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International squash returns to Auckland this weekend with the Auckland Open PSA Challenger tournament as New Zealand's best young players try to improve their PSA world rankings. The tournament runs from Thursday to Sunday at the North Shore Squash Club, with the women's final at 2pm Sunday, followed by the men's final. LATEST HEADLINES: Japan Tour victory for Kiwi Michael Hendry Sam Cane to call time on All Blacks career NZ's Alker, Fox make big final round charges Giants stun Saints in NBL; Airs down Sharks Cassidy second at Berlin e-Prix, extends lead Top seed in the men’s draw is Kiwi Temwa Chileshe at No 121, a few places below his high of 105. The 23-year-old competed for New Zealand at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. Chileshe has been a beaten finalist the last three years; 2021 to Evan Williams, 2022 to his brother Lwamba and again 12 months later to Australia's Joseph White. "Hopefully this is my year," said the 23-year-old from Waikato. The second seed is Auckland's Anthony Lepper at No 144 who is searching for his first Challenger title, as is Taupo third seed William Donnelly. Left-hander Mason Smales, from the Henderson club, is the fourth seed, ranked No 264. A total of nine different nations will have players competing in the draws, from Samoa, Malta to Australia, Scotland, England, Korea, Hong Kong, India, and plenty of New Zealanders. Of the younger Kiwis in the draw, Oliver Dunbar recently won the Australia, Oceania and New Zealand junior titles and has a PSA ranking of 415 at the age of 18. Like Dunbar, the Northland duo of Flynn Venmore and Freddie Jameson are also members of the New Zealand junior team to compete at the world championships in the USA later this year. The women's draw is littered with numerous teens looking to kick-start their pro careers. It is headed by Australian 18-year-old Madison Lyon at No 133, followed by Ella Lash, who won the Oceania and New Zealand junior titles and was a finalist at the Oceania juniors. Third seed is Bay of Plenty left-hander Winona-Jo Joyce, ranked at No 205, while improving teens Sophie Hodges (Waikato), Anabel Romero Gemmell (Manawatu) and Mackenzie Tait (Wellington) are also lining up. Lana Harrison, the winner of the Auckland Championships on three occasions including the last two years, is unseeded and will keep the youngsters in check and will again be a favourite for the title. More than 160 are players taking part in the numerous graded championships, all at the North Shore Club in Takapuna. Action on the main courts will be streamed on Squash Auckland's Facebook page.

The Warriors are going to have to come up with something special to end the rot of three consecutive losses and four games without a win. They take on the Rosters at 4pm in Sydney in almost must win game to get their season back on track. The Rosters are sixth on the table with five wins and four losses and good victories over ST George and the Broncos. The Warriors have three wins, and a draw. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ top-20 in FIFA Futsal world rankings Stairmand, Vette named for Olympic surfing Unbeaten Tactix hold on for win over Magic Steven Alker tied for fourth at rain-hit event NZ's Lulu Sun wins two WTT titles in Florida Dual Sevens titles for NZ sides in Singapore There’s a new-look to the forward pack for the Warriors as a result of a calf injury to second-rower Kurt Capewell. Mitch Barnett moves to the back row with Bunty Afoa coming into the run-on side in the front row, while middle forward Jazz Tevaga returns from a hamstring injury on the bench. Twenty-eight-year-old Tevaga will be back for his 124th game of first grade. Hooker Freddy Lussick is available again after serving his suspension picked up in reserve grade and could join the 17 before kick-off. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Rocco Berry, 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Te Maire Martin, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Bunty Afoa, 11 Jackson Ford, 12 Mitch Barnett , 13 Tohu Harris Interchange: 14 Dylan Walker, 15 Tom Ale, 16 Jacob Laban, 17 Jazz Tevega, 18 Adam Pompey, 20 Taine Tuaupiki, 21 Zyon Maiu'u, 22 Edward Kosi, 23 Freddy Lussick.

