I Dig Sports
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. The first Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, round of the post-Jared Mees era saw preseason Mission AFT SuperTwins title favorite Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) do what many expected.
Daniels claimed victory under the lights of the Flat Track at Daytona Intl Speedway in Thursdays season-opening Royal Enfield Short Track at Daytona I.
How it was achieved, however, came as a genuine surprise.
It was anything but a day of domination for Daniels, despite the fact that hed won three of the previous four Main Events at the venue. If anything, the Estenson Racing ace was relatively quiet throughout practice and qualifying, starting the Main Event from Row 2 after failing to qualify for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.
Instead, the star of the show for all but the final minute of the Main Event was Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), who appeared on the verge of guiding the Harley-Davidson XG750R to its maiden premier-class victory.
New to the bike but reunited with crew chief Dave Zanotti and mechanic Michelle Disalvo at Rick Ware Racing, Bauman was smooth and in control on a very tricky track. He put his name atop the charts during practice, qualifying, and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, before storming off into the lead at the start of the Main.
Daniels showed renewed signs of life as soon as the race that mattered most got underway, diving under front-row qualifiers Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanpheres BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), Henry Wiles (No. 911 J&M Logging/Ray Cs Harley-Davidson Kawasaki Ninja 650), and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) in rapid succession to move into second.
However, even with clear air in front of him, Daniels didnt appear to have the measure of Bauman, who stretched the gap out to over a second deep into the contest.
That all changed as the two encountered lapped traffic, which allowed the Yamaha pilot to erase the distance and then execute a pass for the lead with just 35 seconds remaining on the clock.
A rare bobble on Baumans part then provided Daniels with the breathing space he needed to make it four wins in his last five tries in Daytona Beach.
The victory also marked Daniels first win since before the training accident that ended his title chances a season ago.
He said, I hate that everybody has to hear my sob story again, I broke my leg leading the championship (last year). I mean, it sucked. It sucked so bad. It sucked so bad for me, but even more for the team. Its one of those things when youre lying at home, and you wonder if youll ever be able to do it again. Even though I was on the podium those last three races, you still wonder.
And then I show up here at Daytona a place that I love and do well at usually and I was just on the struggle bus all day long. No matter what changes we made, I just could not get comfortable. But my team this win is because of the team. They just kept working and kept working. When I went out there for that warm-up lap, I knew I had something for them. But how impressive was Briar? The dude gets on a different bike that has never won, and he was the toughest competition. Hes going to be tough all year.
Third place went to 40-year-old Wiles, who was brandishing the unfamiliar No. 911 instead of his usual No. 17, which was unavailable to him due to not competing last season. The time away didnt steal any of his speed or aggression, a fact he proved convincingly while overcoming Fisher in an intense mid-race scrap for the final podium position.
Fisher held on for a strong fourth-place debut on the KTM, while Robinson made it two XGs in the top five.
Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), who finished as the runner-up in last years opener, came home sixth.
Not that any of them needed it, but three-time AFT Singles presented by KICKER king Kody Kopp (No. 1 Bob Lanphere/KTM/Fastrack Racing KTM 450 SX-F) provided the class current crop of championship hopefuls a reminder of exactly whose No. 1 plate they were chasing.
While Kopp is committed to proving himself a national-caliber road racer this season, his talents on dirt remain elite. With an open weekend in his preseason pavement prep, Kopp pulled together a last-minute effort to participate in the Progressive AFT opener and didnt miss a beat.
A less-than-ideal start allowed Kopp to underline that message as he worked his way past the up-and-coming Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), 24 title rival Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and finally 19 class champ Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Certified Racing KTM 450 SX-F) on his way to the front.
Once there, Kopp set sail en route to his fourth career triumph in Daytona. However, his eventual trip to the top step of the podium was momentarily delayed due to a late-race red flag.
That stoppage could be traced all the way back to a disastrous start saw title hopeful Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R) left standing still at the green light with his arms waving while the rest of the grid powered by. His subsequent charge up through the field eventually saw him clash with Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), leaving both riders on the ground.
Kopp survived the staggered restart without suffering any unwanted drama, while Drane managed to steal second from Gauthier in the shuffle.
After the race, Kopp said, It feels awesome. I just cant stay away from it. Im transitioning to roadracing, and its a big step. Its challenging, and Im really excited about the challenge. But I couldnt stay away. I live 15 minutes away from here now, and Bob Lanphere wanted to put this thing together, and we got it done. Huge thanks to Bob, and Kenny (Roberts) and Arney (Wick) from my roadrace program for giving me the go ahead to do this.
