Cardiff Dragons claimed their first win of the Netball Super League season as they beat Birmingham Panthers on Friday.
Having started the campaign with seven straight losses, the Dragons overcame a narrow half-time deficit to secure a 61-57 victory at the Skydome Arena.
The Panthers led 34-32 at midway point and were still a point up at the end of the third quarter.
It was level at 57-57 with five minutes remaining but the Dragons edged ahead through goal attack Phillipa Yarranton and she added a super shot to extend the lead.
Goal shooter Georgia Rowe, who top-scored for the Dragons with 39 goals, wrapped up the win for the Super League’s last-place side.
The Panthers had a marginally better shooting success rate, 86% to the Dragons’ 85%, with Sigi Burger scoring 46 goals, but were outshot 67 to 55 by the visitors.
Fixtures and results
Friday, 9 May
Birmingham Panthers 57-61 Cardiff Dragons
Saturday, 10 May
Loughborough Lightning v Leeds Rhinos (18:00, BBC Red Button and iPlayer)
Cardiff Dragons claimed their first win of the Netball Super League season as they beat Birmingham Panthers on Friday.
Having started the campaign with seven straight losses, the Dragons overcame a narrow half-time deficit to secure a 61-57 victory at the Skydome Arena.
The Panthers led 34-32 at midway point and were still a point up at the end of the third quarter.
It was level at 57-57 with five minutes remaining but the Dragons edged ahead through goal attack Phillipa Yarranton and she added a super shot to extend the lead.
Goal shooter Georgia Rowe, who top-scored for the Dragons with 39 goals, wrapped up the win for the Super League’s last-place side.
The Panthers had a marginally better shooting success rate, 86% to the Dragons’ 85%, with Sigi Burger scoring 46 goals, but were outshot 67 to 55 by the visitors.
Fixtures and results
Friday, 9 May
Birmingham Panthers 57-61 Cardiff Dragons
Saturday, 10 May
Loughborough Lightning v Leeds Rhinos (18:00, BBC Red Button and iPlayer)
Friday saw the official launch of the 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) with its Cultural Day event, marking the beginning of a series of prelude activities that set an electrifying tone for Saturday’s awards night.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted by cultural dancers performing traditional beats and dances in attire that celebrated the diversity of Nigeria’s many tribes.
At the heart of the gathering was a sumptuous feast showcasing a range of flavours—from creamy fura da nono and crispy akara to spicy nkwobi—highlighting the nation’s rich culinary heritage. This display was accentuated by Onga’s support of the AMVCA’s Best Indigenous Language category.
The atmosphere was further enlivened by Segun Johnson’s electrifying performance, while hosting duties were flawlessly executed by influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa alongside actors Stan Nze and Bam Bam, whose charisma kept the festivities going strong.
Wanni X HandiTachaVenita Akpofure
Celebrities graced the event in regal traditional attire, with notable appearances from BBNaija stars Wanni x Handi, Fairme David, and Saga, as well as Nollywood favourites Mercy Aigbe, Adedimeji and his wife Mo Bimpe, and OAP Dotun.
The spotlight shone brightly too, as Prince Nelson was awarded Best Dressed Male and Liquorose secured the title of Best Dressed Female at the 2025 AMVCA Cultural Day.
LiquorosePrince Nelson
The AMVCA is an annual award presented by Multichoice to recognise outstanding achievements in television, film, entertainment, and digital content creation throughout Nollywood and across Africa.
OliviaMercy Aigbe and Efe IreleLateef Adedimeji and his wife Mo BimpeYemi CregxKa3na
AMVCA 2025 Nominees
See the full list of nominees for AMVCA 2025 below:
Best Supporting Actress Meg Otanwa – Inside Life Tina Mba – Suspicion Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love Ini Dinma – Skeleton Coas Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3 Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo
Best Supporting Actor Efa Iwara – Princess On A Hill Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni (Mr Macaroni) – Lisabi: The Uprising Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) – Christmas in Lagos Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
Best Lead Actress Chioma Akpotha – Seven Doors Gbubemi Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo Uche Montana – Thinline Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury Hilda Dokubo – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3 Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Best Lead Actor Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo Bucci Franklin – The Weekend Femi Branch – House of Ga’a Thapelo Makoena – Skeleton Coast Bimbo Manuel – Princess on A Hill Stan Nze – Suspicion Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors Lisabi: The Uprising – Adedimeji Lateef
Nominees for Best Indigenous Language (West Africa) Seven Doors — Femi Adebayo Lisabi: The Uprising — Adedimeji Latest and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji Kaka — Prince Daniel Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Kunle Afolayan Mai Martaba — Prince Daniel Best Movie Lisabi: The Uprising Skeleton Coast Suspicion Inkabi House of GA’A Freedom Way Christmas in Lagos Farmer’s Bride
Nominees for Best Scripted (M-Net Original) Uriri — Xavier Ighorodje All Mine — Hadizat Ibrahim My Fairytale Wedding — Chinenye Nworah and Taiwo Adebayo Italo — Rogers Ofime The Caller — Brain Munene Kam U Stay — Damaris Irungu Ochieng
Best Writing Movie Phoenix Fury A Ghetto Love Story Christmas in Lagos Freedom Way The Weekend House of Ga’a
Best Short Film Brukaci In Bloom: ‘Afefe’ Sukari The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí What Are You Truly Afraid Of?
