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The Black Sticks women scored two wins over the United States in their test series in Auckland PHOTO: HOCKEY NZ The Black Sticks women have completed the two-test series against the United States with victories as they gave new players a chance to show their skills. The first match at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland had the home side coming out 1-0 winners in a closely contested game, The winning goal came in the fourth quarter to Taranaki's Holly Pearson. LATEST HEADLINES: Routliffe, Dabrowski into AO quarters Aaron Gate in UCI Tour Down Under Football talent switches to New Zealand Daniel Hillier just short at Dubai Classic Weary NZ Breakers beaten by SEM Phoenix The side was captained by Hannah Gravenall and featured four debutants: Britt Wang, Julia Gluyas (goalkeeper), Mezzy Surridge, and Millie Calder. The second clash between the nations ended 3-2 to New Zealand as Casey Crowley stepped up as captain for her first time, guiding the team alongside debutant Jaimee Eades.  After a slow start a tidy deflection just before half time by Paige Blake gave the home side the lead. It was the second half that saw all the action take place as the United States responded with two goals before the Black Sticks struck back with a drag flick and second deflection by Blake and a goal by Anna Willocks in the final two minutes of the game.

Aaron Gate winning Commonwealth Games gold at Birmingham is taking part in his first Tour Down Under PHOTO: SWPIX New Zealand cyclist Aaron Gate will tick another box in his comprehensive career when he contests the UCI Tour Down Under as a top-tier professional in Adelaide. The 34-year-old Sportsman of the Year has joined XDS Astana team on the back of an outstanding season on the track and road. LATEST HEADLINES: Football talent switches to New Zealand Daniel Hillier just short at Dubai Classic Weary NZ Breakers beaten by SEM Phoenix Phoenix Women score a comeback victory Sadowski-Synnott on podium  in Switzerland   In his 13th successive year on professional road teams, Gate will make his WorldTour debut in Adelaide, with the first of six full stages to be starting Tuesday. "It's nice to finally be in a top-tier team and one that's pretty hungry to race and race well this year," said Gate. "It is still a little bit surreal for the young me that was just starting cycling, which doesn't feel like more than 15 years ago now. "I still love doing it, which is the main thing. It's going to be an exciting year with new challenges. I'm definitely looking forward to that challenge of what is to come." On the track, Gate is an Olympic medallist, double world champion and triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and on the road he won the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold. He has also scored 13 wins on the road, including GC titles in the Tour of Hainan last year and Tour of Hellas in 2022. Gate is both excited with what the 2025 holds on the World Tour "It is probably a nice balance of both, because there are some new races that I'm super excited to do," he said. "There are some familiar races too that would be nice to go back to with a stronger team and a better setup. Then I can put my best foot forward with some chances for myself and also support the world-class riders in our team."

Winners are grinners. The Auckland FC side with Tommy Smith front left after their victory over Melbourne City PHOTO: AUCKLNAD FC SOCIALS Auckland FC have bounced back from their midweek loss to Perth Glory sweeping aside Melbourne City 3-0 to temporarily move back to the top of the A-League. The home side took the lead in stunning fashion in the 32nd minute when Uruguay player Guillermo May bent a brilliant curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the box to make it 1-0. LATEST HEADLINES: World Tour riders to ride at Nationals Podium for Ben Richards in Freeride Daniel Hillier rockets to second in Dubai Super Smash wins for CD over Canterbury Routliffe, Dabrowski battle into third round Now full of confidence, Auckland then added a second on the approach to half-time as defender Nando Pijnaker thumped a left-footed strike high into the roof of the net following a scramble inside the City box. Controlling a bouncing ball inside the box, Pijnaker shifted the ball onto his trusty left foot before rifling one past Beach and into the roof of the net. Things got even better for the Auckland in first-half stoppage time when Max Mata converted from close range, tapping home the loose ball from a corner to all but seal the three points. Despite making several changes in the second-half Steve Corica’s Auckland FC had plenty of chances to extend their lead as Melbourne City shot-stopper Beach was called into action on several occasions. One positive for Melbourne City will be the fact Socceroo Mathew Leckie gained more match minutes as he continues to his journey back to full fitness following a hamstring injury. The result, the eighth win of the season moves Auckland back to the top of the A-League.

