Sport in brief

Rugby Union

Saracens continued their unblemished start to the season with victory over Leicester in the new Premiership Rugby Cup. In the tournament replacing the Anglo-Welsh Cup, sides are split into three pools of four teams, with the first round of fixtures this weekend. Saracens went into the game having won all eight games this season and held off a fightback from Leicester to triumph again, 29-21. enjoyed a big victory over scoring seven tries in a 51-24 victory.

claimed a second win of the season against triumphing 31-7 at Kingsholm.

Cricket

Aaron Finch has replaced Tim Paine as Australia’s one-day captain ahead of the 50-over series against South Africa. Paine has been left out of the squad, having led Australia during England’s 5-0 one-day series whitewash.

Cycling

Great Britain’s women won the team pursuit at the Track World Cup in Canada. The quartet of Laura Kenny, Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker and Ellie Dickinson beat Italy in the final in Milton. Britain’s Oliver Wood took silver in the men’s scratch race behind Ukraine’s Vitaliy Hryniv. Ryan Owens, Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny took bronze in the men’s team sprint, with Holland clinching gold. In the men’s team pursuit, Wood, Steven Burke, Ed Clancy and Kian Emadi clinched a second bronze for Britain.

Tennis

Elina Svitolina reached the biggest final of her career as she overcame Kiki Bertens in three sets to secure a place in the final of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals. The No6 wore down the Dutch No 1 to advance with a 7-5, 6-7, 6-4 victory in Singapore. The Ukrainian faces Sloane Stephens in the final.