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Steven Alker finished fouth at the first Champions Tour major of the year PHOTO: PGA CHAMPIONS TOUR New Zealand golfer Steve Alker has finished fourth in the Champions Tour's first major of the year after the weather-delayed fourth round. The Regions Tradition in Alabama was eventually won by Argentine Angel Cabrera LATEST HEADLINES: Sititi two more years at Chiefs, NZ Rugby Steel dominate Magic wrap up round 2 Alker lurks at delayed senior golf major Scott Dixon qualifies fourth at Indy 500 Giants win two in a row; Sharks strike gold Cabrera was tied for the lead with three holes to play, He then managed to birdie the 16th, par the 17th and birdie the 18th to take the victory over American Jerry Kelly. The two-time major champion at the US Open 2007 and Masters two years later Cabrera joins Miguel Angel Jimenez as the only multiple winners on the PGA Tour Champions. Alker finished three shots behind Cabrera after playing his three remaining holes on par. The 53-year-old from Hamilton, who finished second in this tournament last year, remains second in Charles Schwab Cup standings. The Champions Tour holds its PGA Championship this week.

Top seed Ollie Dunbar in action in 2025 and ready for the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Open PHOTO: SQUASH NZ The Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Squash Open gets underway, tomorrow (Thursday 22 May) at the North Shore Squash Club with some intriguing matches in the opening rounds. The men's PSA Challenger has first and second round matches on Friday followed by quarters and semis on Saturday and final Sunday while the women's Satellite runs Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. LATEST HEADLINES: Super Rugby round 12 teams named Winning start for Kiwi doubles player Holmes NZ Women's U-20 head coach Warriors missing co-captains for Raiders NZ U20 football team named to face Chile The men's draw involves players such as Northland left-hander Freddie Jameson who was a finalist at the New Zealand Junior Open this year but is up against another teen in Auckland's Vihan Chathury who will be playing for New Zealand at World Junior Championships in Egypt in July. Gisborne-raised Willz Donnelly, Bay of Plenty's Glenn Templeton as well as Henderson's Apa Fatialofa and North Shore's Sion Wiggan against Korean seed Youngjo Ko are all on court in the first round. If matches go to plan top seeded 18-year-old Ollie Dunbar will play seventh seed Gianluca Bushell-O'Connor from Australia in the quarters on Saturday, Dunbar ranked 140 in the world would then have a likely semifinal against either fourth seed Camern Darton (Australia) or fifth seed Jooyung Na (Korea) on Saturday afternoon. In the bottom half of the draw Shamil Wakeel from Sri Lanka who is seeded second will face the winner of the clash between Malaysian teenager Harith Daniel and Taupo's Bryce McMullen in the second round The women's Satellite draw has Jena Gregory originally from the Hawkes Bay, as top seed and set to face Waikato's Sophie Hodges, the fourth seed in the semifinals if the draw works out. Second seed, Bay of Plenty's Winona Jo-Joyce could come up against third seed Emma Merson (Bay of Plenty) or four-time former champion Lana Harrison for a place in the final. The tournament runs Thursday 22 May - Sunday 25 May at the North Shore Squash Club with 170 entries across all divisions.

