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New Zealand squash pro Paul Coll has won the PSA World Tour's London Classi, dispatching an injured Mosta Asal in the final. In a one-sided first set, Coll stepped up the court, playing an aggressive brand of squash as Asal struggled to find his rhythm, giving the Kiwi the first game 11-8. The Egyptian bounced back in game two, forcing Coll onto the defensive as he began to find his marks on the attack. Despite trailing for most of the game, Coll was able to adjust, moving to 9-8 as he looked to double his lead. Each player then had, and lost, a game ball before Asal converted 13-11. Coll reset well in the third game, taking the first four points in a fast start. Asal began to find his way back into the game, but couldn’t stop Coll from putting together scoring runs, with the World No 2 reclaiming the advantage as he took the third game 11-7. In a disappointing ending, Coll quickly moved into the lead, with Asal clearly struggling with injury. The Egyptian initially tried to continue, but was eventually forced to retire hurt with the score at 8-1 to Coll, giving the top seed and defending the title. “I’m stoked. Very happy to back it up, all the consistency I’ve been looking for this season," said Coll. “Today was all about keeping my energy up and the attacks and aggression.” “I really enjoy playing in London. I get a really good home feeling playing here. I’ve got my coach, family and friends here. The atmosphere was wicked all week. “I hope Mostafa’s Ok. We’ve got some big events coming up at the end of the season. It was a real battle today and he really took it to me and I had to be on my mettle. It was hard, fast squash. Injuries like that happen and I hope it’s not bad. I’m sure we’ll have another battle in a couple of weeks. “Congrats to [tournament promoter] Tim Garner for finding a new location and giving it the same vibe as the Canary Wharf Classic. That was one of my favourite events on tour and it was a shame to see it go, but to have this as a replacement is amazing." It is the second consecutive title in a row for Coll, who last month won the Optasia Championships in London.

Michael Bracewell is set to captain New Zealand when the Black Caps tour Pakistan for a five-match T20I series later this month. Bracewell, who will skipper the team for the first time, has been side-lined since his most recent international appearance in March last year, firstly with a ruptured Achilles and then with a broken finger. Since recovering he’s made a spectacular return to cricket, claiming his best first-class figures with the ball in his first match back in the Plunket Shield. The all-rounder will lead a group that features a core of seasoned T20I players, including seven members of previous T20 World Cup squads, balanced by two players in Wellington’s Tim Robinson and Canterbury’s Will O’Rourke - selected in New Zealand T20I squad for the first time. Robinson earns his maiden selection on the back of a standout Super Smash campaign, where he finished as the second-highest run scorer in the men's competition, despite playing only six of the Firebirds' eleven games due to injury. The highlight was his 139 against the Otago Volts at the Cello Basin Reserve. O’Rourke’s selection caps a summer that has seen him make his debut across the two other international formats, including the best match return on Test debut for New Zealand: nine for 93 against South Africa. The 22-year-old also played a key role in the Canterbury Kings push to the Super Smash grand final, taking 12 wickets at an average of 19. Black Caps coach Gary Stead will lead a support staff group in Pakistan featuring batting coaching Luke Ronchi, and Canterbury’s high performance development doach Brendon Donkers as bowling coach. The coaching group will be assisted by former England international James Foster, who most recently worked with the team in the UK and India. The playing group and support staff depart for Pakistan next Friday (April 12), with the first match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Thursday, April 18. Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner and Kane Williamson were all unavailable due to Indian Premier League commitments. Will Young was also unavailable for selection as he takes up a winter contract with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, as was Tom Latham, who is awaiting the birth of his second child. Tim Southee, the team’s leading T20 wicket-taker since the last T20 World Cup, was not considered for selection to allow him a period of prolonged conditioning following a busy playing schedule across all formats. Colin Munro was also unavailable for selection. BLACK CAPS T20 SQUAD Michael Bracewell (c) Finn Allen Mark Chapman Josh Clarkson Jacob Duffy Dean Foxcroft Ben Lister Cole McConchie Adam Milne Jimmy Neesham Will O’Rourke* Tim Robinson* Ben Sears Tim Seifert (WK) Ish Sodhi *Uncapped in T20 format

While first-choice fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is back for his first game of the season, the NZ Warriors will be missing Dylan Walker, Kurt Capewell and Luke Metcalf. The trio have been ruled out for the Warriors' Round 5 NRL away match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5pm NZ Time). A hamstring injury kept Kiwi international Nicoll-Klokstad out of the club’s Preseason Challenge match against the Dolphins on February 24 and then the opening four rounds of the NRL season. The 28-year-old comes back into the No 1 jersey to move within three games of his 100th NRL appearance, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns to the centres for his 200th milestone career game, his 116th outing for the Warriors. Nicoll-Klokstad has not played since his man of the match performance in the Kiwis’ record 30-0 win over the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships final in Hamilton on November 4, a day when the fullback made 277 metres from 30 runs (101 post-contact metres) with two line break assists, a try assist, six tackles breaks and four offloads. While the Warriors welcome back Nicoll-Klokstad, Walker, Capewell and Metcalf are all out. Metcalf is a long-term casualty after breaking the tibia in his right leg while being tackled by Knights second rower Tyson Frizell in the ninth minute of the Warriors' 20-12 win over the Newcastle Knights. The 25-year-old half has undergone surgery and will not return until late in the season. Walker was named for the last two matches against Canberra and Newcastle but was a late withdrawal both times due to an ankle complaint. He has not been selected this week,with Jazz Tevaga, his