New Zealand's Laurence Pithie at the Paris Olympic Games will compete in the Elite Road Nationals in Timaru next month PHOTO: SWPIX The opening UCI World Tour event in Australia will have a positive flow-on effect for February’s Cycling New Zealand Road Championships in Timaru. Ten New Zealand riders on initial start lists for the Tour Down Under in Adelaide starting next week have also indicated they plan to race the Elite Road National Championships in Timaru from 6-8 February. LATEST HEADLINES: Podium for Ben Richards in Freeride Daniel Hillier rockets to second in Dubai Super Smash wins for CD over Canterbury Routliffe, Dabrowski battle into third round Sam Mennenga steps up in Breakers win They include 2022 national champion George Bennett and fellow World Pro Tour teammate Corbin Strong, who was runner-up in the road race last year. Last year’s podium placegetter and Paris Olympian, Laurence Pithie will return after competing in the Tour Down Under, joined by fellow Red Bull BORA Hansgrohe World Tour teammate Finn Fisher-Black, making a welcome return to the National Championships, last competing in Cambridge in 2022. Highly experienced professional Dion Smith, who rides for the Intermarche-Wanty World Tour team, will make his eighth start at the national championships but his first since 2020. New Zealand Sportsman of the Year, Aaron Gate has confirmed he will defend his road race title. Gate will wear the national jersey when he makes his World Tour debut for XDS Astana team in the Tour Downunder, and is planning to then head to Timaru to defend his title. In the women, Paris Olympian Kim Cadzow, who won both road race and time trial titles in Timaru last year, joins compatriot Henrietta Christie in the EF-Oatly Cannondale team in Adelaide, with both planning to head to Timaru. The 2023 under-23 road and time trial national champion, Ally Wollaston will debut for her new women’s world tour team, FDJ-Suez before competing in Timaru, as will last year’s road and time trial under-23 national champion, Ella Wyllie, now riding on the Women’s World Tourin Australia for Liv AlUla Jayco. “We are excited that our UCI World Tour riders will return home to compete in the national championships,” said race manager, Amy Hollamby. “Coming off the Tour Downunder those riders will have some form, and that added an amazing element to the national championships. “It will give cycling fans basically their only chance to see our world stars in action at home and it is also a tremendous opportunity for all our riders to test themselves against the best. “We hope to have all these riders confirmed in the coming week and then look to others to also add to this. “The championships were terrific last year and we think the tweak to the road course, with a testing uphill finish, is going to be amazing.” The programme comprises the Time Trial for all grades on Thursday 6 February, followed by the road races for Under-19 Women, Under-19 Men and combined Under-23 and Elite Women on Friday 7 February, leaving the Under-23 and Elite Men’s road race on Saturday 8 February.

Daniel Hillier is the leader at the Dubai Desert Classic after three rounds PHOTO: DP WORLD TOUR New Zealand golfer Daniel Hillier has taken the lead at the completion of the third round of the DP World Tour Dubai Desert Classic. Hillier started the day a shot off the lead but after a superb start soon moved in front. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland FC blitz Melbourne City World Tour riders to ride at Nationals Podium for Ben Richards in Freeride Daniel Hillier rockets to second in Dubai Super Smash wins for CD over Canterbury The Wellington player had been four shots clear at one stage after three birdies in his first five holes. However, three consecutive bogeys from the 13th closed the field up again. Hillier birdied the 17th and parred the last for a two under par 70 and 13 under for the tournament. He is one shot ahead of England's Tyrrell Hatton. It was a grind,” said Hillier, who won his only previous DP World Tour title at the 2023 Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo. “I figured it was going to be that at the start of the day with all that wind. It was tough but I enjoyed it out there. Have a crack at it tomorrow. “We thought we had plenty of club going in there (the 18th) - we were trying to hit it long and left. Only 200 to carry the water and I hit five-wood. Usually that's a 235, 240 club, and just spun into the first cut. “I don't think I've played with Tyrrell before, so that should be fun. It will be a good test. He'll be raring to get his hands on that trophy but I'd love to do the same. It will be a fun day. “It would be life-changing. Last year was pretty tough. It was a bit of a grind. I was getting pretty frustrated with myself towards the end of the year. Gave myself a little bit of a break and time to reset, and I'm feeling refreshed. Yeah, excited for tomorrow.” Hillier has won once before on the tour, with victory at the 2023 British Masters. Fellow kiwi Ryan Fox is in a tied for fourth on nine-under alongisde England's Laurie Canter.