The Steel dominated the Magic for their first win of the ANZ Premiership PHOTO: NETBALL NZ/MICHAEL BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY The Steel have showed they won't be easy-beats in the ANZ Premiership 2025 with a 69-41 win over the Magic in Hamilton The southern side impressed with their consistency, patience and accuracy. With a huge volume of ball at their disposal, it spoke volumes of a complete Steel effort. Such was their dominance, Frew had the luxury of giving all her players game time. LATEST HEADLINES: Alker lurks at delayed senior golf major Scott Dixon qualifies fourth at Indy 500 Giants win two in a row; Sharks strike gold Ardie Savea Super Rugby Player of Year Black Ferns, Canada draw in Pacific Four With a settled line-up, the Magic opted for Oceane Maihi, with her extra height to make the start at goal defence. Still missing midcourter Kate Heffernan and defender Abby Lawson also ruled out through injury, replacement player Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa slotted in at goal defence for the southerners. Searching for their first win against the Magic since 2022, the Steel couldn’t have asked for a better start, spearheaded by the drive of experienced centre Kimiora Poi, the slick distribution of goal attack Georgia Heffernan and sure shooting of Aliyah Dunn. Loose passing options and hesitancy on attack proved costly for the Magic, dogged Steel defensive work where rising young in-circle defender Carys Stythe was a menacing presence, delivered further opportunities, the visitors not missing a beat. With so much possession in their hands, the Steel were content to keep the one-point opportunities rolling as opposed to the Magic who were forced to roll the dice. With Saviour Tui and Ameliaranne Ekenasio nailing maximum shots in the closing five minutes, Magic repaired some of the damage as the Steel took a 19-13 into the first break. It was a similar story through the second stanza, the Steel impressing with their clean and crisp execution in their through-court flow. The Magic struggled to penetrate their attacking zone with any consistency, the Steel growing in confidence to deny the home team any semblance of a comeback. Staring at a growing scoreline prompted changes for the Magic with Georgia Edgecombe moving to centre and Reeghan de Bono coming off the bench to wing defence but providing little respite. Two super shots from Tui and one from Ekenasio were largely defused by one from a flawless Dunn, who finished with 29 from 29 for the half, left the Steel well placed when leading 35-23 at the main break. Things didn’t get any better for the home side as the Steel raced out to a 7-1 start to the third stanza. It was business as usual for the well-drilled southerners, patience and real confidence on attack meant no slipping of standards. Young wing attack Serina Daunakamakama was all poise in distributing the forward momentum in tandem with Poi while at the other end, Stythe continued to make a mess of the Magic’s attacking ploys, using her long reach to disrupt as she grabbed three intercepts and four deflections through the first three quarters. Despite super shots to Tui and Ekenasio, Heffernan ensured the Steel retained their buffer with one of her own as the Steel hit the last break with well-merited 50-34 lead

Steven Alker is tied fourth into the final few holes of the PGA Champions Tour major PHOTO: PGA TOUR New Zealand golfer Steven Alker remains two shots back at the first senior major of 2025 in Alabama.. Alker was three-under through 15 holes in the final round at The Tradition on Sunday (Monday NZ Time), tied for fourth at 16-under, trailing co-leaders Angel Cabrera and Jerry Kelly by two shots. LATEST HEADLINES: Scott Dixon qualifies fourth at Indy 500 Giants win two in a row; Sharks strike gold Ardie Savea Super Rugby Player of Year Black Ferns, Canada draw in Pacific Four Stars too strong for Tactix in Premiership Alker hit five birdies and two bogeys in his 15 holes and will have to wait overnight for the suspended fourth round to finish due to bad lights. Meanwhile at Quail Hollow un North Carolina Scottie Sheffler won the PGA Championship his third major title with an even-par 71 He finished at 11-under 273, while fellow Americans Bryson DeChambeau (70), Harris English (65) and Davis Riley (72) tied for second at 6 under. New Zealander Ryan Fox finished tied for 28th, 12 shots behind Scheffler. ox started the last day tied for 17th but his two over par 73 dropped him down the field. His round included a double bogey on the 17th after he put his tee shot in the water.

