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Smiles for the Tri-Series winners, the Black Caps PHOTO: ZIMBABWE CRICKET Black Caps bowler Matt Henry kept South Africa to three runs in the last over to seal a dramatic three-run victory in the Twenty20 International Tri-Series final in Harare. Chasing 181 for victory, South Africa needed eight off the last eight balls with six wickets in hand, and seven from the final over. However two catches in the outfield by Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell helped keep them to 177-6. LATEST HEADLINES: Titans double over Warriors at home Routliffe, Venus both beaten in DC Alker drops, other Kiwis miss cuts Black Caps retain Bracwell for test Routliffe, Venus win in Washington Dewald Brevis scored 31 from 16 deliveries and looked like he would take the win only for Bracewell to juggle the ball as he stepped over the rope back into play to complete the catch. Mitchell took a superb diving effort at long off to dismiss George Linde, who looked as though he would win the game for the South Africans with a big hit down the ground. Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 51 from 35 balls in South Africa's reply and they looked to be coasting home before Brevis' dismissal and the excellent final over from Henry. Senuran Muthusamy could not get bat to ball on the final delivery of the game from Henry, who finished with figures of 2-19 from three overs. Henry eventually finished with figures of 2-19 from three overs while Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Adam Milne and Michael Bracewell all took a wicket each. New Zealand were sent into bat and made 180-5,. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra both scored 47. Tim Seifert scored 30, Mark Chapman three, Mitchell 16 not out, Bracewel 15 and Mitch Santner three not out.

Steven Alker is back in the top-five at the Senior Open PHOTO: ISPS HANDA OPEN After a slip in the second round, Steven Alker has come back strong in the third at the British Senior Open at Sunnydale Golf Club, Berkshire, England. Alker carded a third round 66 featuring birdies on the first, ninth, 11th 14th, 17th and 18th holes with bogeys on the fourth and 10th. LATEST HEADLINES: Henry bowls Black Caps to finals win Titans double over Warriors at home Routliffe, Venus both beaten in DC Alker drops, other Kiwis miss cuts Black Caps retain Bracwell for test He's now moved into a tie for fourth alongside three others at eight-under. Irishman Padraig Harrington leads the tournament at 13-under after a 65. He's two shots ahead of American Justin Leonard with Sweden's Thomas Bjorn a shot further back.

Rico Bearman will be a contender at the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Denmark PHOTO: COLE MCONIE Over 40 New Zealand riders have congregated in the cycling city of Copenhagen for the UCI BMX Racing World Championships. Eleven kiwis will contest the elite racing, which follows the Challenge (age group) competition for racing and cruiser classes. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Ferns XV beat South Africa Alker back in top-five Senior Open Henry bowls Black Caps to finals win Titans double over Warriors at home Routliffe, Venus both beaten in DC . The riders are at home in Copenhagen, a city where locals own more bikes than cars, and nearly half the population pedal to work. In the modern era of UCI BMX Racing, it is just the third location to host the world championships for a second time, following Zolder in Netherlands and Rock Hill in South Carolina, USA. History is on the side of the kiwis in Copenhagen, where New Zealand riders won four medals in the 2011 world contest with a silver to Sarah Walker, bronze to Marc Willers and two medals for junior Trent Woodcock in the racing and time trial. Organisers have made significant upgrades to the 400m outdoor circuit near the heart of the city, with a new start ramp and ProGate system on the 5m ramp (for Challenge racing), with the corners rebuilt and resurfaced to account for the higher speeds of modern racers. It is a championship stacked with talent including winners of 12 elite world titles led by three-time world champion and Paris Olympic gold medallist Joris Daudet (FRA) in the elite men and three-time world champion Alise Willoughby (USA) in the elite women. New Zealand is led in the elite men by the North Harbour professional pair of Michael Bias and Rico Bearman, who was sixth in the Grand Final in USA last year. New to the elite men’s division is Bennett Greenough from Cambridge. He leads the Greenough family from Cambridge who include Lily Greenough, the silver medallist in junior women last year, and on the podium in the recent UCI BMX Racing World Cup. Lily Greenough, the silver medallist in junior women last year, PHOTO: COLE MCONIE They are joined by younger brother Jack Greenough in under-23 men who narrowly missed out on the podium last year in the same age group. Paris Olympian Leila Walker, who had a late start to the year after injury, was seventh in last year’s final, and is joined in the elite competition by Rotorua’s Megan Williams. Completing the kiwi females is Te Awamutu’s Brooke Penny in the under-23 class while the trio of Finn Cogan (Cambridge), Nicholas Cowie (Southland) and Cooper Richardson (North Harbour) will contest the junior men. Action begins with the Challenge (age group) classes where the New Zealand team is led by Waitakere Club’s outstanding Toni James, who will defend her women’s Masters 30Plus title in Copenhagen. Fifteen riders are entered in the Cruiser class and most will double up in a 27-strong New Zealand group for the Challenge World Championships, with racing from Monday until Thursday followed by the Elite racing next weekend.