Fourth was taken by the returning Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), who edged young Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Hannums HD/Pfanders Racing KTM 450 SX-F) and Santero for the position.
Emma Gottsch (No. 5 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited) opened the Main Event program with a victorious performance in her Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. debut. She was flanked on the podium by Taia Little (No. 11 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited) and Mallory McGill (No. 58 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited).
NHL Power Rankings: Jets stay in the top spot, plus each team's playoff chances
With the 2024-25 NHL trade season wrapping up at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, hockey fans next turn their collective attention to the playoff races.
Which teams are shoo-ins, who remains in a battle and who is looking ahead to the draft lottery? In addition to an updated set of Power Rankings, this week's list also includes playoff chance projections courtesy of Stathletes.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Feb. 28. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.43%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Although they dropped off of their record-setting pace from the early part of the season, the Jets continue to soar over most competition. Is this the year that Connor Hellebuyck leads them on a long playoff run to silence his critics?
Next seven days: @ NJ (March 7), @ CAR (March 9), vs. NYR (March 11)
2. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.97%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Alex Ovechkin's chase of Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record continues to received a lot of the attention. Meanwhile, the Caps just keep piling up victories en route to what could be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference bracket.
Next seven days: vs. DET (March 7), vs. SEA (March 9), @ ANA (March 11), @ LA (March 13)
3. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 67.74%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Whether Miro Heiskanen returns before the end of the regular season, Dallas appears to be a strong bet to qualify for the playoffs. But his presence once that tourney begins will greatly influence how far they get.
Next seven days: @ EDM (March 8), @ VAN (March 9)
4. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 64.29%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. The Matthew Tkachuk injury surely affects what the Panthers can do for the rest of the regular season. But with a spot in the postseason tourney on the way to being locked up, Florida is just hoping he's back close to 100% by the night of Round 1, Game 1.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (March 8), @ BOS (March 11), @ TOR (March 13)
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.57%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. The Knights were already a shoo-in to qualify for the postseason, and now they'll get to experience playoff hockey with original Golden Misfit Reilly Smith again. Will he be the spark that gets them another Stanley Cup? Stathletes projects their Cup chances at 10.4%, fourth highest in the NHL.
Next seven days: vs. PIT (March 7), vs. LA (March 9), @ PIT (March 11), @ CBJ (March 13)
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 63.71%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Maple Leafs teams of the recent past were among the NHL's top regular-season teams, but many times did so by outscoring their defensive deficiencies. Not so this season, under new coach Craig Berube. Will their playoff fate be similarly different?
Next seven days: @ COL (March 8), @ UTAH (March 10), vs. FLA (March 13)
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 62.90%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. The Lightning always seem to find a way to make additions at the trade deadline -- usually at the expense of early-round draft choices. Such was the case this week with the return of Yanni Gourde, who will aid in their quest to bring the Stanley Cup back to central Florida.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 8), @ CAR (March 11), @ PHI (March 13)
8. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 61.90%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. New year, same (general) results for the Canes; another playoff appearance is a highly likely outcome. Will they get back to the Cup Final for the first time in the Rod Brind'Amour coaching era? Stathletes lists those chances as 32.9%, and their Cup-winning chances as 18.5%, both of which are highest in the league.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (March 9), vs. TB (March 11)
9. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 61.29%
Playoff chances: 99.6%. The Stanley Cup runner-up last season appear primed to make another long run this season: Stathletes projects the Oilers as having a 25.1% chance of making the Cup Final, and 13.2% chance of winning it all.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 8), @ BUF (March 10), @ NJ (March 13)
10. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.29%
Playoff chances: 95.6%. The Wild have faded a bit since they were one of the NHL's biggest surprises in the season's first half. Nevertheless, they remain firmly entrenched in playoff position -- and could do some damage if injured players such as Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek can return close to full health.
Next seven days: @ VAN (March 7), vs. PIT (March 9), vs. COL (March 11), vs. NYR (March 13)
11. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 60.32%
Playoff chances: 99.3%. The Nathan MacKinnon-Cale Makar show rolls on, though the third part of that superstar group, Mikko Rantanen, was traded in January. It's hard to diminish this team's Cup chances, particularly with Mackenzie Blackwood finally rounding into the form in goal that some had envisioned for him as a prospect.