Scott Dixon will start fourth at the 109th Indianapolis 500. PHOTO: SCOTT DIXON New Zealand driver Scott Dixon will start next week's 109th Indianapolis 500 from the inside of the second row. The 2008 Indy 500 champion will roll over the start line inside Meyer Shank Racing's Felix Rosenqvist and Chip Ganassi Racing teammate and IndyCar championship leader Alex Palou after Sunday's (Monday NZ Time) final qualifying phases. LATEST HEADLINES: Giants win two in a row; Sharks strike gold Ardie Savea Super Rugby Player of Year Black Ferns, Canada draw in Pacific Four Stars too strong for Tactix in Premiership NZ A score 'test' win over Bangladesh A It was a chaotic two days of qualifying for New Zealand's other IndyCar drivers, Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin and Ganassi's Marcus Armstrong. Armstrong crashed into the wall during qualifying practice on Saturday (Sunday NZT), while McLaughlin did similar, almost flipping his car, during Top-12 practice earlier on Sunday (Monday NZT). The damage ruled the defending Indy 500 polesitter McLaughlin out for the rest of the day, meaning he will start 12th, on the outside of the fourth row. Armstrong eventually qualified 32nd, the middle of the 11th and final row. McLaughlin was second-fastest, behind Palou, and Dixon fifth-fastest during Saturday's first qualifying phase. In a converted road course car, Armstrong waived off his attempt as it would not have been in the top-30 to earn a spot on the grid. Dixon improved to fourth during the Top-12 session, with a four-lap average speed of 231.971 mph, before upping it to 232.052 during the Fast 6 phase, but remaining fourth as he was edged from the front row by Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward by 0.046 mph. In the last-chance qualifier for the final three spots in the 33-car field, Armstrong clocked 229.091 mph to finish second behind Marco Andretti but ahead of Rinus VeeKay and rookie Jacob Abel. Russian rookie Robert Shwartzman stunned The Brickyard by grabbing pole for the Great American Race, clocking 232.790 mph. Alongside him will be two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato and O'Ward. David Malukas, Christian Lundgaard and Marcus Ericsson will fill the third row, with an all-Team Penske fourth row of two-time defending champion Josef Newgarden and Will Power, who were both pulled from the Top-12 session after failing an inspection, and McLaughlin. The 109th Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set for next Sunday at 12pm local time (4am Monday NZT). Meanwhile, at the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on Sunday (Monday NZT), New Zealand's Liam Lawson finished 14th, 32.511 seconds behind former teammate Max Verstappen, in another disappointing weekend. Lawson was on the wrong side of a red flag during Saturday's (Sunday NZT) qualifying, eventually sitting 16th on the grid. With passing at a premium at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit, Lawson could only pick up places during pit-stop cycles, as safety cars and virtual safety cars hampered his efforts. He again finished behind Racing Bulls teammate Isaak Hadjar. At Nascar's Sprint Cup All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina, Shane van Gisbergen failed to qualify for the main race on Sunday (Monday NZT). Van Gisbergen took pole for the 100-lap All-Star Open race during an impressive qualifying session on Saturday (Sunday NZT), which included a four-tyre pit-stop. He led for 54 laps and was still in position to claim one of two places in the All-Star Race, restarting fourth with 16 laps remaining before sliding back to finish 13th.

