Drehda Domestic SportsWire

[Drehda]

National Leagues roll in to the home straight

Since Metlock Town were able to raise silverware for the first time in their history with victory in the FAD Cup, we've returned to the regular league campaigns for the 1st & 2nd Divisions of the National Leagues

Week 10
Fortuna Hollenwaard 0:1 Currilow F.C
Cadderick Rovers 1:0 Russford Blues F.C
Hennerton 0:1 Victoria Shankwell
Fort Hope S.C 0:2 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers
Fort Hope United 1:2 Metlock Town

Week 11
Fort Hope United 2:1 Fortuna Hollenwaard
Metlock Town 2:0 Fort Hope S.C
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers 3:1 Hennerton
Victoria Shankwell 4:0 Cadderick Rovers
Russford Blues F.C 0:2 Currilow F.C

Week 12
Fortuna Hollenwaard 4:2 Russford Blues F.C
Currilow F.C 1:3 Victoria Shankwell
Cadderick Rovers 1:0 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers
Hennerton 2:2 Metlock Town
Fort Hope S.C 0:0 Fort Hope United

Week 13
Fort Hope S.C 1:1 Fortuna Hollenwaard
Fort Hope United 2:1 Hennerton
Metlock Town 0:4 Cadderick Rovers
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers 1:2 Currilow F.C
Victoria Shankwell 4:3 Russford Blues F.C

Week 14
Fortuna Hollenwaard 3:1 Victoria Shankwell
Russford Blues F.C 0:2 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers
Currilow F.C 0:0 Metlock Town
Cadderick Rovers 0:0 Fort Hope United
Hennerton 2:0 Fort Hope S.C

It's a tense race at both ends of the First Division table. Cadderick and Currilow both look like a lock for the play offs, but it looks to be a dog fight for the final two spots between Victoria Shanwell, Fort Hope United and Wilhelmsbrook. Only two of these sides will make it into the play offs and there's currently just three points separating the bunch.

At the other end of the table, it's looking like a fight to the death between Russford Blues and Fortuna Hollenwaard. After week 8, Fortuna had lost 6, only drawn 2 and were staring at an 8 point trail back to survival. However Russford have gone on to lose six games in a row, including a Week 12 defeat to their relegation rivals.

Week 12
Sporting Piraz 0:2 Yennet Valley
Phemway Phoenix 3:0 Tillerbury F.C
Dennelbridge 1:1 Combined Services
Medikau Glory 2:0 Cullibrigg
Shankwell Swifts 1:1 Jexton Rangers
Bay Of Mercy 1:3 NDB FC

Week 13
Bay Of Mercy 2:0 Sporting Piraz
NDB FC 2:2 Shankwell Swifts
Jexton Rangers 0:1 Medikau Glory
Cullibrigg 0:1 Dennelbridge
Combined Services 1:1 Phemway Phoenix
Tillerbury F.C 3:0 Yennet Valley

Week 14
Sporting Piraz 2:1 Tillerbury F.C
Yennet Valley 0:1 Combined Services
Phemway Phoenix 2:1 Cullibrigg
Dennelbridge 0:0 Jexton Rangers
Medikau Glory 3:1 NDB FC
Shankwell Swifts 1:0 Bay Of Mercy

Week 15
Shankwell Swifts 1:0 Sporting Piraz
Bay Of Mercy 0:1 Medikau Glory
NDB FC 1:3 Dennelbridge
Jexton Rangers 1:3 Phemway Phoenix
Cullibrigg 1:2 Yennet Valley
Combined Services 3:2 Tillerbury F.C

Week 16
Sporting Piraz 1:1 Combined Services
Tillerbury F.C 2:1 Cullibrigg
Yennet Valley 2:3 Jexton Rangers
Phemway Phoenix 0:2 NDB FC
Dennelbridge 2:1 Bay Of Mercy
Medikau Glory 1:2 Shankwell Swifts

Week 17
Medikau Glory 4:2 Sporting Piraz
Shankwell Swifts 0:2 Dennelbridge
Bay Of Mercy 1:3 Phemway Phoenix
NDB FC 0:0 Yennet Valley
Jexton Rangers 0:1 Tillerbury F.C
Cullibrigg 5:2 Combined Services

As we come to the last handful of games, five teams are separated by just 3 points as they all compete for the singular promotion slot. Sporting Piraz were leading the charge but have only managed 1 point from their last 3 games, while Tillerbury have turned around their miseable start to the season to mount a late challenge. While there's no relegation from the Second Division for this season at least, Cullibrigg are currently rooted to the foot of the table. Their most recent win, a shock 5-2 victory over high-flyers Combined Services, ended a run 12 games without a win and they will be looking to use this to drive themselves onward for the rest of the season. They're safe for now, but with the introduction of new leagues next term they'll be keen not to adopt the title of prime relegation candidates going forward.

[Drehda]

Tournament Finalists Decided

It was packed house for a night of boxing at The Swan & Star Public House in the town of Cullibrigg last night, where a bill of local amatuer bouts was topped by the four semi finals from the Emerald Cup and the Jade Shield competitions. The fighters put on a real show of strength and skill as, in each division, two earned their place in the finals and two were sent crashing out.

Emerald Cup Results

Troy Essuman defeated Dean Mills by 8th round knock out

TJ Lewis defeated Mark Elgar by 9th round technical knock out

Troy Essuman has moved through the rounds of this tournament largely unnoticed, his efficient and thoughtful approach to the combat producing two points victories rather than highlight reel knockouts. This bout however forced him to show a different side to his game as Dean Mills, a muscular power puncher who had earned a position as the bookies' favourite to lift the cup, forced Essuman to stand and dance rather than get by with evasion and precision punching. The two really took each other to the well in this clash and Essuman will have earned a tonne of respect by demonstrating his ability to withstand punishment once an opponent does get a bead on him. Mills did most of his work on the front foot, looking to go to the body in an attempt to take the wind out of Essuman's sails. Essuman on the other hand stood firm, weathered the punches and countering with vicious hooks and upper cuts. One of the most surprising results of this contest was that it lasted as long as it did and both men displayed clear signs of physical disintegration as they stood for the 8th round. Mills once again took the lead and plunged forward on the attack, but Essuman was able to duck and weave past the punches and catch his opponent off-balance with a perfectly timed right cross. It was an ending which didn't do service to the effort and aggression Mills had displayed but simultaneously cast Essuman as a top level candidate to clinch the #1 contenders spot at the end of this contest.

The Lewis-Elgar affair was also a gripping bout which had a stunning result. Elgar had developed a reputation through this series of fights for his brutal punching power but Lewis, who notably dismissed Sajid Miah in the 1st stage of this tournament, proved again that he could throw heat and held his own. Both fighters exchanged rounds in this fight, both taking turns to step on the accelerator and then retreat onto the back foot for periods. Lewis focused his power to the right side of Elgar, taking advance of Elgar's naturally offensive nature which allows his right hand to slip low. Overtime this wore away and despite a heroic display of heart and remonstrations with the ring-side medics, Elgar was declared unable to continue due to a free-pouring cut around his right eye.

Jade Shield Results

Suzie Gunn defeated Tammy Taylor by unanimous points decision

Amelia Sharpe defeated Jo-Jo Weston by 6th round knock out

Amelia Sharpe once again displayed her explosive punching power as she dominated Jo-Jo Weston in a fight which ended up being far more one sided than many had predicted. Both Sharpe and Weston have been touted as favourites with the bookmakers since before the tournament began but 5'4 Sharpe demonstrated a clear gulf in class as she inflicted the first defeat of Weston's pro career.

The other tie of the night pitched the other remaining pre-tournament favourite Tammy Taylor was pitted against 21 year old Suzie Gunn. This fight was predicted to be particularly one-sided affair but Gunn upset all the odds and demonstrated the grit to hang on in there throughout the contest but also the wit to spot and exploit her opportunities to attack. Taylor will probably have to watch the tape on this one and be honest that she underestimated her opponent. It took TT until the fifth round before she really appeared to try and move up through the gears but by this point Gunn had got wise for what to expect and was able to bob and weave away from the increased aggression. In the end, the clean sweep of the judge's scorecards may have raised some eyebrows but it's hard to deny that Gunn was, on balance the worthy winner.

And so now the contests have come to their respective crescendos; Gunn vs Sharpe, Essuman vs Lewis. Bets will be placed, theories put forward but ultimately it'll come down to fighters facing off inside the ropes - who wants it more and who's willing to do what is needed to secure the crown and a #1 contenders spot?

[Drehda]

3 Day Shield - Match 2 Results

Metlock won the toss and elected to bat
Metlock + 409/ (127.4ov)
NDB 178 a.o (42.3ov), 105a.o (29.1ov)
Metlock win by an innings & 126 runs

National Defence Board's thoroughly dissappointing season continued with their third straight defeat in all competitions. Metlock won the toss and elected to bat under clear skies. They settled in nicely with openers Jim Warburton and Mark Brooks putting on 66 before the latter was trapped in front for 36 by Army leg-spinner Cpl Danny Singleton. NDB made inroads but were met with resistence by left handed #4 Eric Nurse and #7 all-rounder Nick Rochester. The pair came together at 178/5 however Nurse's 90 and Rochester's 92 carried their side to 384/7. Metlock ended up all out just before lunch of Day 2 for 409, with the chief bowling performances coming from Singleton (4/108) and opening quick Flt Sgt Roger Church (4/98).

Metlock were in the driver's seat with their first innings total but they needed to back it up with an equally strong performance with the ball. The call was answered by their own left arm opening seamer Zubair Khan who knicked off 2Lt Oliver Higgins with the very first ball of the innings on his way to claiming 6/61. Khan bowled a consistently full, challening length and was able to produce just enough lateral movement to produce indecision amongst the NDB batting line up. PO Tom O'Brien was the only who seemed able to produce any real counter to Khan's skill and precision, O'Brien dashed to 40 from just 31 balls but then was rapped on the pads by Marine Cpt Thomas Roukes to end his cameo.

With NDB rolled out well before tea and staring at a deficit of 231, Metlock captain Brad Henriques had absolutely no hesitation in enforcing the follow on. NDB had been hoping for an improvement however they found themselves at a promising 94/3 with Marine Sgt Theodore Moseley having cruised to 64 from 96 balls. All of a sudden it was that man Zubair Khan who got one to kick off a length, catching Moseley flat-footed as he fiddled the ball behind to the welcoming gloves of wicket-keeper John Maxwell. With the dismissal of Moseley, NDB folded like a house of cards as Khan tore through the tail. NDB were all out for just 105, giving Khan figures of 12/96 for the match and wrapping the game up inside two days.

It was a pleasing performance for Metlock after their mediocre batting display in Match 1 but NDB will be concerned about how they're going to find the way to end this run of defeats.

Wilhelmsbrook won the toss and elected to bat
Hollenwaard 182a.o (74.4ovs), 225a.o (51ovs)
Wilhelmsbrook + 400/7d (140ovs), 8/0 (2.1ovs)
Wilhelmsbrook win by 10 wickets

Wilhelmsbrook continued to show their dominance with the bat as they again were led to 400/7 declared thanks to hundreds from opener Roger Washington (123 (238)) and all-rounder Sachin Kapoor (174(314)). Their declaration just after lunch of Day 2 had Hollenwaard fighting off the backfoot. It was always going to be a tough ask to turn the game aroudn from this position, but they simply had no answers for the nagging accuracy of Ricky Macdonagh and the snorting aggression of Jerome Archer. While Hollenwaard did hang in gamely to survive through to the morning of Day 3, but they were unable to avoid the follow on and were stuffed straight back while 218 runs in arrears. With the pitch starting to wear and crack, it was the dual spin threat of off-spinner Michael Dawes and slow left armer Stephen Beard who did the majority of the damage. Hollenwaard were all out with just a nominal lead and more than a full session left in the game. Wilhelmsbrook knocked the required runs off before tea to wrap up their first victory of the season.

Cadderick won the toss and elected to bat
Drehda U19 152a.o (43.5ovs), 211a.o (63.4ovs)
Cadderick + 247a.o (79.1ovs), 315/4d (107ovs)
Cadderick win by 104 runs

Combined Services XI won the toss and elected to bat
Hennerton 266a.o (73ovs) 214a.o (71.5ovs)
CSXI + 197a.o (51.4ovs) 318a.o (106ovs)
Combined Services win by 35 runs

It was a pair of incredible results in the other two fixtures, both games seeing the away side recover from unremarkable first innings scores to secure victory.

Cadderick were able to secure a 1st innings lead of 95 thanks to another Ricardo Cartwright half-century (72 (139)) and a vintage Lars Schumacher (4/37) bowling performance. In the second dig, Alexiy Henderson top-scored with 89 from 151 deliveries and set his side up with a healthy lead. Drehda U19s needed 411 for victory but only needed to bat 70 overs to salvage the draw. Schumacher again did the damage with the cherry in hand and led his side to a fantatic victory with less than 10 overs in the day when he had tailender Arjuna Shanaka caught in the gully.

Combined Services demonstrated the sort of quality that earned them victory in this season's T20 cup with a second innings century from #3 Police Sergeant Imran Anwar. Hennerton had the last 75 overs to chase down a completely competitive 249 for victory, but left arm opening bowler Tommy Drake and leg-spinning Fire & Rescue Airman Dave Blackwood patiently worked their way through to wrap up a 35 run victory.

[Drehda]

National League Reaches Crunch

We've come down to the most tense period of the season in both the First & Second Division seasons with both competitions now finally poised with just one round of fixtures still to play and plenty of teams in the hunt for glory.

First Division

Week 15
Hennerton 1:0 Fortuna Hollenwaard
Fort Hope S.C 3:0 Cadderick Rovers
Fort Hope United 3:0 Currilow F.C
Metlock Town 0:0 Russford Blues F.C
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers 0:1 Victoria Shankwell

Week 16
Fortuna Hollenwaard 2:2 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers
Victoria Shankwell 1:0 Metlock Town
Russford Blues F.C 3:1 Fort Hope United
Currilow F.C 0:0 Fort Hope S.C
Cadderick Rovers 0:1 Hennerton

Week 17
Cadderick Rovers 1:3 Fortuna Hollenwaard
Hennerton 0:2 Currilow F.C
Fort Hope S.C 1:0 Russford Blues F.C F.C
Fort Hope United 0:0 Victoria Shankwell
Metlock Town 0:1 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers

It's level pegging at the top of the league with both Cadderick Rovers & Currilow guaranteed a place in the Championship Play-offs. Cadderick have been on a really miserable run of form with three consecutive defeats, but they will be gunning to secure top spot on the last day with a win over their rivals. Both teams will have an eye on the post-season and momentum is the can be everything in the unpredictable environment of knock-out football.

The remaining play off sports are completely up for grabs with Victoria Shankwell, Fort Hope United, Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers & Fort Hope Sporting Club all going into the final day with a chance of securing their play-off berth. Just to crank the pressure up another level, all four teams square off against each other! Everyone goes into the last match day with their fate truly in their own hands.

At the foot of the table, Fortuna Hollenwaard and Russford Blues are locked in a real scrap to avoid relegation. Blues went into Week 17 a point ahead and with the chance to secure their survival, but went down by a single goal to Sporting Club and had salt rubbed into the wound with the news that Fortuna thumped league leaders Cadderick away from home! An interesting twist is that both teams match up against sides with nothing to play for on the final day. Fortuna are at home to FAD Cup winners Metlock Town while host mid-table Hennerton F.C.

Week 18 Fixtures

Fortuna Hollenwaard vs Metlock Town
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers vs Fort Hope United
Victoria Shankwell vs Fort Hope S.C
Russford Blues F.C vs Hennerton
Currilow F.C vs Cadderick Rovers

Second Division

Week 18
Sporting Piraz 0:0 Cullibrigg
Combined Services 1:1 Jexton Rangers
Tillerbury F.C 4:2 NDB FC
Yennet Valley 3:2 Bay Of Mercy
Phemway Phoenix 1:2 Shankwell Swifts
Dennelbridge 1:1 Medikau Glory

Week 19
Dennelbridge 0:2 Sporting Piraz
Medikau Glory 3:2 Phemway Phoenix
Shankwell Swifts 1:1 Yennet Valley
Bay Of Mercy 2:0 Tillerbury F.C
NDB FC 0:0 Combined Services
Jexton Rangers 2:1 Cullibrigg

Week 20
Sporting Piraz 0:1 Jexton Rangers
Cullibrigg 3:1 NDB FC
Combined Services 1:1 Bay Of Mercy
Tillerbury F.C 7:2 Shankwell Swifts
Yennet Valley 1:1 Medikau Glory
Phemway Phoenix 3:0 Dennelbridge

Week 21
Phemway Phoenix 0:0 Sporting Piraz
Dennelbridge 2:1 Yennet Valley
Medikau Glory 2:2 Tillerbury F.C
Shankwell Swifts 3:2 Combined Services
Bay Of Mercy 1:3 Cullibrigg
NDB FC 1:1 Jexton Rangers

In the Second Division, this last round of fixtures promises to be an incredible crescendo to a topsy-turvy season for football. No fewer than FIVE teams all go in to the final game of the season with a genuine opportunity to win the league and secure the only promotion spot into the top league. Shankwell Swifts, Medikau Glory, Tillerbury, Sporting Piraz AND Dennelbridge have all positioned themselves. A 3-2 victory over mid-table Combined Services has seen Shankwell Swifts sit at the top of the division with a one point lead over second placed Medikau Glory. Swifts have an away fixture against bottom of the table Cullibrigg, meaning that they go into this high stakes matchday with their fate in their own hands. Cullibrigg are on a two-game win streak, but Shankwell Swifts know that their equation is simple - win this game and they'll be lifting the silverware with First Division football to look forward to.

Medikau Glory have stumbled to score draws in the last two games and have a potentially difficult trip to Combined Services in Week 22. They're one point behind Swifts but also a point ahead of third-placed Tillerbury. The Glory also have the best goal-difference of any team in the division with +9. They can't win the division unless Swifts fail to win, but Medikai Glory know that they simple have to better the Swifts result to snatch victory on the final day.

Tillerbury have been something of a fairy-tale challenger this season. After Match Day 4, Tillerbury had a record of zero wins, zero draws, four defeats and a -10 goal difference. Since then they have been rather up and down, having suffered eight total defeats but also secured a league best ten victories. Their aversion to stalemates gives them a puncher's chance. THey face off against fellow title hopefuls Dennelbridge in the last game. Tillerbury will be crossing their fingers for Swifts & Glory to both lose, while also knowing that only a win against Dennelbridge will suffice. Dennelbridge know that for their dreams to become reality they simply have to win and hope almost everyone else above them lose.

Sporting Piraz started the season well but have been frustrated due to a joint league-worst eight draws. They boast the meanest defence in the division but have simply failed to convert their opportunities in front of goal. Piraz will be boosted by the opportunitity to host National Defence Board F.C, who are five games without a win and in a scrap to avoid finishing bottom of the division. Piraz are currently three points behind top-of-the-tree Shankwell Swifts. Piraz have to win, ideally by a hatful, and cross their fingers that everyone above them drop points.

While there's no relegation from the Second Division for this season, the bottom two clubs of NDB and Cullibrigg are both striving to avoid the ignominy of finishing at the foot of the table. Both also have the ability to hugely influence the title picture, as they both square off against title challengers. Next season sees the introduction of new divisions with promotion & relegation, so both clubs here will be looking to avoid going into Season 2 tipped for the drop.

[Drehda]

Championship glory, relegation heartbreak

It was a day of shocks, drama and controversy on the last day of the regular football season

Week 18

Fortuna Hollenwaard 1:1 Metlock Town
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers 0:0 Fort Hope United
Victoria Shankwell 4:2 Fort Hope S.C
Russford Blues F.C 0:0 Hennerton
Currilow F.C 1:1 Cadderick Rovers

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Cadderick Rovers F.C	18	9	4	5	21	16	5	31
2	Currilow F.C	18	9	4	5	19	14	5	31
3	F.C Victoria Shankwell	18	9	3	6	26	24	2	30
4	Fort Hope United F.C	18	7	7	4	21	15	6	28
5	Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C	18	7	6	5	23	17	6	27
6	Fort Hope S.C	18	6	6	6	28	29	-1	24
7	Hennerton F.C	18	6	5	7	20	22	-2	23
8	Metlock Town F.C	18	5	5	8	17	24	-7	20
9	Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C	18	4	5	9	21	24	-3	17
10	Russford Blues F.C	18	4	3	11	21	32	-11	15

Fortuna Hollenwaard secured their First Division future in truly dramatic fashion thanks to a last-gasp equalising goal from cult-favourite veteran striker Wesley Stanton. Having gone behind to cup winners Metlock Town thanks to an early strike by Esteban Ruiz and with Russford clinging on a no-score draw against Hennerton, Hollenwaard had to throw caution to the wind and pile forward in search of the goal which could keep them in the division. Central defender Kian Lambert got on the end of a 94th minute corner and slammed his header against the woodwork which caused an almighty goalmouth scramble before 33 year old Stanton hacked the ball over the line as time expired. There were scenes of absolute hysteria in the Fortuna crowd, footage of which will be cruelling juxtaposed against the reactions of Russford Blues fans as the news filtered through. The goal capped a true fairy-tale survival effort for Fortunata, who clawed themselves back from a previous stage where they trailed Russford by eight points. The Blues fans will know that they can only blame themselves for a late-season collapse which saw them only record one victory in the second half of the campaign, although supporters may wonder what could have been had they not lost striker Michael Bellington and right midfielder Gregory Hutchins to injury early in the season.

One would assume that Fortuna will retain their faith in current manager Steffan Potter after he masterminded this great escape but they are almost certaintly going to have to invest heavily to prevent next term being such a struggle for survival. There is likely to be a significant inquest held by the Russford Blues management over the desparate failings of the on-pitch performance and there are huge question marks over the future of their boss Ryan Clifford.

At the top of the table, the top six clubs all faced off against each other in battles to establish the play off places. Cadderick Rovers were able to limp out of their regular season campaign at the top of the tree by nicking a 1-1 draw away to their nearest challengers Currilow who finish level on points AND goal difference. Cadderick hold on to pole position thanks to having bagged more goals than Currilow, although both clubs are in a curious spot of being amongst the lowest goal scorers in the division.
Fort Hope United managed to round out the season with the bragging rights over their city rivals Fort Hope Sporting Club. Both of the derby games ended in draws and United registered their league-leading seventh draw of the campaign in this final day match up against Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers. United went into the game knowing that a draw would be enough to secure their play off berth and they turned out a dogged and resolute, if somewhat uninspired performance to hold off Wanderers.

Fort Hope Sporting Club were sitting in sixth as they warmed up for their clash against third place F.C Victoria Shankwell but knew that a last day win would see the sides switch league positions. Sporting came out at a good tempo but Victoria were well up for the fight. Victoria Shankwell were sparkling going forward as central midfielder Julian Rosales pulled the strings and laid on chance after chance for the front two of Jamal Orozco & Hector Berlioz. The sides went into the half level-pegging at 2-2, with Sporting Club having gotten on the scoresheet through Aaron Cameron & Tyrelle Burns only to have been squared up thanks to a Berlioz header and a thumping free kick from defensive midfielder Abraham Hendricks.

With the start of the second half it looked as if the tension of the moment had gotten to Sporting's heads. In the 58th minute, Shankwell winger Zak Goodwin looked to latch on to a wide through ball only be clattered by 23 year old Sporting Club left back Greg Bishop. Bishop was immediately shown a yellow card but proceeded to debate the matter with referee Jennifer Villiers and was joined in his protestations of innocence by teammate Richie Banks. Villiers was clearly instructing the players to get on with the game but neither of the chief suspects was able to let the matter lie. Banks was also given a booking for dissent and Bishop was given a final verbal warning. Just as the whole fracas appeared to be subsiding, Bishop took it upon himself to give some less than friendly advice to the fouled Goodwin. While the words used were not picked up by pitch side microphones, they must have been heard by referee Villiers as she promtly showed Bishop a red card.

Now down to ten men and with their tempers frayed, Sporting seemed to lose sight of their ambition and released control of the game. Berlioz got on the end of the 68th minute corner to sweep home a half volley, giving Victoria the lead. With Sporting Club forced to chase the game, even more opportunities opened up going forward for Victoria. In the 77th minute, centre back Billy O'Connor intercepted an errant pass and then pumped a long, ranging ball forward. Left midfielder Jared Osbourne was able to race onto the end and fired home from the edge of the penalty area to seal a 4-2 victory for his side and give Victoria a huge surge of confidence and momentum as they go forward to the championship play-offs.

The play-offs themselves are a simple matter of 1st-vs-3rd and 2nd-vs-4th meaning that the play-off semi finals are:

Cadderick Rovers vs Victoria Shankwell

Currilow F.C vs Fort Hope United

For those looking to the form guide for betting tips, Fort Hope took 4 points off Currilow in their two regular season fixtures without Currilow finding the net, while Cadderick Rovers and Victoria Shankwell both won their respective home games against each other. It's worth noting however that Victoria hammered Rovers 4-0 in their MD11 match up.