replacement against the Raiders and Knights, this week named on the interchange in jersey No 17. Capewell played the full 80 minutes on Sunday but later reported headaches and has been stood down as the club follows concussion protocols. With Metcalf unavailable, Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has called in Te Maire Martin to start in the halves alongside Shaun Johnson, reprising the partnership he used for the opening four rounds last season, before Martin missed the following round with concussion and was then sidelined for a lengthy part of the season after breaking his fibula in the sixth round match against Newcastle. Martin, who has played for the club’s New South Wales Cup side three times in the opening four rounds this season, was influential in Sunday’s 26-12 win over Newcastle with three line break assists, two try assists, 26 runs for 144 metres and 24 tackles without a miss. Chanel Harris-Tavita has again been listed on the extended bench. He was brought onto the interchange on Sunday, coming on to play the last 71 minutes of the match replacing Metcalf and scoring a try as well as creating one for Marcelo Montoya. Coming into the second row for Capewell is Marata Niukore, who made his return from a foot injury with a 25-minute stint from the bench on Sunday. Hooker Freddy Lussick and prop Tom Ale return to the interchange after being omitted for the Newcastle game, Ale playing for the New South Wales Cup side while Lussick was 18th man for the NRL team. NZ WARRIORS: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rocco Berry, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Marcelo Montoya, Te Maire Martin, Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Jackson Ford, Marata Niukore, Tohu Harris. Interchange: Freddy Lussick, Tom Ale, Bunty Afoa, Jazz Tevaga. Reserves: Adam Pompey, Jacob Laban, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Edward Kosi, Ali Leiataua

The Wellington Phoenix Women have finished their 2023-24 A-League Women season in style. The Phoenix have beaten finals hopefuls Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 in their final round match at Porirua Park. Emma Main scored both goals to secure the Nix their ninth win of the season and ensure the Sister City Cup remains in Porirua for the off-season. “It was really good,” Phoenix head coach Paul Temple told media post-match. “Potentially the best 25 minutes of the season in terms of starting a game. “It was electric, and we didn’t really give them a kick in the first half an hour. In the first half it was really good attacking, really good in possession [and] the second half was really good defensively. “It was great to see the clean sheet and that defensive doggedness around the box.” The result means Wellington will finish eighth on the ladder, five points outside the top=six, while Western Sydney now have to wait and see if they make the finals. Temple handed young goalkeeper Aimee Danieli her A-League debut off the bench and she made a great fingertip save to ensure the Nix secured a clean sheet. “We’ve got faith in these young kids and I knew if she had to make saves, if she had to come and claim balls she’d be able to do it, because she’s a good goalkeeper. “She claimed her first cross straight away and made a good save from the free-kick. She kept a clean sheet on debut, which is awesome. I’m glad we were able to do that for her.” Mackenzie Barry was named Phoenix captain in her 50th A-League match for the club, with Temple making four changes to the XI which started last week’s 1-0 defeat to Canberra United. Zoe McMeeken, Kate Taylor, Alyssa Whinham and Manaia Elliott came into the side for Hailey Davidson, Tiana Jaber, Daisy Brazendale and Mariana Speckmaier, who were all named amongst the substitutes alongside Danieli. Isabel Cox should have put the Nix in front in the sixth minute when she pounced on a wayward back pass and was through one-one-one with Western Sydney ‘keeper Sham Khamis. Unfortunately for Cox and Wellington, Khamis won the head-to-head contest. Cox nearly turned provider moments later when she beat her opposite one-on-one and cut a pass back to Emma Main, who rattled the far post with her first time shot. The Phoenix were dominating with Main, Macey Fraser and Alyssa Whinham also fizzing shots narrowly wide of the Wanderers’ goal inside the opening quarter of an hour. The Nix finally got reward for their dominance in the 18th minute when Emma Main headed home an inch-perfect left-wing cross from Manaia Elliott from six yards out. Elliott picked herself off the turf to deliver the cross after being injured in a tackle moments earlier. She required attention immediately after the goal but was able to play on. Wellington continued to dominate possession for the next 20 or so minutes, but their chances dried up. Western Sydney’s only decent spell came around the half hour mark when the Phoenix were down a player when Taylor required attention. The Football Fern ultimately had to be replaced by Jaber. Wanderers’ first shot of the match came in the 41st minute when their top scorer Sophie Harding had a go from the edge of the box, but it was straight at Rylee Foster in the Wellington goal. The visitors had a great chance soon after when the Nix were unable to clear a right wing cross, but Western Sydney midfielder Danika Matos couldn’t keep her shot on target. Khamis made a good save to deny Whinham the Phoenix’s second shortly before halftime after the midfielder shot after some neat passing inside the Wanderers’ penalty area. Former Wellington forward Cushla Rue had the first shot of the second half, but she wasn’t able to trouble Rylee Foster after finding some space at the top of the box. Soon after Main doubled the Nix’s lead when she slipped in behind the Western Sydney defence and squeezed a shot over Khamis and into the back of the net. The Wanderers’ ‘keeper was more assured with her hands in the 59th minute to keep out a long-range effort from Hope Breslin and Foster also did well to hold on to an effort from substitute Maliah Morris soon after. Fraser had a speculative effort from distance in the 66th minute that sailed narrowly wide, while Rue fizzed a shot just off target a handful of minutes later. Rylee Foster made way for Aimee Danieli in the 80th minute, with the Temple clearing his bench by bringing on Daisy Brazendale at the same time. Danieli was untroubled for the first half a dozen minutes with her defenders blocking a few Western Sydney shots. In the 87th minute the 19-year-old managed to push a free-kick from Wanderers captain Amy Harrison on to her bar. Her fingertips ensured the Phoenix secured their fifth clean sheet of the season, with Western Sydney unable to threaten Wellington’s goal in the remaining minutes. Macey Fraser came close to making it 3-nil in time added on with her shot from outside the box narrowly missing the top left corner. But two goals was enough for the Nix and Mackenzie Barry lifted the Sister City Cup after the fulltime whistle. There was also a special presentation for Barry in recognition of her becoming the first player to play 50 matches for the club. Wellington Phoenix Women 2 (Emma Main 18', 55') Western Sydney Wanderers Women 0. HT: 1-0

