Search Results

Former Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will play for the Blues Women in Super Rugby Aupiki next season after signing a one-year contract.   A proud Northlander, Woodman-Wickliffe will link up with the Blues after a stint with the Mie Pearls in Japan and felt the opportunity to play Super Rugby Aupiki alongside her niece, Kerri Johnson, was too good to miss.  LATEST HEADLINES: Inglis added to White Ferns for India series Ford Trophy wins for Volts, Aces, Canterbury Wellington to face Bay of Plenty for NPC title Tandem top-10s for Kiwi golfers on Asian Tour Lawson has drive of his life for F1 top-10 finish   “Kerri played for the Blues last season and loved every moment, it was inspiring to see what the team achieved, and it was something I wanted to be a part of,” said Woodman-Wickliffe.     “The chance to play with my niece is something pretty special for me and my whānau, and to be honest I need to get in and play with her now before she’s off playing in a black jersey in the coming years!”   Woodman-Wickliffe also discussed the move with her wife, Renee Woodman-Wickliffe, who was part of the Blues last season.    “Renee only had good things to say about the culture and vibe of the Blues, after speaking with her, I knew I wanted to come and play,” she said.    Blues head coach Willie Walker is absolutely stoked to have Woodman-Wickliffe signed.    “Her skills on the park speak for themselves, she’s world class,” said Walker.    “Having Portia with us is also going be hugely beneficial for the team off the field. Her experience around all aspects of physical preparation, recovery and mental skills is going to be a huge asset for those around her.”    One of the most globally recognised names in women’s rugby, Woodman-Wickliffe has had a glittering career in both XVs and Sevens.    She won two World Cups with the Black Ferns, gold medals in both Olympic and Commonwealth Games competitions for the Black Ferns Sevens, as well as two World Cup Sevens crowns and multiple Sevens World Series titles.    On top of team success, Woodman-Wickliffe has claimed a host of personal accolades including the 2020 World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Decade.

Otago Sparks wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis has called-up to the White Ferns as part of the ODI squad to face India in a three-game series in Ahmedabad later this week.   The uncapped 28-year-old received her first NZC central contract in June following consistent performances with bat and gloves in last season’s domestic competitions and for New Zealand A. LATEST HEADLINES: Ford Trophy wins for Volts, Aces, Canterbury Wellington to face Bay of Plenty for NPC title Tandem top-10s for Kiwi golfers on Asian Tour Lawson has drive of his life for F1 top-10 finish Wilde wins final World Triathlon series event   Auckland Hearts batter Lauren Down has also been included in the 15-player squad, after making her return to international cricket in July following a maternity break.    Central Hinds pace-bowler Rosemary Mair has been rested for the series as part of her long-term rehabilitation from a serious back injury sustained earlier this year.   Mair’s bowling loads were managed through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and it has been determined that further management is needed before she returns to 50-over cricket.   Mair and off-spinner Leigh Kasperek are the only omissions from the squad who competed in the recent T20 World Cup winning campaign in the UAE.   Head coach Ben Sawyer said the selection of Inglis was a nod to the future.   “We’re really excited to introduce Polly for her first tour,” said Sawyer.   “She put her hand up in last season’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and throughout the New Zealand A series against England, so it’s a great next step for her.   Sawyer said the tour was an exciting opportunity for the full tour party.   “Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket,” he said.   “It’s such a special place to come and I know everyone is looking forward to the challenge ahead.   “Alongside trying to win the series, the tour will serve as important preparation for next year’s ODI World Cup in India.”   The won the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai with a 32-run win over South Africa.    “It’s been an amazing 24 hours for this group becoming T20 World Cup champions,” said Sawyer.   “We’re relishing the win but when we get to India we’ll need to refocus and set our sights on the next challenge.”   White Ferns ODI squad for India Sophie Devine (C)  Wellington Blaze, Suzie Bates  Otago Sparks, Eden Carson  Otago Sparks, Lauren Down  Auckland Hearts, Izzy Gaze  Auckland Hearts, Maddy Green  Auckland Hearts, Brooke Halliday  Auckland Hearts, Polly Inglis *   Otago Sparks, Fran Jonas  Auckland Hearts, Jess Kerr  Wellington Blaze, Melie Kerr  Wellington Blaze, Molly Penfold  Wellington Blaze, Georgia Plimmer  Wellington Blaze, Hannah Rowe  Central Hinds, Lea Tahuhu  Canterbury Magicians * Uncapped   White Ferns ODI tour to India schedule   1st ODI  – Thursday 24 October – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – 9pm NZT   2nd ODI  – Sunday 27 October - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – 9pm NZT   3rd ODI  – Tuesday 29 October - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – 9pm NZT

Will O'Donnell, Gus McKenzie and Dale Phillips were the best performers on the opening day of the domestic cricket season. O'Donnell's Auckland, McKenzie's Canterbury and Phillips' Otago all recorded comfortable wins as the summer of cricket got underway with the first round of the 50-over Ford Trophy competition on Sunday. LATEST HEADLINES: Wellington to face Bay of Plenty for NPC title Tandem top-10s for Kiwi golfers on Asian Tour Lawson has drive of his life for F1 top-10 finish Wilde wins final World Triathlon series event Kerr stars as White Ferns win T20 World Cup O'Donnell scored the season's first century, with a new one-day career-high 115 for his second List-A ton in the Aces' 39-run victory over Central Districts at New Plymouth's Pukekura Park. Coming in at first-drop, the 27-year-old right-hander batted from the sixth over to the 49th, striking nine fours and four sixes in his 132-ball and more than three-hour stay at the crease. He shared a 98-run partnership with No 4 batsman Michael Schlanders (40 from 52) and helped guide Auckland through to 244-6 from their 50 overs. He was Black Caps paceman Blair Tickner's fourth victim. In response, Central lost early wickets to Danru Ferns (2-22 from seven overs), before opener Curtis Heaphy (31 from 69), Tom Bruce (73 from 65) and Will Clark (45 from 46) attempted to resurrect the innings. Former Black Cap Jimmy Neesham (4-32 from nine) took care of the middle order and Adithya Ashok (2-38 from 10) the lower order, as CD were dismissed for 205 in the 46th over. Black Caps fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who was unwanted for New Zealand's test matches against Sri Lanka and India, claimed the wicket of Clark to end the match. At the Basin Reserve in Wellington, McKenzie took the first five-wicket bag of the season, finishing with figures of 5-14 from 8.2 overs as Canterbury rolled to a six-wicket victory over the Firebirds. After Wellington had made a decent start, McKenzie knocked the top of their lineup off, with three quick wickets to reduce the hosts to 68-4. Zac Foulkes (3-24 from seven) also did damage, with the pair taking wickets regularly as Wellington were all out for 129 in the 41st over. Canterbury were never in danger during the chase, with Black Caps one-day opener Chad Bowes (48 from 49) and Matt Boyle (45 from 34) each hitting seven fours to get the visitors home in the 23rd over. At Whangarei's Cobham Oval, opener Phillips scored 89 from 109 balls, including eight fours and a six as the Volts posted 316-9 in their 50 overs against Northern Districts. Phillips and Leo Carter (53 from 58) added 119 runs for the fourth wicket, and were aided by starts from Llew Johnson (39 from 38), Luke Georgeson (40 from 23, including four fours and two sixes) and Max Chu (32 from 29) to put up the biggest total of the day. Black Caps paceman Scott Kuggeleijn took 4-50 from 10 and Scott Johnston an expensive 3-62 from nine for the Knights. Northern's chase was always in trouble as wickets fell with regularity, with opener F Lellman top-scoring with 33 from 43, including six fours. Michael Bacon took 3-20 from six, Dean Foxcroft 3-36 from 8.4, Andrew Hazeldine 2-24 from 10 and Ben Lockrose 2-18 from six. The second round on Wednesday sees Canterbury host Otago at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, Auckland play Wellington at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, and Norther Districts head to New Plymouth to take on Central Districts. All matches start at 10.30am.

