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Northampton regained possession of the final play-off place with a comfortable bonus-point victory against Worcester.

Taqele Naiyaravoro's brace and tries from Luther Burrell and Tom Wood had Saints 28-10 ahead by half-time.

Reece Marshall added a fifth try on the hour while Dan Biggar notched 13 points in a faultless kicking display.

England centre Ben Te'o was the only Warriors player to cross as Northampton moved a point ahead of fifth-placed Harlequins with a game to play.

Saints travel to Exeter in the final round of the regular season on 18 May while Quins are at Wasps, who could still be chasing points for a top-six finish.

It was the perfect start to Burrell's Franklin's Gardens swansong as he scored the opening try just four minutes in, bursting through Worcester's line from 30 metres out.

The former Sale and England centre, 31, will switch codes and join Super League club Warrington Wolves in July.

Naiyaravoro capped off a dominant first quarter for Saints with the second try as he capitalised on a loose pass out left to pick apart a disjointed Worcester defence.

Worcester's problems mounted when Francois Hougaard was sin-binned for killing the ball on the floor and Naiyaravoro was on the scoresheet again within minutes to pounce on the numerical advantage.

Wood then notched the bonus-point score five minutes later from close range as Northampton's ascendancy continued.

But Worcester did finish the half on a positive as Te'o crashed over from Jono Lance's offload to narrow the deficit.

But it was a scrappy second period for both sides. Marshall's score from a rolling maul was the only moment of composure as Saints registered a third successive Premiership win for the first time since September 2017.

Northampton winger Taqele Naiyaravoro told BBC Radio Northampton:

"We came out of the blocks really well in the first half and gave some guys a tremendous send off in their last home game this season.

"We spoke about Worcester a lot this week how they could be dangerous with freedom to play, so we'd prepared to take that first 20 minutes away from them.

"We did and from there it was just a case of keeping our feet on their throats and thankfully that's how it went."

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"Firstly you've got to give credit to Northampton, they played really, really well and thoroughly deserved their win.

"The first half was extremely disruptive where we had three head injury assessments, which didn't return and then we lost Francois Hougaard to the sin-bin.

"We did well to get the try towards the break and second half I thought we shored-up tremendously and the lads that came on made a difference.

"We were just on the back foot after that first half."

Northampton: Tuala; Collins, Hutchinson, Burrell, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; Waller (capt), Marshall, Franks, Coles, Lawes, Gibson, Wood, Harrison.

Replacements: Ma'asi, Van Wyk, Hill, Onojaife, Ludlam, Mitchell, Francis, Pisi.

Worcester: Pennell; Humphreys, Venter, Te'o, Adams; Weir, Hougaard; Waller, Annett, Schonert, Bresler, Barry, Du Preez, Lewis, Van Velze (capt).

Replacements: Singleton, Black, Milasinovich, Fatialofa Kitchener, Hill, Heaney, Lance.

Sin-bin: Hougaard (25 mins).

Referee: Christophe Ridley.

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Newcastle's relegation from the Premiership was confirmed with a 28-19 defeat at Gloucester.

The Falcons needed maximum points at Kingsholm to have any chance of survival after Leicester's bonus point at Harlequins on Friday.

Gloucester ran in four tries from Jason Woodward, Danny Cipriani, Charlie Sharples and Matt Banahan.

Newcastle's tries came from Michael Young, Sinoti Sinoti and George McGuigan.

Newcastle will stand by director of rugby Dean Richards and "are confident of a return to the Premiership within a year".

The club said: "We remain fully committed to our playing and coaching staff as well as continued investment in our academy, which continues to produce a steady stream of talented local players."

Gloucester dominated the first half and spent long periods in Newcastle territory, turning down a series of kickable penalties before being rewarded with tries from Woodward, Cipriani and Sharples.

Cipriani, in particular, impressed, passing for Woodward's touchdown and then creating space for his own score.

Newcastle only had themselves to blame, playing 20 minutes of the first period with 14 men as first skipper Toby Flood and then second-row Calum Green were sent to the sin-bin.

Newcastle's only two forays into the Gloucester half in the first period resulted in tries for Young - following a powerful break through midfield from Alex Dunbar - and Samoa winger Sinoti off the back of a driving maul as they trailed by nine at the break.

Newcastle dominated the first quarter after the break - helped in part when Lewis Ludlow was yellow-carded - and scored their third try through McGuigan on his debut.