The Waikato-BOP Magic have secured their second win of the ANZ Premiership with a dominant final quarter to beat the Southern Steel 54-45 win in Rotorua. With the scores tied at 38-all heading into the final 15 minutes, and the Steel leading, albeit by close margins for large chunks, it was anyone’s game but powered by a quality defensive effort, the Magic flicked the switch with an all-consuming 16-7 finish. LATEST HEADLINES: Multiple Kiwi golfers surge into contention Black Sticks Men settle for Pakistan draw Franklin Bulls keep Sharks winless in NBL Chiefs score big win over Moana Pasifika Hamish Kerr fourth at Gravity Challenge After suffering a narrow one-goal loss last week, the Magic rebounded in style to post their second win of the season while completely shutting the Steel out of a bonus point opportunity. The Magic remained with their settled starting seven of recent weeks with the ever-improving trio of Ali Wilshier (wing attack), Claire O’Brien (centre) and Georgie Edgecombe (wing defence) combining in the midcourt. The injury-plagued Steel were forced into another reshuffle after Shannon Saunders was ruled out of the match, resulting in explosive young up-and-comer Ivari Christie getting the nod at wing attack and South African import Jeante Strydom lining up at goal defence. The visitors’ got the early jump to forge a four-goal buffer where the shooter-to-shooter link between Grace Namana and Georgia Heffernan continued to flourish for the Steel. With Christie playing a prominent role in spearheading the southerner’s attack line measured with the Steel’s renowned ball retention, the Magic found few chinks in their opponent’s arsenal. As the Magic threatened to close the gap, the Steel held them at bay to close out the first quarter with a 15-12 lead. Wilshier and O’Brien swapped positions on the resumption and the Magic were out of the blocks quickly. Flexing their defensive muscle, the combination of Erena Mikaere and Georgia Takarangi orchestrated plenty of turnover opportunities. In three short minutes, the home side had levelled the scores, finding their flow on attack while shooters Saviour Tui and Ameliaranne Ekenasio found their own shooter-to-shooter timing and execution with some standout play. Hitting the lead for the first time after six minutes was a short-lived moment for the Magic, the Steel wresting back the slightest of edges to nose their way back in front of a tight and entertaining match. The Steel crept out to a three-goal lead as the quarter progressed, the Magic ensuring it did not stretch out too far when the southerners took a 27-25 lead into the main break. Led by captain Ekenasio, playing a strong hand through her increased volume and accuracy under the hoop while also being a disruptive influence on defence, the Magic produced a spirited reply to the resilient Steel. A re-jigged defence line with Oceane Maihi producing an energetic performance from goal defence and Takarangi slotting in at wing defence, combined to cause plenty of problems for the Steel. With her long reach, Mikaere was also a menacing presence, disrupting the visiting shooters who became increasingly unnerved as a result. High in intensity and with little separating the combatants, an exciting run to the line was a given when the teams headed into the last break all tied up at 38-apiece. Both ends for the Magic were instrumental in a decisive final quarter for the home side. At the shooting end Tui burst into a dominant force through her athletic and accurate return under the post while at the opposite end, Mikaere was in form through her turnover and rebounding abilities for her best game of the season and a winning outcome for the Magic.

The Central Pulse have maintained their place at the top of the ladder with a win over the Mainland Tactix to become the only unbeaten side in the ANZ Premiership. In what was a masterclass in defence from both teams, the Pulse netted a 36-30 victory over the Tactix at Palmerston North Arena. LATEST HEADLINES: Hourigan wins second consecutive title World Cup gold for Carrington, Hoskin Highlanders hold off Crusaders in Dunedin Blues go to top after defeating Hurricanes Black Ferns blast the USA with quick start Magic dominate late quarter to beat Steel Such was the strength of defence that the score was the equal lowest combined halftime tally in the history of the ANZ Premiership and Championship competitions. Despite being early in the competition, there was a sense of importance to this result in what was a top-of-the-table clash. The defensive arsenal at either end of the court promised plenty and they delivered, much to the detriment of the scoreboard. Goals were scarce as the attacking ends struggled to navigate their way through the defensive pressure – the Pulse able to unravel those answers faster to net their fifth win on the trot and hold their place at the top of the league ladder. They again called on experienced midcourter Claire Kersten to pick up the vacant centre bib with Maddy Gordon out of action, while Kiana Pelasio got the start at goal attack. There were no surprises in the Tactix line-up with Paris Lokotui preferred at wing defence with Ellie Bird again at goal shoot. From the opening whistles, the influence of the defensive