Finals football has become a reality for the NZ Warriors in their first year in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) competition. The Warriors swamped St George Illawarra 46-10 in their must-win regular season finale at Pukekohe’s Navigation Homes Stadium on Sunday, locking up a top-six berth. LATEST HEADLINES: * Alker blows PGA Tour Champions chance * Kraev takes Wellington Phoenix six clear * White Ferns let England off hook in 1st ODI * Tall Ferns take silver at FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup * Saints rout Tuatara; Bulls send Giants to 0-2 With sixth-placed Manly Warringah being held to a 16-16 draw by the Central Coast Roosters on Saturday, the Warriors had been left with a win-and-you’re-in scenario if they were to seize sixth place and a spot in the finals, starting next week. While they were coming off a 40-10 loss to Cronulla Sutherland last weekend, they feasted on the opportunity they had been handed by the Sea Eagles. There were signs of nerves early on as they allowed the Dragons to score the first two tries of the match but, attacking with panache, the Warriors then scored four  tries on end through standoff Tyson Hansen, wing Ezekiel Davidson-Faaiuaso and props Hudsyn Frost and Gordon Afoa to take a 24-10 lead into the break. They were ruthless in the second half, keeping the Dragons scoreless while adding four more tries through interchange half Boston Krone, second rower Dezman Laban, fullback Joseph Ratcliffe and wing Kairus Booth, who converted all but one of the eight tries for a personal haul of 18 points. The Warriors’ fifth win in eight matches lifted them to 12 points, level with the Sydney Roosters but sixth on points for and against, setting up a Week 1 finals clash against third-ranked Parramatta Eels. The Warriors produced a stunning turnaround in the space of eight days to beat the Newcastle Knights 26-12 in Sunday’s Round 4 New South Wales Cup match at Go Media Stadium. Coming off a disappointing 4-42 loss to Canberra on the road, the Warriors were a rejuvenated side back on their own patch. They made the worst possible start conceding a try in the opening minute but they rallied superbly to grind out their second win of the season. Providing much of the magic throughout the match was fullback Ben Farr. He carved through for the Warriors’ first try before centre Moala Graham-Taufa went in off a Setu Tu ball to give his team a 10-6 halftime lead. The opening stanza of the second half was a classic arm wrestle but at the 50-minute mark the Warriors imposed themselves on the scoreboard with two tries, first through wing Edward Kosi (50th minute) and then the irresistible Farr with his second five minutes later. That extended the lead to 22-6 and it then became 26-6 with a Geronimo Doyle touchdown in the 72nd minute. While the Knights had the last say it did little to detract from an impressive Warriors display, especially after conceding 80 points in their previous two matches. They’re away to defending premiers the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium next Saturday. They had a win and two losses in the three matches they’ve played. After three heavy defeats in the opening three rounds, the Warriors extracted enormous encouragement from their 18-8 loss to top-four side Newcastle in Sunday's Round 4 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) encounter at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart. Returning to the competition for the first time since 2019, the Warriors were expected to face challenges as the club launched its long-term plan to create a multi-layered pathways programme featuring teams in the NSW Rugby League’s under-17, under-19 and under-21 competitions. Coming up against clubs with well-established pathways systems, the Warriors fell to big defeats by Cronulla Sutherland, Melbourne and Canberra but showed real grit fighting their way back against the Knights. After opening the scoring with a Sialetili Faeamani in the 16th minute they went set-for-set before going to halftime locked up 4-4. Early in the second half, a Sio Kali try had them 8-4 ahead but a hot 10-minute period ultimately decided the result as the Knights scored three tries to stretch to an 18-8 lead. The Warriors tightened up to resist any further damage to the scoreboard and kept pushing to the end in search of another try. After taking some big hits in the first three weeks, the performance against the Knights offered promising signs, all the more so because a number of players from this year’s SG Ball Cup (under-19) squad were brought into the side for the first time. Motu Pasikala was at fullback, Kali in the centres, Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea in the front row and Kayliss Fatialofa in the second row with another back rower Alvin Chong Nee included on the interchange. The Warriors face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney next Saturday. A much-changed Warriors side stayed close in the first half but could not stick with top-two team St George Illawarra in its final SG Ball Cup regular season outing at Pukekohe’s Navigation Homes Stadium on Sunday. With finals football off the table, six of the Warriors’ under-19 regulars were promoted to assist their development, five to the club’s Jersey Flegg (under-21) side and another to the NSW Cup side. That provided a chance to plan for 2025 by bringing in players from the wider squad to give them some game time and exposure to playing against elite players in their age group. The Dragons brought some serious game into the contest, having won six from eight to lie second on the ladder. They duly made it seven from nine and did so emphatically in the end, winning 54-18. There was some encouragement in the first half as the Warriors scored two converted tries to trail just 18-12 at halftime. But the Dragons were ruthless in the second half, piling on six tries to run away with the match. The only joy for the Warriors was a second try for centre Hiraka Waitai-Haenga while Tallan Egan converted all three tries.

