Sports digest

A round-up of today's others stories in brief

Basketball stars play for charity

BASKETBALL: Some of the names who lit up the Irish game in the 1980s will reunite this weekend for the inaugural Irish Masters tournament in Galway, reports Keith Duggan.

Ballina’s Deora Marsh and Neptune shooting sensation Tom O’Sullivan were among the chief attractions in the years when Irish basketball attracted unprecedented crowds. The core of the Neptune team which won the 1988 National Cup, and included household names like Brendan O’Flaherty, Paul Kelly and Paul Fitzgerald will reunite for the weekend tournament, taking place in the NUIG Kingfisher gym over the weekend.

Marsh was among the first wave of American players whose arrival in Ireland transformed the popularity and profile of the sport. Famed for his soaring dunks, Marsh became synonymous with Ballina and, like several other Americans who arrived to play a season or two, ended up making his life in the town.

Proceeds will go to the Alzheimer Society.

Pakistan in control against Sri Lanka

CRICKET:Taufeeq Umar compiled his sixth test century to put Pakistan in complete control after the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The left-handed opener made 109 not out and shared century partnerships with Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali as Pakistan piled up 259 for one at the close, a lead of 62 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

It was a patient innings by the 30-year-old Umar who faced 296 balls and hit eight boundaries.

Resuming overnight on 27 for nought, Hafeez and Umar put on 118 for the first wicket. Hafeez was the more aggressive and struck eight fours and a six before falling just after lunch, trapped leg before for 75 by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. The game is the first in a three-match series.

Sumo chief hits wrestlers with golf club

SUMO WRESTLING: A gym chief who beat wrestlers with a golf club got a severe dressing down yesterday in the latest twist to a year of scandal for the ancient Japanese sport.

Kasugano (49), beat three young wrestlers for breaking a curfew and not wearing traditional kimono outside, local media reported. “I went too far hitting them with a golf club,” Kasugano said. “I realise that and have told the lads I won’t raise a fist to them again.”

In an embarrassing year for sumo, the sport was pulled from television and banned after government pressure following a damaging match-fixing scandal.

Mass sackings and convictions in gambling, drug use, gang crime and assault cases have plagued the sport.

Snooker reacts to O'Sullivan's claim

SNOOKER:World Snooker yesterday defended themselves following Ronnie O'Sullivan's claim that competing in Players Tour Championship events gives him the feeling he is being "raped".

World Snooker pointed out that prize money on the snooker tour has almost doubled inside the last two years, with a €80,000 jackpot for the champion at the PTC Grand Final. Valuable ranking points have been tagged to the events, and O’Sullivan won the most recent of them in Gloucester, picking up a prize of €11,000 in the process.

“I feel like I’m being raped when I’m playing in them,” O’Sullivan said. “They put these ranking events on and ranking points at these tournaments and it just feels like the winner’s prize is not great, the loser’s prize . . . most players are going there and losing money, but they’re putting ranking points on so it’s forcing the players to play in it, which is not great, but what do you do? You have to go.”

Taylor on course for fifth successive European gold

BOXING:Favourite for the lightweight title, Katie Taylor won through to the bronze medal position at the European Women's Championships in Rotterdam yesterday, writes Johnny Watterson. The current Irish and European champion earned a place in the semi-finals of the championships after a one sided win over Azeri, Ayzanat Hajiveva and remains on course for her fifth successive European gold.

Taylor was 13-3 up going into the fourth and final round (women fight four two-minute rounds) before extending the winning margin to a final 17-4.

Coached by her father Peter, the 25-year-old now meets Sweden’s Helena Falk in tomorrow’s semi-final after a rest day today.

She has already fought and beaten Falk as recently as last August when the two met in her home own of Bray. If she does the double over Falk, she will meet either Russian captain Sofya Ochigava or Denista Eliseeva of Bulgaria in Saturday’s final.

Henson signs for Cardiff Blues

RUGBY: Cardiff Blues have confirmed the signing of Wales centre Gavin Henson on an eight-month contract.

The signing of the 29-year-old bolsters the Blues’ roster ahead of today’s deadline for the naming of Heineken Cup squads, and secures Henson’s return to Wales after playing for Saracens and Toulon last term in the wake of his departure from the Ospreys.

In a Cardiff Blues statement, Henson said: “I’ve been saying I wanted to play back in Wales and I’m glad of the opportunity that Cardiff Blues have given me.

“I just want to do everything I can to make them happy and enjoy my rugby. I’m glad I’ve signed here.”

Henson, who has 33 Wales caps, left the Ospreys in October 2010, negotiating a release from his contract after going on an extended period of unpaid leave.