Next seven days: vs. TOR (March 8), vs. CHI (March 10), @ MIN (March 11)
12. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 59.17%
Playoff chances: 84.4%. Will this be the year that the Kings finally make it out of the second round again? It would probably help to avoid the Oilers (who've beaten them three straight times) in Round 1. Unfortunately, that is exactly how the standings look at the moment.
Next seven days: vs. STL (March 8), @ VGK (March 9), vs. NYI (March 11), vs. WSH (March 13)
13. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 57.14%
Playoff chances: 91.5%. The injury to Jack Hughes -- whose return is slated for next season's training camp -- dings the Devils' chances of going far in the playoffs. But they remain much more likely than not to qualify for the field, and it's anyone's game once the tourney begins.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (March 7), @ PHI (March 9), vs. CBJ (March 11), vs. EDM (March 13)
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.24%
Playoff chances: 31.0%. Easily the NHL's best story this season, the Blue Jackets remain squarely in the mix for a playoff spot as March continues. Can they catch the Devils -- and hold off all of the teams chasing them?
Next seven days: @ NYR (March 9), @ NJ (March 11), vs. VGK (March 13)
15. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 54.03%
Playoff chances: 31.6%. What rebuild? During the course of last trade season and the offseason, the Flames said goodbye to Jacob Markstrom, Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Toffoli and Chris Tanev. And yet, they remain right in the mix of the Western Conference wild-card race.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (March 8), vs. VAN (March 12)
16. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 54.03%
Playoff chances: 24.7%. This Blueshirts' campaign has been a roller coaster, from one of the top preseason picks to win it all to dropping precipitously in the standings to now being right in the battle for a wild-card spot. Do they have more spring magic in store?
Next seven days: @ OTT (March 8), vs. CBJ (March 9), @ WPG (March 11), @ MIN (March 13)
17. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 54.92%
Playoff chances: 80.6%. Of the three "Atlantic Rising" teams, the Senators appear to have a slight upper hand for now, with the Red Wings a point behind and the Sabres destined for another draft lottery.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 8), vs. DET (March 10), @ PHI (March 11), vs. BOS (March 13)
18. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 53.23%
Playoff chances: 13.7%. The Wings' season pivoted when Derek Lalonde was fired and replaced by Todd McLellan behind the bench. Detroit fans are hoping that it didn't pivot again in the opposite direction when the club lost two games in a row to their fellow Eastern wild-card contending Blue Jackets.
Next seven days: @ WSH (March 7), @ OTT (March 10), vs. BUF (March 12)
19. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 54.92%
Playoff chances: 27.3%. The reigning Pacific Division champs have had a rough season, including injuries to key players and interpersonal disputes that ultimately led to the trade of J.T. Miller in January.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (March 7), vs. DAL (March 9), vs. MTL (March 11), @ CGY (March 12)
20. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 53.23%
Playoff chances: 18.9%. Expectations were low for the Habs to make any sort of significant postseason run in 2024-25, and yet they remain in the Eastern chaos, just a hot streak away from snatching one of the wild cards.
Next seven days: @ CGY (March 8), @ VAN (March 11), @ SEA (March 12)
21. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.38%
Playoff chances: 37.3%. Though they're out of a playoff spot for now, the Blues certainly have a path to getting back in position -- though the Colton Parayko injury certainly doesn't help.
Next seven days: @ ANA (March 7), @ LA (March 8), @ PIT (March 13)
22. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 52.42%
Playoff chances: 24.3%. With a fresh start in Salt Lake City, the UHC also committed to several key players via contract extensions this week. Will they make a run here to close out the season and bring playoff hockey to Utah too?
Next seven days: @ CHI (March 7), vs. TOR (March 10), vs. ANA (March 12)
23. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.64%
Playoff chances: 24.3%. Consistent success has eluded the Isles this season, despite a full offseason program for Patrick Roy and his coaching staff. Could there be bigger changes on the way this summer?
Next seven days: @ SJ (March 8), @ ANA (March 9), @ LA (March 11)
24. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.00%
Playoff chances: 2.3%. Many had been forecasting a downturn for the B's in recent preseasons. Due to a variety of factors, 2024-25 appears to be the time when they will finally miss the playoffs. There are big decisions ahead this summer.
