Category Sports News

Ruth Chepngetich, the defending champion, and Peres Jepchirchir, the other two, have announced their exits from the London Marathon.

Chepngetich, a 30-year-old Kenyan, said she was unprepared for the race coming up next weekend because she was the first woman to record a time of under two hours and 10 minutes at the 2024 Chicago marathon.

Chepngetich expressed regret for skipping the race but hoped to return for the 2026 London Marathon.

She continued, “I’m withdrawing because I’m not mentally or physically at my best in London.”

Jepchirchir, a fellow Kenyan, will miss the race due to an ankle problem, which was the record-setting two hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds winner of the London Marathon last year.

Jepchirchir, 31, said, “I was very much looking forward to competing in the London Marathon last year, which was one of my career’s highlights,” and I was looking forward to doing it again this year.

“Unfortunately, my injury prevented this, but I’m determined to get healthy again and look forward to going back to London when I’m fully recovered.”

The organizers of Chepngetich and Jepchirchir have made it known that Vivian Cheruiyot will be competing in the elite field in their absence.

Tigst Assefa (Eth)

Sifan Hassan (Ned)

Joyciline Jepkosgei (Ken)

Megertu Alemu (Eth)

Stella Chesang (Uga)

Vivian Cheruiyot (Ken)

Haven Hailu Desse (Eth)

Susanna Sullivan (US)

Charlotte Purdue (GB)

Sofiia Yaremchuk (Ita),

Rose Harvey (GB)

(GB) Phily Bowden

(US) Molly Bookmyer

Eilish McColgan (GB)

With a straight-sets win over Alex de Minaur, top seed Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Barcelona Open semi-finals.

Spanish fifth seed De Minaur defeated Australian seventh seed 7-5, 6-3, in an hour and 40 minutes.

After Stefanos Tsitipas retired hurt in just the third game of their match, the world number two will now face Frenchman Arthur Fils.

Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo title last week after defeating world number 14 Fils, who is 20 years old, in three sets.

Alcaraz broke the decisive break in the 12th game of the first set against De Minaur before recovering and making the decisive break.

The 21-year-old broke only once in the sixth game with his serve in the second set, which was more dominant.

Alcaraz said, “I was struggling a little bit mentally with the serve, and I started quite badly with it.”

“I think I improved significantly after the first few games with my serve,” he said. I began to think positively once more and sat down. The first set was extremely tight, and Alex aggressively started playing.

I’m so happy I won the first set, and I’m so happy I played some fantastic tennis in the second.

At the conclusion of the second game, four-time runner-up Tsitipas appeared uneasy right off the bat against Fils, who was then taken for an off-court evaluation.

He retired while 0-2, 30-40, and returned with only five more points.

In each set, the defending champion and second-seeded Ruud was broken by the 13-year-old world number 13 Rune.

Betfred Super League

Wigan (12) 24

Field 2 Miski 2 Goals Smith 4

St. Helens (2) 14

Despite a strong St. Helens comeback in the second half, Jai Field and Abbas Miski each scored two tries to win the Wigan Warriors’ Good Friday game.

The reigning champions took an 18-2 lead early in the second half thanks to Field, the Super League’s top try scorer, who scored either side of a Miski score.

Both teams made errors in a tense encounter, but Lewis Murphy’s brilliant finish in the corner and Agnatius Paasi’s outstanding try brought them back within four points.

The reigning champions have now won three straight games to move two points clear of the Robins, and they made a strong statement by outperforming their former foes from Billinge Hill when they faced their old foes from the other side of Billinge Hill.

The two teams traded penalties in a tense opening fought at the Brick Community Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 25, 000 spectators. Video referee Liam Rush scored a try after noticing that Tyler Dupree had blocked George Delaney’s attempted tackle.

Field nailed a try that did, timing his run so perfectly that Bevan French’s exquisite lobbed kick and score were perfect.

When the powerful Harry Smith unleashed a warning kick, Wigan flipped the screw, and Miski had a telling edge that went backwards and extended their lead.

By attempting a silly offload deep within his own territory, Paasi gave Wigan what appeared to be the winning try. Smith sent Field racing through for his second try because The Warriors were brutal.

Saints appeared finished, but they rallied well to put on a grand ending with Joe Batchelor limping off with an apparent hamstring injury and Jon Bennison needing a head injury assessment.

When one from Liam Byrne gave them a chance, Murphy made an uncharacteristic error that he made when he made a spectacular leap in the corner.

When Jake Wardle also spilled the ball in front of his own posts, Paasi made up for his earlier error by powering over despite being decorated by three tacklers. Saints went surge forwards.

Matty Peet, the head coach for Wigan, told BBC Radio Manchester:

When you consider the time when we had to ride out the pressure, it’s great learning for us. The lads resisted the fact that the stadium was up, and eventually it swung back our way thanks to their selfless deeds.

