The latest World Netball (WN) rankings, updated on October 6, 2024, have brought both challenges and successes for Caribbean teams. Jamaica, the region’s highest-ranked team, continues to shine, maintaining its position at number four in the world with a rating of 187 points. Despite the changes in the rankings, the Sunshine Girls remain a force to be reckoned with, trailing closely behind the world’s top three teams, Australia, England, and New Zealand.
Jamaica’s steadfast ranking is a testament to the team's consistent performance on the international stage. While the Sunshine Girls didn't experience a shift in the rankings, their position solidifies their reputation as a top contender in global netball, with eyes set on future competitions to close the gap between them and the leading nations.
However, not all Caribbean teams were as fortunate. The Barbados Gems have had a difficult run, losing all three of their matches in the Paradise Ranking Series against Northern Ireland. As a result, their rating dropped by three points, causing them to slip from 15th to 16th in the world rankings. This setback highlights the challenges the Gems have faced but also emphasizes the competitive nature of the sport, where small margins can make a big difference in standings.
Meanwhile, Trinidad & Tobago, once a dominant force in the region, remains in 12th place with 92 points, holding steady in the rankings but still working to regain their former glory. The team's potential remains high, but consistent performances will be necessary to break back into the top 10.
In the Eastern Caribbean, Grenada faced a dip, dropping one place to 20th following the results of the ECCB International Series. The Spice Girls will look to bounce back in future matches as they continue to build on their promising talent and infrastructure. On the other hand, St. Lucia enjoyed success, jumping five places to 33rd after winning three of their five games in the same series, signalling growth and improvement for the island nation.
Other Caribbean teams experienced mixed fortunes. Antigua and Barbuda dropped three places to 36th, while the Cayman Islands moved up one spot to 38th, showing signs of progress. Dominica, however, slipped two places to 44th, highlighting the ongoing challenges some teams face in maintaining consistency on the international stage.
The updated rankings reflect not only the competitive landscape of international netball but also the importance of ongoing development and support for Caribbean teams. While Jamaica continues to be a beacon for the region, the ups and downs of other Caribbean teams illustrate the need for investment in talent and resources to remain competitive at the global level.
As the region's teams prepare for future tournaments, the latest rankings serve as both motivation and a reminder of the work that lies ahead. For Jamaica, the goal remains to climb higher, while for other Caribbean nations, the journey is about pushing forward, improving performance, and reclaiming spots in the global top tier.
Rafael Nadal is looking forward to playing Novak Djokovic one last time when they meet in the third-place play-off of the 6 Kings Slam exhibition event on Saturday.
The Spaniard lost to his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets on Thursday and was applauded off after the defeat in what is his penultimate tournament.
However, it has teed up one final meeting between the great rivals, who are the only male players to have faced each other 60 times in the Open Era.
They last met in the second round at the Paris Olympics, with the Serb coming out on top, earning his 31st win despite Nadal's late fightback.
At the time, that looked to be their last dance, but Nadal is excited to go head-to-head with him once again.
"To have Novak in front [of me], it's like a nostalgic thing," said Nadal, who has won 29 of his 60 meetings with Djokovic.
"Playing against Novak has always been a big challenge, [he is] a great rival. He is a player who has always pushed me to the highest level, taken me to the limit.
"We've played each other a lot, so it'll be fun to play each other again one more time in this match. Hopefully, we can create a good show and good level of entertainment."
Nadal will play his final tournament at the Davis Cup Finals next month, where he will represent Spain in Malaga.
It will mark the end of a glittering career in which he won 22 singles grand slam titles, with only Margaret Court, Novak Djokovic (24 each), and Serena Williams (23) winning more across the ATP and WTA.
The 38-year-old also ended 13 different years in the top two of the ATP World Rankings, more than any other player throughout the Open Era.
Nadal is set to play in the doubles at the Davis Cup but is still undecided whether or not he will compete in the singles.
"Emotionally, I'm sure I'll be ready. Physically and in terms of tennis level, there remains a month left to prepare," he added.
"I will try to be in good shape to help the team to win. If I don't feel ready for the singles, I'll be the first one to say.
"Be 100% sure, I will not be on court if I don't feel ready to win my match."
