THE PRESS, Christchurch Tuesday, January 14, 2014 SPORT B9

Garbett challenge MOTORCYCLING ❯❯❯❯ Canterbury's Jamie Garbett will take on top seed Chris Zhang (Auckland) in the final of the under-12 boys' national tennis tournament at Wilding Park this morning. Garbett advanced to the final after Canty pair stretch superbike lead triumphing over Wellington's George Stoupe 6-4, 6-2. Zhang prevailed over William Brownlie in the other Andy McGechan ‘‘I just sat behind him and it ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● semi-final, winning 7-5, 6-2. There paid off. was a major surprise in the girls' Canterbury duo Dennis Charlett ‘‘It’s good to leave the South semifinals with top seeded and John Ross have further Island (and head to the two North Cantabrian Naynay Homkrun losing stamped their authority on the two Island rounds of the series) with to Auckland's Isabelle Coman 6-3, main classes after round two of such a healthy points lead. I left 4-6, 6-3. Coman will face Auckland's this season’s New Zealand the South Island with a 30-point Holly Stewart in the decider after she Superbike Championships at the lead last year but you really do overcame Brooke Kenny 6-3, 6-3. weekend. need that. A lot of these guys are a The finals get underway at 9.30am With an unbeaten run of three lot faster on their own tracks. this morning. wins at the series opener at Christ- ‘‘I’m certainly not taking any- church a week ago, Suzuki ace thing for granted, especially with Fifa warning Charlett knew he was in the firing Toby and Al going so fast at the line as the riders lined up for moment.’’ ❯❯❯❯ Fifa corruption-buster Ralf round two at Levels Raceway, near In the 250cc Production class, Mutschke has warned that football’s Timaru, last weekend. Ashburton’s Baillie Perriton world governing body will do all in its The championship favourite (Kawasaki) dominated, although power to ensure that match-fixing by certainly got the wake-up call as he had Rangiora international mafia gangs does not ruin the 2014 Taupo’s Suzuki rider Scott Moir Jake Lewis (Kawasaki) pushing World Cup. Mutschke, a former raced to a convincing win in him along. Interpol executive and a police officer Saturday’s superbike race, while Lewis is only briefly back home for 30 years, said the problem of Charlett was forced to settle for after winning the European Jun- corruption is global and exists at all fourth place. ior Cup this season and he shortly levels of the game, including the But Charlett responded in the heads offshore again and so won’t World Cup which gets under way in best way possible the following contest the rest of the domestic Brazil on June 12. ‘‘We must assume day, taking his Underground series, installing series leader that organised crime gangs will also Brown Suzuki GSX-R1000 to sec- Perriton as clear favourite to win try to fix matches at the World Cup,’’ ond and then first placings, the title this season. Mutschke said. But he insisted that enough to push his overall series Meanwhile, other class leaders Fifa would be taking all the necessary advantage out to 20 points over at this halfway stage of the series measures to ensure that ‘‘everything Hamilton Kawasaki rider Nick are New Plymouth’s Hayden Fitz- is possible’’ if match-fixing is proven. Cole, who managed 3-3-2 results at gerald (Superlites, Suzuki SV650); the weekend and remains the Christchurch’s Matthew Title retained biggest threat to Charlett. Hoogenboezem (125GP, Honda ‘‘I was really just pacing myself RS125); Kawakawa’s Royd Walker- ❯❯❯❯ South African Louis Oosthuizen in that last race,’’ Charlett Hoult (Pro Twins, Suzuki SV650); birdied his closing two holes to retain explained. ‘‘It was drizzling quite Getting ahead: Dennis Charlett pushed his overall series advantage out to 20 points over Hamilton Kawasaki rider Nick Cole at the weekend. and Hamilton pair Aaron Lovell the Volvo Champions title yesterday hard but I managed to get enough Photo:DEAN KOZANIC/FAIRFAXNZ and Dennis Simonson (Sidecars, after an earlier eagle on the eighth. drive on the back straight to get LCR1000). The 2010 British past Cole, then I made myself as results are payback for them.’’ Supersport class, defending cham- Yamaha ace Toby Summers. to force his Suzuki GSX-R600 past The series now takes a month- Open winner shot wide as a bus so he couldn’t get Another Canterbury rider, pion Ross was again the stand-out Summers threw down the race leader Summers and stretch long break and resumes at Taupo a four-under 68 back past me before the finish. James Smith (Honda), impressed competitor, finishing the gauntlet when he won the week- out to a notable winning margin of Motorsport Park on March 22-23, for an overall ‘‘I have been working hard to with 2-1-6 results in the superbike weekend 2-1-1 to stretch his cham- end’s opening 600cc race on more than eight seconds. that third round including the 12-under 276 and achieve this and my team has been class at the weekend and he moved pionship advantage out from 28 Saturday, but nobody had an ‘‘I wasn’t sure I could do the New Zealand