prowess was clear – the shooting wobbles evident from both teams as they found themselves under immense scrutiny. It took over three minutes for the Pulse to register their opening points and just 30 seconds later to level the scores. The full court defence from the hosts posed plenty of attacking questions for the Tactix as they were loathe to go over the long reach of Kelly Jackson – a standout with eight intercepts. At the other end of the court, Whitney Souness showcased her speed and feeding abilities as she found Amelia Walmsley through the wall of red-and-black. A couple of early footwork calls against the Tactix gave the Pulse the edge on the scoreboard but with goal keeper Jane Watson in a hunting mode, the visitors were always within reach, trailing 7-9 at the first break. It prompted Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek to turn to her bench with Jess Allan introduced into the goal attack bib with Te Paea Selby-Rickit moving to the shooter role in place of Bird. Neither shooting circle looked settled however under the relentless pressure from defence – the accuracy suffering under the spotlight with the Tactix landing 53 per cent of their attempts and the Pulse 59 per cent. It saw the two coaches look for something different to break the shackles with Bird brought back on court in place of Selby-Rickit and Khiarna Williams coming on for the Pulse with Walmsley moving out to goal attack. Hunting as a pack, the Pulse gave few options for the Tactix on attack and Delaney-Hoshek wasted little time looking for the answer with Greer Sinclair coming into the centre role and captain Kimiora Poi moving to the wing. The turnovers continued for both sides in arguably the biggest defensive match of the league to date. The 16-13 scoreline in favour of the Pulse at halftime was testimony to the immense battle unfolding at either end of the court. No changes were made to either line after the break, but with the Pulse opening a five-goal buffer just a couple of minutes into the spell, the Tactix brought Selby-Rickit back into the mix. With Souness igniting the Pulse frontline, the hosts started to take control. But the Tactix were not to be outdone – Poi at her best – and a run of five goals got the visitors back in the hunt before a buzzer beater from Walmsley gave the Pulse a 26-22 advantage heading into the final spell.

The Northern Mystics have beaten the Northern Stars in the first of the Northern Challenge clashes 56-51 in Takanini in a game where the lead changed multiple times. Stars defender Kate Burley’s six intercepts and three deflections were the individual highlight of the game, but not enough to inspire the Stars’ first victory of the season. LATEST HEADLINES: Japan Tour victory for Michael Hendry Sam Cane to call time on All Blacks career NZ's Alker, Fox make big final round charges Giants stun Saints in NBL; Airs down Sharks Cassidy second at Berlin e-Prix, extends lead Filda Vui left the court injured with three minutes left on the clock, sending a scare through a Mystics already without key shooter Grace Nweke. Vui had played an excellent hand at goal attack, contributing 22-from-24, well supporting Hannah Glen’s 34-from-38. The Mystics had the stronger start, emphasised by telling defence from Carys Stythe and Phoenix Karaka, and stormed out to a six-goal lead. Both Hannah Glen and Filda Vui began in confident form, neither missing a shot in the opening quarter as they form a tight pair. The Stars shooters found themselves under more pressure, and their midcourters had to work harder to find the circle edge. But Mila Reuelu-Buchanan dictated play, they clawed back to two midway through the spell. Down 17-13 at the first break, the Stars turned to a new defensive line-up, bringing Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa on at goal defence to work with Kate Burley slipping back to goal keep. The change had immediate impact for the home side, and with Burley going out hunting, and claiming a couple of crucial intercepts, the Stars suddenly stole a one-goal lead. Whenever the Mystics threatened to fall back into their rhythm, the Stars pressured. While Stars wing defence Holly Fowler gave the Mystics’ wing attack Peta Toeava a run for her money, it was hard to deny the wing attack’s dominance feeding Glen and Vui with a variety of long, short and bounce passes. With the Mystics taking a slight upper hand, Stars goal shoot Rahni Samason entered the game for Monica Falkner, and Wilson moved to goal attack. But the Mystics held onto a two-goal advantage at halftime, 29-27. In the third quarter, the pendulum swung back the Stars’ way, with the experienced head of Burley taking control in the defensive circle, shored up by the rookie Munro-Nonoa. Holly Mather used clever vision to feed Wilson, who stood strong under the hoop back at goal shoot, and the home side went three goals up. But yet again, the Stars weren’t able to take full control. Toeava, Glen and Vui regained their invisible threads, and the Mystics claimed back the lead, 41-39, going into the final spell. The Stars – in particular Burley - never gave up and surged again twice during the quarter, but a final intercept by Catherine Hall at goal keep ensured the Mystics’ lead remained intact.

