BOXING: RICKY Hatton's title unification fight
with Carlos Maussa could be his last in the UK.
Manchester's IBF light- welterweight champion will own half of the
four main world title belts if he beats WBA champ Maussa at
Sheffield's Hallam FM Arena on November 26 - setting him up for
"super-fights" with WBC king Floyd Mayweather and WBO top dog
Miguel Cotto.
"I certainly hope the Maussa fight won't be my last in the UK, but
you never know in boxing. It certainly looks like it may be the
last for quite a while, at least," said Hatton. "I expect most of
the rest of my career to be spent fighting over in the States. Ever
since I was a kid I have wanted to top the bill in Las Vegas and at
Madison Square Garden."
CRICKET: MIKE Watkinson has admitted Lancashire
are still trying to persuade Andrew Symonds to return to Old
Trafford next season.
The Australian all-rounder made a big impact for the Red Rose
county in the second half of the season with some breathtaking
performances. But Watkinson says Symonds is still thinking things
through.
"We are still in fairly regular contact with Andrew about him
coming back to us at some point next season," said Lancashire's
Cricket Manager.
"He has some issues that he is working through - cricketing and
otherwise - and we will go from there."
RUGBY UNION: Altrincham Kersal lost their first
game of the season when they went down 3-0 at York in the Powergen
Intermediate Cup.
York won with a solitary penalty, leaving Altrincham to concentrate
on tomorrow's vital clash with North One leaders Morley.
Stockport battled their way into the fourth round with a 20-7 win
over West Hartlepool with tries from Bertram Johnson and Peter
Bredencamp.
HOCKEY: Bowdon moved into the top four of the
National League first division with their biggest win of the
season. Alistair Brogden claimed a hat-trick as Bowdon hammered six
goals without reply at Teddington. Dave Egerton and Dominic Maguire
(2) were also on the scoresheet.
Bowdon Hightown women's team went down to two first-half goals in a
premier division match at Ipswich but 24 hours later beat Southern
League side Aldershot 13-0 in the Women's Cup.
Brooklands lost their unbeaten record, going down 4-3 to
Leek.
ATHLETICS: Stockport Harrier Steve Vernon had to
settle for second place in the opening UK Cross Challenge race of
the winter. Vernon, the reigning United Kingdom 4K cross-country
champion, finished just eight seconds behind Michael Skinner of
Blackheath and Bromley.
Trafford Athletic Club's Adrian Holliday gained an excellent third
at Senneleys Park, Birmingham.
BASKETBALL: Manchester Magic put their two
pre-season defeats to Sheffield Arrows behind them by recording a
87-85 National Trophy victory over the Yorkshire side.
The club's second-string side, Manchester Magic A, extended their
impressive unbeaten run to three matches with a 55-50 victory over
Bradford Dragons.
LACROSSE: MELLOR wasted no time in regaining
their lead at the summit of the Men's Premier Division.
Ben McAllister's title-chasers demolished Brooklands Hulmeians with
Sam Davidson, Brandon Wright and Daniel Hodgson scoring four each
in a 21-4 victory.
Previous leaders Stockport had their game with Timperley postponed
and Cheadle moved up to third place and kept the pressure on the
leading bunch with 10-5 win at home to Manchester Waconians, while
Wilmslow, who were third, slipped down the table after a 16-10
defeat to Heaton Mersey.
Sam Dunwoodie stole the show for Mersey with eight goals and
skipper Chris Battersby grabbed four.
Newly-promoted Sheffield Steelers were humbled 18-5 by Boardman and
Eccles but the victors remain rooted to the basement on goal
difference.
FOUR goals from Liz Martin helped Heaton Mersey Ladies beat
Timperley 10-9.