TT title races. claimed his awesome,’’ said the 45-year-old up to third in the championship points over fellow Christchurch answer for Ross on Sunday. same thing in the next race but it The championship wraps up seventh win on father-of-five and grandfather-of- standings, albeit still a whopping Suzuki star Alistair Hoogen- ‘‘Race one on Sunday was a looked like (race leader) Alistair with a double-header final round the European three. It is great to have that kind 45 points adrift of Cole. boezem to 38 points over really hot pace,’’ said the 32-year- Hoogenboezem’s tyres were ‘going at Manfeild Park, on the outskirts Tour. Oosthuizen of support and hopefully these Meanwhile, in the 600cc the new No 2 rider, Auckland old Ross, who eventually managed off’. of Feilding, on March 29-30. finished a stroke ahead of fellow South African NETBALL CRICKET Branden Grace Louis Oosthuizen who also shot a 68 on the Durban Country Club course. It was Oosthuizen’s first success since winning this elite Langman closes Things looking better for Ronchi 36-player event a year ago. Hamish Bidwell for the Black Caps, Ronchi was hit them, but I ended up whopping But if Ronchi can read Narine’s ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● Sons on show arguably playing for his place the stumps with my bat and the subtleties of spin, he wasn’t say- in on 100th test Hopefully the days of Luke when New Zealand met the West ball missed them,’’ he said. ing. ❯❯❯❯ Two sons of former Australia fast Ronchi’s Black Caps career being a Indies in last Saturday’s That was an instance when ‘‘From keeping all the time I bowler Craig McDermott have been Hamish Bidwell ‘‘massive bummer’’ are over. match at Eden Park. Ronchi was guilty of thinking too always watch the bowler’s hand ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● named in a Prime Minister’s XI to play Between hitting full bungers Instead, his 48 from 25 much. He said that was a common when they’re coming in and see if England in a 50 overs cricket match Laura Langman knows exactly down fielders’ throat and standing balls provided a glimpse of what cause of problems, which is why the ball’s different in their hand or today. Batsman Ben McDermott was how many days there are between on his stumps, the 32-year-old Wellington followers have seen he felt his fortunes where on the their fingers are doing things. named yesterday to join older now and the start of the Silver wicketkeeper-batsman knew he over the past season or so and gave turn when he deposited Andre ‘‘If you can’t pick them that way brother Alistair in the composite side Ferns’ Commonwealth Games title wasn’t doing himself justice in this him some comfort going into Russell into the Eden Park stands then watch the ball as hard as you as a replacement for Chris Lynn who defence on July 25. limited-overs series against the tomorrow night’s final T20 clash on Saturday. can when it’s coming down to see has a knee injury. National talent But ask the stand-in New Zea- West Indies. with the Windies at Westpac ‘‘That happened naturally, which way it’s spinning and if manager Greg Chappell said land to look a week ahead Having come to New Zealand, Stadium. without thinking about it. I wasn’t after all that you still can’t pick it, McDermott is a talented young and she turns you down flat. by way of a brief career in Aust- ‘‘It was nice to perform. Like trying to make things up or do you hope like heck you’re going to batsman in the Brisbane Heat The 27-year-old midcourter was ralia’s coloured clobber, Ronchi I’ve said a few times, I’ve been feel- things I shouldn’t be doing. When I play the right shot.’’ Twenty20 and Australia under-19 her usual industrious self as the arrived with a reputation as a ing pretty good but just haven’t just go out and bat, things work From a team point of view, squads. Chappell said he is also a Silver Ferns kicked off their two- dasher. Plenty of Plunket Shield had much of an opportunity and out a lot better for me.’’ Ronchi said tomorrow night was promising wicketkeeper. test tour of the United Kingdom attacks would attest to that, but when I did I blimmin stepped on Ronchi’s knock helped New an opportunity to atone for not with a 72-18 win over Scotland in turning domestic four-day runs my stumps,’’ Ronchi said. Zealand post a respectable 189 for securing a series win in the pre- Pakistan beaten an exhibition match in Glasgow into scores on the world’s short- His ‘‘hit-’’ dismissal dur- five, which was 81 too many for the ceding one-day matches. yesterday. form stage was proving a chal- ing the fifth one-day international Windies. After the match, captain ‘‘We’ve got to be consistent, ❯❯❯❯ Opening batsmen Dimuth The teams meet again lenge. wasn’t the first time Ronchi had Brendon McCullum credited the 22 that’s the main thing. We’ve been a Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva hit tomorrow morning, before the The BJ Watling Brigade were gone in that fashion, although the Ronchi took off one Sunil Narine little bit up and down, but if we half centuries