Next seven days: @ TB (March 8), vs. FLA (March 11), @ OTT (March 13)
25. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 49.21%
Playoff chances: 12.8%. The Flyers overachieved in 2023-24, remaining in the playoff mix well into April before ultimately dropping out of postseason position. It has been a different story this season, as they've never really entered the playoff picture, despite as encouraging season for future star Matvei Michkov.
Next seven days: vs. SEA (March 8), vs. NJ (March 9), vs. OTT (March 11), vs. TB (March 13)
26. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 50.00%
Playoff chances: 0.5%. The Ducks have had their moments in 2024-25 but are not quite ready to mount a serious challenge for the postseason. Will an active offseason change their trajectory?
Next seven days: vs. STL (March 7), vs. NYI (March 9), vs. WSH (March 11), @ UTA (March 12)
27. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 45.31%
Playoff chances: 0.3%. On occasion, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin & Co. make fans remember the good times for this franchise, but those occasions have been too infrequent this season, and a playoff berth is a remote possibility at best.
Next seven days: @ VGK (March 7), @ MIN (March 9), vs. VGK (March 11), vs. STL (March 13)
28. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 44.44%
Playoff chances: 0.1%. This will be the third time in four seasons of existence that the Kraken have missed the postseason. What will GM Ron Francis do with the bounty of picks (and cap space) he received during trade season?
Next seven days: @ PHI (March 8), @ WSH (March 9), vs. MTL (March 12)
29. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 44.26%
Playoff chances: 0.1%. The longest postseason drought in North American pro sports will continue this spring, in stark contrast to the runaway success of the NFL's Buffalo Bills (who share an ownership group) and the NLL's Buffalo Bandits (who share the arena but pack in more fans than the Sabres).
Next seven days: @ FLA (March 8), vs. EDM (March 10), @ DET (March 12)
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 42.74%
Playoff chances: 0.0%. After a surprising turnaround to qualify for the 2024 playoffs -- and then winning the offseason, by inking Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei -- this season has been wildly disappointing for Nashville.
Next seven days: vs. CHI (March 8), @ SJ (March 11)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 37.10%
Playoff chances: 0.0%. This will be another spring of playoff-less hockey in Chicago. But are better days on the way? There's reason to believe that they are closer to contention than many think.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (March 7), @ NSH (March 8), @ COL (March 10), @ SJ (March 13)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.59%
Playoff chances: 0.0%. The chances of a playoff berth left the station for this team a while back, but Sharks fans must be encouraged by the play of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, both of whom appear far ahead of their expected developmental curves.
Next seven days: vs. NYI (March 8), vs. NSH (March 11), CHI (March 13)
Brazil youth star after racist abuse: Hurts the soul
The Brazilian football federation (CBF) said they will file a complaint with South America's governing body CONMEBOL after Palmeiras under-20 player Luighi faced racial abuse while playing against Cerro Porteno U20s in Paraguay on Thursday.
Luighi complained to the referee shortly after cameras showed a man in the stands making monkey gestures towards the visiting players at the CONMEBOL Libertadores U20 match, which Palmeiras won 3-0.
The 18-year-old striker, who played for Brazil's U17 team at the 2023 age-group World Cup, was substituted soon after and was seen in tears at the bench.
"It hurts the soul. And it is the same pain that all black people have felt throughout history, because things evolve, but they are never 100% resolved," Luighi later wrote on Instagram.
"Today's episode leaves scars and needs to be seen for what it really is: A crime. Until when? That is the question I hope we won't have to ask at some point. For now, we keep fighting."
The CBF posted on X saying they had called in their legal department to make a representation to CONMEBOL demanding strict punishment for the offence.
"It is shocking to see scenes like these. Racism is a criminal offence and must be combated by everyone. I know how much pain Luighi has suffered. Enough of racists in football," CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement.
Luighi was promoted to Palmeiras' first team in June 2024 and has made nine league appearances for the senior side, scoring once.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has described Saturday's clash with Southampton as the "first of three finals" his team will play in the coming week.
Liverpool will host Ivan Jurić 's side in the Premier League this weekend before welcoming Paris Saint-Germain to Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday night, having beaten the French champions 1-0 in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie.
Slot's side will then travel to Wembley on March 16 where they will take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League while Southampton are bottom of the table after picking up just nine points from their 27 league games this term.