Winning teens, Alexis Owen (left) and Ava Henderson have won the respective men's and women's NZ National Surfing titles PHOTO: SURFING NZ Dunedin 16-year-old Alexis Owen caused a big upset at the national surfing championships, taking the title from eight-time champion Billy Stairmand and defending champion and local favourite Daniel Farr. Owen was joined by Christchurch surfer Ava Henderson as winners at Stent Road Beach in Taranaki, with Henderson returning to the winners circle after first claiming the title as a 14-year-old surfer in 2020. LATEST HEADLINES: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott podiums Daniel Hillier leads Dubai Classic Auckland FC blitz Melbourne City World Tour riders to ride at Nationals Podium for Ben Richards in Freeride Owen won the final on his last wave with seconds remaining, brought to tears when he heard his winning score while on the rocks. "I had no idea if I got the score. I knew it would be close, I surfed the wave for what it was, gave it everything, I had one shot. When I heard the score I broke out in tears, I got it, it was so good." Paris Olympian Stairmand and Farr held a commanding advantage early in the final. Owen fought back to finish with 15.53 points from his two best-scoring waves, with his final wave of 8.03 points out of a possible 10 sealing the victory. "I was planning to win the 18s and that didn't go to plan so I was like far, I need to come back and do well in the opens and put it all on the line and I just can't believe, I knew I could do it and I did it, I can't believe it," Owen said. Stairmand was demoted to second, with Farr third, ahead of Zen Wallis, contesting in his first national final. Henderson only just made it to the championships after ferry delays and travel complications, but surfing on a borrowed board, the 19-year-old showed that a new care-free approach to surfing had served her well and was the recipe for a second national title. "Back then I had a lot of pressure on myself but I came here this week to have fun and that's what I did and I came out on top," said Henderson, comparing victory with her win as a 14-year-old in 2020. "You can't go wrong having fun, when I am relaxed, I feel like I surf a lot better, you can put a lot of pressure on yourself but a lot of the time it doesn't work, not for me anyway." Henderson surfed to a 16.43 point total for the win in a comfortable victory. with 14-year-old Alani Morse finishing runner up.