Sunday and drove Sri tour starts for real with test gaining voice in the background previous one was rather different. over for getting the Black Caps to a play well again on Wednesday Lanka to an emphatic nine-wicket matches in London against and having looked a useful pick-up ‘‘I thought the ball was going to defendable total. that’ll be a good thing for us.’’ victory over Pakistan in the second Jamaica (Saturday) and England test to go 1-0 up in the series. next Tuesday. The England game Karunaratne remained unbeaten on has the potential to be a special 62, while Silva fell for 58 as Sri Lanka one for Langman, who’s played 98 reached 137-1 for their biggest win by consecutive tests for New Zealand among the 45 tests played since her debut in 2005. Not happy: Silver Ferns captain Laura India’s not taking NZ series lightly between the two nations. Resuming With regular skipper Casey Langman wasn’t impressed with her at 330-7, fast bowler Suranga Lakmal Kopua not fit enough to play on own performance during yesterday’s Indian captain MS Dhoni is ada- side, especially at home. They’ll bat. He praised the power of inter- dashed Pakistan’s hopes of putting this trip following ankle surgery, 72-18 win over Scotland in Glasgow. mant his side will be treating New know the conditions better than national rookie Corey Anderson, up a fight with a career-best 4-78 Langman will have the honour of Photo: GETTY IMAGES Zealand with respect during their us. Some of us who have not defended his side’s bowling before Pakistan was bowled out for being captain as well in her 100th upcoming tour, despite their mass- played [in New Zealand] – it will be options – which received a number 359 in an hour on the last day — an test. Just don’t tempt fate by able to compete with the Silver ive gulf in rankings in both one- a new challenge. of hidings against Australia and overall lead of 136 runs. asking her about it. Ferns. day and . ‘‘So I would rather go into the South Africa late last year – and ‘‘I don’t want to jinx it yet, so I’ll ‘‘It was a big occasion for India, who start their five series not taking the New Zealand labelled the shift into the post- Sainz wins stage gladly talk to you if it comes about. them,’’ said Langman. match one-day series against the team lightly – giving them the Tendulkar era for Indian cricket For me every game’s like a first ‘‘They haven’t had an experi- Black Caps in Napier on Sunday, respect they should get. as ‘‘very positive.’’ ❯❯❯❯ Carlos Sainz, of Spain, won the cap and I want to make sure I’m enced team like us come through are ranked the world’s number ‘‘We all know the experienced The only question that had him seventh stage of the Dakar Rally proving myself every time I get out and be keen to play them in the one 50-overs team, while New Zea- players that are part of their side – on the back foot surrounded the yesterday, while countryman Nani there,’’ Langman said from past, so it was great to be able to do land flounder in eighth. The they are dangerous enough to win shortening of the New Zealand Roma maintained a large lead in the Glasgow. that and for their Minister of Sport Indians are, meanwhile, the the games on themselves. tour; a decision made last year by overall standings for cars. The car She didn’t believe she’d to also come along. For us it was second-highest ranked test team in ‘‘I think that’s a big positive the Board of Control for Cricket in division drove a 500km loop near maintained her usual standards about showing that whenever you the world, after South Africa, with when you can’t take your oppo- Praise for Kiwis: MS Dhoni is giving the India so India could play in Febru- Salta, Argentina, against Scotland and described the put on the black dress you need to the Black Caps, again, eighth. sition lightly, and it pushes you to Black Caps the respect they deserve. ary Asia Cup. and Sainz took team’s collective effort as merely be able to execute and put on a Sil- Speaking to journalists at Auck- perform at your best.’’ Dhoni said he had ‘‘no idea’’ advantage of a ‘‘satisfactory.’’ ver Ferns performance. land airport yesterday, Dhoni For a number of the Indian the reason being the ground over why the tour was shortened, say- speedy special Coach Waimarama Taumaunu ‘‘We had a lot of changes praised the Black Caps, talking up touring team, this will be the first here have a very different shape,’’ ing it was an ‘‘administrative suited to his used all 14 of the fit players she has throughout and we wanted to the ability of ‘‘experienced tour of New Zealand and first time he said. decision’’. buggy to lead for on tour, as the Silver Ferns seek to make sure there was clarity in players’’ like Brendon McCullum playing on the traditionally green ‘‘You get used to grounds that ‘‘There’s no point thinking why the entire day give everyone as much court time terms of our centre-pass attack and Ross Taylor to win games by decks the country offers. are oval or round, but here the there is no , and one test and win his as possible in the 92 days Langman predominantly and I think we themselves. Dhoni said getting his younger dimensions of grounds are very match less than last time we came second stage of said stand between them and the achieved that.’’ ‘‘They are a fantastic side, and squad members used to the different, which means – especially over here,’’ he said. the race and Commonwealth Games. Langman expected a similar they’ve got good bowlers in the typically green wickets – and as a bowler – if you don’t play over The Indian team flew directly to 27th in his Dakar Eight of Scotland’s goals came amount of mixing and matching side now,’’ Dhoni said. ‘‘Their ground sizes – will be ‘‘good here, it is very hard to exactly pin- Napier from Auckland upon their history. He was in the final quarter and beyond tomorrow, ahead of what will be recent performances have been exposure’’ before next year’s point the fielding positions.’’ arrival yesterday, where they will Carlos Sainz followed in rapid those 15 minutes there weren’t too tricky assignments against very good. World Cup. Most of Dhoni’s responses to spend the week preparing for their succession by many occasions when they were Jamaica and England. ‘‘I think they’re a very good ‘‘It’s a good exposure for them – questions were relatively straight game at McLean Park. Fairfax NZ Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar, defending champion Stephane Peterhansel of France, and Roma. Roma took the NFL overall lead last Friday and aims to become only the third man to win the Dakar both on a motorbike (2004) and in a car. Niners take another step toward their Super Bowl goal Jets sack coach The San Francisco 49ers have Baltimore Ravens in last year’s Seahawks who have won 16 of ‘‘We’re hungry. We’ve been (to Chicago Bears. San Francisco in the second ❯❯❯❯ enjoyed a great run of success the Super Bowl, the Niners are deter- their last 17 games at home, where the Super Bowl). We had a nasty San Francisco quarterback round. The struggling Winnipeg Jets fired past three years but the bar is set mined on winning the NFL’s top they will host the 49ers next taste in our mouth. It’s going to be Colin Kaepernick, meanwhile, When Kaepernick scored on a head coach Claude Noel yesterday, high, with nothing less than a prize next month at the New York- Monday. a fight.’’ enjoyed his showdown against four-yard run to boost the 49ers’ replacing him with former Carolina Super Bowl triumph needed to sat- area MetLife Stadium. ‘‘It’s perfect,’’ said Niners The Super Bowl clash against Carolina quarterback Cam New- lead to 20-10, he parodied Newton’s Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs isfy them. ‘‘We’re healthy. We’re a great linebacker NaVorro Bowman, the Ravens in New Orleans pitted ton. familiar touchdown celebration. head coach Paul Maurice. Noel, 58, The wildcard 49ers reached the team. We just want to do whatever despite having absorbed a 29-3 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh against Kaepernick and Newton were He pantomimed ripping open was in his third season in charge of NFC Championship game for the it takes to get the ring,’’ running drubbing the last time the teams his brother, Baltimore coach John both drafted in 2011 and were his shirt as if to reveal a Superman Winnipeg and was sacked one day third year in a row with their 23-10 back Frank Gore said after rush- met in Seattle in week two of the Harbaugh. room-mates at the scouting com- costume underneath, but then after the team had lost their fifth road victory over the Carolina ing 84 yards in the win against season. The divisional playoff clash also bine in Indianapolis prior to the meekly zipped it up before kissing straight game. He ends his tenure Panthers yesterday and tied the NFC South champions Carolina. ‘‘We’ve been on the road, and featured some strong connections draft. his own tattooed biceps in his with an overall record of 80-79-18, Pittsburgh Steelers for the most ‘‘We didn’t finish last year but we’re winning. between key figures. Newton, the Heisman Trophy usual celebration. having gone 37-35-10 in his first year appearances (15) in a conference we’ll be back.’’ ‘‘All excuses go out the window Former NFL quarterback winner from Auburn, was the ‘‘Just a little shout-out,’’ said with the Jets. Maurice, 46, becomes title game since 1970. Standing in the way of a return as we prepare this week and make Harbaugh was coaching across the number one overall pick by Kaepernick, who has said being the team’s second head coach since But after an overtime loss to the to the Big Dance are San sure we get this ‘W’ next week. gridiron from friend and former Carolina, while Kaepernick, out of overlooked in the draft had the franchise moved from Atlanta to New York Giants in the 2012 NFC Francisco’s NFC West division ‘‘They’re hungry,’’ he said linebacker Ron Rivera, a team- Nevada, was the sixth quarterback bothered him. Winnipeg in 2011. title game and a 34-31 loss to the rivals, the top-seeded Seattle about Seattle. mate of his for six seasons with the selected, taken 36th overall by ‘‘I still don’t forget.’’ Reuters