Bay of Plenty have the chance to win just their second National Provincial Championship (NPC) title, and first since 1976, but Wellington will have something to say about that. The Steamers face the Lions at Wellington's Sky Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3.05pm) in what could be a huge final for both sides. LATEST HEADLINES: Wilde wins final World Triathlon series event Kerr stars as White Ferns win T20 World Cup Silver Ferns stun Australia with big victory Black Caps score eight-wicket win over India Wellington Phoenix held to a draw in opener In their semifinal, Bay of Plenty beat Canterbury 32-20 in Tauranga, with flanker Joe Johnston going over in the corner from a rolling maul early in the match. Canterbury then had hooker Brodie McAlister score the visitors' first try from mauling play. Another penalty goal to first five-eighths Isaac Hutchinson saw Canterbury to the break leading 13-8. Bay of Plenty scored two minutes into the second spell under penalty advantage with second five Willis Haloholo charging over in the corner to level the scores. In the 56th minute, Bay of Plenty stole a crucial march when replacement fullback Lucas Cashmore raced into the backline to create an overlap that saw wing Leroy Carter show his scoring expertise to touch down in the corner. Kaleb Trask landed a sideline conversion to put the home team out to a 22-13 lead, and added a penalty goal as well. With 10 minutes on the clock Cashmore, ran a kick back with the support of replacement midfielder Fehi Fineanganofo. He split the defence, and while tackled, he had loose forward Semisi Paea backing up with a full head of steam that carried him 22m to score. The Cantabs did have some consolation with the last try of the game after halfback Willi Heinz took a tap penalty to put replacement back Jone Rova in for the try. Meanwhile in the Capital, penalty goals were exchanged early on between Wellington and Waikato. However, a powerful charge by hooker Leni Apisai, Wellington scored first, after second-five Riley Higgins broke through in midfield and off-loaded to halfback Kyle Preston to score under the posts in the 18th minute. But Waikato wing, usually a loose forward Ollie Mathis built something from nothing when, from his half, he received the ball, kicked ahead, got a favourable bounce to kick again, recovered, and dived over for Waikato's opening try. Just before halftime, Higgins was yellow-carded for being offside and impeding the ball, which resulted in a penalty try. The home team replied as prop Siale Lauaki thundered his way over to give the halftime score of 17-15 to the visitors. Wellington started the second spell as first five Callum Harkin put a weighted kick ahead and got the bounce to link outside to fullback Tjay Clarke who had Preston at hand to take the ball and score his second. Home captain Kirifi du'Plessis showed some outstanding leadership in defence, josting ball loose in tackles and unrelenting in his turnover plays. In the last 20 and replacement hooker Penieli Poasa was on the end of a Wellington lineout drive and secured a try that gave his side a welcome scoring buffer. Waikato scored with five minutes left, off the back of a long pass from Aaron Cruden to second five-five Quinn Tupaea out wide. He linked inside, and it was replacement prop Mason Tupaea who scored but the home team was able to close down the game from there. Bay of Plenty 32 (Joe Johnston, Willis Haloholo, Leroy Carter, Semisi Paea tries; Kaleb Trask 3 con, 2 pen) Canterbury 20 (Brodie McAlister, Jone Rova tries; Isaac Hutchinson con, pen, Chay Fihaki con). HT: 8-13 Wellington 29 (Kyle Preston 2, Siale Lauaki, Penieli Poasa tries; Callum Harkin 3 con, pen) Waikato 24 (Ollie Mathis, Mason Tupaea tries; Penalty try; Aaron Cruden 2 con, pen). HT: 15-17