Lando Norris believes his 2024 Formula One season will be classed as a success regardless of whether he beats Max Verstappen to the drivers' championship.
Ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas this weekend, Norris is 52 points behind the Dutchman at the top of the standings.
Norris won his third race of the season last time out in Singapore four weeks ago, gaining seven points as he finished just ahead of Verstappen, who has won the last three championships.
But the 24-year-old has never finished higher than sixth in the drivers' championship, with this season marking significant progress whatever happens in the final six races.
As a result, Norris is conscious that success should not be defined by whether he and McLaren end the season with silverware.
"We're fighting against the best of the best but no matter what, it has still been a successful season," he said. "If I finish second it's because Red Bull and Max have done a better job.
"We started [the season] a long way behind. Everyone thought Max was going to have an easy win.
"For that not to be the case after the gap they had after race one, it's still a year to be proud of.
"But as the season goes on, you always reevaluate what are our expectations, and now we are a top team and fighting for drivers' and constructors' championships.
"I've been doing a good job. I have been happy with the job I have been doing and what we are doing as a team, and confident if we keep our heads down and keep pushing, we can close the gap.
"It's not easy, we need more than me first and Max second, but I can't change that, just keep my head down and focus on myself."
Given the current gap between Norris and Verstappen, the British driver will require other drivers to finish between them in the final races of the season to claw back the deficit.
Verstappen has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, his worst run since an 11-race streak in 2020, and only finished second in three others.
Norris, meanwhile, only needs to earn two points in Texas to become the driver with the most points in the history of McLaren and surpass Lewis Hamilton's tally of 913.
Jhonkensy Noel and David Fry saved the Cleveland Guardians' season with a pair of dramatic home runs.
After Noel hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the score, Fry's two-run homer in the 10th propelled the Guardians to a 7-5 win over the New York Yankees on Thursday in an instant classic to pull Cleveland within 2-1 in the AL Championship Series.
The Yankees were trailing 3-1 with two outs in the eighth inning until Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit back-to-back home runs off All-Star closer Emanuel Clase, with Judge tying the score with a two-run blast and Stanton following with a solo shot.
New York tacked on another run in the top of the ninth to take a 5-3 lead and was one out away from taking a 3-0 series lead, but Lane Thomas then doubled off Luke Weaver to set up Noel's game-tying bomb to send the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy.
After the Yankees failed to score in the top of the 10th, Bo Naylor singled to lead off the bottom of the inning and came around to score on Fry's game-ending home run in front of a raucous crowd.
Rookie Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run homer in the third inning for the Guardians, who can even the series in Game 4 on Friday.
Dodgers pound Mets again to grab 3-1 lead in NLCS
Shohei Ohtani started off Game 4 with a lead-off home run to set the tone in the Los Angeles Dodgers' latest blowout win over the New York Mets - a 10-2 trouncing for a 3-1 lead in the NL Championship Series.
Ohtani scored four runs, while No. 2 hitter Mookie Betts went 4 for 6 with a home run, four RBIs and three runs scored to help the Dodgers move within one win of reaching the World Series.
Los Angeles, which scored nine runs in winning the NLCS opener and plated eight runs in Game 3, won without Freddie Freeman, as the All-Star first baseman rested a swollen right ankle.
Tommy Edman stepped up with three RBIs, and Max Muncy set a single-season play-off record by reaching base in 12 consecutive plate appearances. He had two homers, two singles and eight walks during his run, which ended in the eighth inning.
The Mets had 10 hits, but were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base.
New York needs to win Game 5 on Friday at Citi Field to send the series back to Los Angeles, while the Dodgers can secure an NL record 25th pennant with one more victory.
The Denver Broncos rushed for a season-high 225 yards in an emphatic 33-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday.
Javonte Wiliams finished with 88 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Bo Nix ran for 75 yards to help the Broncos (4-3) win for the fourth time in five games.
Nix, who was the 12th overall pick of this year's draft, also threw for 164 yards as Sean Payton won in his return to New Orleans. The second-year Denver coach directed the Saints from 2006-2021 and led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title.
Things aren't going nearly as well lately for the Saints (2-5), who have scored 86 points in losing five straight games after tallying 91 points in opening the season 2-0.
