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The Wellington Phoenix Women’s five-match unbeaten streak at Porirua Park has come to an end in an ill-tempered match despite a strong performance from Carolina Vilão.  Her penalty save and Olivia Fergusson’s solo stunner were not enough in Adelaide United's 3-1 victory on Sunday in the A-League. LATEST HEADLINES: Lydia Ko wins LPGA world title Black Caps lose to India Peake summits NZ Open title Auckland FC, Adelaide draw Neesham takes Aces into final Head coach Paul Temple was disappointed with what he felt was an underwhelming performance. “From our perspective we were not really at it, I didn’t think,” he told media post-match. “Adelaide were the better team and ultimately deserved to win.  “I thought they won far more battles [and] duels and kept turning our back four around and using that front three of theirs to good effect.  “It was hard to break their momentum. They won that middle of the park battle really.” He reserved high praise for Adelaide, but still felt the Nix could have offered more.  “I genuinely think they’ll go really close to winning the whole thing. They’re just a good team and in my view they’re the hardest team we’ve played against this season. “There’s no shame in losing to a good side like that, but I’m disappointed in the way we performed.  “We didn’t really have our flow, our momentum. I thought we lost way too many battles and ultimately it wasn’t good enough.”  While losing at home was frustrating, he remained confident that the side can secure a playoff spot with six games remaining. “I don’t know if it will necessarily dent the confidence because we lost at home.  “We’re still in with a chance. And if that isn’t motivation for us then I don’t know what is.  “We can still do it. We just made it a little bit harder. It’s a bit more of a mountain to climb after today.” Temple made three changes to the XI which started the 2-1 defeat to Perth Glory before the international break with Zoe McMeeken, Alyssa Whinham, and Emma Main returning to the side in place of Manaia Elliott, Daisy Brazendale and the injured Grace Jale.  McMeeken was named captain a fortnight after becoming the third Phoenix women’s player to play 50 A-League matches for the club.  The match shaped as an uphill battle for the Phoenix against third-placed Adelaide, especially after the Reds struck in the fourth minute. A flighted corner saw Ella Tonkin outjump everybody and head home powerfully at the back post. Mackenzie Barry produced an outstanding piece of defending soon after, denying Chelsie Dawber at point-blank range with a slide tackle. Just a minute later, a combination of Vilāo and Alyssa Whinham were needed to clear a dangerous Dylan Holmes free kick off the goal line. The away side were able to find regular space behind the Nix backline, and were only denied a second when Dawber found the side netting after being sent clear through. Adelaide’s physicality was proving a tough hurdle to overcome, Wellington unable to break the lines. The Phoenix responded by upping the intensity of their own press, which almost paid immediate dividends. Olivia Fergusson forced a mistake high up the pitch, but Main was unable to capitalise, her shot blocked strongly. Holmes came even closer with a second free kick from an identical position to her first, Vilão again called into action to block the first attempt and then Erin Healy’s follow-up. Adelaide kept knocking on the door, Dawber looping onto the crossbar when well positioned. Outside of a powerful strike from Longo which flew straight into Jenkins’ arms, the Phoenix were unable to fashion clear shooting opportunities. But they found an equaliser against the run of play five minutes before half-time after an outstanding piece of work from Fergusson. Olivia Fergusson (middle) is congratulated for scoring in the Wellington Phoenix loss to Adelaide United PHOTO: WELLINGTON PHOENIX Pressing on her own, she intercepted an errant pass from Matilda McNamara before lobbing the stranded Jenkins from the best part of 30 yards. Temple made one change at the break, introducing Daisy Brazendale in place of the booked Alivia Kelly. Two minutes later, Leon did manage to restore Adelaide’s lead, albeit possibly by accident. Regardless of the intended outcome, her cross-shot floated into the top corner from the corner of the area. Adelaide were back on top, forcing Vilão into a flurry of saves, including a spectacular tip over the bar from Worts’ shot from six yards out. Led by Annalie Longo, the Nix managed to wrest back control over the game in their search for an equaliser. Longo herself came closest, just unable to properly catch her volley after Tiana Jaber’s teasing cross found her in space. Whinham and McMeeken made way for Amelia Abbott and Manaia Elliott with twenty minutes to play as Temple looked to pile on the pressure. A number of heavy challenges began to fly in from both sides as tensions grew. And from one of the ensuing free kicks, Vilão produced another outstanding reflex save, gloving McNamara’s header onto the bar when the Matilda looked certain to score. Worts was presented with a golden chance to seal the game when Jaber’s high boot caught Dawber. The referee had waved play on to begin with before awarding the penalty after a long consultation with the other officials. But Vilão, who had been in outstanding form all game, dived full stretch and diverted the ball around the post to keep the Nix in the contest. From the resulting corner, Adelaide hit the bar for the third time, Worts still unable to find the net. Temple made his final change in the 85th minute, bringing on Mebae Tanaka for Jaber in an attacking switch. However, Adelaide immediately wrapped up the contest with another set piece goal, Leon poking home after another threatening corner. Main’s injury time free kick flew just over the bar in the last real chance for the Nix, who remain four points off the playoffs with just six games remaining in the season. The Wellington Phoenix will be back at Porirua Park next Sunday when they play Western Sydney Wanderers for the Sister City Cup.