New Zealand golfers Ben Campbell and Nick Voke have both produced top-10 results on the Asian Tour. Campbell finished in a tie for fourth and Voke a share of seventh after the final round of the US$2 million Black Mountain Championship on Sunday at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand. LATEST HEADLINES: Lawson has drive of his life for F1 top-10 finish Wilde wins final World Triathlon series event Kerr stars as White Ferns win T20 World Cup Silver Ferns shock Diamonds with big victory Black Caps score eight-wicket win over India Campbell, a winner on the Asian Tour earlier this year, fired an eight-under 64 that featured nine birdies and a lone bogey to move up 11 places at 20-under, three strokes behind the winner, Michael Maguire, who defeated fellow American John Catlin in a playoff. The 33-year-old was almost perfect from tee-to-green, hitting 13-of-14 fairways and 15-of-18 greens in regulation as he put together back-to-back birdies on three occasions - at the first and second, fifth and sixth, and 12th and 13th. Campbell, who defeated Catlin in a playoff to win the International Series Morocco tournament in July, had earlier rounds of 68, 70 and 66. He remains second in both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and International Series, some distance behind Catlin in both. The Order of Merit winner qualifies for The Open, while the International Series winner earns a place in the LIV Golf League. Voke closed with a bogey-free seven-under 65 to also move up from a tie for 11th after 54 holes, along with Campbell. It was his best result since finishing T-5 at the Players Series Sydney tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia in February. The Aucklander, who celebrated his 30th birthday early last week, banked birdies at the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, 12th, 16th and 17th holes to finish at 19-under, following rounds of 68, 67 and 69. With six tournaments remaining in 2024, Voke is 76th on the Order of Merit, with the top-60 earning Asian Tour cards for 2025. Denzel Ieremia is the only other Kiwi on the rankings, at 158th. In South Korea, Lydia Ko has finished tied for 12th at the LPGA Tour's BMW Ladies Championship, north of Seoul. Ko compiled rounds of 67, 66 and 71 before closing with a second straight one-under 71 in the final round on Sunday, finishing at 13-under, six shots adrift of the winner, Australian Hannah Green. The 27-year-old made just two bogeys in 72 holes in her country of birth. The second came at the 10th hole in the final round, before back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th holes got her back into red numbers. Thanks to three victories in 2024, Ko remains second behind American Nelly Korda in the LPGA's Race to the Globe rankings with four tournaments before the season-ending Tour Championship. In the US, Ryan Fox still has work to do to earn his PGA Tour card for 2025 after another modest finish during the FedEx Cup Fall series. Fox carded a two-under 69 in the final round of the Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas on Sunday (Monday NZ Time) but dropped six spots into a share of 34th at 11-under, 11 behind the winner, American JT Poston. The 37-year-old completed golf bingo, with an eagle, three birdies, a bogey and double-bogey in his up-and-down final round, leaving him 105th in the rankings, with the top-125 earning cards. Like Fox, Daniel Hillier already has playing status on the DP World Tour next year but his chances of reaching the European tour's playoffs this year faded further over the weekend. Hillier closed with a second consecutive even-par 72 in the fourth round at the Andalucia Masters in Spain on Sunday (Monday NZT), finishing in a tie for 43rd at seven-under, 14 strokes below the champion, Frenchman Julien Guerrier. Despite dropping 18 places on the final day after making two birdies and two bogeys, Hillier will move up two spots to 96th in the DP World Tour's Road to Dubai rankings. The top-70 qualify for the two-tournament playoffs. The 26-year-old will likely need a top-five finish at the final event, this week's Genesis Championship in Incheon, South Korea, to have a chance, a similar scenario facing fellow Kiwi Sam Jones, currently 142nd, to rise into the top-115 to earn his DP World Tour card for 2025. No such playing card drama for Steven Alker on the PGA Tour Champions as he remains second to Ernie Els at the top of the Charles Schwab Cup standings. Alker fired a bogey-free three-under 69 in the last round of the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Richmond, Virginia, climbing 11 rungs into a share of 37th at one-under, 12 strokes away from American Tim O'Neal. The 53-year-old rolled in birdie putts at the 15th, sixth and ninth holes on Sunday (Monday NZT), after earlier rounds of 71 and 75, which uncharacteristically left him well off the pace after 36 holes. Just one tournament remains before next month's season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, which Alker won last year.