Almost 12 years since making his All Blacks debut, Rugby World Cup winner and two-time Super Rugby champion Sam Cane has made the decision to bow out of the Test arena at the end of 2024. Having played 95 tests (27 as captain), the 32-year-old has decided to focus on spending more time with family and sign a long-term contract with Suntory Goliath in Tokyo. LATEST HEADLINES:  NZ's Alker, Fox make big final round charges Giants stun Saints in NBL; Airs down Sharks Cassidy second at Berlin e-Prix, extends lead  Auckland City draw at OFC Champions League  Kiwi IndyCar drivers miss podium at GP of Indy  Fisher defeats Carrington for World Cup gold As planned, Cane will return home at the end of the current Japanese club season where he is on sabbatical and is eligible to be selected for the All Blacks in 2024, giving him the chance to become the team’s 13th test centurion. In 2025, Cane will relocate with his wife Harriet and two-year-old son Hudson to Tokyo after signing a three-year contract with Suntory Goliath. The deal was made possible after he requested an early release from the final year, 2025, of his contract with New Zealand Rugby (NZR). “A good opportunity came my way with Suntory Sungoliath willing to offer me a three-year contract,” Cane said. “It was something we had to seriously consider as a family due to the stage I am at in my career. It will see me through to 2027 when I’ll have my 35th birthday. “I’ve always thought that if I can play professional rugby for that length of time I’d be doing really well considering the position I play and the age that I started playing professionally. “I had to weigh up everything and, in the end, with a young family it seemed like the best decision to help set up our future. It was a very hard one because I love the teams that I represent here in New Zealand. “We obviously love this country, we love being around friends and family but we ultimately made the decision to sign with Suntory, which we’re really excited about. We have enjoyed our first year there and we just thought it was the best thing for our young family.” Cane and his wife are now expecting their second child. Being more available to them is part of the strategy moving forward - the longest stint away from home is just one night during the Japanese club competition. “The fact that Hudson is getting older, he understands when I’m going away but doesn’t understand why. In Japan we’ll get to spend so much time together as a family,” Cane added. Having made his professional debut at the age of 18, the Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker reached the pinnacle of world rugby, playing a key role in the 2015 Rugby World Cup win, captaining the side for the first time during the tournament. Before making a stellar All Blacks debut with two tries against Ireland in 2012, Cane was part of the junior world champion New Zealand Under-20 team in 2011. Cane is known for his leadership, stoic defence and his ability to overcome setbacks. His goal is to continue providing those qualities to the All Blacks environment, albeit without the captain’s armband. “It’s part of the natural process that happens in rugby. I had my time as captain and it was a huge honour and privilege,” Cane said. “If I’m fortunate enough to be selected in the All Blacks this year, then I’ll still be myself. I love that team and I just want to see the All Blacks do well, so if part of my role is contributing leadership off the field or on the field, I’ll be happy to support the new captain as best as I can to help make it a smooth transition for the All Blacks. “I’m really grateful for the time that I had to wear the captain’s armband. It was a huge honour and privilege – a lot of lessons out of it and growth.” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson added: “After discussing this at length with Sam, I fully understand the reasons behind his decision and support him. “The position he plays asks a lot of you mentally and physically – both of those things ramp up when you are captain. So to do what he’s done over such a long period is an incredible feat. I fully respect him taking this opportunity.” NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson also acknowledged Cane’s contribution and said he looked forward to welcoming him home later this month. “Sam is a special member of the All Blacks family and we have huge admiration for what he has achieved in the game.  He has made significant contribution to New Zealand rugby, and we are fully supportive of his decision to be with his family.”