The Nelson Giants have won back-to-back National Basketball League (NBL) games for the first time in almost a year. The Giants completed a perfect road trip in Week 9, backing up their win over the Hawke's Bay Hawks with a 91-80 victory over the Franklin Bulls at The Stockyard in Pukekohe on Sunday. LATEST HEADLINES: Ardie Savea Super Rugby Player of Year Black Ferns, Canada draw in Pacific Four Stars too strong for Tactix in Premiership NZ A score 'test' win over Bangladesh A Auckland United win OFC Women's title American forward Jeremy Combs again led the way for Nelson, with 18 points (5/7 FG, 8/13 FT), eight rebounds and four assists, while fellow new import Andrew Jones had 19 points (6/12 FG, 2/7 3pt, 5/6 FT), six boards and four assists. Kiwi forward Liam Judd also put up 18 points (6/11 FG, 5/9 3pt) and four boards, with Junior Tall Black Hayden Jones managed 13 points (5/9 FG) off the bench and import guard Alex Robinson Jr 11 points (4/13 FG, 3/4 FT), three assists and four steals. German centre Till Gloger top-scored for the Bulls with a game-high 20 points (9/13 FG), four rebounds, two steals and a block, while fellow import Tae Hardy filled it up with 13 points (6/14 FG), four boards, six assists and two steals. American forward Jeremy Combs was a major contributor again for the Nelson Giants. PHOTO: NBL David Okwera accumulated 12 points (5/10 FG, 2/6 3pt), five rebounds, four assists and three blocks, Marcel Jones 12 points (5/9 FG) and Tobias Cameron 11 points (4/7 FG), seven assists and two steals. The Giants trailed for all but 61 seconds of the first half, and were still behind by seven late in the third period. Eight straight points put them up one entering the fourth, before a 17-5 run gave them an 84-71 lead with 2:37 remaining. Nelson last won two straight last June, beating the Hawks and Manawatu Jets, also both on the road. The Giants have not won three consecutive games since taking four in a row in July 2022. The Southland Sharks have continued their push towards the NBL top-six with a 90-81 win over the Otago Nuggets in Invercargill on Sunday. A 32-point fourth quarter, including a late 12-0 stretch, saw the Sharks come from six points down to surge past the Nuggets, improving to 6-6 and within a half-game of the final playoffs berth. American forward Keylan Boone came off the bench to post a game-high 31 points (11/22 FG, 7/15 3pt) and six rebounds, with fellow import Caleb Asberry racking up 26 points (11/20 FG, 3/4 FT), four boards, six assists and two steals. Captain Alonzo Burton finished with 13 points (4/10 FG, 2/7 3pt, 3/3 FT), five rebounds and six assists, the Sharks third import Josiah Allick 12 points (4/11 FG, 4/4 FT) and a season-high 19 rebounds. Kiwi big Sam Timmins was held to just three points, but did manage six boards, five assists, two steals and four blocks. For the Nuggets, American guard Donald Carey Jr amassed 26 points (10/18 FG, 5/12 3pt), nine rebounds and two steals, and one-game Tall Black Jono Janssen 21 points (8/26 FG, 2/10 3pt, 3/4 FT), 10 boards and three assists. Patrick Freeman added 12 points (4/6 FG, 3/4 FT) and five boards, while import forward Jaylen Sebree had just five points, to go with five rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Jess Blewitt in action in the elite women’s downhill final in the Whoop UCI MTB World Cup downhill at Bielsko-Biala, Poland. PHOTO: BARTEK WOLINSKI/RED BULL CONTENT New Zealand’s dynamic young talent bagged three podiums between them in downhill finals on the opening day of the UCI MTB World Series in Poland. Tauranga’s Eliana Hulsebosch, in her first World Series final with for the highly rated Santa Cruz professional team, finished superbly to grab third place in the junior women’s final at the Szczyrk Mountain Resort in Bielska-Biala. LATEST HEADLINES: Ardie Savea Super Rugby POTY Black Ferns, Canada draw rugby Stars too strong for Tactix netball NZ A 'test' win over Bangladesh A Auckland United Women OFC winners She was joined with podium success by fellow kiwis in the junior men where Hawkes Bay rider Tyler Waite was only 0.8 seconds from victory, finishing second. The Yeti-Fox Factory professional was joined by Kaikoura’s Oli Clark who finished third for his new MS Racing team. Riders had to cope with unseasonably cold and wet weather, with snow falling throughout the week to make for a hugely demanding course and slippery conditions down the 2km track with 400m of descent over tight tracks and big jumps. Hulsebosch, the first junior women’s rider signed to the crack Santa Cruz professional team run by former world champion Steve Peat, was a standout. The Tauranga rider was fifth midway through her run but produced a withering final section where she was fastest, to nab the third place, five seconds behind winner Rosa-Marie Jensen from Denmark. It was her fifth World Cup medal after earning four last