Second Division

Week 22

Sporting Piraz 2:1 NDB FC
Jexton Rangers 3:0 Bay Of Mercy
Cullibrigg 4:2 Shankwell Swifts
Combined Services 1:0 Medikau Glory
Tillerbury F.C 2:1 Dennelbridge
Yennet Valley 1:1 Phemway Phoenix

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Tillerbury F.C	22	11	3	8	39	35	4	36
2	Sporting Piraz F.C	22	9	8	5	23	18	5	35
3	Shankwell Swifts F.C	22	9	8	5	31	34	-3	35
4	Medikau Glory F.C	22	9	7	6	33	25	8	34
5	Combined Services F.C	22	8	8	6	28	27	1	32
6	Dennelbridge F.C	22	8	8	6	20	20	0	32
7	Jexton Rangers F.C	22	7	8	7	26	26	0	29
8	Yennet Valley F.C	22	6	9	7	26	25	1	27
9	Bay Of Mercy F.C	22	8	3	11	27	32	-5	27
10	F.C Phemway Phoenix	22	6	8	8	34	29	5	26
11	Cullibrigg F.C	22	5	6	11	29	33	-4	21
12	National Defence Board F.C	22	4	8	10	26	38	-12	20

It was a day for the history books in the Second Division as the top five teams all started the day with hopes of lifting the title. Suffice to say there was more than enough excitement and heart-stopping moments and the league table looked remarkably different at the final whistle.

On a day like this it's hard to know where to start, but let us get to the most important results. Tillerbury F.C were able to register their 11th victory of the season as they demolished the faint hopes of outsiders Dennelbridge. Tillerbury's 2-1 win was well deserved and left them holding out hope that results would go their way elsewhere. First, they needed to see if a resurgent Cullibrigg could do them the necessary favour by getting a win over Shankwell Swifts. With this said, i doubt even the most die-hard Tillerbury fan could have predicted the news that Cullibrigg ran out 4-2 winners over their vaunted opponents. It looked as if the pressure of being favourites for the title got too much for Shankwell and they put in a really disappointing performance. Trailing 3-0 at half time, Swifts sank to 4-0 with 30 minutes to play and although their were able to rally by snatching two consolation goals it was all-in-all a weak performance that demonstrated they aren't ready to make the step up.

With the Swifts' result seemingly settled long before full time, Tillerbury's focus then turned to the much closer clash of Combined Services hosting Medikau Glory. Combined Services have been a really gritty and tough opponent all season even if they have lacked some cutting edge quality but the steel and determination won them the day here. Combined Services went ahead in the first half thanks to a brilliant 23 yard free kick from Rescue Officer Greg Sloane. They displayed resolute defending to hold Glory to arm's length for much of the game, but it must be said that there were chances for Medikau to steal to title. Striker Noah Barlow found himself clear through one-on-one around the hour mark with goalie Police Constable Frank Jennings but his low driven shot couldn't beat the long arm of the law as Jennings reacted quickly to push the ball past the post. The resulting corner saw centre-back Courtney Barron rise above the crowd but his bullet header zipped just over the cross bar. In the 73rd minute, young winger Lorenzo Hatfield was able to dance inside and fizzed a pass across the six yard box, but it managed to evade the foot of the unmarked Barlow. Had connection been made, it almost certainly would have been the goal that Medikau needed to go up.

A really remarkable turn around for Tillerbury to lift the trophy and the joy amongst their players and fans was clear to see. The club had only registered a solitary point after MD5 so to be walking away as champions will feel extra-special. Tillerbury fans should enjoy this feeling while they can but it can be safely assumed that their manager will need to think about re-inforcements for next season as they prepare to step up to face First Division opposition.

At the foot of the table, the already mentioned shock win for Cullibrigg saw them rise above National Defence Board who finish the season bottom of the pile. Mark NDB as prime favourites to face another battle at the bottom in the coming Season 2, but this time there WILL be the threat of relegation as we see in the introduction of Third & Forth Division football.

[Drehda]

National Athletics Championships planned for Fort Hope

Elouise Dubois, CEO of the Drehdan National Athletics Council, today announced that an outdoor track and field competition will be held to establish the greatest athletes from across Drehda. The championships, to be officially titled Drehda Athletic Grand Prix, will be held across five days at the Gascoigne Lane Arena in the nation's capital Fort Hope.

Competitions will be held for both mens and womens competitors across the following events:

100 metres
200 metres
400 metres
800 metres
1500 metres
5000 metres
10,000 metres
110 metres hurdles (M) / 100m hurdles (W)
400 metres hurdles
3000 metres steeplechase
20000 metres walk
Long jump
High jump
Triple jump
Pole vault
Shot put
Discus throw
Hammer throw
Javelin throw
Decathlon (M) / Heptathlon (W)

Dubois also confirmed that, tying in with the previous announced Elite Performance Model which is being implimented across Drehda's professional sporting landscape, each athlete taking part in the Grand Prix will be "drafted" into one of the six franchises. As well as personal pride and glory, athletes will also be competing to ensure that their franchise top of the overall medals tables.

[Drehda]

Tournament Winners Crowned, Become #1 Contenders

It was a pulsating, enthralling night of boxing which saw the finals of the Lightweight #1 contenders competitions, the Emerald Cup for the men's and The Jade Shield for the women's tournaments. All four finalists have battled their way through three previous fights to earn the right to compete on this stage. All four have seen their reputation rise from unknown rookies to elite talents thanks to demonstrating their heart, skills and desire to challenge for the ultimate prize in their division.

In front of a crowd of approximately 1100 fight fans at the indoor facilities of the Gascoigne Lane Arena in the nation's capital, TJ Lewis was pitched against Troy Essuman in the men's final while at the top of the card Suzie Gunn laced her gloves against one of the pre-tournament favours Amelia Sharpe. Gunn, one of the youngest fighters to enter the tournament at just 21 years old, has already overcome one major talent after her shock semi-final points victory over Tammy Taylor while Sharpe has looked like the bench mark for quality in Drehdan women's boxing after she's dominated all three qualifying fights, including comfortably dispatching two highly rated contenders in Danielle Hewitt and Jo-Jo Weston.
The undercard was made up of local amatuer competitors at various weights, and it was just before 9pm when TJ Lewis began his ringwalk to open the Men's final. Southpaw TJ Lewis has shown his quality in a textbook demolition of amatuer champion Sajid Miah in the first qualifying match, but also his guts and power to win his savage semi-final against Mark Elgar. Troy Essuman walked out second, who has developed a reputation as technically proficient workman although he did show a ruthless streak to close out the early finish against a dogged Dean Mills in the last outing.

The early rounds were cagey, both fighters looking to have almost too much respect for the weight of the prize on offer, and that suited Essuman has he was able to do his work at a measured pace and cautious range while nicking points and avoiding damage. As things moved into the fifth round, Lewis was sent out with a flea in his ear from his trainer and the energy moved up a gear. Essuman is so comfortable using the full space of the squared circle but Lewis is the first southpaw he's come up against and was able to utilise awkward angles and consistent pressure to work cracks in his opponents guard. Lewis settled into his up-tempo rhythm through the middle overs and his right handed jab started to produce some snap to match the sting of his reliable body work. The increased pace, however, forced Essuman out of his comfort zone and he was able to produce his own highlights, picking up on the left hander's over-aggression to to fire back with incisive combinations. Heading into the final 10th round, this journalist had Essuman ahead by a round. Lewis came out roaring and immediately forced Essuman back onto the ropes. For a sustained period of the first minute, it was all Essuman could manage to stay covered up and try to avoid damage but the pressure was too much for too long and he went down to a withering body shot which found it's way past his defences with laser like prescision.
The tension in the air was electric as the referee in attendance began his count. Essuman was eventually able to answer the count at 8 and permitted to continue.

With knock down potentially proving a turn around on the cards, every single attendee was treated to absolute spectacle of a 90 second war. Both fighters eschewed defence in favour of gung-ho, go-for-broke violent aggression - a silent agreement made between both combatents to stand in the centre of the ring and trade punches in search of a winning blow.

It made for a truly thunderous culminating cresendo, the crowd brought to their feet to a man and roaring their preferred fighter on wards. The eventual ding of the final bell was almost lost in the overall din and the attendeing in-ring officially had to physical wrestle each man off each other.

With the battle brought to a conclusion with no clear victor, matters were turned over to the judges and the atmosphere crackled with anticipation as they handed in their cards. The crowd erupted as it was announced that TJ Lewis was crowned victor of the first ever Emerald Shield winner thanks to a unananimous decision (96-94, 96-95, 96-95). Lewis sank to his knees in celebration before proudly parading the titular trophy around the ring. Essuman appeared bitterly disappointed to come up short but too physically and emotionally exhausted to raise much by way of dispute.

Lewis' camp will now enter into the necessary negotiations with the representatives reigning lightweight champion Marcel Ambrose. Essuman need not lose too much heart as he marked himself as a real threat in the division and we can be sure to see him in and around the title picture for a long long time to come.

With the crowd worked up in a suitable fever pitch, all eyes turned to the main event of the women's final. Amelia Sharpe made her way down to the ring first, cutting a calm and assured figure as she swept her way down to the ropes.

Suzie Gunn entered second and while she didn't ooze the obvious, authoritative confidence of her opponent, she did display an image of focus and intensity.

The entire build up to this fight was that Sharpe would be the more dominant fighter with some pundits suggesting this would be little more than a corination than a true contest. In practice, it did prove true that Sharpe was fighting on the front foot but Gunn showed she was more than just an also ran. Gunn is the taller and rangier fighter with Sharpe instantly looking to press through her opponent's defence with fast and aggressive forward but Gunn demonstrated a cool and composed head to maintain her ring-awareness to avoid being pinned down for any sustained period. Where Sharpe was able to fix her rival in position, Gunn sought to use her superior reach to push off and create space or her natural stride to lunge forward and wrap things up in the clinch. After a few rounds it became clear than the 21 year old that come with a diligently thought-out battle plan and was not to be over-awed by the occassion. By round six, Sharpe was beginning to look just a little bit rattled, as if even she had expected to simply blow past her opposite number and saunter off with the trophy. Gunn's resolute and well-judged approach to the battle threw up a significant roadblock on Sharpe's path to a title challenge. In the sixth, Sharpe began to show the first cracks as her punching became wild and a notable sloppiness crept in after she had thrown forward. Sharpe began to leave her hands low and wasn't snapping back to her base position once she had stepped forward.

The fight, which had built to an intriguing and complex pattern, was brought to a sudden, thrilling conclusion in round seven. Gunn showed she had been paying attention to the developments of the content and not just a passive observer focused solely on her defensive shape and technique. Sharpe pressed forward with her chin hanging out and her weight distibuted too far toward for just a beat too long for Gunn to lash out with a ferocious left hook right on the button.

In that moment the entire picture of the engagement was brought to a crashing halt. Gunn had found the perfect opening and seized her opportunity. Sharpe attempted to answer the count but was able to steady her legs. The timing and speed with which Gunn had seized the victory proved thoroughly too much. They call boxing the sweet science and this was a prime example that there is always room in nature's eco-systems for an observant, patient predator to take down a more physically dominant rival who isn't switched on and alert to the present danger.

With another surprise victory, Gunn has completed her rocket-power rise to the top of the division and has earned herself a match up against the current strap-holder Nicola Brady. Expect there to be a huge amount of debate and dispute about if Gunn is the real deal and able to complete the rise to the summit or if she'll get found out under the spotlight of a championship contest. For now, 21 year old Suzie Gunn can simply enjoy the ovation and respect she has earned for getting her hands on the Jade Shield.
Meanwhile, Sharpe will now have her work cut out to prove this is little more than an unexpected set-back. She goes from being the divisional front-runner to back in with the rest of the pack. If Amelia Sharpe wants to have her own title opportunity in the future, she will have to go back to basic and earn the right to compete.

After the fight, this writer caught up with Sharpe who had this the say about the result

"Look, Suzie did well for herself. I can only blame myself as I left the door open and she took the chance which presented herself so good luck to her. I'm not finished, tonight doesn't demonstrate who i am as a fighter. I'm sure I'll be seeing Suzie again and I'll definitely back to my best soon."

Overall these two contests will be seen as a real success for the boxing authorities in Drehda and boxing fans across the country can look forward to other weight classes running similar eliminators to decide their next #1 contenders in the future.

[Drehda]

National Grand Prix officially begins after Opening Ceremony

The first ever All-Drehdan athletics competition has begun today after the opening ceremony of the National Grand Prix, a flagship event for Drehda's National Athletics Council.

713 competitors will represent the six Elite Performance Model Franchises across a total of 22 track and field events. The week long event represents an exciting development in Drehdan professional sport as it will mark the debut of the Franchises and the official shift in the country's top level sporting competition moving from traditional local club structure to one based around centralised, regional identities.

National Athletics Council CEO Elouise Dubois said that the mission of the Grand Prix was "to demonstrate the spirit and courage of our people for the whole world to see" and "the efforts of our competitors will symbolic of the country's transition from breakaway rebel enclave to proudly independent sovereign nation."

The opening ceremony was on the field of Gascoigne Lane Arena, the stadium that will host the games. A traditional parade of the participating athletes against the backdrop of singer Molly Watson performing both the Drehdan national anthem and an an anthem penned specifically for the games, Forward, Onward, Upward. As well as the vocal talents of Molly Watson, there was a tremendous fireworks displayed which culminated in the ignition of a 30 foot wide crubicle which will sit on the roof of the stadium and burn throughout the entirity of the Grand Prix.

[Drehda]

PLAY OFFS BRING CURTAIN DOWN ON INAUGURAL SEASON

The first ever season of professional football organised by the Football Association of Drehda came to a conclusion today as the First Division play off final was held to crown the over-all champions.

Last week saw the thrilling pair of semi final fixtures as the top four sides from the regular season league squared off against each other.

Cadderick Rovers
vs
Victoria Shankwell

Currilow F.C
vs
Fort Hope United

Semi-final 1
Cadderick Rovers 2 - 1 Victoria Shankwell

These two sides shared the spoils during the regular season, both winning their respective home clashes. Cadderick Rovers finished the regular season top of the tree not on goal difference but on goals scored. Despite flying out the blocks in the first half of the season, their form hit a screeching halt as they picked up just one win in their last five games and meekly limped over the line. Clearly Rovers manager Charlotte Burgess rallied the squad as they looked back to their best with a clinical, gutsy win over Victoria.

It was a cagey first 25 minutes, Rovers largely in control of the ball but unable to offer more than probing attacks down the left hand side from wing back Oscar Lopez. Around the half hour mark, Cadderick had begun to ease into their work and it was clear to see the Victoria's defence was started to get pinned down. The lack of possession was meaning that no significant forward play was being offered by VS, with their lone striker Hector Berlioz looking increasingly isolated from the game.

The interchange and movement of Cadderick's two attacking threats, #9 Sándor Mészöly and #10 Donovan Reede, had the desired effect of dragging Victoria's defenders from their positions. Mészöly produced a moment of brilliance in the 38th minute, dropping off the front line in to a pocket of space before using his size and strength to spin past VS centre half Aiden Higgins who had been shadowing all game. Reede spotted the gaping hole in the backline and dashed forward, offering a pick-your-poison option for lone remaining defender Billy O'Connor. O'Connor chose to go to the ball but Mészöly ghosted past with a delicate drop of the shoulder. Continuing his serene run, the Rovers #9 wrong footed Shankwell goalie Howard Andrade with a delightful step over before rolling a gentle sideways pass for Reede to tap home the owner into an empty goal.

This sudden jolt of quality into the game was a shot in the arm for Cadderick, who saw they held the momentum and began to swell forward in numbers when in possession. The free-flowing progress of the wing backs Lopez and Hosein drew the Shankwell backline out wide, giving acres of space for attacking midfielder Reede to drift into and take control of the game. Reede went close just before half time as he received the ball in the half-space, twisted away from his marker. Reede was pushed out to the corner of the 18 yeard box by the attentions of Higgins, but with almost no backlift he drove a powerful rising shot across Andrade's goal. Andrade flung himself to his left hand side but was left clutching thin air and thanking his lucky stars as the ball whistled inches past the upright for a goal kick. It was certainly a menacing statement of intent from the 23 year old playmaker.

The sides went into the half with Rovers a goal to the good. After the restart, Shankwell replaced their left midfielder Jared Osborne with 23 year old Byron McIntosh who offered more pace and a direct attacking threat. The change in personnel did seem to shift the balance of the game somewhat as McIntosh's speed pinned down the right side thread of wing back Hosein and offered Shankwell an outlet. McIntosh's dribbling skill was able to drag his side up the field and whipped an excellent pass between Rovers' defensive lines to spring Hector Berlioz free on goal. Berlioz had been starved of opportunities but was able to coolly roll his shot low past the Cadderick goalkeeper. Dashing away to the crowd to celebrate what they thought was an equaliser, Berlioz and the travelling Shankwell fans were crestfallen to see the assistant referee stood with his flag raised for offside.

Cadderick Rovers took full advantage of the lifeline and instantly seized control of the game again. Just minutes after their opposition's disallowed goal, Donovan Reede won a cheap free kick out by the byline. Initially it appeared to be an innocuous position, but main man Sándor Mészöly brought the entire crowd to their feet with a near-unbelievable strike. First looking like a deep cross which had been badly over-hit and floating out for a goalkick, the ball just kept drifting and drifting inwards and dipped viciously to nestle home at the back post.

With just under half an hour left in the game's regulation time, Shankwell were able to rally back and take the fight back to Rovers in their efforts to get back in the tie. Shankwell attacking midfielder, Jamal Orozco, was able to bring his side back into the game with 17 minutes remaining. Despite his otherwise quiet performance, Orozco linked up nicely with McIntosh to find space on the edge of the penalty area and drill a low shot past Mike Roberts in the Cadderick goal. It proved to be too little too late and Rovers sealed the semi final victory.

It was a performance which entirely changed the mood around the club and put them in fine standing for the championship final after their stumble through the back end of the regular season. Two flashes of genius from their talisman striker put them in perfect spot to role forward and lift the champion's trophy.

Semi Final 2
Currilow FC 2 - 1 Fort Hope United

While the first tie of the semi final round was a contested but ultimately comfortable affair for the favorites, Currilow's stadium of Beckenworth Avenue was host to a bruising, battling affair between the home team (who finished 2nd overall in the regular season) and the capital city's premier side Fort Hope United, which newspapers and pundits have already named "The Battle of Beckenworth Avenue".

The tone of the affair was established very early on. A long ball forward was brought down wonderfully by Currilow striker Alex Lambert but as Lambert looked to spring an attack he was flattened by United skipper Fraser Alnwick. It was a cynical mood-setter from the big centre-half and the Beckenworth Ave crowd were rightly incensed. Referee David Housego deemed the foul only worthy of a stiff talking-to. What was intended to give the game an opportunity to flow, it instead signaled for the players to get stuck in to each other. Every 50-50 ball was contested with full-blooded tackles. Scuffles, melees and shoving matches broke out at the drop of a hat over disputed corners or particularly dicey tackles. Still, Housego seemed committed to keeping his cards in his pocket. His hand was finally forced just before half time when Alnwick again pushed the boundaries of fair play a tad too far. Once again Alnwick targeted the young striker Lambert with a scything tackle. It did appear that Alnwick had cleared out both the ball and the man and referee Housego appeeared inclined to let this latest infringement go. However Currilow's captain Yossi Leventhal was infuriated by the roughing of his team's star young striker. Leventhal threw himself into Alnwick with a double handed push to the back. Another almighty scrum kicked off with both captain's locked into each other at the centre. Video referee's aren't available in Drehdan football and it is to the good fortunate of all involved that this is the case, as slow motion replays did appear to show a couple of punches and stamps which went unidentified by Housego and his assistant referees. When the conflict eventually simmered down, Housego saw fit to issue both captains with yellow cards and clear instructions to get themselves and their players under control for the second 45.

The second half began as a tense but notably cleaner affair. Becalmed from their near hand to hand combat, the teams settled into a pattern of exchanging probing attacks without over-committing men forward. Both sides seemed interested in winning but completely adverse to risking defeat. The second half dragged along with tension in the air but little by way of on-field excitement. Alnwick continued to push the referee's patience with the odd lusty tackle and Fort Hope right winger Keita Toure went close with a resulting free kick but nobody was able to break the deadlock.

With 90 minutes in the book and no goals scored, we moved to extra time. The nervousness around the game was ratcheted up another notch with both sets of supporters feeling their time to secure their place in the final slipping away. It appeared that Currilow boss Adam Lennox had gotten stuck into his troops as they came out the much more spirited side in the first portion of extra time. Veteran target man Scott Williams was brought on for the battered and bruised Alex Lambert and the change in style proved effective. Williams was much more able to handle the attentions of Alnwick and brought a more even aerial battle. A cross from right back Dave Baxter was met by Williams at the front post, with the glancing header producing a brilliant save from United's gloveman Don Carter. The resulting corner was taken by Baxter who again searched out Williams, this time rising high and towering at the back stick to nod the ball across the face of goal for young midfielder Josh Blair to lash home from a few yards out.

The goal sparked Fort Hope into life, Diego Bertranou brought on to provide a dual threat alongside Ross Douglas and it was this combination that helped fire United back into the tie. Bertranou found space between centre-half and full back and dummied to shoot before spotting the run of his partner. A delightful lobbed pass was weighted perfectly for Douglas to volley home from 10 yards out to level the scores going into half time of extra time.

The final 15 minutes continued in the theme of the game with a nervy, fractious display of football. Chances were found at both ends with Bertranou missing a golden opportunity 1-on-1 with Currilow's Chris White while the home side's central midfielder Henrik Hellman hit a long range, speculative volley which just clipped the wrong side of the post. The final twist in the tale game with time slipping away - Charles Wiems managed to slip past Juan Alderon down the byline and then looked to repeat his trick to get round Alnwick and enter the penalty area. Wiems went knocked the ball past the lumbering United captain but went to ground claiming to have been tripped illegally. David Housego could not have been in a better position and immediately blew his whistle and pointed for a penalty for the home side. Fraser Alnwick was absolutely apoplectic with the decision, making very clear that he felt that the Currilow right midfielder had simulated contact between them. The away contingent roared their support for his cause but Housego had clearly had enough, showing Alnwick a second yellow card and his marching orders for his dissent. The rest of the Fort Hope squad protested but there was no changing the decision. Up stepped super sub Scott Williams in injury time of extra time, slotting home his penalty in the 122nd minute of the game to seal the home side's place in the final and his own personal spot in the club's history books.

Final

Currilow FC 0 -1 Cadderick Rovers

Here it is. An entirely season of football, 182 games and 223 goals all coming down to this. Fittingly, a clash between the teams who finished 1st and 2nd in the regular season played at the national stadium Fort Hope Municipal Recreational Field. A packed house full of full-throated supporters willing their clubs forward to claim the first ever championship trophy and mark an untouchable position in Drehdan sporting folklaw.

As finals so often do, this match could be seen as having failed to live up to the hype. Everybody wants to win their finals but nobody can bare to lose them and this tends to lead to teams playing somewhat within themselves. This game was certainly played in a fairer and more proper spirit than the Currilow semi-final but it similarly lacked the daring skill or technical brilliance which such an occasion deserves.

Currilow had a goal from striker Billy Blake chalked off for offside in the 37th minute, while Cadderick thought they'd snatched the lead on the stroke of half time through central midfielder Pete Jacks however their excitement was dashed when discussion between the linesman and referee identified a handball in the build up. Donovan Reede then curled a free kick on target but was ably denied by the outstretched glove of Currilow's Chris White.

The man to make the difference was, once again, Sándor Mészöly. With his trademark flowing long hair and socks rolled down to his ankles, he cuts a disinterested and lethargic figure for most of the play but has an uncanny change of pace, seemingly magic first touch and a preternatural ability to pop up in the right place at the right time. This was a game which typified his best attributes. He'd contributed very little through the first 65 minutes, but in the 68th minute his side had a corner from the left hand side. Reede centered the ball which bobbled and bounced in the area until Pete Jacks rifled the shot goalwards but had his efforted deflected off a forest of legs. The loose ball looped up into the air behind Mészöly who lazily hung a foot out and made perfect contact with his heel to score the most audacious of scorpion flicks. The Rec crowd erupted at the outrageous display of skill and composure but in typical fashion Mészöly celebrated with a simple raised fist as he was mobbed by his teammates. A symbolic and fitting act of magic from the league's finest and most mercurial talent in the biggest game of them all.

Currilow tried to battered down the Rovers defence but couldn't find the required stroke of genius. Cadderick Goalie Mike Roberts was called into action several times in the dying minutes but was equal to the task on each occasion. After 2 minutes of injury time, referee Uriah Hickson called time and confirmed Rovers' place as the Kings of Drehdan football.

