Roche strong in Spain
CYCLING: Nicolas Roche had another strong day in the saddle to finish eighth on stage four of the Vuelta a Espana.
Home rider Igor Anton clinched a narrow solo win, while Philippe Gilbert of Belgium retained the overall lead.
Anton attacked 400 metres from the line on the steep uphill finish in Valdepenas de Jaen for Spain’s first stage win.
Roche was 12 seconds back, and is 11th overall, 58 seconds down.
Roux on leave after murder charge
RUGBY: Bulls player Bees Roux has been put on indefinite leave by his club after charges of murder were brought against him. The 28-year-old appeared in court late on Monday after spending the weekend in a Pretoria prison following his arrest on Friday.
He was released on a bail at a city district court and will appear again on October 15th.
Roux was arrested on Friday for allegedly killing 38-year-old Tshwane metro police officer Ntshimane Johannes Mogale.
Meanwhile, South Africa coach Peter De Villiers has made one change to his starting line-up for Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Bloemfontein. Lock Danie Rossouw, returns to the starting XV in place of Flip van der Merwe.
SOUTH AFRICA:F Steyn; JP Pietersen, J Fourie, J de Villiers, B Habana; M Steyn, F Hougaard; G Steenkamp, J Smit, J du Plessis, D Roussouw, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, P Spies.
Ireland collect early bonus haul
CRICKET: Ireland claimed the six bonus points on offer for a first-innings lead after dominating the opening day of their Intercontinental Cup clash against Canada in Toronto yesterday, writes Emmet Riordan.
Inspired by a five-wicket haul from skipper Trent Johnston, Ireland bowled out Canada for just 120 after the hosts had won the toss and batted.
Pembroke opening bowler Allan Eastwood took out both of Canada’s openers in his second over, but Johnston would trump that effort with three wickets in the first four balls of his third over to leave Canada on 60 for six.
Johnston finished up with figures of five for 23, while Eastwood claimed three for 30.
Paul Stirling blasted 45 off 42 balls before a third-wicket partnership of 78 from Andre Botha (39) and Kevin O’Brien (56 not out) helped Ireland to 170 for three in the final session of the day.
Seniors lead after day one
GOLF: Ireland made a stunning start to their bid for a third European Senior men’s title in four years at Fairhaven in Lancashire yesterday.
They swept to the top of the leaderboard in their first qualifying round with all of their players delivering the goods – two Irishmen were in the top three.
Kileen’s Maurice Kelly led the way with a two-under 71. He had only one bogey, at the sixth, and was the player with the most number of holes played in par or better.
Tom Cleary was steadiness personified, carding a 72, and former British Seniors champion Arthur Pierse returned 74 with halves of 38 and 36. His only hiccup was a double bogey five on the short 10th.
Ireland finished at the top of the pile on 367 with five cards counting, five clear of defending champions England.
In the women’s championship in Berlin, Ireland are in eighth, with Pat Doran their only player to break 80. Ireland posted an aggregate of 415, 32 strokes behind leaders England.
‘Furyk rule’ is dropped for rest of season
GOLF: The rule which cost Jim Furyk his place in the first of the FedEx Cup play-offs last week has been suspended for the rest of the US Tour season.
Furyk slept in and missed his tee-off time in the pro-am on the eve of the Barclays in New Jersey and was disqualified from the tournament.
Phil Mickelson called it “ridiculous” and added: “I cannot disagree with it more – I have no idea how the commissioner let this rule go through.”
Now commissioner Tim Finchem has announced that it will not apply any more this year.
“Hereafter, should a player be late for his pro-am starting time, the situation will be handled as a matter of unbecoming conduct,” said a PGA Tour statement. “Such a player will be required to participate in the remainder of the pro-am round and may be required to perform additional sponsor activity.
“A player who misses his pro-am obligation in its entirety will still be ruled ineligible for the tournament.”