Denver's defence suffocated New Orleans' offence, sacking fellow rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler six times and scoring a touchdown on a 52-yard interception return by Cody Barton with 4:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Saints, who were limited to 179 yards through three quarters, added a late TD on 12-yard pass from backup quarterback Jake Haener to Cedrick Wilson.
Carlos Alcaraz will face Jannik Sinner in the final of the 6 Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, having overcome an emotional Rafael Nadal in his penultimate tournament before retirement.
Nadal drew plenty of admiration from the crowd in Riyadh and was applauded off after a 6-3 6-3 defeat, which ensured he will face great rival Novak Djokovic in a third-place play-off on Saturday.
Alcaraz set the tone immediately by breaking to love in the very first game of the encounter, though Nadal found his feet to keep things competitive in the opening set.
Alcaraz hit a neat forehand to bring an end to a mammoth four-deuce game on Nadal's serve to take the opener, but the 22-time grand slam champion refused to go down without a fight, holding to love at the start of the second set.
However, Alcaraz smashed a magnificent forehand down the line to go a break up at the second opportunity, and despite Nadal producing some memorable moments – including one cultured backhand at the net – he held firm for a 78-minute victory.
Nadal will team up with Alcaraz to represent Spain at the Davis Cup next week, at the final tournament of his glittering career.
Data Debrief: Headline clashes teed up
Sinner's victory means he will face Alcaraz for the fourth time this year in Saturday's final, with the Spaniard having won all three previous meetings in 2024.
Nadal, meanwhile, is set for one last dance with Djokovic, who he has faced 60 times in official tour-level competitions, winning 29 times and losing on 31 occasions.
The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to begin the season without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup as the star forward continues to rehabilitate from inflammation in his right knee.
The oft-injured Leonard played in his most games last season since 2016-17 with the San Antonio Spurs as he took the court for 68 of the Clippers’ 82 games.
The six-time All-Star, though, sat out Los Angeles’ final eight regular-season contests due to inflammation in the knee and only played in Games 2 and 3 during the team’s first-round play-off loss in six games to the Dallas Mavericks.
Leonard has yet to take on-court contact during training camp and instead has been focusing on rehabbing the knee.
“He has not been a part of what we've been doing on a daily basis,” Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw told reporters on Wednesday.
“I know the company line has been that we're going to be patient with him. He's doing everything that he can to rehab it and strengthen that knee on his own with our medical staff, and we’re just dealing with the guys that we have.”
The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year led Los Angeles last season with 23.7 points and 1.63 steals per game and was second on the team in rebounding (6.1), blocks (0.87) and 3-point shooting percentage (41.7) while ranking third in assists (3.6).
The Clippers went 51-31 last season and won the Pacific Division for the first time since 2013-14.
With Leonard out indefinitely and Paul George signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason, Los Angeles will turn to former NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star James Harden to lead the way offensively.
Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic for the second time in five days to tee up a final clash with either Carlos Alcaraz or Rafael Nadal at the 6 Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.
Sinner, who beat Djokovic en route to his triumph at the Shanghai Masters last week, overcame the 24-time grand slam champion again in three sets on Thursday.
The world number one picked up where he left off in Shanghai with a break in the very first game of the encounter, then another break seven games later saw him seize the opener in emphatic fashion, only dropping two points on his own serve.
Djokovic roared back in the second set, though, recovering from another early break before producing a flawless tie-break performance to level things up.
The decider was a far more even affair, Djokovic forcing two break points at 3-2 up before the momentum switched, with Sinner getting the better of the 37-year-old through three straight breaks of serve to wrap up a two-hour, 27-minute victory.
Data Debrief: Sinner maintains Djokovic streak
While Thursday's win at the inaugural exhibition event in Riyadh will not count towards the pair's official ATP Tour head-to-head record, Sinner maintained his fine recent form against Djokovic.
He has now won his last four matches against Djokovic overall, and five of his last six.
Max Verstappen believes McLaren's Oscar Piastri is "too good" to be asked to support Lando Norris in his bid for the Formula One drivers' championship.
Verstappen leads the way despite not winning in his last eight races, but has seen his lead cut to 52 points by Norris ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix.
As the season has progressed, McLaren's improvements have been significant, and they lead Red Bull in the constructors' standings as they aim to win their first team title since 1998.
The British-based team are sticking to their general approach of having two equal drivers, though that has changed as Norris edges closer to clinching a maiden world title.
