SPORTS DIGEST

More sports news in brief.

IOC president Rogge to stand again

OLYMPIC GAMES:International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge informed his organisation's members yesterday he intended to stand for a second term in office, the IOC said.

IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said the 66-year-old Rogge, first elected in 2001 for an eight-year term, had sent a letter to all members saying he would run for a second term during the election to be held next year in Copenhagen, Denmark. No other IOC member has announced their intention to run for the position of president and Rogge is likely to win unopposed.

"Jacques Rogge sent a letter to all IOC members announcing his candidature for a second, four-year term as IOC President," Moreau said.

IOC vice president Lambis Nikolaou said there would not be another candidate.

Second schools' title for St Andrew's

HOCKEY:St Andrews claimed their second All-Ireland schoolboys title in dramatic style with a 2-1 victory over Wesley in Limerick yesterday. Stephen Cole reacted quickest to a loose ball, calmly sliding home the winner with six minutes remaining.

It broke a 60-minute deadlock after both were on the board inside five minutes. Jamie Haughton touched in Davy Carson's reverse shot to give Andrew's the lead but Carl Eggert levelled within two minutes from a penalty corner - his 12th goal in five games.

Lawson and Pakistan part company

CRICKET:A turbulent year for cricket in Pakistan continued when national team coach Geoff Lawson's contract was terminated with almost a year still to run on his deal.

Lawson's departure was not completely unexpected, although the timing was a surprise, after new Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt indicated earlier this week he did not favour the former Australia paceman remaining in the role.

Butt had described Lawson as "useless" in a press conference on Monday before revealing that financial reasons were the only constraint to ending the 50-year-old's tenure early.

Lawson's two-year contract had been due to run out in August next year.

Wales RU claim legal victory 

RUGBY:Welsh rugby chiefs are claiming what they term "a major and significant legal victory" in the battle over international player release.

A High Court judge has ruled in favour of the Welsh Rugby Union that Wales coach Warren Gatland's 32-man autumn Test squad be released from their regions for training next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The four professional regions - Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons - did not intend releasing their stars until Monday week, just five days before Wales face world champions South Africa.

Murray has to dig deep

TENNIS:Andy Murray remains on course to win a fifth title of the year after overcoming a spirited challenge from Janko Tipsarevic at the St Petersburg Open.

Tipsarevic had won two of his three previous matches against Murray - at Queen's Club in 2006 and then in Moscow last year.

He threatened another upset against the world number four and looked easily the fresher player for long stretches of the match, but Murray dug deep for a 7-6 (7/5) 7-5 victory to reach the semi-finals.

Defending champion Murray will face Spain's Fernando Verdasco for a place in Sunday's final, as he looks to follow up last week's triumph at the Madrid Masters.

Three Saxons get the call

RUGBY:Harlequins wing Ugo Monye has been drafted into England's elite squad as replacement for the injured James Simpson-Daniel.

Manager Martin Johnson has promoted two additional players from the England Saxons group as injury cover for the opening autumn Test against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham on November 8th.

There are sufficient concerns surrounding hamstring injury victims Mathew Tait and Luke Narraway for Johnson to call up London Irish back Delon Armitage and Harlequins backrow forward Nick Easter.

Simpson-Daniel, meanwhile, will undergo surgery next week after suffering ankle ligament damage that threatens to sideline him until late January.