[Drehda]

NATIONAL ATHLETICS GRAND PRIX - DAY ONE RESULTS

Mens - 3000m Steeplechase Heats

Heat 1			
Name	Time 	
Adam Nicholson-Scott [Lions]	9:06:10	-	
Derek Byles [Sharks]	8:39:54	-	
Evan Bruce [Comets]	8:58:15	-	
Ryan Murdoch [Hawks]	8:39:16	-	
Dominic Kasuza [Comets]	8:22:52	Q	
Roy Logan-Bell [ Stars]	8:38:40	-	
Chester Taylor [Magic]	8:25:99	Q	
Brendan Jervis [Magic]	8:44:32	-

Heat 2			
Name	Time		
Hasan Raza [Magic]	8:29:65	Q	
Ian Simpson [Hawks]	8:45:97	-	
Marc Rippon [Hawks]	8:42:99	-	
Jake Murray [Lions]	8:35:92	Q	
Julian Carter [Stars]	8:40:15	-	
Tom Murphy [Comets]	8:49:64	-	
Oscar Golding [Sharks]	8:21:00	Q	
Jonathon Blackman	[Lions] 9:07:65	-

Heat 3			
Name	Time		
Morgan Gateshead [Stars]	8:34:99	Q	
Shane O'Toole [Sharks]	8:26:10	Q	
Aaron Easterby [Sharks]	8:41:33	-	
Brad Dexter [Stars]	8:21:32	Q	
Nick Finch	[Comets] 9:02:76	-	
Chris Stoneman [Lions]	9:00:45	-	
Louis Street [Magic]	DNF	-	
Joshua Buttleman [Hawks]	8:42:79	-

A fairly even showing the mens 3000s steeplechase heats with every team except for the Southern Hawks securing at least one space in the final. Sharks' Oscar Golding marked himself out as the hot favourite with a competition leading time of 8mins 21s.

Womens - 3000m steeplechase heats

Heat 1			
Name	Time		
Suzie Tunnicliffe [Hawks]	10:15:91	-	
Ava Broarley [Comets]	9:40:60	Q	
Hannah Riordan [Magic]	9:47:23	-	
Lu Porter [Magic]	9:44:30	Q	
Sharon Lawrence-Parker [Sharks]	9:30:42	Q	
Olivia Johns [Stars]	DNF	-	
Emma Farre [Lions]	10:17:33	-

Heat 2			
Name	Time		
Frances Wardlee [Hawks]	9:48:43	-	
Billie Sexton	[Lions] 9:41:10	Q	
Jessica Horton [Magic]	DNF	-	
Keeley Childs [Comets]	9:30:02	Q	
Gina Perkovic [Sharks]	9:59:53	-	
Tamara Stephenson [Comets]	9:57:52	-	
Elise Del Ponte	[Stars] 9:29:89	Q

Heat 3			
Name	Time		
Natasha Harker [Sharks]	9:46:53	-	
Tiffany Clarke [Lions]	9:52:85	-	
Zoey Hopkinson [Hawks]	9:30:48	Q	
Alecks Gore [Comets]	10:31:01	-	
Nadina Dopheide [Lions]	9:46:53	-	
Roberta Blakely [Stars]	9:44:38	Q	
Christina Smith [Magic]	9:55:18	-

Every franchise was able to come away from the women's heats with something to celebrate as they all secured at least one finalist. Western Stars' Elise Del Ponte led the competition with her time of 9 mins 29.89 seconds.

Men's Highjump - Final

Name	2.15	2.20	2.25	2.28	Distance
Tom Powell [Lions]	XO	XO	XXX	-	2.20
Stephen Whiteside [Stars]	XO	XO	XXX	-	2.20
Greg Pepper [Magic]	O	XO	XXX	-	2.20
William Shanahan [Comets]	XXX	-			-
Liam Ingram [Hawks]	XO	XXO	XXO	XXX	2.25
Kirk Bellingham [Comets]	XXX	-			-
Dave Harper [Sharks]	XO	XO	XXX	-	2.20
Jonathon Woo [Stars]	O	XXX	-		2.15
Branden Kerr [Lions]	O	XXX	-		2.15
Joel Williams [Magic]	O	O	XXX	-	2.20
Alexander Garcia [Sharks]	XO	XXX	-		2.15
Kyron Chambers [Hawks]	O	XXO	XXX	-	2.20

Southern Hawks' Liam Ingram took the first champions medal of the Grand Prix as he leapt into first place with a successful jump of 2.25m, setting a national record. It was a silver-bronze combo for the Central Magic as Joel Williams and Greg Pepper were both able to clear 2.20m with the minimal number of faults.

Women's Highjump - Final

Name	1.85	1.89	1.93	Distance
Kimberly Robbins [Stars]	O	XXX	-	1.85
Tyra Borthwick [Lions]	O	XXX	-	1.85
Sakari Gittens [Hawks]	XO	XXO	XXX	1.89
Emily Allen [Lions]	O	XXO	XXX	1.89
Gemma Baker-Woodley [Magic]	O	XXX	-	1.85
Aimee Yeboah [Stars] 	XXO	XXX	-	1.85
Molly Law	[Sharks] XXX	-		0
Issi Lockwood [Comets]	XXO	XXX	-	1.85
Lottie Jameson	[Sharks] XXO	XO	XXX	1.89
Abigail Hightower [Magic]	XO	XXX	-	1.85
Jo Marsh	[Comets] XXX	-		0
Nicola West	[Hawks] O	XXX	-	1.85

Lottie Jameson claimed the first ever female gold medal in National Grand Prix history with her leap of 1.89m with just one fault. She was unable to claim an undisputed victory as she failed three times at 1.91m. Emily Allen took silver for the Fort Hope Lions and Sakari Gittens claimed the bronze for her Southern Hawks. Both competitors were able to match the winning height of 1.89m but had two faults each at that height.

Men's Long jump Heats

Heat 1					
Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	
Jamie van Buuren [Lions]	X	X	X	X	-
Simon Barnsfield [Sharks]	X	6.4	7.39	7.39	Q
Umar Raja [Hawks]	X	X	X	X	-
Tristan Daniels-Moore [Comets]	X	7.92	X	7.92	Q
Thapelo Kenosi [Magic]	X	7.87	X	7.87	Q
Barney Ngozi [Stars]	7.81	X	7.77	7.81	Q

Heat 2

Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	
Stephen Walsh [Magic]	7.79	7.58	7.86	7.86	Q
Rhys Croft [Hawks]	X	7.79	7.90	7.90	Q
Kelsey Thomas [Lions]	X	7.79	7.55	7.79	Q
Lewis Salmon [Sharks]	7.55	X	7.74	7.74	Q
Sean Bevan [Stars]	5.30	7.91	7.64	7.91	Q
Kelvin Johnston	7.00 [Comets]	X	7.63	7.63	-

A hugely competitive long jump heats session with the top five male qualifiers separated by just 6 centimeters. Northern Sharks, Central Magic Southern Hawks all saw of their representative athletes qualify for the final.

Women's Long jump Heats

Semi 1					
Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	
Michaela Wallace [Comets]	X	6.42	5.75	6.42	Q
Kaye Nugent [Hawks]	X	6.26	6.29	6.29	Q
Tina Richardson [Stars]	6.43	X	5.91	6.43	Q
Meg Hammond [Sharks]	X	X	X	X	-
Summer McKeown [Magic]	6.18	X	6.31	6.31	Q
Maisie Hodges [Lions]	X	6.12	X	6.12	-
Lauren Wade [Hawks]	6.36	6.05	X	6.36	Q

Semi 2					
Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	
Emma Potter [Lions]	X	X	6.13	6.13	-
Georgina Duff [Hawks]	X	6.26	X	6.26	Q
Lois Wong [Stars]	X	6.37	6.47	6.47	Q
Robyn McKay [Comets]	6.42	6.40	6.24	6.42	Q
Eden Heatley [Sharks]	4.99	5.94	6.43	6.43	Q
Jennifer White [Magic]	X	X	6.01	6.01	-
Belle Yoxley [Stars]	6.18	6.21	6.24	6.24	Q

Massive disappointment for the capital city's Lions as they were the only franchise unable to secure a finalist position. Southern Hawks and Western Stars both managed to get all three of their athletes through to the final, with Stars' Lois Wong setting a competition leading jump of 6.47m.

Men's Triple Jump Heats

Heat 1					
Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	
Lee Pyke [Stars]	X	16.51	16.01	16.51	Q
George Benson [Hawks]	X	16.15	X	16.15	-
Henry Gates [Sharks]	X	16.49	16.90	16.90	Q
Curtis Silk [Hawks]	X	16.62	X	16.62	Q
Jason Parrotte [Comets]	X	16.34	X	16.34	Q
Archie Guinness [Lions]	15.23	X	16.31	16.31	Q
Trevor Weaver	[Magic] X	15.32	15.31	15.32	-

Heat 2					
Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	
Callum Daniels	[Sharks] 16.36	16.78	X	16.78	Q
Aaron Browne	[Magic] 16.49	15.57	X	16.49	Q
Justin Molumby [Stars]	15.20	16.25	X	16.25	-
Fletcher Welling [Comets]	15.09	16.03	16.44	16.44	Q
Mark Manning	[Lions] 16.49	15.57	X	16.49	Q
Ryan Dunne-Fenn [Hawks]	15.83	16.41	16.33	16.41	Q
Alan Hamilton	[Comets] 15.65	15.29	X	15.65	-

Women's Triple Jump Heats

Heat 1					
Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	
Kitty Parkinson [Magic]	X	X	X	X	-
Elouise Bell [Sharks]	13.40	13.84	13.55	13.84	Q
Tamara Willock [Lions]	13.92	X	14.03	14.03	Q
Sarah Butcher [Sharks]	X	13.59	13.19	13.59	Q
Shannon Keane [Comets]	13.59	13.42	13.98	13.98	Q
Megan Rafferty	[Stars] 13.44	13.53	X	13.53	Q
Kelsie Caldwell [Hawks]	13.46	X	13.34	13.46	-

Heat 2					
Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Distance	Q
Caitlyn Andrews [Sharks]	X	X	12.93	12.93	-
Toni Simpson [Comets]	X	X	13.60	13.60	Q
Demi Burns-Burrows [Hawks]	13.78	13.23	13.64	13.78	Q
Isobel Quinne [Lions]	12.95	X	13.16	13.16	Q
Chloe Campbell [Magic]	13.48	X	13.60	13.60	Q
Jess Brosnan [Magic]	X	X	X	X	-
Jorja Jones [Stars]	X	13.88	X	13.88	Q

A strong showing by each team as Comets, Sharks, Lions and Stars all secured two finalists. Fort Hope's Tamara Willock stood out as the best performer as the only women to break the 14 metre mark.

Men's Pole Vault Final

Name	5.45	5.60	5.75	Distance
Dan Carpenter [Hawks]	XXX	-		0.00
Jack Woodman [Comets]	XXO	XXX	-	5.45
Brian Starr [Magic]	XXO	XXX	-	5.45
Kurt Laudrey [Sharks]	XXX	-		0.00
Jerome Mills [Magic]	XO	XXO	XXX	5.60
Marlon Rooney [Stars]	XO	XO	XXX	5.60
Den Frost [Lions]	XXX	-		0.00
Stan Rogers	[Lions] XO	XXX	-	5.45
Alan Gordon [Stars]	O	XXX	-	5.45
Anthony Banks [Sharks]	O	XO	XXX	5.60
Ted James [Hawks]	XO	XXX	-	5.45
Nicky Fraser [Comets]	XXO	XXX	-	5.45

Sharks pole vaulter Anthony Banks took the first men's gold medal for his club by posting a final effort of 5.60 metres. This was matched by silver medalist Marlon Rooney (Western Stars) and 3rd placed Jerome Mills (Central Magic) however Banks took 1st place thanks to the fewest failed vaults. All three medal winners attempted 5.75 metres without success.

Women's Pole Vault Final

Name	4.30	4.45	4.60	Distance
Holly Gorman [Lions]	XXX	-		0.00
Alice Jones [Hawks]	XXO	XXX	-	4.30
Tasha Hill [Sharks]	O	XXX	-	4.30
Kate Webb [Sharks]	XXX	-		0.00
Jenny Roper [Lions]	XXX	-		0.00
Heather Freeman [Hawks]	XXX	-		0.00
Michelle Doyle [Comets]	XXX	-		0.00
Stacey Goddard [Stars]	XXX	-		0.00
Rachel Griffin [Stars]	XXX	-		0.00
Julia Idowu [Magic]	XO	XXX	-	4.30
Daniella Best [Comets]	XO	XO	XXX	4.45
Zara Byrne [Magic]	XXO	XXX	-	4.30

Daniella Best secured the first women's gold of the competition for her franchise with a clear leading effort of 4.45 metres. It was a disappointing showing across the board with a surprisingly high number of competitors failing to register a clean score, giving Northern Sharks' Tasha Hill the silver and Julia Idowu from the Central Magic the bronze medal.

Men's 400m Hurdles

Heat 1

Name	Time		
Sam Cuffe [Magic]	49.83	-	
Alexander Wordsworth [Stars]	50.00	-	
Billy Cooke [Comets]	50.43	-	
Alistair Ballance [Magic]	49.74	-	
Liam Nurse [Hawks]	49.42	Q	
Micky Quinn [Lions]	50.46	-	
Devin Jones [Sharks]	49.36	Q

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Keegan Porter [Sharks]	50.02	-
Joe Hill	[Magic] 50.38	-
Mason Barnes [Lions]	49.43	Q
Reece Connell [Hawks]	50.56	-
Marcus Enekwechi [Stars]	48.70	Q
Marcos Johansson	[Comets] 50.17	-
Ben Elwich [Comets]	48.92	Q

Heat 3

Name	Time		
Luke Walls [Lions]	49.86	-	
Tymel Hughes	[Stars] 49.06	Q	
Larvette Nyumbo [Comets]	49.94	-	
Kevin Brookes [Magic]	49.18	Q	
Eddy Harmwell [Lions]	49.46	-	
Pat Newton [Hawks]	50.44	-	
Freddy Quayle [Sharks]	49.09	Q

Western Stars and Northern Sharks again had a good showing in the 400m men's hurdles, both securing two finalist slots.

Women's 400m Hurdles Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time		
Laura Jones [Comets]	55.90	-	
Catherine Bullock [Magic]	55.76	Q	
Harriette Woodley [Sharks]	56.98	-	
Ciara Carver [Hawks]	57.77	-	
Sofia Trost [Stars]	56.92	-	
Hanna Baker [Hawks]	55.02	Q	
Claudia Wilkins [Lions]	55.80	Q

Heat 2

Name	Time		
Annie-Mae Robertson [Magic]	57.08	-	
Louise Reekie [Stars]	56.52	-	
Angelika Hofferman [Lions]	55.93	-	
Natalie Laker [Hawks]	55.52	Q	
Daniela Dodds	[Sharks] 56.65	-	
Bianca Weissenberg [Stars]	55.24	Q	
Elosie Simmonds [Comets]	55.71	Q

Heat 3

Name Time
Olivia Sanderson [Magic] 57.19 -
Marta Ropier [Sharks] 55.58 Q
Roisin Underwood [Stars] 57.55 -
Camilla Wagner [Sharks] 55.90 -
Lisa Trapper [Lions] 57.03 -
Sarah Thatcher [Comets] 55.87 -
Calli Harte [Hawks] 55.40 Q

Southern Hawks undoubtedly dominated in the heats for this event, securing no fewer than three finalists with on Ciara Carver missing the cut. Every other franchise had to make do with a single slot in the final.

Men's 20km Walk - Final

Name	Time
Andy Prentess	[Hawks] 1:27:29
Antonio Hogan-Richards [Magic]	1:27:54
Ben Sutton	[Lions] 1:21:57
Brian Hill [Sharks]	1:25:53
Daniel Ndori [Sharks	1:32:37
Darren Ferguson [Stars]	1:31:29
Felix Ogunode [Comets]	1:25:15
Hiromi Kitaoka [Lions]	1:31:08
Hugues Johnson [Lions]	DQ
Jack Cookson [Comets]	1:26:14
Jeremie Asamba [Hawks]	1:28;50
Liu Peng [Hawks]	1:23:20
Michael Welch [Magic]	DNF
Wayne Dove [Stars]	1:26:33

Ben Sutton strode to gold for the Fort Hope Lions with Liu Peng taking 2nd place and Felix Ogunde trotting into for 3rd place and the bronze medal. There were uncomfortable scenes as Magic participant Michael Welch went down with what looked like a severe injury and Hugues Johnson was disqualified just before the hour mark.

Women's 20km Walk - Final

Name	Time
Adrianna Weslowski [Lions]	1:34:50
Annik Le Fleur	[Stars]1:40:56
Bethan Slater [Comets]	DNF
Caroline Watts	[Sharks] 1:31:20
Kirsty Mills [Hawks]	1:35:16
Paula Zeeke [Sharks]	1:33:18
Rachel Morris [Stars]	1:37:18
Veronica Njobvu [Magic]	1:31:02
Zerfe Getachew [Comets]	1:32:14

Veronica Njobvu cast a spell on the competition as she claimed gold for the Central Magic ahead of Sharks' Caroline Watts who took the runners up slot, with Zerfe Getachew securing a respectable bronze for her Eastern Comets.

Men's 800m heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Terrence Pierce [Sharks]	1:46:47	Q
Felix Casey [Magic]	1:46:74	Q
Jermaine Staley [Stars]	1:47:35	-
Cody Powers [Comets]	1:47:37	-
Johnnie Clayton [Hawks]	1:47:55	-
David Bryan [Comets]	1:47:70	-
Omar Simon [Lions]	1:48:05	-
Edmund Curry [Magic]	1:48:82	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Grant McCormick [Hawks]	1:46:29	Q
Luke Willis [Lions]	1:46:52	Q
Darrel Lawson [Hawks]	1:47:08	Q
Wilfred Salazar [Stars]	1:47:14	-
Terrell Shelton [Magic]	1:47:58	-
Lawrence Ball [Lions]	1:48:09	-
Marty Mills-Carter [Comets]	1:48:38	-
Nelson Garza	[Sharks] 1:48:77	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
George White	[Stars] 1:45:60	Q
Hugo Davidson [Lions]	1:46:65	Q
Nathaniel Edwards-Brix [Magic]	1:46:91	Q
Owen Hall [Comets]	1:47:58	-
Scott Keller	[Sharks] 1:47:73	-
Mario Burke	[Hawks] 1:48:54	-
Colin Warren [Stars]	1:49:06	-
Roman Pittman [Sharks]	1:49:09	-

Women's 800m heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Sandra Jackson-Petterly [Magic]	1:58:00	Q
Betty Long	1:59:15 [Magic]	Q
Martha Sanchez [Sharks]	1:59:16	Q
Joyce Brooks [Lions]	1:59:65	Q
Stephanie Taylor-Forster [Hawks]	2:01:20	-
Tammy Powell	[Comets] 2:01:43	-
Louise Russell [Comets]	2:02:02	-
Kathryn Hill [Stars]	2:02:78	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Karen Murphy [Hawks]	1:59:05	Q
Debra Williams	[Sharks]1:59:29	Q
Stephanie Thomas [Lions]	2:00:13	-
Teresa Davis [Sharks]	2:00:30	-
Winnie Uwitonze [Magic]	2:00:57	-
Bonnie Allen-Cartwright [Lions]	2:02:07	-
Ruby Henderson [Hawks]	2:00:98	-
Ashley Morse	[Stars] DNF	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Anna Watson	[Lions] 1:58:72	Q
Melissa Nanyondo [Stars]	1:59:13	Q
Cynthia Diaz-Lee [Magic]	1:59:90	-
Freya Hourihane [Sharks]	2:01:56	-
Laura Bryant	[Hawks] 2:01:68	-
Heather Coleman	[Stars] 2:02:08	-
Ciara Hall [Comets]	2:02:17	-
Steffie Barker [Sharks]	2:02:18	-

Men's Javelin - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
John Calloway [Comets]	X	70.83	67.15	70.83	Q
Dave Fielding [Sharks]	X	75.58	71.09	75.58	Q
Nicholas Macleod [Magic]	66.53	72.69	73.56	73.56	Q
Josiah Mcclain [Stars]	71.61	X	58.36	71.61	Q
Alexander McDowell [Hawks]	69.67	X	X	69.67	-
Robert Sampson [Lions]	69.06	X	70.97	70.97	Q

Heat 2

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Keaton Meza [Stars]	X	70.69	69.92	70.69	-
Alfie Church [Comets] 71.27	X	72.27	72.27	Q
Franklin Conway [Sharks]	70.33	72.64	75.62	75.62	Q
Ewan Shields [Lions]	73.3	74.21	X	74.21	Q
Calum Gregory [Magic]	70.03	69.48	75.27	75.27	Q
Frankie Holden [Hawks]	78.02	X	67.02	78.02	Q

Stars and Hawks miss out in the Men's Javelin as both franchises were only able to secure one finalist. The upside for the Southern Hawks was that their qualifier, Frankie Holden, set the furthest throw of the competition by a country mile with his huge effort of 78.02m.

Women's Javelin - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Naomi Gardener (Magic)	56.90	51.32	52.53	56.90	Q
Kelly Macleod (Stars)	51.49	X	53.54	53.54	Q
Jodi Rogers (Hawks)	53.27	X	50.43	53.27	-
Ivy-Marie Hutchinson (Sharks)	50.03	X	56.40	56.40	Q
Tayla Torres (Comets)	47.85	53.71	48.3	53.71	Q
Megan-Anne Preston (Lions)	54.77	X	55.56	55.56	Q

Heat 2

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Lorena-Rose Connolly (Stars)	52.21	X	X	52.21	Q
Natalie McDaniel (Magic)	52.02	X	49.82	52.02	-
Isabel Bentley (Comets)	51.86	54.12	54.90	54.90	Q
Lisa Gentry	(Sharks) 55.82	44.03	51.71	55.82	Q
Loni Schneider (Lions)	55.19	X	51.82	55.19	Q
Fleur Boyer (Hawks)	53.37	53.40	52.32	53.40	Q

Southern Hawks again only able to secure one slot for the final in the women's javelin. Central Magic also unable to take full advantage and secure double finalists. Take a moment to consider the emotions running through the Macleod household, as brother and sister duo Nicholas and Kelly were both able to qualifying from their heats for the Central Magic and Western Stars respectively.

Men's Hammer - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Tony McL aughlin	[Hawks] 72.50	70.89	72.69	72.69	Q
Vytali Shevchenko [Magic] 	X	73.49	X	73.49	Q
Chris Tyson-Morgan [Stars]	73.50	X	71.77	73.50	Q
Jaquelle Flowers [Sharks]	70.32	71.83	x	71.83	-
Richard Briars [Comets]	71.55	X	73.90	73.90	Q
Arnold Glass [Lions]	74.70	69.58	70.95	74.70	Q

Heat 2

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Brett Michaels	[Lions] X	77.85	71.6	77.85	Q
Harrison Golsberger [Comets]	X	72.43	70.33	72.43	Q
Donald Skelton [Magic]	71.21	72.68	X	72.68	Q
Marcel Freebourn [Sharks]	71.88	71.55	72.55	72.55	Q
Eric Earle [Stars]	71.04	71.54	71.33	71.54	-
Ryan Sullivan [Hawks]	71.73	X	70.08	71.73	Q

Fort Hope Lion's Brett Michaels set the standard in the qualifying round of the Men's Hammer throw event with an absolute monster chuck of 77.85m. Time will tell to see if he's got any more left in the tank when the pressure is really on.

Women's Hammer - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Gabriella Arnovski [Comets]	X	X	66.74	66.74	Q
Daisy Bingham [Hawks]	66.50	62.59	64.90	66.50	Q
Paige Dadic [Lions]	62.96	X	62.13	62.96	-
Lieke van der Vaart [Sharks]	56.28	65.59	63.20	65.59	Q
Eugenie Olsen [Stars]	62.09	X	67.17	67.17	Q
Ivana Rodic [Magic]	62.90	63.40	62.62	63.40	Q

Heat 2

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Michelle Blair-Symmonds [Sharks]	X	X	X	X	-
Brianna Fitzgibbons [Stars]	X	X	61.51	61.51	Q
Hannah Theriault [Comets]	66.76	X	64.77	66.76	Q
Ingrid Hamilton [Lions]	X	60.6	65.14	65.14	Q
Rachel Baker [Magic]	65.27	62.28	51.02	65.27	Q
Louise Bates-Mungridge [Hawks]	60.8	61.42	65.29	65.29	Q

Devastation for Sharks' Michelle Blair-Symmonds as she crashes out thanks to three foul attempts in a row, allowing the Stars' Brianna Fitzgibbon a free pass to the final despite a weak display where she could only register the shortest final score across the entire competition. Fitzgibbon's teammate Eugenie Olsen set the tempo in Heat 1 as she emerged the only competitor able to break the 67m mark.