The Wellington Phoenix have taken another major step towards claiming their maiden A-League title. The Phoenix have beaten Brisbane Roar 1-0 at Wellington's Sky Stadium to move six points clear at the top of the ladder with four rounds remaining in the premiership race. Bozhidar Kraev’s goal just 76 seconds into the match proved to be the difference between the two sides, with the Nix holding on for the final nine minutes plus time added on after their captain Alex Rufer was controversially sent off. The result takes Wellington’s points tally to 46, equal with their best-ever return from the 2014-15 season. “I’m ecstatic because the international break is very skewed,” Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said. “I don’t like it. The fact that you don’t have a game and the fact that we had such a large chunk of our squad away, and they were coming from the other side of the world [meant] I had essentially one day to prep. “I had to make some big calls on players, not starting them, because I didn’t want to have a dynamic where I had five, six players that were gassed all playing at once. “I’m delighted that we got the three points, like any other game. One thing I can safely say is that was our target for the season, to get 46 points. After the Newcastle game some of the boys spoke about that. I’m happy, so now every other point we get is a bonus.” Italiano felt Rufer’s sending off for standing on Roar midfielder Henry Hore was “a bit harsh”, with the Wellington’s captain red-carded following intervention from the video assistant referee. “I don’t want to speak too early, but I don’t understand how else he’s supposed to go for the ball. “He’s won the ball the first time, he’s won the ball the second time and on the third attempt the player’s on the ground and he’s just going for the ball. “I just don’t understand how the referee or VAR can establish intent in that split second. If there was a longer period where the player had to think about it I understand, but not in those moments.” Italiano made three changes to the XI which started the 2-1 win over Sydney FC prior to the international break, with Youstin Salas, David Ball and Mo Al-Taay coming into the side for injured defenders Tim Payne and Isaac Hughes, and All Whites attacking midfielder Ben Old, who was named amongst the substitutes. The Phoenix took the lead after 26 uninterrupted passes from kick-off, with Kraev providing the final touch to steer Sam Sutton’s cutback past Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke just 76 seconds into the match. Brisbane spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise just two minutes later when the Nix coughed up possession inside their half, with Nikola Mileusnic curling his shot wide. Brisbane looked the more threatening side after going behind and Alex Paulsen had to make a few saves, the pick of which came in the 20th minute when he parried away Keegan Jelacic’s shot from the penalty spot. Freke was next tested 11 minutes out from halftime when he punched away Kraev’s powerful effort from the top left corner of the Roar box. Moments later, Paulsen got a strong hand to deny Florin Berenguer from drawing Brisbane level. It was the final goalmouth action of the first half, with the Nix perhaps fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men on the strike of halftime. David Ball was yellow-carded for a high foot that caught Roar captain Tom Aldred, but then the video assistant referee intervened. After a long deliberation the VAR determined a yellow card was sufficient. The Phoenix made a bright start to the second half and Kraev came close to doubling their lead in the 49th minute when he headed a Salas cross narrowly wide of the far post. Macklin Freke made a good save shortly after to deny Mo Al-Taay. The Nix got their bodies in the way of Brisbane’s best opportunities, the best of which fell to Berenguer in the 53rd minute. Kosta Barbarouses found the back of the net a handful of minute late after slipping in behind the Roar defence, turning Kai Trewin inside-out and then slotting past Freke. Unfortunately for Barbarouses, the assistant referee flagged for offside and the VAR, after a long look, upheld the decision. Ben Old, who came off the bench before the hour mark, was denied by Freke in the 66th minute, with Brisbane’s ‘keeper getting a strong hard to Old’s thumping right-footed effort. The next flashpoint came a dozen minutes later when Alex Rufer stood on a prone Henry Hore while winning possession. Rufer was initially shown a yellow card, but the VAR intervened and the referee decided to upgrade his decision to red. The alleged foul happened just outside the box and Roar midfielder stood Jay O’Shea over the free-kick. O’Shea curled his shot up and over the wall, but Alex Paulsen was able to acrobatically push it over the bar. Brisbane had most of the ball for the remainder of the match but were unable to break down the resolute Wellington defence and create any goalscoring opportunities. Instead the Nix threatened on the counter, with substitute Oskar van Hattum and Youstin Salas both forcing saves from Macklin Freke in second half stoppage time. Bozhidar Kraev also fizzed a free-kick over Freke’s goal shortly before the fulltime whistle blew. The Phoenix will quickly turn their attentions to Saturday’s potential premiership decider against second-placed Central Coast Mariners in Gosford (kick-off 7.30pm NZ Time). Central Coast will first play Melbourne City on Tuesday night in a catch-up match. Wellington Phoenix 1 (Bozhidar Kraev 2') Brisbane Roar 0. HT: 1-0