A bad start by the Breakers costs them in the loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix in their fourth NBL game in 11 games PHOTO: NBL A tough defeat for the NZ Breakers, who put up a valiant fight but eventually lost 102-89 to the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne. Down by 19 points early on the Breakers got back within four thanks to four final quarter three-pointers from Matt Mooney (20 points), but South East Melbourne answered with nine straight points to win by scoring 100-plus points for a ninth straight game. LATEST HEADLINES: Teen surfers win NZ Nationals Zoi Sadowski-Synnott podiums   Daniel Hillier leads Dubai Classic Auckland FC blitz Melbourne City World Tour riders to ride at Nationals The Breakers arrived at the State Basketball Centre playing a fourth game in 11 days and looked out on their legs early with the Phoenix taking full advantage with a 15-2 opening. That turned into a 30-17 edge by the end of one with 69 per cent shooting with 10 points off five New Zealand turnovers, and then the Phoenix stole it a couple more times to start the second term. Nathan Sobey pushed South East Melbourne out to a 19-point lead, but the Breakers outscored the Phoenix 25 points to 11 the rest of the way including a 12-2 run. That saw South East Melbourne only clinging to the 49-44 lead at the half before hitting the last eight points of the third quarter to be up 11 heading into the fourth. A late South East Melbourne 9-0 run secured the win by 13 to move them to fourth at 14-10. Nathan Sobey finished with 28 points and nine assists with Joe Wieskamp adding 17 points and four rebounds, Matt Hurt 14 points and eight boards, Owen Foxwell 12 points, Angus Glover 11 points and four assists, and Jordan Hunter 10 points and eight rebounds. Tacko Fall had eight points and two rebounds for the now 9-16 Breakers but they did outscore the Phoenix in his 16 minutes while 17-year-old Karim Lopez set a new career high with 20 points on 4/7 three-point shooting. Breakers coach Petteri Koponen did think it was another game his team had their chances to come back and snatch. "I think we came out flat and mentally we weren’t there," he said. "It was about concentration and focus, and we were not executing but then we showed character to fight back against a really good basketball team. "It's frustrating because we had the chance to take this game but to beat these top teams we really need to play 40 minutes." The Breakers have six days until being at home to the Brisbane Bullets on Friday night. South East Melbourne Phoenix 102 (Nathan Sobey 28, Joe Wieskamp 17, Matt Hurt 14) NZ Breakers 89 (Matt Mooney 20, Karim Lopez 20, Parker Jackson-Cartwright 12).

Daniel Hillier collected almost € 1 million for his runner-up finish at the Dubai Desert Classic. PHOTO: DP WORLD TOUR New Zealand golfer Daniel Hillier has come up just short in his bid for his second DP World Tour victory. Hillier led by one stroke heading into the final round at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday (Monday NZ Time) but ultimately finished runner-up, one shot behind European Ryder Cup player Tyrrell Hatton. LATEST HEADLINES: Weary NZ Breakers beaten by SEM Phoenix Phoenix Women score a comeback victory Sadowski-Synnott on podium in Switzerland   Auckland FC blitz Melbourne City at home World Tour Kiwi cyclists to race at nationals The 26-year-old Kiwi could only manage a one-under 71 to finish at 14-under at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, his worst round of the week, but still collected almost € 1 million for his efforts. Hillier had bogeys at the first and fifth holes on the front-nine, along with a birdie, but moved back into contention with back-to-back birdies at the 10th and 11th holes. A bogey followed at the 12th, as it did for Hatton. The Englishman birdied the par-four 16th for a two-shot lead, before Hillier birdied the last with an eight-foot putt, with his chip from just off the green for eagle to potentially force a playoff just missed. Hatton, who closed with a three-under 69, laid-up at the par-five and comfortably two-putted for his eighth victory on the European circuit. “It's bittersweet, that's for sure," said Hillier. "Yeah, I didn't have my best today obviously but I fought hard all day, just barely gave myself a chance down the stretch. “Hats off to Tyrrell. He was pretty solid down the stretch there. He's class. Well done to him.” Meanwhile, Kiwi No 1 Ryan Fox also posted a top-10 result, finishing with an even-par 72 to claim a share of 10th at nine-under. Fox started his round bogey-birdie, before seven straight pars on the front-nine. He had birdies at the 10th and 18th and bogeys at the 12th and 14th on the homeward nine. Hillier's result will see him jump to second in the DP World Tour's Road To Dubai Rankings, behind Hatton, while Fox is expected to rise to 34th ahead of this week's Ras Al Khaimah Championship, which he won in 2022.