Men's 100m Hurdles - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Darryl Lawrence [Lions]	13:81	-
James Ross [Comets]	13:42	Q
Kenny Sams [Hawks]	13:38	Q
Matthew East [Comets]	13:45	Q
Richard Holzer	[Sharks]13:37	Q
Ashley Cullen [Stars]	13:50	-
Lungelo Muchawaya [Magic]	13:47	-
Tinashe Bavuma [Magic]	13:71	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Aiden Miller [Magic]	13:59	-
Gregg Tullen [Hawks]	13:484	-
Harry Delany-Walters	[Lions] 13:53	-
Phil Mayers [Hawks]	13:35	Q
Will Parks [Comets]	13:481	Q
Faraz Iqbal [Lions]	13:67	-
Rio Matthews-Bright [Sharks]	13:59	-
Lawrence Tuffnell [Stars]	13:50	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Paul Wilson [Lions]	13:44	Q
Unai Jiminez	[Hawks] 13:55	-
Dennis Cox [Stars]	13:48	Q
Ryan van der Meulen	[Comets] 13:52	-
Leonardo Nascimento [Stars]	13:53	-
Russell Anderson [Sharks]	13:70	-
Charlie Kassermen [Sharks]	13:50	-
Blake Spicer [Magic]	13:60	-

Terrible performance by the Magic as every one of their four representatives fails to make the finals. Southern Hawks have a decent outing with two of their hurdlers qualifying but the Eastern Comets steal the show with three of their four athletes securing passage to the final.

Women's 110m Hurdles - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Laura Barattin [Hawks]	13.16	Q
Kate Bartlett [Comets]	13:41	-
Jade Gallagher [Lions]	13:14	Q
Louise Wright [Stars]	13:24	-
Willow Sinclair [Sharks]	DNF	-
Ruby Armstrong-Gaffney [Comets]	13:38	-
Charlotte Bremner-Barker [Magic]	13:58	-
Chelsey Delamere [Magic]	13:20	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Sabrina Grant [Hawks]	14:25	-
Abi McKinley [Magic]	13:22	-
Kourtney Ellis [Stars]	13:32	-
Harper Munroe	[Hawks] 13:18	-
Taylor Fitzpatrick [Sharks]	13:13	Q
Emma Rhodes [Comets]	13:31	-
Alana Banks [Lions]	13:14	Q
Steevi Holmes-Barrington [Lions]	13:49	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Samii Rollins [Lions]	13:49	-
Brittany Holloway [Comets]	12:97	Q
Teyona-Dawn Pierce-Sterling [Stars]	13:39	-
Elisa Rivers [Sharks]	12:94	Q
Sunny Ambrose [Hawks]	14:11	-
Colleen Turner	[Stars] 13:39	-
Michelle Kerley	[Sharks] 13:09	Q
Ella Flynn [Magic]	13:14	Q

Northern Sharks dominated the women's sprint hurdles qualifiers with three of their runners making it to the final - very well could have been a clean sweep if highly rated Willow Sinclair hadn't taken a nasty tumble at the second jump and failed to finish. Western Stars suffered some real ignominy as only one of their eight total runners managed to get past qualification across both gender brackets.

Men's 1500m - Heats

Heat 1			
Name	Time	
Mossadek Rahman [Magic]	3:37:68	Q	
Kevin Taylor-Ervine [Sharks]	3:40:70	Q	
Julian Advani [Lions]	3:40:80	Q	
Martin de Ruiter [Hawks]	3:42:43	-	
Justin Bascome [Comets]	3:42:44	-	
Darnell Robinson [Stars]	3:43:28	-	
Rodney Griffin [Comets]	3:44:57	-	
Carl Masuku [Magic]	3:45:05	-

Heat 2			
Name	Time	
Mark Groves [Sharks]	3:38:56	Q	
Hristo Katzarski [Lions]	3:40:70	Q	
Dion Smith [Magic]	3:41:17	-	
Dylan Cross [Hawks]	3:41:68	-	
Ben Greenwood [Lions]	3:41:78	-	
Elliot Birrell [Hawks]	3:43:20	-	
Alastair Ball [Stars]	3:43:45	-	
Michael Hillairy  [Comets]	3:45:00	-

Heat 3	
		
Name	Time	
Tim Dustel [Sharks]	3:37:39	Q	
Daniel Hartley [Magic]	3:39:90	Q	
Lee Oster [Sharks]	3:40:34	Q	
Gustaf Felklund [Lions]	3:42:12	-	
Kjelle van der Vaart [Hawks]	3:42:29	-	
Ernest Chatara	[Comets] 3:42:32	-	
Fidel Aquilar [Stars]	3:43:72	-	
Juan Lopez [Stars]	3:50:83	-

Northern Sharks with a rare clean sweep as all four runners qualified for the finals. Magic and Lions both managed to get half their reps into the finals however the Comets, Hawks and Stars all drew a blank and had all of their athletes knocked out in the heats.

Women's 1500m - Heats

Heat 1			
Name	Time
Antonia Jenneke [Comets]	4:17:48	-	
Mary-Anne Nkomo [Hawks]	4:10:14	Q	
Nyasha Ndluvo [Magic]	4:15:13	-	
Kate Stovell [Magic]	4:12:31	Q	
Emily Barnes [Comets]	4:14:95	-	
Molly Rowe-Wollingsford [Lions]	4:17:07	-	
Megan Aitken [Sharks]	4:39:07	-	
Emilia Frost [Stars]	4:17:96	-

Heat 2			
Name	Time	
Lara Delany [Magic]	4:15:26		
Dani Castle [Comets]	4:17:70	-	
Maggie Finn [Stars]	4:09:29	Q	
Kyesha Collins-Woodgate [Sharks]	4:08:53	Q	
Lizzie Mumbaso-Duko [Lions]	4:16:33	-	
Leigh Dodds [Lions]	4:13:67		
Becky Podsmore [Hawks]	4:13:35		
Trish Wood [Hawks]	4:17:99	-

Heat 3			
Name	Time	
Anneke Lee [Stars]	4:16:56	-	
Chloe Hunt	[Magic] 4:09:86	Q	
Pamela Nefdt [Stars]	4:17:49	-	
Jenny Greaves [Hawks]	4:06:70	Q	
Rashada Cooper [Sharks]	4:06:55	Q	
Shabika Campbell [Comets]	4:13:88	-	
Kortney Selman [Sharks]	5:09:75	-	
Hazell White [Lions]	4:09:79	Q

A much more even showing in the women's event as every franchise was able to qualify at least one runner into the final race. Sharks' Rashada Cooper and Hawks' Jenny Greaves both stood out as they pushed each other to break the 4m07 barrier.

Men's 5000m - Heats

Heat 1			
Name	Time	
Malcolm Woodward [Sharks]	13:45:91	Q	
Hilbert Wiegand [Magic]	13:50:29	Q	
Dean Fraley	[Lions] 13:58:94	-	
Ed Tillery [Comets]	14:03:76	-	
Seok Man-Shik [Comets]	14:13:08	-	
Josh Hudson [Stars]	14:14:55	-	
Kamiya Norio [Magic]	14:41:93	-	
Marcos Torrente [Hawks]	15:04:86	-

Heat 2			
Name	Time	
Ryan Sommerby [Lions]	13:40:61	Q	
Rodolphe Renaud [Sharks]	13:51:26	Q	
Russell Robson [Lions]	13:53:65	Q	
Eric Lewis [Hawks]	13:54:52	-	
Craig Wright [Stars]	14:02:82	-	
Rajiv Natarajan [Hawks]	14:06:14	-	
Miguel Castellano [Comets]	14:15:21	-	
Darren Archer [Magic]	15:06:02	-

Heat 3			
Name	Time	
Wesley Ramsdale [Magic]	13:52:10	Q	
Dan Davis [Stars]	13:53:67	Q	
Andrew Judge [Stars]	13:54:31	Q	
Shihab Mansoor [Sharks]	14:00:30	-	
Emyr Penny [Hawks]	14:12:34	-	
Tommy Warde [Lions]	14:13:08	-	
Freddie Grubb [Comets]	14:13:68	-	
Jamal Robinson-Peters [Sharks]	15:48:12	-

Women's 50000m - Heats

Heat 1			
Name	Time
Purnima Brahmbhatt [Lions]	15:30:38	Q	
Bethany Luff [Comets]	15:42:66	Q	
Alyssa Toney-Fraizer [Hawks]	15:43:84	Q	
Felisa Greco [Magic]	15:57:73	-	
Keri Harrington [Stars]	16:21:07	-	
Alex Gibson [Comets]	17:00:82	-	
Anika Chaudhry [Sharks]	DNF	-	
Corinne Lefurgey [Magic]	DQ	-

Heat 2			
Name	Time	
Evelyn Obukur [Magic]	15:40:16	Q	
Poppy Bailey [Stars]	15:46:46	Q	
Tilly Dalton [Comets]	15:47:84	Q	
Stacey Chapman [Sharks]	15:48:23	-	
Leigh Dooley [Hawks]	15:49:32	-	
Jessica Brownlea [Lions]	16:24:46	-	
Rosalita Castro [Hawks]	16:39:62	-	
Abigail Carson [Lions]	DNF	-

Heat 3			
Name	Time	
Molly Docherty [Hawks]	15:27:14	Q	
Summer Godleman [Sharks]	15:44:71	Q	
Shauna Black [Comets]	15:48:65	-	
Alice Tulloch [Stars]	16:09:24	-	
Daniella Atherton [Lions]	16:15:37	-	
Carolina Ryder [Sharks]	16:19:65	-	
Sara Anderton [Stars]	16:25:76	-	
Lottie Hennessy [Comets]	16:30:17	-

[Drehda]

NATIONAL ATHLETICS GRAND PRIX - DAY TWO RESULTS

Mens 100m Sprint - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Justin Newry [Hawks]	10.18	-
Kyle St Croix [Lions]	10.15	-
Jacob Pietersen [Magic]	10.09	-
Mitchell Burnett [Comets]	10.01	Q
Shai Willock	[Comets] 10.01	Q
Derek Piketh [Stars]	10.02	Q
Darrion Keyes [Magic]	10.069	-
Barney O'Neill	[Sharks] 10.067	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Dalarne Hunt [Stars]	10.00	Q
Ben Clarkson [Sharks]	10.18	-
Spencer Page	[Lions] 10.15	-
Rodney Olukunle [Magic]	10.01	Q
Tom Smith [Comets]	10.09	-
Roger Diamante [Hawks]	10.14	-
Dwight Browne [Lions]	10.062	Q
Nigel Hart [Hawks]	10.19	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Ishi Wheeler [Stars]	10.16	-
Douglas Bryce	[Lions] 10.20	-
Aaron Phillips	[Sharks] 10.11	-
Harry Barton [Comets]	10.14	-
Geoff Metzer [Stars]	10.00	Q
Luke Morgan [Hawks]	10.08	Q
Craig Rennells [Sharks]	10.14	-
Bruce White [Magic]	10.19	-

Women's 100m Sprint - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Louise Cliffe [Lions]	11.35	Q
Sophie Hayes [Magic]	11.37	Q
Brianna Myles [Hawks]	11.40	-
Dorothy Muirhead [Magic]	11.40	-
Eva Samuels [Magic]	11.40	-
Cindy Prentess [Sharks]	11.40	-
Georgina Webster [Comets]	11.49	-
Tonya Golightly [Stars]	DQ	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Holly Carr [Magic]	11.20	Q
Leah Kirklee [Hawks]	11.26	Q
Ashleigh Jones	[Hawks] 11.45	-
Daniella Graham [Sharks]	11.48	-
Lillian Gibbs [Comets]	11.49	-
Wendy Ling [Stars]	11.49	-
Abi Prettes [Lions]	11.49	-
Joscelin Henderson [Lions]	DNF	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Leia Sherman [Stars]	11.17	Q
Mikayla Christoforou	[Sharks] 11.18	Q
Henrietta Dixon	[Sharks] 11.24	Q
Naomi Ricketts	[Hawks] 11.29	Q
Hayley Greene-Robinson [Lions]	11.41	-
Olivia Cunningham [Magic]	11.48	-
Eleanor Shenks-Parker [Comets]	11.48	-
Emily Bradshaw [Stars]	11.49	-

Men's Long jump - Final

Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Jump 4	Jump 5	Jump 6	Distance
Simon Barnsfield [Sharks]	7.59	7.50	7.39	7.63	7.47	7.86	7.86
Tristan Daniels-Moore [Comets]	7.75	X	X	7.61	X	X	7.75
Thapelo Kenosi [Magic]	X	7.64	X	X	X	X	7.64
Barney Ngozi [Stars]	8.04	X	X	7.78	7.65	7.8	8.04
Stephen Walsh [Magic]	X	7.50	X	DNA			7.50
Rhys Croft [Hawks]	7.93	7.7	7.78	7.72	7.36	7.9	7.93
Kelsey Thomas [Lions]	7.63	7.68	X	8.01	7.81	7.77	8.01
Sean Bevan [Stars]	7.87	7.53	7.74	7.50	7.74	7.78	7.87
Lewis Salmon [Sharks]	7.79	5.96	7.78	X	X	X	7.79

A unbelievable performance by Western Stars' Barney Ngozi despite an unremarkable display in the heats, he went out and posted a mammoth leap of 8.04 metres with his first attempt of the final. That first leap proved too far for anyone else to compete with, although Fort Hope Lions' Kelsey Thomas was able to conjure up a superb jump of 8.01ms to clinch silver with his forth attempt. Ngozi and Thomas truly were a class ahead of everyone else in the field as Rhys Croft was able to secure bronze for the Southern Hawks with a personal best of 7.93m from his initial jump.

Women's Long jump - Final

Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Jump 4	Jump 5	Jump 6	Distance
Michaela Wallace [Comets]	6.35	6.35	6.39	DNA			6.39
Kaye Nugent [Hawks]	6.50	6.48	X	6.44	6.36	6.60	6.60
Tina Richardson [Stars]	6.50	6.61	6.4	6.68	6.56	X	6.65
Summer McKeown [Magic]	X	6.68	6.42	6.6	X	X	6.69
Lauren Wade [Hawks]	6.57	X	6.40	6.50	6.64	X	6.64
Georgina Duff	[Hawks] X	6.31	X	DNA			6.31
Lois Wong [Stars]	5.94	6.48	X	6.32	6.57	X	6.57
Robyn McKay [Comets]	6.46	6.37	X	6.52	6.39	6.49	6.52
Eden Heatley [Sharks]	6.66	X	X	X	X	X	6.66
Belle Yoxley [Stars]	6.53	6.63	X	6.35	X	6.43	6.60

There was another spectacular turn around in the women's final as Summer McKeown from the Central Magic was able to convert her best qualifying leap of 6.31m into a gold-tinted 6.69 metres to steal the championship. Eden Heatley had a real bitter-sweet day at the office as she managed only one legal jump in the event but that one jump was good enough to propel her into second and take home a silver for her Northern Sharks. Tina Richardson from the Western Stars put in a really solid body of work with five great legal jumps but could only come up with a best of 6.65m, meaning she was pipped into the bronze position by a single centre-metre. Overall the women's long jump was a much more hotly contested affair with the top six finishers separated by a mere nine centre-metres.

Men's Shot - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Distance	Q
Booker Griswold [Stars]	19.28	X	X	19.28	Q
Keven Emanuel [Magic]	17.35	18.47	X	18.47	-
Alexander Pitts [Magic]	19.46	18.79	17.71	19.46	Q
Hollis Kirby [Sharks]	18.59	X	X	18.59	-
Wilber Mooney [Lions]	X	18.69	19.17	19.17	Q
Michael Denham [Comets]	X	19.65	17.85	19.65	Q
Rickie Navarro	[Hawks] 18.74	19.57	X	19.57	Q

Heat 2 

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Distance	Q
Forest Mattison [Comets]	18.76	X	17.13	18.76	-
Demarcus Worrell [Hawks]	18.81	19.53	18.90	19.53	Q
Devon Heard [Lions]	X	17.58	X	17.58	-
Dane Boehm [Sharks]	19.07	X	18.76	19.07	-
Steven Turner [Lions]	18.44	19.20	17.18	19.20	Q
Bruce Cook [Comets]	X	X	19.53	19.53	Q
Jack Thompson [Hawks]	18.53	18.72	X	18.72	-
Sean Rodriguez [Stars]	18.65	19.13	18.58	19.13	Q
Joshua Bell [Magic]	17.03	19.52	19.55	19.55	Q

Women's Shot - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Distance	Q
Estelle Beckermann	[Magic] 18.22	X	17.47	18.22	Q
Jasmine Hines [Comets]	17.13	15.19	16.08	17.13	Q
Erin McDonald-Refferano [Lions]	15.22	17.28	16.08	17.28	Q
Teri Spencer [Sharks]	15.03	X	X	15.03	-
Marcia Little [Stars]	X	X	X	X	-
Ann Howell	[Stars] 15.94	X	16.24	16.24	Q
Christina Holland [Hawks]	15.55	16.23	X	16.23	Q

Heat 2 

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Distance	
Maggie Lennard	[Lions] 16.73	17.31	17.46	17.46	Q
Chelsea Delgado [Hawks]	15.81	X	15.70	15.81	-
Poppy Woods	[Sharks] 15.93	16.72	18.19	18.19	Q
Bethany Rose [Stars]	17.42	16.68	16.46	17.42	Q
Sarah Nicholls [Magic]	17.65	16.92	17.30	17.65	Q
Emily Molle	[Comets] 14.73	18.09	16.17	18.09	Q

Men's Discus - Heats

Heat 1 

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Trevor Ward [Sharks]	X	55.06	X	55.06	-
Devante Foster	[Stars] 58.25	55.84	56.67	58.25	Q
Jerome Roberts	[Comets] 59.74	57.97	58.25	59.74	Q
Howard Cole [Lions]	57.47	X	59.39	59.39	Q
Ron Carpenter [Hawks]	61.18	55.79	56.34	61.18	Q
Larry Butcher [Magic]	X	X	58.20	58.20	Q

Heat 2

Ben Reed	[Lions] 58.10	59.31	59.13	59.31	Q
Billy Clarence- Matthews [Magic]	56.46	60.80	57.84	60.80	Q
Carlos Torres [Sharks]	57.57	57.04	59.30	59.30	-
Lee Scotia [Stars]	X	59.65	53.48	59.65	Q
Bo Rette [Comets]	58.88	59.43	58.63	59.43	Q
Devon Helritte [Hawks]	59.59	61.60	58.04	61.60	Q

Northern Sharks suffering the bitter blow of both their competitors failing to make the cut with Ward and Torres both finishing last in their heats. The crushing hurt for Torres being that his effort would have been good enough to make it through Heat 1! Southern Hawks Devon Helritte laid down a real statement of intent as he towered over the rest of the field with a launch of 61.60 metres.

Women's Discus - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Sharron Mendes [Stars]	56.29	56.12	50.65	56.29	Q
Imogen Clerc	[Sharks] 53.54	55.75	X	55.75	-
Lucy Fisher [Comets]	X	58.43	58.3	58.43	Q
Sophie Craig [Magic]	55.89	46.77	55.56	55.89	Q
Natalie Head [Hawks]	X	57.17	56.81	57.17	Q
Marie Laurent [Lions] 	58.71	X	X	58.71	Q

Heat 2

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Score	Q
Katherine Meadows [Comets]	x	x	57.05	57.05	Q
Annabelle Pickton [Lions]	57.22	58.78	56.49	58.78	Q
Georgina Wiles [Sharks]	X	59.11	58.55	59.11	Q
Justine Rainbow [Magic]	x	58.77	57.77	58.77	Q
Nadina Osakue	[Hawks] 54.57	X	54.09	54.57	-
Lauren Broom [Stars]	52.33	58.85	53.10	58.85	Q

Men's Triple Jump - Final

Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Jump 4	Jump 5	Jump 6	Distance
Lee Pyke	[Stars] X	16.39	16.2	DNA			16.39
Henry Gates [Sharks]	16.53	16.71	16.36	16.74	16.39	17.11	17.11
Curtis Silk	[Hawks] 17.06	17.00	15.58	15.62	17.16	16.44	17.16
Jason Parrotte [Comets]	16.51	16.63	x	DNA			16.63
Archie Guinness [Lions]	16.36	16.86	16.36	16.81	X	X	16.86
Callum Daniels	[Sharks] 17.03	X	17.13	16.4	X	X	17.13
Aaron Browne [Magic]	16.23	16.24	17.20	16.41	X	16.81	17.20
Fletcher Welling [Comets]	16.66	X	X	16.46	X	16.75	16.75
Mark Manning [Lions]	16.33	17.12	16.46	16.92	X	16.38	17.12
Ryan Dunne-Fenn	[Hawks] 16.87	16.36	16.45	X	16.32	X	16.87

Central Magic took gold in the men's triple jump as Aaron Browne hop, skipped and jumped into first place with a fantastic effort of 17.20 metres. This saw him land just 4 centre-metres ahead of Hawks' Curtis Silk who took silver and following up into third for the bronze was the Northern Sharks' Callum Daniels who managed 17.13 metres.

Women's triple jump - Final

Name	Jump 1	Jump 2	Jump 3	Jump 4	Jump 5	Jump 6	Distance
Toni Simpson [Comets]	14.61	12.84	X	13.96	13.51	X	14.61
Demi Burns-Burrows [Hawks]	13.13	14.66	11.94	X	13.87	14.80	14.80
Isobel Quinne [Lions]	14.66	13.99	14.54	14.33	X	14.37	14.66
Chloe Campbell	[Magic] 14.77	14.55	14.7	X	14.77	14.14	14.77
Jorja Jones [Stars]	13.91	13.78	11.56	DNA			13.91
Elouise Bell [Sharks]	X	14.34	13.74	X	X	X	14.34
Tamara Willock	[Lions] 13.8	14.75	X	X	12.06	14.59	14.75
Sarah Butcher [Sharks]	X	14.28	14.33	14.39	X	X	14.39
Shannon Keane [Comets]	13.32	14.35	X	X	X	14.59	14.59
Megan Rafferty [Stars]	14.10	X	X	DNA			14.1

Demi Burns-Burrows continued her strong form from the heats (where she had finished 2nd best in her half of the qualifying round) as she pulled out all the stops on her last jump to edge three cm ahead of the Magic's Chloe Campbell. Burns-Burrows took gold with her final effort reaching 14.80m meaning Campbell had to satisfied with silver. Fort Hope's Tamara Willock was in turn shunted down a spot meaning her best of 14.75m was only good enough for the bronze medal 3rd place

Men's 3000m Steeplechase - Final

Name	Time
Dominic Kasuza [Comets]	8:19:09
Chester Taylor [Magic]	8:28:45
Oscar Golding [Sharks]	8:20:15
Hasan Raza [Magic]	9:04:33
Brad Dexter	[Stars] 8:19:08
Shane O'Toole [Sharks]	8:19:73
Morgan Gateshead [Stars]	8:27:25
Jake Murray [Lions]	8:21:21

Western Stars Brad Dexter just dipped out past the Comets' Dominic Kasuza in a true photo finish to snatch gold by just a hundredth of a second while Shane O'Toole came in close to take bronze for the Northern Sharks.

Women's 3000m Steeplechase - Final

Name	Time
Sharon Lawrence-Parker	[Sharks] 9:54:66
Ava Broarley [Comets]	DNF
Elise Del Ponte [Stars]	9:23:62
Keeley Childs [Comets]	9:50:65
Zoey Hopkinson [Hawks]	9:28:95
Roberta Blakely [Stars]	9:12:36
Lu Porter [Magic]	9:33:28
Billie Sexton [Lions]	9:33:68

Western Stars threw a 1-2 punch in the women's steeplechase as Roberta Blakely massively improved on her heats' performance to smash the field and take gold with a blistering run, finishing more than 11 seconds ahead of her team-mate Elise Del Ponte. Zoey Hopkinson was lefting clutching for Del Ponte's coattails as she trailed in for the bronze.


Men's Javelin - Final

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
John Calloway [Comets]	78.49	x	80.50	80.64	79.31	X	80.64
Dave Fielding [Sharks]	80.65	81.08	x	80.03	77.14	74.25	81.08
Nicholas Macleod [Magic]	77.12	X	X	DNA			77.12
Josiah Mcclain [Stars]	77.45	X	77.23	81.43	74.34	75.40	81.43
Robert Sampson [Lions]	78.31	80.83	X	78.09	X	77.09	80.83
Alfie Church [Comets]	78.54	82.29	78.30	77.69	83.31	X	83.31
Franklin Conway [Sharks]	75.95	X	74.75	DNA			75.95
Ewan Shields	[Lions] 79.88	82.96	80.53	X	74.22	76.78	82.96
Calum Gregory [Magic]	X	80.45	X	X	81.43	79.97	81.43
Frankie Holden [Hawks]	79.74	83.27	79.09	73.61	X	77.8	83.27

Alfie Church had a mammoth performance in the Javelin finals to win the gold with his best effort of 83.31m, beating out Frankie Holden of the Southern Hawks by merely 4 centimeters. Fort Hope Lions took bronze with Ewan Shields' throw of 82.96m.