Scott Dixon finished second at St Petersburg after radio technical difficulties PHOTO: INDYCARS New Zealand driver Scott Dixon has finished second in the IndyCars opening round at St Petersbury, Florida. Dixon started sixth on the grid, finished behind Chip Ganassi team-mate and series champion Alex Palou. LATEST HEADLINES: Lydia Ko wins LPGA world title Black Caps lose to India Peake summits NZ Open title Auckland FC, Adelaide draw Neesham takes Aces into final The 44-year-old kiwi has issues with his radio and said he was struggling on the track. "We had no radio so just flying blind out there," he said after the race "Definitely frustrating I think we had the speed, we had a great car, would have just been nice to have a radio so I knew what was going on out there (in regard to pitting strategy). It is the start of Dixon's 25th year in top class racing in North America and the third time Dixon has finished runner-up at the street race in St Petersburg. Of the other New Zealanders, pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin finished fourth while the third kiwi in the field, Marcus Armstrong failed to finish. Meanwhile it was Palou's 12th career IndyCar victory for the 27-year-old Spaniard, who is seeking his third consecutive title.

Lydia Ko takes the title in Sngapore at the Women's World Championship PHOTO: LPGA Lydia Ko finally triumphed at the LPGA's Women's World Championship, winning her first title at her 11th attempt at the event with a dominant four-stroke win over Ayaka Furue and Jeeno Thitikul. The New Zealander had her game click into gear with a birdie on the par-5 sixth and then added back-to-back birdies on the sevent and eighth holes to take control of the leaderboard. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps lose to India Peake summits NZ Open title Auckland FC, Adelaide draw Neesham takes Aces into final Phoenix sink to Melbourne City She had two bogeys in her back nine but the turn, the world No 3 closed with a solid 69, sealing a 13-under-par 275 total at Sentosa Golf Club. "I dreamt last night that I won but then I woke up, and I was like, dang, it's not real yet," said Ko, who secured her 23rd LPGA title and her first victory since the Kroger Queen City Championship last September. "But I just wanted to focus on my game." "I started off really steady, and you know, didn't really put myself in trouble that much. I think that was going to be the key for today." Ko's previous best finish here was a lone second place in 2015. World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul fought hard to chase Ko down, but her charge fell just short. Jeeno fired a 70, finishing at nine under, tied for second with Japan's Ayaka Furue, who carded a closing 68. Charley Hull was just one shot behind Ko entering the final round, saw her title hopes fade after a frustrating 74, settling for a share of fourth at seven under alongside Im Jin Hee, who fired the day's best round of 67, and Gaby Lopez (70). The Singapore tournament is the second of three events on the LPGA's first Asian swing of the year. The final event will be played next week at Hainan Island, China.

