Rotherham wait on RFU ruling
Rugby union: Rotherham’s future is likely to be decided today. The club hope to start their National League first division campaign against Bedford in ten days’ time as planned, but that hinges on the RFU management board accepting a local consortium’s plan to keep Rotherham afloat.
About £500,000 has been raised by the group, while the players have agreed to take sizeable cuts in salary. If no progress is made, Rotherham look likely to cease trading before facing liquidation next month. “This is a big hurdle for us to get over,” Jacob Rauluni, the captain, said.
Young spark
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Bowls: Jamie Chestney, a 17-year-old apprentice electrician from Norfolk, skipped Ian Wynter, his Downham Ex-Servicemen’s clubmate, to two brilliant victories at Worthing yesterday and will compete in the semi-finals of the National Express English Men’s Pairs Championship this morning.
Newton banned
Rugby league: Terry Newton, the Wigan Warriors hooker, has been given a two-match ban after being found guilty of a reckless high tackle on Jon Wilkin in Friday’s 27-18 win over
St Helens. The Great Britain international was placed on report and referred to the RFL’s disciplinary committee. He was also fined £500.
Endacott in line
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Rugby league: Frank Endacott, the former New Zealand coach, has not ruled out applying for the Widnes Vikings vacancy. Endacott joined Widnes last week in an advisory capacity, helping Stuart Spruce, the caretaker coach, in the battle to avoid relegation from the Tetley’s Super League and with player recruitment for next season.
Pizzonia steps in
Motor racing: Antonio Pizzonia, of Brazil, is hoping to rediscover old glories at the track where he clinched the British Formula Three Championship. Pizzonia will stand in for Ralf Schumacher, the Williams driver, at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Wilkinson ready
Rugby union: Jonny Wilkinson is set to play a full game when Newcastle Falcons complete their pre-season on Saturday. The England fly half continued his comeback from a serious neck and shoulder injury in the 13-10 defeat to Munster on Monday night.
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Bangladesh blow
Cricket: Habibul Bashar, the Bangladesh captain, will miss next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in England because of a broken finger. Faisal Hossain, the middle-order batsman, who was dropped from the team this month, has been recalled as Bashar’s replacement.
Graf honour
Tennis: The centre court of LTTC Rot-Weiss tennis club in Berlin, where Steffi Graf, 35, the retired former world No 1, won more tournaments than anywhere else in her 17-year career, is to be renamed the Steffi-Graf-Stadion in her honour.