New Zealand Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson has finished ninth in the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas scoring two points in the process. The top-10 finish is a massive boost for the 22-year-old who has been placed in the drivers seat at the expense of Australian Daniel Ricciardo. LATEST HEADLINES: Wilde wins final World Triathlon series event Kerr stars as White Ferns win T20 World Cup Silver Ferns stun Australia with big victory Black Caps score eight-wicket win over India Wellington Phoenix held to a draw in opener Charles Leclerc won the race, ahead Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. Lando Norris was third across the line, but lost the place to Max Verstappen after a five-second penalty was imposed after he left the track, gaining an advantage in overtaking Verstappen. Lawson started at the back of the grid due to engine penalties incurred by his RB racing team, while George Russell started from the pit lane after his crash in qualifying. Remarkably, Mercedes driver Russell worked his way through the field to finish sixth. Lawson had a sensational start, moving from 19th to 14th by the end of the first lap. He continued to advance through the field, and by lap 19 was in eighth. He moved up to seventh after 30 laps, but dropped a few places after a late pit stop and comfortably held ninth place over the closing laps. Leclerc won in one hour, 35 minutes 9.639 seconds, with Lawson 76 seconds behind him. The Kiwi's effort matched his ninth place in last year's Singapore Grand Prix, and moved him to 20th in the F1 standings. It is a big fillip for him as he tries to raise his profile with Red Bull, RB's parent company, as he looks for a place in their premier team next year. Key for Lawson was that he finished in front of fellow RB driver and rival Yuki Tsunodo, who was 14th.

New Zealand's Hayden Wilde capped off his year with victory at the World Triathlon Championship Series finale in Torremolinos, Spain. Wilde got home in a time of 1 hour and 42 minutes on Sunday (Monday NZ Time), charging up the field after the first lap of the run leg. LATEST HEADLINES: Kerr stars as White Ferns win WT20 World Cup Silver Ferns shock Australia with big victory Black Caps score eight-wicket win over India Wellington Phoenix held to a draw in opener Fox moves up PGA leaderboard, Hillier drops It was one of the best races of his career so far, with the Olympic silver medallist speeding over the 10km run off a blistering bike leg to take the tape by a minute from Frenchman Leo Bergere. Second for the Frenchman saw him hold on to the series silver, with the victory seeing Wilde finish the season with series bronze. Britain's Alex Yee was third in the race, but took out top prize overall. Wilde, 27, was delighted with his race victory after just 'having a go' on the bike leg and following up on the run. “I came out of the swim in a good position and had a plan to sit on the fourth wheel then Leo went out like a bat out of hell and I saw a gap and just thought, ‘why not?’, and we just worked so well together. "I had the same sort of plan as the Olympic Games really, two laps hard, one lap easy then go and had a really nice gap. It’s a bit disappointing not to win the world championships but to win the grand final is something special," he said. “It’s a bit of redemption for Paris, but more so for Weihai, that course was perfect for me. "Today I turned up with my bike legs back on and executed all three disciplines really well. I knew there was a little gap on the bike and I just put my head down and it was nice to go with Vince in his last race.” Fellow Kiwi Tayler Reid was seventh, while in the women's elite race, Ainsley Thorpe finished 34th and Nicole Van der Kaay 36th.

The White Ferns have won the women's T20 World Cup after a 32 run win over South Africa in the final in Dubai. Going into the tournament the New Zealand side lacked form and struggled to combine as a team. LATEST HEADLINES: Silver Ferns stun Australia with big victory Black Caps score eight-wicket win over India Wellington Phoenix held to a draw in opener Fox moves up PGA leaderboard, Hillier drops Botha claims world champs bronze in pursuit That changed as the tournament wore on. The win came on the back of a starring role by Amelia Kerr who top-scored in the total of 158-5 with 43 runs and then took 3-24 plus a catch as well. For South Africa it was their second finals loss in a row as they struggled to get momentum in their chase eventually stalling at 126-9. Captain and opener Laura Wolvaardt made 33 before being caught Suzie Bates bowled Kerr The other opener, Tazmin Brits made 17, but the remainder of the side didn't contribute much. Earlier the White Ferns had Bates make 32 from 31 balls, Georgia Plimmer went for nine before Kerr made her 43 from 38 balls with four fours. Captain Sophie Devine made eight while Brooke Halliday was busy in her 38 runs from 28 balls. Maddy Green added 12 and Izabella Gaze three along with a handy 15 extras. Rosemary Mair took 3-25 while Eden Carson, Fran Jonas and Halliday all took a wicket each.