West Australian Ryan Peake has completed a remarkable story of redemption with a pulsating one-stroke win at the 104th New Zealand Open. Trailing South Korean Guntaek Koh by four strokes at the start of the final round at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown, Peake needed to make a 10-foot putt for par on the 72nd hole to avoid a playoff with fellow Australian Jack Thompson (63), Japan’s Kazuki Higa (66) and South African Ian Snyman (66). LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland FC, Adelaide draw Neesham takes Aces into final Phoenix sink to Melbourne City Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika Ko challenges for title in Singapore The 31-year-old went bogey-free for his final 55 holes and shot five-under 66 on Sunday to finish atop the leaderboard at 23-under, becoming the first lefthander to win the NZ Open since Sir Bob Charles in 1973. Sixty-two years after Charles become the first New Zealander to win The Open Championship, as champion, Peake will now contest the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July and is now in contention to claim the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit title, climbing to second overall. Ryan Peake staged a big chase in the final round of the NZ Open in Queenstown PHOTO: NZ OPEN/PHOTOSPORT He also now has Asian Tour membership through to the end of 2027. Given his backstory that includes amateur golf alongside Cameron Smith and a five-year stint in jail for assault while a member of the Rebels biker gang, Peake did not have the necessary visa to travel to New Zealand until the start of the week. He arrived in Queenstown on Tuesday, played 36 holes on Wednesday and leaves with another extraordinary chapter added to his story. “I’ve just changed my life,” Peake said post-round. “This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I’m just out here playing golf.” It was while he was incarcerated that renowned coach Ritchie Smith reached out and asked whether Peake wanted to play competitive golf again. He wondered whether he was a charity case, but also knew Smith well enough to know he would not waste time on an assignment he saw no future in. It was a heart-to-heart at the end of 2024 that reaffirmed to Peake that while a win had proved elusive, they were on a path towards something special. “I always knew I could do it; it was just a matter of time when I was going to do it,” he added. “Elvis Smylie was in the same predicament not too long ago and our coach, Ritchie Smith, said it was going to switch and that you’ve just got to commit to it. “He had the same chat with me when I missed the cut at the Aussie Open and the Aussie PGA. “We set out some goals of how we wanted to finish off the rest of the year and along with my family, my team, everyone believed. But most of all I believed as well.” Given the play of Koh over the previous 36 holes, Peake’s belief in his chances of winning had to have been tested early on Sunday. A birdie at the fifth hole lifted Peake into a tie for second but still three shots off the lead, that deficit trimmed to two by the seventh hole. Koh moved three shots clear again with birdie at the par-four eighth but Peake stayed in the frame with crucial birdies at the ninth and 12th to join Koh at 22-under and tied for the lead. Three bogeys in succession by Koh from the 13th hole dramatically changed the complexion of the tournament, Peake suddenly sharing top spot with Thompson, Snyman and Higa with two holes to play . Thompson and Snyman both missed birdie chances at the final hole in the groups ahead, leaving Peake to two-putt for birdie from the back fringe at the par-five 17th to move one clear, his first putt coming to rest just two feet to the left of the cup. It meant that par at a par-three finisher framed by water would seal victory, only for Peake to add to the tension when he missed the green to the right with his tee shot. Left with a testing chip across the green towards water on the far side, Peake came up short with his chip. He then showed remarkable composure to hole the putt for par and add his name to the New Zealand Open’s remarkable history. That history will continue to be written in Queenstown, with Millbrook Resort confirmed as the host venue for atleast the next seven years at the tournament presentation. The leading Kiwi was Daniel Hiller, who closed with a five-under 66 to finish at 17-under, one ahead of Sam Jones (70), with 2017 champion Michael Hendry (66) a further shot back.