You look back on it as two points at the end of the season, but we are aware that it is inspirational for our supporters, for the people of these two towns, on Easter weekend, and that it means a lot to the players.

Paul Wellens, the coach of St. Helens, told BBC Radio Merseyside:

“The way we started the game for the first 40 minutes is a little frustrating,” I said. We put ourselves under a lot of pressure by making fundamental unforced errors, and if you do it against a Wigan team with players like Bevan French and Jai Field who can cause you harm, you put yourself under unnecessary stress.

The team’s perseverance kept the task at hand, and I was very proud of that. Although it’s difficult to get 18-2 down at Wigan, we went to the game at that point, and I left feeling confident that we had a chance in the end, which it wasn’t.

It boils down to individual lapses in concentration, and they handled the wet conditions better than we did.

O’Neill, Forber, Dupree, and Hill are the exchanges.

St. Helens: Sailor, Bennison, Whitley, Percival, Murphy, Welsby, Whitby, Walmsley, Mbye, Lees, Sironen, Batchelor, Knowles,

Clark, Paasi, Delaney, and Sambou exchange

Conor Bradley says it would be a “dream come true” to help Liverpool clinch the Premier League title this season.

The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international, who was part of side that won the League Cup last season, has featured in the past two games for Arne Slot after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out for four league matches.

Liverpool are 13 points ahead of Arsenal in the title race and will be crowned champions if they win two of their remaining six games.

“It would be really special if we can get over the line,” Bradley told BBC Sport NI.

“Whenever you join a club like Liverpool you dream of winning the Premier League.

Liverpool could clinch the title as early as Sunday should they beat Leicester City and Arsenal lose to Ipswich Town earlier that afternoon.

Bradley, though, does not want to get caught up in the permutations.

“We have just got to keep playing our football,” added the full-back, who has made 14 Premier League appearances this season.

“We are top of the league for a reason, because we have played really good football, and hopefully if we can do that for a few more games we should have it won and I am sure there would be great celebrations if we do it too.

“It’s been a bit of a frustrating year for me with injuries, but I am really happy to be back and back with the team, and hopefully I can help as much as I can and bring the Premier League home.”

Despite his injuries, Bradley’s performances have again drawn praise this season, most notably in a 2-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid that featured a crunching tackle on French star Kylian Mbappe.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold possibly leaving at the end of the season when his contract expires, Bradley could become even more important to Liverpool in the seasons ahead and the 23-time capped international has an unwavering desire to be at the Reds.

“It’s my dream club,” he said.

“I am a Liverpool fan all my life so I am enjoying my time here.

“I just want to keep working really hard and keep doing well for the club and keep bringing trophies home if possible.”

Bradley, who is involved in ongoing contract talks himself, was thrilled to see Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk recently sign contract extensions to remain at Anfield, especially after months of speculation.

“It’s really good for the likes me because they are putting faith in the club and they know the club is going in the right direction,” he said.

“To play with players of [their] calibre is a privilege.

As he nears his own memorable triumph, Bradley added that he has taken inspiration from golfer Rory McIlroy’s success at the Masters last weekend.

The County Tyrone native, a keen golfer himself, watched his fellow sportsman from Northern Ireland claim the green jacket on television and was struck by McIlroy’s determination in completing the career Grand Slam.

“Rory’s a massive inspiration. I think what Rory did last week was unbelievable, what he did was so special, so amazing to complete the Grand Slam,” he said.

“It shows me that hard work pays off. He been trying for 11 years to get it done.

It would be a “dream come true,” according to Conor Bradley, for Liverpool to win the Premier League this year.

After recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out for four league games, the 21-year-old Northern Ireland international, who was a part of the team that won the League Cup last year, has featured in Arne Slot’s past two games.

In the title race, Liverpool is 13 points clear of Arsenal, and if they win two of their remaining six games, they will be crowned champions.

If we can cross the line, Bradley said to BBC Sport NI, “It would be really special.”

“Every time you join a club like Liverpool, you yearn for a title.”

If Liverpool beat Leicester City and lost to Ipswich Town earlier that afternoon, Liverpool could win the title.

Bradley, however, isn’t interested in getting sucked into the permutations.

The full-back, who has made 14 Premier League appearances this season, added, “We just have to keep playing our football.”

We are at the top of the league for a reason because of our excellent football, and we should be able to do that for a few more games, which I’m sure will inspire great celebrations if we do it.

“It’s been a little frustrating for me because of injuries, but I’m really happy to be back and forth with the team, and I’m hoping to contribute as much as I can to bringing the Premier League back home.”

Despite his injuries, Bradley’s performances this year have been praised, most notably in the 2-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid, which featured a brutal tackle on French star Kylian Mbappe.