The Wellington Phoenix have defeated the Perth Glory in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Australia Cup's Round of 32. The Phoenix conceded a late equaliser and survived a goal-less extra-time that included an extended break for lightning before prevailing 8-7 in a shootout held amid torrential rainfall at Perth's Kingsway Sporting Complex on Sunday. LATEST HEADLINES: Tactix claim maiden Premiership title Lawson in top-10 on Belgian GP grid Black Ferns XV defeat South Africa Alker back in top-five at Senior Open Henry bowls Black Caps to final win The first half was a relatively even one, with both teams showing positives in different ways. Perth dominated possession, while the Phoenix showed their youthful flair in their creativity up top. The visitors scored first. Oli Sail in Perth’s goal was unable to deal with a clever strike from Luke Brooke-Smith. Lukas Kelly-Heald was fastest to react in the penalty area, getting to the ball fast and tucking it home to give Wellington the lead. The home side rued their inability to convert one-on-one opportunities, with Wellington’s goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi getting the better of his opposition strikers on two occasions before the break. The Wellington Phoenix won the penalty shootout in torrential rain in Perth. PHOTO: AUSTRALIA CUP Glory came out of the blocks quickly as they chased the game. They came extremely close in the 67th minute, as a header from Scott Wootton – one of Perth’s best against his former club – went agonisingly wide from a set piece. They were also a threat on the counterattack. A quality ball in from Trent Ostler found Khoa Ngo in the penalty area, but it was called back for a foul on the Phoenix defender. The very next play, the ball came out to Taras Gomulka on the edge of the box, but he could only fire over the crossbar. The Wellington Phoenix are through to the Round of 16 in the Australia Cup. PHOTO: AUSTRALIA CUP As long as Adam Taggart was on the pitch, however, Perth would have had confidence in equalising - and that confidence was not misplaced. Late in regulation time, Wellington were unable to clear their lines from a corner. A shot from Gomulka squeezed through to Taggart, whose clever movement gave him time and space in the box. He made no mistake from close range to draw Perth level. Taggart’s goal took the game into extra-time, only for lightning to stop play minutes into additional time, requiring the players to leave the field of play for 30 minutes. When the players re-emerged to see out the game, it was Wellington who initially came closest to scoring. They peppered Perth’s goal with a series of corners and came close on two occasions in the first half of extra-time. Perth were inches away from a match winner after the change of ends when a defensive mix-up saw the ball trickle only inches outside the Phoenix goal. They had another clear-cut opportunity when Josh Risdon put in a quality ball to Adam Taggart at the back post, but Taggart could not control the ball and missed the frame of the goal. With the scores locked at 120 minutes, the players got ready for the first penalty shootout of the Australia Cup national stages in 2025. The captains of both teams took their first penalties. Adam Taggart made no mistake for Perth, but Kazuka Nagasawa for Wellington blazed over. Brandon O’Neill had the chance to win it for Perth with the team’s fifth penalty, but he missed the target. On the 18th attempt of the shootout, Wellington’s goalscorer Kelly-Heald had the opportunity to win the game. He made no mistake, putting an end to a marathon of a match and sending Phoenix through to the Round of 16. Wellington Phoenix 1 (Lukas Kelly-Heald 20') Perth Glory 1 (Adam McTaggart 89'). HT: 1-0, FT: 1-1, AET: 1-1. Phoenix win shootout 8-7