The Nelson Giants have knocked the Wellington Saints from the top of the National Basketball League (NBL). In the biggest upset of the season to date, the Giants finished strong, scoring 35 points in the fourth quarter to stun the Saints 105-96 on their home floor at Wellington's TSB Arena on Sunday night. LATEST HEADLINES:  Cassidy second at Berlin e-Prix, extends lead Auckland City draw at OFC Champions League Kiwi IndyCar drivers miss podium at GP of Indy Fisher defeats Carrington for World Cup gold Caroline Powell wins Badminton Horse Trials Baby Blacks win U-20 Rugby Championship Australian forward Dan Grida led the victors with 27 points (11/16 FG, 4/5 FT) and nine rebounds, while Tall Blacks forward Dan Fotu put up 25 points (8/11 FG, 2/5 3pt, 7/10 FT), four boards and five assists. Import guard Kobe Langley came close to a triple-double, with 25 points (7/18 FG, 3/10 3pt, 8/9 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while Sam Dempster and Theo Akwuba each scored nine points. Australian guard Ben Ayre carried the Saints offence, hitting eight triples for his game-high 33 points (11/17 FG, 8/12 3pt, 3/3 FT), supported by Tall Blacks guard Izayah Le'afa with 28 points (10/22 FG, 3/12 3pt, 5/7 FT), six boards, six assists and three steals. New Zealand big Tohi Smith-Milner produced 14 points (5/12 FG, 4/7 FT), nine rebounds and four assists, while import forward Lat Mayen also put up 14 points (5/11 FG, 4/4 FT), nine boards and six assists. In a quality, even contest, which featured 15 lead changes and 11 ties, the teams exchanged the lead back-and-forth until midway through the second period. From down one with 4:56 remaining in the half, the Saints went on a 15-6 run, including two threes from Ayre, to lead 50-42 at the main break. When Mayen scored the opening bucket of the third quarter, Wellington had their largest lead. The Giants dominated the third period, with a 23-11 stretch, featuring threes from Langley, Grida and Fotu, giving them a two-point lead, but the Saints responded to go up by four entering the fourth. In a quarter of runs, Nelson scored 14 of the first 17 points to lead by seven, before the Saints tied it up with 4:18 remaining. Down the stretch, the Giants outscored the Saints 21-12, with Fotu scoring seven points. In Week 8, the Giants (4-5) host the Mid-North Whai () in a mid-table clash at Nelson's Trafalgar Centre on Sunday (tip-off 6.30pm), while the Saints (6-2) travel to Pukekohe to face the Franklin Bulls earlier that day (tip-off 1pm). Earlier on Sunday, the Taranaki Airs consigned the Southland Sharks to a 10th straight loss, rolling to a 102-78 win in New Plymouth. Australian forward Sam Froling flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 21 points (8/15 FG, 5/8 FT), nine rebounds and seven assists, with Tall Blacks guard Flynn Cameron posted 17 points (6/8 FG, 3/4 3pt), five boards, five assists and four steals. Also contributing for the Airs were Nico Hill with 15 points (6/8 FG, 2/3 3pt) off the bench, Tobias Cameron with 13 points (4/9 FG, 3/6 3pt) and seven rebounds, and Elijah Minnie with 12 points (4/6 FG, 3/4 FT). Sharks captain Alonzo Burton scored a game-high 24 points (9/18 FG, 3/7 3pt), while big Callum McRae added 19 points (7/15 FG, 5/6 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Import forward Marcale Lotts put up 16 points (8/12 FG) and four boards off the bench. The Airs dominated from the opening tip, scoring the game's first nine points and led by 11 at quarter-time. The Sharks held their own in a low-scoring second period, but the game turned into a blowout in the third. From up 12 early in the quarter, Taranaki went on a 23-2 run, thanks to eight points from Tobias Cameron and Southland going almost seven minutes without a basket, to stretch out by 33 points. Next up, the Airs () welcome the Manawatu Jets to TSB Stadium on Saturday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Sharks (0-10) are back home in Invercargill against the league-leading Auckland Tuatara (8-2) on Saturday (tip-off 4pm). Nelson Giants 105 (Dan Grida 27, Dan Fotu 25, Kobe Langley 25) Wellington Saints 96 (Ben Ayre 33, Izayah Le'afa 28, Tohi Smith-Milner 14, Lat Mayen 14). 1Q: 24-24, HT: 42-50, 3Q: 70-74 Taranaki Airs 102 (Sam Froling 21, Flynn Cameron 17, Nico Hill 15, Tobias Cameron 13, Elijah Minnie 12) Southland Sharks 78 (Alonzo Burton 24, Callum McRae 19, Marcale Lotts 16, Scott Telfer 10). 1Q: 29-18, HT: 47-33, 3Q: 78-48