Lydia Ko is second midway through the Women's World Championship in Singapore PHOTO: LPGA Lydia Ko is outright second midaway through the LPGA's Women's World Championship in Singapore. Ko had a five-under round to be six-under overall, one shot off the lead held by South Korea's A Lim Kim and a shot ahead of Hyo Joo Kim (Korea) and Charley Hull from England a shot back. LATEST HEADLINES: Koh NZ Open, Geary, Hendry 7th Black Sticks semis FIH Nations Cup Enduro riders set for Nelson comp Ko top 10 after first round Singapore Crowe top, Geary, Hendry best locals Twenty-seven-year-old Ko had a blemish-free round with five birdies hitting 11 of 14 fiarway and 16 of 17 greens at the Sentosa Golf Club. "I don't think I typically play really well on this course Nad I thought this year would be a good year to kind of turn that around," said Ko. She has played the tournament on 10 previous occasions with the title eluding her so far.

Guillermo May scored two vital goals for Auckland FC in their draw with Adelaide United PHOTO: A-LEAGUE A 98th minute equaliser from Adelaide United defender Bart Vriends saw a stunning 4-4 draw with Auckland FC in the A-League at Mt Smart. The home side broke the deadlock in the 10th minute and it was an absolute stunner from striker Guillermo May, who curled a magnificent effort into the top corner from outside the box. LATEST HEADLINES: Guntaek Koh poised at NZ Open Neesham takes Aces into final Phoenix sink to Melbourne City Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika Ko challenges for title in Singapore The home side then doubled their lead just four minutes later and it was May again, this time bundling the ball home from close range after Adelaide failed to deal with a long throw into the box. Eventually warming into the game, Adelaide pulled one back in the 30th minute as Jordan Elsey converted from close range after Archie Goodwin’s header flicked back off the post and trickled along the goal line. Auckland re-established their two-goal cushion in the 52nd minute when Logan Rogerson headed home his seventh goal of the season from close range to make it 3-1 before Zac Clough then converted from the spot after a VAR review saw a penalty awarded. Clough then converted his second penalty of the afternoon in the 79th minute after Stefan Mauk was brought down inside the box. Adelaide responded from the spot after the VAR requested referee Daniel Elder review a trip inside the box and midfielder Zac Clough slotted home the spot kick before absolute carnage ensued in stoppage time. First, Auckland captain Hiroki Sakai scored what he thought was a 92nd minute winner after capitalising on an error from goalkeeper Ethan Cox before experienced defender Bart Vriends then converted from close range in the 98th minute to share the points. The result means Auckland are prevented from going 10 points clear at the top of the A-League and now sit eight points ahead of second-placed Western United.

Guntaek Koh has a four shot lead into the final round at the NZ Open PHOTO: NZ OPEN/PHOTOSPORT Korean Guntaek Koh has a four-shot lead after the third round of the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort. The overnight leader’s five-under 66 on Saturday was highlighted by an eagle at the short par-four 12th hole, a blind wedge shot from 66 metres out that took two bounces before spinning back into the cup. LATEST HEADLINES: Neesham takes Aces into final Phoenix sink to Melbourne City Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika Ko challenges for title in Singapore Koh NZ Open, Geary, Hendry 7th At 22-under-par after 54 holes, it will be Koh’s tournament to lose on the final day on Millbrook Resort’s composite course as he tries to become the event’s second consecutive Asian winner. The closest challenger to the four-time winner on the Korean Tour is West Australian Ryan Peake, who made up two shots on the leader with a 64 and has the biggest day of his career ahead on Sunday. Japan’s Kazumi Higa eagled the par-five first and 17th holes to climb to a share of third with a nine-under-par 62. He is joined in the group five shots behind by South African Ian Snyman (66), China’s Bobby Bai (67) and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit No.1 Elvis Smylie, who made up plenty of late ground with a back nine of 29 in a six-under 66. The leading New Zealander is Sam Jones who charged to a share of seventh, seven shots behind, thanks to a composite course record round of 10-under 61. He was close to finishing his round when Koh was getting his underway with a three-shot lead, the Korean quickly building on his advantage with birdies at the first, second and third holes. Although he had two bogeys, he turned in three-under 33 and was as many as six shots in front before his lead dwindled slightly with six consecutive pars coming home after his eagle on 12. Despite climbing to second and being bogey-free for 39 holes, Peake is seeking more consistency from his driver. He headed to the driving range post-round looking for some solutions after hitting just three out of 14 fairways. The winner of two events on his home tour this season, Smylie was stuck in neutral on the front nine but erupted with four birdies and an eagle on the back nine, turning a 10-shot deficit to the leader into a more manageable six. Jones’s brilliant 61 included eight birdies plus an eagle on the par-five 17th hole where his second shot with a seven iron finished 4m from the cup and he rolled in the slightly uphill putt. While the home crowd hoped for a big Saturday charge from Millbrook member Ben Campbell and former champion Michael Hendry, the duo lost ground on the lead. They are both at 10-under, and 12 shots back, after Campbell carded a 69 and Hendry a 71.

