Wednesday's results

BASEBALL

MAJOR LEAGUE

Milwaukee Brewers 6 Los Angeles Dodgers 8 (10 innings), Texas Rangers 3 Oakland Athletics 0, Kansas City Royals 6 Cleveland Indians 5, Colorado Rockies 8 Arizona Diamondbacks 1, Los Angeles Angels 3 Seattle Mariners 5, Baltimore Orioles 8 Detroit Tigers 4, Boston Red Sox 3 Toronto Blue Jays 4, New York Yankees 2 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 6, Washington Nationals 3 Florida Marlins 6, Philadelphia Phillies 4 New York Mets 16, Pittsburgh Pirates 1 St. Louis Cardinals 7, Cincinnati Reds 1 Chicago Cubs 7, Chicago White Sox 3 Minnesota Twins 1, Houston Astros 5 Atlanta Braves 3, San Diego Padres 5 San Francisco Giants 2.

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BASKETBALL

NBA

Scores: Cleveland 100 Boston Celtics 86, Denver 119 Portland 115, Milwaukee 109 Toronto 127, Atlanta 68 Detroit 95, Chicago 80 New York 83, Dallas 101 Seattle 96, Miami 99 Charlotte 80, New Jersey 109 Washington 101.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Taranaki Mountain Airs 84 (L. Abrams 20, B. Davidson 15, T. Rampton 15, M. Tompson 12) Waikato Titans 95 (B. Hill 24, K. Horton 23, G. Lewis 20). HT: 32-44.

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BOWLS

THAMES VALLEY

Women's interclub: Thames (J. Main/I. Naylor/D. Gedye/M. Mountney) 1, Waihi Beach (A. Thompson/A. Wiseman/D. Deed/P. Sole) 2.

Open women's bowler of the year: M. Henderson (Paeroa).

Junior women's bowler of the year: A. Jeffries (Pauanui).

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CYCLING

TOUR DE GEORGIA

South African cyclist Robbie Hunter won a sprint finish to claim the 207.4km opening stage yesterday, while defending champion Lance Armstrong crossed safely with the bunch.

After just 14km of the stage from Augusta to Macon, Dan Bowman staged an early solo break in the rolling Georgia countryside to open up a 13-minute gap before the peloton reacted and began to reel in the 23-year-old rider.

He was absorbed back into the pack after 146km and the peloton set up for a sprint finish in Macon.

Hunter surged to the front around 200m from the line to win the stage ahead of Australia's Ben Brooks and Italy's Michele Maccanti.

Thousands of spectators lined the route to get a glimpse of Armstrong, who announced on Tuesday that he would retire after July's Tour de France.

It was an uneventful day for the 33-year-old Texan, who is using the six-stage Georgia tour as a tune-up for this year's Tour de France where he will chase an unprecedented seventh crown.

The second stage of the six-stage Georgia race will be a 205.5km dash from Fayetteville to Rome.

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GOLF

NATIONAL STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Scores after three rounds.-

201: M. Sim (Aust) 67 63 71.

203: A. Porker (Aust) 65 70 68.

209: B. Iles (Manor Park) 70 66 73, M. Brown (Aust) 69 66 74.

211: K. Carlson (Aust) 68 68 75, T. O'Connell (The Grange) 64 72 75, J. An (Springfield) 71 67 73, J. Maker (Aust) 67 74 70.

212: M.Leishman (Aust) 69 70 73, T. Rohipa (New Plymouth) 72 73 67.

213: P. Hayman (Manor Park) 69 70 74, A. Dodt (Aust) 70 72 71, T. Sinclair (Hedgehope) 75 72 66.

214: E. Westergaard (Manawatu) 69 74 71.

215: A. Searle (Russley ) 70 67 78, B. Stuart (Windsor) 72 68 75, L. James (The Grange) 72 70 73, J. Lapsley (Queenstown) 71 72 72, T. Davis (Aust) 73 72 70.

216: A. Preston (Peninsula) 68 73 75, R. Valentine (Remuera) 71 74 71.

217: R. Wright (Matamata) 71 67 79, R. Leslie (Paraparaumu) 72 67 78, N. Uebergang (Aust) 71 73 73, K. Chun (Titirangi) 72 72 73, A. Gang (Pakuranga) 75 70 72, J. Gill (Hamilton) 70 76 71.