McLaren said they would prioritise Norris over Piastri in his attempts to end Verstappen's three-year reign as champion.
"He's definitely not a [number two driver] and if I was him I would never accept it," Verstappen said.
"For me, it's easy to talk, of course, because I've been in F1 for 10 years and it's Oscar's second season, so it is always harder to put your foot down.
"But he's just a great F1 driver who doesn't deserve it to give up wins and positions and play second fiddle because he's asked to."
Verstappen did, however, praise McLaren for their rapid rate of development over the past 18 months, and for how Norris and Piastri have proven a formidable combination.
Asked if the pair was the best driver line-up among Red Bull's competitors, he replied: "Yes, because they are closely matched and because they are both quick.
"McLaren has really put the right people in the right place, people that were already working at the team.
"The people there aren't all new hires, apart from people like [former Red Bull designer] Rob Marshall.
"But some staff have been given new roles, and you can see how quickly that can have an impact."
DRIVERS TO WATCH
Lando Norris – McLaren
After finishing second in Austin last season, Norris will be hopeful of going one better this time around to close the gap to Verstappen in the drivers' standings.
Norris has scored 912 points in his F1 career, all of them with McLaren. If he scores at least two more in the United States, he will become the driver with the most points in the history of the team, surpassing Lewis Hamilton's 913.
The Briton has scored 460 points in the last 30 races in which he has won points in the competition (15.3 average), eight points more than in the previous 66 (452 - 6.8 average).
McLaren will also be looking to extend their lead at the top of the constructors' championship, too.
They have had one or both of their drivers on the podium in each of the last 14 Formula 1 races. This is their second best-ever run in the competition (surpassing two streaks of 13), behind only the 19 between Australia 2007 and Malaysia 2008.
McLaren now have 18 podium finishes in 2024, their best record in a season since 2011 (also 18). In fact, in only four years have they achieved more (20 in 1998, 22 in 2000, 24 in 2007 and 25 in 1988).
Max Verstappen – Red Bull
Verstappen will contest his 204th race in F1 this weekend.
Twelve of the last 13 winners in Austin have started from the front row of the grid, seven from pole position and five from second, though Verstappen is the only exception, having won from sixth place last year.
However, the three-time world champion has now gone seven races without a pole position and eight without a triumph - his worst respective streaks since the penultimate round in 2020, when he went 17 qualifying rounds without a win and 11 consecutive races without a victory.
If either Verstappen or Sergio Perez scores points this weekend, Red Bull will have put at least one of their two drivers in the points for 62 consecutive races, equalling the third-best run in F1 history (Mercedes' 62 on two occasions; between Brazil 2012 and Russia 2016, and between France 2021 and Saudi Arabia 2024).
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 331
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 279
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 245
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 237
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 190
Constructors
1. McLaren – 516
2. Red Bull – 475
3. Ferrari – 441
4. Mercedes – 329
5. Aston Martin – 86
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve knows it takes a "special mental toughness" to deal with the pressures of the WNBA Finals.
The Lynx are 2-1 down to the New York Liberty following a 77-80 defeat at home on Wednesday.
Minnesota blew a 15-point lead in front of a franchise-record home crowd, but four-time WNBA champion Reeve says the swings in momentum are part and parcel of a Finals series.
"There's so many ups and downs and swings all around, and it takes special mental toughness and physical toughness to sort of weather those swings, and here we are," said Reeve, who has been named WNBA Coach of the Year four times.
"We're disappointed. We're home. We played well and just couldn't come up with the win."
Having sunk half (10/20) of their shots in the opening quarter, the Lynx only converted 19 of 55 for the rest of the game.
They now face the prospect of having to be the first team to overturn a 2-1 deficit heading into the last two fixtures since they won the Finals in 2017.
"I feel like they were making plays at the end of shot clocks and like the coach said, we were getting really good looks," said Napheesa Collier, who finished with a team-leading 22 points for the Lynx.
"We just weren't executing on the offensive end. It's just hard when you get that and then obviously they are a great offensive team."
Breanna Stewart led for the Liberty with 30 points and 11 rebounds.
But Sabrina Ionescu was the hero for New York, with her 3-pointer coming with just two seconds remaining. The Liberty are now just one win away from their first championship.