Storming home in the final quarter, the Silver Ferns set the Constellation Cup alight after stunning Australia 64-50 in the four-test series opener in Wellington on Sunday. With history favouring the home team in recent Constellation Cup series, this year’s opening match followed a similar trend but the Silver Ferns were particularly impressive in rebounding strongly from last month’s disappointing Taini Jamison Trophy loss to England. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps score eight-wicket win over India Wellington Phoenix held to a draw in opener Fox moves up PGA leaderboard, Hillier drops Botha claims world champs bronze in pursuit Team New Zealand lock up the America's Cup The Silver Ferns delivered their biggest win over the Diamonds since 2010 while recording their highest score against their trans-Tasman rivals in a non-extra-time match. In searching for answers against the Silver Ferns, Australia used all 12 of their playing squad while the Silver Ferns stuck with their starting seven apart from the final few minutes when midcourter Claire O’Brien was injected. Strong and clinical across most facets of play, the Silver Ferns had plenty of ball, nailing 64 goals from their 68 attempts while also enjoying 11 gains to Australia’s five. "It was hard work and I’m just real proud of the group,’’ Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said. "We’ve had a tough couple of weeks and how we played tonight is what we’ve been putting out in training, so I’m just stoked that it’s come into the game. That’s what we’ve been working on so hard, and I’m so happy.’’ With Kimiora Poi getting the nod at wing attack, Maddy Gordon, at centre, and Kate Heffernan, wing defence, the Silver Ferns presented with a pacey and strong defensive unit in the midcourt. Missing through injury for their recent series against England, the Diamonds welcomed top-quality goalkeeper Courtney Bruce back to the international arena and with it, the task of marking key Silver Ferns shooting target Grace Nweke. International netball’s most long-standing and celebrated rivalry was on show from the first whistle, the match providing an action-packed and high-scoring opening stanza. A goal-for-goal stand-off combined with the intense nature of the contest provided the cleanest of starts where turnovers were low both ways with few crumbs on offer for the defenders, leaving the attacking lines to stamp their mark. With Gordon and Poi delivering quick-release ball into Nweke’s hands, the Silver Ferns matched the Diamonds all the way. Through the first quarter, the home side had to work harder in their second phase play but retaining possession and patience were key assets. Diamonds pair Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin showed great shooter-to-shooter connection under the hoop, a late Heffernan pick-up giving the Silver Ferns the impetus to squeeze a narrow 17-16 lead at the first break. The Silver Ferns moved up a gear on the resumption with the in-circle defensive pairing of Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger turning up the heat in the Diamonds circle resulting in hesitancy and tentativeness from the visiting shooters. With Ekenasio getting through a big workload on attack and Gordon and Heffernan providing the smother in front of the Australian attackers the Silver Ferns dominated the second stanza. With Australian goal shoot Garbin replaced by Cara Koenen and goal defence Sunday Aryang by Jo Weston, the Diamonds were firmly on the back foot when trailing 34-25 at the main break. There were more changes from the Diamonds as the Silver Ferns braced for the inevitable push-back from the world champions. Showing great ball speed through court with captain Liz Watson orchestrating the visitor’s attacking moves, the elusive Koenen and Sophie Dwyer delivered some slick momentum in the shooting circle as Australia battled to change the momentum. However, despite a couple of hiccups, the Silver Ferns remained staunch with Nweke at the shooting end delivering a masterclass while the long-limbed Jackson and movement of Burger ensured the Australian shooters were never comfortable. Weathering the storm, the Silver Ferns held on to a 47-40 lead at three-quarter time. The danger was far from over with the Diamonds closing the gap to five during the opening stages of the final stanza, the Silver Ferns galvanised by two telling interceptions, firstly by Gordon, then another by Heffernan while being roared on by a buoyant home crowd to ensure there was a timely resurgence to seal an impressive first-up win.

