SPORTS DIGEST/Tennis: Annabel Croft and Mary Jo Fernandez were yesterday announced as non-playing captains of the Europe and United States teams that will play each other at the RDS in Dublin next month, December 5th to 7th. Fernandez's team will include Serena and Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport and Monica Seles, while Europe include Barbara Schett, Iva Majoli, Daniela Hantuchova, Jelena Dokic and Anna Kournikova.

HOCKEY: Trinity College and UCD open the defence of the Mauritius and Chilean Cup titles their men's and women's teams won, respectively, at Belfield last November when this year's intervarsity tournament gets under way in Galway today. Matches will be played in two venues - Dangan and Mervue - with the finals taking place in Dangan on Thursday.

CYCLING: Irish champion Robin Seymour has further extended his lead in the national cyclo cross league after taking his second win of the series, in Kilcullen. The impressive Team Worc rider overcame both his deficit under the league handicapping system and the delaying effects of a puncture to overhaul those starting ahead of him, eventually crossing the line clear of Banbridge CC duo Roger Aiken and Don Travers at the end of the 12-lap event.