Triumphs and setbacks for Kiwi motorsport drivers
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RNZ News
42 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Netball's grand final hosting rights on the line
Ellie Bird controls the ball for the Tactix under challenge from Georgia Tong of the Magic during the ANZ Premiership netball match in Christchurch, 7 July 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 The Mystics and Tactix will vie this weekend for the right to host the ANZ Premiership netball grand final. The Tactix beat the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 68-57 on Monday night, leaving them trailing the Northern Mystics by two points at the head of the ladder. The Mystics and Tactix will clash in Auckland on Sunday in a final round match, with the winner going through to the grand final. The loser will play either the Central Pulse or Southern Steel in the elimination final. The Pulse have a two point edge over the Steel for third place and can confirm a place in the elimination final if they beat the Magic on Saturday. But if they lose, the Steel get their chance to clinch that berth when they play the Stars on Monday. The Mystics, Tactix and Pulse all won their games in the latest round, with the Tactix protecting their unbeaten home run for the season with their victory over the Magic. It was a commanding 22-12 second quarter performance that set the Tactix up for the win. The Magic rallied strongly in the third quarter, but the experienced heads in the Tactix ensured the lead would not be relinquished. Magic captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio brilliantly nailed six from eight super shots but her side will rue their inability to match it with the Tactix in that second quarter. Ellie Bird landed 55 from her 60 attempts, backed up by goal attack Te Paea Selby Rickit with 13 from 15, while Saviour Tui shot 28 from 31, plus one of out two on the super shot, while Ekenasio shot from 15 from 16, plus her six super shots. Tayla Earle in action for the Mystics against the Steel. Photo: Photosport Filda Vui's expertise on the super shot came in very handily for the Mystics as they withstood a final quarter charge from the Steel to win 56-52 in Auckland on Saturday. The Steel were three points down after three quarters but with five minutes left to play they led by one goal. The Mystics held their nerve better and with Vui calmly slotting the two super shots they repelled the challenge from the Steel, who got a bonus point for their efforts. Donnell Wallam shot 45 from 49 for the Mystics while Vui had five from six on the one pointers and three from four on the two pointers. Aliyah Dunn was accuracy personified for the Steel, with 38 from 38 on the one pointers and landing one of her two super shots. The Pulse were down on player power, with Whitney Souness ruled out with concussion and Fa'amu Ioane both out ill, but they proved too strong for the Stars, with a 65-44 victory. Goal attack Amorangi Malesala landed a super shot on the buzzer to give the Pulse a 17-11 lead after the first quarter, but the Stars fought back gamely in the second quarter, and were still in the game at three-quarter time, but the Pulse powered home in the last stanza, winning it 22-7. Amelia Walmsley shot 46 from 49 for the Pulse, ably backed up by Malesala with nine from 10 on the one pointers and three from seven on the two pointers. Maia Wilson landed 35 from 39, while Crystal Maro shot five from seven. Pulse defender Parris Mason had a heavy fall and left the court in a wheelchair. The Pulse said on Monday initial scans were promising, but couldn't yet say when she will return to play. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Liam Lawson to race at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Liam Lawson is to race in the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photo: ANTONIN VINCENT / AFP New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson will take part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England this week. Racing Bulls have announced their return to the event with Lawson running a car up the challenging Goodwood Hill. Lawson will drive Red Bull's RB7 car that was used during the 2011 Formula 1 season. He will take part alongside Red Bull's longest-serving exhibition driver Patrick Friesacher and 13-time F1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard. Peter Bayer, chief executive of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, said: "As we continue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of F1, we're looking forward to returning to the Goodwood Festival of Speed alongside Oracle Red Bull Racing. "I'm thrilled that Liam will be taking to the Goodwood hill climb as this will be an iconic moment to share among such passionate and dedicated motorsport fans." The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual event celebrating both historic and modern racing cars and motorcycles. The hill climb is held over a 1.8km course. It was first held in 1993. Goodwood has a tradition of F1 drivers taking part in the event including the likes of Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Sir Jackie Stewart. Haas drivers Ollie Bearman and Estaban Ocon are also entered this week. Lawson is coming off a DNF in last weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone . The next F1 race is in Belgium on 25 July.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
The X Factor: Northern speedster breaks into Black Caps squad
Matt Fisher has won selection for the Black Caps. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Northern Districts' Matt Fisher is the newcomer to the squad after impressing selectors in that side's Plunket Shield title run last season, while pace bowler Jacob Duffy is the other uncapped player, though he has been a notable performer in white ball cricket for the Black Caps. Bracewell and star batter Williamson are both playing in England during the northern summer. Williamson is no longer on a central contract and had hinted earlier he would miss the Zimbabwe tour while Bracewell is on a central contract, but has been given permission to forgo the tour as he plays for the Southern Brave in Britain's The Hundred. Ajaz Patel replaces Bracewell in the squad, despite recently missing out on a New Zealand Cricket central contract, while Henry Nicholls gets a recall in Williamson's absence. Nicholls last played for the Black Caps in December 2023, and has a wealth of experience with nine centuries scored during a 56-test career. Pace bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears were unavailable for the tour. Jamieson is awaiting the birth of his first child, while Sears is recovering from a side injury. Opening batter Devon Conway, who is on a casual contract, has been selected after making himself available for the tour, which involves two tests in Bulawayo, starting on 30 July. Conway is not in [ the Black Caps T20 squad which will take part in a series with Zimbabwe and South Africa in Harare before the test series. Tom Latham captains the test side for the tour. Henry Nicholls returns to the Black Caps test squad. Photo: PHOTOSPORT New coach Rob Walter said the selectors were impressed with 25-year-old Fisher's pace. The former NZ under-19 rep has taken 51 first class wickets at an average of 24.11. He has been with Northern Districts since 2018 and impressed early in their successful Plunket Shield campaign, with 14 wickets before being sidelined by injury. "Matt's someone we're really excited about," Walter said. "He's one of the fastest bowlers in the country and we think he's got an X-factor. "We're blessed to have a large number of strong fast bowlers in this country and we're looking forward to adding Matt into that mix now, giving him a little bit of touring experience and a taste of what it means to be part of the Black Caps." Fisher joins Duffy, Will O'Rourke, Matt Henry and Nathan Smith are the pace bowlers vying for spots in the test team. Walter said Bracewell's unavailability had previously been agreed to and factored into his central contract. He said he respected the decisions of Bracewell and Williamson to miss the tour. "Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process. "While all test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these tests aren't part of the ICC World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. "We will obviously miss their talent and class, but it allows an opportunity to others and we're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz and Henry who are both proven performers at test level." Patel last played for the Black Caps when he was player of the match in the third of their three wins over India in November. He took 5-103 and 6-57 in that test. Black Caps test squad : Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young. Black Caps T20 squad : Mitch Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi. T20 tri-series in Harare 16 July v South Africa 18 July v Zimbabwe 22 July v South Africa 24 July v Zimbabwe 26 July, Final. Test series, Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo 30 July- 3 Aug, First test 7-11 Aug, Second test
