SNOOKER: Manchester professional Nick Dyson
couldn't halt a miserable losing streak as he failed in a bid to
qualify for the China Open this week.
The world No 84 was beaten 5-3 by Harrow's Alfie Burden in the
first round of the qualifying competition at Pontin's in
Prestatyn.
Dyson, who celebrates his 37th birthday next month, has slipped
alarmingly down the rankings in the last 18 months and has also
failed to qualify for the Malta Cup.
CRICKET: Cheshire have been drawn against
Cumberland, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Northumberland in their
group for next season's Minor Counties Knockout Cup.
Andy Hall's side, who shared the Minor Counties Championship title
with Suffolk this year, will play their first match, at home to
Cumberland, on Sunday, April 30, at Grappenhall.
They begin the defence of their Western Division crown against
Berkshire, on June 11-13, followed by other three-day matches
against Cornwall, Dorset, Herefordshire, Wales and
Shropshire.
LACROSSE: Defending champions Stockport suffered a
surprise defeat in Conference A of the Men's Norman Barber Under-19
Floodlit League at Timperley.
Last season's treble-winners were beaten 9-8 by Manchester
Waconians at Stockport Road, raising doubts overs whether they can
successfully retain their title this term.
Stockport completed a history-making title-treble last season, but
other clubs have strengthened and are pushing for honours
themselves.
BASKETBALL: Matt Hogarth and Eliot Goren were in
sparkling form for Manchester Magic as they defeated Essex and
Herts Leopards at the weekend.
Influential forward Hogarth top-scored with 26 points, while
American guard Goren scored 21 as the Magic triumphed 93-81 at the
Amaechi Centre.
Wade Henninger also chipped in with 16 valuable points as Jeff
Jones' team showed that their nail-biting victory over high-fliers
Sheffield Arrows last weekend was no fluke.
The Magic are now fifth in the table with three wins from five
games after an uncertain start to the season and Jones is confident
that they can continue to climb the table.
"The Leopards are a good side, so it was another good victory for
us," said Jones.
"And all-in-all, it was a solid team performance."
Manchester Mystics, the club's women's team, also had plenty to
smile about with an impressive 97-92 victory away to Stockport,
while the Magic A team thumped Bradford Maroons 93-54.
HOCKEY: Manchester is in line to get the go-ahead
to host the 2007 European Hockey Championships at the Pink Lane
site - scene of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
BASKETBALL: MATT Hogarth and Eliot Goren were
in sparkling form for Manchester Magic as they defeated Essex and
Herts Leopards at the weekend.
Influential forward Hogarth top-scored with 26 points, while
American guard Goren scored 21 as the Magic triumphed 93-81 at the
Amaechi Centre.
Wade Henninger also chipped in with 16 valuable points as Jeff
Jones' team stretched their winning run to two games following a
nail-biting victory over high-fliers Sheffield Arrows last
weekend.
The Magic are not fifth in the table with three wins from five
games - and Jones is confident they can continue to climb the
table.
"The Leopards are a good side, so it was another good victory for
us," said Jones.
"Matt Hogarth and Eliot Goren were excellent for us, but it was a
very solid team performance, which pleased me."
Manchester Mystics, the club's women's team, also had plenty to
smile about with an impressive 97-92 victory away to Stockport,
while the Magic A team thumped Bradford Maroons 93-54.