The Tactix winners of the ANZ Premiership PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Tactix have upset predictions to defeat defending champion Mystics 58-46 at The Trusts Arena in Auckland to win their first ANZ Premiership title. Led by a real fire in the belly and a desire to finally lift the ANZ Premiership spoils, the Tactix flew out of the blocks to silence the home crowd and never looked back – marking the first time in 28 seasons of franchise netball in New Zealand with a title. LATEST HEADLINES: Lawson top-10 on grid Belgian GP Kiwis set for BMX World Champs Black Ferns XV beat South Africa Alker back in top-five Senior Open Henry bowls Black Caps to finals win An emotional Tactix captain Erikana Pedersen paid tribute to new coach Donna Wilkins and the experienced heads including Ellie Bird, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Karin Burger and Jane Watson again stepping up in what was a tense Grand Final. Few picked the Tactix to upset the Mystics, who had lost just one game this season and had the advantage of playing at home. They had also beaten the Tactix by 14 points just two weeks prior and were expected to win their third straight title. But the Tactix had a different story written and stuck to their plan of attacking the ball before it got into the hands of Australian sharp shooter Donnell Wallam. Pedersen marshalled the efforts on attack and the accuracy of Bird in the shooting circle ensured they held onto the lead they built in the first quarter. The Mystics kept the Tactix thinking with numerous personnel changes, but the visitors were able to nullify everything they threw at them – composed until the very end as they made history with a well deserved first ANZ Premiership title. There were no surprises in the line-ups for the last dance but plenty of match ups across the board including the battle between Wallam and Watson, and Catherine Hall and Bird, at the other end. Wallam missed her first attempt at goal but her strong rebounding abilities put the home side on the scoreboard first and the two teams went goal-for-goal early on. Strong hands were needed from the Australian as the pressure was immense from the opening whistles as both Watson and Burger contested every ball heading in their direction. Burger made her presence felt in the first quarter and a turnover from the goal defence sparked the visitors as they dominated in all areas to race out to a 10-4 advantage midway through the spell. Struggling to get ball into their shooting circle the last time the two teams met, the Tactix showed plenty of patience in working the ball into Ellie Bird who positioned herself well against Mystics defender Catherine Hall. A timeout called by the Mystics allowed the hosts to settle into their game but there was no slowing the red-and-black juggernaut. Tayla Earle earned a key turnover for her blue team, but the Tactix were quick to strike back as frustrations started to mount for the Mystics, the hosts trailing 8-17 at the first break. It forced a change for the Mystics with Michaela Sokolich-Beatson moving from goal defence to the wing and Holly Rae coming into the defensive circle. The changes produced more pressured ball for the Tactix into their shooting circle, but they showed no fear in continually resetting before finding Bird. At the other end, the Mystics were starting to find Wallam with more accuracy and with Filda Vui also coming into the game the hosts started to grow in confidence. Hesitancy started to creep into the attacking play of the Tactix and with Peta Toeava starting to get the better of the red-and-blacks defence, the difference closed to seven. But a Watson intercept was scored at the other end of the court to see the visitors holding a 31-22 lead at halftime. Mystics coach Tia Winikerei went to her bench again on the resumption of play springing a surprise with Toeava moving to goal attack, Earle onto the wing and Katie Te Ao to centre. It took some time for the Tactix defensive unit to adjust to the changes with Toeava moving the ball at speed around the circle. Leading by example, an intercept from Tactix captain Erikana Pedersen lifted her team again as they extended the advantage to 12 points midway through the third quarter. It prompted another change in the Mystics line, reverting the starting seven as they attempted to eat into the Tactix lead. The first super shot of the game, netted by Vui did just that and another late in the quarter saw the Mystics trail 36-47 heading into the deciding spell.