Today's other sports in brief
Pressure on Higgins
SNOOKER: John Higgins showed he was feeling the pressure of trying to retain his World Championship after squandering a promising position against Wales' Ryan Day.
Higgins, looking to become only the third back-to-back winner at the Crucible, led 5-3 overnight and quickly extended his advantage to three frames yesterday afternoon in the last 16 clash.
But the 32-year-old then lost the next three frames in a row, punching the table in frustration after the 11th frame and then flinging the white down the table after being pegged back to 6-6.
Higgins' mood was not improved by Day taking the 13th frame with a break of 51 to lead for the first time in the match. But the Scot finally rediscovered his touch to take the next two frames with breaks of 99 and 54 to edge back into the lead.
However a run of 93 ensured the 28-year-old ended the day level at 8-8 ahead of this morning's decisive session.
Loeb makes up for lost time
MOTOR SPORT: Reigning four-time world champion Sebastien Loeb recovered from a difficult start to the Jordan Rally yesterday to sit ominously just one second off the lead at the end of the first leg.
The Frenchman ran as low as fifth yesterday morning as he struggled with the set-up of his Citroen C4 but found his rhythm later in the day to close to within striking distance of team-mate Dani Sordo, who led after eight stages.
Spaniard Sordo was one of just two drivers to have run a recce at the new Jordan event, and he capitalised on his experience by winning the opening three stages.
But Loeb hit back with wins on stages four, six and seven to leave himself in a solid position heading into day two.
Kuerten tops rankings
SHOWJUMPING: Jessica Kuerten heads into tomorrow's concluding round of the FEI Rolex World Cup final topping the rankings on 77 points following her victory in yesterday's jump-off class on Castle Forbes Libertina, writes Margie McLoone.
Only five of the 38 starters got through to the second round where Antrim-born Kuerten and Lady Georgina Forbes's 12-year-old mare returned the fastest time, beating America's Peter Wylde and Esplanade 7 into second place. The only other clear against the clock was recorded by Germany's Ludger Beerbaum on All Inclusive.
Denis Lynch maintains his recent good run of form at the three-star show in Hagen, Germany where he won yesterday's young horse class on the eight-year-old Johnny Blunt having earlier placed third on Shamrock in the Small Tour speed event. Corkman Billy Twomey is competing at Grobbendonk in Belgium where he finished third on J'Taime Flamenco in the 1.40m jump-off class.
Goode in goal as Ireland prepare for Malaysia
WOMEN'S HOCKEY: The Irish women's hockey team has had no problems acclimatising before their opening fixture today in the Olympic qualifier in Canada.
With temperatures struggling to break the 10 degree mark on Vancouver Island, Gene Muller's side should certainly feel at home as they face Malaysia in Victoria.
Ireland has a 100 per cent past record against the Asian team, one of six nations gathered at the university complex to compete for one place at the Games in Beijing.
However, the coach has warned his players that there will be no easy games.
The Malaysians have plenty of neat Oriental stickwork though they probably lack the stamina needed to stay with the girls in green for the full 70 minutes.
The weekend's work will be completed with a match against an ambitious host team eager to join their menfolk at the Olympics.
While Ireland stand higher than the Maple Leafers in world rankings, the Canadians put a warning shot across their bows in a drawn practise game during the week.
The encounter lasted just 40 minutes but the more fancied outfit had to work hard to spare their own blushes after going behind early in the match.
Muller looks set to prefer Mary Goode from Pembroke Wanderers in goal ahead of Loreto's Louisa Healy, though he may opt to give both keepers an outing over the weekend.
Otherwise, he will surely stick to his policy of rotating his resources, with the 18 player squad all fully fit and ready for action.
Another setback for Mosley
FORMULA ONE: Embattled FIA president Max Mosley yesterday suffered another setback as he fights to remain in office.
Mosley had received an official invitation from the Israeli Minister of Science, Culture and Sport, Galeb Majadle, to visit the country and discuss the future of motor sport there.
However, Majadle, who extended the offer to Mosley this week after they met at the inaugural World Rally Championship in Jordan, was unaware of the scandal surrounding the 68-year-old.
And on the day when Mosley declared it is business as usual as far as he is concerned and revealed he would be attending the Monaco Grand Prix next month, Majadle withdrew his invite.
Mosley faces a vote of confidence at an extraordinary meeting of the FIA's general assembly in Paris on June 3rd.
Waikato's Willis joins Dragons
RUGBY: The former New Zealand hooker Tom Willis will leave the Waikato Chiefs and join Welsh side Newport Gwent Dragons after the Super 14 season ends.
Willis becomes the latest in a long line of players to leave New Zealand rugby since last year's World Cup. Auckland Blues utility back Isa Nacewa is joining Leinster, while Jerry Collins, Daniel Carter and Troy Flavell are also being linked with moves abroad.