Kiwi golfer Steven Alker has missed a chance for another tournament victory on the PGA Tour Champions. Alker finished bogey-bogey in the third and final round of The Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage, California, on Sunday (Monday NZ Time) to end tied for second, one stroke behind winner South African Retief Goosen. Tied with Goosen coming down the par-five 18th, both found the water with their second shots. After drops, Alker was only able to make bogey, while Goosen got up-and-down, rolling in an eight-foot par putt for victory. Earlier in the round, Alker birdied three of the first four holes to jump into contention. Another birdie at the par-five ninth saw him make the turn in the lead at 14-under. Seven straight pars still had him ahead by one, before three-putting on the par-three 17th green and finding more misfortune on the closing hole. Alker had made just one bogey in the first 52 holes at Mission Hill Country Club's Dinah Shore Tournament Course. Alker, 52, the Tour’s player of the year two seasons ago, was trying to win for the ninth time in only his 58th career start on the Champions Tour. Already this season he had won the season-opener in Hawaii, and he was on the verge of winning for the third time in his last six starts, dating to November’s Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Arizona. Alker was a runner-up for the second consecutive year at The Galleri Classic, shooting a final-round two-under 70. He tied for second along with Alex Cejka and Ricardo Gonzalez. Alker, who leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings, said afterward he did not make many mistakes tee to green, but certainly could have converted a few more of his birdie looks to make a difference. As for going for it at 18? He thought he hit the shot. “I had a super lie, could almost hit driver off the lie in the semi-rough there, that's how good the lie was,” Alker said. “If I hit rescue, then I flush it and it's gone through the green. So just got a little high on the face, a little grassy. It got over. I kind of flew the front, but just got maybe a little unlucky.” On the LPGA Tour, Lydia Ko slid to a share of 13th after the final round of the Ford Championship in Arizona on Sunday (Monday NZT). Inside the top-10 going into the weekend, Ko could only manage similar two-under 70s over the weekend, finishing at 15-under, five strokes back of the winner, American Nelly Korda. Ko had gone 52 holes at the Seville Golf and Country Club before her first bogey of the week at the par-three 17th. She closed out her round with a birdie, her third in the last six holes, to get to 13-under. The 26-year-old's final round started with a bogey, before back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes, followed by 12 straight pars and a birdie at the closing hole. Ko remains second in the LPGA's Race to CME Globe standings, behind Korda, finishing outside the top-10 for the first time in five tournaments in 2024. Meanwhile, Ryan Fox finished in a tie for 78th at the PGA Tour's Houston Open, two weeks out from his second Masters appearances. The 36-year-old closed out his final round on Sunday (Monday NZT) at the Memorial Park Golf Course with back-to-back birdies, finishing with a one-over 71 to end the week at five-over, 17 shots behind the winner, German Stephan Jaeger. Fox just made the cut at one-over after the second round, before carding a three-over 73 in the third round on Saturday (Sunday NZT), which included four birdie, five bogeys and a double-bogey. His final round featured four birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey. The world No 49 has made just three of seven cuts on the PGA Tour in 2024, with a best finish of T35 in early March.

The White Ferns have let England off the hook to drop the opening one-day international at Wellington's Basin Reserve. England recovered from the brink of collapse to earn a four-wicket win in the opening ODI on Monday, with Amy Jones and Charlie Dean coming to the rescue. Chasing just 208 for victory, the tourists were teetering at 79-6 in the 17th over, before a resurrection to cruise home with 8.4 overs remaining and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Jones (92 not out from 83 balls) was the stand-out for England, combining with Dean (42 not out from 70) for an unbroken 130-run partnership for the seventh wicket to rescue her team's stumbling chase. Captain Melie Kerr - filling in for the injured Sophie Devine – was the pick of the NZ bowlers, finishing with 2-46, but with the visitors on the ropes, White Ferns bowlers were too loose with line and length. Earlier, England stemmed a fast start by the New Zealanders to restrict them to 207 in 48.2 overs. It was a familiar story for the White Ferns, who once again made a strong start until dramatically falling off the pace once the top-order departed. Opener Suzie Bates made her way to 50, before being caught behind, with the Ferns still well-placed at 90-1 after 21 overs. Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Kerr (24) steered them to 148-3 in the 35th over, but Kerr's departure sparked the regular fall of wickets and a below-par total. The second match of the series takes place at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Thursday.