Best Director House of Ga’a – Bolanle Austen-Peters Inkabi – Norman Maake Seven Doors – Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo Skeleton Coast – Robert O Peters The Man Died – Awam Amkpa The Weekend – Daniel Emeke Oriahi
Nominees for Best Cinematography Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) — Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, and Apagnawen Annankra Inkabi — Chuanne Blofield The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — Leo Purman Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo Agemo — Papama Tangela
Best Costume Design Christmas In Lagos — Adedamola Adeyemi Lisabi: The Uprising — Oluwatoyin Balogun and Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Toyin Ogundeji House of Ga’a — Bolanle Austen-Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, and Gloria Ovu Phoenix Fury — Opeyemi Sogeke
Best Score Freedom Way — Ahuurra Andrew, Kehinde ‘Louddaaa’ Alabi, and Cobhams Asuquo Seven Doors — Tolu Obanro Inkabi — Seoli Bongani Mashaba Skeleton Coast — Chris Letcher Soft Love — Kolade Morankinyo (MPSE) and Efa Iwara (Love and Hate)
Best Makeup Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre Inside Life Farmer’s Bride Lisabi: The Uprising Seven Doors Suspicion
Nominees for Best Editing Inkabi — Tongai Furusa Christmas in Lagos — Martini Akande Skeleton Coast — Jordan Koen Soft Love — Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane Lisabi: The Uprising — Anthill Studios Princess on A Hill — Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede
Best Documentary Dundun I Will Remember You O.Y.O (On Your Own) Walvis Tale Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women
Best Art Direction The Man Died Lisabi: The Uprising Christmas in Lagos Seven Doors Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Best Sound Design Beast of Two Worlds Freedom Way Inkabi Lisabi: The Uprising Seven Doors Suspicion
Best Indigenous Languages in East Africa
The Empty Grave Makosa di Yangu Sabotage The Caller Wa Milele? (Forever)
-12 K Mitchell (US); -11 S Lowry (Ire); –10 S Straka (Aut); -7 R McIlroy (NI)
Selected others:-6 R Fowler (US); -5 A Rai (Eng); ); -4 T Fleetwood (Eng), X Schauffele (US); -3 R MacIntyre (Sco), A Rai (Eng); -2 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); +7 J Rose (Eng)
Shane Lowry moved to within a stroke of leader Kevin Mitchell after he shot 65 to finish the second round of the Truist Championship at 11 under.
The Irishman’s round featured six birdies and was the lowest of the day in soggy conditions on Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course.
Overnight leader, American Mitchell, who led the way with a 61 on Thursday, made two bogeys and five birdies in his round of 67.
“There’s a consistency to my whole game that has been very good,” said Lowry.
“I think I’m just maturing as a golfer, taking the rough with the smooth, the good days taking them well and the bad days working through them.”
The 38-year-old dismissed suggestions the damp conditions in Pennsylvania played to his strengths.
“Everyone says that to me every day when it rains!” added Lowry.
“I live in South Florida. I think I’m able to handle them probably better than a few people, but I don’t particularly like or enjoy going out and playing in these conditions.”
Rory McIlroy – last year’s winner and a four-time champion at the event – had an up-and-down round which included six birdies and three bogeys.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman, who completed a career Grand Slam with his thrilling win over Justin Rose at last month’s Masters, ended the day in a six-way tie for fourth on seven under.
“I felt like today was another sort of scrappy one,” said McIlroy.
“I made what I feel are some uncharacteristic mistakes compared to how I’ve played the majority of the year.
“So just got to try to iron that out over the next couple of days, try to shoot a couple of scores without as many bogeys on the card.”
Eurovision Song Contest commentator Rylan Clark is said to have worked with Grammy Award winning songwriter Diane Warren on music whilst out in Los Angeles recently
Rylan Clark is said to have worked on music with an acclaimed songwriter in the US recently(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
TV presenter Rylan Clark has reportedly collaborated with an acclaimed songwriter. The Eurovision Song Contest commentator is said to have spent time with her in a studio in the US recently ahead of potentially releasing any music.