Women's Javelin - Final

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
Lorena-Rose Connolly [Stars]	X	64.32	57.82	50.89	57.63	57.41	64.32
Isabel Bentley [Comets]	57.89	54.57	56.69	54.09	57.30	54.46	57.89
Lisa Gentry [Sharks]	X	X	X	DNA			X
Loni Schneider [Lions]	57.40	57.44	56.71	X	56.41	68.04	68.04
Fleur Boyer [Hawks]	X	X	58.59	X	55.25	54.41	58.59
Naomi Gardener [Magic]	53.49	43.60	60.38	x	54.53	57.11	60.43
Kelly Macleod [Stars]	X	62.04	53.83	54.66	61.83	53.27	62.04
Ivy-Marie Hutchinson [Sharks]	52.54	X	57.53	58.05	X	57.09	58.05
Tayla Torres [Comets]	56.11	57.59	54.53	64.22	X	54.45	64.22
Megan-Anne Preston [Lions]	56.19	56.42	50.86	DNA			56.42

Loni Schneider had been thoroughly middle of the pack until it came down to her final throw where she summoned up a near super-human throw of 68.04m to blow the entire event on it's head. Her rocket powered effort flew a clear 3.72m past Rose Gently's best of 64.32m, which proved good enough for just a silver medal. Schneider shattered all sorts of records with her truly historic medal-clincher. Tayla Torres of the Comets took bronze with her throw of 64.22m

Men's 200m - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Jacob Pietersen [Magic]	20.23	Q
Toby Whitfellow [Sharks]	20.35	Q
Brian Hughes [Comets]	20.41	Q
Justin Newry [Hawks]	20.56	
Andy Goode [Stars]	20.62	
Kyle St Croix [Lions]	20.62	
Rodney Olukunle [Magic]	20.67	
Ollie Millar [Comets]	20.69

Heat 2 

Name	Time	
Mitchell Burnett [Comets]	20.35	Q
Rick Feslie [Hawks]	20.39	Q
Breyers Young [Magic]	20.43	Q
Ben Clarkson [Sharks]	20.44	
Dwight Browne [Lions]	20.45	
Scott Carter [Hawks]	20.53	
Jeremiah Hillaire [Lions]	20.60	
Charlie Woodrush [Stars]	20.64

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Blair Wishbach [Comets]	20.18	Q
Matt Sickle [Sharks]	20.31	Q
Johnnie Lynn [Hawks]	20.45	
Dan Cowie [Stars]	20.51	
Lucas Wilks [Lions]	20.53	
Katene Bangura	[Sharks] 20.56	
Darrion Keyes [Magic]	20.62	
Dalarne Hunt [Stars]	20.69

Comets Blair Wishbach demolished the rest of the field to set a blistering national qualifying record of 20.18s. Franchise teammates Brian Hughes and Mitchell Burnett also made the finals.

Women's 200m - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Grace Wong [Sharks]	22.63	Q
Tonya Golightly [Stars]	22.694	Q
Annie Stirling [Lions]	22.699	Q
Naomi Ricketts [Hawks]	22.72	
Holly Carr [Magic]	22.75	
Kate Simpson [Comets]	22.81	
Sarita Balu [Lions]	22.91	
Mikeisha Bruce [Hawks]	23.14

Heat 2		
Name	Time	
Emily Bradshaw	[Stars] 22.57	Q
Moira Onuna [Lions]	22.71	Q
Jade Law [Magic]	22.77	
Alexandra Penn	[Hawks] 22.87	
Lillian Gibbs [Comets]	22.87	
Becca Wallace [Magic]	22.91	
Kirstie Huxton [Sharks]	22.94	
Sophie Hayes [Comets]	23.07

Heat 3		
Name	Time	
Georgina Webster [Comets]	22.66	Q
Deirdre Gilmour [Magic]	22.692	Q
Shauna Hogan [Sharks]	22.696	Q
Wendy Ling [stars]	22.87	
Leia Sherman [Stars]	22.97	
Victoria Mooney	[Lions] 22.98	
Amii Buck [Sharks]	22.98	
Sinead Rawls [Hawks]	23.00

Heat 1 and Heat 3 qualifying was settled by truly paper-thin separation to secure two finalist positions each for the Lions and the Stars, with Emily Bradshaw setting the tempo ahead of the final with a best of 22.57s.

Men's 400m - Heats

Heat 1		
Name	Time	
Ben Lyman [Magic]	44.95	Q
Andy Foxcroft [Comets]	45.01	Q
Tim Rushe [Magic]	45.16	-
Marcus Enekwechi [Hawks]	45.27	-
Nick Gillian [Comets]	45.35	-
Martin Taylor [Sharks]	45.58	-
Riley Blignaut [Lions]	45.71	-
Deiwea Olonga [Stars]	45.72	-

Heat 2		
Name	Time	Q?
Brad Chapman	44.93	Q
Colin Fletcher	44.97	Q
Ismail Higgans	45.15	Q
Joseph Schmulian	45.16	-
Larvette Nyumbo	45.19	-
Anton Duffy	45.28	-
Sikander Raja	45.42	-
Glenn Cooper	45.56	-

Heat 3		
Name	Time	
Alan Moyes 	44.99	Q
Paul Herringdon	45.01	Q
Tino Makoni	45.05	Q
Kevin Brookes	45.20	-
Patrick Lennon	45.35	-
Grant Morris	45.36	-
Francois Le Clerk	45.39	-
Clifton Hodges	45.82	-

It was razor in thin qualification and proverbial blanket could have been thrown over the times which secured places in the final. Fort Hope Lions will be particular disappointed as they failed to secure a finals position for any of their four athletes.

Women's 400m - Heats

Heat 1		
Name	Time	
Candace Nelson [Lions]	51.26	Q
Lauren Clarke [Magic]	51.77	Q
Rochelle Vega [Magic]	52.13	Q
Sara Guerrero [Sharks]	52.23	
Susie Holloway [Hawks]	52.28	
Alicia Hernandez [Stars]	52.50	
Rebecca Stone [Comets]	52.88	
Beverly Mardonado [Comets]	53.31

Heat 2		
Name	Time	
Jodi Johnson	[Sharks] 51.94	Q
Tiffany Lewis [Lions]	52.11	Q
Judi Nash [Magic]	52.12	Q
Erika Stewart [Lions]	52.28	
Eloise Mathis	[Comets] 52.55	
Christina Adkins	[Hawks] 52.87	
Daisy McCoy [Hawks]	53.14	
Lynda Newman [Stars]	53.50

Heat 3		
Name	Time	
Kim Sparks [Hawks]	51.27	Q
Audrey French	[Sharks] 51.43	Q
Rosalie Padilla [Lions]	51.94	
Vicky Allen [Sharks]	52.00	
Roberta Hoffman [Magic]	52.46	
Anita Mcguire [Stars]	52.91	
Angel Ferguson [Comets]	53.68	
Jo Burns [Stars]	54.32

One of the most lopsided events of the tournament so far as both the Comets and the Stars fail to secure even one finalist position. Lions' Candace Nelson sets the pace ahead of the final with her time of 51.26, just 0.01 of a second quicker than Southern Hawks' Kim Sparks in Heat 3.

400m Men's Hurdles - Finals

Name	Time	
Devin Jones [Sharks]	48.41	
Liam Nurse [Hawks]	50.18	
Marcus Enekwechi [Stars]	48.52	
Ben Elwich [Comets]	48.46	
Tymel Hughes [Stars]	49.85	
Freddy Quayle [Sharks]	48.56	
Kevin Brookes [Magic]	48.57	
Mason Barnes [Lions]	49.05

A dominant display by Northern Sharks Devin Jones saw him lock in the gold medal, Ben Elwich following in close behind to take the silver and Marcus Enekwechi rolling home in third for the bronze medal.

Women's 400m Hurdles - Final

Name	Time
Catherine Bullock [Magic]	54.48
Hanna Baker [Hawks]	54.79
Natalie Laker [Hawks]	57.15
Bianca Weissenberg [Stars]	54.91
Marta Ropier [Sharks]	55.39
Calli Harte [Hawks]	54.04
Elosie Simmonds [Comets]	54.40
Claudia Wilkins [Lions]	54.85

Calli Harte smoked the field to waltz home for gold while Simmonds took silver home for the Comets and Catherine Bullock won bronze for her Magic franchise.

Men's Hammer - Finals

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
Tony Mclaughlin [Hawks] 	X	X	75.79	DNA			75.79
Vytali Shevchenko [Magic] 	X	76.58	X	76.91	X	X	76.91
Chris Tyson-Morgan [Stars]	75.88	78.98	76.66	X	78.33	X	78.98
Richard Briars	[Comets] 79.17	74.24	X	73.02	76.32	X	79.17
Arnold Glass [Lions]	75.82	77.36	76.34	77.01	X	X	77.36
Brett Michaels	[Lions] 76.46	X	X	X	79.93	X	79.93
Harrison Golsberger [Comets]	75.8	79.27	75.61	76.31	X	77.56	79.27
Donald Skelton [Magic] 77.57	X	78.56	77.36	76.59	X	78.56
Marcel Freebourn [Sharks]	76.71	77.66	79.41	78.61	75.82	x	79.41
Ryan Sullivan [Hawks]	73.87	X	75.93	DNA			75.93

Brett Michaels continued his fine form for the Fort Hope Lions, tossing the hammer a breath-taking 79.93m to win gold. Michaels' final legal attempt was enough to easily surpass the Sharks' Marcel Freebourn and Comets' Harrison Golsberg.

Women's Hammer - Final

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
Brianna Fitzgibbons [Stars]	X	70.50	69.55	71.54	69.10	X	71.54
Hannah Theriault [Comets]	66.27	X	X	DNA			66.27
Ingrid Hamilton [Lions]	69.45	66.81	70.35	DNA			70.35
Rachel Baker [Magic]	X	72.77	X	68.7	49.80	X	72.77
Louise Bates-Mungridge [Hawks]	70.70	70.29	69.16	71.52	54.90	69.06	71.52
Gabriella Arnovski	[Comets] 70.81	67.70	68.78	X	X	X	70.81
Daisy Bingham [Hawks]	X	70.77	67.74	X	68.36	X	70.77
Lieke van der Vaart [Sharks]	70.72	X	68.84	68.00	70.64	70.17	70.72
Eugenie Olsen [Stars]	71.15	X	62.03	70.25	61.17	70.73	71.15
Ivana Rodic [Magic]	70.13	70.62	70.61	71.28	X	69.35	71.28

Rachel Baker exploded from a rather middling qualification performance to win the gold despite a suspected shoulder injury which hampered her later attempts. Her best of 72.77m was good enough to lock in gold for the Magic more than a metre clear of Brianna Fitzgibbons of the Western Stars. Fitzgibbons looked a completely different proposition from her qualification outing as she roared to the silver medal placing. Southern Hawks' Louise Bates-Mungridge was forced to make do with the bronze medal as she came 2cm short of Fitzgibbons.

Men's 800m - Finals

Name	Time
Luke Willis [Lions]	1:44:86
Felix Casey	[Magic] 1:44:94
Nathaniel Edwards-Brix [Magic]	1:45:23
Hugo Davidson [Lions]	1:46:31
Grant McCormick [Hawks]	1:46:40
Terrence Pierce	[Sharks] 1:46:56
Darrel Lawson [Hawks]	1:47:26
George White [Stars]	1:47:32

Luke Willis took the race by a head for the Fort Hope Lions to win gold, while Magic duo Casey and Edwards-Brix thundered through comfortably to give their franchise a Silver-Bronze combination.

Women's 800m - Finals

Name	Time
Sandra Jackson-Petterly [Magic]	1:58:10
Betty Long	[Magic] 1:57:75
Karen Murphy [Hawks]	1:58:21
Debra Williams [Sharks]	1:56:75
Anna Watson [Lions]	1:58:90
Martha Sanchez	[Sharks]1:57:62
Joyce Brooks [Lions]	1:57:99
Melissa Nanyondo [Stars]	DNR

Heartbreak for Nanyondo as she had to withdraw from the final with a muscle injury, meaning the Western Stars had no representation in this final. Northern Sharks celebrated a gold-silver double act through the efforts of Debra Williams and Martha Sanchez. Magic's Betty Long was just pipped into third.

Men's 10000m - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Graeme Reed [Sharks]	DNF	-
Micky Greene [Comets]	28:09:45	Q
Adrian Blood [Hawks]	27:41:49	Q
Henry Jaiks [Comets] 	DNF	-
Lewis David [Stars]	28:45:03	-
Abraham Wilmsborough [Magic]	29:19:41	-
Jack Pollock [Magic]	28:21:94	-
Grant Grey [Lions	28:12:94	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Qais Khan	[Hawks] DNF	-
Ion Zelezny [Stars]	27:56:43	Q
Sam Nicholls-Gilchrist [Sharks]	28:12:46	-
Tom Evans [Magic]	28:34:99	-
Mark Hales [Hawks]	28:07:57	Q
Ikram Ullah	[Lions] 28:00:75	Q
Justin Donaldson [Comets]	28:01:81	Q
Clarke Funchess [Lions]	28:46:55	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Pete O'Brien [Sharks]	28:17:07	-
Ollie Wells [Comets]	28:22:78	-
Zubair Ahmad	[Stars] 28:04:75	Q
Paul Martin [Lions]	28:52:33	-
Ian Prestwidge [Sharks]	28:19:09	-
Dillon Lyons [Magic]	28:07:83	Q
Ross Doggett [Stars]	28:10:16	-
Brendan Michaels [Hawks]	DNF	-

Unfortunate scenes in Heat 1 as Reed and Jaiks collided and tripped each other up, causing both athletes to withdraw from the race prematurely. Reed's Northern Sharks franchise were unable to progress even one of their athletes into the final. The Southern Hawks also suffered poor fortune as two of their runners had to withdrew through muscle injuries, although their two remaining reps were able to qualify out of the heats.

Women's 10000m - Heats

Heat 1

Name	Time	
Danii Sutherland [Magic]	30:53:27	Q
Lizzie Weir [Comets]	31:37:34	Q
Samantha Clark [Hawks]	31:58:34	Q
Amy Logan-Williams [Sharks]	32:21:09	-
Becci Smith [Stars]	32:29:38	-
Gemma Fleeting [Magic]	32:57:21	-
Leanne Stewart [Comets]	32:59:30	-
Clare Thomas [Lions]	DNF	-

Heat 2

Name	Time	
Carly Houghton [Lions]	31:23:44	Q
Ella Jennings [Lions]	31:39:73	Q
Sophia Charles [Stars]	31:53:71	Q
Kirsty Davison [Hawks]	32:19:96	-
Martina Larini	[Comets] 32:34:43	-
Angela Lenzini [Magic]	32:49:35	-
Lisa Blunt [Hawks]	33:01:23	-
Melody James	[Sharks] 33:13:19	-

Heat 3

Name	Time	
Lucy Moore [Stars]	32:31:58	-
Emily Evans [Lions]	33:14:09	-
Gabriella Ramsay [Hawks]	32:04:12	Q
Eboni George [Comets]	DNF	-
Lauren Blackbridge [Magic]	DNF	-
Demi Wainwright [Sharks]	32:03:01	Q
Jess Baxter	[Stars] 32:41:43	-
Millie Stokes [Sharks]	33:17:24	-

Driving rain during Heat 3 unfortunately caused injuries which put paid to the hopes of Comets' Eboni George and the Magic's Lauren Blackbridge. Fort Hope Lions got both of their runners through in Heat 2.

[Drehda]

NATIONAL ATHLETICS GRAND PRIX - DAY THREE RESULTS

Men's 1500m - Finals

Name	Time
Mossadek Rahman [Magic]	3:36:68
Kevin Taylor-Ervine [Sharks]	3:39:95
Mark Groves [Sharks]	3:41:54
Hristo Katzarski [Lions]	3:39:20
Tim Dustel [Sharks]	3:40:74
Daniel Hartley [Magic]	3:41:49
Lee Oster [Sharks]	3:49:69
Julian Advani [Lions]	3:43:06

Despite the Northern Sharks dominating the qualification round and having four finalists, they could only secure a bronze medal as Kevin Taylor-Ervine trailed in behind the Lions' Hristo Katzarski in second and the Magic's gold medal winning Mossadek Rahman.

Women's 1500m - Final

Name	Time
Mary-Anne Nkomo [Hawks]	4:06:48
Kate Stovell [Magic]	4:07:13
Kyesha Collins-Woodgate [Sharks]	4:03:94
Maggie Finn [Stars]	4:04:38
Rashada Cooper [Sharks]	4:06:34
Jenny Greaves [Hawks]	4:05:20
Hazell White [Lions]	4:05:87
Chloe Hunt [Magic]	4:05:17

A better showing for the Sharks' in the Women's event as Kyesha Collins-Woodgate, who posted the third best time in qualifications, stepped it up a gear to comfortably take gold ahead of the Stars' Maggie Finn with Chloe Hunt taking bronze for the Magic.

Men's Shot - Finals

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
Booker Griswold [Stars]	20.15	20.40	20.18	X	20.46	X	20.46
Alexander Pitts [Magic]	20.40	X	X	20.39	20.57	20.12	20.57
Michael Denham [Comets]	20.47	X	19.98	2013	X	20.73	20.73
Rickie Navarro [Hawks]	19.50	20.53	X	X	19.76	20.44	20.53
Demarcus Worrell [Hawks]	20.18	X	X	X	20.56	20.44	20.56
Steven Turner [Lions] 	X	20.42	X	20.40	20.50	20.47	20.50
Bruce Cook [Comets]	X	20.09	X	20.09	DNA		
Sean Rodriguez	[Stars] X	20.11	20.22	X	X	X	20.22
Joshua Bell [Magic]	X	20.09	20.78	X	20.43	20.43	20.78

Joshua Bell won his qualification heat in 1st place for the Magic and continued this form by going on to launch a 20.78m throw and take the gold medal. Michael Denham actually posted the best score overall in the qualifiers but had to settle for silver, relying on a a huge effort on his forth throw to post 20.73m. The Magic also took bronze as Alexander Pitts proved the best of the rest, sneaking into the podium position by a solitary centimetre with his throw of 20.57m.

Women's Shot - Final

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
Estelle Beckermann [Magic]	18.29	17.68	18.25	18.24	18.29	18.15	18.29
Jasmine Hines	[Comets] X	X	17.88	17.88	DNA		
Erin McDonald-Refferano [Lions]	X	18.2	18.41	18.61	X	18.19	18.61
Ann Howell [Stars]	X	X	18.61	18.27	18.32	X	18.61
Christina Holland [Hawks]	18.27	X	X	18.03	X	19.00	19.00
Maggie Lennard [Lions]	18.68	X	18.29	X	18.46	18.09	18.68
Poppy Woods [Sharks]	X	18.26	X	X	17.92	18.22	18.26
Bethany Rose [Stars]	X	18.82	X	18.93	18.44	X	18.93
Sarah Nicholls	[Magic] X	X	18.23	18.81	17.97	X	18.81
Emily Molle [Comets]	18.00	17.93	17.91	18.00	DNA

A fantastic moment on Southern Hawks' Christina Holland as she stepped up for her last throw and heaved a mammoth shot of 19.00m, becoming the first ever Drehdan woman to do so. Bethany Rose from the Western Stars secured 2nd place with her throw of 18.93m and Sarah Nicholls picked up another bronze for the Magic.

Men's 10000m - Finals

Name	Time
Adrian Blood	[Hawks] 28:53:27
Micky Greene	[Comets] 28:42:76
Ion Zelezny [Stars]	28:24:10
Ikram Ullah [Lions]	28:35:55
Zubair Ahmad [Stars]	27:57:78
Dillon Lyons [Magic]	28:29:74
Justin Donaldson [Comets]	27:36:96
Mark Hales [Hawks]	28:07:91

Justin Donaldson scorched the competition with a phenomenal time of 27:36:96 to take home the gold for his Comets. Western Stars Zubair Ahmad was the only other runner able to break the sub-28 minute mark as he took silver and Mark Hales took bronze for the Hawks.

Women's 10000m - Finals

Name	Time
Danii Sutherland [Magic]	33:05:81
Lizzie Weir [Comets]	32:33:67
Carly Houghton [Lions]	31:21:37
Ella Jennings	[Lions] 32:06:64
Gabriella Ramsay [Hawks]	31:39:42
Demi Wainwright [Sharks]	32:15:06
Samantha Clark	[Hawks] 31:38:41
Sophia Charles [Stars] 32:32:70

Carly Houghton stepped up to deliver a personal best and another gold for the Fort Hope Lions, however there was a remarkable collapse in form from the Magic's Danii Sutherland. Sutherland set a national record in qualifying by becoming the first Drehdan woman to set a sub-31 minute time, but finished way at the back of the pack in the finals. Southern Hawks took home a silver-bronze duo as Samantha Clark battled it out to take silver ahead of teammate Gabriella Ramsay.

Men's Discuss - Finals

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
Devante Foster	[Stars] 62.63	61.24	64.49	63.2	64.22	X	64.49
Jerome Roberts	[Comets] 64.43	63.07	63.27	X	62.75	63.12	64.43
Howard Cole [Sharks]	62.98	62.54	63.41	X	60.69	64.17	64.17
Ron Carpenter [Hawks]	61.57	61.41	62.88	64.16	63.05	X	64.16
Larry Butcher [Magic]	64.07	61.78	61.32	60.00	62.13	61.11	64.07
Ben Reed [Lions]	63.64	61.81	60.43	X	62.22	X	63.64
Billy Clarence- Matthews [Magic]	62.60	63.59	60.88	61.34	61.62	63.49	63.59
Lee Scotia [Stars]	63.96	61.56	63.30	X	61.84	63.30	63.96
Bo Rette [Comets]	X	61.47	X	DNA			61.47
Devon Helritte [Hawks]	X	60.26	59.81	DNA			60.26

Devante Foster improved on his unremarkable qualifying performance to take gold home for his Western Stars while Jerome Roberts was just six centimeters short and had to make do with silver. Howard Cole took bronze for the Sharks.

Women's Discuss - Finals

Name	Throw 1	Throw 2	Throw 3	Throw 4	Throw 5	Throw 6	Distance
Sophie Craig [Magic]	58.32	62.30	58.96	X	57.39	56.91	62.30
Justine Rainbow [Magic]	61.38	57.11	59.44	59.49	56.22	62.16	62.16
Sharron Mendes [Stars]	59.95	59.60	61.78	X	60.50	60.19	61.78
Katherine Meadows [Comets]	60.23	59.40	60.68	57.38	60.50	60.17	60.68
Annabelle Pickton [Lions]	X	X	59.70	59.88	X	60.68	60.68
Georgina Wiles	[Sharks] 59.63	X	60.00	60.55	60.66	58.53	60.66
Marie Laurent [Lions]	59.70	58.78	58.62	X	60.00	59.30	60.00
Lauren Broom [Stars]	X	59.29	56.95	X	59.95	X	59.95
Natalie Head [Hawks]	58.60	X	57.35	DNA			58.60
Lucy Fisher [Comets]	X	57.32	58.46	DNA			58.46

Central Magic took a brilliant gold-silver combo in the women's discuss, Sophie Craig coming first place while Justine Rainbow edged herself into the silver medal position with her final throw. Sharron Mendes takes bronze for the Western Stars.

Men's Decathlon - Final Standings

Simon Warner		Craig Bastien		Cameron Paynter		Harrison Strong		Kai Reynolds		Hans-Christian Mirek		Adam Steele		Robin Carter	
100m	11.45	761	11.69	711	11.10	836	11:46	761	11.50	753	11.29	797	11.23	810	10.91	878
Long Jump	6.91	795	7.06	830	6.90	792	7.31	891	7.07	833	6.77	762	7.01	816	7.17	854
Shot Put	13.47	697	13.87	721	13.34	688	14.72	773	14.46	757	14.04	731	13.55	701	14.10	734
High Jump	1.93	740	1.84	661	1.90	714	1.90	714	1.87	687	1.84	661	1.87	687	1.90	714
400m	50.58	788	50.08	810	49.73	827	51.57	744	50.67	784	50.85	775	51.83	732	51.75	736
110m Hurdles	15.89	745	14.79	874	15.58	781	14.83	869	15.25	818	15.21	823	15.49	791	15.01	848
Discus Throw	43.69	740	44.26	752	43.67	740	43.95	745	44.15	749	42.60	718	43.33	733	42.92	724
Pole Vault	4.90	880	4.60	790	4.70	819	4.60	790	4.60	790	4.40	731	4.50	760	4.70	819
Javelin Throw	58.12	710	56.48	685	62.13	770	59.76	734	60.70	749	60.15	740	52.59	627	59.75	734
1500m	5.00.77	555	4.45.30	647	4.40.92	674	4.54.04	595	4.46.35	641	4.48.58	627	5.01.30	552	4.36.30	704
Total	7411		7481		7641		7616		7561		7365		7209		7745

A dominant all-round performance by the Comets' Robin Carter as he finished top three in seven of the competition's events on his way to the gold. Lions' Cameron Paynter put in a strong showing down the second half of the event to hold on to his silver medal by just 25 overall points. Harrison Strong took bronze for the Western Stars.

