A round-up of today's other sports stories in brief...
Cutler best of Irish in Adelaide
GOLF: Josh Younger and Matthew Griffin, both members of the Victorian Golf Club, fired opening rounds of four-under-par 68 to share the lead at the Australian Amateur in Adelaide.
The pair, who opened their campaign at The Grange Golf Club (half the field started on the Royal Adelaide course), have a single shot lead from five other players, including Michael Foster, Alex Peade and Englishman Dale Whitnell.
Of the Irish, who were all playing the same course, Paul Cutler from Portstewart fired a four-under-par 32 on the back nine for a 70. Simon Ward from Co Louth was level par after nine holes, following two birdies and two bogeys, but dropped another shot for a round of 73.
Niall Kearney from Royal Dublin was also two over par after nine holes, and went three over at the 17th, but made a fine birdie at the 18th for a round of 74.
Shane Lowry without a single birdie in his round, and with dropped shots at the eighth, ninth and 18th, finished on three-over-par 75. Also on the same score is former Irish Boys international Andrew Lynch.
NZ opener Ryder gets reward
CRICKET: New Zealand rewarded opener Jesse Ryder for his good form in the one-day series against England by naming him among their 20 contracted players.
Ryder (23), made his limited-overs international debut against England this year and averaged 49 in five matches.
The burly left-hander blotted his copybook when he punched a bar window and damaged his hand, but New Zealand Cricket have given him another chance.
Other new faces on the list are young fast bowler Tim Southee, Aaron Redmond and Daniel Flynn.
The list is missing experienced players Stephen Fleming, Shane Bond, Lou Vincent and Craig McMillan, who have either retired or joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Lydon gives master class
RUGBY: Outhalf Peter Lydon gave a 17-points master class in Kilkenny College's 22-12 defeat of gallant Marian College in the Leinster Schools' Junior Plate final at Donnybrook yesterday.
Marian's 5-3 lead from a try by openside Lee Harrisson was wiped out by 16 unanswered points from Lydon's try and two penalties and a try by replacement wing Daryl James.
Marian College responded when centre Seán Flood got over for Harrisson to convert, and were on the verge of drawing level when the ball was spilled forward under the posts.
Kilkenny broke away for Lydon to send over a decisive drop goal.
KILKENNY COLLEGE: A Merrey; C Deacon, G Ridgeway, J Yates, D Rath; P Lydon, F Horan; A Brownrigg, R Elmes, T Farrar, D Furnell, M Barnard-Day, A Doyle, G Chapple, P Boeye (capt). Replacements: D James for Horan (18 mins); G Hanbidge for Farrar (49 mins).
MARIAN COLLEGE: P Healy; D Ianelli, S Flood, A Coffey (capt), C Bishop; J McCarthy, M O'Sullivan; T Nolan, D McKeon, JD Ferus, L Reilly, K Afanasev, A Foley, L Harrisson, O Kennedy. Replacements: D Soon for Reilly (50 mins); S O'Rourke for Foley (58 mins).
Prosecutors drop fraud inquiry into Ullrich
CYCLING: German prosecutors have dropped an investigation into fraud by former cyclist Jan Ullrich.
The 1997 Tour de France winner, who has always denied taking illegal substances, remains free of any doping charge but has paid a six-figure sum to the state and charity, a spokesman for the prosecution in the western city of Bonn said.
"The state prosecutors have dropped their investigation of fraud and other matters into Jan Ullrich," the prosecutors' office said in a statement.
Ullrich (34), said: "I was always a fair sportsman, the payment is not a confession of any guilt. The state prosecutor did not demand one either. It cannot be considered an admission of guilt because no one was betrayed.
"A fight to get an acquittal would have cost me a lot more money. I was willing to accept a financial sanction only because the lion's share of the amount is going to charity. My wife and I are happy to at long last put it behind us."
'Classic All Blacks' for Japan
RUGBY: Japan will face a "Classic All Blacks" side in a friendly in Tokyo next month. The New Zealanders will field a powerful side including Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Doug Howlett, Carl Hayman and Andrew Mehrtens for the May 31st game.
"We were in Japan last year to give the boys from Japan a chance to get ready for the Rugby World Cup," Classic All Blacks manager Andy Haden said. "We are delighted we have been asked back this year to help the Japan Rugby Football Union's long-term vision of bringing the Rugby World Cup to Asia."
Japan are expected to bid for the hosting rights for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, having lost out to New Zealand for the 2011 tournament.
Beijing back on agenda
GYMNASTICS: Six-time world champion Marian Dragulescu (27), has returned to training ahead of Beijing after an injury scare threatened to derail the Romanian's hopes of adding to his silver medal from Athens.
Last month, doctors ordered Dragulescu to undergo tests in the US on a back injury that they feared could end his career.
"I feel perfect," the gymnast said. "The tests revealed that the damage to my back was not as serious as initially believed."