The 3x3 Tall Ferns have earned silver medals – their second in two years – at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore. The New Zealand team of Sharne Pupuke-Robati, Ella Fotu, Esra McGoldrick and Lauryn Hippolite fell 18-13 to the defending champion Australia Gangurrus again in the women's final on Sunday. Pupuke-Robati, who averaged 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds, again earned All-Tournament team honours for her efforts, after scoring 26 points in five games. New Zealand's only losses came against Australia, also losing 22-9 in their Pool D game on Saturday. Ella Fotu had nine points and Pupuke-Robati eight points in a 17-10 win over India to advance to the knockout phase. The Tall Ferns advanced to the final after thrilling one-point wins over Japan in the quarterfinals and Chinese Taipei in the semifinals. Pupuke-Robati and Fotu each had five points in the 15-14 win over Japan, with Fotu sealing the win with a two-pointer in the final minute after New Zealand went on a 9-2 run in the middle stage. Fotu put up six points, six boards and four assists in a 16-15 victory over Chinese Taipei as the Tall Ferns scored four late points. The 3x3 Tall Blacks could not match the Tall Ferns medal-winning ways, falling to Iran in the semifinals and Mongolia in the playoff for third. The team of Tai Wynyard, Nikau McCullough, Dom Kelman-Poto and Chris McIntosh needed overtime to defeat Malaysia 21-19 before routing Qatar 22-3 in Pool D games on Friday, with McIntosh scoring a game-high nine points. Wynyard had a spectacular 10-point, 16-rebound double-double in New Zealand's 21-17 win over Thailand in the quarterfinals, before losing to Iran 21-11 and Mongolia 21-18. Wynyard went 8-for-8 for his eight points against Mongolia. Despite finishing in the top-10 in total points, points average, shooting percentage, total rebounds and rebounds average, Wynyard missed out on All-Tournament selection. Next up for the 3x3 Tall Blacks is the FIBA Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1 in Hong Kong from April 12-14. New Zealand will face Egypt, Latvia and Mongolia in Pool B, needing to win the eight-team tournament to qualify for Paris 2024.

The Wellington Saints' quest for a 13th National Basketball League (NBL) championship, in their 40th season, began in crushing style. In head coach Zico Coronel's return the NBL, the Saints routed the Auckland Tuatara 110-80 at Wellington's TSB Arena on Sunday afternoon, with three players scoring 20 points or more. Tall Blacks forward Hyrum Harris scored a game-high 28 points (10/16 FG, 7/8 FT), along with 11 rebounds and five assists, while national teammate Tohi Smith-Milner produced 22 points (6/10 FG, 4/7 3pt, 6/6 FT) and six boards. Australian imports Ben Ayre and Lat Mayen were equally impressive, with Ayre going for 20 points (7/18 FG, 4/6 FT) and 12 assists, and Mayen 19 points (6/8 FG, 2/3 3pt, 5/5 FT) and five rebounds There was also a nice cameo performance off the bench from New Zealand under-16 representative Troy Plumtree, who contributed nine points and five boards. Former Tall Black and NBL MVP Corey Webster led the Tuatara with 18 points (7/18 FG, 3/8 3pt), seven assists and four rebounds, and there were double-digits efforts from Reuben Te Rangi, Rob Loe and Cam Gliddon. Te-Rangi scored 17 points (7/14 FG, 2/4 3pt) and four boards, Loe 14 points (5/9 FG, 3/4 3pt), six rebounds and five assists, and Gliddon 13 points (3/8 FG, 2/7 3pt, 5/5 FT) and five rebounds but it was a game to forget for last season’s finalists. Mayen, the former University of Nebraska forward, piled in 15 first-quarter points and when 17 year-old Plumtree converted a break-away layup the home side were 28-17 ahead at the first break. Smith-Milner landed a triple and Loe replied in kind but the Saints lead had grown to 35-21 early in the second period. That margin was even greater when guard Rangimarie Dougall-Mita landed from deep and over twenty when Harris took his personal tally into double figures. Loe and Webster briefly provided the Tuatara with some momentum but it was a half dominated by the Saints who, in front of a big home crowd, took a 58-36 lead into the locker room. The Tuatara kept the margin in the low twenties in the third period but any thoughts of a comeback from the visitors were quickly extinguished as the Saints, courtesy of Plumtree, Ayre and Harris, scored the first 10 points of the final spell. From there the Saints cruised to the finish line. The only sour note on an afternoon of delight for Saints supporters was the sight of Mayen retiring to the locker room with a shoulder injury midway through the third quarter. The Saints face the Nelson Giants on the road in Week 2 on Saturday (tip-off 4pm), while the Tuatara host the Taranaki Airs on Thursday (tip-off 7.30pm). In Sunday's other game, the Franklin Bulls secured a 86-85 win over the Nelson Giants at the daunting Trafalgar Centre in their season-opener, with just enough defence in the final seconds to seal the road win. New recruits Sam Timmins and Ethan Rusbatch were joined by fresh-off-the-plane import Luther Muhammad, who had arrived from Finland less than 20 hours before the game. The American forward stuffed the stat-line with a week-high 34 points (12/24 FG, 9/9 FT), five assists, four rebounds and three steals in a sensational NBL debut, while Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape had 17 points (7/12 FG, 2/3 3pt) and four steals. Timmins managed 12 points (6/15 FG), 17 rebounds, three steals and three blocks, and Rusbatch 10 points (4/10 FG, 2/7 3pt). The home side were paced by 22 points (8/13 FG, 5/12 FT), 10 rebounds and two blocks, and Dan Fotu's 19 points (8/15 FG), four assists and five boards. Nick Davidson produced 15 points (6/11 FG, 2/3 3pt) and two steals, while point guard Alex McNaught put up 13 points (3/8 FG, 6/7 FT), four assists, five rebounds and three steals. Muhammad exploded for 15 points in the first quarter, as the Bulls used the size of Timmins to their advantage, doubly so when the biggest Giant, Dan Fotu, found himself in early foul trouble. Trailing by five at halftime, the Giants saw that deficit double early in the third as they could not buy a bucket, but the endeavour of import Dan Grida kept them in it until the shots started to fall, with Grida and Fotu finding ways to expose the Bulls defence late in the third. Fotu put an exclamation mark on the comeback late in the third with a thunderous dunk over KC Nwafor as the Giants took the lead for the first time. The Giants extended their lead early in the fourth, as the energy started to pump around the Trafalgar Centre. Leusogi-Ape, however, had different ideas. Alongside Muhammed, Leusogi-Ape put on an exhilarating display of driving and finishing at the hoop to get the Bulls back into the contest. The lead flipped back and forth throughout the final minutes, with Fotu giving the Giants a lead with just a second remaining on the shot clock, only for Muhammad to answer back with 4.1 seconds left. Fotu could not get the would-be game-winner to drop, and the Bulls began snuck out of Nelson with the W. The Bulls are in action again on Sunday (tip-off 4pm) against the defending champion Canterbury Rams, while the Giants welcome the Saints to the Trafalgar Centre. Wellington Saints 110 (Hyrum Harris 28, Tohi Smith-Milner 22, Ben Ayre 20, Lat Mayen 19) Auckland Tuatara 80 (Corey Webster 18, Reuben Te Rangi 17, Rob Loe 14, Cam Gliddon 13). 1Q: 28-17, HT: 58-36, 3Q: 83-60 Franklin Bulls 86 (Luther Muhammad 34, Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape 17, Sam Timmins 12, Ethan Rusbatch 10) Nelson Giants 85 (Dan Grida 22, Dan Fotu 19, Nick Davidson 15, Alex McNaught 13). 1Q: 25-21, HT: 51-46, 3Q: 67-70

The NZ Warriors have gone back-to-back at home after outclassing the Knights 20-12 at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on Easter Sunday. Despite losing five-eighth Luke Metcalf in the early stages of the match, the Warriors did not skip a beat in attack, running in two early tries to lead for the majority of the 80 minutes. With Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returning to the No 1 role for the first time since 2021, the 30-year-old could give Andrew Webster a new selection headache, showcasing his speed and footwork in a 283-run metre and seven tackle break performance. The Warriors suffered an early blow with Metcalf leaving the field with in just the 10th minute, but the home side showed great resilience, scoring just six minutes later when Shaun Johnson showed some slick hands to send Jackson Ford over from close range. The home side were in again just three minutes later when Wayde Egan exploded out of dummy half before finding Metcalf's replacement, Chanel Harris-Tavita in support. Star forward Tyson Frizell steadied the ship for the Knights in the 37th minute when he picked up a Tyson Gamble grubber and carried the ball over the line to reduce the deficit 12-6 at the break. The Warriors exploded out of the blocks in the second half and extended their lead with Harris-Tavita punting a cross field kick for Marcelo Montoya to leap out for and score. Johnson's conversion made it 18-6. A Jayden Brailey offside penalty handed the Warriors a chance to slot a penalty goal and extend their lead 20-6 with less than nine minutes to play. Adam O'Brien's side refused to lie down and came up with a try through Best off a perfectly weighted grubber from Kalyn Ponga to make it 20-12 but that's as far as the visitors would come to reducing the deficit. "It was a grind, I thought we scrambled really well off the back of some errors and line breaks but we found a way to defend it. If you concede one try each half, you are going to go a long way and win a lot of games so I was happy with how we dug in deep," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "I think Roger learned plenty tonight. He feels like the NRL is a different beast since he left it and he hasn't done a lot of reps at fullback so I was proud. Such a cool thing to have a guy whose played a lot of fullback in his career and he's nailing his role at centre and then he comes in at fullback and he's reliable." The Warriors head to Sydney for the first time for 2024 on Saturday (kick-off 5pm NZ Time) to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who will be looking to back up their first win of the season in Round 4. NZ Warriors 20 (Jackson Ford, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Marcelo Montoya tries; Shaun Johnson 3 con, pen) Newcastle Knights 12 (Tyson Frizell, Bradman Best tries; Kalyn Ponga 2 con). HT: 12-6