Aimee Fisher has given her New Zealand teammate Dame Lisa Carrington a rare defeat at top level on the final day of the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged, Hungary. Fisher won the K1 500m race by 0.33 of a second ahead of Carrington who is the current Olympic champion and had previously won the race at four World Cups. LATEST HEADLINES: Caroline Powell wins Badminton Horse Trials Baby Blacks win U-20 Rugby Championship Phoenix draw with Victory in A-League first leg NZ Warriors' woes continue in Roosters loss Central Pulse beat Tactix to remain unbeaten The pair were well out in front of all other competitors for the majority of the race with Belgium's Hermien Peters a further 2.79 seconds back. It was in the last quarter of the race when Fisher pulled away with a strong burst after Carrington had the lead by 1.36 seconds at the halfway mark. Fisher, had walked from the New Zealand team in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics after a dispute withe the sports organisors, but well and truly announced her return to top competition with a strong burst to relegate Olympic and world champion Carrington to second . Both paddlers went under the previous world best time. “When I was lining up, I just wanted to be courageous, and I wanted to paddle beautifully, and light up my own lane," said the Bay of Plenty 29-year-old. “And I think I did that. I didn’t panic, I stayed calm. I could hear everyone cheering us on, I could hear my name being called, I felt like I could hear everyone back home, and it was like there was this love pulling me to the finish line. “There were definitely some tears afterwards. It was a really special moment. It’s been tough, I feel like I have walked through fire at times, but it’s transformed me as a person and as an athlete. It’s been a good ride.” Another World Cup regatta will be held in Poland later this month before Fisher and Carrington can potentially go up against each other for gold at the Paris Olympics in August. Overall, New Zealand finished third as a nation with two gold and one silver behind hosts Hungary and China.

New Zealand golfers Steven Alker and Ryan Fox made final day charges at tournaments in the US but ultimately came up short. Alker finished runner-up at The Tradition, the PGA Tour Champions' first senior major of 2024, in Alabama, while Fox finished tied for fourth at the PGA Tour's Myrtle Beach Classic in South Carolina on Sunday (Monday NZ Time). LATEST HEADLINES:  Giants stun Saints in NBL; Airs down Sharks Cassidy second at Berlin e-Prix, extends lead Auckland City draw at OFC Champions League Kiwi IndyCar drivers miss podium at GP of Indy  Fisher defeats Carrington for World Cup gold Baby Blacks win U-20 Rugby Championship Starting the day tied for 13th, Alker fired a nine-under 63 in the fourth round at Greystone Golf Club to reach 15-under, two strokes behind the winner, American Doug Barron, who did enough to hold with a bogey-free four-under 68. Alker got on a heater early, with an eagle at the par-five second, followed by birdies at the third and fifth, getting him comfortably in the top-10 and four off the lead. The 52-year-old followed by further birdies at the eighth, 11th, 13th and 14th holes to put pressure on Barron, before a lone bogey at the 15th stalled his momentum. He closed with his seventh and eighth birdies of the day at the 16th and 18th. Alker collected US$228,800 and increased his lead in the Charles Schwab Cup season standings with his third runner-up finish and sixth top-four result in eight PGA Tour Champions starts. Fellow Kiwi Michael Campbell moved up to a share of 50th after a final-round two-under 70 featuring three birdies and a bogey. An outsider to challenge for the title despite starting Sunday tied for seventh, Fox produced a four-under 67, featuring six birdies and a double-bogey at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach. The 37-year-old birdied the second and fourth holes but his charge hit a roadblock at the par-three ninth when his tee shot went into the green-side rough, he chunked his chip and missed a three-footer for bogey. Fox recovered with back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th, then 16th and 17th holes for his best individual finish on the PGA Tour. The Myrtle Beach Classic was a secondary event, with the elevated Wells Fargo Championship the same weekend. The world No 61 pocketed US$147,000 and 59.167 points, leaving him 119th in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup standings. It was a different story for Lydia Ko at the LPGA Tour's Founders Cup in Clifton, New Jersey. Ko carded a one-under 71, with four birdies, a bogey and double-bogey, at the Upper Montclair Country Club on Sunday (Monday NZT) to slide into a tie for 35th at two-under, 22 shots behind the winner, American Rose Zhang. The world No 10 birdied the opening hole, before dropping a shot at the second and two shots at the third. She recovered on the back-nine, with birdies at the 11th, 14th and 17th holes to get back into red numbers. Ko earned US$15,966 and remained a distant second behind American Nelly Korda in the LPGA Tour's Road to the CME Globe standings. At the Ladies European Tour's (LET) Aramco Team Series tournament in Seoul, South Korea, Momoka Kobori finished in a share of 27th at five-over after a two-over 74 in the final round on Sunday. Kobori produced two birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey to earn US$4587 to keep her 13th in the LET's Order of Merit.