Ionescu said: "I had to go look at the video really quickly to see how far I was.
"Sometimes it goes in and sometimes it doesn't. I've practiced that shot a thousand times in my head, on the court, and I feel like that’s just something that as athletes, you put yourself in that position to want to be able to make a shot."
Iga Swiatek has confirmed Wim Fissette as her new coach as she continues to prepare for next month's WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Swiatek parted ways with Tomasz Wiktorowski earlier this month after three successful years with the Pole, which included four grand slam titles.
Fissette has previously coached five world number one players.
The 44-year-old had stints with Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and, most recently, Naomi Osaka.
Fissette has coached Osaka in two matches against Swiatek, with the Japanese losing in the 2022 Miami final and in the second round at Roland-Garros earlier this year.
"I'm happy to announce that Wim Fissette is joining our team," Swiatek posted on social media.
"As you know, I'm preparing for the WTA Finals but my perspective is, as always, long-term, not short-term.
"I said many times that my career is a marathon for me, not a sprint and I'm working, operating and making decisions with this approach.
"I want to say that I'm very excited and looking forward to working with Wim. He seems to have a great attitude, vision and huge experience at a very top level of tennis.
"It's always crucial to try and get to know each other better but we're off to a good start and I can't wait to compete soon."
Swiatek has not competed since her quarter-final loss to Jessica Pegula at the US Open, pulling out of the China Open, where she was defending champion, due to "personal reasons".
She now faces a battle to remain at the summit of the WTA rankings, having seen Aryna Sabalenka close the gap following her successes at the US and Wuhan Open.
Liam Lawson revealed he has been set a target of beating Yuki Tsunoda to be in contention for a Red Bull seat in 2025 ahead of his return to the track this weekend.
Lawson will partner up with Tsunoda for RB at the United States Grand Prix in Austin after replacing Daniel Ricciardo for the final six races of the season.
The New Zealander returns to the grid for the first time in a year after deputising for Ricciardo for five races last season, scoring points at the Singapore Grand Prix on just his third start.
Lawson has the chance to impress again this time around, with a potential view of joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year.
It is no secret that Sergio Perez is under pressure. Since the beginning of 2023, the six-time race winner has scored almost 500 fewer points than Verstappen.
The Mexican has also failed to reach the podium in his last 13 races, with his best finish coming at the Miami Grand Prix where he finished fourth.
And Lawson has said that beating Tsunoda is the target Red Bull have set, with the 22-year-old aiming to give Christian Horner a headache ahead of next season.
“[The target set by Red Bull of needing to beat Tsunoda is] pretty much what I expected, they don’t want to see me going in there and seeing me outperformed for the rest of the year – but it’s always been like that,” Lawson said.
“With Yuki, we’ve been compared since we were 17 or 18 years old.
"He’s had a really good start to the season, and he’s been performing better this year than any other year but also the team has changed up a lot this year and is heading in a really great direction so it’s exciting to be part of that as well.”
“The conversations have always been in the direction of becoming a Red Bull driver in the future and that’s what I’ve said to them – that’s what I want to become, that’s why I joined the team and want to stay with them and join them in F1.
“That’s my goal and their goal, I think, is to have drivers to replace current drivers in the future at some point.
"That’s the goal. When that could happen, I have no absolutely idea. But I know it’ll be based on how I perform in the car.”
Tsunoda currently sits 12th in the drivers' championship, claiming 22 points so far this season, with his last top 10 finish coming in Hungary back in July.
Lawson will only have one practice to get up to speed this weekend in Austin, which is one of three sprint weekends in the final six races of the season.
Though he has had time to prepare for this moment, saying he knew during the Singapore Grand Prix he would be replacing eight-time race winner Ricciardo this weekend.
Lawson explained the difficulty of that particular race, but said a conversation with the Australian has stuck with him ahead of his return to the track.
“Luckily, he’s a great guy,” Lawson said. “He knew it was nothing to do with me. And that’s probably the thing with Daniel for the whole time we’ve been in this situation.
“Even for the last 12 months, it’s never felt like we were in direct competition as much as we all are in the sport in some way.
“With Daniel, it never really felt like that, he was always open to giving advice when I was driving. He was good to me throughout the year, in any way he could be.