But as the Falcons chased the all-important fourth try and the lead, Banahan intercepted Nemani Nagusa's pass for a length-of-the-field try to all but end Newcastle hopes with a quarter of the game left.

Newcastle will now drop into the Championship after six seasons in the top flight, their place taken by London Irish.

The win for Gloucester confirmed third place in the table and a play-off semi-final against Exeter or Saracens.

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards told BBC Radio 5 Live:

"We gave everything, but it was there for the taking. Had we been more accurate it would have been a different game.

"There hasn't been much difference from last year [when they reached the top 4] - the bounce of a ball, a referee's call, it's small differences.

"The games we won last year by a few points we've lost by a few points this year.

"Some [players] will go, some will stay. Some have ambitions to play at a higher level and I completely respect that. That's life unfortunately. We'll resolve those points in the next week."

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann:

"We knew what to expect as they were a desperate side, who needed five points. We began well but couldn't convert the pressure and gave away a breakaway try.

"We were never at our best and defensively we switched off in a scrappy game.

"I don't want to be harsh on the boys but as we had already qualified for Europe and the play-offs, there wasn't the challenge for them to excel although I'm tremendously proud of the effort they put in.

Gloucester: Woodward; Sharples, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Banahan; Cipriani, Braley; Hohneck, Marais, Balmain, Slater, Mostert, Ackermann, Kriel, Morgan (capt).

Replacements: Sherry, Rapava Ruskin, Dreyer, Ludlow, Polledri, Vellacott, Evans, Purdy.

Newcastle: Tait; Kibirige, Dunbar, Williams, Sinoti; Flood (capt), Young; Mulipola, McGuigan, Ah You, Green, Robinson, Chick, Graham, Nagusa.

Replacements: Socino, Lockwood, Davison, Witty, Blamire, Stuart, Swiel, Wacokecoke.

Referee: Tom Foley.

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Custer Rolls To Dover Xfinity Pole

Published in Racing
Saturday, 04 May 2019 08:43

DOVER, Del. – Cole Custer put his No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang on the pole for Saturday’s NASAR Xfinity Series event at Dover Int’l Speedway.

Custer, a two-time race winner this year in Xfinity Series competition, secured the top starting position during Saturday morning’s qualifying session with a 22.882-second lap at 157.329 mph.

This weekend marked the return of single-car qualifying to NASCAR’s three national divisions and Custer said it was stressful knowing he only had two laps to put down a fast lap.

“I think it’s exciting, but it’s stressful as a driver, at least for me,” said Custer, who went out late in the session. “You’re going down that long pit road, especially if you’re going out late, and you’re just psyching yourself out the whole time.

“I was really happy with our Haas Automation Mustang yesterday and today. I think there are going to be some good guys out there, but I think we do have a good car to compete for a win.”

Justin Allgaier, who failed pre-qualifying inspection three times leading to the ejection of his car chief, qualified second in the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports, falling .016 of a second shy of Custer’s fastest lap.

Austin Cindric was third fastest in his Team Penske Ford, followed by the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Supra of Christopher Bell and Talladega race winner Tyler Reddick in the Richard Childress Racing No. 2 Chevrolet.

Zane Smith, Chase Briscoe, Brandon Jones, Noah Gragson and Ross Chastian completed the top-five.

Bell, Reddick, Briscoe and Gray Gaulding are the four eligible drivers for the Dash 4 Cash $100,000 bonus during Saturday’s race. Gaulding was the only one of the four that failed to qualify inside the top-10. He’ll start Saturday’s race from the 21st position.

Saturday’s Allied Steel Buildings 200 is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Quartararo Scores Shock MotoGP Pole

Published in Racing
Saturday, 04 May 2019 10:17

JEREZ, Spain – Fabio Quartararo became the youngest polesitter in MotoGP history on Saturday at Circuito de Jerez.

Quartararo, riding for Petronas Yamaha SRT, shocked the MotoGP field with his best lap of 1:36.880 to secure the pole. At 20 years and 14 days old, Quartararo reset the record for youngest polesitter in MotoGP history previously held by Marc Marquez.

It was an exceptional day for not just Quartararo, but the entire Petronas Yamaha SRT as his teammate Franco Morbidelli qualified second to give the team a sweep of the top-two positions.