year including a victory at Val di Sole. Rotorua’s Bellah Birchall (Team High Country) finished an impressive eighth place, 11 seconds behind the winner. Hawkes Bay rider Tyler Waite set the scene with a remarkable run to grab the hot seat in the junior men’s final. Riding for the Yeti-Fox Factory team, Waite was fifth fastest through the first section but defied the conditions to be fastest on the rest of the run. Waite, who scored two World Cup podiums last year, went to the top of the field with the then-fastest time ahead of fellow kiwi Oli Clark from Kaikoura for MS Racing. Top qualifier Max Alran (FRA) pipped Waite’s time by just 0.8s to secure the honours with Waite second and Clark third. Fellow kiwis Jonty Williamson (Palmerston North) from the Yeti-Fox Factory team and Queenstown’s Malik Boatwright (Team High Country) were fourth and 12th respectively. Williamson finished just half a second behind’s Clark’s time. Rotorua’s Lachie Stevens-McNab was the only kiwi to qualify for the elite men’s final. The Trek Factory professional had been ill in the lead-up to the opening round, but qualified sixth fastest. Chasing his third World Cup podium, he made a mistake on the first section which cost him any chance. Queenstown’s multi-national champion Jess Blewitt finished 13th in the elite women’s final after a strong qualifying performance. After a fast start, she made a mistake in the second section, recovering to ultimately finish 13th fastest in the final. There will be little time to dwell with the second round for downhill and third for enduro to be staged at the French base of Loudenvielle in the Pyrenees in two weeks. Results, Downhill Finals: Junior women: Rosa-Marie Jensen (DEN) 3:41.724, 1; Lina Frener (AUT) at 4.646s, 2; Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Team, Tauranga) at 5.029, 3. Also NZers: Belah Birchall (Team High Country, Rotorua) at 11.435s, 8. Elite women: Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) 3:34.340, 1; Anna Newkirk (USA) at 1.711, 2; Nina Hoffmann (GER) at 4.735, 3. Also NZers: Jess Blewitt (Cube Factory) at 28.641, 13. Junior men: Max Alran (FRA) 3:07.964, 1; Tyler Waite (Yeti Fox Factory, Hawkes Bay) 0.887, 2; Oli Clark (MS Racing, Kaikoura) at 3.429, 3; Also NZers: Jonty Williamson (Yeti-Fox Factory, Palmerston North) at 4.035, 4; Malik Boatwright (Team High Country, Queenstown) at 9.731, 12. Elite men: Loic Bruni (FRA) 3:04.867, 1; Olsin O’Callaghan (IRL) at 0.156, 2; Amaury Pierron (FRA) at 0.808, 3. Also NZers: Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Trek Factory) at 41.409, 30.

Ardie Savea has won the Super Rugby Player of the Year title with a couple rounds remaining PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea has claimed the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title after establishing an unassailable lead in voting with two weeks left in the regular season. The 31-year-old gained the maximum six votes against the Blues in Round 14, and 42 votes across the season so far, putting him beyond the reach of Tom Hooper (31 votes) and Damian McKenzie (28 votes) a fortnight out from the Finals Series. LATEST HEADLINES: Stars too strong for Tactix netball NZ A 'test' win over Bangladesh A Auckland United Women OFC winners Ryan Fox top-20, Steven Alker top-five NBL victories for Giants, Rams and Saints Savea has been an imposing force for Moana Pasifika on both sides of the ball in his 10 appearances this season, scoring five tries, making over 350 post-contact metres, completing 110 tackles and winning 15 turnovers. His impact has also been reflected in Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy, with Savea the highest-scoring loose forward in the game and for six weeks of the competition, the most picked player. Moana Pasifika currently occupy sixth position on the competition ladder, needing one more win to lock in their first-ever Finals appearance. Savea will be formally presented the Player of the Year medal at Moana Pasifika’s final regular season game against the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium on Saturday 31 May. Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Ladder (after 14 rouns) Ardie Savea - 42 Tom Hooper - 31 Damian McKenzie - 28 Carlo Tizzano - 27 Timoci Tavatavanawai - 26 Langi Gleeson - 26 Fraser McReight - 26

