Sports
Reanna Evans beats Stuart Bingham to make snooker history after famous wins for 14-year-olds Riley Powell and Vladislav Gradinari | Snooker News
Riley Powell becomes the second 14-year-old to win at the Snooker Shoot Out after Vladislav Gradinari beat three-time women’s world champion Ng On Yee to become the youngest player to win a televised snooker match
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 26/01/23 11:24pm
Reanne Evans made history at the Snooker Shoot Out in Leicester
Reanne Evans beat former world champion Stuart Bingham 60-8 to become the first woman to win a match in the one-frame Snooker Shoot Out after Riley Powell followed Vladislav Gradinari as the second 14-year-old to reach round two in Leicester.
An early break of 21 by Evans helped set up a healthy lead, which was extended to 35-0 before Bingham, who claimed the 2015 world title, failed to make the most of another opportunity at the table as Evans closed out a memorable victory.
“That’s the first time I’ve actually enjoyed it. I know I won, but that’s the first time I felt a little more relaxed,” Evans told Eurosport.
“I think I wasn’t expecting that much and that did the deal. I’m pleased because I’m low on confidence so any win [I have], I’m happy.
“It’s just [about] touch and feel, especially in this format you have to get to the table quick and to be fair the table was really nice, the nicest table I played on all season.”
Earlier on Thursday, teenager Riley Powell followed Vladislav Gradinari as the second 14-year-old to make round two with victory over world No 8 Kyren Wilson.
On Wednesday, Moldovan Gradinari, who lives in Leeds, became the youngest player to win a televised match when he defeated three-time women’s world champion Ng On Yee.
Powell continued the trend at the Morningside Arena as he dispatched Wilson, a five-time ranking event winner, by a score of 41-31 in the quickfire competition.
“That was amazing, the best event I have played in,” said Welsh teenager Powell, who is two months older than Gradinari and turns 15 in August.
“The crowd were so good. I had a couple of early mistakes but then got back into it. I just tried to enjoy the occasion and I loved every bit of it.”
Powell, from Tredegar in South Wales, practises with the likes of former world champion Mark Williams, Lee Walker and Jackson Page.
“As soon as I started playing snooker I loved it,” he said on the World Snooker Tour website.
“Mark Williams has been fantastic with me, I’d like to thank him, Jackson and Lee for all the help they have given me.
“Any practice I can get them with is fabulous, I have learned a lot from them. I want to be world number one and world champion.”
Vladislav Gradinari beat Ng On Yee at the Snooker Shoot Out. Pic World Snooker Tour
Gradinari explained how it is difficult to play snooker in his home country.
“It is not really popular, we have three or four tables in the whole country,” the reigning England U14 champion told World Snooker Tour.
“It [the win] feels amazing. I played my best game, at the table I felt calm. At the age of seven, I started playing snooker and we moved here two years ago.”
Elsewhere on Thursday, world No 2 and home favourite Mark Selby was edged out 22-20 by Mark Davis, who produced a late rally to clinch the frame.
Amateur Michael Holt, who won the event in 2020 while on the pro tour, made the highest break so far with 116 in his win over Lei Peifan.
Dominic Dale and Matthew Stevens contested the first ‘blue-ball shoot out’ of this year’s competition, having finished tied at 49-49.
Dale went on to edge out former Masters and UK champion Stevens to progress into the second round, but David Gilbert’s disappointing season continued as he was defeated 35-30 by Saudi player Asjad Iqbal.
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LeBron James returns for season-ending push with Los Angeles Lakers after liaising with unnamed foot specialist | NBA News
LeBron James returned from a foot tendon injury to help the Los Angeles Lakers make a final push for the play-ins.
Although one doctor suggested “season-ending surgery”, the 38-year-old decided to finish the season on the court after getting a a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.
James returned to the Lakers on Sunday after a month-long absence with what he revealed was a significant tendon injury.
He wasn’t in the starting line-up for only the second time in his 20-year NBA career, but he still led the Lakers with 19 points in their 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
James also said his doctors told him that he was “healing faster than anybody they’ve seen before with the injury”.
One more factor contributed to his decision: James got a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.
“I went to the LeBron James of feet, and he told me I should [delay possible surgery],” James said, declining to name the doctor.
The NBA’s leading scorer hadn’t played since February 26, when he complained of right foot soreness after a win at Dallas.
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James was seen to clearly say he heard something pop when he injured his ankle in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. He did however continue on with the game shortly after
James considered surgery after getting the sobering diagnosis, but his team-mates’ outstanding play down the stretch and his own inner determination contributed to his decision to keep playing.
“They go 8-5 and obviously had a chance to – the hell with the play-in, we actually can be a top-eight seed,” James said. “It definitely changed my mindset on me coming back and trying to be a part of this”.
“Well, I don’t even want to say [it] changed my mindset. It just enhanced what I was trying to do as far as my workouts, as far as my treatment and everything”.
“They played such great basketball. I was just ecstatic, from me being in a boot to me getting out of the boot, you guys saw me on the sideline, just so happy about what the guys are doing.”
James returns with eight games left in the Lakers’ regular season as they attempt to avoid missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year and the third time in James’ five seasons in Los Angeles.
The Lakers provided few updates on James’ condition during his absence, and James kept the details of his recovery firmly under wraps on social media.
The 38-year-old said he doesn’t know whether he’ll need surgery after the season, but he expects to have an MRI exam after he’s done playing for the summer. He said he would be at full strength for training camp in the fall even if he has the surgery.
He’s now looking healthy at a key point for the Lakers, who could finally have their full roster available for the final games of the stretch run.
