A round-up of today's sports news in brief
Toseland happy with engine
MOTOR CYCLING:James Toseland believes his Yamaha's new engine will fire him up the field for tomorrow's Grand Prix at Estoril after a disappointing day's practice.
Toseland could manage only the 13th fastest time on his Tech 3 Yamaha yesterday, but with the morning session being held in rainy conditions the 27-year-old was short of track time at a circuit which is new to him.
Toseland was one of a number of riders to crash in the difficult conditions early on, but the reigning World Superbike champion improved steadily throughout the sunny afternoon session and believes the improved engine he has received for the first time this weekend can put him in contention for a podium finish.
"I'm really happy with the new engine - it feels really strong. The team now has lots of data to look at and we'll be able to make any adjustments ahead of tomorrow's final qualifying session."
Sorensen sets the right example
TENNIS:A HIGHLY impressive performance by Louk Sorensen enabled Ireland to make the ideal start in their Davis Cup tie against Morocco, at Fitzwilliam.
Displaying exemplary levels of composure, authority and skill, the Irish number one scored a 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-2 victory over Moroccan number two Mounir El Aarej last night to extend his Davis Cup win-loss record to an impressive nine-one figure.
Sorensen's big serve and his blistering forehand ground strokes were his principal weapons during during the course of the two hour and 18 minutes contest.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal shrugged off a bout of jet-lag to beat Nicolas Kiefer 7-6 6-0 6-3 and give Spain a 1-0 lead over Germany in their Davis Cup quarter-final in Bremen yesterday.
Nadal made a sluggish start on the indoor hard court but edged a crucial 88-minute first set 7-5 on the tiebreak.
First A title for Portmarnock CS
GAELIC GAMES:Portmarnock CS captured the Dublin Colleges A football title for the first time by defeating St Benildus 1-10 to 0-10 at Belfield yesterday. The goal was scored by Nathan Mullins, whose father, the former Dublin midfielder, Brian, was on hand to present the trophy to the Portmarnock captain, Graham Rusk.
Rusk was on the team that captured the B title as the same venue two years ago and his back-to-back points in the second half were to prove crucial in the end.
PORTMARNOCK CS: C Murphy; E Drumgoole, S McHale, L Johnson; J Boyle, B Reinhardt, M Whelan; K O'Brien (0-1), S Kenny; N Mulcahy (0-1), J Briggs, N Mullins (1-1); I Loftus (0-2), R Sullivan (0-2), G Rusk (0-3, 1f).
ST BENILDUS: C Roe; D O'Connor, C McGowan, C Lumsden; D Reilly, C Dias, M Patel; B Hanamy, K Clarke; M Coen, G Mitchell, S O'Connor (0-3, 1f); D Lynch, C Haskins, C Tiernan (0-1). Subs: M Kinsella (0-5, 3f) for Clarke (15 mins), F Duffy (0-1) for Tiernan (35 mins), R Smith for D O'Connor (48 mins).
Referee: D Feeney (Parnells).
Russell looks set to return to finish jockeys' battle
RACING:Davy Russell is set to return to action in time for the Punchestown festival after confirmation last evening that he damaged ligaments but didn't break his wrist in a fall at Fairyhouse on Tuesday, writes Brian O'Connor.
The news looks to leave the way clear for a dramatic run-in to the jump jockeys' championship, with the season concluding on the fifth and final day of Punchestown.
Russell is currently five clear of Ruby Walsh in the race for his first jockey's title, having bagged 121 winners this term.
There had been fears he might have to miss the vital Punchestown festival, allowing Walsh the opportunity to pass him in the closing stages.
However, the Cork-born jockey said yesterday: "There is plenty of ligament damage and the earliest the cast can come off is this day week.
"But I'm told it shouldn't be a problem getting back in time for Punchestown, which is good news."
Russell sustained the wrist injury in a fall on Tuesday, and Walsh then narrowed the gap even further with a double.
The current champion will have the stage to himself this weekend with rides at both Fairyhouse and Tramore tomorrow.
Cardiff to stage first Ashes Test
CRICKET:Cardiff will stage the first Test of next summer's Ashes series, and Hampshire's Rose Bowl will play host to a Test for the first time in 2011, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have said.
The ECB yesterday released the schedule for the 2009 Ashes, which will see Sophia Gardens make its debut as a Test venue. The first in the series starts on July 8th, followed by clashes at Lord's (July 20th), Edgbaston (July 30th), Headingley (August 7th) and The Oval (August 20th).
The Rose Bowl will become Britain's tenth Test venue two summers later when it hosts the second game of the three-match series against Sri Lanka.
Cunego wins stage in Basque tour
CYCLING:Italian Damiano Cunego won yesterday's fifth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country. Second behind the 2004 Giro d'Italia winner was Alberto Contador of Spain, with the Netherlands' Thomas Dekker in third place around five seconds behind.
Contador remains the overall leader.
The tour finishes today with a time trial in Orio.