Marquez, aboard his Repsol Honda, qualified third behind the Petronas Yamaha SRT pairing to complete the front row.

Championship leader and Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso qualified fourth to lead the fourth row. He’ll be joined by Monster Energy Yamaha’s Maverick Viñales and LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow on the second row.

The rest of the top-10 in qualifying were Danilo Petrucci, Takaaki Nakagami, Alex Rins and Francesco Bagnaia.

Fulham kid becomes youngest Prem player ever

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 04 May 2019 10:04

Harvey Elliott became the youngest player in Premier League history at 16 years and 30 days old when he came on for Fulham in their 1-0 defeat at Wolves on Saturday.

Midfielder Elliott, born on April 4, 2003, came on for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa two minutes from time to set the record, previously held by another Fulham player. Matthew Briggs was 16 years, 65 days when he featured in Fulham's 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in May 2007.

Fulham caretaker boss Scott Parker named Elliott on the bench for the club's wins over Everton and Bournemouth and previously said he would have no hesitation in playing him in the Premier League.

"If I feel the time is right or I need Harvey, what he can bring to the match, I have no qualms about putting him straight in," Parker said before Fulham's 1-0 win over Cardiff on April 27, the club's third victory in a row.

"But it won't be putting Harvey in because of a sentimental thing it will be putting him in because he deserves to go in and we need him to go in because he can show his quality and give us something we have not got at that moment in time."

Elliott came on as a substitute in Fulham's 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Millwall back in September, becoming the club's youngest ever player at 15.

Manchester United youngster Angel Gomes was the first player born this century to play in the Premier League when he came on against Crystal Palace on May 21, 2017. The attacking midfielder was born on August 31, 2000.

Top three youngest Premier League players ever

1. Harvey Elliott, 16 years and 30 days, Wolves 1-0 Fulham -- May 4, 2019.

2. Matthew Briggs, 16 years and 65 days, Middlesbrough 3-1 Fulham -- May 13, 2007.

3. Isaiah Brown, 16 years and 117 days, West Brom 2-3 Wigan -- May 4, 2013.

Fulham's 1-0 defeat at Molineux on Saturday was academic, with the club already relegated from the Premier League.

Worcestershire 293 for 7 (Rhodes 106, Cox 87, Patterson 4-45) Yorkshire 143 (Parnell 5-25, Barnard 3-26) by 150 runs

Steve Rhodes might have left Worcestershire in unfortunate circumstances when he was sacked as director of cricket in late 2017, but his son George remained to prove his mettle and that decision was rewarded against Yorkshire with a maiden List A hundred which laid the foundations for a 150-run hammering.

Rhodes is now coach of Bangladesh, his failure immediately to tell Worcestershire's hierarchy about a rape investigation into Alex Hepburn, who was jailed for five years this week, now behind him. When he arrives in England with Bangladesh for the forthcoming World Cup, it will be with the knowledge that George has improved his chances of continuing his county career when his contract expires at the end of the season.

George Rhodes teamed up with Ben Cox in a Worcestershire record stand for the fifth wicket in List A cricket - 169 in 28 overs, which rescued them from the perils of 62 for 4. Pessimistic judges were talking of an eventual score of 200 on a nibbling and used pitch, but they finished with 293 for 7. Cox, back from illness, was his usual spritely self in a stand bubbling over with good running, but if Yorkshire had had the enterprise to post a slip when Duanne Olivier returned for a second spell, he might have fallen on 29. Instead, he was 87 from 86 balls when he flat-batted Steve Patterson to long-on.

Yorkshire never challenged after that. Wayne Parnell, bowling at times with impressive pace, took his second five-wicket haul of the week after his 5 for 24 against Nottinghamshire. He dismissed the Yorkshire top three and ended with 5 for 25 from seven overs.

Worcestershire, who now have five wins in seven, still need to beat Derbyshire in their final match in Derby on Monday to be sure of a top-three finish. They could potentially top the North Group for the third successive year, which would be a wonderfully consistent return for one of the smaller counties; Steve Rhodes had a sizeable hand in that. Yorkshire are eliminated.

George is the third generation of Rhodes to play county cricket and since his debut in 2016 (also against Yorkshire) he can rarely have played with the freedom he exhibited in the latter stages of his 106 from 111 balls. Patterson, Yorkshire's angular seamer, had conceded 22 off his first eight overs, but 23, including a leg bye, came off his next as Rhodes showed both invention by lapping the bowler to fine leg and then power with a hearty blow over midwicket.

