshorbagy, the older brother of Marwan in his semifinal,

Hurricanes win Kini Naholo crossed for a hat-trick as the Hurricanes were back in the form that won them the minor premiership last year. The Canes may have had tries scored against to start each half but still came away winners 57-12 in Wellington In total, the Hurricanes scored 35 unanswered points to run away with the contest. Kini Naholo was a menace for the Waratah defence scoing three tries PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Cam Roigard was again a standout with a try and an allround performance while captain Asofa Aumua also crossed for a try. The win gives the Canes a 3-3 record for the season so far. LATEST HEADLINES: Boucher from BBNZ to NZ Breakers Webster fined about Nuggets incident Michael Venus beaten Miami Open semis Nuggets hold off Jets in testy encounter Red Bull drop Lawson after just two races Meanwhil the Highlanders were beaten 34-27 by the Brumbies in Canberra Len Ikitau scored a 78th minute match-winner but the game was still alive deep in the red after Caleb Tangitau's 80th minute effort. Andy Muirhead, Corey Toole, Allan Alaalatoa and Billy Pollard all crossed for ACT while Tangitau's brace headlined a bonus-point effort featuring tries to Jona Nareki and Sam Gilbert. The Highlanders' fightback was impressive after trailing 15-5 at halftime with Gilbert's 66th minute penalty goal putting the visitors ahead 22-15 in the final quarter. But the Brumbies' scrum proved decisive, racking up five unanswered scrum penalties to set up Muirhead's crucial 72nd-minute try before Ikitau and Tangitau traded late scores to set up an explosive finish. Needing a converted try in overtime, the Highlanders even threatened to take the contest to golden point but fell undone in the 84th minute with an error, ending yet another thriller in this superb Super Rugby Pacific season. The Brumbies started on the backfoot, losing Corey Toole to the sinbin inside the first 15 seconds with a clunky head clash in the opening tackle from kick-off. With the numerical advantage, winger Jona Nareki released fellow wideman Caleb Tangitau for the match's opening try. The Highlanders didn't score again for the half as the Brumbies took control. Billy Pollard finished a mighty 17-phase move and captain Allan Alaaatoa cashed in after a rolling maul, splitting his ear in the process. The Highlanders blew a couple of chances to retake the lead, with Gilbert going over but being found to have knocked on earlier in the move, before Thomas Umaga-Jensen coughed up the ball with the try line in sight. The visiting side had been starved of the ball and looked shaky with it - until they emerged from half-time. They put on 14 points in 14 minutes to steal the lead, with Gilbert making amends after slick work from Tangitau, before Nareki screamed through the lines to score the game's best try. Larkham withdrew Rob Valentini, still recovering from a hamstring injury, on the hour mark as the contest steadied for a decisive final quarter. The Brumbies returned to their patient first-half ways, Toole sidestepping over the line to finish after 13 phases, and they retook the lead at 20-19. Falling behind again to a Gilbert penalty, the Brumbies made sure the next lead-change was the last, improving their impressive home record to 18 wins from their last 21. For the Highlanders, it was another case of close but no cigar. All six of their matches have been decided by eight points or less, with losses in four of them. Brumbies 34 (Len Ikitau, Adam Muirhead, Corey Toole, Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard tries; Jack Debreczini 2, Noah Lolesio cons) def Highlanders 27 (Caleb Tangitau 2, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki tries; Gilbert 2 cons) Hurricanes 57 ( Kini Naholo 3, Cam Roigard, Asafo Aumua, Penalty try, Ngane Punivai, Brad Shields, Bailny Sullivan, Riley Hohepa 4, Ruben Love 1 con) Waratahs 12 ( Lawson Creighton, Archie Saunders tries, Creighton 1 con). The Highlanders have come close to stealing a win off the Brumbies in Canberra only to fall 34-27. The home side 15-5 lead at the break, boasting three-quarters of the territory and possession in the first half. However, the Highlanders roared back with two tries in 15 minutes, leading by four and eyeing an away win. They eventually came undone in the 84th minute with an error ending their chances. Wing Caleb Tangitau starred once again for the Highlanders with a try in each half with Sam Gilbert and Jona Nareki the other players to dot down. In the other Super Rugby game last night the Hurricanes thrashed the Waratahs 57-12 in Wellington with Kini Naholo scoring a hat-trick of tries.