218: J. Geary (Mt Maunganui) 73 67 78, F. Schwanner (Manukau) 67 74 77, J. McIntosh (Taupo ) 71 72 75, C. van der Nagel (Omanu) 72 73 73, M. Holten (Te Aroha) 75 71 72, A. Henare (Manor Park) 74 73 71, D. Lee (Springfield) 76 71 71, D. Turley (Hawke's Bay) 71 76 71.

219: S. Shin (Gulf Harbour) 69 76 74, M. Smith (Springfield) 72 75 72, S. Bastion (Omanu) 75 72 72.

220: D. Holloway (Maraenui) 74 70 76, S. Johnson (North Shore) 71 73 76, J. Fisher (Omanu) 72 74 74, D. Dwyer (New Plymouth) 78 69 73, B. Stuart (Royal Wellington) 73 74 73, M. Martin (Waitara) 72 75 73, A. Stewart (Western Bay) 73 75 72, B. Guilford (Rotorua) 75 74 71.

221: R. Kauika (Manor Park) 70 71 80, A. Green (Shandon) 71 73 77, L. Manning (Aust) 74 75 72.

222: A. Church (Miramar) 72 74 76, Sung Ho Lee (Titirangi) 77 69 76, A. Kim (Whitford Park) 73 74 75, S. Pinfold (Manor Park) 71 76 75, D. Kang (Hamilton) 76 72 74.

223: R. Ilott (Windsor) 71 72 80, D. Sipson (Peninsula) 71 75 77, P. Singh (Manawatu) 72 74 77, K. Smith (Manawatu) 75 72 76, G. Hall (Hawke;s Bay) 73 76 74.

224: M. Gray (North Shore) 71 74 79, S. Maclean (New Plymouth) 73 74 77, C. Johns (Auckland) 72 75 77, D. Clarke (Sherwood Park) 72 75 77, H. Green (Christchurch) 71 77 76.

226: J. Kim (The Grange) 73 75 78, S. Ha (Akarana) 73 75 78, D. Sherborne (Miramar) 75 74 77.

227: R. Yee (Russley ) 72 74 81, K. Nakayama (Waitikiri) 73 75 79, M. Blackbourn (New Plymouth) 74 74 79.

228: M. Bremner (Manawatu) 69 77 82, M. Keehan (Taupo ) 73 75 80, D. Wylde (North Shore) 75 74 79, J. Gardiner (Greenacres) 75 74 79.

229: T. Campbell (St Clair) 72 75 82.

230: P. Wedd (Puketitiri) 69 78 83.

231: J.Hamilton (Omanu) 78 70 83.

WOMEN'S NATIONAL UNDER-21

New Zealand under-21, final: N. Krishna (Auckland) bt T. Clelland (Taupo) 2 and 1. Semifinals: Krishna bt Mi Kyung Kim (North Harbour) 3 and 1, Clelland bt J. Shin (Springfield) at the 21st.

Khandallah Trophy, final: Z. B. Brake (Kawerau) bt A. Anderson (Ngahinepouri) 1 up.

Lynette Brooky Trophy, final: E. Perry (Lochiel) bt G. Matheson (Te Ngutu) 3 and 2.

Whangarei Trophy, final: H. Beaumont (Coringa) bt R. Boland (Eltham) 3 and 2.

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LEAGUE

NRL

A topsy-turvy season obviously agrees with the fans.

Far from frustrated by the unpredictable results, fans have flocked to the first six rounds in record numbers.

Each of the rounds has attracted higher crowds than the corresponding round of last year's record-breaking season.

The current average per game is now at 17,638 - almost 2000 a game higher than at the same time in 2004.

That trend is not expected to end at tomorrow night's test clash between Australia and New Zealand at Brisbane.

"Sales suggest a crowd of around 35,000 for the match which would be the highest Australian test crowd since Australia versus England in Sydney in 1992 (40,141)," an NRL official said.

The last Brisbane league test to draw more than 35,000 was the 1970 encounter with Great Britain (42,807).

The record for Australia v New Zealand in Brisbane is 31,000, set in 1993.

"It's been an amazing start to the year," NRL chief executive David Gallop said. "After setting record crowds for the last two years, it was always going to be a challenge to keep breaking records."

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MOTOR RACING

FORMULA ONE

Michael Schumacher has warned championship leader Fernando Alonso to expect a Ferrari backlash at Imola this weekend.

The seven-times world champion, 24 points behind Renault's young Spaniard after three races, says he can be more aggressive in Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix because he has nothing to lose.

"The events this season have been working in Fernando's favour, but that won't be likely to stay that way," Schumacher said.