Women's Heptathlon - Final Standings

Marina Berger		Susanne Adamkova		Sian Foster		Poppy O'Sullivan		Rhiannon Middleton		Kayleigh Rowe-Green		Josie Williams		Gemma Thompson-Hughes	
100m Hurdles	14.63	891	14.52	905	13.95	984	14.61	892	14.03	974	13.74	1015	14.39	924	13.88	994
High Jump	1.71	867	1.65	795	1.71	867	1.62	759	1.71	867	1.68	830	1.71	867	1.68	830
Shot Put	13.34	750	11.63	637	11.98	660	13.42	755	12.76	711	12.44	690	12.53	697	13.36	751
200m	24.95	891	35.05	882	25.95	802	25.73	821	25.34	855	24.98	889	24.81	904	25.11	877
Long Jump	5.87	813	6.09	877	6.11	887	5.86	810	5.83	801	X	0	5.80	789	6.04	865
Javelin Throw	42.13	708	43.66	738	36.12	593	39.32	654	42.44	714	38.84	645	42.08	707	43.73	739
800m	2.15.83	881	2.16.84	867	2.21.80	799	DNF	0	2.17.39	859	2.14.26	903	2.21.82	799	2.15.09	891
Total	4920		4834		4793		4691		4922		4069		4888		5056

Gemma Thompson-Hughes locked in the gold for her Western Stars, finishing top 2 in five of the seven events and only missing out on top 3 in one event. The Magic's Rhiannon Middleton finished up a 134 overall points short and had to settle for silver medal. Marina Berger came up 2 points short of Middleton to take a bronze medal home for the Sharks.

Men's 5000m - Finals

Name	Time
Malcolm Woodward [Sharks]	13:25:55
Hilbert Wiegand [Magic]	13:55:34
Ryan Sommerby [Lions]	13:15:97
Rodolphe Renaud [Sharks]	13:21:28
Wesley Ramsdale [Magic]	13:32:70
Dan Davis	[Stars] 13:27:88
Russell Robson [Lions]	13:32:52
Andrew Judge [Stars]	13:29:04

Fort Hope's Ryan Sommerby continued his dominance in the 5k as he burned past the field to take the gold by almost six clear seconds. Northern Sharks brought up the best of the rest as they secured both silver and bronze, going to Rodolphe Renaud and Malcolm Woodward respectively.

Women's 5000 - Final

Name	Time	Record
Purnima Brahmbhatt	[Lions] 15:57:26	-
Bethany Luff [Comets]	17:12:47	-
Evelyn Obukur [Magic]	15:15:58	DR
Poppy Bailey	[Stars] 16:43:56	-
Molly Docherty [Hawks]	15:41:96	-
Summer Godleman	[Sharks] 15:45:62	-
Alyssa Toney-Fraizer [Hawks]	15:45:94	-
Tilly Dalton [Comets]	16:17:98	-

A collectively disappointing final as only one competitor was able to improve on her qualification time, but that was Evelyn Obukur who set a new national record to take gold for the Magic. Molly Docherty took the silver for the Hawks and Summer Godleman came in third place for the Sharks.

Name	Time
Jodi Johnson [Sharks]	50.11
Candace Nelson [Lions]	50.57
Tiffany Lewis [Lions]	50.61
Judi Nash [Magic]	50.92
Audrey French [Sharks]	50.93
Lauren Clarke [Magic]	50.98
Kim Sparks [Hawks]	51.11
Rochelle Vega [Magic]	51.35

Northern Sharks Jodi Johnson ran an electric race and almost became the first woman to break the sub-50 second mark as she took gold. Fort Hope Lions took silver-bronze duo in front of a home crowd with Candace Nelson and Tiffany Lewis.

Men's 400m Hurdles - Finals

Name	Time
Devin Jones [Sharks]	48.41
Liam Nurse [Hawks]	50.18
Marcus Enekwechi [Stars]	48.52
Ben Elwich [Comets]	48.46
Tymel Hughes [Stars]	49.85
Freddy Quayle [Sharks]	48.56
Kevin Brookes [Magic]	48.57
Mason Barnes	[Lions] 49.05

Comets' Ben Elwich produced another good run but he was pushed into the silver slot by Devin Jones of the Northern Sharks, who set a new national record with his time of 48.41. Stars took bronze through the efforts of Marcus Enekwechi.

Women's 400m Hurdles - Finals

Catherine Bullock [Magic]	54.48
Hanna Baker [Hawks]	54.79
Natalie Laker [Hawks]	57.15
Bianca Weissenberg	[Stars] 54.91
Marta Ropier	[Sharks] 55.39
Calli Harte [Hawks]	54.04
Elosie Simmonds [Comets]	54.40
Claudia Wilkins	[Lions] 54.85

Calli Harte took gold for the Southern Hawks, almost breaking the 54 second barrier in the process. Comets' Elosie Simmonds beat out the Magic's Catherine Bullock in a photo-finish to decide silver / bronze winners.

Men's 100m Hurdles

Kenny Sams [Hawks]	13:31
Richard Holzer	[Sharks] 13:70
Phil Mayers [Hawks]	13:64
Will Parks [Comets]	13:70
Paul Wilson [Lions]	13:53
Dennis Cox [Stars]	13:66
James Ross [Comets]	13:44
Matthew East [Comets]	13:52

Kenny Sames secured a gold for the Southern Hawks as he set a new national record, Comets' runners James Ross and Matthew East took silver and bronze.

Women's 100m Hurdles

Laura Barattin [Hawks]	DNF
Jade Gallagher [Lions]	12.82
Taylor Fitzpatrick [Sharks]	12.66
Alana Banks [Lions]	13:04
Elisa Rivers [Sharks]	12:95
Brittany Holloway [Comets]	12:86
Michelle Kerley	[Sharks]12.83
Ella Flynn [Magic]	13:00

Northern Sharks get gold and bronze through Taylor Fitzpatrick and Michelle Kerley while the capital franchise get a silver with Jade Gallagher's run of 12.82.

Men's 200m - Final

Name	Time	
Blair Wishbach [Comets]	20.06	
Matt Sickle [Sharks]	20.20	
Rick Feslie [Hawks]	20.24	
Brian Hughes [Comets]	20.34	
Breyers Young [Magic]	20.36	
Jacob Pietersen	[Magic] 20.49	
Toby Whitfellow [Sharks]	20.57	
Mitchell Burnett [Comets]	20.64

Blair Wishbach continued his 200m dominance as he burned through to take gold for his Comets, Sharks grab another silver with Matt Sickle and Rick Feslie brings home a bronze for the Southern Hawks.

Women's 200m - Finals

Name	Time
Tonya Golightly [Stars]	22.17
Deirdre Gilmour [Magic]	22.19
Shauna Hogan [Sharks]	22.27
Georgina Webster [Comets]	22.45
Annie Stirling [Lions]	22.53
Grace Wong [Sharks]	22.56
Moira Onuna [Lions]	22.56
Emily Bradshaw [Stars]	22.59

Golightly went quickly to take the gold medal for the Western Stars, Gilmour grabs another silver for the Magic and Northern Sharks get bronze with Shauna Hogan.

Men's 100m - Finals

Name	Time
Geoff Metzer [Stars]	9.92
Rodney Olukunle [Magic]	9.94
Dwight Browne [Lions]	9.95
Dalarne Hunt	[Stars] 9.96
Luke Morgan [Hawks]	9.99
Mitchell Burnett [Comets]	10.02
Shai Willock [Comets]	10.02
Derek Piketh [Stars]	10.03

The crowning, showpiece event of the games sees the Western Stars Geoff Metzer take gold, almost running a sub-9.9 time in the process. Magic's Olukunle hot on his heels for silver and Browne gets a bronze for the Lions.

Women's 100m - Finals

Name	Time
Mikayla Christoforou	[Sharks]11.11
Louise Cliffe [Lions]	11.121
Henrietta Dixon [Sharks]	11.126
Sophie Hayes [Comets]	11.19
Leia Sherman	[Stars]11.19
Naomi Ricketts [Hawks]	11.19
Holly Carr	[Magic]11.21
Leah Kirklee [Hawks]	DQ

Controversy in the final race of the games as Southern Hawks Leah Kirklee had a double false start and was fouled out. Mikayla Christoforou takes gold for the Northern Sharks, Cliffe takes silver for the Lions forcing Henrietta Dixon and the Sharks to settle for Bronze.

Mens - Final Medal Table

G	S	B	Total
Stars	5	2	2	9
Comets	4	5	3	12
Lions	4	3	2	9
Magic	3	4	4	11
Sharks	2	3	6	11
Hawks	2	3	3	8

Western Stars take the overall team championships from the men's events thanks to a incredible five total golds. Northern Sharks take 11 medals overall but shockingly finish fifth as they could only come up with two champions medals.

Womens - Final Medal Table

G	S	B	Total
Sharks	6	4	5	15
Magic	5	4	5	14
Stars	3	5	2	10
Hawks	3	2	4	9
Lions	2	4	2	8
Comets	1	1	2	4

Northern Sharks utterly dominated the Women's events as they managed to take six golds, a full 10% of all available champions medals. Sharks also topped out the over-all medal haul with 15 medals across all female events.

[Drehda]

Fight Night 3

Last night saw the third iteration of the Professional Boxing Council of Drehda's Fight Night Promotion, returning to the Municipal Indoor Arena in the nation's capital city, Fort Hope. As always, all men's bouts were fought over a maximum of ten rounds, each round lasting 3 minutes. All women's bouts were fought over a maximum of eight rounds, each round lasting 3 minutes.

Men's Results

Featherweight (56+kg) - Aziz Lakmal defeated DeMarco Walsh by 4th round K.O.
Flyweight (52+kg) - Cesar Lopez defeated David Page by 8th round K.O
Light Welterweight (64+kg) - Alfredo Mendoza defeated Michael Lee by unanimous decision
Middleweight (75+kg) - Tom Fitzgerald vs Pedro Sanchez resulted in a split decision draw. Fitzgerald remains PBCoD Middleweight champion.
Heavyweight - Bruno Higgins defeated Alan Patterson by 2nd round K.O
Lightweight (60+kg) TJ Lewis defeated Marcel Ambrose by 6th K.O. Lewis crowned PBCoD Lightweight champion.

Women's Results

Middleweight (75+kg) - Katie Black defeated Jennifer Cook by 5th T.K.O. Black crowned PCBoD Middleweight Champion
Flyweight (50+kg) - Georgina Shields defeated Cecilia Martinez by 8th K.O
Lightweight (60+kg) - Nicola Brady defeated Suzie Gunn by majority decision. Brady remains PCBoD Lightweight Champion.

The stand around results in the Men's order of business were in the Heavy, Middle and Lightweight divisions. Tom Fitzgerald defended his Middleweight title for the first time by reuniting with Pedro Sanchez for a second go-round of their battle in Fight Night 1, with Sanchez putting in a much much better showing this time around. The challenger roared into the fight, snatching the early rounds before he dropped Fitzgerald with a savage right hook in in the 3rd. Fitzgerald answered the count and survived to get back to his corner, but came out showing that the message had clearly got through to him that he needed to move things up a gear. The middle rounds were a cagier affairs as Fitzgerald boxed intelligently to ease himself back into proceedings and prevent Sanchez from capitalising on his early momentum. The champion then moved into the ascendancy as he utilised his height and reach to pick off Sanchez, waiting for Sanchez to plunge forward before snapping off a jab and skipping away back out of range. Fitzgerald scored a knock down of his own in the 8th round driving Sanchez into the corner with a rapid combination before a withering left hand to the body putting the challenger to his knees. Both boxers put on a clinic for the last two rounds as they both threw flurries of punches, both landing nicely but each fighter able to remain on his feet. It was universally seen as an extremely close fight but the crowd remained surprised when the judges announced they were unable to come down in favor of a winner. Sanchez appeared particularly unhappy as he felt he had done enough to take the contest, but in the cold light of day he will be able to remain proud of his improved showing. A third fight between these two will have to be on the cards in the near future.

There was an exciting professional debut in the Heavyweight class, with highly touted ex-forces champion Bruno Higgins stepping up to the big leagues fresh off his commanding display at the Armed Forces Grand Prix. Much as been made about Higgins potential as a genuine challenger to Jurgen Dierick, the current title holder who has demolished all before him so far. Higgins did not disappoint anyone as he demonstrated smart footwork and elite punching power to put away his opponent Alan Patterson inside four rounds. Patterson has been soundly dispatched by both the top heavyweights in recent competition and will need to go back to the drawing board if he is hold hopes of ever emerging as a real contender in his own right. The expertly executed debut victory from Higgins has only poured fuel on the raging media chatter calling for a showdown between the former marine and Dierick. Neither fighter has directly addressed the idea in public remarks, but expect this to be the primary topic of conversation in all their respective upcoming media appearances.

The lightweight divison was the Men's main event of the night as recent Emerald Cup winner and #1 contender TJ Lewis cashed in his contractually obligated title shot to take out incumbent Marcel Ambrose. Lewis had shown a full range of skills to emerge as winner of the recent tournament and this was another example of him setting the standard in the division. Ambrose was off the back of a resurgent win in his last outing but looked thoroughly out-matched in his against Lewis. Ambrose again came out with his trademark measured and wary style of boxing but proved unable to cope with the dynamism and energy of left hander Lewis, who put his opponent away in the 6th with a fantastic straight right which had been finding it's mark all night.

On the women's side of events, Suzie Gunn put on a spirited showing in her Lightweight title fight but didn't do enough to repeat the magic of her Jade Shield final victory. The judges gave champion Nicola Brady the nod although she was unable to secure a knock down. Gunn's show of grit, along with her status as Jade Shield champion is likely to be enough to her a rematch in the future.

In the women's middleweight class, Katie Black and champion Jennifer Cook got reacquainted in a fight which proved to be a thoroughly one-sided avenging of their first match up. Black was all over Cook from the first bell and the referee was forced to intervene when yet another unanswered combination of punches made it's way past Cook's defenses to do significant damage.

Building off the recent roaring success of the Emerald Cup & Jade Shield in the men's and women's lightweight divisions, Professional Boxing Council of Drehda President Ellis Barnes has today confirmed that things will move up a gear to the Middleweight division, the heaviest class that is currently supported for both genders. Keeping the natural world theme of the naming conventions for the trophies, the men will compete for the Oak Cup and the women's division will battle out for the Mahogany Shield. As with the lightweight competitions, the winners of these tournaments will earn #1 contender status against the current champions, Tom Fitzgerald and Katie Black.

Men

Pedro Sanchez
Elliott Robinson
Christopher Cassidy
Malcolm Taylor-Roberts
Nicholas Palmer
Jake Kirkpatrick
Johnathon Lookman
Roger Dobell
Terrell Brewer
Ashley Ness-Bambridge
Omar Weston
Darren Coppinger
Bart van Michiger
Patrick Keeley
Jordan Barker
Angelo Ravizzoli

Women

Katie Gallagher
Rose Lindelauf
Kendra Webb
Victoria Wickliffe
Farah Rowlands
Amy Gessutte
Brianna Holtkamp
Francesca Hamilton
Piper Ellison
Ella Gerrard
Stacey Yorke
Annie Franklin
Mikaela Cordoba
Chantelle Prior
Lisa Whitehead
Erika Steele

[Drehda]

Drehda Basketball - Season 1 Round-up

The first seasons of Men's & Women's basketball has concluded, marking the first completed season under the Elite Performance Model for any team sport.

Men's Results

Game 1				
	Sharks	90:88	Comets
	Lions	79:53	Stars
	Magic	81:72	Hawks
				
Game 2				
	Comets	59:79	Hawks
	Stars	        75:67	Magic
	Sharks	85:83	Lions
				
Game 3				
	Lions	75:79	Comets
	Magic	78:60	Sharks
	Hawks	71:72	Stars
				
Game 4				
	Comets	77:79	Stars
	Sharks	69:71	Hawks
	Lions	81:73	Magic
				
Game 5				
	Magic	99:78	Comets
	Hawks	75:82	Lions
	Stars 	83:71	Sharks
				
Game 6				
	Comets	92:52	Sharks
	Stars	        78:90	Lions
	Hawks	68:72	Magic
				
Game 7				
	Hawks	86:94	Comets
	Magic	77:94	Stars
	Lions	96:71	Sharks
				
Game 8				
	Comets	71:98	Lions
	Sharks	79:95	Magic
	Stars 	91:79	Hawks
				
Game 9				
	Stars	        74:84	Comets
	Hawks	67:83	Sharks
	Magic	58:70	Lions
				
Game 10				
	Comets	59:64	Magic
	Lions	88:93	Hawks
	Sharks	77:85	Stars

Game 11				
	Magic	74:82	Sharks
	Stars	        74:83	Comets
	Lions	73:79	Hawks
				
Game 12				
	Sharks	64:66	Hawks
	Comets	65:94	Lions
	Magic	76:51	Stars
				
Game 13				
	Stars	        65:74	Sharks
	Lions	80:72	Magic
	Hawks	89:93	Comets
				
Game 14				
	Sharks	53:86	Comets
	Magic	72:73	Hawks
	Stars	        85:64	Lions
				
Game 15				
	Lions	82:68	Sharks
	Hawks	62:77	Stars
	Comets	66:78	Magic
				
Game 16				
	Sharks	76:73	Magic
	Comets	75:95	Stars
	Hawks	79:75	Lions
				
Game 17				
	Hawks	94:81	Sharks
	Lions	90:68	Comets
	Stars 	71:73	Magic
				
Game 18				
	Sharks	72:80	Stars
	Magic	72:77	Lions
	Comets	73:79	Hawks
				
Game 19				
	Comets	95:84	Sharks
	Hawks	91:84	Magic
	Lions	84:72	Stars
				
Game 20				
	Sharks	73:51	Lions
	Stars	        71:78	Hawks
	Magic	84:96	Comets

Men's Final Standings

Ranking	Team	P	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Lions	20	13	7	1612	1396	216	39
2	Hawks	20	11	9	1551	1554	-3	33
3	Stars 	20	10	10	1525	1513	12	30
4	Magic	20	9	11	1522	1499	23	27
5	Comets	20	9	11	1581	1616	-35	27
6	Sharks	20	8	12	1464	1604	-140	24

Women's Results

Game 1				
	Lions	67:80	Magic
	Comets	81:73	Sharks
	Hawks	82:101	Stars
				
Game 2				
	Magic	72:95	Stars
	Sharks	78:89	Hawks
	Lions	75:84	Comets
				
Game 3				
	Comets	94:76	Magic
	Hawks	74:81	Lions
	Stars 	75:61	Sharks
				
Game 4				
	Magic	88:69	Sharks
	Lions	89:83	Stars
	Comets	75:79	Hawks
				
Game 5				
	Hawks	63:86	Magic
	Stars 	81:66	Comets
	Sharks	84:66	Lions
				
Game 6				
	Magic	69:79	Lions
	Sharks	83:67	Comets
	Stars 	72:84	Hawks
				
Game 7				
	Stars	        73:84	Magic
	Hawks	78:70	Sharks
	Comets	98:84	Lions
				
Game 8				
	Magic	74:98	Comets
	Lions	84:72	Hawks
	Sharks	66:64	Stars
				
Game 9				
	Sharks	61:95	Magic
	Stars	        77:90	Lions
	Hawks	67:70	Comets
				
Game 10				
	Magic	71:72	Hawks
	Comets	90:91	Stars
	Lions	87:57	Sharks

Game 11				
	Lions	73:80	Magic
	Comets	70:77	Sharks
	Hawks	85:73	Stars
				
Game 12				
	Magic	66:75	Stars
	Sharks	76:67	Hawks
	Lions	80:63	Comets
				
Game 13				
	Comets	81:84	Magic
	Hawks	88:61	Lions
	Stars 	86:76	Sharks
				
Game 14				
	Magic	61:67	Sharks
	Lions	79:102	Stars
	Comets	80:68	Hawks
				
Game 15				
	Hawks	80:64	Magic
	Stars	        86:85	Comets
	Sharks	98:78	Lions
				
Game 16				
	Magic	85:79	Lions
	Sharks	80:77	Comets
	Stars	        82:88	Hawks
				
Game 17				
	Stars 	60:67	Magic
	Hawks	83:62	Sharks
	Comets	83:91	Lions
				
Game 18				
	Magic	68:92	Comets
	Lions	69:79	Hawks
	Sharks	62:77	Stars
				
Game 19				
	Sharks	97:79	Magic
	Stars 	59:83	Lions
	Hawks	114:78	Comets
				
Game 20				
	Magic	83:78	Hawks
	Comets	82:81	Stars
	Lions	75:62	Sharks

Women's Final Standings

Ranking	Team	P	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Hawks	20	12	8	1590	1516	74	36
2	Stars 	20	10	10	1593	1557	36	30
3	Lions	20	10	10	1570	1577	-7	30
4	Magic	20	10	10	1532	1553	-21	30
5	Comets	20	9	11	1614	1612	2	27
6	Sharks	20	9	11	1459	1543	-84	27

[Drehda]

Drehda Field Hockey - Season 1 Round-up

The Elite Performance Model has continued it's expansion across Drehdan professional sport with the conclusion of the Men's & Women's Field Hockey campaign.

Men's Results

Week 1				
	Sharks	3	0	Stars
	Lions	3	1	Hawks
	Comets	1	2	Magic
				
Week 2				
	Stars	0	1	Magic
	Hawks	1	2	Comets
	Sharks	2	1	Lions
				
Week 3				
	Lions	2	0	Stars
	Comets	2	3	Sharks
	Magic	1	3	Hawks
				
Week 4				
	Stars	2	0	Hawks
	Sharks	2	1	Magic
	Lions	3	3	Comets
				
Week 5				
	Comets	2	3	Stars
	Magic	1	3	Lions
	Hawks	1	1	Sharks

Week 6				
	Stars	2	2	Sharks
	Hawks	2	4	Lions
	Magic	2	1	Comets
				
Week 7				
	Magic	0	1	Stars
	Comets	3	1	Hawks
	Lions	4	2	Sharks
				
Week 8				
	Stars	2	4	Lions
	Sharks	2	0	Comets
	Hawks	4	1	Magic
				
Week 9				
	Hawks	2	1	Stars
	Magic	1	2	Sharks
	Comets	2	4	Lions
				
Week 10				
	Stars	1	4	Comets
	Lions	2	1	Magic
	Sharks	2	2	Hawks

Men's Final Standings

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Lions	10	8	1	1	30	16	14	25
2	Sharks	10	6	3	1	21	14	7	21
3	Hawks	10	3	2	5	17	20	-3	11
4	Comets	10	3	1	6	20	22	-2	10
5	Stars	10	3	1	6	12	20	-8	10
6	Magic	10	3	0	7	11	19	-8	9

Women's Results

Week 1				
	Sharks	2	2	Magic
	Lions	1	3	Comets
	Stars	3	1	Hawks
				
Week 2				
	Magic	3	2	Hawks
	Comets	0	4	Stars
	Sharks	2	4	Lions
				
Week 3				
	Lions	0	1	Magic
	Stars	0	1	Sharks
	Hawks	0	1	Comets
				
Week 4				
	Magic	0	2	Comets
	Sharks	3	0	Hawks
	Lions	5	1	Stars
				
Week 5				
	Stars	3	1	Magic
	Hawks	2	4	Lions
	Comets	2	1	Sharks

Week 6				
	Magic	3	2	Sharks
	Comets	1	1	Lions
	Hawks	1	1	Stars
				
Week 7				
	Hawks	1	3	Magic
	Stars	3	1	Comets
	Lions	1	0	Sharks
				
Week 8				
	Magic	1	3	Lions
	Sharks	2	1	Stars
	Comets	2	3	Hawks
				
Week 9				
	Comets	2	3	Magic
	Hawks	1	2	Sharks
	Stars	2	1	Lions
				
Week 10				
	Magic	0	1	Stars
	Lions	0	1	Hawks
	Sharks	2	0	Comets

Women's Final Standings

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Stars	10	6	1	3	19	13	6	19
2	Lions	10	5	1	4	20	14	6	16
3	Sharks	10	5	1	4	17	14	3	16
4	Magic	10	5	1	4	17	18	-1	16
5	Comets	10	4	1	5	14	18	-4	13
6	Hawks	10	2	1	7	12	22	-10	7

[Drehda]

Drehda Rugby League - Season 1 Round-up

The first seasons of Men's & Women's Rugby League has concluded under the Elite Performance Model for any team sport.

Rugby Football League Board of Drehda utilities a scoring method where teams get 4 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. A single bonus point can be gained for either winning individual matches by 8 points or more, or losing by 7 points or fewer. In the below summary of results, winning bonus points will be denoted with an asterisk and losing bonus points will be denoted by a double asterisk.