An uppish push through the covers, off Olivier, brought up that 100, his first in any of the three formats in a so-far moderate career. He survived a bear hug from Parnell, but was bowled by Pillans attempting something outrageous to the last ball of the innings. At 25, he will need a few more interventions like this for Worcestershire to retain faith. He would have been unlikely to play had not Daryl Mitchell sat out the match with a back injury.

Rhodes survived a few half chances along the way: a drive at Patterson, on 9, which just fell short of deep cover and would have left Worcestershire 69 for 5; a reprieve at backward point on 57 when he advanced to Josh Poysden's legspin, a tough chance this for Mat Pillans; and another demanding half-chance to Tim Bresnan at deep midwicket on 62, one of three successive boundaries against Poysden.

Yorkshire's restructured attack lacks pace and does not invite confidence for the months ahead, but a responsive New Road surface gave them hope. Patterson took three in his opening spell, Riki Wessels driving to cover, a failed leg-side loft by Tom Fell and a good catch at backward point by Gary Ballance to silence Brett D'Oliveira. There was a wicket, too, for Bresnan, who cuts a companiable figure these days, but whose sedate nip-backer took the vital wicket of Callum Ferguson.

Yorkshire rattled up 46 in nine overs easily enough but Parnell's introduction brought a rapid capitulation - a bottom edge from Adam Lyth, a duck for Harry Brook and Tom Kohler-Cadmore bowled through the gate against his former county. Ed Barnard then darkened Yorkshire's mood. Worcestershire's only vulnerable bowler was Pat Brown, last season's stand-out bowler in T20 cricket, but taken for 50 in six overs. Without that bonus, Yorkshire's defeat would have been even heavier.

Jofra Archer described the atmosphere in the England dressing room as "very welcoming" after making his much-anticipated debut against Ireland in Dublin on Friday. Archer, who only became eligible for England last month, picked up 1 for 40 on his first outing but said he was trying "not to set his heart" on winning a World Cup spot over the next few weeks.

The possibility of Archer forcing his way into the World Cup squad had brought guarded responses from a few of his prospective team-mates, notably David Willey, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. Archer said that he had since spoken to all three and was not worried about how the situation had been portrayed.

"It's been very welcoming," Archer said. "I knew most of the guys before coming here but it's nice to come into a new team with some people you know. Sometimes the media can get things wrong and misquote people. Since I've been here I didn't feel any malice at all. It's a really welcoming bunch of lads. I'm happy.

"It's game by game, I'm not thinking too far ahead. If I do well here it will probably put my case forward. But I'm not focusing on the World Cup spot."

Archer, 24, initially came to England in 2016 expecting to go through a seven-year process to qualify for England and admitted that he had not envisaged himself being in contention to play at the forthcoming World Cup.

"It's done now. I'm here," he said. "It happened a bit quicker than I expected - I had my eyes set on 2023 and to be given the opportunity so early is really exciting. I'm here with a great team at a great time."

Archer said he had not slept much the night before and conceded to a few nerves in his opening over. He took the new ball alongside Willey, delivering a respectable first spell, before returning later in the innings to crank up the pace and claim his maiden international wicket with a 90mph that knocked out Mark Adair's off stump.

"I generally don't sleep too early," he said. "I probably was thinking about today a bit, but not too much.

"I didn't really have a chance to think about [the wicket]. The guy was starting to up the ante a bit, so I was just focused on getting him out, [although] obviously I was a bit excited."

Although Archer was left out of England's preliminary World Cup 15 when it was announced last month, he now has a T20I against Pakistan on Sunday followed by a five-match ODI series with the same opponents to push himself into contention. The process is out of his hands but he said he would understand the disappointment if he were to take the place of one of the more-senior members of the squad.

"Anyone would think about it. But [all I can do is] just play well here and hope, I guess. I'll try not to set my heart on it. Obviously the guys have been together a long time and they probably do deserve it so I won't feel too bad if I'm left out."

#Shalieve: Steelers LB dances with his new bride

Published in Breaking News
Saturday, 04 May 2019 11:47

At one point, there was a chance that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier might never walk again.

On Friday, Shazier walked Michelle Rodriguez down the aisle as they got married in Pittsburgh. And if that wasn't accomplishment enough, he even danced with his new bride.

