Canada face mammoth task to qualify for last eight
By KNG ZHENG GUAN, HOWARD HARDING and ALEX WAN – Squash Mad International Correspondents

It’s business as usual as seven of the top eight seeds secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the CIMB Foundation WSF World Junior Team Squash Championships. The only exception is seventh seeds Canada, who suffered a 2-1 defeat to 10th seeds Australia on Monday.

The Canadians did bounce back by beating Japan 3-0 in their Group B tie at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. But they now face a mammoth task to make the quarter-finals as they need to secure a win against second seeds and hosts Malaysia in their last group game on Wednesday.

Malaysia, meanwhile, continued their romp by blanking Australia 3-0 in their second game.
Aifa Azman, back to action after losing in the semi-finals of the individual competition last Saturday, got the team off to a winning start by beating Alex Haydon 11-3, 11-4, 11-2.

Third string Ooi Kah Yan was briefly troubled by Katie Davies but managed to pull through with an 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 win before Chan Yiwen completed the romp by beating Lee Sze Yu 11-3, 11-4, 11-7.

The hosts are now in a comfortable position to finish as group winners where they will likely meet Group A runners-up Switzerland in the last eight.

“Aifa was in good form today and she didn’t give the Aussies much room to play with. It gives the team a lot of confidence when your No. 1 starts strongly,” said national assistant head coach Andrew Cross.

“Kah Yan on the other hand wasn’t feeling so well. She was vomiting in between games so it explains why her performance was shaky today, but Yiwen played well to finish strongly for us.

“Now we’ll have Canada on Wednesday morning before probably facing Switzerland in the quarter-finals in the evening. We’ll do our best to get ready for two matches with an eye on playing one of the tougher teams in the semi-finals.”

In Group A, top seeds and defending champions Egypt also cruised to their second win by whipping France 3-0. They will wrap up their group matches against the Swiss, who also took their second win by blanking Singapore 3-0.

In Group C, third seeds Hong Kong also safely secured passage into the top eight by beating team debutants Chinese Taipei 3-0 – their third win of the competition. They go up against sixth seeds India to determine the group winner on Wednesday morning.

In Group D, fourth seeds England also earned their third win, beating Sweden 3-0 although third string Katie Wells was taken the full distance before getting past Anna Kaiding 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-6.

The five-time winners go up against a tricky United States in their last group game in order to determine the group winners.

The US had scored 3-0 wins over South Africa and Korea, and will relish a shot at taking down England in order to get a favourable draw for the quarter-finals.

“We may have gotten through to the quarter-finals but we still want to finish with a win and top the group because it helps us moving forward,” said England coach and former world junior champion Tania Bailey.

“I’m excited to see the No. 1s play. I know the US’ Marina Stefanoni didn’t play so well during the individuals while our Elise (Lazarus) is also a really strong player so that will be an exciting match.

“The first string aside, I know that if my girls play to what I know they can, then they should be able to get past the Americans. It won’t be an easy match but we have trained well and we’re feeling confident going into a tough game.”

The third day will see two matches, the last round of the group matches at 11am followed by the quarter-finals which will start at 6pm.

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CIMB Foundation WSF Women’s World Junior Team Squash Championship, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Results 

Pictures courtesy of #WSFWorldJuniors2019

Hayley Parsons has been appointed a non-executive director of Cardiff Blues, the first female to serve on the region's board.

In 2015 Parsons unsuccessfully attempted to become the first female member of the Welsh Rugby Union board.

The founder of price comparison website Gocompare, she sold her stake in the company for almost £44m.

Blues chairman Alun Jones says the move is designed to modernise corporate governance and increase diversity.

"Hayley has a diverse and hugely successful business background and will bring strong commercial, marketing and social media experience, which will be beneficial to the region's business plan," Jones said.

"This is just the latest step in the modernisation of our board and our corporate governance and demonstrates our desire to become more diverse and representative of all of our stakeholders."