However, Slot has stressed the importance of both his players and the fans being at their very best on Saturday afternoon.
"My full focus is now on Southampton," he told a news conference on Friday. "It is the first of three finals to play in the upcoming week. For me, the Southampton game is by far the most important of the week, not only because it is the first one we play but because it is a very important game for us."
He added: "It is a week to look forward to for every Liverpool fan. We know the final is there and everyone is already talking to me about how the atmosphere will be on a Champions League night, but I truly hope our fans will be at their loudest tomorrow, not in the final or against PSG, but tomorrow.
"I have to convince my players we play three finals, and I hope that I influence our fans a bit as well, so they understand how important they are going to be tomorrow. I hope they don't come in five minutes before the kick-off.
"I hope the stadium is completely filled half an hour before kick-off and the players get their reward for their performance in Paris, for working so hard. The fans have great songs [for the players]. They are really creative, so let's hear them tomorrow."
Liverpool must wait to discover whether forward Cody Gakpo is fit to face Southampton after the Netherlands international missed Wednesday's clash at the Parc des Princes through injury.
"He didn't train yesterday so let's see if he can train today," Slot said. "It's a close call. It's not a long-term injury but he still had a bit of pain yesterday so let's see how he is today."
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has described Guglielmo Vicario as "one of the purest human beings I've ever come across" following an altercation with fans at full-time of Thursday's Europa League defeat at AZ Alkmaar.
Spurs were beaten 1-0 in their round-of-16, first leg clash due to a Lucas Bergvall own goal and Vicario, who made a string of fine saves during the game, appeared to gesture to the travelling supporters to show greater backing for their team.
That triggered an angry reaction from some fans and Vicario, 28, subsequently told reporters that "I can assume the disappointment [was] for the night because we didn't play our football."
Speaking at Tottenham's training base on Friday, Postecoglou told a news conference: "Vic is very, very passionate about this football club. He is very passionate about what we are trying to do here.
"He wants to win, he wants everyone on board with that. If people think there is one bad or vindicative bone in Vicario's make-up, they don't know the man that I do. The guy is one of the purest human beings I've ever come across.
"Whatever he does he thinks is best for the team, best for the football club because he really cares."
Spurs face Bournemouth on Sunday before the return game against AZ on Thursday. Losing in the Europa League would mean another trophyless season for Tottenham, who currently sit 13th in the Premier League table.
Patterson repels Morris to give New South Wales vital lead
New South Wales 258 for 8 (Patterson 86, Morris 4-25) lead Western Australia 196 by 62 runs
After 13 wickets fell on the opening day, the match appeared to be moving at warp speed in echoes of last month's remarkable WA-South Australia clash at the WACA - the shortest outright result in Shield history.
NSW teetered at 26 for 4 in reply to WA's first innings of 196 before No. 3 Patterson, who was dropped twice, rescued the innings with unwavering powers of concentration to make 86 from 262 balls. He survived an onslaught late on the opening day before defying WA's strong attack until he finally fell to Morris in the final hour of play.
Patterson departed short of a deserved century, but continued his outstanding Shield season where he has now tallied 697 runs at 69.70. Patterson had an intriguing battle with Morris, who straddled sharp pace and control to good effect and finished with 4 for 25 from 18 overs.
Morris, playing a rare back-to-back Shield match, does have a restriction of around 30 overs per game coming off a stress fracture last winter as well as a quad strain late in the pre-season. "I think I'm going to be a little bit restricted [bowling for the rest of NSW's first innings], need to keep a few [overs] up the sleeve if we want to try and chase a result," Morris said after play.
Just 0.24 points separated second-placed NSW and WA before this round began with a victory for either team putting them in pole position to reach the final.
Resuming at 17 for 3, NSW were initially in a battle for survival on day two but WA were left to rue an early chance off Patterson when Sam Fanning dropped a tough catch at short leg.
Nighwatchman Liam Hatcher, the second used in the innings, succumbed quickly when he was late on a short delivery and miscued to quick Cameron Gannon, who dived forward to take a sharp return catch in his follow through.
Having claimed two wickets during a fiery spell late on the first evening, Morris bowled angrily after the earlier missed chance off his bowling. He consistently bowled around 140kph and bent his back to ensure the ball sizzled past the helmets.