Annalie Longo led the Wellington Phoenix women to a 3-2 victory over Newcastle with a big comeback PHOTO: A-LEAGUE The Wellington Phoenix came from two goals down to seal a remarkable 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets after substitute Manaia Elliott’s 98th-minute stunner. The Phoenix were chasing a fourth-consecutive home win at Porirua Park but two first-half goals to Jets star Sheridan Gallagher put Newcastle in line for a victory on the road. LATEST HEADLINES: Weary NZ Breakers beaten Teen surfers win NZ Nationals Zoi Sadowski-Synnott podiums   Daniel Hillier leads Dubai Classic Auckland FC blitz Melbourne City However the hosts responded after the break, with half-time substitute Elliott playing a crucial role in the comeback. Club captain Annalie Longo was equally key to the Phoenix resurgence, assisting Elliott’s 50th-minute goal to make it 2-1 before scoring the equaliser just before the hour mark. Deep into stoppage time, Wellington were presented with a late chance to seal all three points – and that chance was taken by Elliott who whipped a stunning struck direct from a corner into the back of the net as the ‘Nix completed a turnaround to win the five-goal thriller. Phoenix foundation player Alyssa Whinham wore the captain’s armband in recognition of her 50th A-League appearance for the club, as the 21-year-old became just the second player in the club’s history to reach the 50-game milestone after centre-back Mackenzie Barry. The Jets took just three minutes to open the scoring and silence the crowd at Porirua Park – and it was Gallagher, on return from a one-game suspension, who bagged her first of two first-half goals with a close-range finish to give the visitors a surprise lead. On the hunt for their fourth home win in a row, Wellington came within centimetres of an equalising goal in the 23rd minute when Maya McCutcheon’s long-range shot was tipped off the crossbar by Newcastle keeper Danielle Krzyzaniak. Newcastle looked set to take a one-goal lead to half-time before Gallagher’s 43rd-minute finish doubled the advantage. Down 2-0 and staring down the barrel of a surprise home defeat, Wellington burst out of the blocks in the second half and halved the deficit through Manaia Elliott just five minutes after the restart. New Zealand international Longo was superb in the build-up, playing two key passes including the assist for Elliott with a low, driven cross from the left wing into the six-yard box. Having wrestled back momentum at Porirua Park, Wellington surged on in search of an equaliser – and found one just before the hour mark through Longo at the end of a clinical counter attack. Half-time substitutes Emma Main and Elliott were both involved in the build-up to the second Phoenix goal; the former set up the latter for a shot saved by Krzyzaniak into the path of Longo whose simple tap-in levelled the score at 2-2. Elliott had a late chance at a winning goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time but a Krzyzaniak save led to one last Phoenix corner, which Elliot stepped up to take. What followed was a moment of pure magic from the Phoenix substitute, whose bending delivery from the corner evaded everybody in the box to hit the back of the net for a remarkable victory.

Kiwi Zoi SadowskiSynnott took second place at the LAAX Open Slopestyle in Switzerland PHOTO: STADLER LAAX OPEN Wanaka snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has claimed the 10th World Cup podium of her career, with a second at the prestigious LAAX Open Slopestyle in Switzerland. The 23-year-old was competing at the highest level following a quiet 2024 as she recovered from an ankle injury. LATEST HEADLINES: Daniel Hillier leads Dubai Classic Auckland FC blitz Melbourne City World Tour riders to ride at Nationals Podium for Ben Richards in Freeride Daniel Hillier rockets to second in Dubai "There is nothing like competing when there's perfect weather out and everyone is on point, so we were all feeding off each other and it was sick," the defending Olympic slopestyle champion said. "It means everything to me to be back competing at a high level, [my ankle] took so much longer than expected to come right but I am so stoked to be snowboarding." Almost 100 snowboarders took part on the much anticipated second slopestyle event of the 2024/25 season. The LAAX Open is widely regarded as the pinnacle slopestyle World Cup event of the season. Sadowski-Synnott dropped into her first run switch, putting down two technical rail tricks before heading into the jump section where she laced back-to-back 900s on the first two jumps and finished strongly on the quarter pipe feature with a backside air. She was the first athlete of the day to put down a top to bottom run and was rewarded a 75.36. Sitting in second heading into her second and final run, Sadowski-Synnott knew she needed to add something special to challenge Mia Brookes of Great Britain for the top of the podium. She upgraded her second jump to a huge switch backside 1260, which marked the first time any woman has landed that trick in a slopestyle competition. The judges increased her score, but a couple bobbles in the top section of her run meant she was unable to top Brookes' first run score and remained in second position. "I am super hyped on the switch backside 1260, that was the first time I have landed it in a slopestyle competition. I luckily put two down in practice so coming into the second run I had confidence; I was stoked to put it down." Current snowboard slopestyle world champion ,17-year-old Brookes, took the win for the first time in her career at the LAAX Open, with Kokomo Murase of Japan rounding out the podium in third. Dane Menzies and Lyon Farrell represented NZ in the men's finals, finishing in seventh and eighth respectively.