Jones has admitted the region has been struggling financially, but they recently settled a long standing dispute with Cardiff Athletic Club who own the Arms Park Stadium

Parsons, 45, is the first addition to the region's board since Jones became chairman in January 2019, and is a keen rugby follower.

"I am very proud to be the first female board member of the Cardiff Blues. I am a huge supporter of Wales in terms of its economy, its people and the its potential, as well as Welsh rugby and the regions," she said.

"I will be looking at things from a fresh perspective and with a new approach.

"There's a huge amount of potential here and there's a lot more we could, and should, be doing to achieve that and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and helping in any way I can."

Cwmbran-born Parsons is a member of Inspire Wales, an investment consortium made up of 20 successful Welsh business people, and was made an OBE in 2012.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has returned to New Zealand after a family bereavement but will return for the World Cup warm-up game against Italy.

Assistant coach Andy Farrell took charge of training on Monday and Tuesday in his absence and will guide the team run on Thursday morning.

Scrum coach Greg Feek said Schmidt is expected to return towards the end of the week ahead of Saturday's match.

Feek added Ireland have no fresh injury concerns for their first warm-up match.

"Unfortunately, Joe had to go back to New Zealand after a family bereavement. On behalf of the team we'd like to extend condolences to his family," explained Feek.

"He'll be back towards the end of the week.

"Joe's had things in place, players know their roles. It's been quite seamless. We know Joe is on the computer and keeping an eye on things. We have to keep going.

"Andy is taking the reins and he's doing a good job to be fair to him."

Fellow assistants Simon Easterby and Richie Murphy are joining Farrell and Feek in overseeing the Ireland squad training at Carton House in Maynooth while Schmidt is in New Zealand.

Ireland's encounter with the Italians in Dublin is the first of four World Cup warm-up games.

They will face England at Twickenham on 24 August, Wales in Cardiff on 31 August and then the Welsh again at the Aviva Stadium on 7 September.

Second row Ultan Dillane and centre Rory Scannell returned to their provinces on Monday, cutting the Ireland panel gathered at their County Kildare base to 43.

Munster lock Jean Kleyn comes into contention for his debut against Italy having survived that cull.

A further 12 will be cut from the squad before the 31 players to travel to the World Cup in Japan are announced on 8 September.

Centre Ben Te'o and full-back Mike Brown will not have a final chance to impress head coach Eddie Jones after being left out of the squad to face Wales this weekend.

Scrum-half Ben Spencer and rookie forward Alex Dombrandt have also been excluded from the 33-man group.

Jones will name his World Cup squad of 31 the day after Sunday's warm-up at Twickenham.

England then face Wales in Cardiff before games with Ireland and Italy.

After being left out of the recent training camp in Italy, Gloucester fly-half Danny Cipriani is again excluded, which is another blow to his World Cup chances.

However, the uncapped pair of Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam and Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie are both named, and could make their Test debuts at Twickenham this weekend.

Scrum-half Willi Heinz is also in line for a surprise first cap after being included at the expense of Spencer.

While the RFU say those omitted could still force their way into Jones' final party, the omissions of Brown, Te'o, Spencer and Dombrandt appear significant.

Te'o has long been a favourite of Jones', while Spencer ended the 2019 Six Nations as England's second choice scrum-half behind Ben Youngs.

Brown looks to be in a shoot-out with Anthony Watson for the final back-three spot, but has lost ground, while Dombrandt was always a long-shot to make the plane to Japan.

"Players excluded from being involved in this camp are naturally disappointed but may get another opportunity so they must be ready," Jones said.

"By the time we fly out on 8 September we will be ready to win the Rugby World Cup. We are not there yet but we have four games to get ready."

Star wing Jack Nowell will continue his rehabilitation from ankle surgery in camp and is not available for the match with Warren Gatland's side.

Prop Mako Vunipola is also not in contention to face the Welsh, but is said to be progressing well from his hamstring problem.