"He will have to keep the championship in mind now and will have to handle some situations differently - for instance be more careful and pull back sometimes, just to make sure he scores some points.

"I, on the other hand, have nothing to lose so I can attack and push. All the other drivers can take more risks than he can. "

Alonso, 23, has won the last two races from pole position and Renault are now aiming to open the European season with a fourth triumph in a row after winning in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain.

Schumacher, who has made the worst start to a season of his 14-year-career after winning 13 of last year's races and the first five in a row, remained confident, however.

"There's no two ways about it: our goal is to start winning races again and I think our chances are quite good," Schumacher said.

Schumacher has won the San Marino Grand Prix five times in the last six years and Ferrari are confident he can again be fighting for victory on Sunday.

The champion has tested the new F2005 extensively since its troublesome debut in Bahrain three weeks ago, completing 2500km on the track.

The 36-year-old will limber up for Sunday's race by playing in a charity soccer match in San Marino's Olympic Stadium today.

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RUGBY

SUPER 14

Waratahs' first five-eighth Lachlan MacKay yesterday agreed to terms for a three-year contract with the Western Force for their debut in next year's competition.

The former Australian under-21 captain had been considering offers from the Waratahs and the Force for the past fortnight.

MacKay joins Waratahs team-mate Brendan Cannon and Queensland lock Nathan Sharpe as the Force's only signings.

"I have agonised over the decision - especially since our win over the Brumbies last Saturday," MacKay said.

"But in the end, the opportunity to be part of helping to build a new team influenced my decision.

"It won't be easy leaving the Waratahs, especially when we're in with a big show of winning the Super 12, but I am comfortable with my reasons for making the switch".

MacKay said his focus was now making a major contribution to support the Waratahs in their bid for the Super 12 title.

AUCKLAND CLUB

East Tamaki 23 (E. Feleti 2 tries, T. Faamosimo 2 con, 3 pen) Waitakere City 12 (T. Maeli, S. Fonoti tries, O. J. Tonuu con).

Ponsonby 41 (D. Smith 3, B. Tauwhare, S. Sasulu tries, B. Williams 4 pen, 2 con) Suburbs 0.

Otahuhu 15 (H. Aulika, S. Lemalu tries, D. Malifa pen, con) University 13 (F. Ah Ling, H. Storm tries, J. Foote pen).

Grammar Carlton 12 (L. Munro 4 pen) Te Papapa Onehunga 11 (M. Tonga try, P. Palanite 2 pen).

Waitemata 21 (R. Kaisau, M. Ashford tries, Ashford con, 3 pen) Marist 34 (P. Vainikolo, T. Tuimaga (2) tries, G. Arlidge 2 con, 5 pen).

Points after round five: Ponsonby 22, Grammar Carlton 17, University 16, Te Papapa Onehunga 15, East Tamaki 15, Marist 9, Otahuhu 9, Waitakere City 5, Waitemata 5, Suburbs 1.

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SNOOKER

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Last 32 (prefix denotes seeding): A. Carter (England) bt 16-M. Fu (Hong Kong) 10-4 (71-40 0-68 78-49 69-37 92-1 58-18 73-25 9-90 80-47 47-61 87-29 78-0 0-80 54-1), 5-J. Higgins (Scotland) bt M. Selby (England) 10-5 (136-0 0-135 105-7 117-8 22-76 17-69 57-64 84-21 106-0 76-50 138-0 1-100 88-37 105-0 88-69), 11-J. White (England) bt F. O'Brien (Ireland) 10-5 (110-15 68-31 87-25 65-81 69-56 72-34 83-0 67-66 76-28 8-77 0-76 80-18 0-106 6-73 108-0).

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SOCCER

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Burnley 2 Queens Park Rangers 0, Leicester City 1 Cardiff City 1, Stoke City 0 West Ham United 1.

ENGLISH LEAGUE TWO

Macclesfield 1 Southend 2.

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SQUASH

QATAR CHALLENGE

New Zealand's Tamsyn Leevey produced a big upset in the US$72,000 ($100,685) event in Doha yesterday.

Leevey beat world No 8 Omneya Abdel Kawy from Egypt 9-3, 2-9, 4-9, 10-8, 9-5 in the opening round.

Leevey will meet Irish 11th seed Madeline Perry in the second round.

New Zealand No 1 Shelley Kitchen easily beat England's Alison Waters 9-6, 9-2, 9-2 and will play Malaysian world No 4 Nicol David for a place in the quarter-finals.