Matthew Gilkes unwisely took his eyes off the ball on one particularly fierce short delivery from Morris and copped a blow to the grill. He was shaken but stuck it out and provided good support for Patterson, who dropped anchor and scored just eight runs off his first 50 deliveries.
After such a torrid time against pace bowling, his eyes lit up when offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli came into the attack and he swept superbly to finally get the WACA's legendary scoreboard ticking over.
But Patterson had more fortune on 27 when Fanning dropped another tough chance at short leg much to the despair of Rocchiccioli, who occasionally produced sharp bounce and turn.
Patterson and Gilkes batted cautiously after the resumption knowing that wickets fell in clumps at the same stage on the previous day. The surface appeared to be flattening and an increasingly confident Patterson started to trust driving as he reached his half-century off his 156th delivery with a lovely stroke through the covers.
The milestone - rare in recent times at the WACA - received strong applause from his team-mates in the terraces, notably Sam Konstas who earlier in the day's play had been mobbed by kids desperate for selfies.
WA looked out of answers until the 93-run partnership - lasting over 41 overs - was broken seemingly out of nowhere. Gilkes, who earlier had almost been run out, turned slowly on the second run and was short of his ground after a brilliant throw from Jayden Goodwin at fine leg was collected at the stumps by wicketkeeper Joel Curtis.
Philippe's run-a-ball 26 ended when the towering Gannon showcased his athleticism with his latest brilliant catch at gully. But WA's bid to wrap up the innings was thwarted by Edwards as NSW batted through the day's play against the odds.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
Kate Cross: Cultural change required as England women seek to rise from Ashes
"There's areas that we probably know we need to address from cricket points of view, but also from probably cultural points of view as well," Cross said. "This review, I don't know what's going to come of it, but I'm hoping that these are the things that will get addressed, and pave the way for the next generation to want to play for England."
"Ultimately I feel like we might've lost a few fans in the last couple of months, which is really sad from our point of view," Cross added. "I think the 2023 Ashes was how good it can be and the 2025 Ashes how bad it can be."
Cross brought a unique perspective to her evaluation of the tour, having travelled with a bulging disc in her back, which ultimately kept her sidelined throughout despite repeated attempts to prove her fitness to play.
"It was unprecedented how poorly we performed over there, I don't think anyone probably anticipated the Ashes turning out the way it did, and obviously there was a huge disappointment that came with that," Cross said.
"As a group of players now, we don't know what's going to come of this review that's happening at the moment, but I think it motivates you to be a better group of players and a better, I guess, version of yourself."
"My reflections on my trip were quite unusual. I didn't get to play a game of cricket, but as a 33-year-old getting ruled out of an Ashes series was devastating. So I feel like it's made me really think about how I want to manage my career now moving forwards and, with the new structure of the tiers in the counties, I'm hoping that I'll be so well supported with that, that that wasn't my last Ashes hopefully.
"Ultimately as players, we still want to try and get young girls interested in the game and us losing quite drastically isn't going to do that. So we're going to have to have a real look at how we want to portray ourselves as a team moving forward and try and get a bit of love back from our fans because we, or certainly I, felt that we kind of lost a lot of that from our Ashes series, so hopefully we can move in the right direction now."
Cross was speaking at the launch of the Professional Cricketers' Association Women's Impact Report, highlighting advances made in the game since 2020. That progress includes equal domestic minimum salaries of 28,000 for men and women from this season, where women's teams have been aligned with the men's in a three-tiered county-based structure.
But more work remains to be done, including addressing the salary gap between genders in the Hundred, which widened rather than closed this year. While the leading earners in the men's competition will earn 200,000, an increase of 60%, the top earners in the women's game will earn 65,000, up 30%. The base salary for men went up by 1,000 on last year to 31,000 compared to the women, who went from 8,000 to 10,000.
"I would hope to see that it happens quite quickly, especially with how vocal the players were about the pay gap getting bigger," Cross said. "It was obviously a disappointment, but I'm always of the bigger picture, that the Hundred has done a lot for the women's game. It continues to do that. It puts us in a spotlight that we've never had before in the domestic game.
"So as disappointing as those headlines are, there's still a lot of great stuff and there's a lot more money coming into the game now and hopefully that'll get pushed in the right direction and the gender play gap will continue to get smaller rather than get bigger."
A PCA working group will lobby the ECB on various aspects of the Hundred, which will receive a huge injection of funds through private investment from next season.