England squad to face Wales

Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Tom Curry (Sale), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Saracens), Sam Underhill (Bath), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter), Mark Wilson (Sale).

Backs: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester), Piers Francis (Northampton), Willi Heinz (Gloucester), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Leicester), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath), Henry Slade (Exeter), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester), Anthony Watson (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester).

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. – The Monster Energy Kawasaki race team will feature a set of familiar faces in 2020.

For 2020, the Monster Energy Kawasaki roster of riders aboard KX450 motorcycles will feature two-time defending AMA Pro Motocross Champion and current AMA Pro Motocross Championship points leader Eli Tomac.

Joining Tomac will be Adam Cianciarulo, who will be making his premier class debut. Following his record-setting amateur years with the Team Green race team and a successful career underneath the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team awning, he will now join the factory 450 effort.

After a successful debut in the 450 class, Joey Savatgy will finish the final three AMA Pro Motocross rounds with full support of the team to close out his rookie season.

“We have a very strong 2020 team roster,” said Kawasaki Racing Senior Manager, Dan Fahie. “We still have work to do this summer in hopes that both Eli and Adam can bring home championships in their respective classes. We are excited to be continuing our championship journey with Eli and welcoming Adam and his storied Kawasaki racing career onto our 450 team. We learned a lot about our KX450 and are in a good place heading into 2020 with the development of the motorcycle.”

Tomac and Cianciarulo aim to complete the 2019 AMA Pro Motocross Championship with a green sweep of the championships in both the 450MX and 250MX classes. Tomac and his new premier class stable-mate Cianciarulo will then head to Las Vegas on Oct. 19 to battle in the desert for the Monster Million at the annual Monster Energy Cup.

“I’m thrilled to continue the relationship with Kawasaki,” said Tomac. “I feel we have an outstanding team in place, an excellent KX450 motorcycle and a common goal of winning races and championships. Right now our focus is on winning this Pro Motocross Championship and then we will begin preparing for the 2020 Supercross season. Let the good times roll.”

“I am super excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Cianciarulo. “I was just a little kid when I signed with Kawasaki in 2004, and it’s been a dream of mine since then to reach this point. From growing up in the Team Green program, to my 250cc career with Mitch Payton and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, I feel I’m prepared to take on this next challenge of competing at the highest level. The work has just begun and I’m ready to get started on my new KX450.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has suspended three crew members from the No. 2 GMS Racing team of driver Sheldon Creed in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series.

The suspensions are the result of a safety violation last week at Eldora Speedway, when ballast from Creed’s No. 2 truck fell on the race track during practice. Creed finished second in Thursday’s Eldora Dirt Derby.

As a result, crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz, truck chief Austin Pollak and engineer Jonathan Stewart have all been suspended for the next three NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series events.

GMS Racing has announced they will not appeal the penalty.

Darren Fraley will serve as interim crew chief in place of Stankiewicz for the next three NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series races at Michigan Int’l Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

BRAINERD, Minn. – Hailing from Wright, Minn., the annual visit to Brainerd Int’l Raceway, the site of the 38th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals on Aug. 15-18, is always a welcome trip for Jason Line.

The Pro Stock standout and three-time world champion wouldn’t mind his luck changing at the facility just over an hour from his hometown.

Line has enjoyed an incredible list of accomplishments during his standout NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock career, but it doesn’t actually include a trip to the winner’s circle in Brainerd. He’s been to the finals four times at the fan-favorite facility, most recently in 2016, and he even won the race in 2014, but the finals were finished in Indy that year, meaning he hasn’t enjoyed the ultimate glory at the track in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro. With the veteran seeking his first win of 2019, this year would be the perfect time to win in Brainerd.

