Billy Joe back in the old routine but unimpressive
Billy Joe Saunders claimed a routine victory in his first bout since vacating his WBO middleweight title at the Manchester Arena.
Fighting for the first time this year after a forgettable past few months, Saunders’ opponent Charles Adamu retired on his stool at the beginning of the fifth round.
Late replacement Adamu had been comprehensively outboxed over the first half of the eight-round contest by Saunders, who had weighed in at a career-high 178-and-a-quarter pounds.
Sussex seamer Jofra Archer struck twice in successive balls in the penultimate over as Hobart Hurricanes beat Brisbane Heat by 16 runs in the Big Bash Cricket League.
The Barbados-born all-rounder, who qualifies for England next year after the residency criteria was reduced from seven years to three last month, removed dangerman Ben Cutting (58 off 32) with Brisbane needing 23 from 10.
Next ball he accounted for Mark Steketee to kill the hosts’ momentum and help secure victory.
Archer was not required to bat as Hobart posted 159 for six, thanks to 67 off 52 balls from D’Arcy Short and contributions of 25 and 22 from Ben McDermott and George Bailey respectively.
After a calamitous run out accounted for Brendon McCullum early in Brisbane’s reply, Max Bryant (30) and Chris Lyn (29) laid the platform for Cutting to unleash some big hits (five sixes and two fours) before Archer’s intervention in the penultimate over swung the game in the visitors’ favour.
Scotland’s young women’s professional side Caledonia Pride romped to an 84-53 win over close rivals Cardiff Met in the Women’s BBL at Oriam to end their year on a high.
The way was shown by Edinburgh University student and Cameroon international Tia Weledji.
She had a double double of 26 points and 12 rebounds.
Pride pulled away from a 40-29 half-time lead over a team who were two places above them in the table.
Captain Hannah Robb and Shawnisay Millar both added 12 points.
“That’s our fourth league win and different people have stepped up each time,” said Dutch coach Bart Sengers, who will lead his team in an invitation tournament in Barcelona at the end of the month.