A roundup of today's other sports news in brief
Semenya to return to the track at Zaragoza in June
ATHLETICS: Caster Semenya, the 800 metres world champion at the centre of a gender verification row, will return to competitive athletics at an international meet in Zaragoza, Spain on June 24th, she said yesterday.
The 19-year-old South African underwent gender verification tests after she won the women’s 800m at the Berlin World Championships last August and has not run competitively since.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) has made clear Semenya is not banned from competition but said she must wait for the results of her tests from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) which are not expected until June.
The athlete attempted to run at a meet in Stellenbosch, South Africa on March 30th but was prevented from doing so by ASA.
“I believe the decision to bar me from competing in Stellenbosch last week was unlawful and wrongful,” Semenya said. “I have, however, considered the request by ASA that I await the conclusion of the IAAF’s processes by the beginning of June this year before I return to competitive athletics.
“I have also instructed my legal representatives to seek confirmation by the IAAF that it will complete its processes by the beginning of June.
“Together with my coach and agent, I have therefore decided that I will return to competitive athletics at the European Athletic Association (EAA) meet to be held on June 24th in Zaragoza, Spain,” Semenya said.
Valverde rubs salt into Freire’s wounds
CYCLING: Spain’s Alejandro Valverde, handed the Tour of the Basque Country opening stage win on Monday following Oscar Freire’s relegation, rubbed salt into his compatriots wounds by beating him into second yesterday.
In a tough uphill sprint battle at Viana, Valverde outpowered Freire in the final metres to retain the overall lead. Valverde was declared the winner of the opening stage on Monday following Freires relegation to second from first place for blocking his rival in the bunch sprint.
Ireland no match for England
RUGBY: Ireland 17, England 41. An injury-time try from captain Niall Scannell was the least Ireland deserved from a much improved performance against England in the Under-18 Five Nations Festival in Wales yesterday.
This was a different Irish side to that which fell to Wales with their first-up tackling transformed, their doggedness at the ruck a sight to behold and centre Paddy Jackson was always there to kick three out of four shots at goal and outhalf Cathal Marsh a drop goal in the first half. It could have been even better, his final effort slipping left of the sticks to leave it 20-12 at half-time.
Two of England’s three first-half tries were down to basic power, the first off a scrum, the third from a lineout, as hooker Koree Britton and openside Chris Walker breached the Irish defence. In between, a smooth back movement saw left wing Charlie Walker scoot in at the left corner.
Ireland restarted with vim and the vigour and Sam Coghlan-Murray’s searing break was almost too much for the English. When they couldn’t deliver a try in a five-minute period of ascendancy, it was always likely England would make them pay. Out-half George Ford was their architect slipping through for a try and kicking excellently for a personal haul of 16 points.
Centre Elliot Daly and fullback Ben Ransom also broke the cover for tries, but Ireland gained some shade of reward when replacement JJ Hanrahan’s crossfield kick was planted down by Scannell on the final whistle.
IRELAND:R Jones; M Corballis, P Nelson, P Jackson, S Coghlan-Murray; C Marsh, L McGrath; R Harrison, N Scannell (capt), K McCall, J Conan, S Buckley, A Conneely, C Gilsenan, D Qualter. Replacements: P Reilly for McCall (22 mins, temp and 50 mins); D Merrey for Harrison (h-t); S MacAuley for Corballis (55 mins); Harrison for Merrey (55 mins); JJ Hanrahanfor Nelson (60 mins); E Cross for Conneely (66 mins); R McMaster for Marsh, H Doyle for McGrath (both 67 mins).
ENGLAND:B Ransom; M Yarde, E Daly, R Mills, Charlie Walker; G Ford (capt), J Hodgson; N Auterac, K Britton, A Brennan, D Barrow, S Twomey, B Vunipola, Chris Walker, M Kvesic. Replacements: D Robson for Hodgson (40 mins); W Skuse for Chris Walker, K Sinckler for Brennan (both 43 mins); M Jennings for Yarde (55 mins); J Elliot for Daly (59 mins); N Morris for Britton, G Merrick for Twomey (both 61 mins).
Referee:C Williams, Wales.