Jenson Button was making his NASCAR debut at the Circuit of Americas in Texas and said he was afraid he would faint during the race as he suffered from heat exhaustion; former F1 world champion finished in 18th place
Last Updated: 27/03/23 10:40am
Jenson Button made his NASCAR debut on Sunday
Jenson Button suffered from heat exhaustion and nearly retired on his NASCAR debut, before finishing 18th.
The former F1 world champion, 43, said he feared fainting while driving his Ford Mustang during the 68-lap race at the Circuit of Americas in Texas on Sunday.
“Finished 18th after almost stopping because I had heat exhaustion. It was so hot. I don’t have a fan in my seat, which really didn’t help me too much,” Button said.
The former F1 driver finished in 18th place in Texas
“I stopped twice for a minute. They put ice on me, gave me loads of water, and I went back out.
“I was so close to getting out of the car because I thought I was going to faint. I must have drank eight (or) nine bottles of water during the race.
“The team kept me calm, and it’s the reason why we got a good result in the end. So, I was happy.”
Button will next compete in the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2 before racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on August 13.
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Four Warrington Wolves players make our latest Betfred Super League team of the week after they stayed unbeaten so far in 2023, with three each from Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos included as well; Wigan Warriors and St Helens are also represented
Last Updated: 27/03/23 10:22am
Josh Charnley’s hat-trick for Leigh earned him a place in our team of the week
We go through the statistics and put together our combined XIII of the standout performers from the latest round of matches in the Betfred Super League…
1. Matt Dufty (Warrington Wolves)
The full-back was heavily involved as the Wolves maintained their unbeaten start to the Super League season with a 38-0 win away to Castleford Tigers.
Dufty scored a try, assisted another, broke four tackles and assisted a linebreak. He gained 128 metres with the ball in hand as well.
2. Bevan French (Wigan Warriors)
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Highlights of the Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils
Two tries from the 2022 Super League Dream Team selection helped Wigan overcome Salford Red Devils in a thrilling 20-16 win on Friday.
French’s tries came on the back of him gaining 185 metres and making 58 post-contact metres. He broke the line three times and bust 11 tackles as well.
3. Tom Opacic (Hull Kingston Rovers)
The Australian led the way for the Robins as they got back to winning ways and inflicted more misery on Wakefield Trinity in a 34-6 triumph at Be Well Support Stadium.
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Highlights from the Super League match between Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR
Opacic provided an assist for a try and a linebreak too, along with breaking the line twice himself and busting seven tackles. He gained 52 metres with the ball in hand as well.
4. Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
The centre atoned for his second-half sin-binning by completing Leeds Rhinos’ comeback win over Catalans Dragons as the hosts triumphed 32-22 on Saturday.
That was Newman’s second try of the game, having assisted a linebreak, broken the line twice and bust one tackle. He gained 104 metres with 42 post-contact metres as well.
5. Josh Charnley (Leigh Leopards)
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Highlights of the Super League match between Hull FC and Leigh Leopards
A hat-trick from the winger helped set Leigh on their way to an impressive 24-16 win away to Hull FC in Saturday’s Super League match.
Charnley’s treble came in a game where he gained 116 metres and made 47 post-contact metres, breaking the line three times and busting six tackles.
6. Blake Austin (Leeds Rhinos)
The former Great Britain international was at the heart of the Rhinos’ comeback win against Catalans at Headingley.
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Highlights of the Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons
Austin assisted two tries and two linebreaks, along with breaking the line twice and busting four tackles. He was a strong running threat too, gaining 129 metres and gaining 46 post-contact metres.
7. Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)
The scrum-half earned the praises of his father and Leigh head coach Adrian Lam for his role in helping the Leopards to victory away at Hull FC.
Lam assisted a try and a linebreak and was a constant running threat. He gained 66 metres, breaking the line once and busting five tackles, along with controlling things with his in-play kicking.
8. Paul Vaughan (Warrington Wolves)
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Highlights of the Super League match between Castleford Tigers and Warrington Wolves
The former Australia international again showed why Warrington brought him over from the NRL by laying the groundwork for their victory over Castleford.
Vaughan gained 171 metres and made 101 post-contact metres with the ball in hand, breaking the line once and busting six tackles. He came up with 23 tackles in defence too.
9. Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)
The hooker made his presence felt off the interchange bench after Daryl Clarke played just 15 minutes due to injury in Friday’s win for Warrington at Castleford.
Walker provided an assist for a try and assisted two linebreaks as well, along with gaining 117 metres and busting two tackles. He made 21 tackles in defence too.
10. Matty Lees (St Helens)
The prop was named player of the match in St Helens’ 14-12 win away to Huddersfield Giants for his defensive effort which saw him make 58 tackles in a full 80-minute stint in the front row.
England international Lees gained 58 metres with the ball in hand too, with one tackle break.
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Highlights of the Super League match between Huddersfield Giants and St Helens
11. Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
Another strong showing in the back row from the Wolves’ testimonial man proved key as they made it six wins from six in Super League in 2023.
Currie gained 85 metres with 43 post-contact metres, assisting a try and assisting a line break too. In defence, he came up with 29 tackles.
12. Kai O’Donnell (Leigh Leopards)
The former Canberra Raiders second row put in a fine display on both sides of the ball to help the Leopards triumph at the MKM Stadium.
O’Donnell scored a try on the back of gaining 120 metres with 62 post-contact metres, making one linebreak and busting five tackles. He made 33 tackles with a 100 per cent completion rate too.
13. Cameron Smith (Leeds Rhinos)
The loose forward put in another impressive performance in both attack and defence to help Leeds hand Catalans their first defeat of the year in Super League.
Smith assisted one try and one linebreak, along with gaining 60 metres, making 41 post-contact metres, and busting five tackles. He came up with 42 tackles in defence as well.
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