Ardie Savea scored a stunning try from halfway, but Moana Pasifika lost to the Highlanders PHOTO: SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC The Highlanders have managed a 31-29 win over Moana Pasifika at their homecoming at North Harbour Stadium. The visiting side had a big lead heading into the break before the winless Moana Pasifika mounted a comeback. LATEST HEADLINES: Ko challenges for title in Singapore Koh NZ Open, Geary, Hendry 7th Black Sticks semis FIH Nations Cup Enduro riders set for Nelson comp Ko top 10 after first round Singapore It led to nervous final moments for the Highlanders, holding on to go top of the table for the time being. Moana Pasifika will be wondering what could've been after scoring more tries than the Highlanders. The Highlanders were forced into late changes, with Nathan Hastie and Michael Manson coming into the starting side. The new faces delivered instantly, with the winger beating three before offloading to the scrum half for the opener. It allowed them to build a 10-0 lead before Moana Pasifika hit back. Prop Sione Mafileo dived over for their opening points from close before some sharp hands to fullback William Havili levelled the score. However, wing Caleb Tangitau snatched an intercept from 90 metres out and racing away from chasing defenders for the try. Minutes later, a dropped bomb provided the chance to extend the margin as centre Tanielu Tele’a finished it off. When lock Mitchell Dunshea slammed over close to the line, the Highlanders were suddenly heading into the break for a 31-10 advantage heading into the sheds. Ardie Savea inspired the hosts with a solo effort from halfway after the break to get them back into the contest. Havili crossed for his second with 15 minutes to go, with Semisi Tupou Ta’elioa diving over to set up a tight finish, however in the end, the Highlanders’ goal-kicking proved the difference as they closed out the victory. Highlanders 31 (Nathan Hastie, Caleb Tangitau, Tanielu Tele'a, Mitch Dunshea tries; Sam Gilbert 4 con; 1 pen) Moana Pasifika 29 (William Havili 2, Ardie Savea, Sione Mafileo, Semisi Ta’elioa tries; Patrick Pellegrini 2 con)

The Wellington Phoenix men were let down by a "soft" goal against Melbourne City PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY A “soft goal” has dented the Wellington Phoenix’s hopes of qualifying for the A-League finals for a fourth straight season. The Phoenix have been beaten 1-0 by Melbourne City at Sky Stadium in Wellington, with Socceroos winger Marco Tilio scoring the match-winner early in the second half. LATEST HEADLINES: Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika Ko challenges for title in Singapore Koh NZ Open, Geary, Hendry 7th Black Sticks semis FIH Nations Cup Enduro riders set for Nelson comp Nix head coache Giancarlo Italiano was furious with the goal. "Where I'm really, really gutted is that we gave them the goal. It was such as soft goal," said Italiano. It's the Nix’s third straight defeat and leaves them nine points off the top six with eight matches remaining.