Matthew Wilson in action winning the men's section of the MTBNZ National Series in Taupo. PHOTO: MTBNZ Paris Olympian Sammie Maxwell turned up the heat on home turf to dominate the second round of the Mountain Bike New Zealand (MTBNZ) National Series in Taupo. MTBNZ is promoting a three-round national series for both cross-country and downhill which leads to the national championships in Rotorua next month. LATEST HEADLINES: Nix women comeback victory Weary NZ Breakers beaten Teen surfers win NZ Nationals Zoi Sadowski-Synnott podiums   Daniel Hillier leads Dubai Classic Maxwell, who overcame Australian star Rebecca Henderson to win the opening round in Dunedin last weekend, produced a dominant display in Taupo. The Decathlon Rockrider Ford Team professional was in a class of her own, powering away to win in 1:30:39 to finish more than 10 minutes clear of former national champion and now weekend warrior, Josie Wilcox (Nelson) with Canterbury’s Annabel Bligh a further eight minutes behind. Maxwell opened a one minute gap on the opening lap and extended to three minutes on lap 2, five on lap 3 and pushed to seven minutes on lap 4 and extending even further to the finish of the five lap race. “I love coming to these series as the community is great especially racing here at home,” said Maxwell. “The heat today was good practice for Brazil (World Cup) and I am stoked with the form and happy to take the win again.” Maxwell will line-up at Cambridge for the final round next week before “giving the roadies a run for their money” at the national road championships in Timaru; then off to Canberra to compete and returning for the nationals in Rotorua as final preparation for the world series in Brazil. And what are the major advantages to racing at home today? “I will see if I can con Dad into washing the bike tonight.” The elite men’s race was the exact opposite with Auckland rider Matthew Wilson out-kicking local Taupo rider Coen Nicol on final lap to claim the honours. The pair could not be separated throughout five laps of the elite men’s race, before Wilson making his move on the main climb on the last lap to sprint home in 1:37.35 with Nicol 12 seconds behind after an impressive display. This extends an outstanding run of form for Wilson, the 2023 national champion, who finished runner-up on general classification in the Tour of Southland road race; second in the national cyclocross championships and NZ MTB XCO race, and third in the Whaka 100 MTB race in Rotorua before Christmas. “It was a bit of a rude awakening to do XCO again as I have not done too much intensity lately and that showed but I was able find a bit of extra juice in the tank on the final lap to get away,” said Wilson. “I waiting  until the final lap and stepped on it on the final climb and got a gap. “I will set myself now for the final round next week in Te Miro and then on to the national in Rotorua.” In the women's category, Kayley McMillan (Morrinsville) won the under-19 from Kapiti’s Millie Donald; the under-17 went to Taupo’s Bianca Stewart from Harlow Adams (Hamilton) and under-15 to Rotorua’s Cate Phipps. In the men's aces, James Climo (Hamilton) took out the under-19 from Fletcher Adams (Matangi); Levi Gear (Auckland) dominated the under-17 and George Fisher (Taupo) prevailed in the under-15. There were challenges for the gravity fraternity at their second round at Coronet Peak. The summer heat produced a dry and dusty track for practice, but significant overnight rain made for a wet and challenging surface. Ireland’s Ronan Dunne was fastest in the elite men in 2:44.76 just ahead of star kiwi and top qualifier, Lachlan Stevens-McNab who was just 15/100ths if a second behind from Tuhoto-Ariki Pene. “It was a sic weekend here at Coronet Peak – it was so fast and full-on,” said Dunne. “Happy all weekend and I put down a good run and happy to take the win. There’s no better spot to be than here in