Devers displays her real class

DIGEST: American Gail Devers was one of several athletes to record a season's best time at the Athletissima Grand Prix in Lausanne last night. Ireland's Geraldine Hendricken finished seventh behind Romania's Maria Cioncan (4:03.1) in the 1,500 metres in a time of 4:05.72.

Three-time world champion Devers was again in outstanding form, claiming her fifth 100 metres hurdles win of the summer. The 35-year-old won in a meeting record 12.40 seconds - also improving her season's best of 12.51 seconds. Debbie Ferguson from the Bahamas was second (12.52), with the USA's Miesha McKelvy in third (12.63).

Liu Xiang, a little known 18-year-old from China, caused a sensation in the men's 110 metres hurdles - running the third fastest time of the year, 13.12 seconds, and claiming a new Asian record.

The 3,000 metres also produced the fastest time this year. Kenyan Benjamin Limo slipped past his rivals on the inside in the final stages to win in 7:36.02.

HOCKEY: The Irish under-18 boys team showed their potential by beating Spain 1-0 on the opening day of the European Youth Championships in Rotterdam yesterday.

Ireland gained control in the closing stages for Phelie Maguire to flick the ball into the net from a pass by Simon Magowan.

In a fine overall performance, Mark Gleghorne and Gareth Watkins troubled the Spanish defence while Chris Daunt, Ken Twomey and Andy Herbert also played valuable roles.

Earlier, in the under-16 match, the result was reversed as Borja Canals scored a 58th-minute short-corner winner for Spain. Ian Hughes, brother of Premiership footballer Aaron Hughes, had an outstanding game between the posts for Ireland, who had a late set-piece goal by Geoff McCabe disallowed

IRELAND UNDER-18s (starting XI): C Daunt; K Twomey, S Arbuthnot, E Butler, C Holmes, I Lewers, A Barrett, T Cockram, S Magowan, P Maguire, G Watkins.

Meanwhile the Irish under-16 and under-18 girls' teams lost their opening games to Spain. The under-18s were denied a draw by a late winner from a short corner, having levelled the scores through Carol McGowan in the first half, while the under-16s lost 4-1.

CRICKET: Railway Union dramatically defeated Merrion on the last ball of the match at Park Avenue yesterday to book their place against Pembroke in next Sunday's final of the Leinster Senior 50 Overs League - sponsored by Lewis Traub - at Malahide, reports Karl Johnston.

Chasing Railway's total of 214, Merrion needed 12 runs off the last two overs when Steve King got out. Then, they needed six off the last 10 balls when top-scorer Shawn Flegler was bowled by Roger Whelan, and then eventually four off the last over which became two off the final ball to tie the match. Damian Joyce went for the runs, was smartly run out and Railway had pulled off a famous victory.

Batting first, Niall O'Brien and Gareth Carroll had put on 111 for Railway's first wicket, but, after good support from Ken Carroll and Mohammed Tariq, they slumped from 194 for five to 214 all out, thanks to useful bowling by Robin Willis and Brad Spanner and a couple of fatal run outs. In reply, Merrion started badly, before Flegler, Spanner and King steadied the ship.

But all credit to Railway who never yielded an inch. Good bowling from Roger Whelan, Kevin O'Brien and Tariq laid the foundation, but at the end it was team spirit and the will to win which carried the day.