Men's Results

Week 1				
	Sharks	30*	8	Lions
	Comets	28*	6	Hawks
	Magic	34*	15	Stars
				
Week 2				
	Lions	24**	27	Stars
	Hawks	19*	9	Magic
	Sharks	34*	15	Comets
				
Week 3				
	Comets	26*	12	Lions
	Magic	30*	10	Sharks
	Stars	21**	22	Hawks
				
Week 4				
	Lions	26*	15	Hawks
	Sharks	20*	10	Stars
	Comets	23	17**	Magic
				
Week 5				
	Magic	3	31*	Lions
	Stars	26*	10	Comets
	Hawks	19**	21	Sharks

Week 6				
	Lions	25*	17	Sharks
	Hawks	26	24**	Comets
	Stars	8	34*	Magic
				
Week 7				
	Stars	25	22**	Lions
	Magic	22*	6	Hawks
	Comets	6	32*	Sharks
				
Week 8				
	Lions	17	34*	Comets
	Sharks	20**	25	Magic
	Hawks	36*	10	Stars
				
Week 9				
	Hawks	27*	9	Lions
	Stars	18**	24	Sharks
	Magic	17	29*	Comets
				
Week 10				
	Lions	29*	17	Magic
	Comets	29*	19	Stars
	Sharks	21**	28	Hawks

Men's Final Standings

Position	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Result Pts	WB	LB	Total Points
1	Sharks	10	6	0	4	229	184	45	24	4	2	30
2	Comets	10	6	0	4	224	206	18	24	5	1	30
3	Hawks	10	6	0	4	204	191	13	24	3	1	28
4	Magic	10	5	0	5	208	190	18	20	4	1	25
5	Lions	10	4	0	6	203	221	-18	16	4	2	22
6	Stars	10	3	0	7	179	255	-76	12	1	1	14

Northern Sharks win due to overall superior points differential

Women's Results

Week 1				
	Magic	41*	17	Stars
	Comets	13	29*	Hawks
	Lions	16**	20	Sharks
				
Week 2				
	Stars	35*	16	Sharks
	Hawks	24	21**	Lions
	Magic	23**	29	Comets
				
Week 3				
	Comets	8	36*	Stars
	Lions	16**	20	Magic
	Sharks	24	24	Hawks
				
Week 4				
	Stars	29*	15	Hawks
	Magic	12	28*	Sharks
	Comets	27	23**	Lions
				
Week 5				
	Lions	19**	22	Stars
	Sharks	8	26*	Comets
	Hawks	29*	9	Magic

Week 6				
	Stars	34*	14	Magic
	Hawks	20	28*	Comets
	Sharks	20**	22	Lions
				
Week 7				
	Sharks	24	20**	Stars
	Lions	29*	13	Hawks
	Comets	35*	21	Magic
				
Week 8				
	Stars	37*	10	Comets
	Magic	20*	12	Lions
	Hawks	17**	21	Sharks
				
Week 9				
	Hawks	21*	13	Stars
	Sharks	24*	14	Magic
	Lions	34*	16	Comets
				
Week 10				
	Stars	30*	14	Lions
	Comets	25**	31	Sharks
	Magic	12	24*	Hawks

Women's Final Standings

Position	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Result Pts	WB	LB	Total Points
1	Stars	10	7	0	3	273	182	91	28	6	1	35
2	Sharks	10	6	1	3	216	211	5	24	2	1	27
3	Hawks	10	5	1	4	216	199	17	20	4	1	25
4	Comets	10	5	0	5	217	262	-45	20	3	1	24
5	Lions	10	3	0	7	206	212	-6	12	2	5	19
6	Magic	10	3	0	7	186	248	-62	12	2	1	15

[Drehda]

FAD Cup Format Announced

As the most popular sport in the country, the realignment of Drehdan professional football after the introduction of the National Premier League (composed of the six central Elite Performance Model franchises) as been one of the most controversial and hotly debated developments in the nation's recent cultural landscape.

At the heart of the this argument lies the beloved national cup competition - often referred to as the Football Association of Drehda Cup or FAD Cup. It's a good old fashioned knock out competition where every team enters with a chance to claim silverware regardless of their divisional ranking. The establishment of a supposedly "elite" premier franchise division with no promotion or relegation is seen as a direct full-frontal assault on the wholesome, simple, traditional format of Drehdan domestic football.

Fans of the "old school" clubs largely seem to have simmered down and decided to make do with their remaining league structure, taking pride in the histories of their teams and the trophies they compete for. The FAD Cup, however has created a new battlefield - How can the National Cup retain it's previous status and stature if the "best" clubs don't compete? At the same time, if the "best" clubs do compete will this just strangle away opportunities for "legacy" clubs to taste glory on a national stage?

To try and balance both sides of this argument and keep everyone happy (a famously straightforward task!), FAD President Alexander McBridge has confirmed the new format of the competition will be as follows:

The 32 clubs from the National Third & Forth Divisions will be drawn off against each other through three "prelim" rounds until four clubs are remaining. These four teams will be joined by the 12 Second Division clubs for a further two qualification rounds.

The four clubs that make it through the qualification rounds will then be joined in the First Round "proper" by the ten members of the national First Division and the top two franchises from the Premier Division (which will have concluded by this stage of the season). From here these sixteen teams will pair off until a single champion is crowned.

Provided that the winner of the FAD Cup is not that season's Premier Division champions, a National Super Cup will be held between the two victorious teams.

All rounds take a direct knock out format with drawn matches being resolved through 30 minutes of extra time and, if necessary, penalties.

[Drehda]

Drehda Lacrosse - Season 1 Round-up

Men's Results

MD1				
	Lions	10	16	Magic
	Hawks	16	14	Comets
	Stars	11	10	Sharks
				
MD2				
	Magic	11	5	Sharks
	Comets	10	10	Stars
	Lions	9	10	Hawks
				
MD3				
	Hawks	17	8	Magic
	Stars	9	9	Lions
	Sharks	18	15	Comets
				
MD4				
	Magic	13	9	Comets
	Lions	13	10	Sharks
	Hawks	9	14	Stars
				
MD5				
	Stars	14	23	Magic
	Sharks	13	7	Hawks
	Comets	8	13	Lions

MD6				
	Magic	14	13	Lions
	Comets	9	8	Hawks
	Sharks	14	10	Stars
				
MD7				
	Sharks	9	13	Magic
	Stars	5	13	Comets
	Hawks	9	18	Lions
				
MD8				
	Magic	8	13	Hawks
	Lions	10	5	Stars
	Comets	12	9	Sharks
				
MD9				
	Comets	4	9	Magic
	Sharks	9	5	Lions
	Stars	13	7	Hawks
				
MD10				
	Magic	14	14	Stars
	Hawks	15	16	Sharks
	Lions	13	11	Comets

Final Standings

Ranking Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Magic 10 7 1 2 129 108 21 22
2 Lions 10 5 1 4 113 101 12 16
3 Sharks 10 5 0 5 113 112 1 15
4 Hawks 10 4 0 6 111 122 -11 12
5 Stars 10 3 3 4 105 119 -14 12
6 Comets 10 3 1 6 105 114 -9 10

Women's Results

MD1				
	Sharks	10	7	Stars
	Hawks	22	19	Magic
	Lions	16	10	Comets
				
MD2				
	Stars	12	6	Comets
	Magic	17	11	Lions
	Sharks	9	12	Hawks
				
MD3				
	Hawks	10	7	Stars
	Lions	11	9	Sharks
	Comets	9	17	Magic
				
MD4				
	Stars	9	18	Magic
	Sharks	14	11	Comets
	Hawks	21	9	Lions
				
MD5				
	Lions	15	12	Stars
	Comets	21	7	Hawks
	Magic	9	9	Sharks

MD6				
	Stars	17	9	Sharks
	Magic	4	15	Hawks
	Comets	9	10	Lions
				
MD7				
	Comets			Stars
	Lions			Magic
	Hawks			Sharks
				
MD8				
	Stars			Hawks
	Sharks			Lions
	Magic			Comets
				
MD9				
	Magic	10	12	Stars
	Comets	19	10	Sharks
	Lions	6	17	Hawks
				
MD10				
	Stars	13	9	Lions
	Hawks	12	18	Comets
	Sharks	9	9	Magic

Final Standings

Ranking Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Hawks 10 8 0 2 142 111 31 24
2 Stars 10 5 0 5 108 108 0 15
3 Lions 10 5 0 5 103 127 -24 15
4 Magic 10 4 2 4 126 125 1 14
5 Comets 10 4 0 6 136 121 15 12
6 Sharks 10 2 2 6 97 120 -23 8

[Drehda]

Drehda 3 Day Shield - Season 1 Round-up

Position Team Played Won Draws Losses Points
1 National Defence Board XI 14 8 2 4 130
2 Combined Services XI 14 7 3 4 120
3 Cadderick 14 7 2 5 115
4 Metlock 14 6 3 5 105
5 Hennerton 14 5 4 5 95
6 Wilhelmsbrook 14 4 4 6 80
7 Drehda U19s 14 3 3 8 60
8 Hollenwaard 14 0 2 12 10

OOC: No results because I became deeply unsatisfied with the scorinators and ended up simming a league via google bard. More research required.

[Drehda]

Drehda Cricket - Season 2 - Summer Preview

The debate and controversy around the introduction of the Elite Performance Model franchises has largely run out of steam and begun an inevitable reality as we sit on the cusp of the start of Season 2, with the curtain about to raised across the three primary Summer sports in Drehda.

Although a modestly sized nation, Drehdans are extremely passionate about their sport with the calendar year divided up in two broad halves - Cricket, Field Hockey and Field Lacrosse make up the main Spring / Summer Games with Rugby Union, Association Football and Basketball the most keenly followed sports through the cooler Autumn / Winter months.

The EMP sees the introduction of a no fewer than five tournaments across Men's and Women's senior cricket:

Akram Cup (Men's 4 Day First Class competition - named after current & inaugural National Cricket Board Chair Ravi Akram)
Lavender Cup (Men's 50 Over One Day Competition)
Baptisia Cup (Women's 50 Over One Day Competition)
National T20 RAMPAGE (Men's T20)
National T20 RAMPAGE (Women's T20)

Season 1 famously brought great pride to the nation's public services as the National Defence Board XI (made up of serving Drehdan military personnel) and the Combined Services XI (a side drawn the country's blue light emergency service staff) took home the Three Day Shield and National T20 Cup respectively. The NDBXI earnt themselves an invitation to play alongside the six franchise sides in Season 2's T20 RAMPAGE competition along with the Drehdan U19 team, who compete in domestic tournaments in an effort to boost their development.

In the Field Hockey, the Fort Hope Lions took home the title in the Men's competition and the Western Stars claimed the silverware in the Women's. Central Magic can boast being crowned the first ever King's of Men's Field Lacrosse and the Southern Hawks soared high to take the Women's trophy. Across all sports in Season 1, the Eastern Comets were the only side not to claim a national trophy in either Men's or Women's competition, so they will be looking to put that right and get themselves on the Honour's Board for Season 2.

[Drehda]

Middleweight Tournament Match Ups Confirmed

After the rousing success of the recent Men's Emerald Cup & Women's Jade Shield for the Lightweight division, the draw has been completed to arrange for the first stage of the Oak Cup & Mahogany Shield for the Middleweights.

Oak Cup (Men's)

Omar Weston vs Pedro Sanchez

Jake Kirkpatrick vs Christopher Cassidy

Darren Coppinger vs Bart van Michiger

Johnathon Lookman vs Nicholas Palmer

Roger Dobell vs Angelo Ravizzoli

Malcolm Taylor-Roberts vs Elliott Robinson

Jordan Barker vs Ashley Ness-Bambridge

Terrell Brewer vs Patrick Keeley

Mahogany Shield (Women's)

Farah Rowlands vs Chantelle Prior

Lisa Whitehead vs Mikaela Cordoba

Erika Steele vs Victoria Wickliffe

Ella Gerrard vs Annie Franklin

Kendra Webb vs Stacey Yorke

Amy Gessutte vs Piper Ellison

Rose Lindelauf vs Francesca Hamilton

Katie Gallagher vs Brianna Holtkamp

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - Summer Games Catch Up

With Summer here, the weather heating up and the nation's favourite sporting scenes well underway, it's time for a round up across the current standings and latest happenings in the Field Hockey, Field Lacrosse and Cricket campaigns.

Field Hockey (Men's)

Week 1
Hawks 1:2 Lions
Sharks 2:3 Stars
Comets 1:1 Magic

Week 2
Lions 1:0 Magic
Stars 2:2 Comets
Hawks 1:4 Sharks

Week 3
Sharks 4:6 Lions
Comets 4:4 Hawks
Magic 3:3 Stars

Week 4
Lions 5:0 Stars
Hawks 0:2 Magic
Sharks 1:1 Comets

Week 5
Comets 2:1 Lions
Magic 1:4 Sharks
Stars 0:2 Hawks

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Lions 5 4 0 1 15 7 +8 12
2 Sharks 5 2 1 2 15 12 +3 7
3 Comets 5 1 4 0 10 9 +1 7
4 Magic 5 1 2 2 7 9 −2 5
5 Stars 5 1 2 2 8 14 −6 5
6 Hawks 5 1 1 3 8 12 −4 4

The Fort Hope Lions have set off at a pace in their pursuit to retain their Men's Hockey championship, winning their first four games on the spin including a comprehensive demolishing of the Western Stars. Northern Sharks and Eastern Comets represent the best hope of reeling the Lions in, but with half the season gone they will need to be at their best to over turn a five point deficit and significant goal differential.

Field Hockey (Women's)

Week 1
Comets 2:2 Hawks
Sharks 1:2 Stars
Magic 1:0 Lions

Week 2
Hawks 0:0 Lions
Stars 2:1 Magic
Comets 0:1 Sharks

Week 3
Sharks 1:0 Hawks
Magic 0:2 Comets
Lions 2:1 Stars

Week 4
Hawks 1:1 Stars
Comets 2:4 Lions
Sharks 1:1 Magic

Week 5
Magic 0:0 Hawks
Lions 1:1 Sharks
Stars 1:1 Comets

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Lions 5 2 2 1 7 5 +2 8
2 Stars 5 2 2 1 7 6 +1 8
3 Sharks 5 2 2 1 5 5 0 8 
4 Comets 5 1 2 2 7 8 +1 5
5 Comets 5 1 2 2 3 5 -2 5
6 Hawks 5 0 4 1 3 4 -1 4

It's shaping up to be a season of double glory for the Fort Hope Lions as they sit top of both the Men's & Women's leagues. It's a much closer race in the Women's division however as the Lions only lead the pack on goal differential and only 4 points ahead of bottom of the table Southern Hawks. It's all to play for down the second half of the season.

Field Lacrosse (Men's)

MD1
Comets 12:16 Stars
Hawks 15:13 Sharks
Lions 7:14 Magic

MD2
Stars 14:9 Magic
Sharks 8:26 Lions
Comets 7:14 Hawks

MD3
Hawks 9:15 Stars
Lions 13:17 Comets
Magic 14:11 Sharks

MD4
Stars 5:4 Sharks
Comets 5:1 Magic
Hawks 18:15 Lions

MD5
Lions 7:9 Stars
Magic 18:9 Hawks
Sharks 9:4 Comets

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Stars 5 5 0 0 59 41 +18 15
2 Magic 5 3 0 2 56 46 +10 9
3 Hawks 5 3 0 2 65 68 −3 9
4 Lions 5 2 0 3 68 56 +12 6
5 Comets 5 1 0 4 35 53 −18 3
6 Sharks 5 1 0 4 45 64 −19 3

The Western Stars have set off in perfect form winning all five of their games so far at the half way point, although they had to sneak through their MD4 & MD5 fixtures by narrow margins. The Magic and The Hawks are doing their best to keep up with the leaders but are both sitting six points short with only five games to play.

Field Lacrosse (Women's)

MD1
Hawks 9:10 Comets
Magic 13:9 Stars
Sharks 4:18 Lions

MD2
Comets 9:6 Lions
Stars 5:16 Sharks
Hawks 9:9 Magic

MD3
Magic 14:5 Comets
Sharks 5:7 Hawks
Lions 15:9 Stars

MD4
Comets 18:9 Stars
Hawks 12:13 Lions
Magic 12:8 Sharks

MD5
Sharks 9:13 Comets
Lions 12:11 Magic
Stars 14:14 Hawks

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Lions 5 4 0 1 64 45 +19 12
2 Comets 5 4 0 1 55 47 +8 12
3 Magic 5 3 1 1 59 43 +16 10
4 Hawks 5 1 1 3 41 51 −10 4
5 Sharks 5 1 0 4 42 55 −13 3
6 Stars 5 1 0 4 46 66 −20 3

Once again it is razor-thin at the top of the table in the Women's tournament. Fort Hope Lions' electric offence has seem to take the top spot thanks to superior goal differential but the Eastern Comets sit level on points and 3rd placed Central Magic are an equally powerful attacking force giving them dreams of snatching the title come the end of the season. Western Stars and Norther Sharks both need to find some form to get their seasons up an running, languishing at the bottom of the table on just 3 points a piece.

Cricket (National T20 RAMPAGE - Men's T20)

MD1
Hawks 137/3 (20 overs) - 138/6 (19.5 overs) Stars
Stars win by 4 wickets

CSXI 138a.o (19.5 overs) - 140/6 (18.4 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 4 wickets

Comets 120/5 (20 overs) - 108/3 (20 overs) Magic
Comets win by 12 runs

Drehda U19s 186/5 (20 overs) - 111/7 (20 overs) Lions
Drehda U19s won by 75 runs

MD2
Stars 132/7 (20 overs) - 133/6 (19.5 overs) Lions
Lions win by 4 wickets

Magic 145/5 (18.4 overs) - 143/5 (20 overs) Drehda U19s
Magic win by 5 wickets

Sharks 136/7 (20 overs) - 134/6 (20 overs) Comets
Sharks win by 3 wickets

Hawks 174/8 (20 overs) - 158/5 (20 overs) CSXI
Hawks win by 16 runs

MD3
CSXI 142/5 (19.4 overs) - 140/6 (20 overs) Stars
CSXI win by 5 wickets

Comets 140/5 (20 overs) - 158/6 (20 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 18 runs

Drehda U19s 139/8 (20 overs) - 142/3 (19.5 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 7 wickets

Lions 148/7 (20 overs) - 139/7 (20 overs) Magic
Lions win by 9 runs

MD4
Stars 148/7 (20 overs) - 136/9 (20 overs) Magic
Stars win by 12 runs

Sharks 163/3 (20 overs) - 134/8 (20 overs) Lions
Sharks win by 29 runs

Hawks 145/6 (20 overs) - 164/5 (20 overs) Drehda U19s
Drehda U19s win by 19 runs

CSXI 138/5 (20 overs) - 146/9 (20 overs) Comets
Comets win by 8 runs

MD5
Comets 161/7 (20 overs) - 143/4 (20 overs) Stars
Comets win by 18 runs

Drehda U19s 154/2 (20 overs) - 110a.o (16.1 overs) CSXI
Drehda U19s win by 44 runs

Lions 117a.o (15.1 overs) - 119/2 (15.3 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 8 wickets

Magic 156/4 (20 overs) - 131/6 (20 overs) Sharks
Magic win by 25 runs

MD6
Stars 140/6 (20 overs) - 160/8 (20 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 20 runs

Hawks 150/7 (20 overs) - 130/7 (20 overs) Magic
Hawks win by 20 runs

CSXI 136/7 (20 overs) - 152/2 (20 overs) Lions
Lions win by 16 runs

Comets 139/2 (14.5 overs) - 137/6 (20 overs) Drehda U19s
Comets win by 8 wickets

MD7
Drehda U19s 98a.o (19.3 overs) - 141/2 (20 overs) Stars
Stars win by 43 runs

Lions 149/3 (18.3 overs) - 145/6 (20 overs) Comets
Lions win by 7 wickets

Magic 159/8 (20 overs) - 116/2 (20 overs) CSXI
Magic win by 43 runs

Sharks 148/3 (20 overs) - 139/6 (20 overs) Hawks
Sharks win by 9 runs

MD8
Stars 190/5 (20 overs) - 115/5 (20 overs) Hawks
Stars win by 75 runs

Sharks 130a.o (19.4 overs) - 135a.o (16.4 overs) CSXI
CSXI win by 5 runs

Magic 170/4 (18.1 overs) - 167/7 (20 overs) Comets
Magic win by 6 wickets

Lions 123/4 (17.2 overs) - 120a.o (17.5 overs) Drehda U19s
Lions win by 6 wickets

MD9
Lions 91a.o (18 overs) - 95/6 (12.3 overs) Stars
Stars win by 4 wickets

Drehda U19s 142/5 (20 overs) - 140/7 (20 overs) Magic
Drehda U19s win by 5 wickets

Comets 172/5 (20 overs) - 158/7 (20 overs) Sharks
Comets win by 14 runs

CSXI 140/2 (20 overs) - 132/7 (20 overs) Hawks
CSXI win by 8 runs

MD10
Stars 174/3 (20 overs) - 175/7 (18.3 overs) CSXI
CSXI win by 3 wickets

Hawks 93/2 (20 overs) - 107a.o (15.4 overs) Comets
Comets win by 14 runs

Sharks 137/7 (19.5 overs) - 136/5 (20 overs) Drehda U19s
Sharks win by 3 wickets

Magic 122a.o (18.2 overs) - 165/7 (20 overs) Lions
Lions win by 43 runs

MD11
Magic 138/6 (16 overs) - 134a.o (16.3 overs) Stars
Magic win by 4 wickets

Lions 157/8 (19.4 overs) - 154/3 (20 overs) Sharks
Lions win by 2 wickets

Drehda U19s 93a.o (13.1 overs) - 94/2 (13.2 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 8 wickets

Comets 134/7 (20 overs) - 163/5 (20 overs) CSXI
CSXI win by 29 runs

MD12
Stars 117/7 (20 overs) - 95/8 (20 overs) Comets
Stars win by 22 runs

CSXI 146/7 (20 overs) - 149/7 (19 overs) Drehda U19s
Drehda U19s win by 3 wickets

Hawks 145/9 (20 overs) - 164/7 (20 overs) Lions
Lions win by 19 runs

Sharks 128/6 (20 overs) - 155/5 (20 overs) Magic
Magic win by 27 runs

MD13
Sharks 142/8 (20 overs) - 155a.o (18.3 overs) Stars
Stars win by 13 runs

Magic 175/5 (20 overs) - 118/5 (20 overs) Hawks
Magic win by 57 runs

Lions 99a.o (17 overs) - 131/7 (20 overs) CSXI
CSXI win by 32 runs

Drehda U19s 159/2 (20 overs) - 151/2 (20 overs) Comets
Drehda U19s win by 8 runs

MD14
Stars 148/5 (20 overs) - 146/7 (20 overs) Drehda U19s
Stars win by 5 wickets

Comets 148/6 (18.2 overs) - 144/7 (20 overs) Lions
Comets win by 4 wickets

CSXI 107/5 (20 overs) - 135/7 (20 overs) Magic
Magic win by 28 runs

Hawks 136/8 (20 overs) - 105a.o (15.2 overs) Sharks
Hawks win by 31 runs

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	NRR	Points
1	Stars	14	8	6	0	0.536	32
2	Magic	14	8	6	0	0.513	32
3	Lions	14	8	6	0	-0.412	32
4	Comets	14	7	7	0	0.04	28
5	Sharks	14	7	7	0	-0.152	28
6	Drehda U19s	14	6	8	0	-0.08	24
7	Hawks	14	6	8	0	-0.136	24
8	Combined Services XI	14	6	8	0	-0.311	24

It was a thrilling and tightly contested qualifying group stage in the Men's Rampage season, with the Central Magic, Fort Hope Lions & Western Stars all finishing on 32 points and being separated by Net Run Rate. The Stars secured a direct route to the final thanks to the best NRR, while the Lions were able to overcome a collapse in form over the last two rounds of fixtures to sneak into the preliminary final to face off vs the Magic. Unfortunately, Combined Services XI came bottom of the group which will provide more ammunition for the debate between EPM franchises and traditional sports clubs but they did not disgrace themselves, picking up six wins over the campaign.

Cricket - National T20 RAMPAGE (Women's T20)

MD1
Comets 125/3 (11.2 overs) - 123/2 (20 overs) Stars
Comets win by 7 wickets

Hawks 191/8 (20 overs) - 107/6 (20 overs) Sharks
Hawks win by 84 runs

Lions 127a.o (17.2 overs) - 129/5 (14.4 overs) Magic
Magic win by 5 wickets

MD2
Stars 160/6 (20 overs) - 164/5 (20 overs) Magic
Magic win by 5 wickets

Sharks 168/5 (17.3 overs) - 167/7 (20 overs) Lions
Sharks win by 5 wickets

Comets 200/6 (20 overs) - 168/2 (20 overs) Hawks
Comets win by 32 runs

MD3
Hawks 158/8 (18.5 overs) - 156/6 (20 overs) Stars
Hawks win by 2 wickets

Lions 137a.o (17 overs) - 161/8 (20 overs) Comets
Comets win by 24 runs

Magic 156/4 (20 overs) - 158/7 (20 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 3 wickets

MD4
Stars 132/7 (20 overs) - 174/6 (20 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 42 runs

Comets 163/6 (20 overs) - 106/5 (20 overs) Magic
Comets win by 57 runs

Hawks 146/8 (15.4 overs) - 144/7 (20 overs) Lions
Hawks win by 2 wickets

MD5
Lions 122/5 (15 overs) - 121/7 (20 overs) Stars
Lions win by 5 wickets

Magic 127/5 (16 overs) - 124/7 (20 overs) Hawks
Magic win by 3 wickets

Sharks 135/3 (20 overs) - 129/6 (20 overs) Comets
Sharks win by 6 runs

MD6
Stars 148/5 (20 overs) - 126a.o (14.2 overs) Comets
Stars win by 22 runs

Sharks 204/3 (20 overs) - 179/4 (20 overs) Hawks
Sharks win by 25 runs

Magic 136/6 (20 overs) - 138/7 (15.2 overs) Lions
Lions win by 3 wickets

MD7
Magic 143/7 (20 overs) - 145/9 (15.2 overs) Stars
Stars win by 1 wicket

Lions 168/8 (19 overs) - 164a.o (19.5 overs) Sharks
Lions win by 2 wickets

Hawks 171/3 (20 overs) - 140/8 (20 overs) Comets
Hawks win by 31 runs

MD8
Stars 185/8 (20 overs) - 165/9 (20 overs) Hawks
Stars win by 20 runs

Comets 178/4 (20 overs) - 155/6 (20 overs) Lions
Comets win by 23 runs

Sharks 148/9 (20 overs) - 116a.o (18.2 overs) Magic
Sharks win by 32 runs

MD9
Sharks 134/7 (20 overs) - 164/2 (20 overs) Stars
Stars win by 30 runs

Magic 169/3 (20 overs) - 136a.o (17.4 overs) Comets
Magic win by 33 runs

Lions 137/6 (16.3 overs) - 134/7 (20 overs) Hawks
Lions win by 4 wickets

MD10
Stars 220/7 (20 overs) - 135/8 (20 overs) Lions
Stars win by 85 runs

Hawks 128/7 (13 overs) - 124a.o (17.3 overs) Magic
Hawks win by 3 wickets

Comets 142/7 (14.2 overs) - 138a.o (18.5 overs) Sharks
Comets win by 3 wickets

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	NRR	Points
1	Comets	10	6	4	0	0.829	24
2	Sharks	10	6	4	0	-0.239	24
3	Hawks	10	5	5	0	0.424	20
4	Stars	10	5	5	0	0.146	20
5	Magic	10	4	6	0	-0.584	16
6	Lions	10	4	6	0	-0.594	16

Eastern Comets' form was wobbly down the back end of the regular season but they held their nerve for a crucial final day win over the Northern Sharks and set up a replay for the tournament final.

