Tour de France team raided Eels too strong for Titans

The Bahrain Victorious team competing at the Tour de France was raided by French police on the eve of yesterday’s stage as part of a doping investigation, according to judicial and police officials. The team confirmed that riders’ rooms were searched by officers at their Pau hotel. The Marseille prosecutor in charge of the case said a preliminary investigation targeting members of the team was opened on July 3 “for acquisition, transport, possession, import of a substance or method prohibited for use by an athlete without medical justification”.

The Parramatta Eels beat the Gold Coast Titans 26-8 last night, their fourth win in five games to consolidate their top-four spot in the NRL. The sinbinning of co-captain Kevin Proctor midway through the first half proved costly for the Titans — the Eels scored three tries in five minutes to extend their lead from 6-0 to 20-0 during the Kiwi’s absence. The late withdrawal of Mitchell Moses did little hamper Parramatta’s prospects, with hooker Reed Mahoney impressing after five weeks out injured.