Shazier was rushed to a University of Cincinnati hospital on Dec. 4, 2017 after a tackling attempt against the Cincinnati Bengals left him struggling to move. The two-time Pro Bowler underwent spinal stabilization surgery a few days after, and he didn't regain movement in his legs until the following February.

In the days, weeks and months that have followed, Shazier has tackled milestone after milestone in his ultimate goal of returning to the NFL. Where paralysis once was a concern in the days after the injury, Shazier has retaught himself to walk, drive a car, jog and lift weights.

And you can add walking down the aisle and dancing with his bride to that list of accomplishments.

Shazier will not play in 2019, and his contract tolled at a minimum salary, giving him one more year toward NFL pension. The team has kept him on the roster with the physically unable to perform (PUP) designation simply because, as coach Mike Tomlin has said, "it's Ryan Shazier."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.

Raptors say Siakam (calf) is doubtful for Game 4

Published in Basketball
Saturday, 04 May 2019 11:13

PHILADELPHIA -- Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam suffered a right calf contusion, and has been listed as doubtful for Game 4 of the Raptors' conference semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Siakam said on Saturday he hurt the calf in the Raptors' 116-95 loss at Philadelphia in Game 3 on Thursday, but couldn't recall precisely when the injury occurred.

"I don't know exactly when it happened, but after the game I was just like really sore," Siakam said. "I think it calmed down a little bit, then I felt worse."

Siakam hasn't been able to put the leg through much physical activity since Thursday. The calf has been undergoing treatment, including ice as well as light movement therapy, he said.

A favorite to win the NBA's Most Improved Player award, Siakam has emerged as one of the Raptors' most consistent offensive producers behind Kawhi Leonard this postseason. In eight postseason games this spring, Siakam has averaged 22.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists, with an effective field goal percentage of 56.9. Siakam is also a versatile defender who has guarded all five positions for the Raptors at various junctures over the past two postseasons.

Siakam's absence would challenge the Raptors because the team is already without reserve forward OG Anunoby, who underwent an emergency appendectomy just prior to the start of the playoffs.

"With the OG out, it's not the ideal position for us," said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. "We're a little thin there."

Each scenario presents a different complication for Toronto. Nurse suggested Raptors backup guard Fred VanVleet as one option, noting the team had enjoyed success with pace and ball movement when VanVleet has played as part of a three-guard lineup. In 56 minutes on the floor with the starting backcourt and Leonard, lineups featuring VanVleet averaged 116.7 points per 100 possessions, with a net rating of plus-46.8.

Yet replacing Siakam with a perimeter player would put the Raptors at a greater size disadvantage against a Philadelphia team that features exceptional length and has hurt Toronto on the offensive glass.

"Size has been a problem," Nurse said. "We knew coming into the series that they would have size at a lot of positions."

The Raptors could also opt to start backup big man Serge Ibaka, who has struggled in the series. Nurse also suggested as another possibility 6-foot-7 swingman Patrick McCaw, who has seen limited time on the floor since returning from a right thumb injury. Introducing McCaw into the starting lineup would enable the Raptors to preserve their current rotation, Nurse said.

With the Raptors trailing 2-1 in the series and now potentially without their second-most prolific scorer, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said that it was imperative for the rest of the team to compensate in an effort to help leading scorer Kawhi Leonard.

"Kawhi has been unbelievable in the playoffs, Pascal's been unbelievable in the playoffs," Lowry said on Saturday. "As other players around those guys we need to step up in general, make some shots, be more aggressive, draw some more fouls, try to do some more things to help relieve the little bit of the scoring burden off of them."

Gregerson off IL, set to make '19 debut for Cards

Published in Baseball
Saturday, 04 May 2019 10:08

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Luke Gregerson is rejoining the major league roster as he looks to pitch for the first time since July after being diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement.

The Cardinals activated Gregerson off the 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs.

Gregerson was placed on the injured list three times in 2018, with the shoulder injury in July ending his season. He also missed two months earlier in 2018 with the same injury.

He has pitched just 12 2/3 innings since signing a two-year contract with the Cardinals in the 2018 offseason. The 34-year-old has a career ERA of 3.10 while playing for the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros and Cardinals.

In a corresponding move, outfielder Tyler O'Neill was optioned to Triple-A Memphis. O'Neill was hitting .263 with one home run and 4 RBIs in 21 games this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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