Queenstown.” Rotorua professional Jenna Hastings, the former under-23 world champion, was leading elite in 3:13.02 ahead of under-23 world medallist Sacha Earnest, in her first elite race, with Canada’s Bailey Goldstone third. “It went from dry and blown out to quite tacky and they worked on the track which saved and a lot of people I think,” said Hastings. “It was fun and I was happy. “The aim is to stay healthy this year which I haven’t had a good go at it for the last three years. Have fun and make myself proud and do my best which be great for 2025.” Fastest in the finals was Under-19 winner Eliana Hulsebosch, the young Tauranga rider who turned heads in the World Cup this year, which has led to her being signed to crack professional team, Santa Cruz Syndicate. Hulsebosch clocked 3:10.75 to win the Under-19 honours ahead of Bellah Birchall and Roisin McGuinness. “It was a very good run and I got things quite smoothly especially on the new bike, getting it dialled in and able to push it. The track was a rough one with the holes. “I am so hyped to be on the dream team – Santa Cruz Syndicate. It still seems so surreal, when I put on my jersey and look at my bike.” In the under-19 men, Hawkes Bay rider Tyler Waite was fastest in 2:46.39 ahead of Rory Meek and last week’s winner Oli Clark – and was third quickest overall. “The course was so rough by the end of the day after being pretty moist in the morning. It was fast and I was happy with the win in my age group.” The final rounds will be staged this weekend at Te Miro near Cambridge for cross-country and Rivenrock near Masterton for downhill. Results Cross-country, Taupo: Elite men, 5 laps: Matthew Wilson (Cambridge) 1:37:35, 1; Coen Nicol (Taupo) at 12s, 2; Corban Nicol (Taupo) at 9:37, 3. Under-19: James Climo (Hamilton) 1:24.11, 1; Fletcher Adams (Matangi) at 59s, 2; Tommy Mollison (Auckland) at 8:57, 3. Elite women: Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Rockrider Ford, Taupo) 1:30:39, 1; Josie Wilcox (Nelson) at 10:40, 2; Annabel Bligh (Christchurch) at 18:00, 3. Under-19: Kayley McMillan (Morrinsville) 59:32, 1; Millie Donald (Kapiti Coast) at 6:57, 2; Dulcie Copeland (Tauranga) at 7:14, 3.

Daniel Hillier fired a bogey-free seven-under 65 in the second round at the Dubai Desert Classic. PHOTO: DP WORLD TOUR New Zealand golfer Daniel Hillier has climbed to solo second during the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Hillier fired a bogey-free seven-under 65 at the Emirates Golf Club in the UAE on Friday (Saturday NZ Time) to move to 11-under, one stroke behind the 36-hole leader, Scotland's Ewen Ferguson. LATEST HEADLINES: Super Smash wins for CD over Canterbury Routliffe, Dabrowski battle into third round Sam Mennenga steps up in Breakers win Venus loses in Australian Open first round Chiefs returning to the Bay on Anzac Day The 26-year-old rolled in a 15-foot putt for eagle on the par-five 18th to take the clubhouse lead, before Ferguson, who is yet to make a bogey, finished birdie-eagle for his own seven-under round. Hillier made back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes, before three straight tweeters at the 11th, 12th and 13th to sit with the leaders. The world No 233 was wayward off the tee, hitting just 5-of-14 fairways, but avoided trouble and landed on 15-of-18 greens in regulation, typified by his stunning approach shot from the short-rough on the closing hole. Fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox remains in a strong position after a two-under 70 in the second round, to be tied for 12th at six-under, six shots back. The world No 87 finished strong, with four birdies on the back-nine, at the 10th, 11th, 13th and 16th holes, along with a bogey. He had two bogeys and a birdie on the front-nine. Fox tees off in the third round on Saturday at 11am local time (8pm NZT), while Hillier goes off in the final group at 11.40am local time (8.40pm NZT).