New Zealand driver Nick Cassidy has extended his lead at the top of the Formula E season Championship, although he couldn't quite emulate his win from 24 hours earlier. Cassidy was second to Antonio Felix da Costa in the Round 10 race, but stretched his lead in the championship to 16 points. LATEST HEADLINES: Kiwi IndyCar drivers miss podium at GP of Indy Fisher defeats Carrington for World Cup gold Caroline Powell wins Badminton Horse Trials Baby Blacks win U-20 Rugby Championship Phoenix draw with Victory in A-League first leg The Aucklander couldn't quite pull in the Portuguese driver on the track at Berlin's old Tempelhof airport, after passing Britain's Oliver Rowland with two laps to go. Cassidy also set the fastest lap of the race after winning the first race of the round. Porsche's Pascal Wehrlein, Cassidy's closest championship rival, was fourth with reigning champion and pole-sitter Jake Dennis fifth for Andretti and New Zealand's Mitch Evans sixth for leaders Jaguar. Cassidy has 140 championship points followed by Wehrlein on 124 and Rowland 118. Jake Dennis is fourth on 102 points and Evans fifth overall with 98. Mitch Evans finished in sixth and is fifth overall. The next round is May 25-26 in Shanghai.

Defending OFC Champions League winners Auckland City played out an entertaining opening day draw against Fiji’s Rewa FC at Stade Paea in Tahiti on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time). After a slow first half, the match sparked into life in the second 45 minutes, with four goals coming in less than 20 minutes. LATEST HEADLINES:  Kiwi IndyCar drivers miss podium at GP of Indy Fisher defeats Carrington for World Cup gold Caroline Powell wins Badminton Horse Trials Baby Blacks win U-20 Rugby Championship Phoenix draw with Victory in A-League first leg NZ Warriors' woes continue in Roosters loss City captain Cameron Howieson broke the deadlock just after the break, firing in a left-footer from the edge of the box to break Rewa’s resistance. The lead only lasted a little over 10 minutes, however, when a quick-fire double put the Fijian side in front. Joasis Sela scored both with almost carbon copy efforts – both well struck low efforts flashing past Auckland City’s Conor Tracey and threatening a major upset. The experienced New Zealand side rebounded almost immediately. Howieson found space deep in Rewa territory and played a smart through-ball for substitute Ryan de Vries, who flicked a smart finish past Isikeli Sevanaia to level matters. Liam Gillion, who had been a constant menace to the Rewa backline, went close to a late winner, flashing an effort past the post and desperate dive of Sevanaia. The sapping heat and humidity of the midday kick-off was taking its toll as the match neared the final whistle. Howieson came close to a second in the final minute of regulation time, his close-range shot saved at the second attempt by Sevanaia. City face Papua New Guinea's Hekari United in their second match on Tuesday (kick-off 10am Wednesday NZT). Rewa FC 2 (Josaia Sela 62′, 65′) Auckland City FC 2 (Cameron Howieson 50′, Ryan de Vries 67′). HT: 0-0

New Zealand's IndyCar trio have finished just off the podium in the latest race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Four-time champion Scott Dixon finished fourth, Chip Ganassi teammate Marcus Armstrong fifth and former Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin sixth at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time). LATEST HEADLINES:  Fisher beats Carrington for World Cup gold Caroline Powell wins Badminton Horse Trials Baby Blacks win U-20 Rugby Championship Phoenix draw with Victory in A-League first leg NZ Warriors' woes continue in Roosters loss All three did brief stints at the front on the 14-turn Indianapolis road course but did not threaten to win a race dominated by defending champion Alex Palou, Dixon and Armstrong's teammate, who won by 6.61 seconds. Dixon, who led for one lap during the second pitstop cycle, finished more than five seconds behind third-placed Christian Lundgaard. Armstrong, who led three laps during two times up-front, and McLaughlin, who spent two laps in the lead, finished close behind. Collecting 33 points, Dixon moved up one spot to third in the season standings, 25 points behind Palou. McLaughlin moved to sixth and Armstrong to 11th. Practice for the 108th Indianapolis 500 starts on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT), with qualifying next weekend. The Indy 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 26 (Monday, May 27 NZT).