SPORTS DIGEST

Today's other stories in brief

Hatton willing to go to America

BOXING:Ricky Hatton is willing to sacrifice his dream of fighting in front of 100,000 fans at Wembley, in order to secure a showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

The light-welterweight hoped to take on the brilliant Filipino, recognised as the world's best fighter, on home turf in front of a huge crowd in the capital next May.

While selling out the stadium would be relatively assured, fighting outside America presents problems in the shape of broadcasting issues across the Atlantic.

The Briton's lawyer, Gareth Williams, accepts American television requirements could ensure the fight will be staged in the United States. "It is going to come down to lots of external factors. In an ideal world, we would want the fight to be in the UK. But if financially it doesn't make sense, then it won't be."

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum said: "We are in negotiations with the Hatton people, and I think we're moving closer. I can assure you it will not be at Wembley."

Patel delighted with first day

CRICKET:Spin bowler Jeetan Patel believes New Zealand are in the box seat after restricting West Indies to 258 for six on day one of the second Test in Napier.

A 163-run partnership between Shivnarine Chanderpaul (100 not out) and Brendan Nash (74) got the visitors to 237 for five before Denesh Ramdin was clean-bowled in the penultimate over by Daniel Vettori to leave them six down. "It's a good wicket. We're pretty happy with 258 for six," Patel said.

Long way back for South Africa

CRICKET:South Africa fought back on day three of the first Test, but were nonetheless already 322 runs behind, after Brad Haddin and Jason Krejza ensured the Australia tail wagged at the WACA Ground.

Australia bowled South Africa out for 281 early yesterday morning, in response to the hosts' first-innings 375, Mitchell Johnson taking one more wicket to finish with eight for 61. South Africa seemed determined to atone for their batting woes, reducing Australia to 162 for seven. But Haddin and Krejza hit back in an unbroken stand which took the total to 228 without further loss.

The day had begun with Dale Steyn being caught behind off Johnson - who would have had a ninth wicket had Haddin clung on to a tough, swirling catch behind offered by Mark Boucher.

O'Connor wins in Olympia

EQUESTRIAN: Cian O'Connor won yesterday afternoon's jump-off class at the five-star show in Olympia on Aileen Bryan's Rancorrado on which he had finished third on Thursday night behind Penelope Leprevost and Jubilee d'Ouilly, writes Margie Mcloone.

In winning the 1.60m jump-off class, Meath-based O'Connor had nearly a second in hand over Belgium's Philippe le Jeune and Vigo d'Arsouilles. A pole down in the second round with Upsilon d'Ocquier denied Ireland's Denis Lynch a runner-up spot.

Afterwards an emotional O'Connor said: "I used to watch Olympia on TV when I was a kid and always dreamt of riding here. But to win such a major competition is just more than I could ever have wished for. I'm over the moon, absolutely delighted."

Meanwhile, at the five-star La Coruna show in Spain, Cork-born Billy Twomey landed the 1.50m speed event on the Dutch-bred stallion Goldex.

Fu reaches UK Championship decider

SNOOKER:Marco Fu beat Ali Carter 9-7 last night to reach the final of the Maplin UK Championship in Telford.

Shaun Murphy and Stephen Maguire will compete in the second semi-final today.

Maguire has insisted there is "no chance" Jamie Burnett conspired to lose their first-round tie. World Snooker have launched an inquiry into Burnett's 9-3 defeat to his fellow Scot following betting patterns which saw a flurry of wagers place on that exact scoreline. Burnett, who denies any wrongdoing, claims he was aware of the betting situation going into the final frame against Maguire and fear of being accused of match-fixing affected his play.

Asked if there was anything untoward about the match, Maguire said: "No chance. I know Jamie well, we grew up together and I count him as a good friend."

Determined Dragons  prove too hot for Ospreys

RUGBY:Newport-Gwent Dragons secured an excellent Magners League bonus point victory (30-24) over rivals Ospreys in a thrilling derby at a rain-soaked Rodney Parade.

Outhalf Dan Biggar put the Ospreys ahead with a penalty before pressure on their line saw big Dragons' scrum-half Robert Lewis dive over in at the corner.

Biggar's second penalty made it 6-5 to Ospreys but Dragons' prop Rhys Thomas then dived over for a try converted by outside-half Shaun Connor. Connor added a penalty to extend the home side's lead before Ospreys ace Gavin Henson finished off a well-worked move to go over in the corner. A third Biggar penalty from 42 metres cut the difference to 15-14 at the break.

The Dragons regained their four-point advantage when Connor kicked another penalty after the break. The sides then exchanged tries within a minute of each other, Dragons winger Gareth Wyatt going over before Henson replied for Ospreys with his second try.

Though Biggar failed with a 30-metre penalty, it was all the Ospreys as the game entered the final 10 minutes but a combination of excellent home defence and the visitors' errors kept the Dragons in front at 23-21. But the Dragons got their bonus point when flanker Colin Charvis kicked over the top of the defensive line for full-back Jason Tovey to latch onto and score. Connor's conversion put them seven points ahead and Biggar's late penalty failed to save the Ospreys.