SPORTS SHORTS
TYNESIDE driver Matty Graham will have his first taste of GT4 European Series action this weekend after agreeing a deal to race with Dutch team Equipe Verschuur for the Northern Cup meeting at Brands Hatch.
Driving a McLaren 570S GT4 car as he currently races in the British GT Championship with In2Racing, Graham, 20, (pictured) will partner Hungarian driver Csaba Mor in two, one-hour races around the 2.4mile Grand Prix layout.
He said: “It is a nice surprise to be racing this weekend and I am looking forward to getting more miles in a McLaren and racing in a quality field.
“Csaba is a high-calibre driver and he did very well in the first round in Misano, so I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together at Brands.” ■■THE fifth annual Tyneside Handball Tournament is staged at South Shields’ Temple Park Leisure Centre tomorrow.
Hosted by Newcastle Vikings Handball Club, the tournament features teams from England and Scotland taking part in knockout cup competitions.
Play is from 9.00-7.30 and admission for spectators is free. ■■WALKER Central face Shankhouse at Whitley Park, Benton, tonight in the final of the Scott’s NFA Les Todd Benevolent Bowl (7.30). ■■BEDLINGTONSHIRE and Matfen Hall drew 8-8 in the Hadrian Golf League.
Other results: Bellingham 6 Hexham 6, Newcastle United 12 Westerhope 0, Ponteland 12 Wallsend 0, Ryton 3 Newbiggin 9, Slaley Hall 10 Prudhoe 2, Stocksfield 5 Close House 7 and Tyneside 7 Parklands 5. ■■CRAMLINGTON Sporting Club welcomes the opening round of the 2017 Euro-Vets Cycle Speedway Grand Prix Series tomorrow (1.00).
There will be oval bike racing for over-40s, over-50s and over-60s with over-40s world and Euro-Vets champion Craig Marchant among the field.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Orchid Fighting Male Cancer charity. ■■LINTZ claimed an eight-wicket victory over Greenside in the first round of the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League’s Division A League Cup.
Also progressing to round two were Stocksfield, Annfield Plain and Tynedale. ■■DAWDON host Ryhope and Marsden welcome Littletown in the Durham Cricket League’s RH West Cup tonight.