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was one of the best for the Warriors in their loss to the Titans PHOTO: NRL GRAPHIC A stunning upset by the Titans as they ensure Des Hasler celebrates his 500th game as a coach in grand style. Jayden Campbell and Kieran Foran dominated all day and steered their team around superbly as they completed 40 of 43 sets LATEST HEADLINES: Routliffe, Venus both beaten in DC Alker drops, other Kiwis miss cuts Black Caps retain Bracwell for test Routliffe, Venus win in Washington Black Ferns World Cup squad named The Warriors actually scored first through Adam Pompey in the fourth minute, but then found themselves exposed defensively at times and didn't seem to gel as they would have wanted. The Titans had 11 players who ran for more than 100 metres with winger Phil Sami with 27 runs for 260 metres leading the way. AJ Brimson ran for 180 metres while Brian Kelly and Jojo Fifita had 14 tackle busts between them. Moe Fotuaika was immense in the middle with 161 run metres. There were doubles for the Titans to Dunedin-born Fifita with tries in each half and also to Sami as well as the visitors came from 10-0 down to score just their fifth win of the season. Charnze Nicol-Klokstad and Roger Tuivasa-Shek were arguably the best of the beaten Warriors. Fullback Nicoll-Klokstad had 26 runs for 214 metres and wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 26 runs for 278 metres and a try in the 62nd minute. Meanwhile the Titans also won the NRLW game was well as NZ Warriors slumped to their third defeat in four appearances beaten 20-10. Aiming to build on their first-ever home win two weeks ago, the wahine dug a deep hole for themselves, allowing their rivals to score three early tries. The result sees the Titans climb to 2-2 for the season, while the Warriors drop to 1-3 following back-to-back defeats. There were bright spots for the hosts as Apii Nicholls worked tirelessly at the back and Takimoana impressed again out wide, but it wasn’t enough to match the Titans' intensity. All eyes now turn to Magic Round in Newcastle next weekend, where the Warriors face the Cowboys NRL: Gold Coast Titans 24 (Jojo Fifita 2 Phillip Sami 2 tries; Jayden Campbell 2 con, pen) Warriors 16 (Adam Pompey Leka Halasima, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck tries; Tanah Boyd 2 con) HT: 10-12.. NRLW: Gold Coast Titans 20 (Lily Patston, Georgia Grey, Lily-Rose Kolc, Jaime Chapman tries; Lauren Brown 2 con) Warriors 10 (Payton Takimoana, Metanoia Fotu-Moala tries; Patricia Maliepo con). HT: 4-14

Erin Routliffe lost the doubles semis at Washinton in a supertiebreak with Asia Muhammad PHOTO: NZSW Tiebreak losses for Erin Routliffe and Michael Venus in their respective doubles matches in Washington. . Fourth seeds Venus and Yuki Bhambri (India) lost 6-3 4-6 10-7 to Neal Skupski from Britain and Australia’s John-Patrick Smith in a quarterfinal match that lasted for just over an hour and a half. LATEST HEADLINES: Alker drops, other Kiwis miss cuts Black Caps retain Bracwell for test Routliffe, Venus win in Washington Black Ferns World Cup squad named Marathon MTB Nationals venues The super tiebreak was close for the first half of it, on serve at 4-5, but Skupski and Smith then got a couple of mini breaks on the next two points and were able to keep that lead for the remainder of the match. As top seeds Routliffe and her partner for the week, Asia Muhammad (United States), lost their semifinal against the US pair of Caroline Dolehide and Sofia Kenin 7-6(4) 6-4. Routliffe and Muhammad did have a 5-3 lead in the opening set, but the Americans then got on top and were up 6-5 before play had to be suspended for lightning. When play restarted Dolehide and Kenin finished off the first set, where over it they managed to save five set points against they. Dolehide and Kenin then went on to pick up the only break of the second set. Routliffe now head to Montreal for the WTA 1000 tournament, while Venus goes to Toronto for the ATP 1000 event.