South Korea's Guntaek Koh leads the New Zealand Open after two rounds PHOTO: NZ OPEN SUPPLIED/CHRIS SYMES/PHOTOSPORT South Korean Guntaek Koh has had a big second round at the New Zealand Open in Queenstown to lead by three shots after registering a second round 10 under part 61. Koh is 17-under while Australian James Marchesani had held a one-shot clubhouse lead, before Koh surged to the lead late in the day. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Sticks semis FIH Nations Cup Enduro riders set for Nelson comp Ko top 10 after first round Singapore Crowe top, Geary, Hendry best locals Can Moana, Blues win, Chiefs continue ? Marchesani is 14-under and Bobby Bai from China is third at 13-under The best of the New Zelanaders are Josh Geary and Michael Hendry tied seventh. Both carded rounds of 66 for the second consecutive to be seven shots behind the leader Daniel Hillier is another shot further back tied 12th, one clear of local and LIV Golf Tour player Ben Campbell.

Lydia Ko is top 10 at the HSBC Woemn's World Championship in Singapore after round one PHOTO: HSBC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko is three back from the lead after a one-under 71 to open at the LPGA's Women's World Championship in Singapore Ko had birdies at the fourth and eigthth holes and a bogey at the 15th to sit in seventh along with six other players. LATEST HEADLINES: Crowe top, Geary, Hendry best locals Can Moana, Blues win, Chiefs continue ? NBL family affair as Webster joins Jets McMillan set to depart Chiefs for Munster Late Hahn goal gives Football Ferns win Twenty-seven-year-old Ko who has three Majors to her credit and has played at the Women's World Championships on 10 occasions, but is looking for her first title at the event. The leaderboard after day one is headed by Korea's A Lim Kim at four-under. England's Charley Hull is a clear second at three-under. Four players sit third at two-under in the hot and humid conditions at the Sentosa Golf Club

Celebration for the Black Sticks Women taking their place in the semfiinals of the FIH Naitons Cup PHOTO: HOCKEY NZ The Black Sticks Women have secured their spot in the semifinals of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile,. The New Zealand side scored a 3-1 victory over Scotland in their final pool match where they had needed at least a draw to advance. LATEST HEADLINES: Enduro riders set for Nelson comp Ko top 10 after first round Singapore Crowe top, Geary, Hendry best locals Can Moana, Blues win, Chiefs continue ? NBL family affair as Webster joins Jets They made sure of their progression with a commanding performance against Scotland, who were making Nations Cup debut. The Scots, came out strong, earning a penalty corner in the first two minutes, signalling their intent to push the girls from the outset. Slowly settling into the match, New Zealand struggled to generate clear attacking opportunities early on, and it was Brittany Wang who created the first real chance of the first quarter just before halftime, not quite able to slip it past the Scottish keeper. The Black Sticks found momentum in the second quarter with three penalty corners awarded. Wang started a train of attempts on goal which saw the first of two PCs. It was the second penalty corner that saw Kaitlin Cotter score off a drag flick to find the equaliser at 1-1. Keeping the score at bay going into half-time, we saw two fantastic saves by goalie Grace O’Hanlon, first blocking a reverse shot from a Scottish attacker, then reacting quickly to clear away a dangerous rebound attempt in a goalmouth scramble, denying the one-up. The third quarter saw most of the action unfold in its final moments. Holly Pearson and Mezzy Surridge found some space but couldn't quite control it in the circle. Moments later, Kaitlin Cotter fired a ball into the circle to her sister Hannah, whose shot went just wide. Mezzy Surridge then took a reverse shot but couldn't quite get it past the keeper just before the whistle. The final quarter was tense, with both teams aware that a goal could quickly change the result and their place in the Semi-final. Scotland looked dangerous in moments, but O'Hanlon held firm in goal. A New Zealand counter-attack at the 54-minute mark resulted in a penalty corner, from which Olivia Shannon got the deflection to score off a drag flick from the top of the circle bringing the score to 2-1. Within the same minute, Shannon was awarded a yellow card and sent off, followed by cards given to two of her teammates (Emma Findlay [green] and Emma Rainey [yellow]), meaning New Zealand were two players down for the last five minutes. This didn’t stop them though and with the Scottish keeper pulled off, Mezzy Surridge was able to calmly direct the ball at goal, with a finishing touch from Emma Findlay to finish the score at 3-1 to the New Zealanders. The Black Sticks will play China in the semfinals on Sunday morning.