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TENNIS

US CLAY-COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS

Round one (prefix number denotes seeding): 1-A. Roddick (US) bt M. Boeker (US) 6-2 6-3, P. Goldstein (US) bt J. Vanek (Czech Republic) 6-1 7-6 (7-4), 8-L. Horna (Peru) bt T. Enqvist (Sweden) 6-4 6-3, 3-T. Haas (Germany) bt K. Vliegen (Belgium) 6-3 7-5, J. Morrison (United States) bt A. Popp (Germany) 6-3 7-6 (7-4), N. Okun (Israel) bt R. Mello (Brazil) 6-4 7-5, N. Lapentti (Ecuador) bt T. Zib (Czech Republic) 6-3 6-2, J. Blake (US) bt I. Minar (Czech Republic) 6-2 7-5, A. Dupuis (France) bt 4-N. Massu (Chile) 6-4 6-0, A. Agassi (US) bt M. Tabara (Czech Republic) 6-2 7-6, K. Kim (United States) bt A. Garcia (Chile) 6-4 6-4.

BARCELONA OPEN

First round: A. Martin (Spain) bt Y. El Aynaoui (Morocco) 6-4 6-3, J. Carlos Ferrero (Spain) bt A. Montanes (Spain) 6-3 3-6 7-5, 13-D. Ferrer (Spain) bt F. Verdasco (Spain) 6-3 6-4, J. Hernych (Czech Republic) bt A. Murray (Britain) 3-6 6-4 6-4, 11-R. Stepanek (Czech Republic) bt I. Labadze (Georgia) 4-6 6-2 7-5, S. Ventura (Spain) bt G. Blanco (Spain) 6-3 6-3, W. Arthurs (Australia) bt R. R. Hidalgo (Spain) 6-4 6-3, A. Calleri (Argentina) bt G. Monfils (France) 7-6 7-6, 14-J. I. Chela (Argentina) bt A. Portas (Spain) 6-4 7-6, G. Muller (Luxembourg) bt M. Lopez (Spain) 6-4 7-6.

Second round: 7-N. Davydenko (Russia) bt F. Fogues (Spain) 6-3 6-2, 9-T. Johansson (Sweden) bt X. Malisse (Belgium) 7-5 7-5, M. Mirnyi (Belarus) bt J. Monaco (Argentina) 7-6 6-2, 3-C. Moya (Spain) bt J. Nieminen (Finland) 7-5 5-7 6-2.

ATP TOUR RANKINGS

R. Federer (Switzerland) 6465 points, 1, L. Hewitt (Australia) 4170, 2, M. Safin (Russia) 3345, 3, A. Roddick (US) 3340, 4, G. Coria (Argentina) 2390, 5, T. Henman (Britain) 2275, 6, C. Moya (Spain) 2185, 7, G. Gaudio (Argentina) 2170, 8, D. Nalbandian (Argentina) 2030, 9, A. Agassi (US) 2005, 10.

R. Nadal (Spain) 1800, 11, J. Johansson (Sweden) 1700, 12, G. Canas (Argentina) 1665, 13, I. Ljubicic (Croatia) 1600, 14, T. Robredo (Spain) 1585, 15, N. Davydenko (Russia) 1480, 16, T. Johansson (Sweden) 1283, 17, N. Massu (Chile) 1280, 18, M. Ancic (Croatia) 1270, 19, D. Ferrer (Spain) 1210, 20.

WTA TOUR RANKINGS

L. Davenport (US) 1996 points, 1, M. Sharapova (Russia) 1699, 2, S. Williams (US) 1597, 3, K. Clijsters (Belgium) 1237, 4, A. Mauresmo (France) 1089, 5, P. Schnyder (Switzerland) 989, 6, E. Dementieva (Russia) 966, 7, A. Molik (Australia) 961, 8, N. Dechy (France) 820, 9, V. Williams (US) 698, 10.

T. Golovin (France) 693, 11, N. Petrova (Russia) 675, 12, J. Henin-Hardenne (Belgium) 650, 13, S. F. Elia (Italy) 611, 14, S. Asagoe (Japan) 581, 15, S. Kuznetsova (Russia) 517, 16, D. Hantuchova (Slovakia) 484, 17, N. Vaidisova (Czech Republic) 472, 18, J. Jankovic (Serbia and Montenegro) 461, 19, E. Linetskaya (Russia) 457, 20.