Corey Webster has been fined after an incident against the Otago Nuiggets PHOTO: NBL Reaction to the incident in the National Basketball League (NBL) game between the Manawatu Jets and Otago Nuggets has been swift for the league administrators. Jets veteran guard Corey Webster was fined $100, reduced to $50 for an early guilty plea, for kicking a court-side sponsor sign in the first quarter. LATEST HEADLINES: Michael Venus beaten Miami Open semis Nuggets hold off Jets in testy encounter Red Bull drop Lawson after just two races NZ Warriors, Agar accept NRL punishment Latham out, Nicholls, Mariu into Black Caps The NBL issued a statement late on Friday afternoon: "The Sal's National Basketball League general manager has issued a fine to Manawatū Jets player Corey Webster for unsportsmanlike behaviour during an incident that occurred in the Manawatū Jets game versus the Otago Nuggets on Thursday 28th of March, 2025. ”The incident occurred in the first quarter of the game with 1 minute and 18 seconds on the clock where Webster rebounds the ball passes to a team member then walks out of court and kicks two corflute signs that were placed on the baseline. “In this circumstance the act was considered in breach of the NBL Operational Fine System, namely Breach 44: If not in the act of making accidental or unavoidable contact in a game play, if any player, coach or team staff kicks, pushes, punches or displaces a courtside sponsorship sign (outside of moving a sign to accommodate a team timeout) a fine will be issued. ”The general manager issued a base sanction of a $100 fine for a first offence, which was accepted by early plea reducing the fine to $50. “The matter is considered closed and Corey Webster will be available for all team activities moving forward" The Jets next game is away against the Southland Sharks on Saturday, however, Webster is not listed for the team for a "personal" reason. Webster had to be held back by his father and head coach Tony Webster while remonstrating with Nuggets players after the Jets’ 108-104 loss.

Dillon Boucher returns to the NZ Breakers from BBNZ as part of the new ownership PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Big changes at the NZ Breakers already with the new owners appointing Dillon Boucher as president of basketball operations. The former championship-winning player is back to the club he was once the general manager, departing his role as Chief Executive of Basketball NZ where he has been in charge since 2019. LATEST HEADLINES: Webster fined about Nuggets incident Michael Venus beaten Miami Open semis Nuggets hold off Jets in testy encounter Red Bull drop Lawson after just two races NZ Warriors, Agar accept NRL punishment Boucher played 132 games for the Breakers over two stints at the NBL club and helped the team to win a historic three-peat of championships from 2011 to 2013. He was also part of in the front office when he took on the role of general manager between 2016 and 2019. Boucher's jersey was retired by the Breakers and hung in the rafters. The change in ownership of the NBL club came after the Breakers ended the last season outside of the playoffs. In a statement, the club said Boucher was the "first key appointment" as the new owners Leon and Stephen Grice built the organisation back after taking over from the American ownership group lead by Matt Walsh. "While there will be further updates to come, we felt it was important to share this exciting development. "Dillon's extensive experience and proven track record within the New Zealand basketball landscape make him an invaluable addition to our team. His leadership and understanding of the game will be crucial as we move forward. "We are confident that Dillon's expertise will have a significant positive impact, and we eagerly anticipate the contributions he will bring in his role." On Tuesday, the front office staff under the former owners sent a message to fans signing off their involvement with the club and that it would not be going on an NBA tour next season.

Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic have missed a place in the Miami Open final but only after a three set match PHOTO: NZSW Kiwi tennis pro Michael Venus and Croatian doubles partner Nikola Mektic have been beaten at the semifinal stage of the Miami Open. They lost to top seeds Marcelo Arevalo from El Salvador and Mate Pavic 2-6 7-6(4) 10-5 in a match that went for just over an hour and a half. LATEST HEADLINES: Nuggets hold off Jets in testy encounter Red Bull drop Lawson after just two races NZ Warriors, Agar accept NRL punishment Latham out, Nicholls, Mariu into Black Caps Auckland City to earn big FIFA money in US Venus and Mektic broke their opponents twice as they dominated the opening set. Arevalo and Pavic found their rhythm in the second set, which contained no breaks of serve. Venus and Mektic jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held a 4-2 advantage at the change of ends. But Arevalo and Pavic won the next five points to level the match. The teams were locked at 4-4 in the super tiebreak, but again the top seeds went on a run to win five of the next six points. Although Venus and Mektic would have loved to have made it to the final, it’s been a strong Miami tournament for the duo as they played some of their best tennis together this year during it. Venus is expected to remain at No 14 in the world rankings. Earlier Venus and Mektic had won their quarterfinal defeating Americans Christian Harrison and Evan King 6-4 3-6 10-7.