“So, it never felt like we were in direct competition for a seat. We were also at very different point in our career, so that’s something that probably helped that.
“I went and saw him and said obviously sorry about this whole situation as it’s not nice, and sorry you had to go through it.
"But he said there’s obviously nothing against me, and he said ‘you get one shot at F1, make sure you take it’ – and he said ‘good luck’.”
Carlos Alcaraz set up a mouth-watering 6 Kings Slam semi-final showdown with Rafael Nadal after a straight-sets win over Holger Rune.
The winner of this season's French Open and Wimbledon, the Spaniard took just 72 minutes to wrap up a commanding 6-4 6-2 victory in Riyadh.
The first set was neck and neck until game nine, when Alcaraz broke before holding to 15 to move halfway towards victory.
The four-time major champion then broke in games three and five to take complete control of the second set, which he eventually wrapped up to book what could be one last showdown with the retiring Nadal.
"I tried to adapt my game a bit to the conditions on the court," he said during his on-court post-match interview.
"At the beginning, I struggled a little bit with my returns. I had to find the solutions, but once I did, I started to play better and better, and he struggled a little bit more than me."
On the prospect of facing Nadal, he added: "Since I started playing tennis, I have watched his matches. He's still my idol. He's been a really important person for my life and my career. He was one of the reasons I wanted to become a professional tennis player.
"Playing against him once again is going to be tough for me, but I'm going to try and enjoy it. I'm going to go full power; he's going to be stronger than ever before."
Data Debrief: Solid service from Alcaraz
Alcaraz will be relishing the prospect of going head to head once more with Nadal, who he partnered in the men's doubles at the Paris Olympics.
The world number two set up the clash after a dominant display on serve. Indeed, he won all nine service games, winning 37 of 45 points, and hit six aces while not facing a single break point.
Jannik Sinner brushed aside Daniil Medvedev to reach the semi-finals of the 6 Kings Slam with a straight-sets triumph at the inaugural event in Saudi Arabia.
Sinner, fresh from his Shanghai Masters victory last week, needed just over an hour to down his opponent, emerging a 6-0 6-3 victor in a repeat of this year's Australian Open final.
The Italian asserted his dominance from the off, breaking Medvedev's serve in the opening game before hammering home his advantage to take the first set at a canter.
Medvedev, however, responded well in the second, trading blows with Sinner, but was undone in the fifth game as the world number one broke his serve once again.
Sinner held his serve and, despite squandering one match point, made no mistake at the second time of asking.
A showdown with Novak Djokovic, who he beat in last week's Shanghai showpiece, awaits in the last four.
"It was a very good performance, considering I only arrived here a couple of days ago," Sinner said.
"I only had one practice session, but I was looking forward to coming here. It's something very new. We are six of the best tennis players in the world."
Jamaica's Reggae Warriors suffered a narrow 22-16 defeat to Wales in a rain-drenched international rugby league encounter on Tuesday at The Gnoll in Neath. Despite leading 10-0 early in the match, Jamaica couldn’t hold off a determined Welsh side that rallied in the second half to secure the victory in front of 1,300 fans.
Jamaica, fielding a new-look squad with eight debutants, got off to a dream start. Ben Jones-Bishop opened the scoring in the fifth minute, slipping through the Welsh defense after a missed tackle. Just minutes later, Alex Young, brother of England international Dom Young, pounced on a loose ball following Kieran Rush’s precise kick to double the lead for the Reggae Warriors.
With a 10-0 advantage, Jamaica appeared to be in control, but Wales adapted to the worsening conditions. Rhys Williams, Wales' record-cap holder, sparked the Welsh comeback just before halftime, scoring a crucial try after running onto a kick from captain Elliot Kear.
The second half saw Wales take advantage of the wet conditions and gain momentum. Debutants Huw Worthington and Max Clarke both crossed the try line, giving Wales the lead for the first time in the match. A strong performance from Gil Dudson, named man of the match, and a try from Matty Fozard stretched the Welsh lead, sealing the comeback victory.
Jamaica struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, especially after losing playmaker Kieran Rush to injury early in the period. Despite a late try from Joshua Hudson-Lett, Jamaica couldn’t close the gap, leaving the final score at 22-16 in favor of Wales.