Steven Alker is tied 10th after the second round of the ISPS Handa Senior Open PHOTO: LEGENDS TOUR/GETTY IMAGES New Zealand golfer Steve Alker has slipped down the leaderboard after day two of the Senior Open at Sunnydale Golf Club in England. Leading after round one following a seven-under par 63 - he's carded a three-over 73 second round to be four shots off the pace in tied 10th. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps retain Bracwell for test Routliffe, Venus win in Washington Black Ferns World Cup squad named Marathon MTB Nationals venues Black Caps easily beat Zimbabwe Countrymen Michael Long at three-over and Michael Campbell six-over missed the cut. Ireland's Padraig Harrington lead at eight-under. Meanwhile both New Zealanders contesting Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links have missed the cut Momoka Kobori's shot a two-over second round to be three-over for the tournament two shots off the cut Amelia Garvey's three-over effort on day two left her well off the pace at nine-over overall. England's Lottie Wood leads at 12-under.

Michael Bracewell will stay on with the Black Caps for the first test against Zimbabwe PHOTO: DJ MILLS/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Black Caps batting allrounder Michael Bracewell will replace the injured Glenn Phillips for the first Test against Zimbabwe starting July 30 in Bulawayo. Bracewell was not considered in the original squad due to his commitments with The Hundred overlapping with the two-Test series. LATEST HEADLINES: Routliffe, Venus win in Washington Black Ferns World Cup squad named Marathon MTB Nationals venues Black Caps easily beat Zimbabwe Mystics aim for record in netball final He last played a Test for New Zealand in 2023 against Sri Lanka in Wellington. Coach Rob Walter said Bracewell is a strong replacement for Phillips who has a groin injury. "Glenn's injury provided a gap in the Test squad and Michael is the closest like-for-like replacement," he said. Walter said Bracewell's experience and skillset will be a great asset and allowed the Black Caps to keep the same balance of the team. "Given he's here with the T20 squad and his availability aligned for the first Test, we're using the opportunity to include him in the squad," he said. "We'll get through the first Test and then we'll make a decision whether we'll replace him for the second Test." Bracewell will depart Zimbabwe after the conclusion of the first Test and join the Southern Brave ahead of their first game.

Can the Black Ferns repeat at the Rugby owrld Cup PHOTO: NZR The Black Ferns squad for World Cup in England has been named by coach All Bunting to defend their title with only one surprise. Despite a call up for the Black Ferns' last test, Ruby Tui has missed out on a place in the highly competitive outside backs. All available Black Ferns Sevens players have been selected, with Jorja Miller included in the loose forwards alongside co-captain Kennedy . LATEST HEADLINES: Marathon MTB Nationals venues Black Caps easily beat Zimbabwe Mystics aim for record in netball final World Tennis Tour to be held in Hamilton Kane Williamson century for Middlesex Kelly Brazier, 35 will play in her fourth World Cup after earning a late lifeline against the Wallaroos earlier this month, which was her first test since 2021. Brazier - who has played 44 tests across a 16-year career - could be playing her fifth World Cup but missed the 2022 tournament due to being in the Black Ferns Sevens side. Lock Laura Bayfield makes the squad after debuting earlier this month, she joins Maiakawanakaulani Roos, and Alana and Chelsea Bremner. Fellow Sevens stars Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Setefano (Fitzpatrick) and Stacey Waaka return for their third World Cup. Woodman-Wickliffe wasn't even supposed to be available after retiring last year and then signalling intentions to play in the NRLW, however the lure of the black jersey and another title has proven be too strong. Tukuafu is joined in the leadership by Ruahei Demant, with the Blues first five coming off back-to-back Super Rugby Aupiki titles. This will be a challenging campaign for the Black Ferns, with England hot favourites going into their home World Cup. The tournament