Cricket: Ireland's one-day game against the all-conquering Australians in Belfast yesterday was washed out after just 100 minutes of play.
The Australians, batting first to entertain the 4,000 crowd, reached 86 for one in 23 overs when the rain became more persistent and forced the players from the field. The game was abandoned at 3.30 p.m.
Matthew Hayden was 52 not out, and Conor Armstrong took the only wicket, the out-of-form Justin Langer caught at point for 22. The most impressive bowler was Adrian McCoubrey, with a seven overs spell which cost just 15 runs.
Rugby: All Blacks skipper Anton Oliver has defended his decision to run a kickable penalty in the dying seconds of Saturday's Tri-Nations defeat to Australia, a move that cost New Zealand a crucial bonus point.
With the hooter having already sounded, Australia, in an unassailable 23-15 lead, conceded a penalty in front of the posts. All Blacks substitute outhalf Andrew Mehrtenscould have slotted the ball over and brought New Zealand within five points and earned them a crucial bonus point.
As it was, Oliver opted to tap and run, New Zealand failed to cross the try-line and Australia took the outright lead in the Tri-Nations, inspired by another inspirational performance from full back Matthew Burke.
The Queenslander scored a superb chip-and-chase try to cancel out Jonah Lomu's second-minute effort and 13 points from the boot to inflict New Zealand's first defeat at Carisbrook in 30 years as Australia claimed the Bledisloe Cup for the fourth successive time.
Cricket: The Irish Senior Cup semi-finals scheduled for Saturday turned into non-events because of rain.
At The Nevitt, North County looked set for a formidable score with 162 on the board for the loss of four wickets after 35 overs against Merrion when the match was abandoned shortly after 5 o'clock due to heavy rain. Conor Armstrong carved out an innings of considerable merit when making 69, while consistent run-getter Andrea Botha hit a workmanlike 37.
The match has been refixed for August 23rd. with Merrion this time having home advantage.
The second semi-final between Brigade and Cliftonville at Beechgrove lasted just 13 overs with the former losing two wickets in scoring 47 runs, and the replay goes ahead on Friday week, August 24th at Greenisland.
The weather also disrupted proceedings in Saturday's Whitney Moore and Keller league with the four matches down for decision all being decided on the reduced overs regulations.
Cricket: Bowlers Alan Mullally and Richard Johnson have been called into the England squad for this week's fourth Ashes Test against Australia, which was announced yesterday.
England captain Nasser Hussain returns to lead the team for the Headingley Test, which starts on Thursday, after sitting out the last two matches of the series because of a broken finger, but batsmen Graham Thorpe and Michael Vaughan will not play.
Sailing: Mark Lyttle lies in second place overall in his fleet after the opening two races in the Laser Masters World Championship at the Royal Cork Yacht Club yesterday.
Fresh winds with a forecast of gales forced the combined fleet of 320 boats to race on a single course inside Roche's Point on the inner harbour.
This largest ever event in this popular single-handed dinghy is split into various divisions according to age. Lyttle is sailing against 88 others in the Apprentice class for 35- to 40-year-olds.
Leading in first place is Australia's Brett Beyer who ended the Senior Worlds last week in 44th overall.
Scattered around the fleet is a range of Irish sailing household names including former Finn class Olympian and Olympic team manager Bill O'Hara. A 720 degree penalty turn in the opening race cost him crucial places yesterday and was lying 15th overall last night after scoring a 17th in race two.
Further ahead is local Laser sailor Nick Walsh in sixth, Ballyholme's John Simms in seventh and two times Olympian in the Flying Dutchman Peter Kennedy in eighth. The latter's former helm David Wilkins who won a Silver medal in 1980 lies 40th in the Masters fleet though an "On-course-side" full points penalty in race one plus a seventh in race two suggests better to come later this week.
Boxing: General satisfaction among IABA officials with the recent hosting of the World championships in Belfast prompted officials at Saturday's Central Council meeting to support applications to stage qualifiers for both the 2004 Olympics and European championships at the Odyessy in Belfast and at the National Stadium.
Hockey: Ireland came from two goals down to beat Wales in Cardiff yesterday at the start of their build-up to next month's World Cup Qualifier in France.
Goals either side of half-time from Hermes' Jenny Burke levelled the game before a late Arlene Boyles short corner strike sealed the win - Pembroke Wanderers' goalkeeper Nikki King marked her first cap with two fine saves.
The teams meet again today in an official international and tomorrow in a practice game.
Rowing: Eimear Moran finished fifth in the B final of the women's single sculls at the World Junior Championships in Duisburg in Germany on Saturday.
The result places the Offaly woman, who at 17 still has a year left at this level, 11th in the world.
Tennis: World number one Gustavo Kuerten edged seventh seed Tim Henman 6-2 1-6 7-6 in their rain-interrupted Cincinatti Masters semi-final on Sunday.
The match was suspended for rain just after midnight on Saturday night.