For Jamaica, the match provided valuable experience for a squad featuring many new players, including the only non-UK-based player, Alex Young of the Sydney Roosters. Despite the loss, the Reggae Warriors showed promise and will look to build on their performance in future fixtures.
Match Summary
Wales (4) 22
Tries: Williams, Worthington, Clarke, Dudson, Fozard
Conversions: Fozard
Jamaica (10) 16
Tries: Jones-Bishop, Young, Hudson-Lett
Conversions: Carter
Penalty: Rush
The defeat marks another step in Jamaica’s journey to establish themselves on the international rugby league stage as they continue to gain experience against quality opposition.
Jamaica's premier horse racing venue is poised for significant growth and more international recognition, thanks to a strategic partnership with the New York Racing Association (NYRA). This collaboration, ignited by the improvement being done at the park by operators Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) over the past seven, potentially marks a turning point for the Jamaican horse racing industry.
In a major boost to the Caymanas Park's profile, NYRA and FOX Sports have committed to a two-year agreement to broadcast the prestigious Mouttet Mile Invitational live in the USA. This partnership renewal comes after the resounding success of the 2023 Mouttet Mile Invitational which was televised live for the first time on FOX Sports.
SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed his joy with the development. “Since SVREL has been at the helm of operations at Caymanas Park, we’ve made US multi-million-dollar investments into the product and the infrastructure as we strongly believe in the value of horseracing as an industry. We are very excited to have NYRA see the gem that Caymanas Park is and for them to step up and commit to investing in the product to help bring the sport to international racing fans. By all accounts, last year’s broadcast on FOX Sports was a hit. Racing fans from NY to California fell in love with the energy of racing at Caymanas Park and so we’re very pleased to have FOX and NYRA back on board for not just this year but also the 2025 Mouttet Mile. The potential for the growth of the local industry with the exposure and support from NYRA and FOX is limitless.”
Sharpe has consistently shared his vision for the facility to become the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Caribbean.
In addition to broadcasting the next two editions of the Mouttet Mile, FOX Sports also stated that the extended coverage will showcase not only the world-class racing at Caymanas Park but also the venue's unique and electric atmosphere brought by the passionate racing fans. The partnership will also officially make the linkage between sports and tourism by including Jamaica’s natural beauty and historical sites in the broadcast partnership. They will also be showcasing not only the racing but the passion of the fans at Caymanas Park who add to the unique energy at the iconic venue.
Overseas punters are not to be left out as NYRA will offer a special Pick 5 wager that includes not only two graded stakes at Caymanas Park, including the Mouttet Mile but also the prestigious Cigar Mile at Aqueduct—a Grade 1 race with a purse of US$750,000.
"NYRA is looking to host an inter tote wagering double race with the Mouttet Mile and the Cigar Mile. Interest in the Mouttet Mile and by extension, Caymanas Park, has spread from coast to coast in the USA. Making betting on the Mouttet Mile accessible in the USA is a great achievement and it takes us closer to realising the ultimate goal of having the race included in the World Pool,” said Sharpe.
He also hinted at a possible purse increase for next year's Mouttet Mile.
The Mouttet Mile Invitational is a Grade One event for three-year-olds and upward going over a mile (1,600m) and in successive years has set the record for the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean. The 2024 purse is set at a historic US $250,000. The 3rd Running of the Mouttet Mile is scheduled for December 7.
This year’s staging is already shaping up to be an exciting affair with early interest from 7 prominent overseas-based horses and two local horses already earning their automatic spots in an exciting Win and You’re In promotion by copping wins in The Jamaica Derby (Gr. 1) and the Philip Feanny OD Gold Cup (Gr. 1). The final Win & You’re In instalments are The Jamaica Cup (Gr. 1) and Port Royal Sprint (Gr. 3) scheduled for November 9.
The collaboration between Caymanas Park and NYRA represents a significant milestone for Jamaica's horse racing industry.
Sharpe concluded “Over the past few years we’ve been able to attract some local corporate sponsors which we see as an endorsement of SVREL’s efforts to elevate horseracing and create a thriving ecosystem around it. This endorsement by an organization like NYRA bodes well for the future of racing and we can’t wait to welcome even more international partners on board as we grow a sustainable product. All of this happening in Caymanas Park’s 65th anniversary year makes it extra special.”