“That place has been kind of tough for me, but the older I get the more relaxed I get, so maybe this year it will help me,” Line said. “I’m looking forward to going, that’s for sure. I want to enjoy doing what I do for the amount of time I have left doing it. Going to Brainerd, the biggest thing is seeing my core group of friends and family that I started racing with years ago. It’s a good reminder of a lot of things, and there’s a first time for everything.”

Billy Torrence (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event. It is the 11th of 18 races during the Pro Stock season and Line is looking for a late-season surge.

The stop in Brainerd is the penultimate race during the NHRA regular season and a win would solidify his title hopes. Line is currently fifth in points thanks to one final round appearance this year and two semifinal showings. It’s a solid showing, but not what Line is after. He had to wait until the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship to get his first win a year ago, and that’s a scenario Line, a 48-time event winner, hopes to avoid in 2019.

“We’re not bad right now, but I don’t know that we’re great,” said Line, who has 100 final round appearances. “I think we can be better and obviously that’s the goal. There’s some other stuff we’re working on that I think will refine things and will help us be better long-term. We need to do a little better on raceday. Our class has evolved into super refinement. You’re not going to find big gains, so you’re going to have to rub on what you’ve got and try to improve it.”

Finding that improvement would be perfect timing for Line in Brainerd, which annually delivers one of the most unique and memorable atmospheres on the NHRA circuit, thanks in part to the on-site campground known as “the Zoo.” For Line, it’s simply home, which is enough to get him excited to return. But there’s a tall task to succeed in Pro Stock, as Line will have to deal with the likes of KB Racing teammates Bo Butner, the current points leader, Greg Anderson and Deric Kramer, who all have wins this season, as well as the likes of Matt Hartford, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Alex Laughlin.

“In our class, the difference between okay and great is a really small number,” Line said. “There’s definitely not a huge difference between okay and great. I’m just trying to take an analytical approach to it and try to do a better job. We’ll try to keep getting better and we’re constantly trying to come up with new ways to improve.”

SALEM, Ind. – Five-time Indianapolis 500 starter James Davison will make his USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series this weekend at Salem Speedway.

With regular driver Kevin Thomas Jr. competing in this weekend’s Knoxville Nationals, David Byrd, who supported Davison’s Indy effort, got the ball rolling and made a deal with the 32-year-old Davison to make his USAC debut in the DHR/Byrd Racing No. 11 at Salem.

Davison will be the first driver in 21 years to compete in Saturday’s Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial and the Indianapolis 500 in the same season. The last driver to do the double was Jack Hewitt.

“David just called me and said that he has a deal with Davey Hamilton and asked me if I wanted to drive it,” Davison said.  “I gave it some thought and said, ‘let’s give it a try,’ and here we are.”

Davison has made seven NTT IndyCar Series starts since 2013, with five of them coming in the Indianapolis 500. He’s also competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, earning a best finish of fourth at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“I love horsepower and high power-to-weight ratio cars like a shifter kart or a Formula One car, and I’ve been fortunate to drive both,” Davison explained.  “Silver Crown and Sprint Cars’ power-to-weight ratio is pretty high.  Hopefully, we can run competitively and finish in one piece.  Half the battle is just wheeling the car back to the trailer and getting the result.  It’ll be a tall order with tire management and with it being a 75-lap race, and I’ve never done it before, so I’ll just have to give it my best shot with no experience.”

ST. LOUIS -- Blues defenseman Joel Edmundson has been awarded a $3.1 million, one-year contract in arbitration.

Edmundson was one of four St. Louis restricted free agents to file for player-elected salary arbitration this summer after helping the team win its first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Goaltender Jordan Binnington and forwards Oskar Sundqvist and Zach Sanford agreed to multiyear deals before their arbitration hearings.

General manager Doug Armstrong on Tuesday called Edmundson an important part of the Blues' defensive unit and said they're looking forward to another successful season.

The 26-year-old Canadian had 11 points in 64 regular-season games and seven points in 22 playoff games during the Blues' Cup run. Edmundson has 52 points in 269 regular-season games during his four-year NHL career.