BASKETBALL HOCKEY
GARETH MURRAY believes Glasgow Rocks can get on a roll after defeating Worcester Wolves 88-81 in the BBL Championship last night. It was only the third league win of this season for the Scots, who were paced by 23 points and 10 rebounds from Ron Delph.
Although his team remain bottom of the table, Murray is seeing improvements that could spark a late play-off push.
“We’re starting to understand you can make an extra pass, you can get other people involved and play better defence,” the playercoach said. “Everyone contributed here. We played some good basketball.”
In the Women’s BBL, Caledonia Pride lost 86-58 at Newcastle Eagles to fall further behind in the play-off race. The Scots, paced by 20 points apiece from Maud Ranger and Rose Harvey, suffered a second-half collapse after only trailing 46-44 at half-time.
BOXING
JOSH TAYLOR has been nominated for British Boxer of the Year as he prepares for his undisputed super lightweight bout against Jose Ramirez.
The 30-year-old’s stunning points victory over Regis Prograis in October 2019, when he added the American’s WBA belt to his IBF title, is also on the shortlist for Contest of the Year.
The British Boxing Board of Control have said the consideration period for both awards was August 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020.
Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, Terri Harper, Lyndon Harper and Joe Joyce are also all up for the individual prize.
Taylor had two fights during that period. He became unified world champion at 140lbs in London with a majority points victory over the previously unbeaten Prograis before stopping Apinun Khongsong inside the first round last September.
The Prestonpans boxer is aiming to become the first Briton to hold all four major belts when he takes on Ramirez on May 22 in Las Vegas.
GREAT BRITAIN lost 2-1 to Ireland in yesterday’s friendly international in Belfast, leaving the series tied
1-1 with one match to play.
Scots Charlotte Watson and
Amy Costello were again sidelined by coach Mark Hager, although striker Sarah Robertson was given her second outing.
GB had the better of the first half, going ahead just before the interval when a Sarah Evans cross was deflected past the Irish keeper by Laura Unsworth.
However, three minutes into the second half, Chloe Watkins’ reverse stick shot flew into the net for the equaliser. Ireland’s winner came with seven minutes left, when Anna O’Flanagan was fouled in the circle and Roisin Upton converted from the spot.
TENNIS
TOP seed Daniil Medvedev was crowned champion at the Open 13 Provence in Marseille after defeating Pierre-Hugues Herbert in three sets. The Russian claimed his 10th ATP Tour title as he saw off the unseeded Frenchman 6-4, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4.