Building on the solid groundwork laid by SVREL's investments and innovations, this partnership with NYRA is expected to bring new opportunities, increased investment, and a higher international profile to Jamaican horse racing.
Tom Brady has been given approval by the NFL's team owners to buy a 5% stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 47-year-old retired for the second time in February 2023, having won seven Super Bowls across 23 seasons in the NFL.
Speaking about his investment, Brady said he was "incredibly humbled and excited" to be given the opportunity to work with the Raiders.
"Throughout my NFL career, I've learned that at its core, football is a game of teamwork, resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence," he wrote in a statement.
"The Raiders franchise and city of Las Vegas embody these same values, and I'm honoured to become part of that story."
Brady has kept himself busy since leaving the NFL as a player. In March of last year, he purchased a minority stake in the Las Vegas Aces before they went on to win the WNBA Championship.
Last August, he also became a minority owner of EFL team Birmingham City, in partnership with investment group Knighthead Capital Management.
On his latest acquisition, Brady needed 24 votes from NFL owners to get the green light but received a unanimous 32 during a meeting in Atlanta.
"I'm excited to contribute to the organisation in any way I can, honouring the Raiders' rich tradition while finding every possible opportunity to improve our offering to fans," he said. "And most importantly, WIN football games."
Brady isn't the only person pleased with his acquisition, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell happy to see him back in the sport.
"It's great that Tom Brady wants to invest in the NFL," he said. "He cares deeply about this game, he believes in its future, and I think that's just a signal about it."
Aaron Judge hit his first homer this postseason and drove in three runs as the New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series on Tuesday night.
Judge, who entered with just one RBI in the playoffs, hit a sacrifice fly in a two-run second that put the Yankees ahead 3-0. With New York leading 4-2 lead in the seventh, the likely AL MVP drove a fastball at the letters from Hunter Gaddis 414 feet to center for his 14th career postseason home run.
Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee got just four outs in the shortest start of his professional career and Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was chased after four walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Winner Clay Holmes, Tim Hill and Tommy Kahnle combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings. José Ramírez hit a ninth-inning home run off Luke Weaver, just the second earned run New York’s bullpen has allowed over 23 1/3 innings in six postseason games.
After a day off, Game 3 is Thursday in Cleveland. The Yankees lead the ALCS 2-0 for the first time since 2009 against the Los Angeles Angels.
New York’s Gleyber Torres reached base leading off for the fifth time in the playoffs and had three hits. Anthony Rizzo had two hits and is 3 for 7 in two games since returning from a pair of fractured fingers that caused him to miss the Division Series.
Rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio and right fielder Will Brennan committed run-scoring errors for the Guardians.
Rocchio dropped Judge’s first-inning popup, allowing Torres to score. After Cleveland closed to 3-2, Brennan bobbled the ball when he tried for a barehand pickup of Rizzo’s sixth-inning double that caromed off the low wall down the right-field line. Anthony Volpe, who had been on first, sprinted home.
Cleveland went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.
The Buffalo Bills have given their offence a boost, while the Cleveland Browns may be signalling they're giving up on the season.
The Bills acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Browns on Tuesday in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick and a 2026 seventh-rounder.
As part of the trade, Buffalo will also receive a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Cooper was drafted fourth overall by the then-Oakland Raiders in 2015, and in 10 seasons since his rookie year, he ranks eighth in receptions (691), seventh in receiving yards (9,736) and seventh in touchdown catches (62).
He only had 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns in six games in 2024, but part of his lack of production has to do with the poor play of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
In 2023, he had 72 catches for 1,250 yards with five TDs to earn a fifth Pro Bowl selection.
He now joins a Buffalo team that is led by star quarterback Josh Allen, but is without a clear-cut No. 1 receiver following the off-season departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid leads the Bills with 21 receptions for 217 yards, while receiver Khali Shakir has 20 catches for 249 yards.
In Buffalo's 23-20 win over the New York Jets on Monday night, the Bills did not have a receiver catch more than three passes.
Despite being without a star receiver, the Bills are atop the AFC East with a 4-2 record.
The Browns, meanwhile, dropped to 1-5 with another inept offensive showing in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cooper will have his first opportunity to be on the field with his new team this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
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