Rylan, 36, has pursued opportunities as a host on shows like This Morning since he rose to fame on the X Factor in 2012. The Celebrity Big Brother winner – who has his own BBC Radio 2 show – however announced last year that he has been secretly releasing music but not under his own name.
It’s now been reported that Rylan – whose real name is Ross Clark – has just worked with songwriter Diane Warren, 68. She’s written a number of chart-topping songs in her career to date and her accolades include a Grammy Award.
Her work includes LeAnn Rimes’ Can’t Fight the Moonlight and Starship’s Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, which both reached number one in the UK. Toni Braxton’s Un-Break My Heart, Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time and Aerosmith’s I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing are among her other well known songs.
Rylan Clark is said to have worked with songwriter Diane Warren, pictured, recently(Image: Getty Images)
According to the Sun, Rylan worked with Diane after flying out to Los Angeles last month. A source said he had a “great time” with Diane, who wrote the song Don’t Leave Me in This Love Alone, which featured on Rylan’s pal Claire Richards’ debut solo album My Wildest Dreams in 2019.
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The source told the outlet: “His first love has always been music. He has been writing songs for years, so when the chance for him to get into a studio with Diane came up he couldn’t say no.” They concluded by saying: “He was out in Los Angeles for four days and they had a great time together.”
The news comes after Rylan previously revealed that he had quietly released music. He made the announcement on an episode of the Table Manners podcast that was released in May last year, which featured him and Rob Rinder, 46.
Rylan said: “I write music. So I’ve done quite a lot of songs.” Rob the commented: “They’re really good.” Rylan went on to share that he had written tracks for himself and revealed on the podcast that some have even been released.
Rylan has reportedly been working on music after revealing last year he has secretly released some songs before(Image: Getty Images)
He explained: “Some have been released, but not under ‘Rylan,’ and they’ve done well, which is fun.” He said: “I’ve released a couple of tracks, yeah, that have done well and I’m happy with.” He didn’t provide the names of them though.
Rylan said that he hadn’t produced the songs but provided vocals for them and had written the tracks too. Podcast host Jessie Ware, 40, reacted: “Have they been named more as a producer… DJ…” Rylan interjected to tell her: “Featuring someone else.” And asked why he hadn’t wanted people to know, Rylan shared at the time: “I’m not ready for that yet.”
He said: “Honest truth, because I think where I started out on X Factor and… I had a very easy role to play on that show and that was be the one that everyone talks about… and my job wasn’t to sing on X Factor. I think if Joe Public read tomorrow ‘Rylan’s bringing out a CD’ people would go ‘shut up’ and it would already be prejudged.”
Rylan added: “And I’ve been really like lucky over the last 12 years – I’ve been successful in my career. I’ve done really, really well. And this hand is telling me ‘don’t tell people it’s you because they’ll prejudge’ but then there’s this sort of like curiosity killed the cat hand going ‘could you do it all again, like from scratch?'”
The Celebrity Gogglebox star later suggested on the podcast that he “badly” felt as though he needs to “scratch that itch” as a performer. He said that earlier last year he had an moment where it had felt like it was “now or never”.
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Cheryl has reportedly made a decision for her and Liam Payne’s son Bear after it was revealed the One Direction star died with a huge fortune without leaving a will
Cheryl and Liam dated for a while and welcomed baby Bear in 2017(Image: Getty Images for Chopard)
Cheryl has reportedly made a big decision about Liam Payne’s fortune. The One Direction star sadly died last year after he fell from his hotel balcony, leaving behind his son Bear, who he shares with ex Cheryl.
It was recently reported that Liam left behind £24.3million. According to court documents filed on May 1, music lawyer Richard Bray was also named as an administrator as well as Cheryl, who was also granted the power of administration. He left behind £28.6million, which after expenses and debts were paid, went down to £24.3million.
“Cheryl wants to protect Bear and is going to stop him receiving Liam’s inheritance until he’s at least 25 years old, if not older. She feels she wants Bear to be of an age where he can make informed decisions about the money,” a source said.
“There are lots of conversations ongoing and Cheryl may even allow the money to be given only in chunks throughout his late 20s and 30s. She wants him to still have ambition and the drive to succeed without the back-up of the money — and she’s aware that people may want to befriend him because they are aware of his situation.”
Liam with Bear when he was just a baby(Image: Instagram/cherylofficial)
“Cheryl has spoken to the trustees and the money will be invested until Bear is of the right age to start receiving some of it,” they told The Sun of Cheryl’s plans for the money in regards to Bear. The Mirror has reached out to Cheryl’s representatives for comment.
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At the time of Liam’s tragic death, Cheryl penned a lengthy tribute to her former partner and the father of her child.
“As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she wrote.
“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”
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She added: “What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.
“I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last. Thank you, Cheryl.”