Darkness has a again halted the completion of a full round at the PGA tournament in Las Vegas where Ryan Fox made a big jump up the l eaderboard. Starting on the back nine Fox birdied six of his first nine holes to go from thee-under to the front nine holes. LATEST HEADLINES: Botha claims bronze in pursuit at track Black Caps chase win and history in India Team New Zealand lock up America's Cup NZ Breakers hold off Wildcats in return home Auckland FC debut in A-League with victory Fox had his one blemish on the third hole, but birdied the fourth and still has the eighth and ninth holes of the round to play. He's now nine-under overall and tied 26th up 26 places and six shots behind the American leaders Doug Ghim and J.T Poston at 15-under, both of whom are yet to finish their third rounds. Meanwhile at the Andalucia Masters in Spain, Daniel Hillier has had a slight drop downwards. Hillier is tied 25th at seven-under after three bogeys and three birdies in his third round, a long way back from the leaders Jorge Campillo of Spain and Frenchman Julien Guerrer on 19-under.

The Black Caps have scored their first test win in India for 34 years with an eight wicket victory in Bengaluru in the first test. The victory was only the third win in the history of the two nations in the sub-continent. The first in 1969 and the second 1988. LATEST HEADLINES: Wellington Phoenix held to draw in opener Fox up leaderboard, Hillier down in Spain Botha claims bronze in pursuit at track Black Caps chase win and history in India Team New Zealand lock up America's Cup Rachin Ravindra on 39 not out and Will Young 48 took New Zealand to the 107 run target to win. But it wasn't plain sailing Captain Tom Latham was dismissed for no score, lbw to Jasprit Bumrah when the total was one. Devon Conway was also lbw to the same bowler for 17 leaving the Black Caps at 35-2 and with potential rain on the horizon a little bit of pressure being applied. However after around 50 shots were played and missed it was Young who reassured the innings hitting one six and seven fours. Ravindra took a little bit longer to get going before hitting six fours. Ravindra was voted man of the match after his 134 in the first innings and 39 not out in the second. One standout statistic was that swing or seam bowlers took 17 of the 20 wickets which fell, 15 shared between Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke, the other two for Time Southee The second test starts on Thursday in Pune.

The Wellington Phoenix have let slip a winning performance in their opening match of the 2024-25 A-League season to finish with a 1-1 draw in Wellington. The new-look Phoenix had a string of debutants and just four of the same starters from the club’s last starting XI in the 2023-24 Finals Series. LATEST HEADLINES: Fox up leaderboard, Hillier down in Spain Botha claims bronze in pursuit at track Black Caps chase win and history in India Team New Zealand lock up America's Cup NZ Breakers hold off Wildcats in return home However it was business as usual from veteran striker Kosta Barbarouses who put the Phoenix ahead in first-half stoppage time. Giancarlo Italiano’s side looked set to cruise to an opening-round victory but Western United grew in confidence through the second half and equalised in a period of control through midfielder Angus Thurgate in the 76th minute. The Phoenix came into the new season under pressure to perform after the club’s best-ever A-League finish in 2023-24, when Italiano’s side finished second and reached the Semi-Finals. Italiano’s chances of repeating the success of last season were severely impacted by important players leaving the club, headlined by stars Alex Paulsen, Oskar Zaawada, Ben Old, Bozhidar Kraev and Finn Surman. The turnover was evident with only four players from the starting XI that faced Melbourne Victory in last season’s second-leg returning tsemi start the first game of 2024-25: Tim Payne, Scott Wootton, Alex Rufer and Barbarouses. The starting line-up also featured four players under the age of 21; Finn Conchie (21), Isaac Hughes (20), Matt Sheridan (20) and Nathan Walker (18) all earned starting roles. But for everything that had changed at the Phoenix in the off-season, one thing remained the same: the inevitable scoring ability of veteran striker Barbarouses who, on the stroke of half-time, put Wellington ahead of Western United in his side’s season opener. After an hour the Nix had eight shots on goal to Western’s three – and the majority of the host’s chances had fallen to Barbarouses, who received several chances to double his tally including a half-volleyed chip that missed the target and a bicycle kick attempt over the bar. But Western grew into the contest through the second half and as confidence rose, the visitors began to accumulate chances to equalise and, in the 76th minute, John Aloisi’s side found their equaliser through Angus Thurgate’s lethal finish into the bottom-right corner. Alex Rufer had the chance to put Wellington back in front soon after Western’s equaliser but his rasping effort from the edge of the box missed the target