[Drehda]

Drehda Cricket - Season 2 - T20 RAMPAGE FINALS

Men's

Preliminary Final
Magic 158/5 (20 overs) - 157/9 (20 overs) Lions
Magic win by 5 wickets

Grand Final
Stars 161/7 (20 overs) - 163/7 (19.2 overs) Magic
Magic win by 3 wickets

CENTRAL MAGIC WIN S2 MEN'S T20 RAMPAGE

The Central Magic came alive down the back end of the regular season as they won their last four straight matches before carrying that form into the post-season. In the Preliminary Final, they restricted the Fort Hope Lions to a modest total of just 157/9 thanks to wickets from leg-spinner Luke Barraclough and the canny variations of left arm seamer Darnell Collins before a brisk 48 from Alex Burrows drove the chase over the line.

The Final saw the Western Stars win the toss and elect to bat. On a green, sticky wicket which saw success for Collins' cutters and slower balls helped peg back the Stars' batting however right handed top order bat Ryan Montez and all-rounder Jordan Gold both chipped in with enough to muster a defendable target.

As the sun went down and gave way to a muggy, close evening run making become increasingly difficult and boundaries tough to find. Opener Kacey Bullard dug in and attempted to guide the chase with creative scoops and reverse sweeps combined with hard running to turn 1s into 2s wherever possible. The Stars kept themselves ahead with regular wickets, the right arm medium pace of all-rounder Rob Dunne proving particularly effective on the unfriendly deck.

The final over was to be bowled by seamer Thomas Lawson with the Magic needing 12 to win and it came to wicketkeeper Brad Henriques to answer the call. Lawson went for a wide yorker first up but was fractionally too full, allowing Henriques to carve the ball high over backward point for six. Six from five required. Lawson then went for a short ball which hardly got up on the soft, unresponsive wicket and the charging Henriques met the ball perfectly in the centre of his bat to send it miles over the deep midwicket to give his side a famous championship victory.

Women's

Final
Comets 134/8 (20 overs) 137/4 (15.5 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 6 wickets

NORTHERN SHARKS WIN THE S2 WOMEN'S T20 RAMPAGE

The Women's Final was played earlier in the day ahead of the Men's but made for a thrilling curtain raiser. The Eastern Comets lost the toss and were stuck into bat and restricted to just 134 thanks to Harley Franks' off-spin as she took 3-17 from her 4 overs. With the bat, the Northern Sharks were set off at train's pace as openers Kate Larrins and Danielle Barnes blazed out the traps sending the ball to all parts. The Comets were able to put a slight choke on the throttle with a cluster of wickets but it was too little too late as the Sharks cantered to a comfortable six wicket victory with more than 4 overs left to be played,

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - Summer Games Catch Up

Summer is rattling along, with the glorious dry sunny days and baking temperatures drawing out packed crowds as we reach the zenith of the summer sporting calendars. Let's take a round up of the Hockey, Lacrosse and Cricket seasons and see who's looking good for a title charge.

Field Hockey (Men's)

Week 6
Lions 1:3 Hawks
Stars 4:1 Sharks
Magic 4:3 Comets

Week 7
Magic 2:0 Lions
Comets 5:1 Stars
Sharks 3:1 Hawks

Week 8
Lions 2:1 Sharks
Hawks 7:4 Comets
Stars 2:2 Magic

Week 9
Stars 4:1 Lions
Magic 2:1 Hawks
Comets 3:1 Sharks

As the dust settled on Week 9's results, the question of who would lift the title proved a three-way race between the Fort Hope Lions, Central Magic & Eastern Comets. Lions & Magic were both tied on 15 points a piece and +2 goal differential, although the Lions sat top of the league thanks to a superior goals scored measure. Eastern Comets sat in 3rd place with 13 points and a +3 goal differential. The final game of the season would see Lions host Comets, while the Magic had to travel to the talented but inconsistent Northern Sharks for what would be sure to prove a thrilling show down...

Lions 3:3 Comets
Sharks 3:2 Magic
Hawks 0:0 Stars

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Lions	10	5	1	4	22	20	2	16
2	Magic	10	4	3	3	19	18	1	15
3	Comets	10	3	5	2	28	25	3	14
4	Sharks	10	4	1	5	24	24	0	13
5	Stars	10	3	4	3	19	23	-4	13
6	Hawks	10	3	2	5	20	22	-2	11

The Northern Sharks played their role in the final day drama as they rallied to gun down the Magic's dreams of championship glory. It was a heart stopping affair in the Lions - Comets game. Although unlikely at the start of play, The Comets had one hand on the trophy as they led 3-2 in the last minutes of the game however a 68th minute penalty corner saw Ben Dingwall crash an equalising goal home the Fort Hope side to draw level and snatch their second consecutive crown by a single point!

Field Hockey - Women's

Week 6
Hawks 2:2 Comets
Stars 1:2 Sharks
Lions 1:2 Magic

Week 7
Lions 1:1 Hawks
Magic 1:0 Stars
Sharks 2:0 Comets

Week 8
Hawks 1:3 Sharks
Comets 2:2 Magic
Stars 1:0 Lions

Week 9
Stars 3:2 Hawks
Lions 3:2 Comets
Magic 1:2 Sharks

Week 10
Hawks 0:1 Magic
Sharks 0:0 Lions
Comets 3:1 Stars

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Sharks	10	6	3	1	14	7	7	21
2	Magic	10	4	3	3	10	10	0	15
3	Stars	10	4	2	4	13	14	-1	14
4	Lions	10	3	4	3	12	11	1	13
5	Comets	10	2	4	4	16	18	-2	10
6	Hawks	10	0	6	4	9	14	-5	6

The race was far less tight in the Women's Hockey as the Northern Sharks sealed their first ever title after a Week 9 showdown vs closest challengers Central Magic. A physical, hard-fought battle saw the Sharks grab a 2-1 away win, putting them 8 points clear with just one game to be played.

Men's Field Lacrosse

MD6
Stars 15:9 Comets
Sharks 15:15 Hawks
Magic 14:4 Lions

MD7
Magic 12:13 Stars
Lions 13:6 Sharks
Hawks 18:8 Comets

MD8
Stars 13:9 Hawks
Comets 9:9 Lions
Sharks 6:14 Magic

MD9
Sharks 9:14 Stars
Magic 11:9 Comets
Lions 4:12 Hawks

MD10
Stars 13:20 Lions
Hawks 11:9 Magic
Comets 17:8 Sharks

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Stars	10	9	0	1	127	100	27	27
2	Hawks	10	6	1	3	130	117	13	19
3	Magic	10	6	0	4	116	89	27	18
4	Lions	10	4	1	5	118	110	8	13
5	Comets	10	2	1	7	87	114	-27	7
6	Sharks	10	1	1	8	89	137	-48	4

The Western Stars absolutely demolished the league as they cantered to claim the trophy. They sealed the deal with a comfortable 13-9 win at home to eventual second-placers Southern Hawks. The Stars were totally dominant over the campaign, going for a perfect 9-0-0 across the first 90% of the season until they dropped to an uncharacteristic home defeat to the Fort Hope Lions (casual observers will note press rumours that the Stars' had a held a players only end-of-season party the night before). Despite this anomaly, this will go down as truly historic effort which is unlikely to be bettered for many, many years.

Women's Field Lacrosse

MD6
Comets 18 16 Hawks
Stars 14 9 Magic
Lions 7 18 Sharks

MD7
Lions 11 10 Comets
Sharks 21 8 Stars
Magic 5 17 Hawks

MD8
Comets 16 9 Magic
Hawks 15 11 Sharks
Stars 16 9 Lions

MD9
Stars 10 16 Comets
Lions 13 10 Hawks
Sharks 10 20 Magic

After MD9 of the Women's Lacrosse, the Eastern Comets were just a hair's breath from sealing the title as they were 3 points ahead of the second ranked Fort Hope Lions but with a far superior goal differential.

Comets 9 9 Sharks
Magic 12 16 Lions
Hawks 9 12 Stars

Ranking	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Comets	10	7	1	2	124	102	22	22
2	Lions	10	7	0	3	120	111	9	21
3	Magic	10	4	1	5	114	116	-2	13
4	Stars	10	4	0	6	106	130	-24	12
5	Sharks	10	3	1	6	111	114	-3	10
6	Hawks	10	3	1	6	108	110	-2	10

It proved to be a wobbly final day but the Comets did just hang on for their only draw of the season, which allowed them to hold off the Lions to claim the title. It was a fine race between these two sides as they proved themselves to be head and shoulders above the other four teams over the course of the season.

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - Cricket Catch Up

With the T20 RAMPAGE event done and dusted, we've now progressed through the 50 over competitions for both Men's & Women's cricket and the First Class men's tournament.

Lavender Cup (OD - Men's)

MD1
Magic 227/8 (50 overs)- 199a.o (35.4 overs) Stars
Magic wins by 28 runs

Comets 281/6 (50 overs) - 264/9 (50 overs) Sharks
Comets win by 17 runs

Hawks 254/9 (50 overs) - 225/4 (50 overs) Lions
Hawks win by 29 runs

MD2
Stars 270a.o (49.2 overs) - 294a.o (48.4 overs) Lions
Lions win by 24 runs

Sharks 242/9 (50 overs) - 243/5 (47.5 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 5 wickets

Magic 172a.o (43.2 overs) - 249/2 (50 overs) Comets
Comets win by 77 runs

MD3
Comets 235/6 (50 overs) - 237/9 (42 overs) Stars
Stars win by 1 wicket

Hawks 251/3 (50 overs) - 252/8 (43.3 overs) Magic
Magic win by 2 wickets

Lions 293/9 (50 overs) - 181 a.o (36.1 overs) Sharks
Lions win by 112 runs

MD4
Stars 244/7 (50 overs) - 246/2 (48.4 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 8 wickets

Magic 237/6 (50 overs) - 219/7 (50 overs) Lions
Magic win by 18 runs

Comets 267/8 (50 overs) - 367/6 (50 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 100 runs

MD5
Hawks 262/8 (50 overs) - 273/9 (50 overs) Stars
Stars win by 11 runs

Lions 220/8 (50 overs) - 210a.o (47.3 overs) Comets
Lions win by 10 runs

Sharks 209a.o (48.3 overs) - 213/8 (35.4 overs) Magic
Magic wins by 2 wickets

MD6
Stars 239/5 (50 overs) - 242/8 (49.1 overs) Magic
Magic wins by 2 wickets

Sharks 144/9 (50 overs) - 147/2 (31 overs) Comets
Comets win by 8 wickets

Lions 127a.o (36.3 overs) - 268a.o (47.3 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 141 runs

MD7
Lions 260/5 (50 overs) - 184a.o (41.5 overs) Stars
Lions win by 76 runs

Hawks 270/8 (50 overs) - 259a.o (47.1 overs) Sharks
Hawks win by 11 runs

Comets 217/6 (50 overs) - 220/9 (42.4 overs) Magic
Magic win by 1 wicket

MD8
Stars 206/9 (37 overs) - 204/7 (50 overs) Comets
Stars win by 1 wicket

Magic 207a.o (47.1 overs) - 211/9 (37.4 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 1 wicket

Sharks 289a.o (41.2 overs) - 274/9 (50 overs) Lions
Sharks win by 15 runs

MD9
Sharks 268/8 (50 overs) - 250a.o (46.2 overs) Stars
Sharks win by 18 runs

Lions 198a.o (40.2 overs) - 241/8 (50 overs) Magic
Magic win by 43 runs

Hawks 222/7 (45.1 overs) - 221/5 (50 overs) Comets
Hawks win by 3 wickets

MD10
Stars 242a.o (49.2 overs) - 212/7 (50 overs) Hawks
Stars win by 30 runs

Comets 127a.o (29.5 overs) - 129/7 (23.4 overs) Lions
Lions win by 3 wickets

Magic 238/9 (50 overs) - 240/5 (39.1 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 5 wickets

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	NRR	Points
1	Hawks	10	7	3	0	0.635	28
2	Magic	10	7	3	0	0.086	28
3	Lions	10	5	5	0	0.205	20
4	Sharks	10	4	6	0	-0.02	16
5	Stars	10	4	6	0	-0.48	16
6	Comets	10	3	7	0	-0.465	12

The Southern Hawks & Central Magic emerged as the two clear best teams in the competition securing 7 wins each over the regular season and exchanging victories in their head-to-head games

Final

Magic 264/9 (50 overs) - 278/3 (50 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 14 runs

The final, held at a neutral venue of the Fort Hope Lion's home ground, was played on a clear, dry day and a flat pitch with a grassy patches offered encouragement to both batsmen and bowlers.

The Southern Hawks lost the toss and were stuck into bat and posted a competitive 278/3 from their 50 overs thanks to a nearly run-a-ball 68 from left handed opener Javelle Phillips and a pair of half centuries from Martin Williamson & Wesley Malan.

The Magic's reply set off at a fearsome rate with some lusty hitting by openers Kacey Bullard and Scotty Harrison who both registered 50s. The Hawks chipped away determinedly and slowly whittled through the batting line up. With five overs left the game looking to be hung largely in the Magic's favour - 37 required with 6 wickets in hand. Towering fast bowler Freddie Green was brought back into the attack produced a magical over to tear 3 wickets for the loss of just 1 run and swing the game back into his side's favour. Spinners Charlie Campbell and John Bracewell kept things tight and brought the game home comfortably in the end to claim their Franchise's first 50 over title.

National 50 Over Challenge (OD - Women's)

MD1
Comets 201a.o (46.5 overs) - 202/8 (40.1 overs) Stars
Stars win by 2 wickets

Hawks 337/7 (50 overs) - 269/9 (50 overs) Sharks
Hawks win by 68 runs

Lions 226/5 (39.3 overs) - 224a.o (48.1 overs) Magic
Lions win by 5 wickets

MD2
Stars 164/8 (35.2 overs) - 162a.o (28.1 overs) Magic
Stars win by 2 wickets

Sharks 167a.o (31.5 overs) - 171/6 (40 overs) Lions
Lions win by 4 wickets

Comets 126a.o (29.5 overs) - 127/5 (25.1 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 5 wickets

MD3
Hawks 253/9 (50 overs) - 256/3 (37.3 overs) Stars
Stars win by 7 wickets

Lions 240/7 (32.3 overs) - 236/9 (50 overs) Comets
Lions win by 3 wickets

Magic 276a.o (47.4 overs) - 222a.o (46.1 overs Sharks
Magic win by 54 runs

MD4
Stars 210a.o (48 overs) - 268a.o 49.2 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 58 runs

Comets 160/9 (36.2 overs) - 158a.o (32.2 overs) Magic
Comets win by 1 wicket

Hawks 269/2 (50 overs) - 238a.o (47.4 overs) Lions
Hawks win by 31 runs

MD5
Lions 225a.o (41.4 overs) - 227/9 (34.3 overs) Stars
Stars win by 1 wicket

Magic 195a.o (39.2 overs) - 196/6 (26.2 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 4 wickets

Sharks 230/9 (38 overs) - 228/2 (50 overs) Comets
Sharks win by 1 wicket

MD6
Stars 202a.o (40.3 overs) - 203/9 (30 overs) Comets
Comets win by 1 wicket

Sharks 253/6 (50 overs) - 232a.o (42.5 overs) Hawks
Sharks win by 21 runs

Magic 348/8 (50 overs) - 231/8 (50 overs) Lions
Magic win by 117 runs

MD7
Magic 226/7 (50 overs) - 230/9 (35.2 overs) Stars
Stars win by 1 wicket

Lions 310a.o (48.2 overs) - 312/8 (46.2 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 2 wickets

Hawks 202/9 (35.4 overs) - 200a.o (47.4 overs) Comets
Hawks win by 1 wicket

MD8
Stars 277/6 (50 overs) - 278/8 (46.3 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 2 wickets

Comets 230a.o (41 overs) - 354/7 (50 overs) Lions
Lions win by 124 runs

Sharks 352/5 (50 overs) - 234/6 (50 overs) Magic
Sharks win by 118 runs

MD9
Sharks 229a.o (37.2 overs) - 232/2 (47.3 overs) Stars
Stars win by 8 wickets

Magic 224/6 (26.2 overs) - 223/6 (50 overs) Comets
Magic win by 4 wickets

Lions 184/9 (50 overs) - 187/8 (27.1 overs) Hawks
Hawks win by 2 wickets

MD10
Stars 181/9 (33.3 overs) - 178a.o (48.3 overs) Lions
Stars win by 1 wicket

Hawks 398a.o (47.4 overs) - 140a.o (32 overs) Magic
Hawks win by 258 runs

Comets 270a.o (49.2 overs) - 274/6 (49.1 overs) Sharks
Sharks win by 4 wickets

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	NRR	Points
1	Hawks	10	8	2	0	1.648	32
2	Stars	10	7	3	0	0.605	28
3	Sharks	10	6	4	0	0.2	24
4	Lions	10	4	6	0	-0.291	16
5	Magic	10	3	7	0	-1.089	12
6	Comets	10	2	8	0	-1.12	8

Final

Hawks 226/9 (44.4 overs) - 222/8 (50 overs) Stars
Hawks win by 1 wicket

It was a topsy-turvy chaotic game in the Women's final but it produced a famous weekend for the Southern Hawks as they lifted both 50 over trophies. The Western Stars were restricted to just 222-8 batting first but then bowled with intelligence and great control as they regularly bit away at the Hawks' batting. Wicketkeeper Katie Boyce dug in to play a steady, resolute hand as wickets tumbled around her. #7 Hannah Flannagan hit
came and went in the same over but launched a brief flurry with for consecutive boundaries in between to get her side ahead of the run rate. #11 Jessica Whittaker strode out to bat in the 43rd over with just 9 more runs required. She survived a 1st baller LBW shout but a hair's breadth and then top edged second delivery up over the short fine leg for a vital, vital four runs. Seeing out the rest of the over turned the matter of the game over to her partner Boyce. The glovewoman jammed her bat down on a frightful yorker first up before heaving a slog sweep out to cow corner for 4 to bring the scores level. With the 4th ball of the 44th over, Katie Boyce wrote her name into the history books by walloping a sliced drive behind through the vacant gully region for another boundary to secure the the trophy and ensure her franchise walked away as both Kings and Queens of the domestic 50 over game.

Akram Cup (FC - Men's)

MD1

Comets 163a.o (59 ovrs) 269a.o (100.2 ovrs) Lions
287/4 (91.5 ovrs) 180a.o (40 ovrs)
Comets win by 6 wickets

Sharks 336a.o (119.2 ovrs) 224a.o (84.3 ovrs) Stars
335/6d (81.2 ovrs) 169/4 (48.5 ovrs)
Match Drawn

Hawks 179a.o (50 ovrs) 88a.o (36 ovrs) Magic
123a.o (29 ovrs) 163 a.o (55.3 ovrs)
Hawks win by 51 runs

MD2
Stars 384a.o (81.1 ovrs) 413a.o (105 ovrs) Comets
232a.o (57.4 ovrs) 207/7 (45.2 ovrs)
Comets win by 3 Wickets

Magic 252a.o (76.2 ovrs) 305a.o (86.2 ovrs) Lions
253/4d (53.4 ovrs) 199a.o (52.5 ovrs)
Magic win by 6 wickets

Hawks 298a.o (94 ovrs) 216a.o (46.3 ovrs) Sharks
249a.o (50.3 ovrs) 170 a.o (47.1 ovrs)
Hawks win by 161 runs

MD3
Comets 336a.o (105.2 ovrs) 439a.o (94.3 ovrs) Magic
191 a.o (57.3 ovrs) 89/1 (20.3 ovrs)
Magic wins by 9 wickets

Stars 382a.o (63.1 ovrs) 338a.o (113.2 ovrs) Hawks
253a.o (85.2 ovrs) 302/8 (52.4 ovrs)
Hawks win by 2 wickets

Lions 282a.o (79.5 ovrs) 385a.o (118.5 ovrs) Sharks
204/4 (48 ovrs) 318a.o (92.1 ovrs)
Match Drawn

MD4
Hawks 408/7d (112 ovrs) 358a.o (107.2 ovrs) Comets
218/5d (72.5 ovrs) 158a.o (39.2 ovrs)
Hawks win by 110 runs

Sharks 475/9d (120.4 ovrs) 191 a.o (72.5 ovrs) Magic
- 186a.o (66.5 ovrs)
Sharks win by an innings & 98 runs

Lions 304a.o (86 ovrs) 302a.o (63.1 ovrs) Stars
271a.o (78.5 ovrs) 256a.o (58 ovrs)
Lions win by 17 runs

MD5
Comets 331a.o (95.3 ovrs) 326a.o (113.4 ovrs) Sharks
301a.o (67.3 ovrs) 307/9 (73 ovrs)
Sharks win by 1 wicket

Hawks 455/5d (116.1 ovrs) 316a.o (80.3 ovrs) Lions
94/3 (28 ovrs) 238a.o (80.4 ovrs)
Match Drawn

Magic 208a.o (37.3 ovrs) 353a.o (76.5 ovrs) Stars
205a.o (50.1 ovrs) 87a.o (15.2 ovrs)
Stars win by 27 runs

MD6
Lions 319a.o (67.5 ovrs) 282a.o (106.3 ovrs) Comets
80/1 (22.3 ovrs) 116a.o (28.5 ovrs)
Lions win by 9 wickets

Stars 212a.o (60.3 ovrs) 395/4d (111.4 ovrs) Sharks
152a.o (33 ovrs) -
Sharks win by an innings & 31 runs

Magic 446a.o (100.2 ovrs) 224a.o (51.3 ovrs) Hawks
- 179a.o (58.3 ovrs)
Magic win by an innings & 43 runs

MD7
Comets 109a.o (23 ovrs) 384a.o (104 ovrs) Stars
61a.o (14.3 ovrs) -
Stars win by an innings & 214 runs

Lions 206a.o (69.3 ovrs) 454a.o (126.2 ovrs) Magic
179/3 (46.1 ovrs) 232a.o (66.4 ovrs)
Match Drawn

Sharks 550/8d (158 ovrs) 327a.o (98.1 ovrs) Hawks
- 214a.o (50.5 ovrs)
Sharks win by an innings & 9 runs

MD8
Magic 280a.o (81.1 ovrs) 337a.o (98 ovrs) Comets
232/7 (85.4 ovrs) 173a.o (44.1 ovrs)
Magic win by 3 wickets

Hawks 458a.o (128.2 ovrs) 282a.o (69.4 ovrs) Stars
- 121a.o (22 ovrs)
Hawks win by an innings & 55 runs

Sharks 269a.o (66 ovrs) 264a.o (83.4 ovrs) Lions
222a.o (43.5 ovrs) 153a.o (50 ovrs)
Sharks win by 74 runs

League Standings - After MD 8

Position	Team	Played	Won	Draws	Losses	Tie	1st inngs BP	Win BP	Points
1	Sharks	8	5	2	1	0	6	3	121
2	Hawks	8	5	1	2	0	5	1	98
3	Magic	8	4	1	3	0	3	1	79
4	Stars	8	2	2	4	0	3	1	54
5	Lions	8	2	3	3	0	4	0	53
6	Comets	8	2	0	6	0	3	0	36

With just two games the go the Northern Sharks are just inches from confirming their status as red ball champions, with the Southern Hawks desperately grasping for their coattails in the hopes of claiming a men's double winning season. Realistically it's all over bar the shouting with the Hawks needing to effectively take a maximum 25 points from both of their last two games and hope the Sharks suffer a total collapse in form.