Bradley could be even more important in the upcoming seasons as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract expires, and the 23-time world champion has an unwavering desire to work for Liverpool.

He claimed, “It’s my dream club.”

“I’ve been a Liverpool fan my entire life, so I’m enjoying my time here.

I just want to keep working really hard, performing well for the club, and if possible, bringing hometrophies.

After months of speculation, Bradley, who is personally involved in ongoing contract negotiations, was relieved to see Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah both sign new contract extensions to stay at Anfield.

The fans like me find it really beneficial because they believe in the club and are confident that it is moving in the right direction, he said.

It’s a privilege to play with players of [their] calibre.

The County Tyrone native was shocked by McIlroy’s determination to win the career Grand Slam after watching his fellow sportsman from Northern Ireland claim the green jacket on television.

“Rory is a tremendous inspiration. Rory’s actions last week were incredible, extraordinary, and amazing, he said.

It demonstrates to me that perseverance pays off. He has been attempting to accomplish it for 11 years.

England vs. Scotland in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations

The Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium will host a game on Saturday, April 19; the kickoff time is 16:45 BST.

When it was suggested that England had not been put under enough pressure, Lock Abbie Ward laughed.

34 players were involved in the comfortable bonus-point win, and the team’s 23-game winning streak has now come to an end.

Before a home rugby world cup kicks off in August, there are indications that the Red Roses need a thorough test.

The game against Scotland in Leicester on Saturday looks like another routine five points to prepare for the likely Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam match against France at Allianz Stadium on April 26.

Lock Ward, 32, revealed pressure is present on the training field in abundance with the gap still growing between England and the other home nations.

The inclusion of nine newcomers for the game against Scotland gives some big names the perfect opportunity to enter a potential title showdown.

At age 10, Holly Aitchison, Mitchell’s preferred fly-half option, will want to show off the running prowess that initially gave her an advantage over in-form Zoe Harrison.

Lucy Packer, Aitchison’s half-back partner, continues to appear lively off the bench and is rewarded with a start as she looks to add to her four try assists, which are the tournament’s joint-highest, to prove dignified of a spot next to Natasha Hunt.

Marlie Packer, the former England captain, makes her first appearance since the opening-round defeat of Italy in front of an open-side flanker.

The 35-year-old has won the Six Nations trophy twice in the past two years, but Zoe Aldcroft took over as skipper in January.

Packer’s management was taken into account when Saracens won the Premiership Women’s Rugby final a week before the opening Six Nations game. However, Sadia Kabeya, the 2014 World Cup winner, has been under pressure due to back-to-back strong performances from Loughborough Lightning.

Even having World Cup winner Alex Matthews back up, the number eight position on Maddie Feaunati’s team is extremely competitive, especially with Maddie Feaunati’s transition to the back row.

Former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly, “Some really difficult decisions will be made, but it is in their hands to play their hearts out.”

I’m not entirely certain whether England has any younger senior players who can do that. You want some older senior players in your squad.

Jade Shekells, a powerful Gloucester-Hartpury center, was a surprise guest for her Saturday debut Red Roses.

Her powerful carry caught Mitchell’s attention before the 28-year-old captained her against Italy to add another player to a list of talented centers. She had only recently re-joined XVs from sevens.

Emily Scarratt, a 117-cap player, makes her first appearance since the opening round and, like Packer, she makes a comeback to the matchday squad.

Scarratt, the 2014 World Cup winner, told BBC Sport, “We are completely blessed at the moment with so much strength and depth with so many good kids.”

“The team is awesome, really pushing everyone to push themselves,” says one employee.

England will win their fourth successive Grand Slam and help them win the tournament against Scotland in Italy, which will give them a run for their money.

Ward said the Red Roses must keep an eye on her dangerous Bristol Bears team-mates despite not losing any of her 23 Six Nations games against Scotland. The Red Roses have only managed to resolve five of their encounters by an overall score of 266-22.

The Bears’ Premiership Women’s Rugby season opener features hooker Lana Skeldon, eighth-ranked Evie Gallagher, and center Emma Orr.

“From my experience at Bristol, I am aware that Scotland have some incredible players. Bristol’s Ward told Rugby Union Weekly that she and some of the best players from Scotland.

They will turn up for England without a doubt; it will be a huge game. They will likely have a fire in their bellies when they arrive.

Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Matthews, Hunt, Rowland, Scarratt, and others.

Scotland: Rollie, Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhee, Nelson (capt), Mattison, Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Bonar, Boyd, Gallagher, McLachlan, Konkel, and Orr.

Replacements: Phillips Scott, Martin, Bartlett, Poolman, Ferrie, Bell, Clarke, and Clark.

Referee: Italy’s Clara Munarini.