Ireland fail to halt run

Cricket: Spirited fielding and batting narrowly failed to save Ireland from their fifth successive defeat in the Women's Cricket World Cup, as they lost by 30 runs to India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand yesterday, writes Karl Johnston.

Miriam Grealey again won the toss and put India in, and Barbara McDonald got Ireland off to a great start when she clean-bowled Indian skipper Anju Jain in the first over without a run scored.

By the sixth over, India had lost three wickets with only four runs on the board, but then Anjum Chopra and Hemlata Kala took the score to 96.

Rupanjali Shastri and Smitha Hairikrishna then helped to steer India to 199 for 9 off the 50 overs. Caitriona Beggs top-scored for Ireland with 25 (47 deliveries, three fours). "This was one of the best performances ever by an Irish team, and a bit more experience in the running between wickets might have brought a better result," said Ireland's coach John Wills.

Ireland's next match will be against the Netherlands on Thursday.

Cycling: Following his second place in the Irish downhill championships earlier this year, rider Will Corry went one better in the Scottish cyclocross nationals on Sunday.

The 17-year-old from Stormont, East Belfast won the junior title, securing world ranking points and illustrating that he is a more complete rider than most downhill racers.

The win means that Corry, who studies in Scotland and races for the Can-Am Wulf outfit, is now eligible to compete in World Cup events in both downhill and cross country disciplines.

Rugby: England captain Martin Johnson could miss the start of his team's Six Nations title defence after being cited for foul play.

Leicester captain Johnson is in the dock for alleged use of the knee on Saracens outhalf Duncan McRae during Leicesters' Tetley's Bitter Cup quarter-final victory on Saturday.

Cycling: Marco Pantani has received a three month suspended sentence after being found guilty of "sporting fraud". His lawyer said that Pantini had been handed the sentence following the probe conducted under new Italian legislation on doping.