kicks off on 23 August when the hosts take on USA in the tournament opener, with the Black Ferns facing Spain, Japan and Ireland in their pool matches. Black Ferns Rugby World Cup 2025 squad: Loosehead props: Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Chryss Viliko Hookers: Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green, Georgia Ponsonby Tighthead props: Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Amy Rule Locks: Laura Bayfield, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos Loose forwards: Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Jorja Miller, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (cc) Halfbacks: Iritana Hohaia, Maia Joseph, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane First five-eighths: Kelly Brazier, Ruahei Demant (cc) Midfielders: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Theresa Setefano, Stacey Waaka Outside backs: Renee Holmes, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Non-travelling reserve: Krystal Murray Black Ferns World Cup schedule Black Ferns v Spain Kick-off: 4:30am Sunday 24 August York Community Stadium, York Black Ferns v Japan Kick-off: 1am Sunday 31 August Sandy Park, Exeter Black Ferns v Ireland Kick-off: 1:45am Sunday 7 September Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium, Brighton Quarter-finals: 14-15 September Semi-finals: 20-21 September Final: 28 September

Asia Muhammad and Erin Routliffe seen here as title winners in Cincinnati 2024 are playing well in Washington this week PHOTO: WTA CINCINNATI Kiwi Erin Routliffe and American Asia Muhammad have won another tight match in the Washington WTA 500 tournament to beat the Chinese pair of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan 6-2 5-7 10-7. This quarterfinal match was similar to their first round when they defeated Ulrikke Eikeri from Norway and Japan’s Sri Hozumi 6-1 4-6 12-10, but once again, they battled through for the victory. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Ferns World Cup squad named Marathon MTB Nationals venues Black Caps easily beat Zimbabwe Mystics aim for record in netball final World Tennis Tour to be held in Hamilton Routliffe and Muhammad last played together in Cincinnati last August and took out the title, which was Routliffe’s first triumph at a WTA 1000 tournament. In the semifinals, Routliffe and Muhammad, who are the top seeds, play the winner of the match between Chan Hao-Ching and Jiang Xinyu against Caroline Dolehide and Sofia Kenin. Meanwhile Michael Venus and India’s Yuki Bhambri got their new partnership off to a winning start. In the first round of the Washington ATP 500 tournament, they accounted for Andre Goransson from Sweden and the Netherlands’ Sem Verbeek 6-7(1) 7-6(3) 10-6 in a match that lasted for a minute over two hours. In the quarterfinals they'll play Neal Skupski from Britain and Australia’s John-Patrick Smith.

Steven Alker has a one shot lead after the first round of the Senior Open PHOTO: PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS New Zealand's Steven Alker has the lead after the first round of the British Senior Open at Sunnydale Golf Club, Berkshire He carded an opening round seven-under par 63, one shot ahead of Aussie Mark Hensby. Alker, who turns 54 on Monday, is bidding to win his second senior major title, three years on from his first at the Senior PGA Championship. LATEST HEADLINES: Marathon MTB Nationals star venues Black Caps easily beat Zimbabwe Mystics aim for record in netball final World Tennis Tour to be held in Hamilton Kane Williamson century for Middlesex He mixed three birdies with a bogey over the front nine, before producing a flawless back nine that featured three further birdies and an eagle at the par-5 13th. “I was just efficient today,” he said. “Drove it in the fairway when I needed to and iron play was solid and just made some putts, especially on the back nine, just kind of kept things rolling. “I bogeyed seven and after that, I just got a bit of momentum and kept it going.” Alker has excelled at the four prior prestige events this year with a runner-up finish and two further top tens. Of the other New Zealanders Michael Campbell is tied 42nd at even par and Michael Long tied 69th at one-over.