Canberra United have handed the Wellington Phoenix Women their ninth one-goal defeat of the 2023-24 A-League Women season. United have beaten the Phoenix 1-0 in their penultimate round match at McKellar Park in Canberra.Golden boot leader Michelle Heyman was ultimately the difference between the two sides, with the Matilda scoring her 15th goal of the season with 12 minutes remaining. Phoenix head coach Paul Temple said it was a tired performance from his side. “It’s been a massive few weeks for us going back to leading into the Perth game,” Temple said post-match.“[Being] in these must-win scenarios takes a lot of mental energy, a lot of physical energy this week with three games in a week, and travel as well. It took its toll. “After finding out our [finals] fate last night, I think it sucked the life out of us a little bit and we weren’t able to respond in the way we all wanted to, which is a real shame.” Wellington’s finals hopes were extinguished on Saturday night when Western Sydney Wanderers beat Western United 3-1 to put the top six out of the Phoenix’s reach. “Everyone is disappointed and gutted with how it’s finished for us in terms of making the playoffs. I think that’s a hard thing to come to terms with and so quickly have to turn around and play. “We talked about how we wanted to respond. We wanted to come out and be on fire, we wanted to come out and show what we can do, [and] we wanted to win these last two games of the season and put ourselves in the best finish possible. “All the intentions were good, and the energy of the group was good this morning and I think we were all on the same page. “But it was a very hot day, and the game became too much for us. “We didn’t finish off the chances we were creating in the first half or the first 20 minutes of the second half and ultimately the difference in the whole game was a top-quality finish from a top-quality player, who’s obviously been a star in this league consistently. “It’s a shame. We obviously were wanting to finish in the best way possible and it’s pretty gutting not to be able to do that.” Temple made two changes to the XI which started Wednesday’s 4-0 home win over Adelaide United, with Hope Breslin and Daisy Brazendale coming into the side for Alyssa Whinham and Kate Taylor, respectively. Academy graduate Liv Ingham was named amongst the substitutes for the first time, having been out of football for a year with an ACL injury. Phoenix had the better of the possession and chances in the first half but were unable to test Chloe Lincoln in Canberra’s goal. The Nix should have at least called the Canberra ‘keeper into action in the 13th minute, when Michaela Foster delivered a threatening right-wing free-kick. Unfortunately for Wellington Emma Main was unable to make a proper connection from six yards out and her attempted header went wide of goal. Main was a constant menace down the hosts’ left-hand side, and she created another gilt-edged chance for the Phoenix 10 minutes later. This time Mariana Speckmaier nodded the winger’s pinpoint cross wide of goal, again from six yards out. Brazendale registered Wellington’s first shot on target soon after when she had a go from the edge of the box, but it was straight at Lincoln, who comfortably held on to the attempt on goal. Canberra only had one shot of note in the first half an hour and that was partially blocked by the Nix defence. Foster’s delivery again caused the hosts problems in the 33rd minute, this time from a right-wing corner. Canberra allowed the ball to bounce in their box but ultimately managed to clear the danger. They had three of the final four shots of the first half, but none of them called Phoenix goalkeeper Rylee Foster into action. Main was also off target when she unleashed an audacious effort from distance five minutes from halftime, after again beating her defender one-on-one. There was little goalmouth action to start the second half and Temple responded by making a triple-change in the 57th minute, bringing on Alyssa Whinham, Michaela Robertson and Zoe McMeeken in place of Brazendale, Speckmaier and Tiana Jaber. Robertson’s first touch was a shot. Unfortunately, she mishit her attempt on goal after some good lead-up play from Isabel Cox. The game really opened up after the substitutions and became a more end-to-end contest. Main delivered a great cross moments after Robertson’s effort, but it just eluded Cox’s head and was grabbed by Chloe Lincoln in Canberra’s goal. The Phoenix forwards looked to combine again in the 64th minute when Main slipped a well-weighted pass through for Cox. The American managed to toe it goalward, but Lincoln was able to just get a hand to the shot and push it around the post. The hosts too had their chances after Wellington’s changes, but Rylee Foster wasn’t required to make any saves of note. Temple made his final change with 20 minutes remaining, bringing on Liv Ingham to make her long-awaited A-League debut, with the impressive Emma Main making way. Canberra captain Michelle Heyman broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, clinically heading a left-wing cross from Nickoletta Flannery past a sprawling Foster and into the far corner. The opportunities started drying up for the Nix, with their third match in eight days catching up with them. Canberra closed out the game to secure just their fourth win of the season and hand the Phoenix their 10th road defeat. The Wellington Phoenix return home on Monday before quickly turning their attentions to their final round match against Western Sydney Wanderers at Porirua Park on Saturday. Canberra United 1 (Michelle Heyman 78') Wellington Phoenix Women 0. HT: 0-0