For only the second time, the Black Ferns have drawn a test match. New Zealand and Canada could not be split in their second round Pacific Four Series contest, sharing honours 27-27 in a pulsating spectacle at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium on Saturday. LATEST HEADLINES: Stars too strong for Tactix in Premiership NZ A score 'test' win over Bangladesh A Auckland United win OFC Women's title NBL victories for Giants, Rams and Saints Advantage Auckland FC in A-League semi With two minutes remaining the Black Ferns were down 27-22 but strung together 22 phases, probing from side to side, up the middle, anywhere there was a possible chink in the Canadian armour. Eventually, the red wall cracked when Sylvia Brunt crashed over for her 10th, and most vital, test try. Ruahei Demant, who in the 68th minute slotted a clutch penalty to tie the scores, was unable to nudge the hosts ahead from the edge of the sideline and a packed grandstand. Braxton Sorensen-McGee scored the Black Ferns' opening try against Canada. PHOTO: ALL BLACKS.COM/ACTION PRESS A draw was a fitting outcome in a gladiatorial contest. Canada threatened to snatch an epic victory four minutes earlier when replacement outside back Shoshanah Seumanutafa wriggled, bounced, and stretched over the line despite a desperate intervention from Mererangi Paul.  However, the Black Ferns summoned something special with Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Ayesha Leti-I’iga making the most headway.  Leti-I’iga produced another masterclass with two tries, three clean breaks, and nine carries for 73 metres gained.  New Zealand struck first with Braxton Sorensen-McGee capitalising on a Chryss Viliko charge down. Canada responded to make it 7-7. Then it went 12-7, 12-12, 19-12, 19-17, 19-22, 22-22, 27-22, and finally 27-27. The Black Ferns led twice, Canada enjoyed ascendancy for the first time in the 65th with an Alysha Corrigan try. A shallow clearance by the Black Ferns was punished in Sevens-like style by Canada. Four quick passes opened up the openside, and it was Goodnight Irene. Corrigan was electric for Canada with an additional two linebreaks. Olivia Apps made a huge impact from the bench.  Splitting the sides was difficult on the stats sheet, too. Canada outscored the Black Ferns five tries to four, while the Black Ferns will rue a less reliable lineout, inferior discipline, and 13 penalties to seven. Canada missed 44 tackles compared to the Black Ferns' 22, but Courtney O’Donnell (20 tackles) and Karen Paquin (16 tackles) were two of the most resolute tacklers on the field. New Zealand surrendered 19 turnovers compared to Canada’s 12. Alana Bremner topped the tackle count for the Black Ferns with 14. Brunt and Kennedy Tukuafu had a dozen each.  The Black Ferns previous draw was 8-8 against England in London in 2011. New Zealand leads the Pacific Four Series standings on points difference, with the USA left to play. Canada battles with Australia as they seek to defend their title.

Ryan Fox has kept inside the toip-20 after three rounds at the PGA Championship PHOTO: PGA TOUR A mixed bag for New Zealand's Ryan Fox at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fox has carded a third round one-over 72, mixing six bogeys on the fourth, ninth, 11th, 13th, 16th and 18 holes. But he also hit five birdies to be tied 17th and three-under for the tournament. LATEST HEADLINES: NBL victories for Giants, Rams and Saints Advantage Auckland FC in A-League semi Coll beaten in world championships semis Warriors beat Dolphins for fifth straight win Mystics beat Pulse, lead ANZ Premiership Fox has had 14 birdies at the tournament - fourth equal - but has made 11 bogeys. He sits tied 17th going into the final round and his best-ever finish at a Major. American Scottie Scheffler has the outright lead by three at 11-under and says bouncing back after dropped shots was vital. Meanwhile Steven Alker is tied third at 13-under at the Champions Tour first Major tournament of the year in Birmingham, Alabama. Alker carded his worst round of the tournament, a 71 in the third round featuring two bogeys, a double bogey plus five birdies. The tournament is led by American Jerry Kelly at 15-under.