Daryl Mitchell, PCA chief executive, said: "From our side, I think particularly the announcement of the salaries took us a little bit by surprise this time around, I think the communication needs to improve, particularly in that sort of announcement. What we were shown in October actually, at the players' summit, was very different in terms of salary bands to what was actually produced and put out publicly.
"There's been some pretty robust discussions about that process, it's fair to say, over the last couple of months. The ECB have stated it was an interim year with the sale of the Hundred franchises with a view to increase the salaries across the board next year. There's a lot of things to work through."
Valkerie Baynes is a general editor, women's cricket, at ESPNcricinfo
Liam Guthrie signs three-year Northamptonshire contract
His arrival follows that of new head coach, Darren Lehmann, who described Guthrie as a "genuine pace" option who can swing the ball. The pair worked together previously during Lehmann's time coaching Queensland and Brisbane Heat.
"I'm truly excited about the opportunity to play for Northamptonshire." Guthrie said. "Competing in the UK has always been a goal of mine, and I am eager to embark on this new chapter.
"I'm looking forward to reconnecting with Darren Lehmann, whose influence on my cricket has been significant since our time working together in Queensland."
Guthrie, 27, made his first-class debut for Western Australia in 2018 but struggled for regular opportunities. He made his Big Bash League debut for Brisbane Heat in 2021, subsequently winning a state contract with Queensland.
In 18 first-class matches, he has taken 50 wickets at 37.82, to go with 27 at 27.62 in List A cricket and six at 34.00 in T20s.
Lehmann said: "We're really excited about Liam joining us as a local player for the next three years. He brings left arm swing, genuine pace and having worked with him at Brisbane Heat and Queensland, his attitude is excellent and he has real wicket-taking abilities.
"He'll fit right in with the group who I've thoroughly enjoyed working with so far."
Will Smeed signs new deal to play red-ball cricket for Somerset
It was viewed as a groundbreaking move, indicative of the growing divide between limited-overs and first-class cricket. While many players have taken up white-ball contracts, often while simultaneously retiring from red-ball, none had done so at such a young age.
However, after a hamstring injury ruled him out of last summer's Hundred, Smeed found playing time for Somerset in the Second XI County Championship, which prompted a rethink.
"I'm desperate to play more cricket than I did last summer," Smeed said. "I picked up an injury last summer and it felt like I hadn't really played any cricket. I played a few second XI red-ball games towards the end of last year and really enjoyed it. That's when I started to think that this would be a good option.
"Watching how the team went about things in the Championship last year was great and some of the wins were absolutely insane. It would be crazy to not want to be a part of that team."
Smeed, who scored a red-ball hundred for the second XI when he was just 16, has played almost exclusively T20 cricket in his career to date, with his one List A appearance coming for England Lions. In 2022, he became the first player to score a century in the Hundred, and was soon in demand on the franchise circuit, playing in the CPL, PSL and SA20.
Somerset director of cricket, Andy Hurry said: "We all know Will has a huge amount of potential, and his return to multi-day cricket will certainly add depth to our County Championship batting options.
"When he initially signed a white-ball contract, he always made it clear that the door was not closed to the red-ball game, and I know our members and supporters will be excited by the prospect of him now being available to be considered for selection in all formats for the club that he loves."
U.S. offers $10M for arrest of former Olympian
LOS ANGELES -- There's a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of a former Olympic snowboarder for Canada who is wanted for allegedly running a multinational drug trafficking network and orchestrating multiple murders related to the drug ring.
The FBI added 43-year-old Ryan Wedding to its 10 Most Wanted list Thursday, while also announcing the U.S. State Department's $10 million offer.
"Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada," said Akil Davis, the assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles field office. "The alleged murders of his competitors make Wedding a very dangerous man."
Among his aliases, according to the FBI, are "El Jefe," "Public Enemy" and "James Conrad King."
Wedding was charged in June with murder and drug crimes. Those charges were augmented in September in an indictment that alleged Wedding and others arranged the shipment of some 60 tons of cocaine a year using long-haul semitrucks to move the drugs between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada.
In announcing the indictment in October, the FBI said a dozen people had been arrested in connection with the case.
U.S. authorities allege the group killed two members of a family in Canada in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment in what officials there said was a case of mistaken identity, as well as two other people, according to officials and federal court filings.
Wedding finished 24th in parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Olympics.
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