Close marking between the STars and Tactix in ANZ Premiership second round PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY/NETBALL NZ The Stars have made amends for their first round loss claim a 57-52 win over the Tactix in Auckland on Sunday. Keeping in front through each quarter and up by six heading down the home straight, the Stars withstood a late rally from the Tactix before settling themselves in the closing minutes to seal a courageous win. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ A 'test' win over Bangladesh A Auckland United Women OFC winners Ryan Fox top-20, Steven Alker top-five NBL victories for Giants, Rams and Saints Advantage Auckland FC in A-League semi The Tactix finally found their two-point radar in the final five minutes with Te Paea Selby-Rickit slotting two and Martina Salmon one super shots to reduce the margin to just two, and leaving the match on a knife-edge with under two minutes to go. All the Stars players shone on a special evening, none more so than rangy goal defence Lili Tokaduadua who snapped up five interceptions and three deflections as the home side held the experienced Tactix at arms-length. After a week of adversity following the temporary loss of defender Kate Burley and midcourter Greer Sinclair for the season, the Stars introduced new faces for the Round 2 match-up. Replacement player Tori Kolose got the nod at wing attack for the home side with Lili Tokaduadua starting at goal defence. With a settled line-up at their disposal, Salmon won out in the race for the Tactix goal shoot bib. The Stars were unable to match the Tactix slick start, the southerners producing a seamless through-court transition with captain Erikana Pedersen and Te Paea Selby-Rickit the conductors on attack. Settling into their new on-court personnel, the Stars reeled in several early surges from the Tactix, holding their own to trim the deficit, two closing two-point shots nudging the home side into a 15-14 lead at the first break. The arm-wrestle continued on the resumption with Stars midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, in her 100th national league match, a busy presence on attack and defence. The Tactix applied big defensive pressure through the middle of the court, forcing the Stars into multiple phases of play but showing plenty of patience, the home side retained possession well, finding the openings and finishing well. Pedersen was a calm presence for the visitors but extra hustle from Stars defenders Tokaduadua and Remi Kamo resulted in turnovers for the home side. With the Tactix conservative on their two-point attempts, Monica Falkner added the icing late in the piece with a double point shot late in the piece to hand the Stars a 28-24 lead at the main break. The Tactix reshuffled their defence line with Australian import Charli Fidler moving into goalkeeper, Jane Watson shifting up to goal defence and Karin Burger along to wing defence. Pederesen was also forced off with an ankle injury, replaced by Parris Petera as the third 15-minute instalment produced a thrilling quarter of netball. Stars foundation player Kayla Johnson, in as injury cover, also got on for some minutes at wing defence. The home side continued to produce great ball movement through court, unafraid to push the long ball through while defenders Tokaduadua and Kamo hustled and bustled their opposites into error. The Tactix threw everything at the Stars but under pressure, lost their timing and precision while the Stars grew in confidence. The Tactix remained luckless on the two-point shot, butit was a different story for the home side, one each to Falkner and Bell propelling the Stars into a 44-38 lead at the last break.

Celebration time for NZ A winning the first 'test' over Bangladesh PHOTO: NZC/BCB The New Zealand A cricket side have won the first unofficial test against Bangladesh A by 70 runs in Sylhet. NZ A made 257 in their second innings thanks mainly to a century from Wellington's Nick Kelly, his 10th first class century. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland United Women OFC winners Ryan Fox top-20, Steven Alker top-five NBL victories for Giants, Rams and Saints Advantage Auckland FC in A-League semi Coll beaten in world championships semis It meant Bangladesh require 245 runs to win on a wicket wicket was starting to assist the bowlers. The New Zealand A team then bundled out Bangladesh A for 175 with Auckland's Adi Adshok taking his fifth first class five-wicket bag. Jayden Lennox was also in the wickets with 3-38 while Kristian Clarke and Josh Clarkson took the other two wickets. The second unofficial test starts On Wednesday. Bangladesh A won the 50-over series 2-1